Lagos resident killed after winning lottery

A 35-year-old man, Ejike Onyejekwe, has been killed in the FESTAC Town area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim, who lived on 21 Road, K Close, FESTAC, was stabbed to death after winning a lot of money from a lottery.

Our correspondent gathered that Onyejekwe, to celebrate the winning, bought drinks for his friends and threw a party last Thursday and Friday.

It was learnt that on Friday evening, he was heard arguing with an unidentified person on the phone.

He allegedly told his friend he was going to see the man, but never returned.

His corpse was allegedly discovered the next day on one of the estates.

A resident, who did not want to be identified, said the chairman of the estate called the attention of residents to the corpse on Saturday.

He said, “I was sipping tea around 7am when I heard the chairman blowing a whistle. I thought it was strange, but my wife called my attention to the surging crowd on the estate.

“I went downstairs and saw the corpse on the road. Like everybody, I was alarmed. We could not tell how the corpse got there or who he was. He had multiple stab injuries in the head. We all resolved that the case should be reported at the FESTAC Police Station.”

It was learnt that some of the victim’s friends later identified him.

The corpse was said to have been deposited in a morgue, while the police arrested and detained the chairman of the estate and his secretary; they were later released.

A source told PUNCH Metro that the victim won a lottery few days to his death.

He said, “The man won a lot of money in a lottery and from last Thursday to Friday, he was asking his friends to drink at his expense.

“He was called on the phone that Friday evening and he went to meet a man. I suspect that a gang stabbed him and used an object to hit him in the head. There were bruises on his knees and it appeared they dragged him on the floor as well.

“When the police were removing his corpse, blood was dripping from his mouth and nostrils. He was murdered in cold blood.”

A friend of the victim, who did not identify himself, said his relative had visited the community.

“I can’t say why he was killed. Nobody knows. He just returned from a visit to the village,” he added.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.

She added that the police had already arrested two suspects in connection with the death.

She said, “The chairman of one of the estates reported that at about 7am, he woke up and saw the victim lying lifeless with injuries on his head and body. The corpse was deposited at the Isolo General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy. Two suspects, Suleiman Ahmed and Ibrahim Yusuf, were arrested and the case transferred to the SCIID for further investigation.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Indian employer arrested for assaulting domestic help

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an Indian, Jay Keswani, for allegedly assaulting his wife’s domestic help, Faith Nwaneri, on the Banana Island, Ikoyi area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Keswani was apprehended on Tuesday by the Adeniji Adele division after about six weeks he allegedly evaded arrest.

Our correspondent gathered that Faith, who worked for the Indian businessman, was hit on the face on Friday, August 12, while in the Keswanis’ apartment on the Banana Island.

She was said to have been assaulted for coming late to work on that day.

It was learnt that Faith sustained a facial injury after which she reported the matter at the Ikoyi Police Division.

Policemen from the division had reportedly gone to the Island to arrest the Indian, but were allegedly prevented from entering the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the Indian’s arrest, adding that he would be charged to court at the end of investigation.

She said, “The police arrested him on Tuesday. He was nabbed by the Adeniji Adele division. He was tracked to his house. When the suspect discovered that the police were on the lookout for him, he initially fled.

“But when he thought the tension was down, he returned to his house and was arrested. The family support unit of the division is in charge of the case. The Indian has not confessed to the crime, but all the evidences before the police indicate that he assaulted the lady. He will be charged to court.”

Faith’s elder brother, Chukwuka, had narrated that her sister was late to work on that Friday, because the security men delayed to give her a pass.

He said, “Keswani’s wife queried Faith for coming late, and she explained that she was delayed by the security men at the gate for lack of a pass. The Indian’s wife became angry and reported Faith to her husband.

“There was an altercation and my sister was hit on the face; she began to bleed. She fell and became unconscious, but they thought she was pretending.

“When she regained consciousness, she headed for a public hospital at Falomo, and also reported at the Ikoyi Police Station. The police at Ikoyi invited the Indian, but he did not show up.”

Our correspondent gathered that the matter was also reported to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, Alausa.

The DSVRT Coordinator, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, said, “The case was brought to our attention on September 14.

“It came to our knowledge that the case was first reported at the Ikoyi division, but the police at that level were unable to invite him.

“The case was transferred to another police section on September 2, but the Indian did not appear to write his statement until September 7.

“When the matter got to us, the DSVRT referred the case to the Adeniji Adele division. The Divisional Police Officer referred the case to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, and the Commissioner of Police directed that the matter be charged to court.”

A source at the Adeniji Adele division said the Indian, in his statement to the police, insisted that he was not guilty of the offence.

Culled from PUNCH.

Ogun pastor gets stuck in shrine, loses consciousness

A pastor, identified as Wale Fagbere, got stuck in a shrine in   Ketu community in Ayetoro  area of Yewa North local government, Ogun State while destroying the traditional worshipers’ items.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the pastor, whose church   could not be ascertained as of the time of this report, became unconscious in the shrine. Fagbere was reported to have earlier told his congregation that he had been directed by God to destroy all the shrines in Ketu community. An attempt to destroy the shrine boomeranged as he got stuck in the place, prompting residents to raise the alarm.

Further findings showed that the priests in charge of the shrine insisted that until they performed  some ritual on him, he could not  be let off the hook. It was gathered that intervention of the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Abdulaziz Adelakun,  saved the cleric  as he was treated by the priests before he regained  consciousness. Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident,   said the man might be charged for sacrilege and malicious damage.

He said: “The police got the report  in   Ayetoro that one Evangelist  Wale Fagbere   went to   Ketu to destroy a shrine.  After the destruction,   the man became unconscious. “When policemen     visited the place,   the traditionalists claimed that the subject  could not be taken away until some spiritual exercise had been performed. “The Alaye of Ayetoro,   Oba AbdulAzeez Adelakun, waded into the matter which led to the release of the man.

The victim has been revived and has been handed over to his family for more spiritual cleansing”. When asked who the police would charge, the traditionalists or the victim, the PPRO said  the latter would be charged for sacrilege and malicious damage after he gets well.

He said the police next step would be determined by the traditionalists  lodging of a complaint against the pastor. “Everybody has right to worship anything he so desires”, Oyeyemi said.

Culled from Vanguard

2016 WAEC result: Best student gets scholarship upto PhD

WHEN Miss Faizal Abu bakar Sani, 17, a former student of Olumawu School, Abuja, was writing her West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination, WASS-CE, few months ago, little did she know that the examination would earn her a scholarship to study any course of her choice in any university in the world of her choosing.

As fortune smiles on her, Faizal’s scholarship as stated by the Kano State Government, where she hails from, will know no bounds, as it covers university education in any foreign country to whatever level she wants. Faizal, who was celebrated by her alma-mater, Olumawu School, Abuja; had nine A1 in the May/June 2016 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). She had A1  in English Language, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Computer Studies, Civic Education and Marketing. The result was adjudged by her school and Kano State government as the best ever in the state.

Faizal Abubakar Sani Faizal who spoke with Vanguard said: ‘’I will like to study Medicine in any of the famous universities abroad. Meanwhile, I have been offered admission by at least seven universities in the United Kingdom and one university in Egypt, to study medicine.’’ On her reading habit, Faizal who scored 226 in the last JAMB said: ‘’I have no specific study hour because most times I study until I get tired and often fall asleep.”

She, however disclosed that when preparing for examination, she reads and takes a break every 30 minutes. Her words: “My mother contributed greatly to my academic success, because she encourages and grooms me. My father is a businessman who paid my school fees.’’ On her part, Faizal’s mother, Mrs. Hadiza Abubakar, who is a lawyer, described her daughter as a quiet, reserved and responsible girl who has shown intelligence right from her birth. She said: ‘’I have not in anyway influenced her because she has a mind of her own. Mine is just to guide her and advise her. She is a young girl with an already set mind. I wanted her to go into software engineering, but she said she wanted to read Biomedical Engineering. ‘’I sat her down, looked at it and said that if she goes for that, she will have a limited number of schools to fit in. I advised her to go for Data Based Management course.

“Being a lawyer and working in the Identity Management sector. I saw an area where she could go into, which is Data Base Management course, which has to do with software. She had already made up her mind . If Biomedical engineering is not available, she will go for medicine and she has been on that.”

On the early marriage in the north, as opposed to education, she said: ‘’I do not have a problem with early marriage if the girl is already matured. The important thing is that whoever is getting married should be focused.” Hadiza who said her daughter takes after her said: ‘’Even though I got married at an early age, I knew where I wanted to be and education was my primary focus. I achieved a lot in education. I might not have been an A1 student like her, but I was good in many courses in school.”

The governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje on his part said: ‘’The scholarship is meant to cover her undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees at any university of her choice across the world. This gesture is to acknowledge merit and to especially encourage girl-child education in our state. Chosen endeavours “The state government is making arrangements to ensure that the gifted children are given opportunity to fully exploit their potentials. We will continue to encourage our people to achieve in their chosen endeavours and bring honour to their families, the state and the nation at large.”

In her reaction,  former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Muktar said that Faizal’s academic feat boldly represents the new era for the girl child in Nigeria. She said: “Once upon a time, girl child was a second class member of her family and society but today, things have changed for better as both sexes have equal opportunities to activate their natural potentials and strive for the best in their life time”. The  Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, charged Faizal to sustain the tempo of her excellent academic feat by taking it to the realm of invention and end up being an inventor who will do Nigeria proud in future. He said: “We want you to go back to your books on more serious template when you get to the university and repeat this academic feat, entailing reading and researching and through it, becoming an inventor who will do Nigeria proud in future.” Also, Barrister Arome Audu, a member of the School’s Governing Council who described Faizal’s academic feat as one akin to the one attained by the founder of the school, the late Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Oloruntomiwo Audu as a student at that level in 1951, saying “Faizal is another Mrs. Audu in the making”. “Faizal by this excellent result has made every minute of her existence and in particular, of her schooling here in Olumawu within the last six years counts. Therefore to all other students of the school coming after her, let every minute of your schooling count as well,” he said.

He commended the parents of Faizal for following her up academically on the home front while schooling and preparing for the examination and urged other parents to do likewise to their children just as he saluted the teachers of the school for imparting the right knowledge into her and others, culminating in their excellent performance in both WAEC and NECO examinations.

Aggregate scoring Meanwhile, in a reaction to this academic feat, WAEC has said through its spokesman, Mr. Demianus Ojijeogu, that WAEC has not officially announced the best WAEC candidate in the May/June 2016 examination. His words: ‘’The information that Faizal is the best student in the May/June 2016 WASSCE in Nigeria did not emanate from us. There are other candidates in other schools that also have nine As. We do not calculate the best in Nigeria based on the numbers of As. We use aggregate. Scoring A in WASSCE has categories. That Faizal has 9 As in does not make her the best candidate in Nigeria. She could be the best candidate in her school, but not even in Abuja or in Nigeria. WAEC will announce at the right time.’’

Culled from Vanguard

Court convicts teenager of stealing generator

"A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced an 18-year-old artisan, Daniel Jatau, to 10 strokes of cane and cleaning of the court premises for stealing a generator.

The Upper Area court judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, sentenced Jatau after he pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal trespass, housebreaking and stealing.

Kagarko held that if the convict was put in prison at his age, he would mingle with other hardened prisoners.

He warned the convict to desist from committing further crimes.

The police prosecutor, Umoh Inah, told the court that Linus Ireogbu, the vigilante Chairman of Kuruduma village, Asokoro, Abuja, reported the matter at the Asokoro Police Station on September 20.

He said Ireogbu caught Jatau with the Tiger generator valued N18, 000 while on a routine patrol within the village.

He said after interrogating Jatau, he confessed that he stole the generator from his neighbour’s room.

Inah said the offence contravened sections 287, 347 and 348 of the Penal Code."

Culled from PUNCH.       

Police rescue 84-year-old woman, daughter from kidnappers

"An 84-year-old woman, Mrs. Roseline Odoh, and her daughter, Josephine Odoh, have been rescued from kidnappers in Enugu State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the two women were abducted from their family house in Ogbelle Ohullor, a community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, on September 22, by a gang of kidnappers.

The kidnappers subsequently got in touch with their family members to demand an unspecified amount of money as ransom.

But luck ran out on the kidnappers, as about 24 hours later, on September 23, operatives of the Enugu State Police Command swooped on their hideout to rescue the hostages.

The spokesperson of the Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the development, explained that the police were able to free the women with the aid of information from members of the public.

Our correspondent gathered that the police traced the kidnappers to their hideout in a bush at Orokam, in neighbouring Benue State.

“The kidnappers engaged the police in a gun battle, during which one of the hoodlums, Nnabuike Ukwueze, alias Nwansukka, sustained fatal injuries.

“Ukwueze was confirmed dead when he was taken to a hospital. We also arrested other members of the gang,”  Amaraizu said.

He identified the arrested kidnappers as Ernest Ikeani, Sunday Asogwa and Nonso Nwude.

A Renault car with number plate, UWN 992 LN, which the kidnappers used in their operations, was recovered from the hideout.

The 84-year-old woman and her daughter were also rescued unhurt during the raid.

The police spokesman said the kidnappers would be arraigned in court soon.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, called for sustained collaboration between members of the public and the police."

Culled from PUNCH.       

Pastor tackles Lagos hospital for removing wife’s womb

"A pastor with a Pentecostal ministry, Chinedu Rockson, has accused the management of Ilogbo Central Hospital in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos State of removing his wife’s womb and damaging her bladder during childbirth.

Chinedu said the hospital also detained his wife over the payment of N50,000, adding that efforts to clear the bill had been frustrated by the hospital.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Chinedu’s wife, Chinansa, had been referred to the hospital on August 26, 2016, after she could not be delivered of the baby at the hospital where she had her antenatal care.

The hospital reportedly commenced a caesarean section on the 42-year-old after her husband signed some documents to perfect the terms.

Chinedu explained that some hours into the operation, he was called into the theatre to sign another document, adding that nobody told him it was for the removal of his wife’s womb.

He said, “They charged N200, 000 for the operation and we negotiated for N150,000. I paid a deposit of N30,000 and they started the operation.

“They asked me to sign some papers, which I did. Some hours later, a surgeon said there had been complications and I would need to sign another document. He didn’t tell me what I was signing for or the implications. Because I was in a haste to get my wife saved, I signed the document.

“After some time, they brought out my wife from the theatre with a pipe attached to her bladder. We became worried when we discovered that few days afterwards, they didn’t remove the pipe.

“After a week, they said I should come and clear my bill of N50,000 so they could discharge her. I called a senior pastor, who presented them with a cheque. But they said they would keep her for the two weeks that the cheque would be ready to be cashed.”

PUNCH Metro gathered that a sister-in-law, who visited the victim at the hospital, asked the management why the pipe had yet to be removed.

The hospital was said to have opened up that Chinansa’s womb had been removed and her bladder damaged.

“They said she cannot control her urine without the pipe. That was when I realised what had happened,” Chinedu said.

The pastor lamented that  his wife’s medical condition had worsened, adding that he could neither afford the hospital bill nor take her back home in her present condition.

It was learnt that the couple, who are indigenes of Anambra State, married in 2002 and had four children, including the newborn baby.

Lawyer to the Rockson family, Chris Ogbedeneto, in a petition to the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, called for an investigation into the case.

He said, “Why should there be a second signing? They scared the husband with the sight of his wife in a pool of blood and did not let him know what he was signing for. What is the relationship between the womb and the bladder and why does the hospital’s director now want to discharge the woman when it is obvious that her life is in danger?

“The doctor’s action can breach the peace of the community if urgent actions are not taken. Our client feels debased and suffers a mental and psychological trauma on realising that the wife’s womb has been cut off and the bladder affected without his consent and his wife cannot control her urine anymore.”

The hospital, in its reaction, denied any wrong doing in the matter, saying Chinansa was in a bad shape when she was admitted.

A director at the hospital, Dr Femi Obileyi, said the mother of four could have died but for the quick intervention of the hospital.

He said, “We are known for standard in the area where we operate and that is why we enjoy a lot of patronage. The woman in question had been mismanaged ab initio. She burst her womb in the first hospital where she registered. They pressed her womb to force the baby out and that action ruptured the womb. When she was brought to us, she was bleeding because the labour had become obstructed.

“We discovered that to save her life, we would need to do a surgery. At surgery, we discovered that her uterus had burst, which had also affected her bladder.  We first stopped the bleeding and then made some repairs. It was after all these that we discovered she could not control her urine.

“When they came to us, they had issues with money, which we didn’t allow to be a barrier. We admitted her and did everything possible to save her life. We can’t imagine that after saving her life, the family will turn around to fight us.

“The man was called in when the attempts to repair the womb proved abortive. He was informed that the tear was serious and we had to save her life. We did that to carry him along, and he gave his consent.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said she would get back to our correspondent on the case, but she had yet to do so as of press time."

Culled from PUNCH.       

Dr. Adekunle Williams Owolabi Suspended After Misconduct Conviction

A disciplinary tribunal has suspended a Labrador West medical doctor for six months after he was found guilty of professional misconduct.

The tribunal found Dr. Adekunle Owolabi guilty on Monday of all four counts of professional misconduct after four female patients accused him of making sexual comments, and of inappropriate hugging and kissing.

He must complete training on appropriate doctor-patient boundaries, and pay $75,000 in hearing costs related to the investigation and disciplinary process.

When he resumes practising, he must have a chaperone when seeing female patients for two years.

Owolabi has 30 days to appeal to the trial division of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

His lawyer argued he should not be suspended for more than six months.

Paul Stokes told a disciplinary hearing Monday that Owolabi’s technical skills as a doctor are not in question. He asked the tribunal to put inappropriate comments, hugging and kissing in context of far more serious possible sexual offences.

“This is a good physician,’’ Stokes told the panel from the provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons, which confirmed the four convictions Monday.

Asked woman if she ‘liked big ones’ during Pap test

Four women accused Owolabi of misconduct ranging from sexual comments during a pelvic exam to inappropriate hugging and kissing.

Dr. Elizabeth Mate, who is leading the disciplinary tribunal, said Monday comments Owolabi made to one woman during a Pap test, asking if she “liked big ones or small ones,’’ were “cavalier’’ and “unprofessional.’’

Lawyer Ruth Trask, representing the college, argued Monday for an eight-month suspension with a formal reprimand from the tribunal.

She said Owolabi should also complete training on doctor-patient boundaries and should have to have a chaperone for at least two years when seeing female patients in future. He has continued to practise in Labrador West with such a chaperone as the college process has played out.

Stokes had said an eight-month suspension would be “excessive,’’ and suggested instead three to six months. He also said there should be a definite end date to how long his client should require a chaperone to see female patients.

Owolabi had denied any wrongdoing during a six-day hearing earlier this year.

In each of the four separate complaints, Owolabi was found to have shown a lack of respect for his patients constituting professional misconduct.

Penalties range from a fine to suspension for the doctor, who graduated in 2000 as a general practitioner in Nigeria.

‘A pattern of behaviour’

A decision on sanctioning could take several weeks.

“This is taken very seriously,’’ Trask said, suggesting Owolabi has engaged in “a pattern of behaviour.’’

Trask said there should also be signs in the waiting room so female patients know a chaperone is required.

Owolabi turned his face away from media cameras as he arrived at the hearing Monday, and showed little emotion as the findings were read.

At one point Owolabi sat with his forehead in his hand before Stokes spoke a few words to him.

Culled from Huffington Post Ca

Read 'Ritual' Convo Between Two UNILAG Undergrads

According to the gist,her boyfriend had overheard her talking on the phone to
someone about not bathing that day because of the ritual. Then she started the incantations. All the while she thought he was asleep.  He was frozen on the bed till he heard her snoring then he got her phone which was actually under her pillow and took the pictures of her chat with her friend...

Culled from Stella Dimoko-Korkus

Imo mob lynches serial killer, Fela

"A notorious criminal, Charles Emeka, popularly called Fela, who had allegedly been terrorising residents of Owerri, the capital of Imo State, and its environs, has been killed.

It was gathered on Wednesday that a mob in Owerri battered him to death.

Emeka, a native of Aguneze in the Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, was said to have confessed to the mob that he could not remember the number of persons he had killed.

The irate mob subsequently inflicted injuries on him before the intervention of the state police command.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, told our correspondent that Fela had already been battered to death before the intervention of the police, adding that efforts to revive him at a hospital proved abortive.

The PPRO said the police would have loved to interrogate him so that his gang members could be nabbed.

He said, “Emeka was confirmed dead on arrival at the Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, Owerri. Emeka, aka Fela, and his gang members were responsible for the multiple robberies and murder cases in the state. One of them was the case of Chigozie Onyemeam, who was attacked in front of the Federal High Court, Owerri, on June 26, 2016.”

Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said Fela was also linked to the murder of one  Lucky of Umuonyeche on September 17, 2016, and one Goodluck David of Oguamalam Street in Owerri.

The PPRO said Emeka and his gang also terrorised residents of Umezurike , Amaigbo, Enereji, Royce, Oparanozie and Lobo streets, among others in Owerri.

He also disclosed that a locally-made double-barrel had gun with two live cartridges was recovered from the victim.

He urged members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of other members of the gang to report to the police.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, said the command was poised to deal decisively with anyone found breaking law and order and hampering the peace in the state.

He said, “The Imo State Police Command shall not rest until we have decisively dealt with criminals in the state.”

Culled from PUNCH.

School- leaver rapes four-year-old girl in her brother’s presence

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Bassey Johnson, for allegedly raping a four-year-old girl in the Idimu area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the school-leaver, who is also learning a trade, allegedly raped the girl, Fatima (pseudonym), when she and her elder brother went to watch a television in the suspect’s apartment.

The victim’s family and the suspect were said to be neighbours in the area.

Our correspondent gathered that on Sunday, around 9am, Fatima and her seven-year-old brother, Wareed, went to the suspect’s room to watch the TV.

It was learnt that while the two were in Johnson’s apartment, Wareed fell asleep.

The suspect was said to have raped the girl, after the brother slept.

A neighbour, who identified herself only as Adeyinka, said it was Fatima’s mother, who later discovered that the four-year-old had been raped when the girl continued to scratch her private parts.

She said, “Bass (Johnson) is very close to the girl’s family. They are neighbours and the children usually went to watch TV in his room. On that Sunday, the girl and her brother went into Bass’ room and while they were watching TV, the brother slept off.

“Bass thereafter raped the girl. The brother was sleeping in the room while Bass, who could not control his urge, raped the girl. After the girl came out of the room, the mother noticed that she kept crying and was scratching her private parts.

“When the mother checked Fatima’s private parts, she saw bloodstains and semen. When she confronted the perpetrator, the man confessed to the crime. That was how the matter got to the police.”

The matter was said to have been reported at the Idimu Police Division, and Johnson was arrested.

Our correspondent learnt that the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team had also stepped into the incident.

The DSVRT Coordinator, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the girl had been taken for a checkup, adding that  the Department of Public Prosecutions had requested for the duplicate case file.

She said, “The girl was taken to Rauf Aregbesola Primary Health Centre, where she was given post-exposure prophylaxis for free. The semen of the suspect was still in her pants as of the time of the treatment. The suspect ran away initially, but the girl’s father was able to arrest him through one of their neighbours.

“The matter was reported to us on Monday, and we are going to follow up on the prosecution. The girl has been treated. The DPP has also requested the duplicate case file.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest, adding that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Yaba.

She said, “The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has directed that the case be transferred to the SCIID.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Brad Pitt Breaks Silence on Divorce From Angelina Jolie: ‘What Matters Most Now Is the Well-Being of Our Kids’

Brad Pitt has spoken out about his divorce from Angelina Jolie.

In a statement released to PEOPLE, Pitt said his focus is on the “well-being of our kids.”

“I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids,” he said in the statement. “I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.”

Jolie filed from divorced from the actor, 52, on Monday after just two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split.

Jolie also released a statement addressing the divorce: “This decision was made for the health of the family,” the actress’ attorney said. “She will not be commenting at this time, and asks that the family be given their privacy during this difficult time.”

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Jolie has asked for physical custody of the couple’s shared six children – Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox – asking for Pitt to be granted visitation.

“Both Brad and Angelina care very much about their kids and there is sadness on both sides,” a source close to the situation tells PEOPLE.

Another source close to the couple told PEOPLE: “The divorce is a complete shock. They have definitely spent more time apart this year, but it’s still a shock. They just celebrated their wedding anniversary together.”

The documents state that the couple have been separated since Sept. 15.

Culled Peoples

Kidnapped Lagos landlord escapes

One of the four landlords kidnapped by gunmen in the Isheri North area of Lagos State has escaped from his captors.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim, who arrived at home on Tuesday, however, refused to discuss his ordeal with anyone.

Our correspondent had reported that the masked gunmen emerged from the waterways while the victims were jogging around 8am on Saturday.

The assailants were said to have shot into the air before taking away the four men in a speedboat.

A source told our correspondent that one of the men escaped on Tuesday.

He said, “He escaped from their midst because no ransom was paid. “He is scared and has kept to himself. The police have maintained visible presence in the community, but it is not certain they know where the kidnappers are.”

Another member of the community said some money was paid, adding that the victim arrived at the estate around 5am in a boat.

He said, “A large amount of money was paid by his family for his release; he didn’t escape. He was released at about 5am.”

When contacted, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, promised to call back, but he had yet to do so as of press time.

Culled from PUNCH.

Customs seize N20m fake malaria drugs

The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized over 33 cartons of alleged substandard anti-malaria drugs and antibiotics valued at N20m.

The command equally confiscated 500 bags of smuggled rice.

The drugs were said to have been intercepted at the Idiroko border area, while the rice was seized after operatives of the command raided an illegal warehouse at Okere Creek, near Bawe Gbo, in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Customs Area Controller, Multafu Waindu, explained on Tuesday that the operatives, acting on a tip-off, invaded the warehouse, where smuggled bags of rice with duty value of N5.1m were seized.

He added that the bags of rice and the fake drugs had been taken to the customs office at Idiroko.

He said, “Customs operatives raided the warehouse at Okere Creek last week, which led to the seizure of 500 bags of smuggled rice with duty paid value of N5.1m.

“As for the seized 33 cartons of substandard drugs, they were illegally brought into the country through the Nigeria/ Republic of Benin border. The medicaments include six cartons of Fluclox injection, six cartons of Meropen injection, four cartons of Gold win dusting powder, four cartons of Ondecan injection, five cartons of Meropen injection, seven cartons Himadium capsules, and six cartons of Artemether anti-malaria injection, among others, all valued at N20m.

“The fake drugs were on onward transportation into the country to be sold in the open market.”

The area controller, who later handed over the consignment of the confiscated drugs to the representative of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, reiterated that the command would not relent in its efforts to curtail smuggling in the state.

The Officer-in-Charge, Port Inspection Directorate of NAFDAC in Idiroko, Mr.Datol Andrew, said the action of the Customs men would save over a million people from falling victims to the fake drugs.

He expressed his disappointment that the importer of the substandard drugs was not nabbed, adding that his punishment would have served as a deterrent to others who engage in such act.

Andrew said NAFDAC would continue to partner the customs to prevent illicit drugs and foodstuffs from finding their way into the country.

Culled from PUNCH.

Anxiety over missing UNIOSUN students

Families of two final year students of the Osun State University are in confusion over the whereabouts of their children, Robert Akinduro and Samuel Eke, who have been missing for 16 days.

Our correspondent gathered that Eke and Robert went out to meet another student and had not been found.

Eke and Robert were said to be students at the Computer Science Department at the Osogbo campus of the university.

A student of the school told PUNCH Metro that the missing friends left their their apartment at the Oke Baale area of Osogbo to see a computer scientist, popularly called Parise around 10,30pm on September 5 and they had not been seen.

The case was said to have been reported at the Oke Baale Police Station and Parise was reportedly invited by the police.

He reportedly said he did not know the whereabouts of the missing students. The case was said to have been transferred to the police command headquarters in Osogbo.

Some of the students told our correspondent that Parise had been released by the police.

The mother of one of the missing students, Mrs. Eke, told our correspondent in Osogbo on Tuesday that she would meet the university management on the issue.

She said, “I am on my way to Osogbo to see the Dean of Students Affairs, on the matter. But we have not seen him. I am praying to God on the matter.”

Akinduro’s sibling also confirmed to our correspondent that his brother had yet to be seen as of Tuesday.

The DSA, when contacted on the telephone, said she could not speak on the matter on the telephone.

A member of the Students’ Representative Council of UNIOSUN, Seyi Famigbayan, also told our correspondent that the two students had not been found.

The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Mr. Femi Oyeleye, urged anyone with information to make it available to the police to help in their investigation.

Culled from PUNCH.

Nobody knows why daddy committed suicide – Son

Opeyemi Waheed, the first son of a 52-year-old man, Bolaji Waheed, who reportedly drank poison in the Ajegunle, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, says nobody in the family knows why his father committed suicide.

The 18-year-old son told our correspondent that the family members were still looking for explanation why his father, who was an electrician, took the drastic decision.

PUNCH Metro had reported on Tuesday that residents of Salvation Avenue found Bolaji’s corpse at the bank of the Itowolo River at about 1.30pm on Monday.

It was reported that Bolaji, who was declared missing on Saturday, was found with a bottle containing poison.

The police had said Bolaji was believed to have drunk the poison, before plunging into the river.

When PUNCH Metro got to the Waheeds’ rented apartment on Church Street on Tuesday, Opeyemi, an admission seeker, said the family was still confused.

He said, “Daddy did not talk about killing himself. He did not disclose anything to the family. He was a quiet man. He usually kept to himself. Daddy is from Lagos Island. He did not usually tell us about his personal life. We are three kids. Mummy is fine. She is gradually getting over the incident.”

A family friend, identified only as Pastor Ajiboye, said Bolaji played with his last child in front of the house before going out on the day he committed suicide.

He said, “The man was an electrician. He was not getting jobs as he used to, but he was not suffering. He had money to take care of his family. His friend at Sango Ota area was the one that reported to the police on Saturday that he had gone missing.

“On Sunday in church, I and some members of the congregation still prayed that he would be found .

“People, who saw him on Friday said he left around 12pm on Friday. When he got outside and saw his last child playing, he hugged him and then left. This is to tell you that nothing was wrong with him mentally.

“A neighbour saw him standing at the bus stop for about 20 minutes. Nobody knew he planned to kill himself. I believe his decision had some spiritual undertones.

“He was found dead behind a heap of sand at the river bank. It was one of the boys in the area who wanted to defecate who first saw the corpse and raised the alarm.”

A police source at the Owode division told our correspondent that Bolaji had been buried.

Culled from PUNCH.

Boy drowns in water drum, police arrest grandma, father

A two-year-old boy, Eniola Ajakaye, has drowned inside a drum of water while holidaying with his grandmother in Aboru, in the Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the police arrested the victim’s father, Sunday Ajakaye, a mechanic, and Sunday’s 65-year-old mother, after the boy’s mother, Mary, accused them of complicity in the death.

They were reportedly detained at the Oke Odo Police Division for alleged murder.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Eniola drowned around 2pm on Foursquare Street, Ago 40 Estate, where his grandma lived.

He said, “The woman had gone out for a church programme, leaving him with some other children who had come to holiday with her.

“She was called on the telephone that the boy was missing. People searched for him for hours without any success.

“When it was evening, a woman said she saw something inside a water drum in the house.

“When they checked the drum, they found Eniola there.”

The boy was reportedly taken to a private hospital in the area where he was confirmed dead.

Another resident, Jide Thompson, said the family took the dead child back to the house and invited some pastors to bring him back to life, adding that all the effort was in vain.

It was learnt that Mary’s family did not believe the account of the grandmother as they insisted that there was more to the death than meet the eye, adding that the Ajakaye family had a case to answer.

The police subsequently arrested the grandma, Sunday and another relative who reportedly raised the alarm when the boy went missing.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that there had been bad blood between the two families since Mary became pregnant with Eniola.

Our correspondent learnt from a source that Sunday had rejected Eniola’s pregnancy.

He said, “The man is a mechanic and can barely fend for himself. When Mary, his lover, became pregnant, he rejected the pregnancy.

“When Eniola was born, Sunday’s mother took the responsibility for his upkeep and was always sending money to Mary’s family.”

The source explained that the grandma later took custody of the child after a major disagreement, adding that Mary returned some weeks later to take back the child.

“However, Mary called the woman one day, saying she was returning Eniola to the grandma.

“The girl took the child to the woman’s church and dropped him there. The grandma picked the child from the church and handed over to the police station,” he added.

The police allegedly called the two families and gave custody of the child to the father.

It was learnt that the grandma handed over the child to her first child, who became his guardian.

PUNCH Metro was told that the guardian had brought him back to the grandma, along with some other children of the family, for holiday when tragedy struck.

A relative told our correspondent that the grandma was devastated when the boy was found in the drum.

“She invited pastors to pray for the child, but nothing happened. When it was getting late, around 10pm, we reported the matter to the police and after making statements, the corpse was deposited in a morgue,” he added.

He explained that after much persuasion Mary’s mother dropped the case against the family.

He, however, expressed surprise that the police were taking up the matter again.

A police source said the police had closed the case file when Mary’s mother demanded that the matter be revived.

The source said, “The primary issue is that the two families are at loggerheads. After asking that the case be withdrawn, Mary’s mother said her family went to take the boy’s clothes and was told that they had been burnt and there was nothing left of the boy’s property. She said the man’s family knew about the death for being in haste to forget the victim.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the boy’s corpse was in the mortuary pending the release of the autopsy report.

She said, “It is a case of sudden and unnatural death. The two-year-old allegedly drowned inside a drum of water.

“Our operatives visited and photographed the scene. The corpse has been deposited at the Mainland Hospital’s morgue in Yaba for autopsy. The case is under investigation.” 

Culled from PUNCH.

Man stabbed to death in Delta over girlfriend

A twenty-five year-old man, Matthew Iyede, has been stabbed to death by three friends due to a disagreement over a ‘girlfriend’ at Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday morning at a popular bar, Blue Sea Restaurant and Bar, in Eku near Delta State University Abraka.

Eyewitnesses told Southern City News that the victim died as a result of the injuries he sustained on his chest after he was stabbed several times.

It was learnt that the late Matthew was ambushed by armed youths alleged to have been led by one Ese Uku.

Uku was alleged to have warned the victim to stay away from the woman, who was identified to be the person Matthew had been dating.

The victim’s relative, Victor Iyede, confirmed the attack to Southern City News on the phone, claiming that his brother was killed over a woman he (Matthew) had been dating.

He said, “I don’t reside in Eku. He was stabbed at a plaza close to Eku Town Hall. He was stabbed over a ‘girl’. Those involved are at large. Names of the suspected murderers have been submitted to the police.”

The spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident when contacted, saying two of the suspects had been arrested by the police in Abraka.

“The vigilante group in collaboration with the police arrested two suspects in connection with the case. The names of the suspects are Kevwe Edward (21yrs) and Lucky Grant (19yrs). The suspects will be transferred to SCIIDC for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.

She added that the corpse had been deposited at the Eku General Hospital pending further investigation by the police.

Culled from PUNCH.

‘I joined gang to raise money for burial’

A 46-year-old truck driver, Obi Ebong, who was arrested by the police in the Ikotun area of Lagos State, says he went into robbery to raise the money for his sister’s burial.

Our correspondent learnt that Ebong, a truck driver, was arrested by the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, for armed robbery and murder, which he and seven others allegedly carried out in the Ajao Estate area on May 28.

It was gathered that apart from Obong, the other suspects are Aniete Akonnah, Promise Friday, Happiness Promise, Silas Effiong, Monday Udoh, Ifedinachukwu Iwuola and Sumaila Umar.

PUNCH Metro learnt that on August 23, at about 1am, the police received information that the robbery suspects broke into a warehouse in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that the gang stole aluminum sheets, cartons of tomatoes and paper reams worth N22m from the warehouse.

They were reportedly arrested by the Zonal Anti-Kidnapping Unit while they were about escaping from the area.

Our correspondent gathered that the eight suspects thereafter confessed to robbing the warehouse on Ajao Estate, where they killed one of the security men, whose name had yet to be ascertained.

According to the police, tinned fish and cans of tomatoes, as well as motorcycle and bicycle spare parts were recovered from the suspects after their arrest.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, Ebong, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, said his role was to load the goods into his truck, adding that he was not aware that the gang members shot dead a security man during the operation.

He said, “It was one Owen and Sam who invited me for the robbery operation. They have both been arrested and they are in the Kirikiri prison. I was inside the truck throughout the operation. My role was to load the goods inside the truck. I have yet to be given any money from the operation. I was promised N100,000 after the robbery.

“I was planning to use the money for my sister’s burial. My elder sister died around that time, and I was looking for money for the burial. That was why I decided to go with the gang.”

Friday, 34 years old, also from Akwa Ibom State, said he had participated in two operations with the gang.

He said, “It was Owen who led the gang. I worked as a bricklayer and I was invited by a friend to the robbery. I was asked to bring my truck.

“I have participated in only two operations. I did not know the security man was killed. I am married with two kids. I live in the Ikotun area of Lagos State. My wife did not know I went to rob.”

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, said the suspected robbers would be charged to court at the end of investigations.

He said, “They have confessed to robbery and murder. They will be charged to court at the end of investigations.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Corps member jumps out of speeding bus

The passengers of a luxury bus en route to Jos in Plateau State from Aba, Abia State, were thrown into confusion on Saturday after a corps members who was one of the passengers jumped out of the speeding bus.

He was, however, lucky to have escaped with broken limbs.

The corps member, identified as Pam, was reportedly being escorted by another corps member from Aba to his home after he allegedy developed a strange illness in the village where he was currently undergoing the compulsory one year service in Ebonyi State

Eyewitness said the corps member developed the illness and within in a week, it became worse, prompting the authorities to send him home to seek proper medical attention.

It was gathered that at a point after Fadan Karshi, along the Jos-Abuja Road, he suddenly overpowered his escort and jumped out through one of the windows in the bus.

The eyewitness, who identified himself simply  as George, told our correspondent that the two corps members entered the bus at 9th Mile on the Markudi-Enugu Road on Friday.

He said, “At a point during the journey, Pam started disturbing everybody. He became loud, unruly and uncontrollable.

“As we approached the area after Fadan Karshi, Pam suddenly jumped out of the window. The driver stopped and we all rushed to see if he was alive. He was lucky to have sustained fractures on his legs and arms; but it was very serious.”

Pam was said to have been handed over to his wailing relatives on arrival in Jos.

Culled from PUNCH.

Female suspect strips naked in cell, police seek relatives

A female suspect in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, Lagos State, has been taken by the police to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, to determine her state of health.

The suspect, whose name had yet to be ascertained, was arrested after two missing siblings were found with her in Ojuwoye Market, Mushin.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect had been creating confusion at the SCIID.

She was said to have stripped naked on numerous occasions, including the times she was taken out of her cell to give her statement to the police.

It was gathered that she also attacked other suspects in her cell, which made the authorities at the SCIID to move her to a solitary cell.

A source at the SCIID told one of our correspondents that at the solitary cell, the suspect continued to strip herself naked and was fond of dancing with vigour.

“Since the time they brought her, she had been misbehaving. We initially thought she was putting up a show, but we discovered it was not ordinary.

“She could dance from morning till night although nobody heard the music she was dancing to. She would suddenly remove her clothes, sometimes tearing the clothes off her body.  We have tried to take her statement many times, but each time, she stripped herself naked. We usually had to force her to wear the clothes.

“We had to isolate her in a cell so that there would be peace.

“She eats like elephant and as soon as she wolfs down her food, she would start dancing. If you don’t give her food, it is another problem. If you ask for her name, she will give you more than three names in a second. She had claimed to be Ganiyat, Cynthia, Sola, among other names,” the source added.

It was gathered that the police at the SCIID decided to take the woman to the neuro-psychiatric hospital to determine whether she was acting or her ailment was real.

PUNCH Metro learnt that doctors at the hospital, after reportedly ascertaining that she was mentally unstable, told the police to bring her back on Thursday, September 15, for a proper test.

Another source told one  of our correspondents that the policemen at the SCIID decided to look for her family, but their efforts had been abortive.

She said, “It was as if she dropped from heaven. Nobody has come to look for her. We went to where she was arrested, but nobody knew where she came from. The suspect has refused to supply any information. She has been busy dancing and making a nuisance of herself. If her relatives show up, we may release her to them for proper care. If not, she will be charged to court and the court can determine her fate.”

PUNCH Metro had reported last Monday that the suspect was mobbed while allegedly attempting to flee with two siblings, identified as Hammed Rasheed (6), and Farida Raheed (2).

Their mother, Simbiat, was attending to a customer when the suspect took them away.

It was reported that the suspect, who is about 22-year-old, would have been lynched but for the timely response of policemen from the Olosan Police Division.

The case was subsequently transferred to the SCIID.

  The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said she would call back, but she had yet to do so as of press time.

Culled from PUNCH.

Electrician stabs wife’s lover to death in Delta

An electrician, identified as Ochuko, has allegedly killed his wife’s lover on Emebiren Street, in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred on Saturday at the residence of the lover, identified as Robinson Otuke.

Residents of the area told our correspondent that the electrician’s wife, Rose, had been having an affair with the deceased for a long time.

It was gathered that after a disagreement between Rose and her husband, she moved into Otuke’s house.

Otuke, who lived a stone’s throw away from the couple’s residence, was reportedly challenged by Ochuko, which led to an exchange of words between them.

During the argument, the electrician allegedly brought out a knife from his pocket and stabbed the victim in the neck, killing him in the process.

However, another account had it that the suspect had recalled his wife after separating from her following reports of her sexual escapade with men in the area.

“When Rose returned, her husband asked her to take him to the home of her lover where serious fracas ensued, which led to the stabbing of Otuke. Ochuko immediately took to his heels and fled to an unknown destination,” a resident said.

It was gathered that the deceased’s relatives mobilised to the suspect’s house and burnt all his property.

Rose was, however, arrested by policemen from Ogborikoko Police Station in the Uvwie council area of the state.

The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident.

She said, “The suspect’s wife is in police custody and investigation is ongoing.”

However, another account had it that the suspect had recalled his wife after separating from her following reports of her sexual escapade with men in the area.

“When Rose returned, her husband asked her to take him to the home of her lover where serious fracas ensued, which led to the stabbing of Otuke. Ochuko immediately took to his heels and fled to an unknown destination,” a resident said.

It was gathered that the deceased’s relatives mobilised to the suspect’s house and burnt all his property.

Rose was, however, arrested by policemen from Ogborikoko Police Station in the Uvwie council area of the state.

The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident.

She said, “The suspect’s wife is in police custody and investigation is ongoing.”

Culled from PUNCH.

300L UNILORIN student who gained admission with WAEC papers he got through exam malpractice writes school asking to withdraw

A 300 level sociology student of the University of Ilorin UNILORIN, Abolarin Akin Jephtaph, has written to his school management asking for his withdrawal. According to a letter he sent to his school management (a copy above), he came into the school with WAEC papers he got through examination malpractice and as a new born again christian, he cannot build his career on a faulty foundation. He hopes to start all over again.

Nigerians React As Billionaire Arthur Eze ‘Sprays’ Stacks of Cash at a Wedding

Controversial billionaire Arthur Eze is in the news again. This time around, he was seen spraying cash at a wedding. This has elicited a lot of reactions from many Nigerians. See the photos below:

Culled from Abiyamo

Alleged Fraudster caught and beaten up

Are we still leaving in the age of jungle justice???!!

Rise Again

"I grew up living next door to a little boy who loved to chase polythene bags. When the wind swept them up, he would laugh and give chase, clapping his hands in glee. He would sing after them, dancing down the dusty street, totally lost in his own world.

We laughed at this silly little boy,  especially when he twirled around in whirlwinds and cackled in the middle of s andstorms.

My mother wouldn't have any of our mockery. She admonished us and pointed out that his head space was in a happy place.

She told us of Pista Bacsi, the old soldier that lived on her street. Growing up, she told us that they were a little bit frightened of this weird little man. He would watch them walking down the street then run after them, shrieking for them to take cover. He would roll into the gutter,  screaming at them to run home before the bombs got them. He would cry out in fear,  warning them that the Nazis were coming. He could hear the planes.

The war ended a long time ago.
Everywhere but in his mind.

So we learned not to tease, to quietly avoid the mad man walking down our path. My friend did the same thing for a while. She learned to cross the road at the bus stop, for fear that the disheveled, dirty man sitting there might attack her.

They are unpredictable, I agreed. Best not to jog that way at all, was my advice. Predictably, she did not do as she was told.

She gathered up enough courage to run past him on the first day. He ignored her.
She slowed down the second day. He ignored her.
By the third week she was taking a brisk walk past him. He ignored her.
Soon she began throwing a quick greeting his way. He never acknowledged her.

Rain or shine, night or day, he was there, in his dirty, garbage filled corner. Whatever she did, however she tried, he ignored her.

She did not let up. Every weekend, she deliberately went up to him and greeted him. He never looked up, never responded.

Until last Saturday, when he did.

He asked her for some food. Tentatively but very politely, he told her he was hungry.

Breakthrough!

She rushed home and got him some bread and water. Some yoghurt and groundnuts too. It was wet weather so she threw in a blanket.

She didn't run back, she drove. She gave him the food, which he took eagerly, thanking her profusely. He spoke good English and had impecable manners.

He declined the blanket, even as he stashed the food away, hiding them under a filthy pile of rags.

He asked her not to be offended. He didn't want the blanket and was embarrassed that he was reduced to asking for food. 

He told her his name. He told her where he used to work. He spoke of his travels and countries he had visited. His eyes were bright, shining with the memories of a life long past.

He didn't want the blanket. In his dirty, pathetic misery, he had lost everything but hope. Through everything he did not have, through nothing anyone could see, he had his aspirations.

To buy a blanket.

His story was drowned out by the noise of sirens. Within minutes, policemen were there, to stop this mad man from disturbing the peace. With cheap, malfunctioning guns and bad breath, they warned him to stop harrassing the lady.

She fought them off, my friend did. She told them they were just talking. They did not believe her and it did not matter, either way.

He was gone. In those few minutes, he retreated back into his head. He sat huddled, protecting his treasured stash of rags.

She cried when she told me of this man, living down our street. She wondered if he would meet her eyes again or answer her when she greeted.

She wondered if he would ever rise again.

Enough to buy himself a blanket."

Written by Miranda B

How To handle Haters

I am one to go out of my way to support friends with anything they choose to do, I offer my advice whenever I can. It's sad when most don't reciprocate it. Some become your instant enemy and  your number one vocal antagonist.

They will never support or encourage you but make one mistake they become the loudest speaker, ready to advertise your struggles. They are not really friends just enemies in disguise. The most important thing is not to bother yourself about them, don't let their hate for your success weigh you down, use their negative energy to inspire you to do better. For every time they try to make you give up, you stay strong!

Nothing annoys such people than your silence and resilience.  This applies to every aspect of life. You can acknowledge them but not their actions, "Hi haters! I see you but I ain't got your time"

Ignore them! Don't pay attention to foolishness

Take it with a grain of salt! There might be some truth to what haters are saying, fix whatever you can fix, just don't take it to heart and hurt yourself emotionally.

Don't retaliate! That's what they want, to bring you down to their level! When they go low, go high!

Don't apologize! Don't try to explain anything, don't justify anything, you only owe yourself explanation

Don't try to please anyone! It's impossible to please everyone! Not everyone would like or hate you. Appreciate those who love you

Adore them! Kill them with kindness!

Haters are gonna hate! Don't worry yourself! They are just doing their job description.

YOU STAYED FOR ME (Children and domestic violence)

"In honour of every child whose mother has died at the hands of his/her abusive father.

YOU STAYED FOR ME

This was what you said when he talked you down repeatedly, when he verbally abused you time and again, when he hit you for the umpteenth time, and your eyes took turns to be black, sometimes both at a time, when he gave you a torn lip. This was the word on your lips even when you became a shadow of yourself with a persistent gloom in your eyes, and your face an expression of the unspoken question of when it would all end. It was what you said, through the pain on your arm and sides, when you lay in your hospital bed. 

You always said this through the many wounds I've seen on your body. I remember once asking what happened to your arm, and you said you'd slipped in the bathroom. You forgot that just the other night I was banging my fists on the door pleading with daddy to let you go. I heard you cry and beg him for mercy but he didn't let up. You stayed on for me, but you don't know how many times I've cried myself to sleep because the woman who bore me has a constant veil of sorrow on her face. You lost all the essence of your person and you died in many ways even though you still lived.

I know a part of you wanted out if this nightmare but when you told grandma about it, she insisted you stay and build your home, and not allow another woman take it. She didn't see that you had already lost your dignity as a woman, and that there wasn't much left of you. She told you to stay on for my sake.

Some of your friends advised you to leave, even it was for a while, and you assumed that it was because they wanted to have my dad for themselves or that they were jealous of the fact that you're married and they are not. You wouldn't hear of it, and you cut all ties with them. At the back of your mind, you were staying for me.

Other friends of yours talked you into comparing notes with other women who faced worse forms of abuse at the hands of their husbands, and seeing that yours was milder, you were happy. Or were you? Still, at the back of your mind, I was the reason you stayed on.

After another black eye, you met the pastor in tears, telling him of all your woes and how you'd had enough and wanted a separation. He forbade you to leave and asked that you pray more, and submit to my daddy. He told you that God hates divorce and that a wise woman builds her home. He also reminded you to stay for my sake, and knowing how much you love me, you stayed.

Even though you stayed on for my sake, at some point I was no longer the reason you stayed on. You seem to have lost the will to live even though you didn't want to die.

Mom, I was your reason for staying in despite ask he put you through but you didn't see that I'm a young child who needs a whole mom and not just a living one. What I see from your life and dad's is that it might just be okay to hit and be hit. I was the most recurring reason you stayed on, but you didn't think of the fact that a broken and battered mom isn't what any child should have. Even though you didn't mean to, you made me responsible for every physical and psychological torture you had to endure.

You stayed on because you didn't want another woman to raise me. But how well have you been able to do this when you're always in tears, or in hospital from the beatings my dad gave you?

Now you're gone. I'm broken beyond words, seeing you stayed because of me till he killed you. Now that I'm without a mom, what will be my lot. You left me to be raised my the same man who killed my mom. He'll get married again, and I don't know awaits me in the hands of a stepmother. You stayed for me, and now you've died for me.

The pastor sent you back to that hell, and he said it was for my sake, and now he stands at your graveside and tells everyone that the Lord gives and takes away.

Grandma is here and she cries bitter tears of regret, wishing she'd taken you in when you sought refuge. She can't come to terms with the fact that she shares a blame in your death.

You're gone forever mom, having stayed for me. You lived, until you died, for my sake. You didn't mean to, but now a part of me bears the blame for your death, because it's obvious that if I wasn't in the picture you'd have been more confident to leave when you had the chance. But who's to say you wouldn't have stayed on in the hope that my coming would make him change? I'm broken beyond words, and I don't know when my healing will come.

Seeing you always had me in mind, I can't stop wishing you left for my sake. If you did, I'd have still had you here with me."

Beulah