Gunmen abduct Delta lawmaker’s wife, demand N200m ransom

Ovie Okpare, Warri

"Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Sunday abducted Mrs. Cynthia Diden, one of the wives of the member representing Warri-North state constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Michael Diden, popularly known as Ejele.

Ejele is a close ally of  the state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.The suspected kidnappers, who had contacted the family, reportedly demanded N200m as ransom before she would be released.

Associates of the lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent on Wednesday that she was kidnapped around 7pm on Sunday at the Effurun Roundabout in the Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the victim was returning home from work when the incident occurred.

Findings by PUNCH Metro revealed that she was kidnapped by fierce-looking gunmen numbering five, who had trailed her to the spot.

A family source, who confirmed the incident, said her husband decided to keep the kidnap from the public following the abductors’ warning.

Another member of the family revealed that the lawmaker, a notable youth leader in the Niger Delta region, had been having a running battle with some youths in the state.

The source said, “The kidnappers contacted Ejele and demanded a ransom of N500m which was later reduced to N200m after negotiations on Tuesday.”

Our correspondent gathered that Ejele’s eldest wife, Mary, who is the Special Adviser on Women Mobilisation to Okowa, had been kidnapped in 2009.

She was said to have been released after some days in the kidnappers’ den.

Efforts to confirm Cynthia’s kidnap from the lawmaker, who also owns a church in the Sapele area of the state, proved abortive as his telephone lines were not connecting.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, SP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the kidnap to our correspondent in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

She said, “The kidnap is confirmed. The police are making efforts to track and apprehend the suspects. We want to assure her family that she will be rescued unhurt.”

Kalu also confirmed that the kidnappers had contacted the family, but did not say if ransom was demanded."

Culled from  PUNCH.                  

Lebanese dupes three Lagos customers, absconds with N170m

Samson Folarin

"A Lebanese and bureau de change operator, Aly Sayad, has been accused of absconding with $487,700 (about N170m)  in the Victoria Island area of Lagos State.

It was learnt that three businessmen had approached the suspect in his office on Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, to help them change $487,700 to naira.He was alleged to have left the men in the office after collecting the money, saying he was going to the bank to transfer the naira equivalent to their various bank accounts.

After waiting for hours, the victims were said to have gone to the bank where Sayad claimed he was going to do the transaction, but could not find him.

He was alleged to have fled with the money.

The case was reported at the Bar Beach Police Division, where a manhunt was launched for the suspect.

A police source told PUNCH Metro that the incident happened on Tuesday, adding that the complainants approached the police after searching for Sayad for seven hours.

He said, “The three men actually met at the Lebanese man’s office where they gave him money totalling $487,700 which they wanted to change to naira. He told them to wait for him that he would be going to the bank to deposit the dollars and transfer the naira equivalent into their bank accounts.

“The three businessmen waited until banking hours were almost over. They decided to go and check him around 3pm, but they didn’t find him in the bank. After checking at other places without result, they reported the matter to the police.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that nobody knew the address of the suspect.

Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, said, “We are on his trail. The unfortunate thing is that nobody knows his address. We have transferred the matter to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba, for further investigation. We will surely get him.”

Culled from  PUNCH.                  

Suspected serial rapist set ablaze in Delta

Ovie Okpare, Warri

"An angry mob on Wednesday set ablaze a suspected member of a gang of serial rapists that had terrorised Ughelli and its neighbouring communities in Delta State.

No fewer than four ladies, including the wife of a popular hotelier in the metropolis, had been raped by the gang of rapists in the last two weeks.One of the victims lost her life in the process.

The group, according to residents, specialises in raping and attacking salesgirls and middle-aged women.

Luck, however, ran out on the suspected member of the group on Wednesday when he allegedly attempted to rape a salesgirl (name withheld) at the Adagharagba Junction near the Ughelli Central Market.

He was said to have been apprehended by the residents.

It was gathered that the suspect was apprehended by a mob at about 11.30am when he attempted to rape the salesgirl.

A resident, who witnessed the incident, told our correspondent that there had been a lot of killings and rape by a group of young men who targeted salesgirls and female traders within Ughelli and its environs.

The source noted that the suspected rapist had confessed that he was a member of a three-member gang that raped salesgirls and female traders in the community.

The suspect, who hailed from Oroahakpor community in Ethiope-West Local Government Area of the state, reportedly said other members of the gang fled on sighting the mob.

Another eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The hoodlums pretended to be customers buying things in bulk and that was why they were allowed to enter the store. The next thing we heard was the screaming of the salesgirl and we immediately rushed in only to see that that she had been attacked; she was bleeding.

“The mob pursued the suspects, who had fled the scene. They caught up with one of them at the Omotor Junction, where he was set ablaze before the arrival of security agents.”

The salesgirl, while recounting her ordeal at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Ughelli Central Hospital where she was receiving treatment, said the suspects came under the guise of wanting to purchase items from the store.

She said, “One of them hit me on the head and I screamed.I was rescued by a male neighbour, who rushed to the shop, after the suspects had fled the scene.”

It was later gathered that another member of the group was arrested along Market Road by policemen from the Ughelli Police Division.

The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Celestina Kalu, said she had not been briefed on the incident."

Culled from PUNCH.                  

Arizona TV Reporters Indicted For Child Abuse After Cocaine Found in Their 4-Month-Old's System

"Two former local TV personalities have been indicted in Arizona for child abuse after their 4-month-old baby was found with cocaine in its system, authorities tell PEOPLE.

A public information officer for the Oro Valley Police Department says Krystin Rae Lisaius and Somchai P. Lisaius – both news personalities in the Tucson area – were indicted June 9 on three felony charges: possession of a dangerous drug, drug paraphernalia and child abuse.Both pleaded not guilty in court on Monday, and were released on their own recognizance.

“It would be a gross, gross injustice [with] even the mention of prison time,” the Lisaius’ lawyer, Michael Piccarreta, told Tucson News Now. “I anticipate they will demonstrate that they have learned a very hard, embarrassing lesson and that this will become a footnote in their life, not a chapter.”

Police said they were alerted after the couple brought the baby, who was showing signs of distress and appeared lethargic, to the Oro Valley Hospital on May 15. The couple allegedly refused to allow a blood test on the baby, who was then transferred to Diamond Children’s Center at the Banner University Medical Center in Tucson by ambulance, police said.

At Banner, a urine test was conducted after the parents again allegedly refused a blood test, police said. Toxicology results showed the presence of cocaine.

Krystin, 26, later allegedly admitted to Oro Valley authorities that she ingested cocaine after a party at the couple’s home, police said. She allegedly said she breastfed the child 12 hours later.

A friend identified only as “Thomas” told police that he allegedly watched Krystin “snort” the drug from the home’s master bathroom countertop after the party.

Thomas said he and Somchai, 42, allegedly also used cocaine during the evening. Police said Somchai allegedly confirmed the recent drug use, and, in a police report obtained by Tucson News Now, said he used cocaine every six weeks or so.

A search of the couple’s home produced multiple samples of drug paraphernalia, police said. Two small bags containing a white powder substance found at the residence tested positive for cocaine, they said.

Somchai is a former reporter at Tucson News Now, the station confirmed, and Krystin previously worked for nearby KGUN 9. Krystin also competed in 2013 for the title of Miss Arizona USA, according to the pageant’s website.

The baby was released from Banner Hospital within a few days of being admitted, and was placed with the maternal grandmother. The Department of Child Services is continuing to monitor the child’s welfare, police told PEOPLE.

Krystin was granted 24-7 contact with the baby, and Somchai is allowed to see the child for 12 hours a day, according to KAUZ 6.

“Hypothetically,” Piccarreta said, “if the child ingested cocaine through breast milk, then you gotta realize that there’s different understanding as to when a recreational drug will be out of your system.

“And if there’s a misjudgment as to how fast it’s out of your system, then it’s an error that has been learned. It won’t be repeated.”

Culled from Yahoo

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Salesgirl in a coma after rape by hoodlums

"Some hoodlums have raped a salesgirl (name withheld) to a coma after beating her at the Ekuigbo community of Ughelli-North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident occurred on Monday at a store where the victim sold fish feed. The girl was said to be in her 20s.

It was gathered that the incident was one of several rape cases in the community as the wife of a popular hotelier had also been reportedly attacked and raped last Friday.

A source told our correspondent that the girl was found naked in a pool of blood by a trader in the area.

“The victim was left at the point of death after she was raped by some boys. She was discovered naked by the owner of an adjoining shop in the same building. The woman then raised the alarm.

“Sympathisers helped to rush her to a hospital,” a witness told our correspondent.

The witness described the incident as shocking, calling on security agencies to act quickly to forestall rape incidents in the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, SP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident, adding that investigations were ongoing.

Culled from PUNCH.

Computer teacher gives schoolgirl N30 after rape

"The police in Lagos State have arrested a computer teacher, Cosmos Ubaja, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl in the Owutu area of Ikorodu.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim, Victoria (pseudonym), was lured by the suspect when she went to his shop to make photocopies after school hours.

Our correspondent gathered that Victoria, who attends a public secondary school in Owutu, Ikorodu, had been allegedly raped by the suspect on several occasions in eight months.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the victim, who is in Junior Secondary School, Class 3, was given pittances such as N50, N100 and N30, each time the suspect raped her.

It was learnt that the suspect, who owns a computer centre in the area, was contracted by the school to teach the junior pupils  computer studies.

PUNCH Metro was told that the suspect gave Victoria N30 after the latest rape, which occurred on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.

A police source told our correspondent that the bubble burst when the girl complained to her mother that she had stomach pains and her  menstrual cycle was affected.

She said, “Ubaja is married with a son. He is not a worker of the state government. The school just arranged with him to be teaching the pupils computer studies since he has a computer centre.

“He works on the school’s examination papers and answer sheets. The school is in a very quiet community. Pupils usually go to his centre to make photocopies and train with his computers.

“The suspect had been raping the girl for months. He gave her between N30 and N100 each time.  The girl kept the secret away from her parents.

“But the last time he raped her, she complained to her mother that she was having stomach pains and her menstruation had stopped. She was then taken to a private hospital.

“That was where it was discovered that she had been raped several times. The girl confessed that it was the computer instructor who raped her and he was arrested. He has also confessed to the crime.”

Our correspondent learnt that the matter, which was reported at the Owutu Police Division, was also reported to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, Alausa.

The DSVRT team took the victim for a checkup at the Mirabel Centre, Ikeja.

The group’s Coordinator, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the matter had been transferred to the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command.

She said, “The matter got to our attention on Monday, June 20. The 14-year-old girl was raped by her computer teacher near the school’s premises.

“The teacher and some individuals around the school initially pleaded with the girl’s parents not to report to the police. Fortunately, they rejected the plea.

“The perpetrator is in police custody and the case has been transferred from the division to the Gender Unit at the police headquarters, Ikeja. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions has also requested the duplicate case file.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, had yet to reply to a text message sent to her phone on the incident.

Culled from PUNCH.

Vandals kidnap Arepo landlord, demand N10m ransom

"Some suspected pipeline vandals have abducted a landlord, Samson Olufemi, on Voera Estate, Arepo area of Ogun State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the vandals had entered the estate through the creek and scaled the fence into the victim’s house on Michael Ajao Street.

They were said to have turned off his generator to trick him out.

Our correspondent was told that Olufemi, who worked in a brewery, however, sent his son outside to check what went wrong and restart the generator.

The vandals were said to have emerged from their hideout, forced the boy back into the house and abducted his father.

Our correspondent gathered that the victim had only packed into the estate four months ago, after completing the building.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the vandals looted the family’s valuables before disappearing with Olufemi into the creek.

He said, “The incident happened last Friday night. The vandals jumped over the fence into the man’s house and switched off his generator.

“The man, who was surprised that the generator went off, asked his son to go check what happened. The boy went out, turned on the generator and was about going inside when the vandals held him. They asked him to lead them inside.

“When they got in, they ransacked the building and took jewellery, mobile phones, laptops, an iPad, and money. They took all the valuables they could lay their hands on. After they finished, they disappeared with the man.”

A source said the vandals had been communicating with Olufemi’s wife, adding that they had demanded N10m as ransom.

It was gathered that the case was reported at the Ibafo Police Division.

PUNCH Metro had reported that the vandals shot dead an Assistant Superintendent of Police in the locality about a month ago.

A resident, who called for government’s help, said security took a turn for the worse when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation stopped pumping fuel through the pipelines in the community.

He explained that people had been leaving the estate in droves, saying residents could no longer sleep with their eyes closed.

He said, “They have always been in the creek, but they never gave us any problem. However, when there were no more pipelines to burst, they unleashed terror on us.

“The first time they came, they said, ‘Since you are the ones that asked them to stop pumping fuel, you will now be providing the food we will eat.’ We want the government to send them out of the creek so we can have peace of mind.”

A landlord, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said efforts by residents to increase security in the area had been abortive.

He said, “We arranged with some military personnel to patrol our estate, but it didn’t work. The route through which the vandals usually enter into the estate was illuminated. It also didn’t work.

“What makes us prone to the attacks is that the estate is surrounded by water.”

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the kidnap, adding that investigation was ongoing.

He said, “We are on it. We suspect they are militants. There was a meeting today involving the government and stakeholders on how to put an end to their criminal acts in Ogun State, including the attacks on our communities. We will rescue the victim.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Stepmother remanded for cutting off baby’s penis

"A 22-year-old woman, Bara’atu Rabiu, has been remanded in the Minna Medium Security Prison for allegedly cutting off the penis of her rival’s one-month-old baby, Buhari.

She was arraigned on Monday on one count of attempted homicide before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Minna.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Bara’atu allegedly cut off the victim’s penis at their home in Kuta town, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

It was learnt that the suspect had been married to her husband, Mohammed Rabiu, for seven years, without a child.

She allegedly cut off the baby’s penis to punish him for marrying a second wife.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bala James, explained that the suspect wanted to kill the victim, adding that the child, who was named after President Muhammadu Buhari, survived the attack.

He said, “The woman used a sharp knife to cut through the genitals of the one-month-old baby. She had been married to her husband for seven years without any child. So, out of pressure, the man decided to marry a second wife.

“When the second wife had a baby, she became angry and frustrated. She thought the best thing to do was to kill the child.

“On June 21, around 10pm, she took the baby to the backyard of their house and used a sharp knife to cut off his penis.

“The cry of the baby attracted neighbours, who rushed to the place and found him in a pool of blood. The suspect wanted to run away, but she was overpowered. She was handed over to the police, while the baby was taken to a hospital.”

The baby was said to have been taken to the Accident and Emergency Ward of the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Specialist Hospital, Minna.

Our correspondent was told that a surgical operation to enable him to pass out urine was immediately performed.

The Head of Department, General Outpatient Ward of the hospital, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed, said the boy might never regain the use of his private parts.

He explained that all the tissues in the affected part had been dead before he was brought to the hospital.

He said, “He is doing well – health-wise. He survived the attack. However, there is no assurance of the penis getting back because all the tissues were dead when he was brought into the hospital. We just had to conduct a surgery for him to be able to pass urine.

“Medically, for him to regain the use of his manhood will be difficult.  If the team that was supposed to work on him had been around immediately, maybe the situation would have been different. For such a case, you need a general surgeon, a neurologist and a plastic surgeon. But these were not available. His future right now is in the hands of God. Another possibility is if there is artificial attachment.

“I really pity the boy’s condition. I cannot imagine that somebody will do this to a baby. It is better for the child to die than for him to be in this condition.  Even if he survives, what purpose will he be living for?”

The suspect, who was arraigned on Monday on one count of attempted homicide, was remanded in prison by the court."

Culled from PUNCH.

A Nigerian participant in the 2016 Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) – Mandela Washington Fellowship, has died in the U.S

I’ve Raped More Than Five Girls –Cult Leader

"A leader of the notorious cult group in Lagos, Awawa Boys, Jimoh Sanni aka Last Born (30), has said that he had raped more than five girls. Sanni was among 20 kingpins of the cult group arrested by the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit at Dopemu area of Agege.

The suspect resides at 4, Akinlabi Street, Agbotikuyo, Agege, but hails from Okene in Kogi State. He said: “Truly I am a member of Awawa Boys, a sectional head and I had raped more than five girls at Dopemu area. My members and I have burgled many shops at Aluminium village.

We usually sell Indian hemp at beer parlours and night clubs at N100 per wrap before we go for our usual night robbery operations.” Sanni also said that he and his boys usually collect between N2,000 and N3,000 daily from individual aluminium shop owner at Dopemu.

According to him, they also buy Indian hemp from another Awawa Boys kingpin identified as OLATA at Oloosha area of Mushin.Five of the notorious cult members were initially arrested while the remaining 15 were nabbed following a tip-off from the residents.

It was gathered that residents of Agege and its environs have been complaining over the activities of Awawa Boys who have been dispossessing members of the public of their valuables.

They have raped young girls at Aluminium village, Valley Estate and the entire Dopemu area while property owners have lost their belongings to the cult members. During the operations where the kingpins were arrested, the task force Chairman, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, said the cult members were arrested in accordance with the directives of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, who also ordered that they should all be immediately charged to court.

Owoseni had said that the entire police and all other security agencies in the state would not rest on their oars until the Awawa Boys and affiliated groups were arrested. The 15 Awawa Boys later arrested are Ajayi Lukumon (29), Ajose Anthony (24), Adebayo Nurudeen (32), Olayemi Lasege (38), Sanusi Afeez (23), Popoola Fatai (30), Popoola Yakubu (27), Ajibade Oluwafemi (20), Opeyemi Oluwasola (33) and Adewunmi Oluwatobi (21). Others are Akerele Sunday (25), Timothy Ogar (32), Actor Amechi (21), Sanni aka Last Born and Owolabi Adediran (27)."

Culled from Vanguard

Mr. Ibu took care of me in prison – Uche Odoputa

"Uche Odoputa was close to becoming an A-list actor. He had a huge fan base and was on the verge of becoming as  prominent as the likes of  Emeka Ike, Ramsey Nouah and Jim Iyke.  Unfortunately, he altered the course of his career. In 2007, he was arrested for trafficking drugs and subsequently, he was imprisoned for two years and three weeks.

The Orlu, Imo State-born actor, said he wasn’t making enough money and some individuals took advantage of his desperation and introduced him to the drug trade.

“I regret my actions. I was a growing brand and  a lot of people were angered by  my action. I was disappointed in myself. I thank God I came out of prison  a changed person,” he said.

Speaking on how the incident affected him, Uche said it cost him a lot and hampered his growth in Nollywood.

He said, “It took away my career and the little fame I had at that time. Gaining recognition in Nollywood and even among my colleagues  has been a struggle since then.” Nevertheless, not all of his colleagues distanced themselves from him while he was in prison, he said.

“The late Amaka Igwe paid part of my legal fees, she was always in contact with me and never abandoned me. She took me under her tutelage after I was freed from prison and taught me directing. While others paid to learn directing , she taught me for free. I was to direct the job she was working on before she died. Up till now, I can’t bring myself to delete her  telephone number. I still hear her voice sometimes. She was a good woman,” he said.

Odoputa also acknowledged the assistance he got  John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu.

He said, “He used to send me recharge cards which I sold. That enabled me to take care of myself when I was imprisoned.”

Odoputa , who now lives in  Port Harcourt, said the relocation was necessary  to enable him plan  his life.  “I need some sanity  and  time to  decongest my brain. Things were moving too fast in Lagos, so I relocated to Port Harcourt.”

Culled from PUNCH.

Abuja woman turns six girls to sex slaves

"A 28-year-old woman, Ifeoma Daniel, has been arrested by the police in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for allegedly turning six girls to sex slaves.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Daniel, who hails from Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, and a suspected accomplice, Collins Madueke, 28, were arrested in the Apo area by the Special Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police.

Our correspondent gathered that the six victims, whose ages ranged from 19 to 22, were found locked up in a room before the police rescued and handed them over to officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related matters.

Our correspondent learnt that the girls were rescued on Friday, June 17, 2016.

The victims – Chidinma Amakwe, Blessing John, Nancy Azubuike, Chiamaka Eze, Amarachi Chinedu and Beauty Ndulue – reportedly told the police that they were lured by the suspects to Abuja to become commercial sex workers.

They said they were promised N200,000 after six months.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, Daniel, a mother of two, said she brought two of the girls from their villages.

She said, “I have two children, Akunnaya and Charity. I divorced my husband three years ago because he always beat me. I went into commercial sex work as a means of survival. I started the work in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I was told commercial sex was more lucrative in Abuja, so I relocated here in 2015.

“I operated in the Apo area. I thought I could make more money by recruiting some girls to work for me. I brought the girls and the agreement was that I would pay them N100, 000 after six months. I also promised to take care of their feeding.

“I brought only two of the girls – Chinedu and John. The other girls were brought by two women known as Mama Cynthia and Azonto.”

Madueke, who hails from Nsukka, Enugu State, denied working with Daniel to recruit the victims for commercial sex work.

He said, “I worked as a hairdresser. In the first week of June, I was in my shop when Chinedu (one of the girls) approached me saying she wanted to learn hairdressing. The following day, she came back with four other girls and they all said they wanted to learn as well. I know them as apprentices.”

One of the victims, Azubuike, 20, said she slept with no fewer than 15 men in a day, adding that Daniel made N20,000 from her daily.

She said, “I hail from Mbaise, Imo State. I dropped out of secondary school. My parents were aware that I wanted to go to Abuja to learn a vocation. My friend told me it would be commercial sex work. What I did not understand was that we would be locked up in a room.

“I slept with no fewer than 15 men in a day because they loved my services and always asked for more. I normally made between N15,000 and N20,000 every day, but the money went to madam (Daniel). I was asked to stay with her because there was no accommodation. The police stormed the place where we were locked up and rescued us.”

Another victim, John, 19, who hails from Aba, Abia State, said, “It was one Aunty Joy who brought me to Abuja and handed me over to Madam Azonto. Madam Azonto promised to give me N200,000 after six months if I agreed to be a commercial sex worker.

“She kept me in a room with the other girls and brought our food to the same room. Every evening, we were taken out to different joints where we slept with several men. I normally collected N1,000 per round from customers.”

Our correspondent learnt that a man, who stayed in the neighbourhood where the girls were locked up, gave the police a tip-off.

A police source said, “The girls were kept in the room and someone usually brought food for them through the window. When we got there, we forced the door open and we discovered that there were six girls.”

Our correspondent gathered that the police were making efforts to arrest the fleeing members of the syndicate.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, had yet to reply to a text message sent to her phone on the arrest."

Culled from PUNCH.       

Okada rider commits suicide over alleged childlessness

"A commercial motorcyclist, identified simply as Joshua, has committed suicide in the Isale Aro area of Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

There was pandemonium in the area when residents discovered his remains dangling from a rope in his sitting room.

Our correspondent gathered on Saturday that the incident occurred on Thursday evening before Joshua’s wife returned from work.

The woman was said to have raised the alarm when she found the dangling corpse of her husband in their sitting room.

The alarm attracted neighbours, who were said to have rushed to the apartment and were shocked to see how Joshua, also known as Landlord, allegedly ended his life.

A resident of the area, who was among the first set of people to see the dangling body, said Joshua tied a rope to the roof of his sitting room and climbed on two buckets.

The resident explained that Joshua kicked away the buckets after he put the rope round his neck, hanging himself in the process.

Our correspondent found out from residents of the area that the deceased’s marriage had yet to produce a child and this was said to be a probable reason he decided to take his own life.

Joshua, it was further gathered, had lived in the house for many years and some of the neighbours said his childlessness was a source of concern to him.

Some traditional worshippers were reportedly invited to perform some rituals before the body of the deceased was removed and deposited in a mortuary.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state, Mr. Babawale Afolabi, confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, a Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo, has sentenced an 18-year-old artisan, Segun Falade, to one-year imprisonment.

In a statement made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Friday by the PRO of the Osun State Command of the NSCDC, the convict was arraigned on six counts.

Among the counts were stealing and burglary, which were said to be contrary to Section 383 (1) and Section 411 (1) and (2) of the Criminal Code, CAP 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State.

Some of the items allegedly found on the convict when he was arrested were phones, DVDs, a blood tonic, earrings, a Lenovo tablet, a wristwatch and some money.

Falade pleaded guilty to the counts and was sentenced to one-year imprisonment."

Culled from PUNCH.                  

Ivanka Trump Sued by Aquazzura for Allegedly Ripping Off Their Shoe Design

"Matthew Burris, CFO for Marc Fisher -- Ivanka's licensing company -- says, "This is a baseless lawsuit aimed at generating publicity. The shoe in question is representative of a trending fashion style, is not subject to intellectual property law protection and there are similar styles made by several major brands."

He adds, "The lawsuit is without merit and we will vigorously defend ourselves against the claim." Ivanka Trump's shoe line is a shameless knockoff of a wildly popular Italian stiletto ... so claims the Italian shoemaker.

Aquazzura claims in a new lawsuit, Ivanka's Hettie shoe is almost a carbon copy of its Wild Thing pump ... a shoe that protects the feet of the famous-ish, including Solange and Olivia Palermo.

Aquazzura points to the color, shape and silhouette, as well the fringe covering the toes to the tassel on the heel.

Aquazzura says Ivanka jacked their shoes before ... copying its Belgravia shoe and calling it Necila, and also copying its Forever Marilyn shoe and calling it Teagin Pointy Toe Pump with Tassel."

Culled from TMZ

"Stop disgracing the legacy of Oduduwa" Darren Idongesit Aquaisua

Written by Darren Idongesit Aquaisua

"To my Yoruba brothers, I have to apologise before hand. I am a professional ethnic bigot and I always have an opinion, a malignant opinion that doesn't stay hidden for long.

I've been harbouring this disdain for your spiritual head and I couldn't express it because I've lived amongst you lot and I know how you pay reverence to elders but I Darren Idongesit Aquaisua don't share in that culture and I have zero respect for elders and authority so I have to fire some shots.

Your Ooni is a disgrace right from the coronation and his choice of queen.

The Ooni is automatically a human-god and the little Yoruba history and Ifa tradition I've studied, the Ooni has always been the master of the universe and Lord of all lords until the last one gave up that title in deference to a Jewish mythical figure called Jesus,

The Ooni was described as Lord of the universe even before the story of Jesus Christ so why did the last Ooni drop such a huge title for a carpenter nailed on two piece plywood?

This current Ooni is too young and puerile, wisdom has nothing to do with age so he ought to know better.

The Ooni doesn't visit Nigerian presidents(okay maybe that time Abacha was around.), the presidents visit the Ooni because the stool of the Ooni is bigger than the office of the presidency to the Yoruba ethnic group.

The Ooni doesn't visit people anyhow, he should have sent a prince or representative to the Oba of Benin and Alaafin of Oyo.

Why is he a Christian when Ifa was in established practice before Christianity? Why is he insulting that majestic legacy?

Doing Ifa divination today and hugging a crucifix tomorrow, what kind of madness is that?

The elders of Ile-Ife had better sit up and reinstall that title of "Oluaye" because the Ooni is bigger than any other foreign god and he should stop mixing Yoruba traditional worship with a fake foreign religion. It doesn't mean because Oba Okunade Sijuade dropped this title that Oduduwa himself appointed, this new Ooni must also deny that he is the owner of the universe.

His second wife neè "Otiti" was a wrong choice for queen and also a dangerous pretender, we on the sidelines know her every move. She usurped the position of the first wife with her trickery and Ooni had no wisdom to know better, now she is disgracing us abroad. She was a free and independent woman before the Ooni married her, she is feeling insecure that Africans will not accept her that's why she is playing politics by saying stupid things like "a woman is below a man!" Just to win African votes and a false sense of humility. We can see her face well, she does insult the Ooni when the camara is not around so she should stop the fake piety. If the Ooni loves her she shouldn't pander. The Ifa texts have clearly stated that the woman and man are equal but they are different vessels for complementary purposes so why is she saying women are plastic plates while men are fine chinaware?

What's with wearing a regal  attire to play golf?

What kind of nonsense is that? Why is he disgracing that royal wear?

It's like queen Elizabeth wearing her coronation apparels complete with the majestic cape to join the scrum on a rugby field.

This Ooni needs proper Ifa prayers because soon enough Sango will slap him a combination of Igbati, Igbarun, or Igbaju and Jesus wouldn't do anything about it.

Stop disgracing the legacy of Oduduwa.

Yoruba people should also know that the late Ooni had a favourite and it wasn't Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. He is just disgracing the legacy of Oduduwa with his childish antics."

Shared as posted on his Facebook 

Nasty Side Chic Hustle is Real!

This is the alleged side Chic of Musa  Danjuma, husband of  Nollywood actress Carol Danjuma

At Least 25 Injured in Mass Shooting in German Cinema, Suspect Dead:

At least 25 people were injured in a mass shooting in a German cinema on Thursday, according to multiple reports.

A federal law enforcement official tells PEOPLE that it is believed the gunman is dead. It is not clear whether those injured were hurt by gunfire or another cause.

The official tells PEOPLE the incident took place in the Kinepolis Cinemaplex in Viernheim, Germany. According to preliminary information, an armed, masked gunman opened fire in the theater and was barricaded inside.

Viernheim is approximately 40 miles south of Frankfurt.

• Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

The officials says "it's too soon to say with certainty" whether it was a terrorist attack but that it's a likely possibility.

The cinema is part of a major shopping center which has more than 100 businesses and draws more than 20,000 daily visitors, according to CNN.

Peter Beuth, Minister of the Interior and Sports for the German state of Hesse, told the BBC, "The police thought that the gunman was holding hostages and because of that he was shot dead."

Beuth also said, "The police had an emergency call at 2:45pm. The caller said there was a masked man... armed with a long gun. It is unclear whether it was a real gun." Gunman takes hostages in German cinema, is shot dead by police -

A masked gunman took hostages at a cinema in western Germany on Thursday before police stormed the complex and shot him dead, police said.

High school football player killed shielding girls from gunfire to receive Ashe Award

Zaevion Dobson, a high school football player who was shot to death while shielding two girls from gunfire, will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs.The 15-year-old Dobson will be the youngest person ever to win the award, which has been given annually since 1993. The award recognizes individuals who embody the spirt of Ashe, who dedicated his life to human rights advocacy.

Dobson, a sophomore at Fulton High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, died Dec. 17 while protecting friends from a shooting. Knoxville police said the girls shielded by Dobson were unhurt.

''There's nothing more courageous than somebody sacrificing their own life for somebody else,'' said Maura Mandt, the ESPYs executive producer.

In the days after Dobson's death, President Obama sent a tweet praising the teen's actions and saying, ''He was a hero at 15. What's our excuse for not acting?'' Obama cited Dobson again in a January speech on gun violence and called his decision ''an act of heroism a lot bigger than we should expect from a 15-year-old.''

Dobson's mother, Zenobia Dobson, will accept the award on his behalf during the July 13 ESPYs ceremony in Los Angeles. Dobson's brothers, Zackelyn Dobson and Markastin Taylor, also are expected to attend.''He would light up the room,'' Zenobia Dobson said. ''He was just so sweet. He had a warm spirit. His spirit was awesome, amazing. He was an amazing son. He was so sweet. He would always compliment me. He would always compliment his friends.''

Zenobia Dobson said her son was passionate about football and often would watch video of his favorite players to research them as much as possible. He rooted for the Denver Broncos and considered recently retired Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch one of his favorite players.

She also said her son had a history of standing up to bullies.

''He would stop bullies from bullying,'' she said. ''He got bullied at a young age. He stepped up to the bully, and once he stepped up to the bully, he wasn't afraid. If he saw kids getting bullied, he'd step in and say, 'Don't bully them.' ''

She added that ''there's not a day that goes by that I don't cry'' when she thinks about her son.

''I'm just so honored to be his mother,'' Zenobia Dobson said. ''I will always love him in my heart, but since his passing, I love him even more. I draw closer to him every day. I visit him at the cemetery every day, and I just talk to him every day, every single day. Even when I wake up in the morning, his picture is right there on my dresser and I can look at him. Even if my eyes are closed, I still say, 'Good morning, Zaevion,' or 'Good night, Zaevion,' 'I love you, Zaevion,' `I miss you, Zaevion.' ''

In Sssickness and in Health: Groom Gets Bitten by Rattlesnake Less Than an Hour After Wedding

This couple took the phrase, "in sickness and in health" literally when the new groom was bitten by a rattlesnake — and the wedding photographer made sure they had enough memories to last a lifetime.

Maddie Mae, who calls herself an adventure wedding photographer, told InsideEdition.com that the Colorado couple wanted to take pictures at the nearby Horsetooth Reservoir before the reception.
But as the newlyweds took their first pictures as a married couple, disaster struck.
Laura and Johnny Benson walked ahead as Mae snapped photos behind them on a trail. Suddenly, the groom felt something hit his leg.
"At first he wasn't really sure he had gotten bit. He bent down and rolled up his pant leg," Mae said.
Then he saw the two tiny puncture marks, characteristic of a snake bite. Then came the sound of the telltale rattle.
"None of us panicked. We were just trying to figure out the best way to handle it," the photographer explained.
Despite the bite, Mae said, "they stopped posing, but I didn't stop photographing."

As luck would have it, they spotted a park ranger moments later in their secluded hike, but at first he didn't seem to realize the severity of the situation.
"He responded, 'Congratulations!'" Mae said, assuming that the ranger only saw the groom and bride in her wedding dress. "I don't think he heard us."
Finally, they were able to flag him down and bring him over.
The ranger ordered Johnny to lay on his ground and elevate his leg as he called paramedics.
"[It was] a really serious deal," Mae said. "We had no idea what the prognosis was going to be. Rattlesnake bites could have been very serious."
Meanwhile, guests at their wedding were already waiting at the reception.
"Laura was the first person to chat with one of her bridesmaids, and she picked a non-hysterical one, who has a really good head on her shoulders" Mae explained.
"They eventually made an announcement. They decided the party was going to continue to go on," Mae continued. "Nobody left, it was amazing."

Luckily, the couple received good news at the hospital. He was in fact bitten by a rattlesnake, but no venom was released.
"He was showing no symptoms, no pain, no discoloration," Mae explained. They were released within 20 minutes of arriving at the hospital.
When they finally appeared at their own wedding reception, "All 184 guests were cheering and laughing and just so happy they were there."

Culled from Yahoo

Dead Child’s Dad Allegedly Took Her From Hot Car to Refrigerator

The Texas man who was arrested Tuesday in the death of his infant daughter, whom he had allegedly left in a hot car for about four hours, then placed her in his refrigerator and attempted to perform CPR before officials arrived to declare the child dead, according to court documents.

Deputies were alerted at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday that a 6-month-old infant was unresponsive at a home in Melissa, which is roughly 40 miles north of Dallas, according to the Collin County Sheriff's Office.The father, Michael Thedford, told police he had returned home with the child in the back seat of the family's 2016 Honda Odyssey around 9 a.m. Tuesday morning after dropping off his other two children, ages 5 and 3, at day care, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Thedford had forgotten about the baby and went inside to sleep, he told police.

Thedford, 33, awoke about four hours later, around 1 p.m., and realized he had left the child in the car and found her unresponsive when he removed her from the car seat, court documents stated. He then brought the 6-month-old into the house and placed her into the refrigerator for an undisclosed amount of time before calling 911, according to the affidavit.

Prior to first responders’ arriving to the home, Thedford placed the child on the kitchen floor and attempted to administer CPR on her, the affidavit says. The child was on the kitchen floor when police arrived, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thedford was arrested and charged with manslaughter after he was questioned by authorities. Prior to questioning, Thedford was informed that he was not under arrest, to which he allegedly responded something to the effect of, "That's going to change," according to the affidavit.He was released on $20,000 bond Tuesday, and it’s unclear whether Medford has obtained a lawyer or entered a plea.

Thedford informed police that he is an unemployed high school teacher and that his wife of 12 years works as a veterinarian in Plano, Texas. He told police that the day started with his 3-year-old daughter’s waking him up after 7 a.m. Tuesday, at which point he began getting the children dressed for day care, the affidavit stated. His wife had already left for work, and Thedford did not plan to take the 6-month-old to day care because she had been running a fever, according to the affidavit.

The baby was seated in the middle row of the car on the passenger side. She was dressed in long sleeves and footed pajama bottoms in order to sweat out the fever, the affidavit stated.

The ambient temperature in McKinney, Texas, about 10 miles away, was 91 degrees Fahrenheit at noon that day, according to the affidavit.

The cause of the child's death is under investigation. The Collin County Medical Examiner's office did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

Culled from ABCNews

Swedish soccer player gets red card for farting during game

The fart heard 'round the world is an underdog story.

It's the tale of a humble fart, unloosed on the world in a moment of innocence in the anonymity of a game between Swedish soccer clubs nobody had ever heard of. Its maker is Adam Lindin Ljungkvist, a left back for Järna SK's reserve team. They were playing Pershagen SK.He already had a yellow card.

He also had "a bad stomach," per the Guardian. So, as he told Länstidningen Södertälje, which we're going to guess is either a newspaper or a cheap, self-assembled coffee table, "I simply let go."

There this whole besotted odyssey would have ended. But this little fart was destined for greater things. For global fame. Perhaps fortune. Maybe even a straight-to-TV movie on Lifetime and a spot on Oprah's bench. Because the referee, Dany Kako, who cares not for your farts, showed Ljungkvist a yellow card.

Which is to say that he almost certainly became the first player in a century and a half of organized soccer to be sent off for cutting the cheese on the field. He and his fart are forever famous. Thanks to that red card.

"Yes, I was shocked," Ljungkvist told the paper/coffee table. "It's the strangest thing I have ever experienced in football."

An opponent agreed. Kristoffer Linde testified that he "was standing a good distance away but I heard the fart loud and clear. It's the strangest thing I've seen on a pitch, and I've been playing football since I was eight years old."

Ljungkvist, baffled, needed closure. "I asked the referee, 'What, am I not allowed to break wind a little?' " Ljungkvist continued, sensing that the world and the history books would need more information. " 'No,' he replied. … I don't get it but maybe he thought I farted in my hand and threw the fart at him. But I did not."

The referee explained himself. "I perceived it as deliberate provocation," Kako said, adding that he'd once given a player a yellow for peeing by the field as well. "He did it on purpose and it was inappropriate. Therefore, he received a yellow card."

Ljungkvist then re-litigated the matter to Aftonbladet, which definitely is a newspaper. "To provoke anyone with a fart is not particularly smart or normal," he said. "It's nonsense – I just broke wind and got a red card. I spoke to the referee afterwards, I was annoyed, but there were no bad words. I just said he was a buffoon."

The chilling reason why so many people are talking about this photo of a girl standing on the toilet

When mom Stacey Feeley saw her 3-year-old daughter standing on the edge of the toilet lid, she initially thought it was comical and wanted to send it to her husband. Then, the young girl explained herself and Stacey broke down. Her daughter had been balancing on the edge of the toilet because she was practicing the lockdown drill procedure she learned at school, the one that teaches them how to hide from shooters in the bathroom.

“At that moment all [innocence] of what I thought my three-year-old possessed was gone,” wrote Stacey, when sharing this powerful story on Facebook.

Though standing on the toilet may be a simple action, its implications are far greater. Realizing this, Stacey is now asking politicians to see their own children, grandchildren, and future generations in her own daughter. These young people will live in a world influenced by the decisions they make. “They are barely 3 and they will hide in bathroom stalls standing on top of toilet seats,” continued Feeley. “I do not know what will be harder for them? Trying to remain quiet for an extended amount of time or trying to keep their balance without letting a foot slip below the stall door?” The thought of young children worrying about such things is terrifying – especially since they’re concerning themselves with something that shouldn’t be a threat to their safety in the first place.

While Stacey conceded that gun control most likely won’t double as foolproof crime control, she does think it will help. She emphasized her point by asking the following questions: “Why on earth are there not universal background checks? Where is a universal registration database? Why are high capacity magazines ever permitted to be sold to anyone other than direct to the military? Is that really necessary to protect yourself or hunt for that matter? What about smart guns, where are they?” Stacey mentioned that it’s unreasonable to ask that the 2nd amendment be abolished, but it’s also impractical to not allow the Constitution to evolve.

Yahoo

6-year-old develops bacterial skin infection after swimming at Huntington Beach

A Newport News mom says her child has a severe case of impetigo after swimming at Huntington Beach on Saturday.

Nicole Sullivan says her daughter, six-year-old Bella, had a scratch on her face when she went swimming.

Sullivan says she progressively started to develop some redness and swelling. By Tuesday, it turned into a painful, itchy infection.

"I thought maybe it was just poison ivy so I put some caladryl lotion on it and some Benadryl," she says. "Tuesday morning she woke up and both eyes were completely closed shut and she was completely swollen, her face, her neck, her arms also."

When she took her to the doctor, Sullivan says Bella was diagnosed with impetigo due to the bacteria from the water getting inside of her cut.

According to the Mayo Clinic, impetigo is common in infants and children and usually appears as red sores on the face especially around the child's mouth.

Environmental Health Manager for the Peninsula District, Gary Hagy, says the water levels tested below the standard back on June 9th, so there was no advisory when Bella went swimming.

There was a swimming advisory due to higher than acceptable levels of bacteria in the water on June 8th, but it was lifted the next day.

Hagy says the bacteria can include human waste.

Unless there is an advisory, they usually test the water once a week, on Tuesdays. He says surface water can fluctuate often, it's never constant and there is always going to be a risk.

He recommends to not submerse an open cut in the water or go into the water after a heavy rainfall for at least 24 to 48 hours.

There have been three swimming advisories since May 25th.

Hagy says they have been working with city officials, including public works, to determine the cause of the high bacteria levels, but they have not found a reason so far.

"If you plan to take your child to the beach, see if they have any openings in their skin, hold off on going to the beach perhaps if you do see anything like that or cover them up really well," says Sullivan. "I wouldn't want anything like that to happen to other kids, it's very painful."

12 Children Found Inside Home of Bucks County Man, Who is Charged with Sex Assault

Twelve girls, ranging in age from six months to 18 years old, were found Thursday inside the home of a Bucks County, Pennsylvania, man, who has been charged with sexually assaulting one of the girls from 2012 to 2015, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Lower Southampton Police Department.
One of the alleged victims, now 18, told police she is the mother of two of the girls in the house and that the suspect, Lee Kaplan, fathered both, including the six-month-old, the complaint said.

Police are also investigating an allegation that the teenage mother was sold by her parents to Kaplan. The parents, who live in Lancaster County, are in custody, police said."This child gave birth to two other children through an inappropriate relationship," Lower Southampton Lt. John Krimmel said.

Kaplan, 51, lives in the 400 block of Old Street Road in Feasterville, where he and the children were found, according to the complaint. He bought the home, which was built in 1926, back in 1988 according to county real estate records.Kaplan remains jailed on $1 million bail. It is unclear if he has an attorney.

Neighbor Jen Bets said she made the tip call to authorities, bringing them to the home.

"It's never the wrong time to do the right thing," Bets told NBC10's Christian Cazares. "There were signs."
"(She was) too young to be the wife, too old to be holding his hand," Bets said. She would often see Kaplan walking down the street with girls, holding hands with one of them.

"It took too long," Bets said of response to the home, which she said she had spoken with nieghbors and police in the past about. "I just want them to get help and get back and be happy. They're so sad and fearful everytime I see them. That's what made me call."

NBC10.com is not identifying the parents, who also are in custody and being held on $1 million bail, to maintain the alleged victim of a sexual assault's anonymity.Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler said the parents, who live in Lancaster County, claim all of the children are theirs.

"They purport to be the parents of all the children, but I don't know if we believe them," Heckler said.

He said he could not say how long the children had been at Kaplan's house.
"It will be until into next week before I can stand in front of cameras and say X, Y, Z happened," Heckler said. "We have miles to go."

The police complaint said Kaplan "had told other neighbors that no children live there."

But one nearby resident, Denise Horst, said she saw the girls often.

"I've ridden by this house (and) I've seen young girls, various ages of children, dressed mostly in Amish clothing," Horst said. "Often afraid, like they would once he'd come out of the house, the male would come out, they'd go running into the house." She said she also saw one of the young girls pregnant.

"I was wondering what was going on," Horst said. "It looked like these girls were scared." Lower Southampton police said that police did not find any identifying documents for any of the girls.

"We are still investigating that. Bucks County is investigating that along with other agencies to help identify their genealogy and who their parents actually are," Krimmel said, adding that all are now in protective custody.

Culled from NBC news

Sex Scandal: U.S accuses Nigerian lawmakers of attempted rape, soliciting prostitutes

The United States government has raised serious allegations of sexual misconduct and attempted rape against Nigerian lawmakers.

The U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, made the allegation in a letter sent to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on June 9.The accused members are Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom), Mohammed Gololo (APC, Bauchi) and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue).

The petition says they attempted to commit rape, and solicited sex from prostitutes during their recent trip to Cleveland, United States, for the International Visitor Leadership Program.
In the petition, obtained by New Telegraph, Mr. Gololo was reported by a hotel house keeper to have grabbed her and sought sex.

Messrs Ikon and Gbillah, allegedly, sought the assistance of hotel park attendants to help them get prostitutes.
Mr. Dogara’s spokesperson, Turaki Hassan, confirmed the Speaker received the petition to PREMIUM TIMES.
The petition read, “It is with regret that I must bring to your attention the following situation. Ten members of the Nigerian National Assembly recently travelled to Cleveland, Ohio as participants in the International Visitor Leadership Programme on good governance. We received troubling allegations regarding the behaviour of three members of the delegation to the U.S. Government’s flagship professional exchange programme.

“The U.S. Department of State and the Cleveland Council on World Affairs received reports from employees of the Cleveland hotel where the representatives stayed, alleging the representatives engaged in the following behaviour: “Mohammed Garba Gololo allegedly grabbed a housekeeper in his hotel room and solicited her for sex.

“While the housekeeper reported this to her management, this incident could have involved local law enforcement and resulted in legal consequences for Representative Gololo. Mark Terseer Gbillah and Samuel Ikon allegedly requested hotel parking attendants assist them to solicit prostitutes.

“The U.S. Mission took pains to confirm these allegations and the identities of the individuals with the employees of the hotel in Cleveland.

“The conduct described above left a very negative impression of Nigeria, casting a shadow on Nigeria’s National Assembly, the International Visitor Leadership Program, and to the American hosts’ impression of Nigeria as a whole. Such conduct could affect some participants’ ability to travel to the United States in the future.

“While the majority of Nigerian visitors to the United States do behave appropriately, even a few Nigerians demonstrating poor judgement leads to a poor impression of the Nigerian people generally, though it is far from accurate. Such incidents jeopardise the ability of future programming and make host institutions and organisations less likely to welcome similar visits in the future.”

“I request, in the strongest possible terms, you share this message with members of the National Assembly so they understand the seriousness of these issues, and the potential consequences of their actions, not only for themselves as individuals, but also for the future of such programmes designed to benefit Nigeria,” Mr. Entwistle wrote.

The accused lawmakers denied the allegations.

“It’s an affront on the National Assembly” – Gbillah

Mr. Gbillah, who was accused of soliciting prostitutes alongside Mr. Ikon, said the allegation was a calculated attempt at rubbishing the National Assembly and vowed to demand compensation from the U.S. for defamation of character.
He explained that that they did not speak to park attendants, basing his argument on the ground that they did not go with cars, and asking, “So how could we have spoken with attendant.”

“So, at Cleveland Renaissance where we were, opposite the Quicken Loan Arena, the Cleveland Cavalier Basketball team played a match and many people came to lodge at the same hotel, and they claimed that we spoke with car park attendants. We didn’t go with cars, so how could we have spoken with attendants?”

“I saw the ambassador (Entwistle) and went to greet him and he told me how a few of us tarnished the image of the House. I advised him to make it formal so that we can know who was involved and what actually happened.

“It was after this encounter that they called us to their premises and said they were identified by their accusers in a group picture.

This is curious. No video footage. They didn’t accost us while we were in US. We suspect this is a calculated attempt to rubbish the National Assembly. Is this how they would have investigated their congressmen? Do they know that there were other black people who came to watch the match? How could they have identified us in a picture without our knowledge?”

He said the affected lawmakers had challenged the U.S. government, demanding footage of their stay in the hotel and that they should be provided access to their accusers for identification.
Mr. Gololo, in a letter to the American envoy on June 13, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, said “these are totally false, unfounded and baseless allegations against me. I categorically deny that any such incident happened. I never grabbed any housekeeper or solicited sex”.“I also take this matter very seriously not only because I am an honourable member representing a hallowed institution but because I am husband and father. How will my family and in-laws react to this wild and grave allegation.”

He demanded “video or any such evidence of my alleged misbehaviour.”
Nkole Ndukwe, another lawmaker who was on the trip, expressed shock at the allegation and asked for substantiation from the U.S.

The United States Embassy in Nigeria declined comment on this story.

Culled from Premium Times NG

‘MKO Abiola’s portrait should be N50 currency’

A civil society group, June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations, J12CODEF, has demanded that the Federal Government approve the portrait of late Chief M.K.O Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, on the country’s N50 currency or future currencies.

The group made the demand yesterday, at a briefing in Lagos, lamenting that 23 years after the Presidential election, the central Government has not immortalized the late business mogul.

The group chairman, Mr. Alfred Ilenre, said; “The Federal Government should posthumously recognize late Chief M.K.O. Abiola as the President Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria based on the June 12, 1993 Presidential election and immortalize the memory of the custodian of the mandate and the day by declaring June 12 every year as M.K.O. Abiola day.”

Ilenre attributed the state of insecurity in the country to lack of successive governments since 1999 to address issues pertaining to the annulled elections.

His words, “This criminal annulment of the election was an assault on the collective sensibilities of millions of Nigerians who freely gave their mandate to late Chief M.K.O. Abiola via the ballot box.

“Thus, the failure of successive governments since the advent of democratic rule in 1999 to address the issue of June 12 on the side of justice has resulted in sundry crisis bedeviling the Nigerian state such as Boko Haram, Indegenous People Of Biafra, IPOB/Biafra, Corruption, militancy in the Niger Delta, Fulani herdsmen menace, kidnappings and others,” he added.

Mr. Nelson Ekujumi, the group Secretary, said “The crisis bedeviling Nigeria cannot be resolved without restructuring the country along the lines of true federalism.

Culled from Vanguard

Nine die in Lagos crash, mob burns truck

Tragedy struck at the University of Lagos Waterfront end of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State, on Wednesday after a Mazda bus with number plate, AKD 292 XL, rammed into a stationary truck.

No fewer than nine people, including the bus driver, reportedly died on the spot.

Three other passengers, who sustained serious injuries, were said to have been taken to the Gbagada General Hospital, Gbagada.

The driver of the truck reportedly fled the scene after seeing the enormity of the fatality.

PUNCH Metro learnt that an angry mob, which besieged the scene, set fire to the truck and injured an official of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.

Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire Service later put out the fire as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, appeased the youths.

A witness and bus driver, who identified himself simply as Kunmi, said the incident happened around 10pm, adding that nine persons died.

Kunmi, who spoke in Yoruba, explained that the failure of the truck driver to put a sign on the road to indicate that his vehicle had broken down, led to the tragedy.

He said, “The bus was coming from Ajah/Lekki area en route to Oshodi. It was on the Third Mainland Bridge, moving toward Oworonsoki. There was, however, a truck that had broken down on the road. The engine was still running.

“The driver of the bus, who did not see the truck, rammed into it.

“People were not willing to stop their vehicles to assist the victims. I met some policemen on the ground. We used my spanner to break open the door. But the passengers were trapped. We wanted to use my vehicle to pull the bus from the truck, but we couldn’t. We later stopped another truck, which assisted us.

“A rescue agency later brought a sledgehammer that we used to open up the vehicle and bring out nine bodies, including that of the driver, Segun. The driver still had the fares he collected in his hand. He didn’t have a conductor. We left the scene around 2am on Thursday.”

Kunmi said policemen from the Adekunle division and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASEMA, and the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit were part of the rescue operation.

He said three survivors, who were in critical conditions, were taken in an ambulance to the Gbagada General Hospital.

An official of LASTMA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however, claimed that eight people died, saying their remains were mangled.

The official said the Lagos CP gave some money to the family of the driver, who insisted on taking the body to Ibadan, Oyo State, for burial.

He said, “The driver of the bus was at top speed when he rammed into the stationary truck. About 80 per cent of the bus was crushed and that was why the driver and passengers on the first three rows died on the spot. Three people at the back, who did not die, lost their limbs.

“SEHMU wanted to take all the corpses to the mortuary, but the friends and family members of the driver insisted on taking him to Ibadan the same night. The Lagos CP, Owoseni, gave them some money and asked a police escort to follow them.”

The LASTMA official said a mob, made up of sympathisers and some hoodlums, set fire to the truck that caused the accident.

He said the mob wanted to cause more destruction but the police boss urged them to be calm, assuring that justice would be served.

The General Manager of LASEMA, Michael Akindele, said five people died in the accident.

He said, “According to the investigation conducted by LASEMA’s Emergency Response Team, the commercial bus rammed into the stationary truck while speeding.

“The vehicle was later extricated by the ERT, and five male bodies were recovered dead. Six other adult male victims were rescued alive with severe injuries. They were taken to the Accident and Emergency Centre (Trauma Centre) and the Gbagada General Hospital by LASAMBUS.

“The dead bodies were also removed by SEHMU to the Mainland Hospital Mortuary, except the bus driver whose body was released at the request of the family members and friends through the intervention of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, who was present at the scene of the accident.”

Akindele said the mob that burnt the truck also injured an official of the agency, adding that the state firefighters put out the fire.

The LASEMA boss, while commiserating with the families of the deceased, urged motorists to be cautious while driving at night.

A top official of the Gbagada General Hospital said three victims were brought to the hospital.

“Three of the accident victims were brought to the hospital; none of them died. Two are fully conscious; they had bruises. One is still unconscious,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that investigations were ongoing.

She said, “We are investigating the case. The CP was at the scene of the incident. It was an accident that could have been prevented.”

Culled from PUNCH.