BREAKING: Court Sentences Ex-Federal Lawmaker, Farouk Lawan To 7 Years in Prison Over $3million Bribe

A High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Farouk Lawan, former chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, to seven years imprisonment over the $3 million bribery charges preferred against him by the Nigerian government.

Lawan, as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee, was involved in the probing of the multi-billion naira fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.

Farouk Lawan in courtthecable

There were allegations and video evidence that he took $500,000 bribe from Femi Otedola to remove Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited (Otedola’s company) from the list of oil companies allegedly involved in the fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.

Lawan, who was arraigned on seven counts of bribery by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was alleged to have collected $500,000 bribe from Otedola.

The charge was later amended to three counts.

Otedola, while giving evidence as the fifth prosecution witness, said the defendant had demanded $3 million and threatened to indict his oil company.

According to the businessman, he reported the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS) and was given $500,000 in marked notes. 

He also said the DSS planted a camera in his house to catch Lawan red-handed. 

TB Joshua’s spirit visited me after he died – Kuti

Nigerian actress, Jaiye Kuti has claimed that the late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Temitope Balogun Joshua appeared to her in spirit shortly after he passed away.

Kuti, who narrated her encounter on her Instagram page, claimed she had never seen the Nigerian televangelist.

According to her, the cleric’s spirit visited her at home in Offa, Kwara State, the same night he died.

She claimed that her head was swollen and she saw a gentle pass of him, praying that God rests his soul in peace.

Alongside a picture of TB Joshua, she wrote, “I have never met you one on one but your spirit visited me when you died. I was in Offa alone in my room. My head was swollen and I saw a gentle pass of Him. There was something good about that soul.

”Christ was poor but feeding the people and taking care of everyone. You did the same to many. I know 2 people who truly gave their lives to Christ through Him. May the Good Lord rest your soul in peace. Pastor T.B. Joshua.” She added.

Meanwhile, late Temitope Joshua’s family on Monday said the deceased will be buried on July 9, 2021, at his church in Lagos.

Army arrests bandits travelling to Ibadan with military kits, charms

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday disclosed that some bandits heading to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were intercepted along Mokwa-Jebba road. on their way from Zuru in Kebbi.

It disclosed that the bandits were intercepted during a stop-and-search operation.

Spokesman of the Army, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated this in a statement in Abuja, NAN reports.

Nwachukwu said the bandits were intercepted with a pair of military camouflage, military boots, a knife and substance suspected to be charms.

He said on further interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he was travelling to Ogbomosho and further claimed that the uniform and boots belonged to his brother, who was a soldier.

According to the army, the suspect was fleeing from the ongoing military operations in Niger to a safe haven.

“The heat on bandits and other criminal elements in Niger has caused them to start fleeing to supposed safe havens. Members of the public, particularly around Niger and contiguous states are, therefore, enjoined to be vigilant and report any suspected movement of fleeing bandits to security agencies.

“He further enjoined them to be wary of such sinister movements by fleeing bandits and continue to support the security agencies with useful information to enable them to maintain peace and security of the country,” the statement said.

Lai Mohammed leads Nigerian team to discuss with Twitter over suspension

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Nigerian Government’s team to engage with Twitter over the recent suspension of the operations of the social media platform in the country.

The team which would be chaired by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed also comprises the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Works and Housing, Minister of State for Labour and Employment as well as other relevant government agencies.

Mohammed noted that following the indefinite suspension of its operations in Nigeria allegedly for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence, Twitter wrote to Buhari seeking to engage with the Federal Government over the suspension, with a view to charting a path forward.

BREAKING: Lagos Council Boss Confirmed Dead Days After Winning APC Primary Election

The Chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area in Lagos, Olufunmi Rafiu Olatunji is dead.

His media team disclosed this in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“With sorrow in our heart but in total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (S. W. T), we announce the passing, after a long battle with illness, our dear father, brother, friend, confidant, role model, Nation-builder, Hon. Olufunmi Rafiu Olatunji.

“He was until the late night of Monday, 21st June 2021 the Executive Chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, Eti-Osa Local Government.

“He will be buried in accordance to Islamic rite by 9 am prompt at his residence in Sangotedo, Ajah, Lagos. We invite you to join us in paying the last respect to our beloved father, brother, friend, and boss.

“We are confident that Almighty Allah will grant him Al Jannah Firdaus.”

Before his demise, Olatunji was seeking re-election on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He recently emerged winner in the APC local government primary election with 1,977 votes to become the party’s candidate in the forthcoming July 24th election.

Heritage Bank Workers Storm Senator Uba's House In Abuja, Ask Him To Pay Up His Debt

Staff members of Heritage Bank Plc have accused Senator Andy Uba, representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the Senate, of collecting loans from the bank and refusing to pay them back. 

Over 20 young bank workers - Men and women, in branded T-shirts and Jean trousers are seen in a video gathered in front of what they described as Uba's house in protest, with placards in hand.

A voice in the video said they were staff members of Heritage Bank and were at Senator Uba's residence in Abuja to put pressure on him to pay back his loans after several efforts had failed. 

WATCH: @HeritageBankplc Staff Picket Senator Andy Ubah's House In Abuja, Demand For Unpaid Loan

FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/ro5zAXVeFh pic.twitter.com/sxeTQmucVl

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) June 21, 2021

They said they felt compelled to take the action because their jobs were at stake, adding that they would likely lose their jobs if the loans were not repaid. 

The voice said: "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Today is Monday, the 21st day of June 2021, and we have here the staff members of Heritage Bank Plc, Abuja. We are in front of Senator Andy Uba's house in Abuja. 

"Senator Uba has been owing the bank for a couple of years now, and we are here for a peaceful meeting with him, very peaceful meeting. To ask him to kindly repay those loans, because they are depositors' funds.
 
"Those monies, if they are not repaid, will throw the number of the people you see here, with their families out of work. And we know the situation of the economy now. If this number of people are thrown out of work, you know what it means.  

"So that people will not lose their job..."

The senator whose net worth as of February 2021 was put at $2.1 billion, has demanded a probe into rumours of his arrest over money laundering, noting that he was never arrested for any reason in 2019.

He said he was surprised when his attention was drawn to a news report in the media that he was arrested in Lagos with a huge sum of money.

Nigerians React As Court Grants 18-year-old Alleged #EndSARS Protester Who Gave Birth In Prison N10m Bail

Kemisola was arrested in Akure and has been imprisoned since October 24, 2020, while going to a pharmacy to buy drugs for her mother.

Nigerians on social media have condemned the Nigerian government after the Ondo State High Court sitting at the Olokuta Medium Prison in Akure granted bail to Kemisola Ogunniyi, a nursing mother, of 10 million naira and a surety in like sum.

Ogunniyi, an 18-year-old girl detained over #EndSARS protest, gave birth recently at the Surulere Prison in Ondo town, Ondo East Local Government Area of the state.

Reacting, many Nigerians have stated that the federal and state governments were 'heartless' to detain Ogunniyi in the first place while also condemning the conditions of her release.

Some social media users, however, praised human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, for bringing the issue to the limelight, along with other Nigerians who contributed to her release. 

Sowore had in a Facebook post last week called on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state to look into the issue, adding that the mother of the newborn was innocent and never committed any offence.

The post by Sowore triggered public outrage, with many Nigerians demanding her swift and unconditional release from detention.

A Facebook user, Prince Hillary wrote, “Wicked government, you mean a pregnant teenager has been detained for over 8 months now. This is the zenith of wickedness!”

Another user, Okofu Daniel Dannyboy posted, “Thank you Sowore for the role you played. I am 24/7 online and saw the pressure you were mounting. Power of press. Be sure you'll always be hated for the truth.”

Awolowo Abiola said, “Very heartless government."

Highly Favoured wrote, “Oh may God be praised. God's blessings to those who made it possible."

Another Facebook user, Tundey Bakare opined, “Not only to grant bail but also provisions must be made for social welfare benefits in accordance to the UN convention on the child/children right that cannot be taken away.”

 

Ayo Clement said, “Thanks to those who facilitated her release, God bless you all.

The truth must prevail in this country and innocent people must be set free from bondage."

Ezeobiorah Chinedu Tonero opined: “A pregnant teenage detained in prison for half a year for expressing her fundamental right, this nation is a joke. I wonder the story she will tell her kid when she grows up.”

Granted bail on what ground, first of all what did she do.. What about others in custody with her..
Nigeria is a mess@abati1990 @KoikiMedia @ayemojubar @Real_AmakaIke @Amaka_Ekwo @OoduwaRepublic https://t.co/RXLcGlS2uQ

— nwachineke (@Richardozobanks) June 22, 2021

How Nigeria as a country treat's it's citizens but bandits are cashing out everyday unabated

— Odogbu (@Chimezi52254266) June 22, 2021

That's the power of social media

— moses ob stereotypical (@Obinna44) June 22, 2021

Victory at last !!

First time I came across this news, I was literally in tears. I imagine the scores of innocent people in prison whose voice we haven't heard..

😭

— Valhalla🔻 (@davidBann3r) June 22, 2021

Kemisola was arrested in Akure and has been imprisoned since October 24, 2020, while going to a pharmacy to buy drugs for her mother.

But she was arrested by the police along with three others whom the police said participated in the #EndSARS protest in the state.

The police claimed they were one of those #EndSARS protesters who burnt the office of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state last year, about eight months ago. 

The three others are Ayodele Bukunmi, Ojo Samuel and Ani Obinna.

The charges preferred against them were conspiracy to commit the following felonies, to wit: arson, riotous assembly, stealing and malicious damage.

Kemisola was said to have gone into labour on June 15, giving birth to a baby boy the following day.

NDLEA busts medical doctor Jane Ofoma: Photo

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a medical doctor, Jane Chioma Ofoma, for selling drugged cookies and biscuits.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy confirmed this in a statement released on Tuesday 22nd June 2021.

He noted that Ofoma was arrested in Auchi, Edo state.

He said Ofoma was an online catering service, Omachis kitchen, through which she sells drugged cookies and biscuits.

He said:

“Following intelligence and surveillance, narcotic officers of the Edo State Command of the Agency on Saturday 19th June 2021, stormed her operational base at 1 winners way, Auchi, where she was arrested and at least 94 pieces of cookies produced with cannabis Sativa were recovered.”

“Chioma, 26, who is a graduate of medicine from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka recently completed her horsemanship at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. She has confessed to baking the cookies with a skunk in her statement while under interrogation.

Babafemi added that: “In the same vein, a 30-year-old Emmanuel Ehiramhen, of No. 10 Egan Street Ekpoma, has been arrested by officers of the Edo Command of the Agency for dealing in crack cocaine.

Father’s Day tragedy: How a 13-year-old boy hacks father to death with axe

 

As children all over the world were busy paying glowing tributes to their fathers, in commemoration of this year’s Father’s Day, a 13-year-old boy simply identified as Abubakar, has reportedly hacked his father to death in Benin City, Edo State.

The horrible incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, at Egbon Estate in Evboutubu, a suburb community in Benin City.

It was reliably gathered that the 79-year-old man, Osariakhi Oronsaye, had about a week ago, raised the alarm that his son, a secondary school student, wanted to kill him.

It was further gathered that operatives from Evbuotubu Police Division were promptly sent to arrest the young boy.

But on their way back to the station, the deceased appealed to the police operatives to release his son.

The suspect finally carried out his threat when he struck his father on his head with an axe, while he was still sleeping, killing him on the spot.

A family member who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed shock and disbelief, wondering what could have prompted the boy to kill his father.

“We have not known Abubakar to be having a mental problem, but we are shocked with his action now,” he said.

Authorities of the State Police Command could not be reached for a reaction, but it was gathered that the suspect is presently being detained at the Evboutubu Police Division, from where he is expected to be transferred to the homicide department of the state police command headquarters in Benin city.

Buhari Has Decided To Discuss With Secessionists, Biafra Agitators— Ex-Presidential Candidate, Moghalu

A former Presidential candidate, Kingsley Moghalu has said that he advised President Muhammadu Buhari to declare May 30 as a public holiday to remember the millions of Nigerians who died in the Nigerian Civil War.

He stated that there are five recommendations he gave to the Nigerian leader, which include asking him to inaugurate a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that would facilitate a dialogue between the Presidency and the secessionist groups in the South East.

Moghalu said this on his Twitter page on Monday while showing his elation that President Buhari has decided to discuss with the aggrieved separatist groups in the region.

The South East has allegedly accused the Buhari-led government of marginalization, neglect, and killings recently which have fueled the secessionist voice especially by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra.

Several calls have been made from the region and other parts of the country that President Buhari should encourage peace talks with these separatist groups.

Reacting, the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said he was encouraged by the decision by the President to engage in a dialogue with them.

I’m encouraged that President @MBuhari has reportedly decided to take embrace dialogue on the secessionist agitations and the security situation in the Southeast. This was one of my five recommendations when I asked him to set up a Truth &Reconciliation Commission and make May 30

— Kingsley Moghalu (@MoghaluKingsley) June 21, 2021

a public holiday to remember the millions that died in the Nigerian civil war.

— Kingsley Moghalu (@MoghaluKingsley) June 21, 2021