ICC Probes Former governor Tambuwal over Deborah's killing

 

By Philip Blessing

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, demanding the arrest and prosecution of Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal for crimes against humanity for his willful refusal to pursue the killers of Deborah Samuel, a Christian female student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto.  Recall that Deborah Samuel was stoned to death in May 2022 by students believed to be her classmates for purported blasphemy, but the Sokoto State government has not convicted anyone in connection with the murder.

In its petition to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC, HURIWA reportedly stated, “Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, hereby makes this petition to the International Criminal Court, ICC, pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute, which Nigeria has already ratified.”

Peter Obi full speech, titled 'shameful condition' and his message to Nigeria

  On his twitter, The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi widely believed to have won the controversial February 25 election, delivered a powerful statement today as the Presidential Inauguration holds on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Mr Obi aligned himself with the majority of Nigerians in rejecting what he called the “shameful condition” of the country, and called upon the judiciary to assert their independence and integrity.

Speaking with a fervour that underscored the gravity of the situation, Obi emphasized the importance of collective reflection and reassessment of Nigeria’s journey as a young democracy. His message comes at a crucial juncture, in the wake of an election that has left many Nigerians and international observers questioning its legitimacy.

“I join the majority of Nigerians to reject the shameful condition of our country,” Obi declared, addressing the serious concerns that have been raised about the recent elections’ integrity.

While awaiting the election tribunal’s verdict, Obi urged Nigerians to recommit to the nation’s ideals and respect the judiciary’s role in the democratic process. He underscored the judiciary’s critical role in upholding the integrity of state institutions and citizens’ actions.

IHRC Congratulates Tinubu, State Governors, Tasks Administrations on Disability Inclusion, and Economic Development

From  Fidelis Onakpoma

A Transnational Intergovernmental Organization with world headquarters in Switzerland, the International Human Rights Commission, IHRC, has tasked the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with continued comprehensive security cooperation and reforms that support economic growth, inclusive leadership, and respect for the dignity of persons with disabilities.

The Commission's Ambassador at Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah made the call in a trio-congratulatory communique to Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, on Monday as Nigeria's President, and the Executive Governors of Ebonyi State, H.E. Rt. (Hon.) Francis Nwifuru and Delta State, H.E. Rt. (Hon.) Sheriff Oborevwori.

Owner of AIT, Raymond Dokpesi is dead

 

By Ajayi Joseph

Owner of AIT and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Raymond Dokpesi has died at the age of 71.

A family member confirmed this on Monday, saying the media mogul died at a hospital in Abuja.

According to the family source who doesn’t want to be mentioned, Dokpesi had suffered a stroke shortly after the recent Ramadan fast and had been managing his health since.

INAUGURAL SPEECH OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU

My Fellow Citizens,

I stand before you honoured to assume the sacred mandate you have given me. My love for this nation is abiding. My confidence in its people, unwavering. And my faith in God Almighty, absolute. I know that His hand shall provide the needed moral strength and clarity of purpose in those instances when we seem to have reached the limits of our human capacity.

This day is bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit, as is our precious nation.

As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.

The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential.

For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny.

This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all.

We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.

Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.

To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed.

The peaceful transition from one government to another is now our political tradition. This handover symbolizes our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.

Here, permit me to say a few words to my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr President, you have been an honest, patriotic leader who has done his best for the nation you love. On a more personal note, you are a worthy partner and friend. May History be kind to you.

For many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that our nation will break apart, even perish.

2 agitators nabbed for attacking Lagos police station over Yoruba Nation

 From Samson Kola, Lagos
 
Two suspected agitators of the Yoruba Nation have been arrested over an attempt to take over the Alausa Police Division in Ikeja, Lagos State.
The police spokesman in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the arrest, explained that at about 6am on Sunday a group of men numbering about 15 under the aegis of the Yoruba Nation Agitators allegedly stormed the Alausa Police Division and started recording the station with their phones and chanting, “No more Nigeria police again” and “Yoruba Nation has taken over in Yorubaland”.

Magnetic singer of explosive power, Tina Turner, is dead at 83

 

Tina Turner, the earthshaking soul singer whose rasping vocals, sexual magnetism and explosive energy made her an unforgettable live performer and one of the most successful recording artists of all time, died on Wednesday at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, near Zurich. She was 83.

Greeted for her dynamic performances with her husband, Ike in 1960s, she became a sensation as a recording artist, often echoing her own struggles in her songs.

Disgraceful: Polytechnic lecturer sentenced to 15-Years for corruption

By Isiaku Yakubu

Muhammed Nuhu, a dismissed lecturer of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Kebbi State High Court on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, for a corruption scandal that has rocked the educational institution.

Nuhu was convicted on the grounds of self-dealing corruption, involving a sum of Six Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Four Hundred Naira (N6,173,400), belonging to the Polytechnic, as declared by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

Federal court to rule on perjury and double nomination allegations against Tinubu

By Abdulrahim Sufyan

Federal high court in Abuja will decide on allegations of perjury and double nomination made against President-elect Bola Tinubu. The case was brought by a group of concerned Nigerians questioning Tinubu’s eligibility for the presidency.

This pending ruling adds further drama to Nigeria’s already tense political climate.

Justice Omotosho of the federal high court granted a substitute service order on Tinubu on Tuesday. This action followed a hearing in which the court heard the motion for an interim injunction aimed at stopping Tinubu from being sworn in as president.

“Upon listening to the plaintiffs’ counsel address the court on the locus standi of the plaintiffs and jurisdiction, I adjourned the matter to Friday for further hearing,” said Justice Omotosho.

In an unprecedented move, the court ordered hearing notices and all processes to be served on the defendants immediately. Among the defendants are Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Director-General of the Department of State Service, the Inspector General of Police, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Why police officers assault Nigerians

 For decades, the challenge of police brutality and assaults on innocent individuals in Nigeria has been a major source of worry for many. While some may attribute it to corruption, a lack of professionalism, or insufficient resources, it is pertinent to note that these concerns are frequently interconnected.
Junior officers in the police force, who usually have more direct contact with innocent Nigerians, do not receive adequate intelligence training, which serves as the foundation for their professionalism.
 They are trained in old physical combat techniques against international best practices. It is important to provide proper training to police officers from the beginning of their careers, as failure to do so leaves officers ill-equipped to deal with difficult situations. Inadequate intelligence training can frequently lead to unprofessional behaviour and violations of human rights.

Friends and family celebrate as seun Kuti is released from police custody

 From Isah Hassan

Grammy-nominated Afrobeat artist Seun Kuti has regained his freedom following a period of police detention in Lagos, according to activist Omoyele Sowore.

Kuti, a notable figure in Nigeria’s music industry and son of legendary musician Fela Kuti, was remanded at the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos following accusations of assaulting a policeman, an event that gained notoriety due to a widely circulated video.

Announcing Kuti’s release on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Sowore took to Twitter stating, “Just to announce that @RealSeunKuti has been released from @PoliceNG detention in Lagos. Hasta la victoria siempre!” The Spanish phrase translates to “Onward until victory.”

Rumour : Nigeria in Plot to declare federal holidays to close Supreme Court

...as Nigerian Prince and US-based Medical Doctor Files Motion at Supreme Court to Delay 2023 Presidential Inauguration

By Eteem Felicia

An alleged scheme to declare May 26, 2023, and 29, 2023, public holidays ahead of the swearing-in of the president-elect Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, has reportedly been unveiled, according to inside sources.

Rumours have spread that Tinubu is pressuring incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari to sanction the long weekend as a public holiday to facilitate his inauguration, scheduled for May 29, 2023.

Meanwhile, Tinubu’s Inauguration Hangs in the Balance as Supreme Court to Decide on Qualification on May 26

Critics have labeled this potential holiday declaration a “criminal move,” asserting that it could obstruct the Supreme Court’s pending judgment on a critical case involving the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Senator Kassim Shettima, the vice president-elect.

Tribunal Consolidates Obi, Atiku, APM Petitions

 

By Ibrahim Kaseem

The Presidential Election Petition Court of Nigeria has taken a pivotal step in the nation just concluded election by electing to consolidate three distinct petitions.

These appeals were filed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and the Allied Peoples Movement, APM.

The five-member panel of the court, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, ordered the consolidation as part of a pre-hearing report issued on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

This move comes as a potentially decisive moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, as political parties fight for their perceived rightful places in the government.

The court announced that it has set a date for the hearing of the petition filed by Obi and the LP.

“The commencement of hearing in the petition by Obi and the LP will be on May 30, 2023,” declared Justice Tsammani.

Blair to Nigeria, pledges support for Tinubu

 

President-elect Bola Tinubu and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair after a meeting Tuesday afternoon at Defence House, Abuja.

By Hakeem Abdulkareem

A former British Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair, has expressed his readiness to support the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in office.
Blair spoke yesterday when he visited the President-elect at the Defence House, Abuja.
He said the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which he founded, would be a willing partner of the Tinubu administration especially in prioritising its goals and delivery.

5 arrested over corpse in Benue river

From Jimoh Dauda, Markurdi

   

Five people in connection with a mutilated corpse found in Edikwu River in the Southern part of Benue State have been arrested by police.

The Commissioner of Police, Julius Alawari, told journalists in Makurdi that the body was later identified as one 29-year-old Babatunde Moses.

 

Alawari said that Moses went missing after he attended a burial ceremony with his friends.

 

He further said, “On 20/05/2023 at about 1345hrs information was received at Otukpo Police Division that an unknown corpse was seen at Edikwu river bank with internal organs removed.

 

“A team of detectives were deployed to the area for investigation. During investigation, it was revealed that the lifeless body was one Babatunde Moses aged 29 years who was last seen sitting with his friends in a burial ceremony.

Academic journey of Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni

 

Abu Rayhan al-Biruni was an Iranian scholar and polymath during the Islamic Golden Age. He has been variously called as the "founder of Indology", "Father of Comparative Religion", "Father of modern geodesy", and the first anthropologist.

Al-Biruni was well versed in physics, mathematics, astronomy, and natural sciences, and also distinguished himself as a historian, chronologist and linguist. He studied almost all fields of science and was compensated for his research and strenuous work. Royalty and powerful members of society sought out Al-Biruni to conduct research and study to uncover certain findings. In addition to this type of influence, Al-Biruni was also influenced by other nations, such as the Greeks, who he took inspiration from when he turned to studies of philosophy. He was conversant in Khwarezmian, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and also knew Greek, Hebrew and Syriac. He spent much of his life in Ghazni, then capital of the Ghaznavid dynasty, in modern-day central-eastern Afghanistan. In 1017 he travelled to the Indian subcontinent and authored a study of Indian culture Tārīkh al-Hind (History of India) after exploring the Hindu faith practiced in India. He was an impartial writer on customs and creeds of various nations, and was given the title al-Ustadh ("The Master") for his remarkable description of early 11th-century India.

2 kidnappers, 14 others paraded by security police in Ekiti

 

From Abiodun Kolinti
 
The Ekiti State Police Command has paraded two notorious kidnappers, Abu Hassan and Abubakar Sodiq, who allegedly have been terrorising citizens of Iyemero, Oke-Ako, Irele and Ipao-Ekiti axes and 14 other suspected criminals.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ogundare Dare, said that those paraded were suspected cultists, armed robbers, vandals, among others.
Mr Dare said the kidnappers’ were identified by some of their victims at the Atu Farm Settlement in Iyemero-Ekiti and at Oke-Ako.

Woman stabs neighbour’s daughter for advising her hubby to take 2nd wife

 

From  Idris Dalhatu

A seven-year-old girl, Sharifa Usman, has been stabbed on her stomach by their neighbour, Fatima Alaramma, who accused her father of advising her husband to take a second wife.

Fatima allegedly dumped the girl after stabbing her in an uncompleted building in Mariri, Hotoro area of Kumbotso in Kano metropolis.
  Ishild deduce that the incident happened in Gadon Kaya area of Gwale in Kano metropolis.

Witnesses told our correspondent that the woman, who is presently on the run, decided to take revenge on the man’s daughter who is presently receiving treatment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).

The good, the bad and the ugly marriage of late Saint Obi

 

By Zik Zulu Okafor

Saint Obi's social life was blunted. Perhaps by his reticent disposition. His personal, two dimensional. To a distant public, he was upscale and cool . His manly bearing spoke loud. His onscreen image ironically amplified some idiosyncrasies:  heroics, romantic adventures and traits that did not gel with the mortal privacy that eerily define his quiet and lonely life.

 Saint Obi, real name, Obinna Nwafor, was shy, almost bordering on timidity and insecurity. He cherished the pleasantly tranquil interractions among a few friends. He would vanish at any outburst that could upset the poise of such small meetings. As he repeatedly told me, he just wanted to live a cool, quiet and fulfilled life.

But, has he lived  this cool and fulfilled life he envisioned ? I have my doubts.

I tell Saint's story here with painful tears in my eyes; because he was a star, a super star whose life turned out a gleam of irony.
 Yet, it was this stardom that fetched him his much professed financially strong and powerful wife. And their wedding, that solemn ritual of love, would drastically alter the cause of his life and tragically yank him off the creative community that threw him up for the wife to capture and indeed conquer.

Veteran Actor Saint Obi is dead

 

By Nelson Joseph

Nollywood actor, film producer, and director, Obinna Nwafor better known as Saint Obi is dead.

The actor was said to have died on Sunday, last week, May 7th in the home of one of his siblings.

Insecurity: Zamfara distributes S-PPE to security agencies

 

From Daud Muhammed, Gusau

Zamfara State Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has on today presented items of Security Prevention and Protection Equipment (S-PPE) to some security agencies in the state.

Presenting the items to Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the state Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Fa'ika M. Ahmed, said the gesture was aimed at supporting the security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities of fighting criminality.

Best Choice Specialist Hospital Gets Multi-Million Naira Endoscopy Machine

........First in Kano

 By Hussein Garba

The Chairman, Best Choice Specialist Hospital, Kano, Auwal Muhammad Lawal, on Sunday, revealed that the hospital has just acquired the latest Portable Endoscopy Machine, the first of it's kind in the whole state.

He said, the latest Multi-Million Naira Machine which will ease surgery in ENT cases, Urology, Kidney, fibroids, diagnosis for ulcer and cancer is an addition to the series of state of the art equipment in the hospital.

According to Lawal, the health facility which is second to non in Kano is not only stocked up with equipment but also, adequate staff as it presently has twenty (20) permanent doctors, with numerous specialists frequenting the hospital.

Obasanjo, IGP, others for National Daily awards

 From Shuaibu Ibrahim

The much anticipated prestigious National Daily Awards will hold on Friday May 12, 2023, at the Grand BallRoom of Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo as Special Guest of Honour and keynote Speaker, under the chairmanship of Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

The National Daily Awards is a celebration of excellence in various sectors of the Nigerian economy and life.

“We will be honoring outstanding achievers in public and private sectors, as well as presenting Lifetime Achievement Awards to exceptional individuals in business, politics, sports and entertainment”, reads a statement signed by Sylvester Ebhodaghe, Editor-in-Chief of National Daily Newspapers.

2 men arrested over murder of herder in Ogun

 From Abiodun Kolinti
 
Operatives of the Ogun State Security Network Agency, code named Amotekun Corps, have arrested two men, Akinyele Adebayo (49) and Idosu Gbalo (30), for allegedly killing and dismembering a herder, Umaru Aliu, in Ijagure village, in Sagada area of Imeko-Afon LGA.
 The Commandant of the corps, CP David Akinremi (Rtd), confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Wednesday, saying the suspects conspired and murdered Aliu on a farmland belonging to one Chief Ogunlana Fagbemi.

Tinubu left for Europe as tribunal dismisses petition against him

 By Isaac Ike

Eighteen days to his inauguration, the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, yesterday departed Nigeria for Europe.
Tunde Rahman, one of Tinubu’s media aides, who disclosed this in a statement, said Tinubu left Abuja on Wednesday afternoon with some of his key aides.
The statement reads in part: “The trip will reduce unnecessary pressure and distraction on the president-elect ahead of the May 29, inauguration.
“He will use the opportunity of the trip to fine-tune the transition plans and programmes and his policy options with some of his key aides without unnecessary pressure and distraction.
“During the visit, the president-elect will engage with investors and other key allies with the goal of marketing investment opportunities in the country and his administration’s readiness to enable a business-friendly climate through policies and regulations.

Presidential tribunal: Obi, others agree on processes

 By Isaac Ike

The Presidential Petition Election Court (PREPEC) has adjourned the petition by the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to Wednesday, May 17, to enable parties to harmonise their processes.
The tribunal adjourned the petition, which was against INEC, Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and APC, after an agreement by the lawyers to harmonise their processes.
All the parties in Obi’s petition, Number CA/PEPC/03/2023, agreed to review the processes and motions and decide on them.

Bishop raped, threatened me with madness – Assistant pastor

A 23-year-old assistant pastor yesterday told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court how a bishop, Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, allegedly raped her twice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oluwafeyiropo is standing trial on an amended three-count-charge bordering on rape and sexual assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The assistant pastor (name withheld) testified for the prosecution at the bishop’s trial.
She was led in evidence by Lagos State counsel, Mr Babajide Boye.
She told the court that she was an assistant pastor of 1 Reign Christian Ministry founded by the bishop.

7 dead after drinking tea at wedding in Kano

 From Hussaein Jibr

Seven people have been killed and several others hospitalised after drinking a tea suspected to have been made with a local leaf known as Zakami at a wedding ceremony in Kano.
Zakami contains a psychoactive substance.
A source that witnesses said it affected nearly 50 people and that some were still missing. The incident happened in Sheka area of Kumbotso Local Government of Kano metropolis.
One of the witnesses, Sanusi Yahaya, who is also an elder brother of the bride, said the tea was suspected to be made with different types of drugs apart from the local leaf.
He said it had become a norm for the young people in the area, especially drug addicts, to cook tea during ceremonies and that they hide under that to take drugs.

Forgery saga: Reps deny House rules

 By Hassan Ibrahim

The House of Representatives has debunked reports that it carried out a secret amendment to the Standing Orders of the House, the rule book guiding the Green Chamber’s business.
A media report had claimed that the House rule book was secretly altered to restrict members to open ballots in the election of presiding officers.
It alleged that the move was to give an edge to Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the preferred candidate of APC for the speakership seat.
But the chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, who chaired the panel that reviewed the rules book in 2019, denied the report yesterday.

Tribunal commences sitting, receives 17 petitions in Nasarawa

 From Musa Aliyu

The elections petition tribunal in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital has commenced sitting.
Speaking during its inaugural sitting yesterday in Lafia, the chairman of the 3-man panel, Justice Francisca Nnang-Isong emphasised the need for maximum cooperation between counsels and the panel for speedy dispensation of justice.
Speaking on behalf of the counsels, Barrister Ismail-Idris expressed confidence in the ability of the jurists to dispense justice in all the petitions before the tribunal.
Our correspondent reports that the tribunal has so far received no fewer than seventeen petitions consisting of 2 Senate petitions, 5 House of Representatives petitions and 10 State House of Assembly petitions respectively.

Judiciary staff strike stalls tribunal sitting in Calabar

 By Effiong Ajugu

The Judiciary Staff Union Congress of Nigeria (JUSUN) has blocked the Election Petitions Tribunal (EPT) from sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
They said they embarked on an indefinite strike since yesterday, and as a result, no judicial activities can be held in the state.
Secretary of the EPT, Akawu Bamber, had invited journalists for the sitting in Calabar which was to commence from May 3, 2023, to hear grievances arising from the last national and state house of assembly elections.
Officials of the EPT who arrived at the venue of the EPT sitting on Moore Road, Calabar, met all entrances locked up.
Chairman of JUSUN in Cross River State, Comrade Enya Egon Etorti, confirmed that they commenced an industrial action a day earlier.