Friday 24 March 2017

Senate denied threatened to shut down Buhari’s govt

The Nigerian Senate describes as false a report that it threatened to shut down the federal government

- The chairman of the senate committee on media and public affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, says there is no such comment against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration

Senate never threatened to shut down Buhari’s govt - Abdullahi

The Senate.

The Nigerian Senate has denied reports that it threatened to shut down the federal government following the refusal of the secretary to the government of the federation, David Babachir Lawal, to honour the summons of the upper house.

The chairman of the senate committee on media and public affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, described the alleged reports as mischievous, fabricated and outright falsehood.

Abdullahi, in a statement issued on Thursday night, March 23, said there was no such comment against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration

He said: “My attention has been drawn to a fabricated report on some online media in which I was said to have spoken on behalf of Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and threatened that Senate would go “to court and stop the entire government from working.”

“There was no time I made the statement attributed to me by these mischievous element. The story is outright falsehood and should, therefore, be disregarded by all members of the public.” Senator Sabi Abdullahi on Wednesday, March 22, said it was worrying David Babachir Lawal failed to honour the Senate’s summons shortly after Hameed Ali, the comptroller-general of customs, also refused to appear before the Senate.

in many Nigerians comments they observed that failure of the executive to answer to legislative summons is a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

London School of Economic denies Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye is in a web of scandal over his academic qualification

- The Senator claimed he graduated from several universities

- The LSE said there was no record of his name in the school

Senator Dino Melaye’s current scandal concerning his academic qualification took another wrong turn after the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) denied that he got a degree from the institution.

The senator from Kogi has been accused of not graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University where he studied geography although he has insisted that he did while also claiming that he has several degrees from various universities in Nigeria and abroad

Senator Ali Ndume had raised a point of order asking the Senate to probe the allegation that Melaye did not graduate from ABU as claimed.

London School of Economic denies Melaye attended institution

In response, Melaye had lashed out at the Senator saying not only did he graduate from Abu but claimed he also has a degree from Harvard.

He had said: “I and here to respond to the issue raised by the Boko Haram suspect (and) senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ali Ndume. I want to say, to me, it is a welcome development. Democracy is about investigation and no senator is above investigation. To me, it is a welcome development and it will finally clear the air on all the malicious and vindictive allegations.

“To say that I did not graduate from ABU is to say that I am not a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ABU is a very prestigious university in this country and it is not possible for one to be running a master’s programme in the university when one did not graduate from a university. I have successfully completed one and I am doing the second one.

“I want to announce that this is the eighth degree that I am pursuing. I am also a graduate of University of Abuja, where I did Masters in Policy Analysis. I am a graduate of London School of Economics and Political Science. I am also a graduate of Harvard University. The course I am pursuing now will make it my eighth degree.”

According to Sahara Reporters however, the LSE denied that the Melaye attended the institution.

Candy Gibson who is the senior media relations officer at the institution said: “We have checked our records and can find no evidence of Dino Melaye having any degree qualification from the London School of Economics and Political Science.”

This is coming just as Harvard University also said he did not obtain a degree but only did a one-week course.

Thursday 23 March 2017

Emir Abubakar Waziri dies at 79

Emir Abubakar Waziri, a first-class traditional ruler and emir of Deba in Gombe state, is dead.

Emir Abubakar Waziri died after a brief illness The 79-year-old old emir who is a retired army colonel died at the Nizamiye hospital in Abuja on Thursday, March 23, 2017.

The report said he died after battling an undisclosed ailment. He was the 36th Emir of Deba and ruled the town for 33 years.

The development was confirmed by the chairman of the Yamaltu/Deba local government area of Gombe, Haruna Samanja, who disclosed that the late emir was in 1984 to succeed his late grandfather.

The emir is survived by two wives, 27 children and many grandchildren.

His death is coming days after Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, a former military governor of Edo state, died after a brief illness.

Nigerians are dying of hunger - Ekweremadu

Senator Ike Ekweremadu laments over the state of affairs in Nigeria

-Says many Nigerians are dying of hunger

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President, on Wednesday, March 22, assured that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would unseat the All Progressives Congress in 2019.

Ekweremadu also lamented the prevailing hunger and anger in parts of the country.

He urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to take steps to quickly put out the “fire because a hungry man is an angry man.”

Ekweremadu spoke when the PDP reconciliation committee headed by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, met with him and the National Assembly Caucus of the party in Abuja.

Nigerians are dying of hunger, PDP will remove APC in 2019 - Ekweremadu

Citing example of the Republican Party which won the United States presidential election despite its internal crisis, Ekweremadu said PDP would surely bounce back.

He said: “We have crisis. Yes, but just like every organisation and every political party once in a while.

“The Republican Party in the United States of America had their crisis even in the midst of election, yet they won the election. There was a time during the crisis that some party leaders disowned their presidential candidate. They refused to campaign for him. But in despite that, Americans voted for the Republican Party. Today, they have the presidency and the majority in the Senate and the House

“So, whatever happens, I believe, surely, PDP will be back in 2019”.

The Nation reports that He, however, reminded PDP faithfuls that both the party and the nation were on fire, hence opposition party had no time to dissipate on internal wrangling.

He added: “Today, the country is in crisis. So, our (PDP) house is also burning. We can’t be chasing rats while our house is burning. The PDP house that is burning needs to be rescued. And everybody needs to put in efforts to ensure that it happens.

“But, I think the greater tragedy is that the Nigerian community is also burning. There is hunger in the land. There is also anger in the land because a hungry man is an angry man.

“There is also tension all over the country. People are being killed, from Ile Ife to Benue, to Zamfara, all the way to Borno and Kano.

“So, we cannot be struggling over leadership when our people are dying of hunger and starvation, and while there is tension all over the place. Nigerians expect all of us, not just the PDP people, but the entire leaders of this country to work together for the peace and progress of Nigeria.

“So, the time to come together is now and I’m happy that everybody is thinking about it.”

He also raised alarm over what he described as discriminatory practices in the admission of prospective students into public educational institutions.

Burglars attack Frank Lampard's mansion

Frank Lampard's family home was attacked by burglars who were reportedly looking for his late mum’s jewellery.

Frank Lampard

Frank’s mother Pat, died of pneumonia aged 58 in 2008 and Frank's father, Lampard Snr, a former England and West Ham defender said: “They made a right mess. They were obviously looking for money or jewellery but there wasn’t anything there.

“There was some junk jewellery lying about but they didn’t take it. They knew what they wanted.”

The thugs destroyed furniture and ripped cupboards off walls but they failed to find the jewellery.

Lampard and his late mother

Frank Lampard Snr' said Pat’s gems were passed on to his daughters Natalie and Claire following their mother’s sudden death and that was why the burglars couldn't claim what they came for.

Frank Lampard and his dad Frank senior

Frank Snr was not in when burglars jemmied open a front window last Tuesday at the house in Gidea Park, East London, where Frank Jr grew up.

His own home in Chelsea, West London was burgled in 2005, when thieves stole many thousands of pounds worth of property, including a Mercedes and an Aston Martin sports car, a £5,000 stereo and football boots.

Lampard are the second Chelsea legend to have his house burgled in recent weeks.

Our source also noted that at the beginning of March, John Terry's £5 million Surrey home was the target of bulglars while he was on a family ski holiday.

The gang attacked the home after seeing pictures on Instagram of the defender, 36 and his wife Toni, 35 enjoying their holiday.

5 times terrorists attacked in UK and how they did it

On Wednesday March 22, 2017, a terrorist attack in the UK left five people dead and about 40 wounded. The single attacker attacked the parliament building killing a policeman.

NAIJ.com researched and gathered information on other terrorist attacks in the UK, when they happened and how they happened over the past years. Below are the stories of what happened:

1. Lee Rigby (2003)

The culprits in the attack were of Nigerian descent and it led to a lot of buzz in Nigerian media

In broad daylight on a street in Woolwich, London, in 2003, Fusilier Lee Rigby was gruesomely murdered.

The video footage showed the terrifying attack in which Mr Rigby was run over then hacked to death with knives and a cleaver.

Two men, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Fusilier Rigby was killed near Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, which sparked concern over the safety of servicemen in the UK.

2. London underground bombing (2005)

The underground station bombing was one of the largest attacks London has faced

In one of the biggest terror attacks in the UK in recent years, Islamic extremists carried out bombings that targeted the London underground, killing 52 commuters and injuring more than 700 others on July 7, 2005.

Aldgate, King's Cross, and Marylebone Underground stations, as well as a number 30 bus on Tavistock square, were attacked

Subsequently, there were four more attempted bombings in which the detonators failed at Tube stations and a bus on July 15, 2005.

3. London car bombs (2007)

Fortunately, the London car bombs were discovered before they could cause any damage

On June 29, 2007, two car bombs were discovered and disabled before they could be detonated in London.

The first car bomb was left near the Tiger Tiger nightclub in Haymarket, London and the second was in Cockspur Street, in the same area of the city.

Fortunately, the first car was reported to the police by an ambulance crew attending a minor incident at the nightclub when they noticed suspicious fumes.

The second car bomb was discovered about an hour later, after it was ticketed for illegal parking, and an hour after that, transported to the car pound at Park Lane, where staff noticed a strong smell of petrol and reported the vehicle to police.

4. Leytone stone station bombing (2015)

One of the bystanders at the scene of the attack reportedly shouted at Mire: "You are not a Muslim, man!"

Muhiddin Mire, a 30-year-old man stabbed another man in the throat, witnesses say he shouted "This is for Syria" as he slashed.

Mire targeted random strangers and tried to decapitate passenger Lyle Zimmerman in the ticket hall at the station station in east London on December 5, 2015.

He was sentenced at the Old Bailey in London to life in prison with a minimum of eight and a half years.

5. Russell Square attack (2016)

The 19-year-old perpetrator was treated as a mental patient case

On August 3, 2016, a mass stabbing occurred in Russell Square, London. Six people were stabbed and one person died from the wounds.

Armed police descended on Russell Square and tasered the 19-year-old suspect before arresting him on suspicion of murder.

The perpetrator, Zakaria Bulhan, was apprehended by police and charged with murder and attempted murder.

Germany to deport Nigerian plotting terrorism.

The German government has decided to deport a Nigerian and an Algerian that police there say they suspect to be members of a radical Islamist group in Gottingen city.

Germany to deport Nigerian man accused of planning terrorist attack

Boris Pistorius, minister of the Interior of Lower Saxony, had requested the deportation of the Nigerian and the Algerian.

Although both the two African men were born and bred in Germany, the central European country has resolved to deport both of them to their ancestral ‘homes’ in Africa.

Germany’s international broadcast medium Deutsche Welle (DW) reports that the 27-year-old Algerian and 22-year-old Nigerian, who were arrested in February while plotting to carry out what police said was a “potentially imminent terror attack”, would now be sent ‘home’.

5 killed, 40 injured in London terror attack.

DW said the regional interior ministry had requested the pair’s expulsion after classifying them as a threat to national security and on March 21, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig agreed that they should be deported.

The two are in good position to win a reprieve, the report said since they had not yet committed serious crimes but German news agency dpa quoted a ministry spokesman as saying that this is the first time in Germany’s history that such a decision had been taken.

“We are sending a clear warning to all fanatics nationwide that we will not give them a centimetre of space to carry out their despicable plans.

“They will face the full force of the law regardless of whether they were born here or not,” said Lower Saxony’s interior minister Boris Pistorius following the court ruling.

A separate report in The Independent said that the men, who hold Nigerian and Algerian citizenship through their parents, will be deported back to Africa before Easter and could also be banned from returning to Germany for life.

The two men, who had been under surveillance for some time due to their alleged support for Islamic State, lived with their parents in Göttingen.

Our source however gathered that German news agency DPA reported in February that the suspects were arrested in the city of Goettingen while perfecting plans to attack parts of the European country

The report however said it could not be confirmed from the Goettingen police and the Interior Ministry of the state of Lower Saxony if any evidence was confiscated from the arrested men.

Tuesday 21 March 2017

Vijender Singh's Fight Postponed

No opponent coming through, Vijender Singh's next bout postponed

Vijender Singh (Getty Images - File Photo)

Tue, 21 Mar 2017-11:07am , PTI

'Boxers in the region seem to be wary of facing him. He has become this dreaded guy, who nobody wants to face,' say Vijender's promoters.Indian boxing star Vijender Singh's next bout scheduled on April 1 has been postponed as his promoters are struggling to find an opponent for him.

"Right now we are not able to find a decent opponent for him because of his unbeaten record. Boxers in the region seem to be wary of facing him. He has become this dreaded guy, who nobody wants to face," Vijender's promoters IOS Boxing Promotion's MD Neerav Tomar said.

"The fight stands postponed for the time being and we are looking at dates in the last week of May after the IPL. I am hopeful that we will be able to finalise an opponent soon enough," he added.

Vijender is unbeaten after eight bouts and is the reigning WBO Asia Pacific champion. In the April 1 fight night, the 31-year-old was originally scheduled to take on China's WBO Oriental champion Zulpikar Maimaitiali. But that could not materialise after Maimaitiali backed out of the contest without specifying any reasons.

"Maimaitiali pulled out and it is just not working out at the moment with anybody else," Tomar said.

The Vijender-Zulpikar super middleweight contest was to be a double Asian title fight. The Indian's WBO Asia-Pacific belt and the Chinese boxer's WBO Oriental title were to be on the line in a winner-takes-all bout.

Vijender is unbeaten in the circuit, having successfully defended his title in December last year against Tanzania's Francis Cheka. The April 1 fight night was also supposed to mark the professional debut of Olympians -- Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar.

Tomar said the venue of the bout will continue to be Mumbai.

Trump nominates Indian-American Amul Thapar to top judicial post

If confirmed by the Senate, Thapar will be part of the powerful US 6th Circuit Court of AppealsAn Indian-American legal luminary has been nominated by US President Donald Trump to a key judicial position on the powerful US court of appeals.

Amul Thapar, 47, who in 2007 became the first South Asian Article III judge when he was appointed as a US District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, is the first Indian-American to be nominated by Trump for a top judicial post on Monday.

If confirmed by the Senate, Thapar will be part of the powerful US 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears appeals from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Michigan.

Thapar was among the 20 judges whose names Trump had released during his presidential campaign as shortlisted candidates for his Supreme Court nominees.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell applauded Trump for announcing his intent to nominate Thapar to serve on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. "Throughout his already impressive career of public service, Amul has shown an incredible intellect and an unshakable dedication to the law," McConnell said.

"He has earned the respect of his colleagues, and I know that he will bring to the Sixth Circuit the same wisdom, fairness, and ability that he has shown on the District Court. President Trump made an outstanding choice and I look forward to the Senate's confirmation of Judge Thapar," the Senate Majority leader said in a statement.

The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) which is normally critical of Trump, lauded Trump for his intent. "Judge Thapar is a respected and thoughtful jurist who has long served as role model for the South Asian and greater legal community," said Vichal Kumar, SABA president.

"Despite being among the youngest judges in the federal judiciary, Judge Thapar quickly established a reputation as a top legal scholar among his peers. His nomination furthers SABA's mission of ensuring a judiciary that reflects the diversity of our country and we anticipate that his eminent qualifications will earn him a swift confirmation," Kumar said.

Prior to joining the bench, Thapar, winner of SABA's Pioneer Award, served as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky from 2006-2007, where he was one of the first American Attorneys of South Asian descent.

During that period, Thapar was appointed to the Attorney General's Advisory Committee (AGAC) and chaired the AGAC's Controlled Substances and Asset Forfeiture subcommittee. He also served on the Terrorism and National Security subcommittee, the Violent Crime subcommittee, and Child Exploitation working group.

Magu's Rejection - Meet 7 Nigerian senators with alleged corruption cases

It is no longer news that Nigerian Senate has rejected the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for the second time.

Following the rejection of Ibrahim Magu by the Senate as the EFCC chairman, names and allegations of senators standing corruption charges have been revealed

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki said Ibrahim Magu did not pass the senate screening and not as a result of the DSS report.

However, it should be noted that in the current eighth Senate, some high profile senators are facing corruption charges with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Here are the list of the senators and their charges.

1. Senator Bukola Saraki

Magu's Rejection: 7 Senators With Alleged Corruption Cases With EFCC

Senate President, Bukola Saraki (APC, Kwara central). Saraki, a two-term governor of Kwara State (2003 to 2011) and a 2-term senator is facing several count charge at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) bordering on false assets declaration while he was the governor of his home state and his spouse, Mrs. Toyin Saraki has a file at the EFCC over alleged squandering of Kwara State funds.

2. Senator Ike Ekweremadu

Senator Ike Ekweremadu (PDP, Enugu West) Deputy Senate President is facing a forgery case at the Federal High Court. He was dragged to the court by his colleagues, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Kabiru Marafa, Robert Boroffice, Gbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuyi, dragged over alleged forgery of the Senate standing orders, the document used for the conduct of the Senate elections.

The senator has however argued that it was a case of political persecution and the FG as since dropped the case against him.

In a swift reaction office of the DSP contacted refuted the allegation saying: "...every discerning Nigerian knew it was a mere political persecution and frame-up since the police report, NASS bureaucrats and pro APC leadership interviewed didn't indict DSP, FG has since withdrawn the charges for what it is.

Office of the DSP says the FG has withdrawn the corruption charges against him

3. Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima

Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima, a three-term senator and former governor of Zamfara State and three-term Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District in the Senate was docked on a 19-count charge of corruption by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Zamfara State High Court in Gusau. He was accused of diverting part of the N1 billion project funds for the repair of collapsed Gusau Dam and resettlement of the victims of flood to other purposes.

4. Danjuma Goje

Danjuma Goje was the governor of Gombe State from 2003 to 2011.Presently representing Gombe Central Senatorial District, along with four others, he is facing an 18- count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraud to N25bn instituted by the EFCC.

5. Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu

Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu was the governor of Nasarawa state from 1999 to 2007, now representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District.He was in Feb 2010, arrested by the EFCC for allegedly misappropriating N15billion alongside 18 others.

6. Joshua Chibi Dariye

Joshua Chibi Dariye, senator representing Plateau Central was the governor of Plateau state from 1999 to 2003 but was impeached in 2006. He has been standing trial since 2007 on 23-count charge bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and corruption. Dariye was accused of embezzling over N1.2billion ecological funds.

7. Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio

Senator Godswill Akpabio (PDP, Akwa-Ibom North-West) is being investigated for corruption.He was reportedly invited twice by the EFCC last year, over allegation of N108bn fraud.

Others include:

Senator Sam Egwu allegedly misappropriated close to N80bn

Senator Theodore Orji allegedly looted 47 billion naira along with his wife and son

Senator Adamu Aleiro in court for embezzling N10.2bn.

My son will be rescued alive - Mother of doctor who jumped into Lagos Lagoon

The mother to the doctor Allwell Orji who jumped into the Lagos Lagoon on Sunday, March 19, has expressed optimism that her son will be rescued alive

- Madam Orji said the rescue team will eventually find her son alive and not his body

My son will be rescued alive - Mother of doctor who jumped into Lagos Lagoon

Madam Orji told sympathizers who trooped into her house at No 3 Odunnuku Street, Lagos that the rescue team will eventually find her son.

She said: "I am hopeful that my son will be rescued by the emergency officials and not the recovery of his body.”

She also revealed that her son who was yet to be married already had marriage plans on the pipeline.

The doctor's mother was also said to have lamented that Orji's driver failed to pempt her about their journey on Sunday.

She said that could have been the reason why he did not alert her immediately the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, recall that the Lagos police command had taken Orji driver into custody.

Madam Orji who called for the release of the driver also expressed fear that the police might torture.

But the Lagos state commissioner of police Fatai Owoseni said Orji's driver was only put behind the counter and not in a cell.

He also that the era of torture is long gone from the Nigeria Police Force especially within the command.

Allwell Orji, a Lagos-based doctor jumped into the Lagoon on Sunday

He further emphasized that reports that Dr. Orji left a note and received a call before jumping into the Lagoon are false.

Also sources at the police station, told Vanguard that the late doctor's driver told police officers that his boss asked him to park by the bridge side for him to urinate

The police source said: "The driver stated that he never had any idea of what would happen. He said he obeyed his boss by stopping the car as directed but that to his dismay, his boss jumped into the lagoon before he could reach out to him.”

However, Orji's neigbhours said they are finding hard to believe the doctor jumped into the Lagoon.

One of the neigbhours, Simeon said: “He was not an introvert, which rules out the possibility of his being depressed. He was an extrovert, who had passion for his job."

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for Orji's colleagues at the Mt. Sinai.

They were attending to patients during a visit to the hospital, although effort to speak with management of the institution was futile.

Orji jumped into the Lagos Lagoon on Sunday, March 19, after he told his driver to park his car, a Nissan SUV, number plates LND476EE, by the bridge side.

Officials of the Marine Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and local drivers began a rescue operation immediately.

Meanwhile, the general manager of LASEMA on Monday, March 20, said the search for Orji has been expanded further than where it happened.

He noted that local fishermen have also been engaged in the rescue operation.

“Also deployed were the Lagos Ferry Services and the Lagos Waterways Agency patrol boats, which were deployed to the waterways.

We have informed residents to look out for floating bodies and we have also contacted the family which is still in shock.”

Recall, that a registered Nigerian nurse bearing the same name with Dr. Orji had debunked reports that he was the one who committed took his life.

The nurse in a recent Instagram post said he had to make a video debunking his own death after his picture made its way to the media as the doctor who committed jumped into the Lagoon on Sunday

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