TRANSVIEW MAGAZINE

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

Trump’s government to repatriate N190bn loot traced to US

President Muhammadu Buhari's visit to the United States has yielded the finalisation of negotiations to repatriate more than $500 million (about 190 billion Naira) of Nigeria’s looted money traced to the host country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the attorney-general and justice minister, Abubakar Malami, confirmed this in Washington DC, adding that he and his US counterpart would be meeting on Tuesday, May 1, to finalise the agreement.

In the report, Malami explained that the technicalities involved were being taken care of by both officials of the Nigerian Governments and also from the US side.

"On the part of assets recovery, we have made considerable progress through this visit.

“There’s goodwill by the two presidents to have a road map for the repatriation of illicit funds and assets traced to the U.S. as proceeds of illicit transactions.

“This illicit funds and assets are to the tune of 500 million dollars and above for immediate repatriation.

“We are looking at the shortest practicable time for it to be repatriated.

“There is political commitment demonstrated by the two presidents.

“The over 500 million dollars is not all the recovery, it is only for the immediate repatriation while we continue with our efforts to recover more," Malami said.

NAN reports that Malami defended Nigeria’s human rights record, saying the Buhari’s administration is the first in the history of Nigeria to pay compensation for human rights violations.

He said in April, 2018, the federal government paid N135 million for the eight Apo traders who were found to have been victims of extra judicial killings by the Nigeria Police.

“Of the police officers indicted, two were sentenced to death. The payment of compensation was also as a result of the recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission and government did not appeal against it,” he said.

He noted that Trump approved of what Buhari’s administration is doing.

“Trump said Buhari is a great leader; he said he has a great respect for him; and he said Buhari has cut down on corruption,” Malami said.

Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari approved the recruitment of 6,000 additional policemen as part of fresh measures to address the nation’s security challenges including the farmers/herdsmen clashes across the country.

Prince Louis' birth certificate released

The birth certificate gives the young prince's full name, His Royal Highness Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge.

He was born in Praed Street, Westminster, on 23 April 2018.

The certificate lists his mother Catherine Elizabeth and his father, Prince William, and gives their usual address of Kensington Palace.

It was signed today by Prince William.

The youngest prince shares one of his names with his father and brother, who both have the middle name Louis.

And he has taken his grandfather's name Charles as a middle name. He will also share the middle name of Arthur with his father.Louis was born at 11.01am on 23 April, in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital and weighed 8lb and 7oz.

William will be taking time off to help Catherine with the new arrival.

It comes just before their daughter's third birthday. Charlotte turns three on Wednesday, her first birthday as an older sister and a middle child.

The Cambridges waited four days to announce the name of their newborn, with William teasing the difficulty in choosing one at a number of events soon after the birth.

There will be no additional childcare for Prince Louis, as William takes time off to help Catherine and their current nanny.

As the third child of Prince William, Prince Louis of Cambridge is fifth in line to the throne.

Royal wedding coin commemorates Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day

Designed by the Royal Mint, which was granted a private sitting with the couple at Kensington Palace shortly after they announced their engagement, the coin shows the couple in a "relaxed and informal" setting.

The couple are seen "looking lovingly into each other's eyes", highlighting "the easy familiarity and connection between the royal duo", said Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp.

:: Royal wedding 2018: The ultimate guide

"It has been an honour for the Royal Mint to work closely with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to create the authentic royal wedding coin celebrating this most British of celebrations," she said.

"I have been in post as CEO of The Royal Mint for just a couple of months, and already The Royal Mint has celebrated the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge, and now a royal wedding, so it's a very exciting year for The Royal Mint in terms of royal moments."An uncirculated version of the coin is priced at £13, a silver proof coin is on sale for £82.50, and the gold proof version will set you back £1,980.

Harry and former Suits actress Ms Markle will tie the knot on 19 May at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, after getting engaged following a 16-month romance.

The Royal Collection Trust has released an official Prince Harry and Meghan china collection, which will be sold at the Queen's Gallery shop at Buckingham Palace.

Unofficial commemorative merchandise - tea towels, mugs, magnets, shopping bags, car stickers and more - is on sale across the world as people count down to the big day.

Harry previously featured on an Alderney coin by the Royal Mint in 2005 to mark his 21st birthday.

Friday, 27 April 2018

Families of 8 Apo victims killed in Abuja in 2013 finally get compensation as FG releases N135m

The federal government has finally released N135 million for the compensation of the family members of eight persons killed in an uncompleted building in the Apo/Gudu district of Abuja by men of the nation’s security forces.

Also to benefit from the compensation are 11 persons who sustained injuries when the indicent occurred. It was claimed that the victims were killed and injured by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army in September 2013

The compensation came years after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) made the recommendations to the federal government on April 7, 2014.

The report said the commission had, through its three-man panel headed by its former chairman, Chidi Odinkalu, on April 7, 2014, made the recommendation following an inquiry into the incident.

According to the recommendation, the commission wanted the families of the eight deceased paid the sum of N10 million each while the 11 injured victims would get N5 million each.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), reportedly presided over a brief ceremony to officially present the cheque to the representatives of the victims at his office in Abuja.

The report noted that the victims were aged between 18 and 25 years at the time of the incident on September 20, 2013, and were said to be members of the Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association in Abuja, who squatted in the uncompleted building.

They were attacked by the security agents who were on a mission for the search of Boko Haram members.

“I am glad to inform you that the National Human Rights Commission has received the payment from the Department of State Services and the process of payment of the money to the beneficiaries starts today,” Malami said after the presentation just as he described it as the “the first of its kind in Nigeria, coming from President Muhammadu Buhari, which is confirming his commitment to the rule of law, upholding justice and respect to human rights.

"This gesture also confirms his (the president’s) enduring legacy of ensuring that justice is seen to be done by every Nigerian," he said.

Recalling that the victims were shot in a raid by the security agencies following an alleged intelligence report of a possible attack on Abuja by Boko Haram, Malami added: “On September 18, 2013, the Department of State Services allegedly received intelligence report that there was to be an attack on unspecified targets in Abuja.

“Acting on the intelligence report, the Department of State Services arrested three persons, who, under interrogation, disclosed that they had a leader in Abuja, called Suleiman (R. Kelly) who is the arrowhead of a planned terror attack by Boko Haram.

“The three suspects claimed they could lead the Department of State Services to the named Suleiman.

“One of the suspects also confessed that they had weapons buried in the cemetery in Gudu, Apo, Abuja, FCT.

“On September 20, 2013, a joint security operation conducted by the DSS with the assistance of the Nigerian Army shortly after midnight along with two informants, went to the cemetery in Gudu but were unable to recover any weapon.

“The informants led the security agents to an uncompleted residential building where they claimed Suleiman (R.Kelly) resided.

“Seven men died during the operation from gunshot-related wounds, another died in the hospital for wounds sustained during the operation, and 11 other men were hospitalised from injuries sustained in the encounter. All the victims were aged between 18 and 25 years.”

Nigerian Army, the Directorate of State Security and the attorney general were indicted by the Nigerian Human Rights (NHRC) Commission in Abuja for the killing of the eight civilians.

Ooni on 10-days historical visit to Brazil

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, will embark on a 10-day historical visit to Brazil in June, to strengthen the cultural ties between both countries.

The visit would strengthen the cultural affinities between the blacks in Brazil and Yorubas in Nigeria with a view to using cultural heritage to harness an economic partnership that will benefit the two countries.

Moses Olafare, the director, media and public affairs of Ooni’s palace, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, April 26, in Ile-Ife.

Olafare said the trip would also strategically enable the African foremost monarch to showcase tourism potential of Nigeria to attract Brazilians to the country under the diaspora programme.

“The visit will open an heritage house as an export point for Nigerian businesses under the Nigerian Diaspora Exchange of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

“As the spiritual head of Yoruba race globally, Ooni Ogunwusi is saddled with the responsibility of uniting African descendants of Yoruba extract throughout the world estimated to be more than 500 million in over 80 countries.

“Ooni Ogunwusi recently honoured the outgoing Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Maria Auxiliadora Figueiredo with Oodua Descendant Award of Excellence in recognition of her efforts in promoting cultural exchange between Nigeria and Brazil.

“Fuggueiredo attaches utmost importance to the South American country recalling that over 13 million people, most of whom were Yoruba were taken from Africa to Brazil via Bahia, many centuries ago.

“The population has greatly increased as we today have about 80 million Brazilians claiming their ancestral root back to Ile-Ife in Yorubaland and still keeping our heritage intact till date in their country.

“This also informed Ooni’s choice of States of Bahia, Rio De Janeiro and Minas where the Yoruba cultures are being proudly showcased to be the historical visit destinations.”

Olafare said that Ooni Ogunwusi would be in Salvador de Bahia to declare the City of Bahia as the spiritual Capital of all Yorubas in the Americas.

“He will be in Rio de Janeiro to present a message on religious tolerance and peace at the State Parliament and also meet with the business community.

“The monarch will deliver lectures at some Universities alongside Professors Wole Soyinka, Wande Abimbola, Sophie Oluwole etc.”

He said that traditional ruler’s visit would mark a new beginning with giant strides capable of strengthening the age long diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.

“This will allow cultural, economic and spiritual exchanges that will yield revenues for our people" (NAN).

Speaker of Oyo state House of Assembly, Michael Adeyemo is dead

Honourable Michael Adeyemo, speaker of the Opt House of Assembly, is dead.

Tribune Online reports that some members of the House of Assembly confirmed this on Friday, April 27.

TVC news also reports that Adeyemo died of heart attack.

Adeyemo, in his lifetime represented Ibarapa east local government area. He emerged speaker of Oyo assembly in 2015.

"Let partisanship give way to patriotism,” Adeyemo had said in his acceptance speech.

“We must be prepared to sacrifice in the face of financial and economic crises as have been witnessed,” he added.

He was born at Adeyemo Family of Alaarun compound, Lanlate, Ibarapa east local government area of Oyo state and he is the first child of the family.

Adeyemo attended IMG, Oke Ado, Ibadan for his primary school education and Celestial Church High School, Oke Ado, Ibadan for his secondary school education.

He bagged two University first degrees at University of Port Harcourt major in Education Management with second class upper and the prestigious University of Ibadan (UI) major in Law in 2004 and worked with Olujinmi and Akeredolu law firm as a lawyer.

Adeyemo who joined politics in 2007 was the deputy chief whip of the House and a member of committees of fund allocation, works and transport, Agriculture, trade and investment, appropriation and public finance in the the 7th Assembly.

Until his death, he was member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and International Bar Association (IBA), he served in the executive committee as an auditor and Assistant Secretary of NBA, Ibadan branch.

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Liverpool fan stabbed before Champions League kickoff against Roma

Liverpool fan has been reported stabbed few minutes before their Champions League semi final clash against AS Roma at Anfield Stadium on Tuesday, April 24.

According to police report, the incident occurred near The Albert pub a little before kick-off, but he is currently being attended to by paramedics.

Meanwhile, Police officers and an ambulance have already arrived at the scene of the even but are yet to disclose any information about the development. Police and ambulance in attendance at the Albert pub next to Anfield.

Daily Star reporter Jeremy Cross tweeted: He said: "Hearing reports of a serious incident behind the Kop end following clashes between rival fans.

"Paramedics treating the stabbed victim. Incident occurred close to the Albert. Believed to be a Liverpool fan."

In a different incident, a group of Roma thugs were reported to have beaten Liverpool supporters outside of the stadium.

According to Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft claims one elderly Liverpool supporter was set upon and left needing treatment on the floor.

Liverpool fan stabbed before Champions League kickoff against Roma

Police authorities cordoning the crime scene where a Liverpool fan was stabbed; pix by Getty Images

Footage has emerged online showing home fans chasing a bunch of balaclava-wearing Roma supporters down the street.

Police arrived at the scene afterwards but were criticised for being too slow.

Dino Melaye escaped and rearrested - Police

The Nigerian police have have explained how embattled senator, Dino Melaye, escaped from police custody and how he was rearrested immediately.

In a press statement made available Force public relations officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood said the senator representing Kogi west escaped from a lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in two Toyota Hilux vehicles blocked the police vehicle conveying him around Area 1 Round About, Abuja.

He said the senator jumped out of the vehicle in the process and was traced to an Abuja hospital where he was rearrested.

"At about 1200Hrs of today Sen. Dino Melaye while in lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force and being taken for arraignment in Federal High Court, Lokoja from Abuja, escaped from lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in two Toyota Hilux vehicles blocked the police vehicle conveying Senator Dino Melaye around Area 1 Round About, Abuja and in the process the senator jumped out of the police vehicle through the window and was rescued from the police men by hoodlums and miscreants to an unknown destination.

"The police team re-enforced and trailed Senator Dino Melaye to Zankli Hospital, Abuja where he was re-arrested. The senator would be arraigned in court without further delay.

"Meanwhile, one of the Toyota Hilux vehicles used by the hoodlums and miscreants in aiding the escape of the senator has been recovered by the police investigation team.

"The inspector general of police has therefore directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the rescue and escape of Senator Dino Melaye from lawful custody," the statement read.

Earlier report has it that the Kogi state police command on Tuesday, April 24, failed to parade Dino Melaye, the embattled Senator representing Kogi west over allegation of supplying arms to criminals.

Mr Aremu, the deputy force public relations officer, force headquarters, Abuja, told journalists in Lokoja that the senator was in police custody in Abuja.