Politicians are playing games with COVID19- Yahaya Bello

 

  Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has accused politicians of using the COVID-19 pandemic to play with the lives of Nigerians. Governor Bello said this while playing host to the  Board of Trustees of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation who paid him a courtesy call in his Lugard House office in Lokoja today July 2,

   “Let us stop this game. Nigerians are suffering. Instead of the lockdown with its attendant negative effects on the people, why can’t we turn it to employment opportunities, providing clothes for face masks to be imported to those countries who have the disease.

  COVID-19 is not a new disease in our climate, we have our own way of treating it, that is what we should be exploiting rather than subjecting our people to hardship, hunger, and starvation through the lockdown.” Bello said

   He maintained that the late Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajana, did not die of COVID-19. He said the late Ajana had been managing his health since 2016. The governor said that the complications that eventually led to his death were as a result of the inability to be attended to medically due to the lockdown.

   “We know his medical history, he was my brother, we know we have been managing him since 2016 but this time, he was completely isolated. No one was allowed to even speak to him until he passed away. We cannot afford to be playing games with lives of Nigerians, this must stop” Bello said

EFCC arraign Onwuzuruike Kingsley Ikenna (a.k.a Nwanta Anayoeze Yonaracha) over alleged internet fraud

 

 

  The Port Harcourt zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Onwuzuruike Kingsley Ikenna (a.k.a Nwanta Anayoeze Yonaracha) over alleged internet fraud.

  Onwuzuruike Kingsley Ikenna, popularly known as Jeff Sikora or as Nwanta Anayoeze Yonaracha, paraded himself as a self-styled President/ Chief Executive Officer of United States-based Prime Trust Credit Union Bank.

  Recall that back in February, Ikenna went live on Facebook to boast that he has been released hours after being paraded by the EFCC for allegedly being involved in Business Email Compromise (BEC) and identity fraud .

   Well, on June 30, he was arraigned before Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, forgery, possession of proceeds and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of Eight Million, Five Hundred and Two Thousand Dollars ($8,502,000.00).

Ondo Health Commissioner dies of Covid-19

 

   Wahab Adegbenro, Ondo State Commissioner for Health, is dead. A government official confirmed the news this afternoon.

  The source revealed that Mr Adegbenro died on Thursday after he was rushed to a hospital in Owo after contracting Coronavirus. "The Commissioner died at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo and this has just thrown the entire cabinet into chaos.

  "He died of COVID-19 because he had contracted the virus earlier and was taking drugs at his own comfort being a medical doctor." Governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, is currently in self-isolation after testing positive for the virus earlier this week.

Court dismisses suit against Oshiomhole

 

   A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and three others.

The suit, filed by Comrade Mustapha Salihu and five others, was the one in respect of which the court granted an interim order on March 4 this year, suspending Oshiomhole from further acting as the APC’s National Chairman. The Court of Appeal, in Abuja in a judgment on June 16, 2020, upheld Oshiomhole’s suspension.

Parties were to return to the High Court of the FCT for determination of the substantive suit, when on Thursday, Plaintiff’s lawyer, Oluwola Afolabi moved a motion to withdraw the case. Afolabi said the withdrawal was informed by the directive by leaders of the APC that all court cases be discontinued in the interest of peace. Lawyer to Oshiomhole and one other, Ginika Ezeoke said she was not opposed to the plaintiffs’ desire to withdraw.

Ezeoke then urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that parties have filed pleadings and have be enjoined issues in relation to the subject of the case. Ruling, Justice Danlami Senchi dismissed the suit and ordered parties to bear their respective costs.

Djokovic, wife recover from COVID-19

 

  Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena, who last week both tested positive for coronavirus following his exhibition tournament in the Balkans, have now tested negative, his press service said Thursday. Neither the 33-year-old player nor his partner felt any symptoms, the statement said.

  The couple had been self-isolating since returning to Belgrade from Zadar in Croatia, the town which hosted the second leg of Djokovic’s ill-fated Adria Tour.

  Four players — Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki — tested positive for the virus after the event which saw little social distancing and packed stands. The world number one’s coach Goran Ivanisevic also contracted COVID-19.

  Players had embraced across the net, played basketball and even danced in a nightclub during the week of the first leg played in Belgrade. Djokovic was widely criticised for hosting the tournament. The Serbian star issued an apology, saying he was “so deeply sorry” that the tournament “caused harm”.

On Wednesday, the player donated more than 40,000 euros ($45,000) to Serbian town Novi Pazar which has been badly affected by the pandemic. Serbia, with a population of about seven million people, has registered nearly 15,000 coronavirus infections and 281 deaths.

Dubai Police Extradites ‘Hushpuppi’ To United States

 

   Criminal mastermind Raymond Igbalode Abbas, known as ‘Hushpuppi’ has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates to the United States.

   This was revealed in a statement by the Dubai Police on Thursday in which the US Federal Bureau of Investigations extended its gratitude to the UAE crime watchdog for its role in apprehending and extraditing ‘Hushpuppi’.

Buhari Swears In 45 Commissioners, 1 Chairman Into FCC, RMAFC, And FCSC

  President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn into office 45 commissioners and 1 chairman into the Federal Character Commission (FCC), the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

Of the 45 commissioners, 37 and 1 chairman were sworn into the FCC, 6 commissioners sworn into the RMAFC, and 2 commissioners sworn into the FCSC.

After the brief ceremony which held at the council chambers of the presidential villa in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, called on the newly sworn-in officers to deliver on their respective mandates in the next 3 years as their appointments are strategic towards re-energizing the system.

Channels

President Buhari Nominates FCT Chief Judge for International Criminal Court

   

 

   President Muhammadu Buhari nominated the incumbent Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq Usman Bello as the nation’s candidate to be Judge of the International Criminal Court, Hague.

  The International Criminal Court (ICC) which began functioning on 1 July 2002, is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

    The elections are scheduled for the nineteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties, to be held at the United Nations, New York, from 7-17 December 2020, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) will elect six judges to fill one-third of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) 18 judicial seats.

   Prior to this nomination, Hon. Ishaq Usman Bello has served on several bar/Bench committees before his appointment as a Member, National Judicial Council. He has also handled huge special responsibilities under the Judiciary including; Chairing Election Petition Tribunals, representing Nigeria and leading brother judges to attend Conferences, symposiums and seminars around the world.

     As the Chief Judge of the FCT, Bello paid attention to the de-congestion of prisons in Abuja. He started visiting prisons within his jurisdiction, releasing over forty awaiting trial prisoners in the process. By the end of October 2017, he was appointed as the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Prison Reforms and De-congestion, now Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reforms and De-congestion, by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. The committee’s responsibility was to lead the reform processes of the Nigerian prison system.

“Avoiding being infected remains the best choice for everyone''- Boss Mustapha

   

  

   The federal government has again raised the alarm over non-compliance to safety measures against coronavirus. Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, expressed concern at a briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

He said PTF found that non-compliance had been largely fueled by skepticism and ignorance about the virus. Mustapha noted that stigmatisation had further impacted on the willingness of people to come out to seek help and tell their stories.

“The nature of this pandemic demands that we must detect and treat in order to address it. COVID-19 is not a condition to be ashamed of as it has no respect for status, nationality, race, creed, tribe among others”, he said.

  The SGF stated that every person infected must be treated to prevent spread and avoidable fatalities. He added that the PTF had deepened community engagement and risk communication in the phase of national response.

Mustapha said PTF had been communicating to Nigerians, the dangers of complacency and non-compliance with COVID-19 measures. He reminded that presently, “there is no known vaccine for the virus and that all over the world, non-pharmaceutical measures still remained the most effective”.

Court dismisses lawsuit seeking Deputy Senate President, Omo-Agege's sack

   

  

    A lawsuit seeking the sack of Ovie Omo-Agege as the Deputy Senate President and Senator representing Delta Central senatorial district, has been dismissed by a federal high court in Abuja. 

    Ruling on the suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of  Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) who alleged that Omo-Agege was sentenced to jail and suspended from law practice for two years for felony involving moral turpitude, forgery of cheques amounting to $890 with which he intended to defraud the Bank of America, Ahined Mehone and Elpert Defrietas in violation of California Penal Code Section 470, Justice Ahmed Mohammed said it was an abuse of court process and meant “to annoy, embarrass and irritate the first defendant (Omo-Agege)".

   He held that the issues raised in the lawsuit which involves allegation of forgery, has been resolved in a judgement delivered by an Abuja high court on January 29, 2020.  Justice Mohammed said “it is clear that the first defendant  was not convicted as alleged.”

    The federal high court judge subsequently awarded a cost of N300,000 in favour of each of the four defendants which include Omo-Agege, the Clerk of the Senate, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent and National Electoral Commission (INEC). The money is to be jointly paid by the plaintiff and their lawyers.

Tinubu's son, Seyi welcomes baby boy

 

   Seyi Tinubu and wife, Layal Jade Tinubu just welcomed a baby boy. Seyi announced the news on his instagram page. Seyi and Layal Holm a Lebanese got married 4 years ago. August 2016, precisely. Announcing the news, he wrote:

 On behalf of Mr and Mrs Tinubu, i am please to announce the birth of a boy by his wife @layaltinubu earlier today 🙏🏾🤱🏽 .

Congratulations. #GodBless #ItsABoy #YoungestTinubu

Ex-Oyo state Governor Abiola Ajimobi dies of coronavirus

 

 

    Abiola Ajimobi, the immediate former Governor of Oyo State is dead. Ajimobi who had been on life support machine for weeks, died today at the First Cardiology Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, following Coronavirus complications.

Oyo House of Representatives member, Akin Alabi, has also confirmed his death. Nigerian journalist Dele Momodu also confirmed the news, writing;

“Good night former GOVERNOR ABIOLA AJIMOBI of Oyo State. My sincere condolences to the family… RIP.”

Ajimobi represented Oyo state in the senate between 2003 and 2007.

Ajimobi was the first Oyo governor to win a second term in office. He governed between 2011 and 2019.

He is survived by his wife, Florence, who he married in 1980, children and grandchildren.

Dubai Police Force release details of the alleged fraud committed by Instagram celebrity Hushpuppi

  The Dubai Police Force, United Arab Emirates (UAE) has released details of the alleged fraud committed by Instagram celebrity, Ramoni Igbalode better known as Hushpuppi. 

In a video published by the Dubai Police on Thursday, the security agency said they have been tracking Hushpuppi and his gang for about four months.

The Dubai Police said it dubbed the operation which nabbed the Instagram celebrity and his gang, “Fox Hunt 2.”According to the Police, Hushpuppi and his men scammed about 1,926,400 persons from several parts of the world, and committed fraud amounting to 1.6 billion Dirham (N168 billion).

Also, they arrested Olalekan Jacob Ponle called Woodberry with ten other persons in the operation involving six police SWAT teams. The video explained that 21 computers, 47 mobile phones/flash drives and five hard drives. 13 luxury cars worth 25 millon Dirhams were bought by Hushpuppi and his gang from money made from scams.

   Hushpuppi who posses as a real estate investor and businessman on Instagram, was arrested in the UAE on Wednesday, June 10th 2020, over a $35 million ventilator scam. He is accused of creating website identical to those used by popular firms and banks. Hushpuppi and his gang send emails and messages to make them log in and/or make payments on the fake websites.

Posts on Hushpuppi’s social media account suggest a posh lifestyle with photos showing him going on trips via a private jet. Some of the images also showed him putting on expensive clothes and jewelry, and visiting expensive hotels.

APC NEC Dissolves National Working Committee

 

  The current National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been dissolved.

    This formed part of decisions taken on Thursday at the meeting of the APC National Executive Council at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The party took the decision to dissolve its NWC based on the recommendations of President Muhammadu Buhari.

  The President also called for the immediate suspension of all pending litigations involving the party and its members, as well as the ratification of the party’s governorship primary election recently conducted in Edo State. He condemned the recent crisis within the party, stressing the need for members to enforce party discipline.

    President Buhari, therefore, appointed Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, to head the new Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for the party. The governor was immediately sworn in at the meeting by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami.

CHANNELS

Four murder suspects test positive for COVID-19 in Bauchi

   Four of the five suspects standing trial for the alleged murder of Sunday Joshua, a security guard at the New Trafford Hotels and Suites in Bauchi State have tested positive for COVID-19.

The arraignment of the five accused, which include the Managing Director of the hotel, Innocent Ejeh, at the Chief Magistrate Court 7, Yelwa, on Wednesday, was stalled following a letter written to the court that four accused persons, Abdul-Rasheed Shuaibu, Jacob Joshua, Joshua Ibrahim and Timothy Yunusa, were confirmed positive.

Innocent Ejeh and the four others are standing trial for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide in accordance with sections 96 and 221 of the Penal Code laws. The trial Magistrate, Safiya Salihu, read the letter from the state Correctional Centre dated June 11th, 2020. According to him, the four accused were confirmed positive for coronavirus by the National Center for Disease Control(NCDC) in the state.

   He adjourned the case to July 14 for further mentioning and arraignment as requested by the prosecution Police Officer, Sergeant Ayuba who pleaded for adjustment. The Prosecution Officer told the court that the accused persons could not be in court due to the reasons stated in the letter from the Correctional centre in Bauchi.

THE NATION

Court remands two cousins over alleged rape and murder of Maersk MD’s wife in Lagos

   

   33-year-old Olamilekan Oke and 27-year-old Akande Adeyinka have been remanded in prison custody by a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, over the alleged rape and murder of 44-year-old Bernadette, the Hungarian wife of Gildas Tohouo-Tohouo, the managing director of Maersk Nig. Ltd. The cousins were arraigned before Justice Modupe Nico-Clay on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, unlawful assault, robbery, armed robbery, and rape. 

   The Lagos state prosecuting counsel Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who led the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs Adeyinka Adeyemi, told the court that the defendants conspired to commit the alleged offences around 7:30pm on December 8, at flat 7A, No 1, Lugard Avenue Ikoyi Lagos.

 

Onigbanjo said; 

“Olamileka (Goke ) Oke, on December 8, 2019, at about 7: 30pm, unlawfully had sexual intercourse with one Bernadetta Tohouo-Tohouo aged 44”.

   They were also accused of attempting to kill Gildas Tohouo-Tohouo by stabbing him severally on the neck, head and back with a knife and dagger. The suspects reportedly proceeded to rob the couple of several properties which included foreign currencies in different denominations, two iPhones, two bottles of wine, two wedding rings, and one engagement ring.

    The technician and printer pleaded not guilty to the offence which contravenes Sections 233, 230, 173, 299, 297 (2) (a) 411, of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015. Justice Nico-Clay subsequently adjourned the case till June 30 for commencement of trial. 

 

Two dead, 220 buildings destroyed after downpour in Mokwa

 

   Two people have been confirmed dead, three injured and over 220 buildings destroyed during a heavy wind and rainfall in Mokwa local government area of Niger state. Properties worth N135.5 million were destroyed with over 780 people affected.

Among the buildings affected include a police station, the State Security Service(SSS) office, and Government Girl Secondary School where classes collapsed. Others were Government Science College where classes and staff quarters were affected amongst other buildings.

Zimbabwe increases fuel price by 150 per cent

 

  Zimbabwe on Wednesday announced a 150 per cent rise in the price of fuel following the launch of a forex auction system which eroded the value of the local currency.

The price of a litre of diesel jumped 152 per cent to ZW$62.77 ($1.12) from ZW$24.93 while petrol shot up 147 per cent to ZW$71.62, the country’s Energy Regulatory Authority said in a notice. The central bank re-introduced forex auctioning on Tuesday, the first in 16 years after a long battle to stabilise its currency and fight hyperinflation.

The auction saw the local currency losing more than half of its value from 1:25 to 1:57 to the greenback by the end of trading. Zimbabwe has been facing fuel shortages since October 2018. The scarcity prompted President Emmerson Mnangagwa to increase the price of fuel by 150 per cent in January 2019, sparking countrywide demonstrations.

At least 17 people were killed and scores injured after soldiers deployed to quell the strike opened fire on protesters. The government said at the time the prices were lower than in other countries in the region, and that some foreigners were buying fuel in bulk in Zimbabwe for resale in neighbouring countries.

Despite the price increase which was aimed at ending shortages, the scarcity persisted with motorists sometimes spending nights in queues for fuel pumps, stretching for kilometres. After years in international isolation, Zimbabwe’s economy has been on a downturn for more than a decade.

  Mnangagwa, who took over from long-time leader Robert Mugabe at the back of a military coup in 2017, pledged to mend the economy but things have only got worse with shops running short of basic commodities like bank notes, sugar and the staple cornmeal.

Ghana President Calls Buhari, Apologises Over Demolition Of Nigerian Mission

  

 

 

    President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has called President Muhammadu Buhari Over the demolition of the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.

  In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Akufo-Addo expressed his sincere apology over the unfortunate incident that has sparked reactions from the Nigerian government. This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu.

The Ghana leader assured President Buhari that he has directed a full investigation into the matter, assuring that justice will be served. Meanwhile, some suspects linked to the demolition have been arrested and will be arraigned in court.

CHANNELS

Court Strikes Out Suit Seeking To Bar Obaseki From Participating In Edo PDP Primary

     The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has struck out the suit filed by Mr Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama stopping Governor Godwin Obaseki from participating in Thursday’s PDP governorship primaries, in Edo State.

  A counsel to the plaintiff, D. C. Denwigwe, (SAN) had in an oral application during resumption of the hearing on Wednesday, informed the court that the parties in the suit had resolved the matter. He said their clients have settled and have directed their counsels to withdraw the case.

He also apologised to the court for the inconveniences and urged that the matter be struck-out based on the oral prayers. Emmanuel Enoidem, Counsel for the 1st defendant, Uche Secondus and 3rd to the 7th defendant, counsel for the 2nd defendant, Higher King and Counsel for the 8th and 9th defendants, Alex Ejesiema, SAN also concurred to the motion.

  However, the presiding Judge, Justice E. O. Obile, struck out the matter follow the submission of the counsels. Addressing newsmen Emmanuel Enoidem who is also the National Legal Adviser of the PDP said they agreed that the party must be united.

  Alex Ejesiema (SAN), Governor Godwin Obaseki’s lawyer on his part, said they were prepared for it. He also noted that there is no more obstruction for Governor Obaseki and therefore, he can contest. Mr Ogbeide-ihama had filed a suit in the court asking it to prevent any member of the party that has purchased forms but not screened within the time stipulated to contest the PDP primary.

  Subsequently, the court on Tuesday, granted the request for an accelerated hearing of the suit but before the hearing on the application today, Ogbeide-Ihama’s counsel requested that the court stood down the case for some time, to allow for an out-of-court settlement.

Everton boss Ancelotti faces €1m Spanish tax fraud charges

 

   Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has been charged by prosecutors in Spain over alleged tax irregularities related to his time at Real Madrid.

The Madrid community prosecutor's office alleged that tax declarations presented by the Italian excluded some of his income, and that this had been done "with the intention of unreasonably evading his obligations to the public treasury".

The indictment said Ancelotti's alleged activity had cost the treasury more than one million euros. Ancelotti was in charge at Real between 2013 and 2015, at which point he was sacked by club president Florentino Perez.

Ajimobi's health condition worsens, now on life support machine

  Family members, political associates and relatives of former Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, are fearful as hopes of him recovering from coma fades away by the minute.

The 70-year-old slipped into coma on Thursday for the second time as a result of COVID-19 complications. The news sparked rumours of his death, sending panic across the landscape especially among his supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he is the National Deputy Chairman (South) of the party.

On Monday, a reliable source close to the ex-governor told SaharaReporters that Ajimobi had been on life support machine since Friday after he slipped into a deep coma and may not make any recovery going by the observations of medical experts around him. The source further disclosed that the former Oyo governor has had a lung surgery since being hospitalised but made no progress while his kidneys have also failed.

Doctors treating Ajimobi, it was reliably gathered, on Friday informed his family that his situation had defied every medical intervention and that only a miracle can bring him back to life. To douse tension generated by his health condition, SaharaReporters discovered that his supporters have circulated an old video on the Internet of Ajimobi having lunch, claiming that it was captured during the recent Muslim festival to mark the end of Ramadan fast just to show that he was alive and in fact healthy.

According to the source, who spoke with SaharaReporters, the move was a deliberate attempt to deflect attention away from his precarious state of health.

"He is in very bad shape, he has been hooked to a ventilator since and on life support machine since Friday. There is only a very slim chance of him making it alive from that hospital.

"The video in circulation is an old one meant to douse tension among his supporters," the source said.

Ajimobi has been in the Intensive Care Unit at First Cardiology Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, since he was rushed to the place few weeks ago after it emerged he had Coronavirus. 

The former governor first slipped into coma on June 8 but was revived and stabilised by doctors until last Thursday when he again went totally unconscious.

First Cardiology is the same hospital where former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, was treated for Coronavirus until he died of the disease.

Ize-Iyamu Emerges Winner Of Edo APC Primary Election

 

   Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has emerged the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Edo State.

Chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma disclosed this on Monday in Benin City, the state capital. Ize-Iyamu won the party’s primary after polling 27, 838 votes to defeat his rivals, Pius Odubu who garnered 3,776 votes and Osaro Obaze who got 2,724 votes respectively.

Following this development, he automatically becomes the APC flagbearer for the September 19 governorship election in the state.

Reacting to the electoral process, Uzodinma said the election was a formality in accordance with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the other aspirants had already stepped down before the polls.

Shortly before the commencement of the election, APC members had thronged their respective wards to vote in the party’s primary election. The exercise held across the 192 wards of the 18 local government areas of the state.

 CHANNELS

No State In Nigeria Is COVID-19 Free – Chikwe Ihekweazu

 

   The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says no state in the country is free from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).NCDC Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu disclosed this on Monday during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

 

The comment comes even as the NCDC is yet to officially report a case in Cross River state, as of Monday afternoon. Mr. Ihekweazu was responding to a question about states who were discharging patients and declaring themselves COVID-19 free.

“No state, no single state in Nigeria is COVID-19 free, not one,” Mr. Ihekweazu said. “No country in the world is COVID-19 free. Even New Zealand, that is an island state is still having new cases after a period of not having any.”

He continued: “We can’t separate ourselves from the rest of the country. We live in a context, viruses spread, it’s the nature of them, so right now no state is COVID-19 free. That’s why we have to keep doing this work that we are doing, testing people, finding out if they have it.”

 

Yul Edochie pen note of tribute to former beauty queen, Ibidun Ajayi-Ighodalo

   

   Nigerian celebrity actor, Yul Edochie penned a note of tribute to former beauty queen, Ibidun Ajayi-Ighodalo. According to reports, Ibidun Ajayi-Ighodalo lost her life due to a cardiac arrest while she was in Port Harcourt. She passed on at the young age of 39.

The former beauty was buried on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The funeral took place at the Vaults and Gardens cemetery in Lagos state. Reacting to the news of her death, Yul Edochie questioned If Ibidun really died of cardiac arrest. The actor went on to place a curse on anybody that has a hand in her death.

He wrote: “Why do I feel there’s more to her death than the cardiac arrest story? I never met her but watching her videos brought tears to my eyes. She was so full of life, full of love for humanity.

“If your life was taken by someone, may suffering and painful death befall that person. They shall know no peace till they are gone. Rest well Ibidun.

Why APC can’t hold NEC meeting – Acting Chairman

   The Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hilliard Eta on Sunday said the party would not succumb to the nationwide clamour for it to convene an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

Following the crisis rocking the ruling party, intensified by the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as its National Chairman, there have been calls for the NEC meeting to resolve its myriad of challenges.

Deputy Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, had at the weekend cried out, urging President Buhari to act fast by at least calling for the party’s emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to address the leadership crisis rocking the party.

But addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Eta pointed out that if convened, a NEC meeting would violate the COVID-19 pandemic protocol prohibiting public gatherings, having over 120 members.

“I do not believe there is anybody afraid or scared of convening NEC meeting. For those who want to build this party, who want this party to outlast this present government, they are such in number that there is no fear of convening NEC meeting,” he said.

“What has been militating against constituting NEC meeting in the recent past is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic that has stopped everybody from gathering more than a certain number of persons.

“As you are all aware, we have over 120 members of NEC and it would amount to breaking the COVID-19 protocol as established by the Nigerian authorities prohibiting gathering of more than 50 people at a time. It will take our breaking that protocol for us to have a NEC meeting,” he said.

He, however, added that if it turns out that the party can have a waiver to convene the NEC, it could explore that, adding that nobody is afraid of having NEC meeting. “There is no way the ruling party will voluntarily disobey or break rules it is part of making,” he insisted.

DAILYPOST

Rivers APC suspends Victor Giadom

   The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers has suspended a former Deputy National Secretary, Victor Giadom, over alleged acts of gross infractions of the party’s Constitution.

Livingstone Wechie, the Media Adviser to the Acting Chairman of APC in Rivers, Igo Aguma, confirmed the suspension at the weekend. He said the suspension was following report of a fact-finding committee set up by  the party.

He said: “The committee recommended that Victor Giadom be immediately suspended from the party and every party activities for his numerous infractions of the Party Constitution and conduct, which have brought the Party irredeemable disrepute.

Genevieve Nnaji shares new stunning photos

 

   The actress and filmmaker shared the beautiful photos on her instagram page this morning.

Senate President Meets Buhari Over APC Crisis

   

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on Sunday, met behind closed door at the State House in Abuja. The Senate President revealed this in a tweet on his official handle where he noted that they discussed the crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as national security among other issues.

According to Senator Lawan, the party will take certain actions to see that the crisis within the APC is resolved. Senator Lawan called on the country’s security chiefs to sit up but admitted that the security agencies need more funding as well as manpower to tackle the challenges facing Nigeria.

“The current situation (in APC) should not and must not be allowed to further degenerate than it has,” the Senate President said. He added that “we (APC) must go into the constitution of our party and see how we are to address the issues, but while we do this, we must not allow the situation to continue as it is today.”

Nigeria’s COVID19- 436 Fresh Infections

 

   Nigeria’s COVID-19 cases have exceeded 20,000 as the country recorded 436 new infections on Sunday.  The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this in a tweet. According to the agency, of the new cases, 169 were recorded in Lagos, 52 in Oyo and 31 in Plateau.

  Other affected states are  Imo with 29 cases, Kaduna with 28, Ogun with 23, the FCT and Enugu with 18 each, Bauchi with 17, Bayelsa with 14, Rivers with eight, Osun and Kano with six each, Edo and Benue with five each, Adamawa with three, Borno with two, and Abia and Ekiti states with one each.

Man arrested for killing his children with wooden pestle in Anambra

 

  The Anambra state police command has confirmed the arrest of a 34-year-old man identified as Ifeanyi Apusiobi of Azu Ogbunike in Oyi LGA of Anambra State, for reportedly killing his two kids with wooden pestle. 

 The suspect who crushed his children; Chinecherem Apusiobi aged 7 and Obinna Apusiobi aged 5 with the pestle while they were sleeping, also injured his 72-year-old father, Dominic Apusiobi on the head with same object. Exhibits have been recovered and the case has been transferred to the State CID in Awka for discreet investigation. The statement released by the state's police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed read; 

 On the 21/06/2020, at about 1:am, Police operatives attached to Ogbunike Police Station arrested one Ifeanyi Apusiobi 'm' aged 34years of Azu Ogbunike in Oyi LGA of Anambra State.

Suspect allegedly ran amok in a circumstances yet to be ascertained and attacked two of his biological children namely Chinecherem Apusiobi 'f aged 7 years and Obinna Apusiobi 'm' aged 5 years with a wooden pistle on their heads while they were sleeping.Suspect equally used same object and injured his father one Dominic Apusiobi aged 72years on the head.

Meanwhile,police detectives visited the Scene and rushed victims to the hospital for medical attention where the two children were certified dead by a medical doctor while the aged father is responding to treatment.Corpses deposited at Isienyi hospital morgue for autopsy.Exhibit recovered and case transferred to State CID Awka for discreet investigation. 

Ex-NDDC ED escapes death as gunmen shoot car

 

   Former Executive Director of Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Engr. Samuel Adjogbe on Saturday night escaped death as suspected gunmen attacked his car. He confirmed the incident in a telephone chat with The Nation.

  He explained the vehicle was attacked around Ughelli, Evwreni and Ogor boundary axis on East/West Road of Delta State. Adjogbe explained there was sporadic shooting on his Lexus 570 Jeep, particularly the owner’s seat but he was luckily in the vehicle.

Delta SSG, Information commissioner test positive for covid-19

 

 

   The Secretary to the Delta State Government, Chiedu Ebie, and the state Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, have tested positive for coronavirus. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olisa Ifeajika, disclosed this in a statement today.

  He said the two had been moved to an isolation centre and were responding well to treatment. He noted that the two officials showed mild symptoms of the virus and consequently subjected themselves to the test.

Trump Campaign Blames Protesters For Poor Rally Turnout

 

  President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign on Sunday blamed the disappointing crowd at his Tulsa rally on protesters creating a hostile atmosphere and blocking supporters from getting into the arena.

  The White House had promised the much-hyped event — Trump’s first rally in three months — would be flooded with up to 100,000 people, but television images showed large sections of empty seating in the 19,000-capacity BOK Center.

  A outdoor event for the overflow crowd was canceled because no one showed up, despite the campaign hyping huge interest ahead of time, with more than a million ticket requests. Senior Trump campaign aide Mercedes Schlapp told “Fox News Sunday” that attendees were unable to get into the BOK Center.

“There were factors involved, like they were concerned about the protesters who were coming in. There were protesters who blocked the (attendees),” Schlapp said. “And so we saw that have an impact in terms of people coming to the rally.”

  Schlapp went on to say there were families that “didn’t want to bring — couldn’t bring — their children because of concerns of the protesters.” Schlapp was echoing an explanation first offered Saturday night by Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh, who said protesters were “even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering.”

  But reporters on the ground said they saw no problems for people trying to get in. Reports have been circulating in the last week that teen users of social media platform TikTok were block-booking tickets in a bid to embarrass the campaign.

Ondo Deputy Governor, Ajayi Resigns From APC

 

   Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi has resigned his membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ajayi resigned his membership of the APC on Sunday at his country home in Kiribo, Ward 2, Apoi, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.

This is coming few hours after Mr Ajayi was allegedly prevented by the Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami from moving out of the Government House in Akure the state capital. The resignation of the deputy governor from APC puts an end to speculations that have been on concerning his planned defection.

  Ajayi also used the opportunity to immediately pick his membership card of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his ward. While addressing party supporters, the deputy governor said he is happy to be back to the PDP.

CHANNELS

 

I Will Seek Legal Advice On My Suspension- Oshiomole

 

   

  The embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said that he accepts the Appeal Court ruling that upheld his suspension.

   Oshiomhole, speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday, said he would speak with his lawyers to decide what next to do.

  “In our democracy, the court is an independent arm of government. When they hand out government, it is not for you to pick and choose whether to obey or not. “I accept their judgment in good faith. I am a product of the Judiciary.

  “My lawyers will now look at the judgement and advise what is the next line action.” When pressed on if he will head to the Supreme Court, Oshiomhole said: “What I do next will be based on the legal advice I get.”

29 health workers test positive for coronavirus in Plateau

  

  

 Plateau State Government has announced that 29 of its health workers have contacted the coronavirus disease.

   The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar, made the disclosure at a press briefing on Wednesday in Jos. Lar said the state has recorded 198 COVID-19 confirmed cases, with 114 patients discharged and five deaths.

  “COVID19 Update, the NCDC says Plateau has 168 confirmed cases but results released now confirms we have 198 cases,’’ he said. According to him, a private hospital in the state was shut down for two weeks, following its exposure to two coronavirus patients, who were managed for other health conditions.

DAILYPOST

EFCC arrest Yahoo boys in Ogun and Lagos

 

   The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday, arrested sixteen suspected internet fraudsters, otherwise known as “yahoo yahoo boys”.

  The suspects were apprehended at Ota, Ogun State, and Victoria Island, Lagos following intelligence received about their alleged involvement in internet fraud.

  The suspected fraudsters arrested during the raid in Ota, Ogun State are Adeshina Michael; Ayeni Emiloju; Odenigbo Anthony, Afolabi Gbenga and Oyibogbola David Seun. Those arrested in Victoria Island, Lagos are Onothebor Edmond; Suuru Blessing; Ifedapo Opeyemi; Samson Samuel, Oguntade Idowu and Emmanuel Akinyemi.

    Others are: Seyi Kazeem; Sulaiman Toheed; Oduwale Oluwasesan, Adewoye Oluwasesan and Alex Abiodun. Items recovered from the suspects include different brands of cars allegedly acquired from the proceeds of fraudulent activities.

Customs FOU seizes 379 packs of Tramadol, other items worth over N56m in Kaduna

 

   The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ has seized 379 packs of 225mg tramadol along Kano/Kazaure road.

  Comptroller FOU of Zone B, Mustapha Sarkin-Kebb told journalists that the items apprehended included 150 cartons of veterinary drugs without NAFDAC Registration arrested along Jibiya axis, 816 bags of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer also along jibiya axis, 100 kegs of vegetable oil, 2 trucks loaded with tiger nuts and dates. Other seized items were 676 bags of 50kg parboiled foreign rice and 60 bales of second-hand clothing.

  Sarkin Kebbi said, all the seizures were made within two weeks during the lockdown. “They are worth N56,577,500 Duty Paid Value (DPV) ” he said. The smugglers, he explained, had devised various means of concealing their smuggled items.

  “We are equally up to the task in busting their tactics,” he said. “The seized parboiled foreign rice which was intercepted along Kaduna-Zaria road were concealed inside firewood and in sacks that look like charcoal sacks, some were bagged in Nigeria labeled sacks,” he said.

  “The driver conveying the seized tramadol escaped into the bush upon sensing trouble.” “All the interception, arrest and seizures were made through credible intelligence gathering, and I can tell you that smugglers are now finding it very difficult to continue their criminal activities and are now using all manners of tactics to carry out their activities.

  “Every time we bust their tactics, they device another tactic, we are not relenting in our efforts until we bring their activities to a standstill”. “We call on the smugglers who are greedy, criminally-minded, and incurring lots of losses, to embrace legitimate business as a means of livelihood,” he said.

COVID-19 NCDC Records 587 New Cases

 

 

 

    Nigeria on Wednesday recorded 587 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the nation’s total infections towards the 18,000 mark.

  The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in a tweet stated that the country has now confirmed at least 17,735 cases of the novel coronavirus with 469 deaths and 5,967 recovered patients. Nigeria is currently in the second phase of easing its lockdown restrictions, with worship centres expected to restart in certain states.

587 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

Lagos-155

Edo-75

FCT-67

Rivers-65

Oyo-56

Delta-50

Bayelsa-25

Plateau-18

Kaduna-18

Enugu-17

Borno-12

Ogun-12

Ondo-7

Kwara-4

Kano-2

Gombe-2

Sokoto-1

Kebbi-1

17,735 confirmed

5,967 discharged

469 deaths pic.twitter.com/vUBukvZYTN

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) June 17, 2020

 

Two Children killed, 10 injured in Lagos building collapse

  

    Two children were confirmed dead and 10 others injured after a story building collapsed in Lagos on Wednesday. The incident occurred at 46, Gafari Balogun Street Ogudu, around 12:30pm.

  It was gathered that the building collapsed following a mudslide which was occasioned by heavy downpour in that part of the state. According to the Director General (DG) Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, the two children were extricated from the rubble of the collapsed structure after residents raised alarm that they were missing.

   He said the mudslide hit the building from the rear leading to the kids- a boy and a girl- being trapped. Oke-Osanyintolu said all those who sustained injuries were treated on the spot and discharged, addig that the scene has been cordoned off.

22-year-old Ekiti University undergraduate dies in boyfriend's apartment

   

   

   Faderera Oloyede, a female undergraduate of the Federal University of Oye Ekiti in Ekiti State, has been found dead in an apartment belonging to her boyfriend, Ayo Maliki, in Osun State.

  The deceased was found on Tuesday inside the room in the Koko area of Iree in Osun. The 300level student of Mathematics Education was said to have gone to her boyfriend's place in company with her friend identified as Kemisola Adewusi, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

 According to sources, Maliki had prepared rice for his visitors and while eating the food, Oloyede suddenly developed stomach ache and started vomiting. She, however, died shortly afterwards after efforts to save her life yielded no result.

  "They tried to save her life but she died after complaining of stomach ache," one source said. Student Union Government President of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Kehinde Raji, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that Maliki went into hiding immediately the incident occured. He, however, disclosed that the police were invited and took the corpse of Oloyede away.

  When contacted on Wednesday morning, spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, told SaharaReporters that investigation had begun into the case. She revealed that the friend of the deceased, who accompanied her to Maliki's house had been detained.

Lightning kills three FRSC officials in Ogun

 

   Tragedy struck in the ancient town of Ilese, near Ijebu -Ode, in Ijebu North-East local government area of Ogun State, as three officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were struck to death by mysterious thunder lightning which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.

 The incident, which occurred around 10 a.m followed a drizzling which was accompanied by the lightning that entered into the FRSC’s office located at the old Toll Gate in Ilese town where it killed its victims.

It was gathered that the thunderstruck while the FRSC officials were planning for the early morning parade within the vicinity of their office located at the old toll gate. Though no official statement has been released to the effect, a senior member of the Corps, who spoke with Vanguard on condition of anonymity disclosed that there were about twelve officials in the exact office when the lightning occurred, accompanied by the thunder which struck three of his colleagues to death.

   When contacted, the FRSC Public Relations Officer in the state, Florence Okpe also confirmed the incident but declined further comments.

COVID-19 testing still our weakest response - Ihekweazu

 

   Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has revealed that the nation still falls short on testing, saying that it is the weakest spot in it's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  According to Ihekweazu the agency is working aggressively to increase the testing across the country, as it ambitiously targets 2 million tests in 3 months. Speaking on Wednesday, Iheakweazu said;

“We are working very aggressively to increase the testing in Nigeria. This is one of the weakest part of our response because we started from a very low base initially but we have worked extremely hard to move from 5 to 35 laboratories right now with their ability to test for COVID-19.

“We have carried out the highest number of test over the last few days and we will keep increasing this progressively across the country.

“Testing is such an important entry point in the response because of the number of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic infections that we have. We have to really ramp up our testing because it is an eye into the outbreak. We can’t manage something we can’t measure sufficiently.

“We also have our eyes on the future because we never want to be in a situation that we are right now. The Africa Centre for Disease Control has been a great support for this.

“We set a very ambitious target for ourselves about a month ago, to test two million people in 3 months. We are not yet meeting that target but we are well on our way to do so as we introduce new testing opportunities using the genexpert platform, the Abbot platform that we use for HIV into the testing apparatus in Nigeria.”

UK PM, Boris Johnson involved in a car crash outside Parliament

   

 

   UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson was involved in a car crash just outside the Parliament on Wednesday afternoon. The Prime Minister had just left the gates of the Palace of Westminster and onto Parliament Square in Westminster when a protester ran out into the road and leaped in front of his £54,000 Jaguar car.

    The driver applied a sudden break, forcing the security vehicle following behind to hit the Prime Minister’s vehicle. This left a visible dent on the back of the Prime Minister's Jaguar. 

UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson was involved in a car crash just outside the Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

  The Prime Minister had just left the gates of the Palace of Westminster and onto Parliament Square in Westminster when a protester ran out into the road and leaped in front of his £54,000 Jaguar car. The driver applied a sudden break, forcing the security vehicle following behind to hit the Prime Minister’s vehicle. This left a visible dent on the back of the Prime Minister's Jaguar. 

 Shortly after being taken into the Palace of Westminster, the Met Police confirmed that they have arrested the man for offences under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and for obstructing the highway.

 

Anti-Brexit demonstrator Steve Bray who captured the incident on camera, tweeted; 

"Boris Johnson in car crash at Parliament. Just now.

“Security drives into back of his car as Kurdish protester runs into road.”

Popular radio personality, Dan Foster dies of covid-19

   

 

  Popular award-winning broadcaster, Dan Foster has been reported dead. The versatile radio veteran was said to have died of the novel Covid-19 virus. His wife, Lovina is reportedly at the Yaba Isolation center, Lagos, on treatment. He is also survived by three children.

  Daniel ‘Dan’ Foster – popularly known as The Big Dawg and Top Dawg was an an Idol series judge and held a similar position with the Got Talent franchise. Foster worked with numerous radio stations in the United States of America, and Virgin Island, before moving to Nigeria in 2000.

Buhari approves joint military, police operations against bandits

 

  
 

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a joint military and police operations specifically targeted at combing  Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara Niger and Sokoto States to rid the areas of bandits.

The President said that surveillance will be improved as more night vision aircrafts havr already being deployed under “Operation Accord’’. The President also appealed to the people and youths of Katsina State to be patient and supportive of the ongoing military operations in the state, while sympathizing with those who are bereaved, injured and lost properties.

President Buhari cautioned against taking to the streets for protest as this could distract the ongoing military operations in the region.He urged Katsina indegenes not to give up on the military.

In a statement signed by Garba Shehu,  the Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, President Buhari reaffirmed that the nation’s armed forces are fully capable of dealing with the challenges of banditry and terrorism.

TVC