A United States of America’s Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit  sitting at Illinois on Wednesday declared a Peoples Democratic Party’s chieftain, Buruji Kashamu‎ a fugitive wanted in America for trial for allegedly importing drug to the country.
  Delivering his judgment in an application by Kashamu for a Writ of Mandamus, Justice Charles R. Norgle declined his request to quash an indictment issued him on the basis that it was out of time.
  But the court held that the indictment against Lasham had no expiration date.

  The court held that, “Should he ever come to the United States, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, he could be put on trial in the federal district court in Chicago, since the indictment has no expiration date.
   “An original indictment remains pending until it is dismissed or until double jeopardy or due process would forbid prosecution under it.”
  Kashamu, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Benin, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Chicago, along with thirteen other persons, with conspiracy to import heroin into the United States and distribute it, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 963.
  The US government believed that Kashamu was the leader of the conspirators.
  He was indicted both in his own name and under what the government believed to be two aliases that he used: “Alaji”‎ and “Kasmal”.
  Based on the refusal of a magistrate in the United Kingdom to grant a request by the US to extradite him, Kashamu filed an application in the US seeking to nullify his indictment.
  The UK Magistrate had declined to grant the application to extradite Kashamu on the ground that the US did not conclusively prove that he was the same Alaji wanted in the US for trial.
  The court held that eleven eleven other defendants indicted alongside Kashamu pleaded guilty, one proceeded to trial and was convicted, and another could not be found and remained a fugitive.
 The court frowned at the fact that despite knowing that he was wanted in the US, ‘Kashamu remains in Nigeria, living openly, a prominent businessman and a politician belonging to the ruling party.’
  The court wondered that, “although the United States had an extradition treaty with Nigeria, our government has made no effort to extradite him.”
  While asking him to buy a flight ticket to US to come and stand trial, the court said:‎ “There was a good deal of evidence against him. We noted in our previous opinion that among other bits of evidence, “Kashamu’s codefendants who had pleaded guilty had admitted their participation in the charged conspiracy and identified ‘Alaji’ as the leader of the conspiracy. Two of them identified Kashamu as Alaji in a photographic lineup, and in the extradition proceeding the government submitted their affidavits to that effect. ‎”
  In opposing the petition for mandamus the Justice Department had told the court that “the prospects for extradition (from Nigeria) have recently improved and, as a result, the government is optimistic about extraditing Kashamu.”
  The court held that Kashamu’s motion to dismiss the indictment against him was premature, ‘as he may soon find himself in the district court in Chicago, able to present a fuller case that his right to a speedy trial is being violated.’
  The court however noted that it might be difficult to extradite him because be was a very influential person in Nigeria.
  “Given Kashamu’s prominence in Nigerian business and government circles, and the English magistrate’s findings and conclusion, the probability of extradition may actually be low‎”, the court held.
   Kashamu had argued the threat to extradite him had prevented him from traveling outside Nigeria lest the United States seek extradition of him from another country, as it did albeit unsuccessfully when it found him in the United Kingdom.
  He also claimed that the outstanding indictment had besmirched his reputation and by doing so had impeded his business and political ambitions in Nigeria.
  But the court held that, “These are reasonable concerns, but do not support the relief that he seeks from us.
  “He was indicted 16 years ago. At any time during this long interval he had only to show up in the federal district court in Chicago to obtain a determination of his guilt or innocence.
  “When a suspected criminal flees from imminent prosecution, becoming a fugitive before he is indicted, the statute of limitations on prosecuting him is suspended.
  “Similarly, when a defendant flees the country to escape justice, the inference is that he didn’t want a speedy trial—he wanted no trial. And if he doesn’t want a speedy trial, he can’t complain that the judiciary didn’t give him one.‎”
  The court found that the indictment against him to be very serious criminal charges.
  The court noted that  one of Kashamu’s co defendants was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
  The judge said: “If Kashamu was indeed the ringleader of the drug conspiracy, as he may have been, he might if convicted be given an even heavier sentence—quite possibly a life sentence; 21 U.S.C. § 960(b)(1)(A), authorizes a life sentence for a conspiracy to import at least a kilogram of heroin.
  “If he wants to fight the charges, he has only to fly from Lagos to Chicago; there are loads of reasonably priced flights.
  “How then can he argue with a straight face that the failure of the United States to extradite him entitles him to dismissal of the charges? He can’t; and the petition for a writ of mandamus is therefore denied.”
  But yesterday, Kashamu in a statement entitled, “I’ll fight till i get justice,” said: I wish to provide an update to Nigerians on my efforts to obtain justice within the U.S. judicial system in regard to the falseindictment made against me in the U.S. Courts, which theBritishcourts have cleared me from unequivocally.
   “As many may recall I had to take the battle to the U.S. authorities in their own country because, despite the British judgment and the defeats they have suffered in their attempts too place a false accusation on me they have neither attempted to extradite me again nor withdrawn the charges.
   “My first attack on the indictment: I had in 2009 attacked the unjustifiable indictment retained made against me on the basis that the English Judiciary, which the U.S. authorities had themselves instigated against me, had exonerated me. In that application to dismiss the indictment I requested that the findings and Conclusions of District Judge Tim Workman of the Bow Street Magistrates Court in London, be given collateral estoppel status by the U.S. court and his findings and conclusions be made conclusive on the issue of whether or not I was a party to the alleged crime.
    “District Judge Norgle before whom the indictment was pending refused the application after ruling that I was not a fugitive from justice in the U.S. I appealed against Norgle’s decision refusing to dismiss the indictment to the U.S 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel led by Judge Posner a well-respected judge in the U.S. judicial system agreed with the District Judge.
    “In his judgment then, Judge Posner had made some wide-ranging generalized statements, which were not borne out by the records. However, as the Supreme Court of the U.S. rarely takes an appeal that complains merely about findings of fact, the Supreme Court did not hear my appeal from that judgment.
  In that judgment Judge Posner held that the decision of the English Courts were not equivalent to that of the U.S. courts and so could not be regarded as binding on the U.S. courts.
    However, as the lawyers noted, U.S. courts expect their judgments to be treated better by foreign courts.
   “My second attack on the indictment: This update is about my second attempt to dismiss this indictment. This second attempt was based on my contention that the indictment pending before Judge Norgle has now expired by effluxion of time by reason of the Speedy trial requirement of U.S. constitutional and criminal law and was consequently statute barred. Many cases in the U.S. in which prosecution had not started after 5 years of the charge have been dismissed for this reason.
    “Judge Norgle had rejected the application.I therefore applied to the U.S. 7th circuit Court of Appeals for an order of mandamus directing the District Judge to dismiss the indictment. udgment was delivered on the 15th of September 2014 by the Court of Appeals in respect of that application for mandamus.
    “Judge Posner delivered the leading judgment of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals again.”
    “My comments on the new court of appeals judgment: I have several complaints against that judgment and my lawyers are exploring the opportunities available for appeal.
  “However before my political adversaries begin the usual perversion of truth I wish to make the following comments on the judgment for the records.
    •Again Mr. Posner has ignored the facts on record and the findings of the English Courts in coming to his conclusions that:
I have no rights under the American Constitution because I have never been in the United States and “ it would be very odd that someone with so attenuated a connection to the United States would have rights under the US Constitution”.
“But no matter; even if the government is incorrect and Kashamu does have constitutional rights, he still loses, because they haven’t been violated”.
   • Posner wrongly finds that only two options are available to me:
The first is to “return” to the U.S. and “stand trial and at the trial renew his motion for dismissal on the basis of the speedy trial clause”
The second “is to obtain from us, as he is trying to do, a writ of mandamus ordering the District court to dismiss the indictment”.
    According to Kashamu, “these wrong conclusions” “create a scenario of a stalemate between me and the U.S authorities whereby he posits that I will not come to the U.S. to fall into the clutches of the U.S. judiciary and that the U.S. authorities in turn have little hope of ever extraditing me to the U.S in view of my prominence in Nigeria and the findings of the British Courts. Thus he then surmises: “as he won’t risk the first path to relief, which would require him to come to the United States and fall into the clutches of the federal judiciary, he must rely entirely on mandamus”
  “He then proceeds to reject the application for mandamus for the reason that I have not come to the U.S. to “face the judicial music.”
   “Judge Posner then expresses his disbelief in    the U.S. Government’s statement, in response to my application, that it has now found the atmosphere in Nigeria more favourable for my extradition to the U.S. and responds to their vaunted optimism as follows:
  “But the government may be whistling in the dark in saying that its optimistic about being able to extradite him from Nigeria (no doubt it was optimistic about being able to extradite him from the United Kingdom). The proof of the pudding is in the eating: the government has not tried to extradite Kashamu from Nigeria and for all we know may be feigning “optimism” in order to undermine Kashamu’s claim that the threat of extradition is a sword of Damocles disrupting his life without our government’s having to undergo the expense and uncertainty of seeking extradition of a foreign big shot exonerated (though only partly) by the judiciary of our British ally.  Given Kashamu’s prominence in Nigerian business and government circles, and the English Magistrate’s findings and conclusion, the probability of extradition may actually be low.
    “ Judge Posner in conclusion, for the above reason, finds in favour of the U.S. government, that it has no duty to attempt any extradition of any suspect charged for an offence in the U.S. since all it need do is to inform that suspect that a charge has been made against him in the U.S. and that suspect thereupon becomes duty bound to take the next plane to the U.S. at his own expense to challenge the charge and prove his innocence.”

source:http://odunlade.blogspot.com/2014/09/us-court-rejects-kashamus-application.html

There are strong indications that efforts of the Federal Government to ensure amicable settlement of issues surrounding the $9.3m seized by South Africa have failed.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority, in an email to our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday, said that the matter was still under criminal investigations.
There were reports on Wednesday that $9.3m, which was seized from two Nigerians and an Israeli in Johannesburg, was meant for procurement of arms for intelligence agencies in Nigeria.
It was also reported that the Federal Government was aware of the move to procure arms.

The Federal Government had begun diplomatic talks with South Africa to ensure resolution of the issue.
Government agencies in Nigeria, such as Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, kept mum over the seized fund.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had said that it did not take the issue of money laundering lightly.
But South Africa’s NPA’s spokesman, Nathi Mncube, in a response to an enquiry by our correspondent, said, “The matter is under criminal investigations by the Directorate of Priority Crimes of Investigations unit at South African Police Services.
“NPA does not comment on pending investigations and therefore cannot comment any other than providing the information contained in our media statement.”
The NPA, in a statement sent to our correspondent on Thursday, said that its asset forfeiture unit had obtained “an order in the North Gauteng High Court freezing a cash amount of US$9.34m (about R102m).”
According to the agency, the money is currently kept safe by the South African Reserve Bank
Giving an insight into the seizure, it said, “The cash consisted of 90 blocks of $100, 000 each and was found in two black plastic suitcases.”
The NPA stated that the order freezing the money was granted in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act which “provides that property that is used to commit a crime can be frozen while the NPA applies for a final order to forfeit the money to the state.”
It stated that the money was initially detained by the South African Revenue Service as it was not disclosed or declared at customs, and was above the prescribed legal limit for the amount of cash that could be brought into the country.
According to the statement, the NPA also submitted to the court that, although various explanations about the money were given to the investigating officer, these explanations were riddled with discrepancies.
The jet bearing the money, Bombardier Challenger 6000, was said to belong to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

source: http://odunlade.blogspot.com/2014/09/93m-scandal-safrica-insists-on-criminal.html

An applicant, Mr. Omoyibo Emmaunuel, has dragged the Federal‎ University of Petroleum Resource, Effurun, Delta state, before a Federal‎ High Court in Warri, seeking an order to compel‎ the institution to publish the results of applicants “who participated in the written examinations into various vacant positions,” advertised by the institution.In a motion/suit No: FHC/WR/CS/5/14, filed through his Counsel, K. C. Wisdom Esq; the applicant who said he was seeking the relief under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the Federal Character Act, said it was expedient that the university publishes the examination results, having published the vacant positions on some national newspapers on 21 May, 2013.

He lamented the “inconvenience, he and other applicants who from across Nigeria had to go through to participate in the examinations that held on 21 November 2013, adding that, “the institution has refused to release the examination results “despite repeated demands.”
He therefore urged the Court to make a declaration that the results be published and made available to him within seven days of the receipt of the Court process.
The applicant also sought for an order that the comprehensive list/interview panel records of current staff (including indigenous staff of Delta State) of the University between 1 January 2014 to date should be produced.
Besides, he prayed the Court to make an issue an order to the University to produce the criteria and comprehensive guidelines for determining eligibility for employment in the University, being a federal government-owned institution.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/applicant-drags-university-to-court.html

The Lagos State Government has indicted Prophet Temitope Joshua, General Overseer, Synagogue Church of All Nations, over the collapse of a 6-storey guest house in his church.
Death toll in the tragedy which occurred last Friday has hit 80 as rescue workers intensify efforts to evacuate the remaining victims trapped under the rubble. There is likely no hope of any more survivors.
The government, however, said investigations were still on as to why the building collapsed.In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Lagos State Government insisted that Joshua did not have approval for the building, therefore the addition of more floors to the existing two-storey building was illegal.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoyin Ayinde said government would not shut down the church until investigations were concluded.
Ayinde expressed sincere condolences and sympathy with those that lost their loved ones and those that were injured in the unfortunate incident.
He said the Government and indeed the Ministry was particularly saddened that innocent lives were lost.
The Commissioner clarified that no plans were in the offing to take over the collapsed structure site until thorough and detailed investigation as to the cause(s) of the collapse had been concluded.
According to him, government is conducting a preliminary investigation into the cause(s) of the collapse and would leave nothing to chance to unravel what cause the building to collapse.
He added that if there was any violation of relevant planning laws, government would take appropriate action.
To this end, Ayinde said a team of engineers from the Ministry and other state government agencies were taking samples from the foundation and materials from the wreckage of the building for detailed analysis.
He stressed that government does not arbitrarily take over properties when testing to ascertain the structural integrity of any building that collapses.
On the veracity of the “Strange Plane Theory,” alleged to have dangerously flown low over the building 50 minutes before the collapse, he said the Ministry had submitted the video clips, as provided by the Church to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the coordinate of the collapsed site for investigation and professional comment.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on the Environment, Tobun Abiodun, has expressed belief that some government officials may have allowed themselves to be compromised and influenced to allow the church conctruct the collapsed building illegally.
Ordinarily, officers in-charge of physical planning in the state are supposed to act where buildings become defective or where they do not follow laid-down procedures, he argued.
Tobun, who described the incident as a major disaster and a great loss, however, condoled with the families of the deceased and said the government needed to be more careful and pro-active to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
Quoting a report by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Tobun said that the building ought to have only four floors instead of six, according to the foundation of the house.
“But my concern is that we have town planning officers that should supervise buildings in the state, they are accomplices. There is no way someone would build a six-storey building instead of four and they would say they were not aware. I believe that they compromised standard.
“Until they know that if they compromise in any way they are risking people’s lives, there would be problem. They should be more pro-active in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
But the Chairman of the Physical Planning Committee of the House, Mufutau Egberongbe, while defending the officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, urged Nigerians to adopt voluntary compliance to laws as enforcement of the laws is supposed to be a last resort.
One of the challenges facing the ministry, according to Egberongbe, is the lack of adequate staff.
“How many are the staff of the ministry to go round Lagos when buildings are springing up on a daily basis? Voluntary compliance to laws should be our primary responsibility,” he said.
He said the government officials would have faced heavy criticisms from people if they had decided to implement the law to the letter in relation to the building, adding that it even costs the government money to carry out demolition of structures.
To him, if the church had done what it should do, the incident would have been averted.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/lagos-indicts-tb-joshua-over-collapsed.html

The rumour mongers can now take the back seat: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Lagos, Nigeria Thursday night after a 5-week vacation outside the country, amidst rumours about his ill-health in the social media.
He told reporters on arrival: “I am solid, fit as a fiddle. I never needed Panadol except when I visited my friend, the dentist. I am glad to be back,” he said.
Twice Wednesday, Tinubu, former governor of Lagos state and national leader of the All Progressives Congress tweeted reactions to several rumours about his health, describing them as fake.

“The story about my health is the mother of all lies.Do not believe it. I was on my usual holidays. I thank all well wishers.I return soon”. he said on his Twitter handle, @asiwajutinubu.
In a later tweet, Tinubu sought divine forgiveness to the rumour mongers. “May God forgive the rumour mongers b/c they do not know what they are doing. Those with evil thoughts towards me, God will guide them right.”
Since Tinubu left the country after the Osun election late August, the internet has been flooded with all manners of stories about his health, with one story even saying affirmatively that he had lost all sense of cognition, and could no longer recognise friends and relations.
Some other stories said that Tinubu had suffered a serious stroke and has been hospitalised.
Several efforts by his aides and friends to stem the torrents of speculations have failed, with the stories re-emerging, with new lies and concoctions.

source:http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/tinubu-returns-to-nigeria.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised members of the public to utilise its citizen contact centre to obtain relevant information about electoral process.
INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzi, gave the advice in an interview with NAN in Abuja on Thursday.
“INEC Citizen Contact Centre is a facility allowing the general public constant access to the commission with enquiries and exchange of information.
“As a situation room, the centre offers the public opportunity for getting real time responses to enquiries, incident-reports, complaints and queries about any aspect of the electoral process.”
Osaze-Uzi said that the centre, located at the commission’s headquarters, could be accessed via social media and hotlines.
The hotlines are 07098115257, 07098117563 and 07098110916.
The social media include facebook (www.facebook.com/inecnigeria); twitter (www.twitter.com/innecnigeria); email ([email protected]), and website (ww.inecnigeria.org).
The director expressed optimism that the centre would allow Nigeria to have access to more information concerning election process in the country.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/want-to-contact-inec-this-is-how.html

A female pilgrim from Lagos state has died in Medina, Saudi Arabia while performing the ongoing hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The female pilgrim, Basirat Olatunji hailed from Eti Osa area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
One of the pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia, who craved anonymity, said Olatunji slept and did not wake up from her sleep, throwing the Lagos State pilgrims in the holy land into mourning.
A top government source who also craved anonymity confirmed the demise of Olatunji in Medina, saying the government was aware of the incident.

The state government had said that pilgrims who are sick would not be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia but that has not been the case as Lagos pilgrims keep dying in the holy land due to sickness and old age, with some of them preferring to die in Saudi Arabia than in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, at least 3,082 pilgrims from Lagos State have successfully arrived in Medina which is their first port of call as they are set to perform this year’s hajj.
The pilgrims were full of joy and thanked God on arrival at the King Fahd International Airport in Jeddah.
According to the spokesman of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Durojaiye Luqmon, the pilgrims would stay at least one day in Medina before proceeding to Mecca.
While in Medina, the pilgrims will visit holy sites and the mosque of Prophet Mohammed where the tomb of the prophet is and those of his disciples.
Luqmon said that by Friday, 19 September, all the pilgrims would have arrived in Mecca.
He expressed hope that the movement of the pilgrims back to Nigeria would follow the same arrangement when they get to the shores of the country.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/lagos-pilgrim-dies-in-mecca.html

Boko Haram militants are in charge of at least 25 towns and villages in northeast Nigeria, the region’s Roman Catholic bishop has claimed, warning of a deteriorating security situation.
Bishop Oliver Dashe said 10 towns in Yobe state, the same number in Borno and five in Adawama had fallen to the rebels over the last month, as they seek to carve out a hardline Islamic state.
International assistance was now required to tackle the problem, he told the Nigerian Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the southern city of Warri, Delta state, on Wednesday.
“As a nation we are almost losing this battle because it is spinning out of control,” he added.
“The earlier we come together as Nigerians, forgetting our religious, ethnic, regional, cultural and ideological differences to face this menace the better for us.

Nigeria’s government has denied losing territory to Boko Haram and the military has dismissed as “empty” the militants’ claim last month that one captured town was part of an Islamic caliphate.
Independent verification that militants have overrun towns and villages is hard to come by because communications have been destroyed.
Most reports have come from the thousands of residents who have fled their homes to go to other towns and cities in the northeast and wider region.
Military top brass this month admitted that the militants’ territorial ambitions were a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
A series of counter-attacks have been launched in recent days, which they claim have successfully recaptured towns.
Dashe said Boko Haram-related violence had devastated the Diocese of Maiduguri, which he represents and covers all three northeast states.
The heavily armed militants were getting the better of the military, while the region was facing a humanitarian crisis because of the thousands displaced, he added.
He criticised the government for “almost inaction” and its “lukewarm attitude” in tackling insecurity, which had seen young men forcibly conscripted into the militants’ ranks and women forced to marry Islamist fighters.
“We used to think that salt is the cheapest commodity in the market, well, life is cheaper now, especially in the northeastern part of Nigeria,” he told delegates.
“The bottom line is that the government and our political leaders have failed us and we have lost total trust and confidence in our government and our leaders.”

source:http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/boko-haram-in-charge-of-25-towns.html

Kingsley Omonobi, Ben Agande, Abdulsalam Muhammad, Luka Binniyat, Ndahi Marama & Mayen Etim
ABUJA—No fewer than 200 members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, were reportedly killed, yesterday, in a  battle with soldiers of 7 Division, Nigerian Army when the sect members in their hundreds attempted to launch attack on Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Also, more than six vehicles including an armoured tank with Arabic inscription; Rocket-Propelled Launchers, anti-aircraft guns, assorted number of AK-47 rifles with ammunition were recovered from the terrorists by the troops.

Konduga is South-east and about 42 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the state capital which had witnessed series of deadly attacks in the past. Last Friday, more than 100 insurgents, who attempted to invade the town, were killed by the troops in a gun battle before seizing many of their vehicles, arms and ammunition.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Olajide Laleye said: “In an attempt to regain the momentum they lost in Konduga last week, Boko Haram terrorists again attacked Konduga on Tuesday night. However, the terrorists were denied their objective by vigilant and gallant Nigerian Army troops. During the fight, several terrorists were killed and those fleeing Konduga with gunshot wounds were being pursued.
“Also, three Hilux vehicles with mounted machine and anti-aircraft guns, one Mowag Armoured Personnel Carrier and assorted arms and ammunition have been recovered.
“Troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high. Further details about the engagement are being awaited. It must be noted that the renewed morale, fighting spirit and combat efficiency of troops have been boosted by new strategies devised by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the support of well meaning members of the public.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army implores the public to continue to support the military and other security agencies engaged in the on-going operation to rid Nigeria of blood-letting insurgents and ruthless religious extremists.”
It was learnt that the incident started at about 6pm on Tuesday, just some few minutes after traders had closed from their businesses at the Konduga Main Market.
The Konduga attack
A resident of Konduga, who is also a member of civilian JTF, Mallam Ali Usman Bulama told Vanguard that hundreds of dead bodies of the attackers still littered the streets and bushes around Konduga as at yesterday, while many of them fled into Sambisa Forest with bullet wounds.
Another civilian JTF  member in one of the sector commands in Maiduguri, Abubakar Babagana said: “When I was at my duty post/checkpoint, I saw our  soldiers bringing in many vehicles and other items seized from the terrorists in Konduga attack today (yesterday)”.
Also, dozens of suspected insurgents that laid ambush for motorists and passengers along Maiduguri-Potiskum- Kano road, yesterday, met their waterloo when the detachment of troops along that route engaged them. Many were killed, while several others fled with bullet wounds.
Meanwhile, Defence spokesman, Major-General Chris Olukolade in a text message to Vanguard on the update on Konduga raid said: “Konduga is still under attack again now at 6:24pm. Currently, troops are engaging another large number of heavily armed terrorists trying to enter the town. The troops are determined to frustrate the desperate efforts of terrorists against Konduga.”

source: http://odunlade.blogspot.com/2014/09/troops-kill-200-boko-haram-terrorists.html

An Improvised Explosive Device, IED, thrown into a lecture hall at the Federal College of Education,  Kano, yesterday, claimed the lives of 15 students while 34 others sustained injuries.
According to an eyewitness, lecture was going on when two terrorists walked in and threw two objects that exploded  within seconds. The blast was accompanied by sporadic gun shots as some of the gunmen, who were stationed outside the lecture hall,opened fire on some of the students who tried to escape from the scene.
The incident that occurred around 2.00pm at the school’s new site located at Gadon Kaya  triggered pandemonium as students,  lecturers and visitors to the school scampered for safety.
Also in the neighbourhood, residents locked up their houses, while shop owners in the vicinity hurriedly closed businesses as confusion reigned.
The prompt response of security agents at the nearest check point however saved the day as they engaged the gunmen and shot two of them to death.
Addressing newsmen at the scene of the incident,  the Kano Commissioner of Police, Adenrele Shinaba confirmed that “15 died, while 34 were injured”.
Shinaba disclosed that two among the dead were the attackers gunned down by his men in an exchange of fire, explaining that those injured have been taken to a government hospital in the city.
The police boss said: “We have recovered two AK-47 assault rifles from the assailants”,  pointing out that the command has launched a massive manhunt to track down other fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the people of Kano State and all Nigerians that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to increase the capacity of the nation’s security services to prevent attacks on innocent citizens by terrorists.
Jonathan condoles with victims’ families
In a statement on the attack on students, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati quoted the president as commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives while praying for the quick recovery of those who sustained injuries.
The statement read in part: “President Jonathan commiserates with citizens and residents of Kano State on the loss of lives during the attack by terrorists on the Federal College of Education, Kano.
“President Jonathan’s sympathies and best wishes for a speedy recovery are also with all those who suffered injuries in the dastardly attack.
“The President commends the officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force who took prompt action to confront the attackers and minimize resultant casualties.
“He urges them to be even more alert and proactive in the future to stop terrorist attacks in Kano and other parts of the country.
“President Jonathan reassures the people of Kano and all Nigerians that the Federal Government continues to do all within its powers to further enhance the ability of the Police, Armed Forces and other security agencies to prosecute the war against terrorism to a successful conclusion and provide greater security of lives and property across the country”.
Fulani gunmen kill 32 in Kaduna villages
Also, after what looks like a brief respite, suspected Fulani gunmen have again attacked three communities in Sanga Local Government Area, in the Southern  part of Kaduna State, killing 32 villagers, after killing  a soldier and injuring four other soldiers in an ambush.  This was disclosed by Mr Bezard Wuyah, National President, Ninzom Development Youths, NPY.
Spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command, DSP, Amuni Lawan, who confirmed the attack,  however said he was yet to get the full brief of the latest incident at press time.
Speaking to Vanguard on phone, Bezard said: “We  heard before now that Fulanis were planning to attack us again. They came last night around 1am, and attacked Fadan Karshi, Karshi Daji and Unguwan Ganye which were close to one another in Sanga LGA.
“They first ambushed a military patrol van that was crossing a bridge from Fadan Karshi to Karshi Daji. They fired at the soldiers and killed one, and four were injured. But  the soldiers repelled the attacks. The Fulani men then moved in three groups. One went to Fadan Karshi, where they killed 12 people, burnt down 20 houses and injured scores. They moved to Karshi Daji, killed 20 people and burnt down several houses. Those that attacked Unguwan Ganye are  still in the place, so we can not tell you the casualty figure now. But among those killed in Fadan Karshi was the wife of a very respectable retired clergyman, Rev. Jacob Aku. His wife was burnt to ashes in the attack.”
“We need serious protection and security from our government or we will be forced to protect ourselves”, he said.
It will be recalled that in June there was relentless  assault for a week in which  not less than 160 villagers in seven Ninzom villages, in Sanga Local Government Area, LGA, of Kaduna state were killed, and some of the villages razed.

source: http://odunlade.blogspot.com/2014/09/kano-school-attack-15-killed-34-injured.html#more

Athletes are snapping up thousands of free condoms being given out at the Asian Games, organizers said Thursday.
“We’ve been handing out condoms over the past three days but their daily ration of 5,000 runs out quickly every day,” Choi Hyeung-Dae, a games organising committee official told AFP.
“But this does not mean that athletes have already been engaged in bed-hopping. I think most of them just want to keep them as souvenirs”, he said.
The condoms are in yellow, opaque wrappers with the games emblem emblazoned on them and some athletes may believe they are badges or other mementos, he added.
The Incheon Asian Games, with about 10,000 athletes from 45 countries taking part, start on Friday. Choi said organisers expect to hand out about 100,000 condoms up until October 3, the day before the event closes.
Condoms are regularly handed out to athletes at major sporting events. About 8,500 condoms were given when Seoul hosted the 1988 Olympics.
The number rose to 50,000 at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 150,000 at the

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/condoms-hottest-item-at-asian-games.html

Edo state government has immortalised two-time governor of the defunct Mid-West and Bendel states, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, by unveiling a statue in his honour at the at the state-owned stadium in Benin City.
Unveiling the statue at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, on Wednesday, Edo governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said: “This statue captures the genuine feelings of Edo people, a small token of formal recognition to the unparalleled service of Ogbemudia our people.
“Allow me Sir to formally congratulate you on the occasion of your birthday. I am sure I speak the minds of people of my generation and even the younger ones who still recall with very fond memories your outstanding contributions to the development of this great state.”

While eulogising him on his performance as military governor of Bendel state, Oshiomhole said, “As a young man, a factory worker in Kaduna, we were all proud to call ourselves Bendelites when you, our father was the Governor of Bendel state.”
“Today I am here feeling very privileged that I have the honour to sit by you. I think you should feel quite proud, and your family and children should feel even more proud that at this age, you remain a shining example of what a father should be”.
Oshiomhole appreciated him for his selfless role in the development of the state and well as his fatherly advice and passion for the wellbeing of the people of the state.
“Even though we belong to different political parties, there is no time I spend five minutes without his Excellency devoting four and a half of those minutes in suggesting to me how and what he thinks I should do next. From what he thinks I should do for the ordinary people in the village which I will never have thought about to the next most critical road you think we should work on that will bring more relief to more people and even ideas on how we can overcome the financial challenges that confront government.
“So it is clear to me from my interactions that you are troubled, not about the wellbeing of your family, but you are troubled about sustaining prosperity, growth and development in Edo state. That is a true father. I have drawn so much from your experiences, your wisdom and your counselling.
“For me, this statue is important but I believe you deserve much more than this and by the special grace of God, before the end of my tenure, this government must think of something in addition to what we have done to make a statement that Edo people recognise a genuine person that we have in your person.”
Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia commended the Governor for his wonderful performance in Edo state and for setting a pace for all to follow.
Ogbemudia said “For many years to come, many aspirants who want to be governor of this state will also have to strive to have their names in the sands of time.”
He thanked the governor and government for erecting the statue saying “I express on behalf of ourselves and family our sincere gratitude to the executive governor of Edo State for generously contributing seriously to the presence of this sculpture to this site. I also want to state that this exercise would never have been possible if his Excellency did not give authority for it to be done and for that we are all grateful to him”.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/edo-state-immortalises-ogbemudia.html

Some Americans on Wednesday refused to hold hands with Nigerians over the fear of Ebola at an event held at the United States Consulate in Lagos.
The holding of hands was engineered by Nigeria’s top human rights activist, Dr. Joe-Okei Odumakin, who asked everyone in attendance to hold hands and pledge that Africa’s most populous country will one day overcome its electoral challenges.
However, while Nigerians were already holding their hands, ‎Americans in the Consulate declined to follow and told Odumakin that it was not a good idea.
“They are saying that because of Ebola, we should not hold hands,” Odumakin told the audience.
Everyone proceeded to sing “We shall overcome” without holding hands.
The incident underscores the global fear of Ebola.
President Obama on Tuesday said Ebola was an American national security threat and announced that he will be deploying 3000 Americans to Africa to help defeat the dreaded disease that has killed more than 2400 people on the continent.

The event at the Consulate brought together Nigerians, especially those in the civil society, with some ‎Americans to discuss electoral security as Nigeria gets set for the 2015 general elections next year.
Dr. Patrick W. Quirk, a Senior conflict and stabilisation adviser within the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operations (CSO) at the United States Department of State, pledged that America will work with Nigeria for a free, fair, credible and violence-free election.
Quirk, an electoral security expert with more than 10 years of experience who chaired the interactive session along with Odumakin, said the civil society has a big role to play in preventing violence before, during and after electoral processes.
He said Nigeria would need a coordinated election security plan that can be clearly communicated to Nigerians.
To be successful, he said, the coordination must involve the Federal, state and local government levels.
Odumakin warned Nigerians not to expect much from Americans, even though they are ready and willing to help. She Nigerians must take their destiny into their hands with a mentality shift and concrete actions.
She denied that most civil society organisations in Nigeria are corrupt, partial and there not credible enough to earn the respect of politicians and other Nigerians.
She said there are still bad eggs but funders can identify the good from the bad ones.

source: http://odunlade.blogspot.com/2014/09/americans-refuse-to-hold-hands-with.html

A housewife, Uzoima Patrick has been charged along with her husband, Ezechima over the rape, by the husband of their 16 year old house keeper.
The couple was arraigned today before the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Ezechima, 42 and Uzoima, 37, who reside at 14 Iyajesha Street, Amikonle in Alagbado, a Lagos suburb, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, child defilement and rape.
The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that the accused committed the offences between June 1 and June 4 at their residence.

He alleged that the husband conspired with his wife to rape the teenage housekeeper.
“Patrick conspired with his wife to defile the 16-year-old girl. Uzoima had overpowered the girl for the husband to rape her.’’
Uzoima threatened to stab the girl with a knife to force her to cooperate with her husband, the prosecutor said.
He said the offences contravened Sections 137, 258 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 258 stipulates life imprisonment for rape. The couple has denied the charge.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/woman-assists-hubby-defile-16-year-old.html

bloody clash between two rival cult groups at Ibaa Town in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, southsouth Nigeria, has left 10 people dead and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
This was disclosed by the police when the state new Commissioner of Police, CP Dan Bature, visited the troubled area to assess the situation and sympathise with the residents of the area.
The police added that the cult groups, named Icelanders and Greenlanders, also injured  many residents of the area during the free for all.

The dead victims, according to the police, have been deposited in a mortuary in the state while the injured residents have been admitted to a hospital for treatment.
The police chief stated that some of the dead victims include two vigilante members and the Ibaa town crier. It was also claimed that five of the gangsters were arrested during the crisis which forced residents to flee their homes to avoid being killed.
According to police reports, the gangsters unleashed terror on the town with guns and other lethal weapons before the police arrived the scene to dislodge them and restore order.
The police claimed that a longstanding chieftancy tussle in the area and the lingering political differences among stakeholders triggered the mayhem.
During his condolence visit to Ibaa town to console the families of the victims, CP Bature said: “I sympatise with all of you ( residents)  over the unfortunate incident. I am in your midst to inform you  that the police in the  Rivers State command under my control will continue to provide maximum security to ensure all  residents of this state will continue to sleep with  their two eyes closed every day.”
The police commissioner also appealed to them not to take the laws in their hands. He assured them that the police have launched a manhunt for the gangsters who committed the crime.

source: http://odunlade.blogspot.com/2014/09/cult-groups-in-bloody-battle-10-killed.html

The death toll arising from the collapsed 6-storey building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations has hit 70 as at 10:43a.m. on Wednesday, while more dead bodies are still under the debris.
Spokesperson, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed this on Wednesday morning, saying that the dead toll is now 70 as rescue operation is still on to remove more victims trapped in the rubble.
“We now have 70 dead and 131 rescued alive. More are likely to be recovered today. We need less distraction to enable us concentrate on the operation to possibly conclude today,” he said.

South Africa alone said it lost 67 citizens to the tragedy, according to its president, Jacob Zuma, even as reports say at least 300 South Africans were at the Synagogue last week when the guest house collapsed.
President Zuma had said on Tuesday that at least 67 South Africans had been killed when the building collapsed while extra floors were being added to the two existing floors.
A spokesman for South Africa’s foreign ministry said on Twitter on Wednesday that the figure of 67 needed to be treated with “caution”. Nigerian emergency services on Tuesday put the total death toll from the accident so far at 62. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.
Late on Tuesday Zuma told national broadcaster SABC that an unknown number of South Africans were “not yet accounted for” and that the nation needed to “grieve together.”
Zuma’s spokesman Mac Maharaj told national broadcaster SABC on Wednesday that the government believed that around 300 South Africans from four to five tour groups from the country were visiting the church last Friday but it was not clear how many were on the spot when the tragedy struck.
“It’s a very popular church with South Africans,” he said.
The church, lead by the charismatic “Prophet” T.B. Joshua, attracts a global following of Christians who believe he is able to perform miracles including curing the ill and raising the dead from the grave.

On Tuesday, 14 dead bodies were removed from the rubble, while seven others were removed last night and this morning.
At 2 a.m. also on Tuesday, a 45-year-old woman reportedly walked out of the rubble alive after being trapped for about four days.
The Synagogue tragedy is the worst case of collapsed building in the history of Lagos State, and with the death toll still mounting, there may be little chance of rescuing survivors among those still trapped.
General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu when asked whether the government would confiscate the property of Synagogue due to the collapse, he was very evasive, saying that it was too early to comment on that as saving lives was more important to the government now.
Stakeholders in the built industry have been calling for thorough probe of the Synagogue tragedy, as it was believed that no approval was sought before more floors were added to the collapsed building.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/more-corpses-recovered-at-synagogue.html

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and ‎Control, NAFDAC has made a pronouncement to arrest the Professor of Ophthalmology at the Lagos State Teaching hospital, LUTH, Prof Adebukola Adefule Oshitelu, who laid claims that ‘Genus Corchorus’ popularly known Ewedu is capable of curing the Ebola Virus Disease.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, made this known at a press briefing on the activities of the agency, which was held on Tuesday at the agency’s Oshodi branch in Lagos.
She made this claim at the 2014 African Traditional Medicine organised by NAFDAC at ikeja, Lagos, in regards for the urgent need of cooperation between Traditional Medicine Practitioners and Conventional Medicine Practitioners in order to enhance better and reliable healthcare delivery system.
According to Oshitelu, Ewedu cures Ebola by improving an infected person’s immune system, likewise providing prevention against the deadly virus for uninfected persons.
“The nutrients in Ewedu is so much that it could kill Ebola by preventing the virus from replicating and destroying more organs in the body. This could immediately stop the symptoms such as high fever, stooling and vomiting.. Ultimately,leading to cure” Oshitelu said.
According to the DG, this claim is even more dangerous because the pronouncement was made by a medical and pharmaceutical professor in a precarious time. “Yes, we are going to arrest the Prof Adebukola Adefule Oshitelu because she did not heed to our advise and also because she made this statement in an event organised by NAFDAC, that is the “2014 African Traditional medicine Day,” he said.
Orhii said that when a scientist discovers a remedy for a disease, the right thing to do is to publish the results in a medium other scientists respect, and not rush to the press.
“One of the consequences of this unsupported and possibly fraudulent claim is that people may be misled into false sense of invincibility on the account of eating Ewedu or Bitter Kola and drop their guard.”
He added that the claim was a national embarrassment and the Agency will not take such uncorroborated claims by supposedly learned people lightly.
He urged the media to continue to support the national efforts to contain the spread of Ebola Virus Disease by publishing information that is the product of evidence-based medical research and which has been verified by the Agency.

Source; http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/ebola-nafdac-to-arrest-luth-consultant.html

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and ‎Control, NAFDAC has apprehended two men in Lagos for sale of unevaluated Ebola Virus test kits and expired hand sanitizers.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, made this known at a press briefing on the activities of the agency, which was held on Tuesday at the agency’s Oshodi branch in Lagos.
According to him, unscrupulous members of the society have decided to cash in on the unfortunate Ebola incidence in the country by bringing in all sorts of products including expired hand sanitisers.

“We wonder how some people can be so callous to make money out of this situation. The most troubling is the case of Mr James Nnaji of 116, Oguta road, Onitsha, who imported expired brands of hand sanitisers through NAHCO Lagos,” Orhii said.
One of the suspects, Mr James Nnaji
One of the suspects, Mr James Nnaji
The products, according to the DG, were: Soft care natural, Soft care lemon, Soft care lavender, Soft care apple, all of which expired in ‎December 29, 2012, two years ago, “but yet found their way into the country.”
Orhii also said the agency recently detected the sale of unevaluated and untested ‘Rapid Response Ebola Virus test kits’ which were being aggressively marketed by one Mr John Ojewale of Multi Profucts Medical Supply Company Limited.
The suspect, the DG said, was trailed and apprehended by the agency and upon interrogation, he claimed that one Mr Lateef Bamisedun, supplied him the kits, which were ‎allegedly imported from Canada.
“Lateef Bamisedun was arrested and he confessed to have imported the kits from Canada. The danger associated with the use of substandard hand sanitisers and untested Ebola Test kits is indeed grave and could derail all efforts put in place to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country,” he stated.
The NAFDAC boss revealed that so far, 106 brands that were illegally imported into the country without NAFDAC certification have been seized. He noted agency officers at entry points which includes the seaports, airports and land borders have been ‎put on the alert to check the ugly trend.
Orhii also urged members of the public to report any suspected case of fake and unregistered products, as well as not to patronise such ‘test kits’.
He further affirmed that the deadly Ebola virus has been successfully managed and contained in the country through the efforts of the health minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu.
He stressed that the public regularly wash their hands with soap or use a hand sanitizer.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/ebola-nafdac-arrests-importers-of-fake.html

The Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said that a thousand Mbus, (a former commissioner of Police in the state) cannot tame him or the people of the state.
Amaechi described a former state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, as a puppet.
The governor, who was responding to Mbu’s description of himself as a lion that succeeded in taming the leopard of Port Harcourt (veiled reference to the governor), explained that Mbu lacked the steel and strength of character of a lion.
Mbu, who was recently promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police, had while handing over to the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Wilson Inalegwu, stated that he was able to tame the state governor when he was serving in the state.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, and issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the governor said Mbu trampled on masses and chose to be a partisan servant of one woman.
He said, “A thousand Mbus can neither tame Governor Amaechi nor the people of Rivers State to surrender their constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights to anyone, no matter how highly placed.
“Indeed, it is very sad, pathetic; however, ironic that Mbu called himself a lion. Which lion? This character called Mbu Joseph Mbu completely lacks the courage, steel and strength of character of a lion. Rather he is a shameless, corrupt puppet of a woman.
“This is a man paid by tax payers to protect, secure and serve the interests of the people. But when he was in Rivers State, he spurned the people; he trampled on the masses and rather elected to be the partisan servant of one woman, to be the woman’s tool in causing disaffection, confusion and crises in Rivers State.
“Mbu shamelessly and corruptly turned himself into the toothless attack dog of this woman to fight the government and people of Rivers State. How can a man who has no strength of character to be himself, be a man and stand up to a woman, a man who willingly submits himself to serve as the puppet of a woman calls himself a lion? How ironic! Mr. Mbu, no lion behaves like that.”
Amaechi maintained that Mbu epitomized everything that was wrong with the police in Nigeria, recalling that the former police commissioner did not only disobey the Inspector General of Police during his time in Rivers State, but also acted lawlessly.
“All these, Mbu did because he was the puppet of one woman, a woman who clearly has no constitutional role to play in the governance of Rivers State or Nigeria. Mbu’s only claim to fame and prominence is because he has turned himself into a willing tool and servant of this woman. Mbu is a very bad example of a police officer,” he added.
Amaechi also recalled that Mbu disobeyed the IGP’s instruction to leave his official residence in Rivers State when he (Mbu) left the state.
source; http://odunlade.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-thousand-mbus-cant-tame-me-says.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested wo suspected fraudsters who allegedly defrauded a foreign investor of $7.9 million.
Wilson Uwujaren, spokesman for the EFCC said the fraudsters, Mr. Victor Uadiale and Captain Nnaji Everest were arrested separately in connection to the scam.
According to him, Uadiale, the principal suspect, is the arrow head of an international syndicate vast in defrauding international businessmen seeking investment opportunities in Nigeria.
Uadiale allegedly invited the investor, a businessman from the Middle East, to invest in the flourishing oil sector in Nigeria.
Using a pseudo name: Victor Emeka, he made the investor to visit Nigeria and received him at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and thereafter flew him in a helicopter to a destination where he reportedly met a certain Mr. Grant, a member of the syndicate, who assured him of the credibility of the business arrangement.

Convinced that Uadiale was real and the business promising, the investor started paying money in foreign currency into Uadiale’s offshore accounts where they are laundered into various bank accounts around the globe.
A sum of $1.292,000 (One million, two hundred and ninety-two thousand dollars) was traced to a Barclay’s Bank (United Kingdom) account of Captain Nnaji Everest, a member of Uadiale’s syndicate.
The sum of N1,599,602.58 (One million, five hundred and ninety-nine thousand, six hundred and two naira, fifty-eight kobo); N1,241,039,00 (One million, two hundred and forty one thousand, thirty-nine naira); 894.79 Pound Sterling and $275.30 (Two hundred and seventy five dollars, thirty cents) were traced to Uadiale’s accounts with one of the new generation banks in Nigeria and another 391.93 Pound Sterling to another local bank ,
In the course of investigation, Uadiale denied meeting or transacting any business with the foreign investor.
EFCC said the accused was however nailed by a business associate of the investor who identified him as the fraudster that duped the investor and led operatives of the EFCC to the private residence of Uadiale in Festac Town, Lagos.
Both Uadiale and Everest will soon be charged to court.

source: http://www.ralphcrown.com/2014/09/efcc-arrests-two-suspects-over-79m-scam.html