Thursday, July 31, 2014

Parents of abducted Chibok school girls reveal how much President Jonathan gave them

Contrary to claims by the Presidency that no money was given to parents of abducted Chibok girls, President Goodluck Jonathan actually offered money to the parents of abducted Chibok girls as well as those whose daughters escaped from the grips of their Boko Haram captors.

Dauda Ilya, a spokesman for the Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), which organized the parents' trip to Abuja, stated yesterday at a media briefing in Abuja that the Nigerian president had given N22.4 million to the distraught parents.

Mr. Ilya's statement contradicted a claim by Reuben Abati, the special adviser to the President on media, that Mr. Jonathan did not give money to the grieving parents when they visited.

"On the night of the 22nd July, 2014 at about midnight, the senior special assistant to the President on special duties, who had been coordinating the visit on the side of the Presidency, visited the hotel and told the 51 escaped girls who came that the Presidency sent them a token of N100,000 each and accordingly gave them the said sum without prior discussion with any KADA official or any other person in the community," Mr. Ilya said.

According to him, Mr. Jonathan's aide also "gave the sum of N200,000 each to 61 parents out of the 122 parents that came on the visit. 51 parents were given N100, 000 each on the basis that the money given to him was not enough to go round at N200,000. The remaining 10 parents were not given any amount of money."

He added that a member of the House of Representatives representing the Chibok constituency also gave the parents the sum of one million naira.

"As for the money given to some parents back home in Chibok, it was the sum of N1,000,000 given to them by the Hon. Member of the House of Reps representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency which is the source of the alleged N7,000 given to parents in Chibok that were not part of the visit."

10-year-old girl arrested wearing explosive device in Katsina

The Police on Tuesday, July 29 successfully unstrapped an explosive device belt from a 10-year-old girl who was in company of two other people, a man and an 18 year old girl, while traveling along a road in Katsina state.

The DG of the National Information Center, Mr Mike Omeri said this while briefing news men at the National Information Center;

"Security forces on Tuesday, July 29, at about 10pm along Zaria Road, Tudun Wada of Funtua Metropolis, arrested three suspects believed to be
members of the Boko Haram sect. The three suspects consisted a male named Iliya Haliru, and two females – Zainab Musa, 18, and Hadiza Musa, 10. The three suspects were arrested in a Honda CRV. When they were directed to disembark for security check, 10-year-old Hadiza was discovered to have been strapped with an explosive belt. And immediately, Iliya and Zainab made attempt to escape with the car but were later blocked by other concerned Nigerians and subsequently arrested. The police successfully unstrapped the explosive."

He appealed to parents to monitor their wards so they do not get initiated into such evil acts.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Female suicide bomber attacks Kano Poly

Another female suicide bomber blew herself up at the administration building of Kano State Polytechnic this afternoon July 30th around 2.45pm as students were checking their results in the school.

Kano State Police Command confirmed the blast, saying a female teenager blew herself up targeting prospective corps members who went to school to check their NYSC posting. They said at least two students died in the blast while 7 others were seriously injured and have been taken to the hospital.

More details + photos from the accident that killed El Rufai's son

El Rufai's son Hamza El Rufai was driving a black Lexus car when he ran into a stationery blue colored Volkswagen Saloon car around the Ningi Barrack along A.Y.A - Kubwa yesterday.

The ghastly accident occurred around 5:30am.

Two persons were involved in the crash but only Hamza died.

Kris Jenner blasts daughter Kim Kardashian for taking 1,200 selfies during Thailand trip

Kris Jenner blasted her reality star daughter Kim Kardashian calling her 'obsessed' for taking 1,200 selfies during the family's recent trip to Thailand.

In a deleted scene from Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kris is seen confronting her daughter about her narcissism. Read excerpt below...

Kris is seen sorting through a jewellery box in a room adjacent to the swimming pool at their luxury resort.

Kim then waltzes in wearing a skimpy black bikini and black cover-up.

'Oooh, I have not done a selfie in this glam room,' she exclaims, without even greeting her mother.

'How many selfies are you going to do in one day?' asks Kris. 'You're like obsessed.'

'I need 1,200,' Kim says matter-of-factly, before leaning against a wall with her phone pointed towards her. 'This is a great background.'

'Do you want me to take a picture of you?' asks Kris.

But Kim ignores her and says: 'I feel like I need a different outfit though for this one,' as she takes off her black kaftan to reveal her bikini body.

'This is remarkable,' says Kris. 'How many times a day are you going to change?'

Kim continues to ignore her and pouts for the camera, while her mother looks on in amazement.

The mother-of-one was taking the selfies for a photo album she is compiling from the trip.

'We have like six cameras,' she told husband Kanye West on the phone earlier in the scene. 'It's ridiculous. We look like crazy tourists.'

LET'S TALK: Can the FG rescue the kidnapped Chibok school girls?

It's being over 100 days since Boko Haram kidnapped school girls from Chibok and all we hear from the Federal Government is they know where the girls are but they can't rescue them now because if the military use force members of the Boko Haram sect will kill the girls.

I have being thinking lately, The FG doesn't want to use force so they can rescue the girls alive. The FG also say they wont accept Boko Haram's offer - swapping the girls with imprisoned  Boko Haram members.

Now, my BIG question is: Can and will the FG ever rescue this girls. I don't see any other way out.

Share you thoughts... Do you think FG can/will rescue the kidnapped Chibok girls?

Photo: Pregnant Mercy Johnson and daughter step out in white

Pregnant Mercy Johnson and daughter

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson who is expecting her second child with Prince Odianosen Okojie, dressed her growing bump in a chic white blouse, and white pants as she stepped out with her daughter Purity.

They both look great!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

MFM pastor battling eye cataract cries out, G.O. Olukoya gave him anointing oil and prayer points instead of money

Pastor Lawrence Okechukwu Amuruche

A 61-year-old father of two Pastor Lawrence Okechukwu Amuruche is crying out for help after the anointing oil, water and prayer points given to him by the General Overseer of his church, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministeries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya has failed to stop the cataract growing in his eyes.

Amuruche heads the Satelite town branch of the church and reveals he has been battling with eye cataract which has grown on one eye and may affect the second if he doesn't get medical help as soon as possible.

In an interview with The Sun, he revealed the eye problem started when his eyes were constantly itching him, and he later had blurry sight. His wife told him there was a growth forming in his eyes, so he went to see an ophthalmologist.

The optician told him he had developed an eye cataract and he urgently needed surgery.

"At the hospital, they said I should provide N450,000 per eye. That is N900,000 for the two eyes but I cannot afford it. I did an eye test for which I paid N130,000 pending the time I will get money for the surgery. But I have not been able to raise money and my situation is getting worse by the day."

When asked if his church has done anything to assist him, he said; "I have gone to my General Overseer for money to do the surgery. To get him was a problem. It was just last week that I was able to get him.

But instead of giving me money to do the surgery, he gave anointing oil, prayer points and water to be washing my face. I told him that I have prayed. I have been doing fasting and have been doing vigils concerning the eyes. But it has been deteriorating. If my coming out to seek for help will lead to my sack, let him sack me and I will go instead of losing my eyes in the name of ministry. And I will not be able to minister, I will not pastor and I will be in the house and they will not pay me."

Nasir El Rufai's son dies in car accident

Hamza El Rufai, one of the sons of the former Minister of FCT & Chieftain of the APC, Nasir El Rufai died this morning July 29th in a car accident. May his soul rest in peace.

Graphic photo: See the remains of Kano female suicide bomber

A 19-year-old female suicide bomber blew up herself yesterday and injured 6 others includung two policemen at the entrance gate of Kano Trade Fair complex. See her mangled remains below... Warning: Graphic photo below!!!


Monday, July 28, 2014

Again bomb blast rocks Kano

A 19 years old female suicide bomber blew up herself and injured 6 others that includes two policemen at the entrance gate of Kano Trade Fair complex, police says.

The police Image Maker in Kano, ASP Magaji Musa Majia told Reporters that the incident occurred at the entrance gate around 2.00pm when security operatives stopped her for
screening.

The entrance gate of the multipurpose trade fair complex is behind the heavily fortified conglomerate of shopping malls that includes Shoprite.

ASP Majia disclosed the injured officers have been treated and discharged, while the remaining 4 are still in the hospital.

He disclosed that the mangled body of the female suicide bomber have been recovered and deposited at an undisclosed Government Hospital.

ASP Magaji Musa Majia revealed that investigations has commenced to unravel the mystery sorrounding the spate of attack in the commercial
city.

* The above image was not taken at the scene *

Photo: President Jonathan poses with sister in Asorock

Finally we meet President Jonathan's elder sister.

President Jonathan took a quick pose with his elder sister who was also in Aso Rock yesterday as he hosted members of the FCT Muslim community, who paid him an Eid el Fitri visit.

FG should apologize to Boko Haram for killing their leader - Pastor Tunde Bakare

Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare says one of the ways to end the spate of attacks by terror group, Boko Haram in Nigeria, is for the Federal Govt of Nigeria to apologize to the sect members for killing their leader, Mohammed Yusuf in 2009.

According to Vanguard, he gave the advise during the state of the nation address at a church service in Lagos.

"The summary execution of the Boko Haram's former leader, Mohammed Yusuf in 2009 provided the soil of
martyrdom for the nurture and growth of the sect. Government must declare peace first of all; apologizing for the murder of Mohammed Yusuf to the sect members not their sympathizers or bandits." he said

On the attack on Buhari last Wednesday in Kano, Pastor Bakare said "But for the timely intervention of God, last week's assassination attempt on General Buhari might have marked the beginning of the end for Nigeria if it had succeeded. We will not also ignore the fact that at the root of the escalation of the Boko Haram crisis was oppression and injustice".

# I disagree 100%!!! FG should apologize for what? Mtcheww Since Boko Haram have being killing people have they come out to say they are sorry. Since i saw this news i've being trying to imagine what this man was thinking to have something like this and i can't come up with anything. Infact i've never thought that someone will say this. I'm disappointed in him.

What do you think? Share your thoughts by using the comment section.

Photos: Dr Sid weds Simi Osomo

Sidney Esiri, popularly known as Dr Sid tied the knot with Simi Osomo yesterday, Sunday July 27th. Their traditional wedding was held at Ark Event center in Lekki. See more photos below...

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Boko Haram kidnaps wife of Cameroon's Vice Prime Minister

Boko Haram

The wife of Cameroon's Vice Prime Minister, Amadou Ali, was kidnapped this morning July 27th by men of the Boko Haram sect who stormed her home in the northern town of Kolofata, officials have said.

A local religious leader and mayor, Seini Boukar Lamine, was also kidnapped in a separate attack on his home.

"I can confirm that the home of Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali in Kolofata came under a savage attack from Boko Haram militants," Cameroon's information minister Issa Tchiroma told Reuters news agency on Sunday.

"They unfortunately took away his wife. They also attacked the lamido's (religious leader's) residence and he was also kidnapped," he said, adding that at least three people were killed in the attack.

Boko Haram fighters clashed with the Cameroonian army in cross-border attacks twice since Friday, killing four soldiers.

Cameroon has deployed more than 1,000 soldiers along its border to help combat the Nigerian armed group.

Photo: Davido, Iyanya bag 2 awards at AFRIMMA, See full list of winners

Davido

African Muzik Magazine Awards, AFRIMMA was held last night in Dallas and had big African Stars like Flavour, Kcee, Iyanya, Diamond Platnumz and international star T-pain dazzle on the stage with electrifying performances.

Davido won 2 awards - Best Male Artist and Artiste of the Year. Flavour also won 2 awards - Best Video of the Year and Best Traditional Artist. See full list of winners below...

AFRIMMA 2014 WINNERS

Best DJ Africa 2014 - Dj Black (Ghana)

Best African DJ USA 2014 - Dj Josh (Kenya)

Best Video of the Year 2014 - Flavour (Nigeria)

Best Male East Africa 2014
- Diamond (Tanzania)

Best Male West Africa 2014 - Davido (Nigeria)

Best Female East Africa 2014 - Lady Jaydee (Tanzania)

Best Female West Africa 2014 - Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Best Male Central Africa 2014 - Fally Pupa (Congo)

Best Female Central Africa 2014 - Gasha ( Cameroon)

Best Male Southern Africa 2014 - Khuli Chana (South Africa)

Best African Group 2014 - P-square (Nigeria)

Best Male Diaspora 2014 - Fuse ODG (Ghana)

Best Female Diaspora 2014 - Les Nubians (Cameroon)

Best Female Southern Africa 2014 - Zahara (South Africa)

Best Dancehall Artist 2014 - Timaya (Nigeria)

Best Dance in a Video 2014 - Iyanya (Lekwa Ukwu) (Nigeria)

Best Gospel Artiste 2014 - Bahati (Kenya)

Best Traditional Artist 2014 - Flavour (Nigeria)

Best Newcomer 2014 - Stanley Enow (Cameroon)

Best Video Director 2014 - Ogopa Dj's (Kenya)

Music Producer of the year 2014 - Dj Oskido (South Africa)

Best Dance Group 2014 - Imagneto (Nigeria)

Best Rap Act 2014 - Sarkodie (Ghana)

Best Collaboration 2014 - Mafikizolo ft Uhuru (Khona) (South Africa)

Song of the Year 2014 - Kcee (Nigeria)

Artist of the Year 2014 - Davido (Nigeria)

Leadership in Music Award 2014 - 2face Idibia

Legendary Award 2014 - Yvonne
Chaka Chaka

Transformational Leadership Award 2014 - Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio

SAFA dumps coach Keshi, appoints ‘Shakes’ Mashaba

South Africa Football Association, yesterday named local coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba as new manager of the Bafana Bafana, thus ending all speculations concerning coach Stephen Keshi.

In the middle of the 2014 World Cup campaign, Keshi had sounded a warning that he could be heading for South Africa if the Nigeria Football Federation failed to offer him an improved contract.

Mashaba who is making a second coming to the job is presently in charge of the under-20 team. He said that he was honoured and humbled to have been appointed head coach of Bafana Bafana for a second time in his career.

"My first work would be to thank Mr Jordaan as well as the entire national executive. Words fail me. I'm sure I won't disappoint," Mashaba said.

"I will pull out all the stops to make sure that our people become part and parcel of our national team. The only way to do that is by bringing results."

Mashaba did not attend the announcement because he was with the South African men's under-20 team on a tour of West Africa, but he was contacted by Safa chief executive Dennis Mumble seconds after the announcement. Mashaba spoke to the media from Mali by way of Mumble's loud-speaker on his mobile phone.

Mashaba, 63, replaces outgoing boss Gordon Igesund, whose contract, which runs until the end of August, has not been renewed.

Jordaan explained that the national executive committee (NEC), who was tasked with making the final decision regarding the national coach, made a unanimous decision to appoint the highly-rated local coach.

2face changes name to 'Tu-baba'

2face Idibia

Pop singer, Innocent Idibia has dropped his stage name, 2face, saying that after ascending with the release of his sixth album, The Ascension, he has decided to change his name to Tu-baba.

The singer officially made this known, while performing songs from his new album at 'The industry Nite', on Thursday, at Spice Route Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said he would no longer be known as 2face Idibia on his next album, but simply as Tubaba.

"2face has been in the industry for 17 years, and still is growing stronger. I am holding a send forth party for 2face, and after tonight's event, I will now be known as Tubaba," the African Queen crooner said.

The industry Nite, sponsored by MTV had a lot of celebrities who thronged the event venue to support one of their own. Among them were, Olisa Adibua, Dr Sid, Timaya, Dammy Krane, Ill Bliss, Chidinma, Bizzle, Mode Nine, Bassey, Orezi, Oriste Femi, Solid Star and others.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Ramadan Fast: Husband brutally beats wife over piece of fish

34-year-old Mrs. Fatima Bankole was on 16th of July battered by her husband, Alhaji Kamoru Bankole, for daring to take a piece of fish from the pot to break her fast. The victim is the first of his three wives, at their residence in Alasia, Ijanikin in Lagos State.

The attack happened when the third wife reported to their husband that their senior wife took a piece of fish from the soup to break her fast. The husband, according to witnesses, did not listen to her excuse before attacking her.

According to the victim, their husband had always physically abused her, but the incident of July 16th was more brutal.

She narrated that they had made a roster between two wives, due to the absence of the third wife who was away at the period, to cook for 15 days each. The victim said she had completed her period, and it was turn of the last wife. She said they would normally serve the husband first, followed by the children before the wives would serve themselves.

On the day she was attacked, Mrs. Fatima said the last wife had finished her cooking and served their husband and the children. She then went for her own meal. But soon after, the last wife complained to her husband that Fatima took a larger chunk of the fish in the pot.

Their husband, Alhaji Kamoru Bankole, queried her, but she said that she only took a little out of it, stating that the fish was in pieces and mixed in the stew.

Her explanations, however, got her in trouble with their husband. Alhaji Kamoru, she details, delivered several punches to her face. She said she bled for hours and was further locked up in a room for three days before she escaped.

She said neighbors then took her to the hospital for treatment. That was the cruelest from her history of experience of assault by their husband, Mrs. Fatima said. From experiences she recounted, she recalled how her hair was pulled out of her head, which resulted in grievous head injuries.

Saharareporters learned that police have now arrested the husband, following outcry and petitions by the Women Arise civil group in Lagos. He will be arraigned in court next week.

Boko Haram: FG procures 40 attack helicopters with night vision

President Jonathan's administration is truly determined to eliminate terrorism in the North East and smoke out Boko Haram terrorist from the hideouts as the federal government has ordered the procurement of 40 modern attack helicopters with capabilities for night operations and sound proof technology.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the attack helicopters which are being procured from the United states and Russia, would not only shore up the inventory of the Nigerian Airforce as a result of depletion following crashes and grounding of some of the existing helicopters due to maintenance challenges, but would also enhance the distance and reach capability of the NAF in the fight against insurgency.

It was further gathered that some of the aircraft will arrive in the country as early as next month while the remaining will be received certainly before the end of the year to boost the Nigerian Airforce.

The military and other security forces had expressed frustration that their inability to storm the notorious Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram militants are keeping the abducted Chibok secondary school girls and also serving as operational headquarters of the group was because noisy attack helicopters would enable the terrorists use their surface to air weaponry in the possession.

Government's action in procuring the equipment according to sources is that security operatives are not only aware of the locations of the girls but are also closely monitoring the way the girls are being moved around but are afraid of the backlash should any harm befall the girls in the course of a forced rescue.

Son tells mother not to visit him anymore because she is too ugly (photo)

Ding Liang

A 63-year-old Chinese woman, Ding Liang got a rude shock recently when she was told by her son not to come visiting because she was too ugly and would embarrass him, according to local media, SMACK. Liang had traveled five hours from her village to meet her son and his newborn child in the Hangzhou province of China.

Years ago, her son moved to the city to pursue a college education – he did well at school, landed a job at a reputable car dealer shop and got married. When she attended the wedding dressed like a peasant, her son was very furious, refusing to recognise her as his mother.

Soon after, the son began to ignore Ding and the rest of the family back in the village. He would never call and hardly spoke to her even when she called.

"I don't mind, I know he has his own life now, so I understand that he doesn't call and only speaks to me when I ring him," Ding said.

"But when he rang me the other day to say that he had had a baby, I wanted to visit him and bring my.grandchild some gifts. He said I shouldn't come, that I would embarrass him because I'm too ugly."

On the day of her journey, Ding woke up at 4:00am and dressed in the clothes that she had purchased specially for the occasion. Unfortunately, she didn't have her son's address, and when she called him, he didn't answer the phone.

"Before 10am, I was wandering here and there searching. Two people asked me what I was looking for. I told them I was looking for my son who is a car salesman. Several others also tried calling him but he didn't answer.

One of them texted him pretending to be a potential customer, but he only got a reply stating that 'Chief Xu was on a business trip to Xiamen'."

Disappointed, Ding finally decided to return to her village with all the gifts and packages she had brought for her grandchild.

Man narrates how he was sentenced to death for failing to bribe policeman with N200

Calistus Ike

Calistus Ike, prior to 1989, had dreamt of becoming a very successful business man. Little did he know that he was going to spend 7 years as an awaiting trial inmate and another 16 years on the death row.

As the first son and bread winner of his family at that time, Ike, had all his dreams quashed after he was sentenced to death following his refusal to pay N200 bribe to the policeman that investigated an allegation against him.

Luck however shone on him when through the intervention of a France-based human right group, Avocats Sans Frontieres, ASFF, also known as 'Lawyers Without Borders France', the Edo state government, pardoned him and approved his release from prison in 2012.

Reliving the harrowing times he had in jail and circumstances that led to his conviction with Saturday Vanguard, this disconsolate erstwhile death row inmate, insisted that he
was innocent of the allegation that left him at the mercy of the hang-man, even as he called for a total overhaul of the criminal justice system in Nigeria.

Describing himself as a "lucky-survivor", Ike, who is now in his early fifties, stressed that so many innocent Nigerians are currently languishing in various prison facilities across the federation.

Narrating the story of his life, Ike said: "It happened to me in the year 1989. I was resident in Benin, the Edo state capital. There was a man that lived in the same compound with me. His wife had stomach problem and he asked me to lead him to somewhere to collect a root (herbal medicine) for his wife.

"We went there about 5pm. After escorting him to the place where he collected the medicine, I returned to my house.

"The next day, I went to do my business. I did not know that the same man had engaged police to look for me and the other man that gave him the root, a man I didn't even know. When I heard that police came to look for me, I inquired about the station they came from and went there myself.

"I reported myself and asked why they came to look for me. They told me that there was an allegation that I conspired with the man we collected medicine from his house and broke into my neighbour's house - who was the same man I accompanied to get the roots for his wife - and stole his properties.

"I never knew that they had equally arrested the man that gave us the root. Thereafter, the policeman handling the case insisted that I must write a confessional statement otherwise he would deal with me. I refused to write anything. I told him that I would only narrate the exact thing that happened.

"It was at that juncture that he started beating me with 'Koboko'. He flogged me mercilessly that day. I was tortured until the D.P.O in charge of the station asked him to stop and just take my statement.

"After I gave them my statement, the same policeman that flogged me, came back and said that he could not find any evidence to pin the alleged crime on me. He said that he had concluded all the investigations and found nothing against me.

"However, he said I should give him N200 so that he would drop the case and allow me to go home. Remember, we are talking about 1989. As at that time, that amount was big money to me. So, I told him I had no such money to give out. I stood my ground that I was innocent of the charge and even asked them to take me to court if indeed they thought that I had a case to answer.

"Within two days, the policeman took the matter to court. We went to court, at the Magistrate court, the policeman freed the other man I was accused with and pinned the whole charge on me.

"From the Magistrate court, he took me to the Military Tribunal where the case changed overnight. From the original allegation of 'burglary and theft', I was charged with armed robbery.

"Whereas the Policeman and that my compound man whose properties were allegedly stolen, as well as his wife, testified before Tribunal, I had no one to testify for me. I was left with only God and no one else.

"After a long run of the trial, I was convicted and sentenced to death for a crime I never committed or even imagined. I never for once had such dream for my life, but I was condemned to death.

"Nonetheless, my faith in God never wavered, I kept asking him to vindicate me. I was in death sentence cell in Edo state for over 14 years. After then, I was transferred to Enugu prison.

"One day, I was there, inside the prison with other inmates when information got to me that there were some people from France that were helping inmates in Benin prison. I quickly called my brother and asked him to take my plight tothose people, maybe they could help me to regain my freedom.

"By the special grace of God, within three months, I was let loose from the grip of the wicked of this world and I thank God for it. What I however want Nigerians to know is that there is great level of injustice in our judiciary and because of that, many innocent people have died for crimes they never committed.

"Some of our lawyers are not helping matters. All they are interested in is money. Some cases they know they don't have the capacity to handle they will just force themselves into them and their clients will be condemned and killed.

"Before my very eyes, I witnessed executions that took the lives of over 48 young and energetic men and women. It is a painful thing to experience.

"I was released in 2012. After I was arrested in 1989, I stayed as awaiting trial inmate for seven years, and stayed on death row for 16 years.

"My case did not go up to the Supreme Court. It was tried by the military tribunal so I didn't even have the opportunity to go on appeal.

"My experience in the prison was very traumatic. That place is hell on earth! Some of the prison warders are very wicked- even though there are some good ones too. The bad ones are tormentors. They torment inmates at will.

"The food inside there is nothing to write home about. Roofs of some of the cells leak badly when it rains. Getting good medication is rather a luxury too big to imagine, except in critical cases or upon an order of the court. In the prison, every inmate is left to his own fate. Inmates are suffering badly even the awaiting trial inmates too.

"It hurts me when I see them on TV claiming that they are reforming the prisons. I am telling you today that they are doing nothing. Anyone that is so convinced that our prisons are better now should volunteer and spend a weekend inside any of our prisons. The hardship inside there is better imagined than experienced. I saw hell!

"If the government gets up now and say they are reforming prisons, they are doing nothing! I am saying this because I experienced it for 16 years on the death row".

There is no doubt that it is the case of men like Ike that has continued to sustain the debate for the abolition of the death penalty in Nigeria, in view of the seeming legal loopholes that have made the call justifiable.

In a recent conference it held in
conjunction with the European Union, EU, in Abuja over the swelling number of inmates facing the capital punishment in Nigeria, the ASFF, said it had since 2011, launched a project with the aim of restricting the pronouncement of capital
punishment in the Nigerian justice system.

The 'Saving Lives' project which is being run in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and Access to Justice, has offered pro-bono legal services to over 140 detainees facing capital punishment.

The project is currently running in seven target states: Abuja, Benue, Edo, Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau and Lagos.

The legal manager of the project, Mr. Kola Ogunbiyi, said the group was able to engage prerogatives of mercy committee members in the target states.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Lil Wayne to launch sports management biz with Christiano Ronaldo as first client

Cristiano Ronaldo is about to become a Young Money Cash Money Billionaira.

Lil Wayne is reportedly starting his own sports management agency and has signed up Cristiano as his first client.

According to TMZ , Weezy, who is a huge sports fanatic, has been wanting to get into sports management and has had his sights set on the Team Portugal player not just because he is a huge sports star, but because they are friends.

Wayne has partnered with Polaris Sports, which is affiliated with CAA and GestiFute, the company where
Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes works.

Wayne's company will handle Ronaldo's sports management affairs in the U.S. including marketing, endorsement deals, and even modeling.

Earlier today, Ronaldo tweeted a photo of himself with the Prime Minister of Japan holding up the Young Money sign.

"My homie Christiano Ronaldo got the President of Japan throwing up Young money! He too real 4dat! Young Muulah baby!" tweeted Wayne.

He won't be the first rap mogul to venture into the world of sports. In 2013, Jay Z teamed up with CAA to launch Roc Nation Sports, which is home to Kevin Durant, CC Sabathia, Skylar Diggins, and Victor Cruz.

Photos: Troops arrest suspected Kaduna bomber disguised as a woman

The Nigerian military in a statement released on its website says it has taken into custody a man dressed as a woman who is suspected to be connected with the Wednesday bomb blast targeted at former Head of state, General Buhari. Read the statement below...

Troops are holding a man suspected to be connected with the explosion targeted at General Buhari on Wednesday. The young man who was apprehended by military patrol team that swooped on the area immediately after the explosion, had disguised as a woman clad in female garb to exude femininity with a brazier affixed to his chest.

The suspect was arrested while trying to fizzle into a crowd of onlookers when the patrol team arrived the scene. Youths in the area attempted to mob him while he was being arrested but were restrained by troops who quickly whisked him away in an armoured personnel carrier.

He is currently being interrogated by security agencies in a bid to ascertain his links.

Lupita Nyong'o named the 33rd Hottest Woman of 2014 by Men’s Health Magazine

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong'o is the most beautiful woman in the world, according to People, and also one of the hottest women for the year 2014.

Men's Health Magazine has unveiled its list of the Hottest Women of 2014 and taking the number 1 spot is none other than Shakira.

According to the publication, the Colombian singer and mum of 1 ranks high for her hips which don't lie.

Kenyan actress Lupita who won an Academy award for her role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave takes the 33rd spot.

"This 12 Years a Slave breakout star is on the fast track to becoming an enduring icon: She's undeniably elegant, amazingly talented, and someone we're all eager to see more of." says the magazine.

Making it to the top ten are Kerry Washington (2), Kate Upton (3), Sofia Vergara (4), Jana Kramer (5), Emily Ratajkowski (6), Emilia Clarke (7), Erin Andrews (8), Mila Kunis (9) and Beyoncé (10).

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Photo: Check out Nicki Minaj's racy cover art for "Anaconda"

Nicki Minaj proves she is bootylicious, rocking a pink halter neck crop top and a pink thong which put her butt on full display the rap star presents the cover art of her new single - Anaconda dropping on the 28th of July. See full photo below...

IG of Police MD Abubakar and wife welcome baby boy

IG of Police MD Abubakar and wife

Inspector General of Police MD Abubarkar and his wife Zarah welcomed their first child together - a baby boy yesterday, July 23 in Atlanta, USA.

The IG who was recently pictured controlling traffic in Abuja, according to sources will leave Nigeria tonight to re-unite with his wife and child.

The couple got married in September 13, 2013. Congratulations to them.

Updated: Bomb blast rocks Kano motor park

An unidentified woman was killed and eight others were injured when a high calibre improvised explosive device concealed in a Refrigerator went off at New Road motor park, Sabon Gari area of Kano metropolis.

The incident which occurred around 3:00pm led to pandemonium in a commercial city.

New Road motor park was the scene of a deadly blast last year where no fewer than 70 lives were lost.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that a truck pusher wheeled the refrigerator into the park beating security checks by both security agents and the park management.

Buhari narrowly escape death in Kaduna bomb blast

Two explosions ripped through parts of Kaduna State yesterday, killing at least 70 people.

The first explosion targeted a popular Islamic cleric, Dahiru Bauchi, while the second targeted a former Head of State, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Both men escaped unhurt in the blasts that forced the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew on the city.

Scores of people were injured and over 50 cars damaged in the incidents. The state police command put the death toll at 40 while the Federal Government, through the National Information Centre, said 14 people were injured.

Two of Buhari's bodyguards and an aide were among the wounded. His Toyota Prado jeep was also hit by a suspected bomber near the 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army in the Kawo area of Kaduna.

There were two accounts of how the bomber attacked the motorcade of Buhari, who is also one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress.

While one had it that the bomber, on sighting Buhari's convoy hauled explosives at it, the second claimed that the bomber rammed his Toyota Sienna into the motorcade.

An eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Idris said, "The suicide bomber hauled explosives at the convoy of the former Head of State but one of the cars in the convoy and a Toyota Prado conveying Buhari were hit.

"He was shielded into a Toyota Sienna that took him away from.the scene."

Another witness, who did not want his name in print, said the bomber rammed his vehicle into the convoy of the general, hitting his jeep and
others cars.

"In fact, a car in the convoy was badly damaged. Buhari escaped narrowly. We doubt if his security operatives escaped unhurt".

Bauchi had delivered a Ramadan lecture (Tafsir) at the Murtala Square and was driving through the area in an open-roofed vehicle, greeting well-wishers when his attacker struck.

Eyewitness said the lone bomber,who rode on a motorbike followed the convoy of the cleric after the lecture. He was said to have been blocked by security operatives who suspected him but he forced his way through the crowd and detonated his explosive.

Security operatives were seen conveying the wounded to a nearby hospital and the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for treatment.

The security forces retaliated by firing tear gas canisters.

Photos: Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido finally meets President Jonathan

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi, yesterday visited President Goodluck Jonathan for the first time, since he became the Emir of Kano.

Sanusi, was one of the northern traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar III to join the president at the Presidential Villa, for the breaking of Ramadan fast. See more photos below...