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Zimbabwean President Mugabe Falls As He Misses Step

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<b>Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, 90, fell down steps from a podium after speaking to supporters upon his return from Ethiopia, say witnesses.</b></div>
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Mr Mugabe appeared to miss a step and toppled when he left the raised lectern at the airport on Wednesday afternoon, according to several witnesses, who insisted on anonymity because of security concerns.</div>
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His aides quickly helped him up and escorted him to his limousine which sped away, they said.</div>
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"He addressed supporters who welcomed him. He missed a step as he walked down from the podium and immediately fell down," said a witness.</div>
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Some press photographers who captured the fall said they were forced to delete their pictures by security personnel.</div>
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Mr Mugabe's spokesman was not immediately available for comment.</div>
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Mr Mugabe was elected chairman of the 54-nation African Union at a summit of African leaders on Jan 30 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The role of rotating AU chairman is largely ceremonial.</div>
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He celebrates his 91st birthday on February 21. Mr Mugabe takes annual holidays every January to Asia, including Singapore where he has visited specialists for checkups on his eyes, according to Zimbabwean officials. The Zimbabwean leader has repeatedly insisted that he is "fit as two fiddles."</div>
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Zimbabwe, a once-prosperous nation of 13 million people in southern Africa, has struggled since Mr Mugabe's government began seizing white-owned farms in 2000. Mr Mugabe is accused of using widespread violence to win several disputed elections, according to human rights groups. The country suffered hyperinflation until it abandoned its currency for the US dollar in 2009.</div>
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The EU imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002 over abuses linked to national elections, banning travel in Europe and freezing the assets of dozens of officials and business representatives. The measures have been gradually lifted in recent years to encourage reform but Mr Mugabe and his wife Grace remain on the EU blacklist.</div>
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Now that Mr Mugabe is the head of the African Union, the European Union has decided to ease its travel ban on him while he is chairman for the next year.</div>

Zimbabwean President Mugabe Falls As He Misses Step

Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, 90, fell down steps from a podium after speaking to supporters upon his return from Ethiopia, sa...

Soludo Ceases Fire, Insists ₦30 Trillion Plus AU's ₦8.6 Trillion Missing

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<b>A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo, has reaffirmed his claim that at least ₦30 trillion of Nigerian money has either been stolen, diverted or unaccounted for in the last few years under Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Finance Minister.</b></div>
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He however said that does not include the about ₦8.6 trillion the African Union said is stolen from Nigeria annually.</div>
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In a statement Wednesday, Mr. Soludo said he stood by statements he made in the last one week exposing the rot in the Nigerian economy, and accusing President Goodluck Jonathan and Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala of ineptitude.</div>
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Mr. Soludo however said he would no longer release the second and third parts of his promised three-part response to Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s reply to his first article on the state of the economy.</div>
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Mr. Soludo’s first salvo at the government, alleging extensive abuse and corruption in the system and grading Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala “F” on economic management, triggered a combative response from the minister who labelled Mr. Soludo Nigeria’s worst CBN governor.</div>
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In his second piece, Mr. Soludo said the government’s poor management of the economy had resulted in the loss of ₦30 trillion.</div>
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He said the amount did not include the estimated $40.9 billion (₦8.6 trillion at parallel market exchange rate or nearly two years’ Federal Government budget) which the African Union’s (AU) recent report claims to be "stolen" from Nigeria each year.</div>
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Mr. Soludo said Wednesday he will hold fire henceforth, and that his decision followed reports quoting the minister as saying she would no longer join issues with him.</div>
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Read full statement below:</div>
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<b>I STAND BY MY STATEMENTS</b></div>
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<b>Chukwuma Charles SOLUDO, CFR</b></div>
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1. My attention has been drawn to statements credited to the Hon. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in response to my latest article and call for a structured debate on the issues. According to the report, she no longer wants to join issues with me. In the circumstance of the moment, I therefore withhold parts two and three of my promised three-part response.</div>
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2. Let me also state for the avoidance of doubt that I stand by every statement I made in the two articles viz: (1) <b><a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/01/opinion-buhari-vs-jonathan-beyond.html">Buhari vs Jonathan: Beyond the Elections</a></b>; and (2) <b><a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/02/ngozi-okonjo-iweala-and-missing.html">Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Missing Trillions</a></b>. In particular, I insist that over ₦30 trillion has either been stolen or unaccounted for, or grossly mismanaged over the last few years. This figure does not include the estimated $40.9 billion (₦8.6 trillion at parallel market exchange rate or nearly two years’ Federal Government budget) which the African Union’s (AU) recent report claims to be “stolen” from Nigeria each year.</div>
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3. I wish to thank Nigerians all over the world who have been contributing to this timely debate. This is election time and it is expected that some vested interests will either choose to live in denial or attempt to politicise the issues. But from the debate so far, I am convinced that our economic management won’t be the same again. Once our managers know that the citizens will rigorously and vigorously challenge them to account, the welfare of the citizens will be better for it. Whoever wins has his job cut out for him, and to the extent that this debate has challenged the respective teams to seriously re-examine their blueprints to guarantee the security and prosperity of every Nigerian, my objective is accomplished. I love my country Nigeria, and as I said before, I won’t keep quiet again.</div>
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Once more, Nigeria must survive and prosper beyond Buhari or Jonathan!</div>
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<b>Credit: <a href="http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/176257-soludo-holds-fire-but-insists-n30-trillion-plus-aus-n8-6trillion-missing-under-okonjo-iweala.html">Premium Times</a></b></div>

Soludo Ceases Fire, Insists ₦30 Trillion Plus AU's ₦8.6 Trillion Missing

A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo, has reaffirmed his claim that at least ₦30 trillion of Nigerian mone...

Gov. Lamido's Associate Defects To APC

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<b>A former Commissioner of Works in Jigawa State and an associate of Governor Sule Lamido, Aminu Umar Sidi Yan’leman has said that he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of lack of internal democracy in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).</b></div>
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Aminu Yan’leman who spoke to <b><a href="http://leadership.ng/news/409421/sule-lamidos-associate-defects-apc">LEADERSHIP</a></b> in Kano yesterday, said he has seen internal democracy in APC in Jigawa and across the nation, whereby primaries were conducted for all elective posts, including that of president.</div>
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“I have decided to defect to APC where there is internal democracy, unlike in PDP in Jigawa where only selected individuals were allowed to purchase interest forms from the party leadership in the state”, he said.</div>
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According to him, it is sad that a member representing his constituency, Malam-Madori/Kaugama has been at the National Assembly for 16 years, but has never raised a motion, yet he was given automatic ticket to rerun.</div>
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Yan’leman said that with his level of education and experience and above all, his loyalty to the party and Governor Lamido, he should be called upon to give his constituency a deserving representation in the National Assembly, adding that he vied for the position but was denied by the Jigawa PDP leadership.</div>
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He said that he and thousands of his followers all over Jigawa will not continue to be used, and called on all his supporters to vote PDP out of Jigawa government and all other elective posts including the presidency.</div>

Gov. Lamido's Associate Defects To APC

A former Commissioner of Works in Jigawa State and an associate of Governor Sule Lamido, Aminu Umar Sidi Yan’leman has said that he def...

₦6 Billion Bribe To Pastors: Amaechi Needs To Change - Abati

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<b>The Special Adviser to the President Goodluck Jonathan on Media & Publicity, Reuben Abati, has advised Governor of Rivers State and the Director-General, Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, to repent and 'change' his ways, following his allegation that pastors took ₦6 billion bribe from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to campaign against the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).</b></div>
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Abati posted on his Facebook page that "This is APC Propaganda, Yes. But I don’t think Christians will accept this grievous allegation that their Pastors are being bribed without proof… these guys need to repent and 'CHANGE' their ways!"</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReubenAbati/posts/731838986931908">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReubenAbati">Reuben Abati</a>.</div>
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It will be recalled that Amaechi, Tuesday, at Rivers State Governorship campaign rally, in Emohua Local Government Area, <b><a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/02/pdp-gave-pastors-6-billion-to-campaign.html">accused some church leaders of taking ₦6 billion bribe from PDP to campaign against Buhari</a></b>.</div>
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₦6 Billion Bribe To Pastors: Amaechi Needs To Change - Abati

The Special Adviser to the President Goodluck Jonathan on Media & Publicity, Reuben Abati, has advised Governor of Rivers State and...

Amosun Kicks Against Election Postponement

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<b>The Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has kicked against calls for the postponement of the February polls, insisting that any postponement would make electorates lose confidence in the electoral process.</b></div>
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Addressing supporters at the end of a two-day campaign tour to Obafemi Owode ‎Local Government Area, where he sought their support for his re-election, Senator Amosun stressed that any attempt to reschedule the elections will be unfair on the electorate.</div>
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Governor Amosun, however, suggested that necessary steps should be taken to ensure the elections hold as scheduled. he said that his administration would declare a public holiday to allow citizens of the state collect their Permanent Voter Cards as soon as the electoral body bring in the last batch of the cards.</div>
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There have been series of report on the plot to postpone the elections, but officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission has assured registered Nigerians that they  were doing their best to make sure the election will hold as scheduled.</div>

Amosun Kicks Against Election Postponement

The Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has kicked against calls for the postponement of the February polls, insisting that any po...

Nigeria Immigration Seizes 452 PVCs, ID Cards From Nigeriens

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<b>452 Permanent Voter Cards have been intercepted around the border area with the Republic of Niger, according to the Nigeria Immigration Service.</b></div>
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The State Comptroller of Immigration Service, Mr Yunusa Aliyu, told newsmen that 66 PVCs, 33 temporary voter cards, 271 old and 69 new national identity cards were among the seized documents.</div>
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He revealed that the documents were seized by officers attached to Tureta checkpoint on the Sokoto-Gusau Road, reports <b><a href="http://www.channelstv.com/2015/01/16/nigeria-immigration-seizes-452-pvcs-id-cards-others-from-niger-republic-nationals/">CHANNELS TV</a></b>.</div>
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"The suspected car snatchers were stopped for a routine search by the officers but they refused to stop. They fled.</div>
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"The officers pursued them and the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled, although no suspect was arrested", he explained.</div>
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He further said, "It is extremely difficult to differentiate between the Hausa from northern Nigeria and those from the neighboring Niger Republic", adding that this could be the reason why the PVCs, which were supposed to be issued to <i>bonafide</i> Nigerians were allegedly given to non-Nigerians.</div>
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Asides the PVCs, other items recovered included a local government identification card and 12 birth certificates.</div>

Nigeria Immigration Seizes 452 PVCs, ID Cards From Nigeriens

452 Permanent Voter Cards have been intercepted around the border area with the Republic of Niger, according to the Nigeria Immigration...

Ex-Reps Speaker, Etteh, Dumps PDP For APC

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<b>Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Patricia Olubunmi Etteh has defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the All progressive Congress (APC).</b></div>
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The defection makes Etteh the third person to have held the position of  speaker that  defected to the APC as current speaker; Alhaji Waziri Tambuwal, and former speaker, Aminu Bello Masari have also defected to the APC.</div>
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Etheh, along with her supporters in Irewole, Ayedaade and Isokan Federal constituency in Osun stormed the APC rally led by the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the area.</div>
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She told the crowd that she decided to join the APC because of the party’s progressive policies and the love for the masses, saying that her decision was to join the progressives so that she will be able to contribute her quota to the development of the people.</div>
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She commended Governor Aregbesola for the positive change he has brought to the state in the past four and a half years, noting that the transformation of the state under APC is glaring for all to see.</div>
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While speaking, Aregbesola who admitted the former Speaker and her supporters from Ikoyi, Apomu,  Ikire,  Araromi Owu,  Orile Owu and Gbongan enjoined voters in the local government areas and the state to vote for all the candidates of APC across board.</div>
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He pointed out that change can only come when the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari comes to power by May 29 this year.</div>
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He said: “February 14 and 28 elections are significant for the change that Nigerians have been clamouring for, we need not say much. Our good work has been speaking for us, we plan do more than what we have done in the last four years.”</div>

Ex-Reps Speaker, Etteh, Dumps PDP For APC

Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Patricia Olubunmi Etteh has defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the All pr...

SA Pastor Sleeps With Married Members To Rid Them Of Sin

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<b>A so called man of God in South Africa, Pastor Mpho Moletsane, has been expelled from his church after members complained bitterly on how he has been sleeping with married women in the congregation, the <a href="http://www.worldwideweirdnews.com/2015/02/01-n35710.html">WorldWide Weird News</a> reports.</b></div>
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But in his defense, the 48-year-old randy pastor from Fochville, Gauteng, said he slept with the women in order to get rid of demons which cause them to have sinful lust and thoughts.</div>
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Reports have it that the church members feared that the way Pastor Moletsane was going, he could end up sleeping with mothers and daughters all in the guise of driving away demons from them.</div>
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A church member narrated how the pastor pointed to a young girl and said that she was possessed by a demon that causes her to have sinful lust.</div>
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The mother of another girl said that the pastor has been sleeping with her daughter because she was possessed by Satan.</div>
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Moletsane admitted to sleeping with the girl, and added that nobody can stop him from fighting against evil.</div>

SA Pastor Sleeps With Married Members To Rid Them Of Sin

A so called man of God in South Africa, Pastor Mpho Moletsane, has been expelled from his church after members complained bitterly on h...

2 Nigerians Jailed In The UK Over Sham Marriages

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<b>Two Nigerian men, Joseph Iwueke, 33, and Obinna Odelugo, 49, have been jailed in Britain for organising sham marriages with Slovakian women, all in a bid to gain legal residence permit in the UK.</b></div>
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<b>Daily Mail</b> reports that Iwueke was to marry Slovakian Ingrida Stojkova, 29, so he could stay in Britain while Odelugo and a Slovakian, Robert Stojka, were arrested for fixing the weddings for cash.</div>
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Iwueke and Stojkova were both arrested moments before their fake wedding was due to start after officials at a pre-marriage meeting noticed the groom reading details about his supposed bride from the back of his hand.</div>
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When challenged, the 'couple' couldn't tell officials about each other. The pair and two 'fixers' have now been jailed for immigration offences.</div>
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Odelugo and Stojka were arrested at the ceremony and found in possession of bundles of cash.</div>
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They were described as the 'fixers' who arranged the fake wedding for financial gain.</div>
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Odelugo ran from the ceremony room in West Yorkshire but was found hiding in a toilet cubicle.</div>
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The fake groom, Iwueke, was jailed for two years and nine months while his 'bride', Stojkova, was given a 15-month sentence after they pleaded guilty to to conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law.</div>
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Master fixer, Odelugo, and Stojka, were both given sentences of two years and three months after also admitting conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law.</div>

2 Nigerians Jailed In The UK Over Sham Marriages

Two Nigerian men, Joseph Iwueke, 33, and Obinna Odelugo, 49, have been jailed in Britain for organising sham marriages with Slovakian w...

You Can't Break Up Nigeria, Buhari Replies War Mongers

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<b>Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), retired General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday lashed out at those who are threatening to divide the country, saying Nigeria is indivisible.</b></div>
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Addressing a town hall meeting of Kano Business Community at the Kano Government House, he said it is in the best interest of all parts of the country to stay, unite and work hard to address the challenges bedeviling the country rather than breaking up.</div>
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"Those dreaming to break up this country are jokers. I’m wondering how they can achieve it. Divide and go where? The best thing for all of us is to stay together in this country and address our challenges for the good of all", he said.</div>
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Buhari who recalled how he built the country’s refineries said the only way to entrench good leadership in the country was to appoint qualified people at appropriate offices and not based on sentiments.</div>
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"For nine years General Yakubu Gowon was the Head of State, all the Service Chiefs and the Chief of Staff Defence Headquarters were Christians and up till today I haven't heard any responsible Muslim complaining about that. During my regime as military Head of State I’m a Muslim and late Idiagbon was Muslim and also from the North and for the 20 months we were opportuned nobody brought religious thing around", he explained.</div>
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"This religion thing is so irritating. If you are working, work with competent people. For us that have been in the military, about 80 percent of military personnel were Christians and I rose from a second lieutenant to a General. There was no command and staff appointment that I did not go through and all those who worked under me and above me were Christians, yet I was able to make it. So people are hiding their incompetence under religion", he said.</div>
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Lamenting the inability of the present government to secure the release of the abducted Chibok girls, he said the government and the security agencies kept dishing out lies to Nigerians on the situation.</div>
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In his address former president of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Bashir Borodo said Nigeria manufacturing sector required holistic and sincere policies to take its rightful position in the scheme of things in the country.</div>

You Can't Break Up Nigeria, Buhari Replies War Mongers

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), retired General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday lashed out at those who are t...

Nigerian Nabbed In Angolan Airport With Drugs

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<b>A Nigerian man has been arrested at an Angolan airport with about 60 capsules of drugs.</b></div>
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According to report, the yet to be identified man was arrested on Saturday, January 31 at the <b>4 de Fevereiro International Airport</b> in the capital city of Luanda with 60 capsules of drugs in the stomach.</div>
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The arrest was announced during a press conference on Monday, February 2 by the General Command spokesman of the National Police, commissioner Aristófanes dos Santos.</div>
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Aristófanes dos Santos revealed that the Nigerian was traveling from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic (CAR).</div>
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The Nigerian was arrested in Luanda where he was about to take a connecting flight to Bangui.</div>

Nigerian Nabbed In Angolan Airport With Drugs

A Nigerian man has been arrested at an Angolan airport with about 60 capsules of drugs. According to report, the yet to be identi...

EFCC Declares Ex-Gov. Nyako, Son Wanted

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<b>The troubles of the impeached former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, is increasing by the day as he has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.</b></div>
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The anti-graft agency, in a release by the Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Nyako, a retired Naval Officer, is wanted for multiple criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office, money laundering and embezzlement.</div>
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The EFCC therefore urges the general public to be on the lookout for the man and if seen, should be reported to any of its offices nationwide.</div>
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The embattled Murtala Nyako was removed from office in November, 2014, by a 7-member investigative panel which was set up probe him over allegations of sundry crimes.</div>
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The panel indicted him of gross misconduct and financial impropriety and he was impeached.</div>

EFCC Declares Ex-Gov. Nyako, Son Wanted

The troubles of the impeached former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, is increasing by the day as he has been declared wanted ...

Gunmen Kidnap 4 Agip Oil Workers In Bayelsa

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<b>Gunmen riding in a speedboat kidnapped four Nigerian oil workers in the crude-producing Niger Delta, the military said Wednesday, as fears rise of growing unrest in the region 10 days before national polls.</b></div>
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The hostages are employees of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NOAC), a subsidiary of the Italian major ENI, said area military spokesman Isa Ado.</div>
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They were taken on Tuesday in the Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State while they were travelling by boat without a security escort, Ado said.</div>
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“We have started a rescue mission to secure their release and also bring the captors to book,” he told reporters.</div>
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Kidnappings, including attacks targeting foreigners, are common in the region’s creeks and swamps, although hostages have typically been released following a ransom payment.</div>
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Unrest in the Niger Delta declined dramatically following a 2009 amnesty deal with militants who had caused massive disruptions to crude output in Africa’s top producer.</div>
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The amnesty pact included huge cash payouts to fighters, with ₦230 billion ($1.2 billion) having been paid to some 30,000 rebels, according to the programme’s spokesman Daniel Alabrah.</div>
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President Goodluck Jonathan, a Niger Delta native who is facing a tough re-election battle in the February 14 vote, is popular among many in the region.</div>
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But some militants have threatened renewed violence if Jonathan is defeated by opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari, who hails from the Muslim-majority north.</div>
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While there was no indication that the latest kidnapping was linked to the vote, analysts are watching the region closely for signs of agitation, a focus that will be intensified if Jonathan loses to Buhari.</div>
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Neither candidate has clearly indicated his plans for the amnesty programme but Alabrah previously told AFP it may be extended because of persistent militant activity around the delta.</div>

Gunmen Kidnap 4 Agip Oil Workers In Bayelsa

Gunmen riding in a speedboat kidnapped four Nigerian oil workers in the crude-producing Niger Delta, the military said Wednesday, as fe...

[PHOTOS]: See The Nigerian Police Barracks Of Shame

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<b>Many police officers serving in the Lagos State Police Command are not happy with their living conditions which some of them say can be compared to abodes for pigs and other animals.</b></div>
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According to some officers who spoke to <b><a href="http://pulse.ng/gist/fit-for-pigs-policemen-decry-poor-living-conditions-id3458170.html">Pulse.ng</a></b> on the condition of anonymity, most of their barracks spread across the state are not meant for human beings, not to talk of law enforcement officers with their families.</div>
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Some of them say that their families stand the risk of being wiped out in the event of an epidemic because of their squalid barracks.</div>
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A mobile police officer living at the Ikeja Mobile Barracks, lamented the poor and dilapidated structures, and fears some of them could collapse anytime soon.</div>
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"You need to come to the barracks to see the kind of structures we live in. The buildings are dilapidated and our children stand the risk of getting injured because the slabs on the staircase falls off anytime.</div>
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"If there is an epidemic, we stand the risk of losing lives."</div>
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Another officer residing at the Ojuelegba Police Barracks thanked God that Nigeria was able to curtail the Ebola Virus Disease that ravaged the country some months back, believing that residents of the barrack would have been infected in their large number if the disease had found its way there.</div>
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"We thank God that the Ebola Disease was contained by the Nigerian government because if it had spread to our barracks, many people would have been infected.</div>
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"We have cried and begged the government to help us put up good structures to live in but it seems all of our cries have fallen on deaf ears.</div>
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"Our barrack is only fit for pigs and other animals. If an epidemic breaks out now, we will be at risk."</div>
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Another mobile police officer said living in a barrack in Lagos is like living in hell.</div>
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"The barracks is old and needs reconstruction. Living here has not been pleasant at all. The soak-away is bad, and it brings out foul smell. The walls are cracking, and their rods are getting weak."</div>
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See photos of different police barracks below:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbqDnXfB1tlOQi9J2ASOuYCunUFfPTKNngRAmDgD98TKUoz3BaJrpW8DqgenYyhEUNwUKUW7fon1PpastiAK-lKcLcTitsNf8-DD25BD_YQPki8MEpMyTuOMlGM-P8L1hAmTCSqC4pG68/s1600/Police-Barracks-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbqDnXfB1tlOQi9J2ASOuYCunUFfPTKNngRAmDgD98TKUoz3BaJrpW8DqgenYyhEUNwUKUW7fon1PpastiAK-lKcLcTitsNf8-DD25BD_YQPki8MEpMyTuOMlGM-P8L1hAmTCSqC4pG68/s1600/Police-Barracks-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XS81-G546cAg3le-BRvWDNfC60RvOYNOYAKjlaG1o4GI19QkwLCHsCNu9ba9hQugzkYOha3Fv1ZiFN0NZyhTr5nU_M3BHLQJPPQAMixgXPMXPtvg-z5X0-6U2GvN50ysatydIz-PXsB9/s1600/Police-Barracks-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XS81-G546cAg3le-BRvWDNfC60RvOYNOYAKjlaG1o4GI19QkwLCHsCNu9ba9hQugzkYOha3Fv1ZiFN0NZyhTr5nU_M3BHLQJPPQAMixgXPMXPtvg-z5X0-6U2GvN50ysatydIz-PXsB9/s1600/Police-Barracks-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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[PHOTOS]: See The Nigerian Police Barracks Of Shame

Many police officers serving in the Lagos State Police Command are not happy with their living conditions which some of them say can be ...

Court Gives Life Sentence To Man Who Murdered Parents

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81TWSf8hqdm2dcV-4yKGUTzT4-8wHFuXqyaGVPpxWsfvm0fDdvtjwhnibOZ-itRCfafFcj6mL2R_s08AtUmkuE4p10YhF7CnZTnW4RaGoLJnqrhrIGQNZXnoeUKi_YeeuEp74lAe0YioO/s1600/Fritzner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81TWSf8hqdm2dcV-4yKGUTzT4-8wHFuXqyaGVPpxWsfvm0fDdvtjwhnibOZ-itRCfafFcj6mL2R_s08AtUmkuE4p10YhF7CnZTnW4RaGoLJnqrhrIGQNZXnoeUKi_YeeuEp74lAe0YioO/s1600/Fritzner.jpg" width="594" /></a></div>
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<b>A 24-year-old young man of Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Charles Pierre Fritzner, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murders of his parents because they told him to move out of the house and make a life for himself.</b></div>
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Fritzner who pleaded guilty to the two count murders preferred against him, shot and killed his 52-year-old father, Charles and his mother, 42-year-old Ltanya Fritzner.</div>
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Fritzner could have made away with the murders but before his mother died, she had told his sister that she and her husband was shot by their son because they had an argument and told him to leave the house.</div>
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Fritzner was facing the death sentence but prosecutors agreed to drop the death penalty in exchange for his guilty plea.</div>
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The <b><a href="http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2014-12-16/story/jacksonville-man-avoids-death-gets-2-life-sentences-killing-parents">JACKSONVILLE News</a></b> reports the shooting happened in May 2012 at the family’s home on Colonial Avenue off Roosevelt Boulevard.</div>
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Police said there had been long-standing tension between father and son, and the parents had recently told Fritzner to move out because of his drug use.</div>
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He had previously been charged with assault after a student and her brother at Florida State College at Jacksonville said he was making sexual comments and threatening them.</div>
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He was released in February 2012 after serving a month in jail and was given three months of probation and anger-management training.</div>
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When the crime occurred, neighbors said the Fritzners were Haitians and long-time residents of the neighborhood. They described the parents as strongly Christian but saw a volatile relationship between father and son.</div>

Court Gives Life Sentence To Man Who Murdered Parents

A 24-year-old young man of Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Charles Pierre Fritzner, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal mur...

Court To Hear Fresh Suit Seeking Jonathan’s Disqualification On Feb 11

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<b>An Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday fixed Feb. 11 for hearing in a fresh suit seeking to disqualify President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the Feb. 14 presidential election. The trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, fixed the date after listening to counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Yusuf Alli (SAN) and Jonathan’s counsel, Mr Olatunji Salau.</b></div>
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The plaintiffs: Prof.Tunde Samuel, Dr Junaidu Mohammed, Mr Rasak Adeogun and Yahaya Ndu, in the originating summons, prayed the court to restrain Jonathan from contesting in the elections. The plaintiffs contended that Jonathan was ineligible for re-election ‎because to do otherwise was tantamount to allowing him spend more than eight years for anyone to serve as president.</div>
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They argued that Jonathan was constitutionally ineligible to seek re-election in 2015 because that would allow him to occupy the office of president for more than eight years.</div>
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The plaintiffs also urged the court to declare that it was unconstitutional for any person to occupy the office of president for more than a cumulative period of eight years. According to them, such a scenario can only happen when the country is at war‎.</div>
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They noted that in computing the period already spent in office as president by Jonathan, the period from 6th day of May, 2010 to 28th May 2011 should be reckoned with.</div>
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They, therefore, prayed the court to declare that having spent a period of more than four years in office from May 6, 2010, Jonathan is ineligible to contest for another term. Two similar cases are pending before the same court, while another is before the Court of Appeal for determination.</div>
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Court To Hear Fresh Suit Seeking Jonathan’s Disqualification On Feb 11

An Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday fixed Feb. 11 for hearing in a fresh suit seeking to disqualify President Goodluck Jonathan from...

Court Jails Footballer For Drug Trafficking

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfDj39VcGydewY6jjqhwyJxNfX7n0mony1dLucnDQXZctYoDv228dBPJMdrYemFki3o23xRKOMnkdzyNtJASZxmpzZd7Wjd23Lc3YIUVuWhxVQ2VqR3m9YW5lMdwLOktLpQEZD8jRVbZY/s1600/Pastor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfDj39VcGydewY6jjqhwyJxNfX7n0mony1dLucnDQXZctYoDv228dBPJMdrYemFki3o23xRKOMnkdzyNtJASZxmpzZd7Wjd23Lc3YIUVuWhxVQ2VqR3m9YW5lMdwLOktLpQEZD8jRVbZY/s1600/Pastor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced one Umeh Henry to two years imprisonment for being in unlawful possession of cocaine.</b></div>
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Shortly before the pronouncement, the convict, while pleading with the court to temper justice with mercy, said he was a professional footballer based in Brazil.</div>
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agnecy had, last week Thursday, brought Henry before Justice Mohammed Idris on the allegation that he was found in unlawful possession of 15 grammes of cocaine.</div>
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The prosecutor, Mr. Vembe Emmanuel, had told the court that he was arrested by NDLEA operatives on October 6 last year.</div>
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He was said to have been apprehended during the inward clearance of the Emirate Airlines from Brazil via Dubai at the E-arrival hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.</div>
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The agency charged him with one count bordering on the offence against the provisions of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.</div>
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The convict immediately pleaded guilty to the offence.</div>
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At the resumed trial on Wednesday, Vembe, after reviewing the facts of the case, prayed the court to convict Henry and sentence him accordingly.</div>
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“My Lord, in view of the plea of the accused person and the evidence before this hounourable court, we urge your Lordship to convict the accused in line with the provisions of sections 218 and 285 of the Criminal Procedure Act,” Vembe submitted.</div>
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According to the <b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/footballer-jailed-two-years-for-drug-trafficking/">PUNCH</a></b>, Idris consequently convicted Henry of the crime as prayed by Vembe.</div>
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The defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, however pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in pronouncing the sentence.</div>
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Ndakara urged the court to note that Henry was contrite and had without wasting the time of the court and tax payers’ money pleaded guilty to the offence.</div>
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The lawyer also urged the court to note that the 15 grammes of cocaine found on Henry was for his personal use rather than for sale.</div>
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In his own allocutus, Henry himself told the court that he took to using hard drug to address certain problems that he was dealing with.</div>
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He added that a friend had recommended it to him.</div>
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In his judgment, Idris said he was pleased that the convict had voluntarily owned up to the crime without waiting for the court to find him out.</div>
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The judge however counseled the convict on the evil effect of hard drug.</div>
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“I’m happy that your story was constant and that you did not use it for commercial purposes.</div>
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“I like it that you had said the truth and God will forgive you. But don’t take drug anymore; any relief it gives you is just temporary.</div>
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“So, when you get out of jail don’t use it again,” Idris said.</div>

Court Jails Footballer For Drug Trafficking

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced one Umeh Henry to two years imprisonment for being in unlawful possession of cocai...

PDP Gave Pastors ₦6 Billion To Campaign Against Buhari - Amaechi

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<b>Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party bribed some Christian religious leaders with ₦6 billion to campaign against the All Progressives Congress and its presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).</b></div>
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Amaechi said that the religious leaders had been circulating documents to convince Nigerians that the APC and Buhari would islamise Nigeria if voted into power on February 14.</div>
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He told a crowd at the state APC governorship rally in Emohua that the PDP ought to know that Nigerians were too enlightened for any political party or an individual to make the country a Muslim nation.</div>
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The governor, who is also the Director-General of Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation, therefore advised the religious leaders, whom he accused of commercialising the Christian faith, to return the bribe money to the Federal Government.</div>
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He said, “Some pastors collected ₦6 billion and they are circulating document and telling you not to vote for an Hausa man; not to vote for a Muslim; that they want to Islamise Nigeria. Tell them to return our ₦6 billion.</div>
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"They gave them ₦6 billion; they should return it to the Federal Government coffers. They will tell you that Buhari wants to Islamise Nigeria; tell them we are too educated.</div>
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"I am a Catholic, but no Catholic priest has told me that story right now in the Catholic Church because, I will ask him how. If any pastor tells you that, tell him to return the money.</div>
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"Nobody can Islamise Nigeria; they have commercialised Jesus Christ. They should stop commercialising the Christian faith. You know what Jesus Christ did in the temple? He chased them away.</div>
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"We shall chase away those pastors who have collected money from the PDP to tell us lies. We shall chase them away on behalf of Christ."</div>
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The governor described the election in the state as a referendum between him and President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he challenged  to show Rivers people what he had done for them.</div>
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"I told the President that the election in Rivers State is a referendum between him and myself. I told him anywhere I go, I will show what I have done. Let him show what he has done," Amaechi stressed.</div>
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The national leadership of the PDP described the allegation by Amaechi as a 'crime against God'.</div>
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"It is also a crime to the Church and Christianity. It is an insult on Christianity. To say that pastors are paid to support the President is height of recklessness. Such allegation is despicable and should be condemned. There was nothing like that from us as a party and there was nothing like that from our candidate,” its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, added.</div>
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Reacting, the state Assistant Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Samuel Nwanosike,challenged Amaechi, to name the pastors that collected the ₦6 billion.</div>
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Nwanosike argued that the allegation was an indication that the governor had conceded defeat to Jonathan.</div>
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He said, “It shows clearly that Governor Amaechi has conceded defeat and that Dr.Jonathan has what it takes to continue as the President of this country.”</div>
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In his remark at the rally, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dakuku Peterside, said that if voted into power on February 28, he would complete all projects embarked upon by the Amaechi government.</div>
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The candidate also promised to combat insecurity in the communities.</div>

PDP Gave Pastors ₦6 Billion To Campaign Against Buhari - Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party bribed some Christian religious leaders with ₦6 bi...

Don't Truncate Democracy, Chief Justice Warns Judges

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<b>As the nation prepares for the general elections this month, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday handed down a serious warning to all judicial officers in the country saying 'judiciary must never again be used as tool to truncate our democracy'.</b></div>
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The CJN gave the warning while swearing-in the 242 judges who have been selected to serve as chairmen and members of the 2015 Election Petition Tribunals. He also cautioned them not to accept gifts or engage in illicit communication with politicians or their lawyers.</div>
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Swearing-in the tribunal members at the Supreme Court yesterday, the CJN said the National Judicial Council, NJC, would not hesitate to deal with any judge who allows himself to be influenced by any interest group.</div>
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He urged the tribunal judges to be careful and thorough in the review of the petitions and responses, pleadings, the physical evidence and argument of counsel of the parties that will appear before them, the <b><a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/cjn-judges-dont-truncate-democracy/">VANGUARD</a></b> reports.</div>
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"You must ensure that all petitions must be founded upon grounds which are contained in section 138 of the Electoral Act and not on extraneous provisions of law, as the tribunal is not a court of vain inquisition.</div>
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"All your considerations must be founded in law only and not coloured by personal sympathies, opinions or affiliations, remembering that there is a resonance to the truism that the Judiciary is 'the last hope of the common man', and may I add, also the hope of the not so common man", the CJN said.</div>
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He added: "Let me use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to all judicial officers. Do not allow any political party or politician to compromise your integrity or your future.</div>
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"We must never again be used as tools to truncate our nation’s democracy. I assure you that any judge found wanting would only have him or herself to blame as the NJC will definitely not spare the rod in ensuring that the honour, respect and independence of the Judiciary is protected.</div>
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"As you start your assignment, I must reiterate that while you are on the tribunals, you will be looked upon as the embodiment of this ideal of justice. To that end, you must be the dispensers of justice regardless of fear or favour, position or standing.</div>
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"You must uphold the stability of this democracy by stamping the hallmark of legality on the conduct of our nation’s elections as it is through your eyes that justice perceives a wrong that must be made right.</div>
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"It is, therefore, apt to remind you that your integrity is sacrosanct. There is no alternative to integrity as it is not negotiable. You must ensure that your acts are in strict conformity with the law.</div>
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"Therefore, you must shun acts as the acceptance of gifts or favours from counsel and politicians, and the exchange of illicit communications with parties, which acts will erode the integrity of the tribunals irretrievably."</div>
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The CJN equally stressed that the tribunals must strictly adhere to the provision of Section 134 of the Electoral Act which stipulates that all petitions must be filled within 21 days of the declaration of the result of an election.</div>
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“You must also bear in mind that Section 285 of the Constitution and Section 134(2) of the Electoral Act 2010, are also clear that all petitions must be heard and judgments rendered in writing and delivered in open court within 180 days of the filing of that petition.</div>
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“Any petition presented outside of the statutory time must not be countenanced for any reason.</div>
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“Since you all do not have the luxury of time in the discharge of your duties, I urge you all to be pedantic in your deliberations but do not allow ‘red-herring’ technicalities to distract you from the path of justice.</div>
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"You must listen attentively and enquire appropriately, taking care not to descend into the arena. In addition, it is crucial that you consider all the evidence before you carefully, deliberate conscientiously, and adjudicate swiftly and justly as not only you but the entire judiciary will also be on trial.</div>
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“I need not remind you that the Tribunal assignment is very laborious and that you are likely to be overstretched in the handling of election matters. Praises and condemnation will be meted out to you in the course of discharging your duties.</div>
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“Unfortunately, some of the condemnations will come from our partners in the temple of justice, i.e. the Bar. I urge you not to be deterred by the uncomplimentary comments of some politicians and litigants anytime judgment is given against them.</div>
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“Posterity will judge you on the words that you utter in judgment and my sincere prayer is that we all shall not be judged harshly by history”, the CJN stated.</div>
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Section 133(3) (a) and (b) of the Electoral Act 2010, states that Election Petitions Tribunals must be established 14 days prior to the elections. The Secretariat of the Tribunals must be opened seven days before election.</div>
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The CJN said the swearing-in of the Election Petition Tribunal members was necessary to enable the Secretariat of the Tribunal in each state of the federation open in accordance with the provision of the Electoral Act.</div>

Don't Truncate Democracy, Chief Justice Warns Judges

As the nation prepares for the general elections this month, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday hand...

Jonathan Planning To Install Interim Govt - APC

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcD7NmkcGBtios2ymckaC_x0cEPk-izoBjFLj6dWLSnn6jzOr6LtW9hHBLn98CSc-e5_IdSib1Hbjq8QazQpH0y6VpsIgXSrRneVthl3Bx_JxXH6ymQiqmrTf33JskTrYfAQur8Yq-MUc/s1600/Lai+Mohammed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcD7NmkcGBtios2ymckaC_x0cEPk-izoBjFLj6dWLSnn6jzOr6LtW9hHBLn98CSc-e5_IdSib1Hbjq8QazQpH0y6VpsIgXSrRneVthl3Bx_JxXH6ymQiqmrTf33JskTrYfAQur8Yq-MUc/s1600/Lai+Mohammed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The All Progressives Congress says the ultimate plan of the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government is to postpone the elections and install an interim government.</b></div>
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The party said President Goodluck Jonathan had become jittery, knowing that he would lose the elections.</div>
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The APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, said this just as some groups on Tuesday staged protests at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, demanding the postponement of the elections.</div>
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On Monday, four Nigerians approached an Abuja High Court, demanding that the elections should be shifted so as to enable those without Permanent Voter Cards to collect their cards.</div>
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The PDP had denied the allegations that it was behind the calls for the postponement of the election but the APC said most of the protests were being sponsored by President Goodluck Jonathan so as to have reasons to postpone the elections.</div>
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The statement read, “Despite their defeat in the court of public opinion, the no-election proponents are now working hard on their back-up plan, which is to force a constitutional crisis that will ultimately lead to their goal: Interim Government!</div>
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“Despite sponsoring pseudo-experts and cash-and-carry analysts to make the television rounds to canvass for the postponement of the election, in addition to instigating protests against INEC, Nigerians have rejected the call for election shift, which is a big blow to those who want the elections postponed to give the Jonathan administration time to recover lost ground.</div>
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“The advocates of election shift may have retreated, but they have not given up on their push to scuttle the elections. In fact, a conference organised on Monday to consider the resolution of the National Conference on the 2015 elections was turned into a campaign for election postponement by the usual culprits.”</div>
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But the Nigerian Army has denied knowledge of any plan for an interim government as being speculated in the social media.</div>
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The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in an electronic mail on Tuesday that the allegations in the social media that the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Kenneth Minimah, planned to take over government in the interim in the event of a victory by the APC were untrue.</div>
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Usman said that the rumour against the army and other serving senior officers of the service was designed by mischief makers to cause disaffection within the service.</div>
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The army spokesman said that those peddling the rumour were on a mission to distract the army from focusing on its statutory responsibility of protecting the territorial integrity of the country and to reverse the recent victories of the army against the insurgents in the several fronts of the North east.</div>
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He said that the claim was a disservice to the army in view of its contributions to the growth of democracy in the country.</div>
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<b>Credit: <a href="http://www.punchng.com/politics/jonathan-planning-to-install-interim-govt-apc/">PUNCH</a></b></div>

Jonathan Planning To Install Interim Govt - APC

The All Progressives Congress says the ultimate plan of the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government is to postpone the election...