NPA BOSS SLAMS JOURNALIST WITH N1 BILLION LIBEL SUIT

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has filled a suit at Federal High Court Abuja seeking for justice against the alleged false publications in an online media, and claiming N1 billion for damages.

Usman, who was in court yesterday for the suit filled against Prince Henry Nwazuruahu Shield and thebreakingtimes.com for defamation of character.
Usman picked exception to the report published on 22nd March 2017 titled: “How El-Rufai and Hadiza Usman bribed APC Chieftains with $25,000 each to make him Vice President”.

 
Usman, who confirmed the suit to The Guardian yesterday said: “The story is false and a total fabrication geared towards tarnishing my hard earned reputation. I have today filed a suit at Federal High Court Abuja seeking for justice against these perpetrators of falsehood,” she said.

 
Enjoining the media to be discouraged from running banner headlines with unverifiable information, she said new media and the digital space has brought prosperity to humanity but also brought along unhinged speed in the dissemination of lies and grief.

 
“While I believe that the new media has inherent capacity to fact check and unmask fallacies peddled by unconscionable people, it does not have the capacity to undo the damages and hurt inflicted on victims. 

Only the Judiciary can mitigate and right that through its judgments, when approached by helpless victims. Justice is what I seek through my action in court today. I have overlooked many spurious claims against my person in the media in the past. 

I have been diligent and circumspect in my public life dealings. I have laboured to show integrity, transparency and accountability in all my ventures. I will not do differently in my present position as Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). And, I will not bow to blackmail either”, she said.

 
Guardian Reports.

North Korea fires missile, defying US push for new sanctions

US President Donald Trump, who has warned of a “major conflict” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s regime, said the latest test was a pointed snub to China — the North’s main ally and economic lifeline.

North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile Saturday in apparent defiance of a concerted US push for tougher international sanctions to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons ambitions.

The latest launch, which South Korea said was a failure, came just hours after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned the UN Security Council of “catastrophic consequences” if the international community — most notably China — failed to pressure the North into abandoning its weapons programme.

Military options for dealing with the North were still “on the table”, Tillerson warned in his first address to the UN body.

The launch ratchets up tensions on the Korean peninsula, with Washington and Pyongyang locked in an ever-tighter spiral of threat, counter-threat, and escalating military preparedness.

US President Donald Trump, who has warned of a “major conflict” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s regime, said the latest test was a pointed snub to China — the North’s main ally and economic lifeline.

“North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a missile today. Bad!” Trump tweeted.

The US is deploying a naval strike group led by an aircraft carrier to the Korean peninsula, and a missile-defence system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) that officials say will be operational “within days”.

North Korea recently conducted its biggest-ever firing drill and has threatened to “bury at sea” the US aircraft carrier, and there are signs it could be preparing for a sixth nuclear test.

South Korea’s defence ministry said it suspected Saturday’s missile test had failed after a brief flight, while the US military’s Pacific Command confirmed the rocket did not leave North Korean territory.

Risk of nuclear attack ‘real’
China pushed back at Tillerson’s call at the UN Security Council for it to do more to rein in Pyongyang, arguing that it was unrealistic to expect one country to solve the conflict.

“The use of force does not solve differences and will only lead to bigger disasters,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

His country, he said, should not be “a focal point of the problem on the peninsula” and stressed that “the key to solving the nuclear issue on the peninsula does not lie in the hands of the Chinese side”.
Russia joined China in saying a military response would be disastrous and appealing for a return to talks and de-escalation.

Military action was “completely unacceptable”, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told the council, and a miscalculation could have “frightening consequences”.

But Tillerson argued that diplomacy had to be backed with credible muscle.
“Diplomatic and financial levers of power will be backed up by willingness to counteract North Korean aggression with military action, if necessary,” he said.

“The threat of a North Korean nuclear attack on Seoul or Tokyo is real, and it is likely only a matter of time before North Korea develops the capability to strike the US mainland.”

China wants talks
The meeting of the top UN body on Friday laid bare major differences among key powers over the way to address the North Korea crisis.

Over the past 11 years, the Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions on Pyongyang — two adopted last year — to significantly ramp up pressure and deny the North Korean regime the hard currency revenue needed for its military programmes.

But UN sanctions experts have repeatedly told the council the measures have had little impact because they have been poorly implemented.

Tillerson called on all countries to downgrade or sever diplomatic relations with North Korea and impose targeted sanctions on entities and individuals supporting its missile and nuclear program.

The United States is ready to impose sanctions on third countries where companies or individuals are found to have helped North Korea’s military programmes, he said.

China instead wants Pyongyang to freeze its military programmes in exchange for a halt to US-South Korean annual drills.

“Now is the time to seriously consider talks,” said Wang.
But Tillerson was blunt in saying it was up to North Korea to take the first concrete steps.

“We will not negotiate our way back to the negotiating table,” he said. “We will not reward their bad behaviour with talks.”

The United States, Russia and China took part in six-party talks on North Korea’s denuclearisation from 2003 to 2009, along with Japan, South Korea and Pyongyang.

Guardian Reports

I did not snub Ooni of Ife —Oba Akiolu

THE Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has cleared the air on the video in the social media being misconstrued for Oba of Lagos snubbing the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi at a public function in Lagos.

One of the white cap chiefs, Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa Onido of Lagos, said the Lagos Monarch did not ignore Ooni of Ife at the public function as being misconceived by people.

He said Oba Akiolu’s response to Ooni is the culturally acclaimed way of greeting by a monarch in Lagos. He added that the Lagos King is basically trying to revive the culture and tradition of ancient Lagos which is peculiar to the State.

Other tribes also have their peculiar ways of greeting. “The sign by Oba Akiolu signifies, ‘inu mi, inu e’, the culture of greeting in Lagos. if Oba Akiolu wanted to ignore, he would have turned his face away from Ooni,” he said.

In his words, “there is no misunderstanding between both highly revered Monarchs in Yoruba Land”. According to him, the relationship between both Yoruba kings is peaceful and mutual. “Oba Akiolu was well represented at the coronation of Ooni of Ife, which attested to the fact that he does not disregard the office of Ooni Adeyeye.

Chief Ajose said Oba Akiolu had waited till this time to react to the issue because he had to meet with other chiefs in the palace and meet minds before addressing the public on the matter.

“There is no sentiment in the culture of Lagos. As we met it that is the way we are doing it. Kabiesi Oba Akiolu is trying to bring back the old pattern, the old culture we have left behind”

“What happened that day was wrongly speculated by the social media to disrupt peace and order and misinterpret Oba Akiolu’s action”

“We just want to appeal to the social media to stop spreading wrong information. They should try and understand the reason behind every action carried out most especially by traditional rulers”
“Yoruba has a very rich culture. There is no quarrel between the Oba of Lagos and Ooni of Ife.”

Tribune Reports

PUNCH searches for soldiers who forced man to swim in mud

Do you know the soldiers in the pictures above?

For now, they are yet-to-be-identified soldiers of the Nigerian Army. You might be doing the nation a world of good if you help The PUNCH to establish their identities so that they can get their well deserved punishment.

The soldiers subjected a middle-aged man to torture for no just cause.
The three soldiers, one of whom was in uniform, forced the man to roll inside murky water and dip his head therein.

The torture was captured in a video, which had gone viral.
However, the time and place, where the incident happened were not captured, while the name of the victim was also not disclosed.

In the one minute, 54 seconds clip, the soldiers shouted at the victim as they coerced him to roll back and forth in the mud.

One of them was heard requesting a horsewhip from a colleague to beat the victim if he failed to serve the punishment.

He said, “Oya, still go back again, go back! Bring that koboko (horsewhip). Go down…come back! Go for the last time. I go break your head o! Put (down) your head.”

A woman, who stood beside the soldier in uniform, begged that the victim should be pardoned.
“I beg, he no go do am again. He no well,” the woman said in Pidgin English
 But the soldier refused, saying the victim was strong enough to withstand the torture.
“He is a strong man,” he said.

At a point, the soldier discovered that somebody was videoing the incident and called on one of his colleagues to go after the person.
He said, “That guy dey video us, use style call am.”

They later ordered their victim to run into a compound around the scene.
A commentator on Nairaland, a social media platform, identified as Redomi, condemned the attack, saying that soldiers should learn to be civil.

Redomi said, “This is not a good one from the Nigerian Army. Imagine doing this to a harmless civilian, the Boko Haram terroriosts are there; go and try this nonsense with them. They haven’t learnt their lessons yet from the crippled man that was tortured for wearing camouflage.”

Another visitor to the platform, Arsenalholic, wrote, “I am convinced this guy didn’t do anything grave, otherwise they would have trashed him severely and not let him go away like that at the end. He must have committed a very trivial offence and yet these barbaric nitwits decided to make a sport of him.

“Slowly but surely, the day will come when the ordinary men will have their backs against the wall and something big will happen to all who think they’re untouchable right now.”
Punch reports.

Emir Sanusi spent N37m on telephone calls in 3 years —Emirate Council

THE Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, spent N37 million on telephone calls in three years while two bullet-proof cars were purchased for him at the cost of N142.8 million.

Also, the sum of N152.6 million was spent to furnish the palace shortly after Sanusi ascended the throne, after the death of former emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

These were disclosed by the Kano Emirate Council, on Monday, while denying the allegation that the emir inherited N4 billion from his predecessor, saying, instead, he inherited N1.8 billion.

Speaking on behalf of the council, the Walin Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir, also confirmed that two Rolls Royce cars were purchased for the emir by his friends.

According to him, on the issue of N37 million spent on phone calls, “it is true that the sum of N37,054,196.06 was paid to Airtel due to the fact that the emir has been identified with only one local mobile phone which he uses within and outside the country.

“Majority of the charges are that of roaming, which is normal. The telephones charges of the palace are paid by the council, particularly when it comes within the provision of the budget.”

On the purchase of the N142.8 million for the bullet-proof cars, he said the purchase was based on the advice and approval of the state government.

“This was as a result of the attack on the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, on his way back from Murtala Muhammed Mosque to the palace.

“The sum of N108 million was paid to the children of the late emir by the council, in respect of the late emir’s personal cars inherited by the present emir. The cars now form part of the emirate council’s fleet in the palace,” he said.

The Walin Kano also said about N152 million was spent to procure furniture for the palace because those used by the late emir were removed.

“The sum of N152,627,723 was paid to Dabo Gate for the procurement of furniture for the palace. After the demise of the emir, all his belongings, including the furniture, were removed and given to his children in accordance with Islamic injunction,” he said.

He, however,  dismissed allegations that the council spent N15,458,660 on travels, insisting that the amount was actually used for the construction and renovation of Fadancin Dare wing of the palace.

The council also admitted raising two vouchers of N6,993,203 and N5,560,235, totaling N12,559,435 to Western Union, being the cost of air tickets for the emir’s entourage, “excluding the emir who used to pay for his ticket.”

The Walin Kano, however, denied the allegations that the council spents billions of naira on chartered flight, adding that the council only chartered flight twice for the emir’s movement to Sokoto and Benin City.

According to him, “the council chartered an air flight twice for His Highness for the following trips: In September 2014 to Sokoto, when the emir paid a traditional homage (Mubaya’a) to the Sultan of Sokoto after his turbaning as Emir of Kano and the council spent N4,651,000.

“In January 2015 for the trip to Benin for his installation as chancellor of  the University of Benin and it cost  N9,071,000. All the trips were made a as a result of lack of scheduled flight at that time  and it cost the council the sum of N13,722,00 as against alleged N9,071,000.”

He added that the Emirate Council received  N1,727,938, 660.42 as grants from the state government between August 30, 2014 and March 1, 2017, “over and above the alleged figure of N1,672,953,660..

“The Emirate Council should have received almost triple of this amount, in accordance with the law establishing Emirate Council fund of 2004,” he said.
Tribune Report.

Man impersonates Ooni, dupes US-based ladies of N600,000, i-Phone sets

ABEOKUTA—Men of Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 26-year-old man, Abiodun Joseph, for allegedly impersonating the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and duped two American-based ladies of N600,000.

The suspect also reportedly duped his victims of two i-Phones 6 which were later recovered from him. The suspect, who was arrested last week at his residence in Ilese in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State, was accused of impersonating the Ooni on his Facebook and WhatsApp platforms through which he duped his victims. 

The state Police Commissioner, Ahmed Iliyasu, who paraded Joseph alongside two other suspected robbers said policemen attached to Ijebu-Ode Area Command arrested him. The commissioner also disclosed that the suspect, who is an indigene of Ondo State, but lives in Ogun State, was taken to the palace of the Ooni, but that the monarch refused to see the suspect. 

While fielding questions from newsmen, Joseph said he finished from Ilese Comprehensive High School, but could not further his education due to poverty. He said he learned computer engineering for one year after which he was prompted to engage in Internet scam. 

Joseph, who is married with a three-year-old child, explained that he started Internet scam in October 2016, adding that he decided to use the pictures of the Ooni on his Facebook account to perpetrate evils because he was broke and wanted to survive. 

He said having successfully posed as the Ooni, many ladies fell for him, begging to be his Queens. This reporter saw nude pictures of ladies sent to Joseph via his WhatsApp. 

The suspect said one of the victims requested that she needed a N45 million mansion from him, which he said he agreed but on the condition that she would pay N5 million. 

He said: “The ladies said Kabiyesi is handsome and would like to be his queens. I asked them to pay money for ritual before they can become his Queens. “Both Aderonke and Williams (victims) live in USA. 

They sent N350,000 and N250,000 to me through Western Union.” He said he had no excuse except to apologise to the Ooni and pledged to stop the act once he was let off the hook.
Vanguard Report

Man caught with human parts in Ilorin

A middle aged man has been arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital for possessing human parts.

Tribune Online gathered that the suspect had been monitored by residents of Ita Kudimo, Abata Suban, Pakata area of Ilorin West local government in the past few days after speculation grew that he possessed a corpse in his building.

It was also gathered that the neighbours of the suspect swooped on his residence at about noon on Sunday and the suspect was allegedly caught with human parts.

He was later dragged to Adewole Police station in the Ilorin metropolis amidst shouting and rain of curses by the crowd of people.

It was also gathered that house of the suspect was demolished and his properties were carted away by hoodlums who took advantage of the situation to perpetuate their dastardly acts.

Speaking on the development, the police public relations officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident, said that the command had commenced investigation on the alleged crime.

Also speaking on the development, the commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Mr Olusola Amore, who did not give the name of the suspect, said that, “it is true that a man was caught with human parts today.

He was being beaten at Kudimo area of Adewole on Sunday. There was a crowd trying to lynch the man. In fact, they had set ablaze his car because they discovered that some odour was coming out of his apartment.

On a closer look, they discovered that he had human parts, skulls and other parts, while they were trying to lynch him, police was informed and moved to the place and caught the man arrested.

We arrested him so that we can know other people connected with that business they are doing. The case is now at Adewole but the State CID will take over the case.

We are going to get to know who and who are involved with him. presently, the case is under investigation.”

Tribune Report.

Ace Nollywood actor, Olumide Bakare, dies at 64

The death of veteran actor, Olumide Bakare, in the early hours of Saturday has sent shock waves through the Yoruba sector of the Nigerian film industry.

Bakare, who rose to fame when he played the role of Chief Koko in the now rested television series, Koko Close in the ‘90s, had been critically ill for some time.

He was earlier admitted into the Intensive Care Unit of the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State after he was diagnosed of heart and lung related diseases.

His health condition was said to have worsened in the middle of the night and he was rushed to the UCH by his personal assistant. He however gave up the ghost before arriving at the hospital.

While officially announcing the death of the actor yesterday, ace actor and president,  Theatre Arts & Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) , Mr. Dele Odule, said Bakare died at the age of 64.

“I officially announce the death of one of us, a veteran actor, Olumide Bakare (Chief Koko). He slept yesterday at the age of 64. You’ll be posted with other arrangements,” he stated.

The 64-year-old entertainer had come out in 2016 soliciting financial support from well-meaning Nigerians to help foot the bill of his close to N30,000 daily treatment. He was reported to have said that the ailment started in 2013.

He is survived by four children – Olabode, a pastor in the United States; Oluwamayowa, a businessman in Lagos; Oluwatofunmi, a graduate of Ekiti State University and Halimat, the last of them. Meanwhile artistes are mourning the dead actor.

Renowned musician, Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli expressed shock at the death of Bakare, saying he was not aware that the deceased suffered heart/lungs-related disease for long before his death.

“This is quite shocking to me as I never knew he was ill; I don’t have a personal relationship with him but we met at different gatherings during his life time. “He took acting seriously while alive; and had left a good legacy and a good name which is better than fortune,” he said.

Miss Ayo Orobiyi, popularly called Adunni Nefretitti, said that the veteran actor was  an energetic actor, adding that she used to admire his baritone voice.

“It is unfortunate that nobody came to his rescue when he needed financial assistance. I wish him a peaceful rest and I condole with the family the deceased left behind also.
“This is a great loss and I pray God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the folk singer said.

Mr. Kehinde Oluwafunsho, the Nigeria representative of The Pan African Historical Theatre Project (PANAFEST) said that the actor was very versatile, having featured in both Yoruba and English movies.

He said Bakare was a successful man who achieved greatly in Nollywood. “He was a great veteran and good actor; born to do what he did on stage, no stress to get us arrested by his good acting. “His voice would thunder; his big, wealthy-man posture was without equal in the industry.
“It will be very difficult to replace this great man, may his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Fred Amata, President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), said that death would obliterate his legacy on the minds of people. “It is sad that we have lost one of our veteran actors in the entertainment industry but we must give glory to God for He is the giver and taker of life.

“Although Bakare is dead, he will continue to live on through his works and contributions to Nollywood, in the minds of his fans and friends,’’ he said.

Amata condoled with the family of the deceased and prayed that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. Emeka Ibeh, President, Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), said, “I really do not know the deceased in person but from his works and contributions to the development of Nollywood, he would be greatly missed by his fans.

“I pray that God grants his family members the strength to bear the loss, at a time like this,” he said.

Ibeh urged thespians in the country to continue to impact positively in the entertainment industry, saying that their good works would definitely outlive them.

Afeez Oyetoro, a Nigerian comic actor popularly known as ‘Saka’, said that Bakare’s death came as a shock to him, although he was aware that the deceased was very sick.

Saka said that Bakare would be greatly missed in the entertainment industry and prayed for the family to have the strength to bear the loss.
Daily Sun Report.