Court strikes out suit challenging authenticity of President Buhari’s WAEC certificate

Justice Adeniyi Ademola has struck out a suit filed by Abuja based legal practitioner, Nnamdi Nwokocha- Ahaaiwe, challenging the authenticity of President Buhari’s WAEC certificate. The case was struck out following a notice of withdrawal filed by the institutor, Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe.
In striking out the case this morning, the presiding judge, Justice Ademola held that by “section 50(2) of the federal high court civil procedure rules the matter is hereby struck out”.

Kuje Prison Chief Removed, Faces Probe Over Jailbreak

Kuije Medium Prisons officer Musa Tanko has been removed from office on the order of Controller-General of Prisons Ahmed Jafa‘aru after two inmates escaped last Friday.

Mr. Tanko will be investigated by officers from the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) over the escape, according to Punch Newspaper.
The escapees, Maxwell Ajukwu and Solomon Amodu, were standing trial for murder, but managed to escape by scaling the fence enclosing the prison. At the time of publication, the two remain at large.
According to one source, “For now, only the officer in charge [Mr. Tanko] has been transferred out of the prisons, but we don’t know if other senior officers like the yard master and the officer on duty would also be redeployed out of Kuje prisons. For now, everyone is waiting with bated breath to see the next line of action by the authorities.”
If Mr. Tanko and others are indicted for the escape, they will face more serious sanctions than redeployment, according to NPS Public Relations Officer Francis Enobore.
“The management of the prisons service is taking the matter seriously, and any indicted officer will be severely punished, so transfer cannot be the punishment for the escape of inmates,” Mr. Enobore said.
He added that the investigations are ongoing and that appropriate sanctions would not be imposed until Minister of Interior Abdurahaman Dambazzau reviews the investigators’ report on the matter.
Soiurce: SaharaReporters

Final Year Student Shot Dead For Arguing With Robbers During Bank Operation In Bayelsa

An armed robbery attack which happened on Tuesday along the Sani Abacha Expressway, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, reportedly left one person dead.
The armed robbers were said to have stormed the premises of a new generational bank in the area and held customers hostage, dispossessing them of their cash, mobile phones and other valuables.

The deceased, Obele Wilson, a final year engineering undergraduate student of Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University, Amasoma, was in the bank premises when the gang broke in.
Wilson, according to the Punch, was helping admission seekers to process ND screening forms for a fee inside the bank.
However, when the bandits stormed the place and started dispossessing people of their cash and other valuables, the deceased, an indigene of Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, allegedly argued with them.
They became furious and gunned him down.
Some sympathisers were said to have rushed Wilson to a hospital but he died on the way.
The deceased was the immediate past Vice-President of the National Union of Bayelsa State Students and a leader of the Ogbia students’ union.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Asinim Butswat, said efforts were on to apprehend the robbers.
“One Wilson Obele was shot dead during the operation,” he said.

Ikpeazu Defies Court, INEC, Refuses To Quit As Abia Governor

A defiant Okezie Ikpeazu on Thursday urged residents of Abia State to disregard claims of his removal from office as governor.

Mr. Ikpeazu said the residents should continue their normal business activities, saying there was no legal backing for such claims to manifest.
Mr. Ikpeazu’s appeal for calm followed the withdrawal of his certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission which issued same to his challenger in his party’s gubernatorial primaries in 2014.
Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the spokesman for INEC, said the electoral umpire issued certificate of return to Uche Ogah after Mr. Ikpeazu failed to send notice of appeal against the ruling of a Federal High Court on Monday.
Abang Okon, who handed down the ruling, said Mr. Ikpeazu presented fraudulent tax documents to run for governor as allegedly by Mr. Ogah before the court. Consequently, Mr. Okon ordered Mr. Ikpeazu to vacate office immediately.
But in a statement he issued shortly after news circulated that Mr. Ogah had been issued certificate of return by INEC, Mr. Ikpeazu said it was wrong for the electoral body to have proceeded with such action since he had appealed the ruling.
“I have received with concern report of the purported issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as governor of Abia State, despite dependency of a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“Our laws are clear on this matter. No one may be issued with a certificate of return let alone be sworn in as governor, when there is a subsisting appeal and application for stay.
“I want to appeal to Abians to remain calm and law abiding in the face of this provocation, unless and until the appellant courts have conclusively resolve the appeal, the status remains, I am still the Governor of Abia State,” Mr. Ikpeazu said.
But a source in Mr. Ikpeazu’s office told PREMIUM TIMES the governor’s legal team may have made “terrible mistake,” by failing to serve INEC the notice of appeal.
“To be honest with you, we have no proof of serving INEC the court notice that we’ve appealed the Monday ruling,” the source said. “We placed too much confidence in the legal team and I just pray they have not let us down.”

Suspect Burnt To Death For Molesting Sales Girl To Coma

Pandemonium struck at the Ekuigbo community of Ughelli-North Local Government Area of Delta State on Wednesday after a suspected defiler was set ablaze.
The suspect was reportedly among the hoodlums who attacked a 22-year-old sales girl where she sold fish feed and gang defiled her to coma on Monday.

Recall that the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Celestina Kalu, had confirmed the incident to DAILY POST, saying investigation into the case has begun. The PPRO had said the victim was receiving treatment at the Accident and Emergency, A&E, Unit of the Central Hospital.

However, all efforts to get through to the PPRO on the new development as at press time were abortive.
DAILY POST gathered that the unnamed victim has died and residents consequently apprehended one of the suspects and burnt him to death while onlookers gathered to behold the gory sight, including men in police uniform.

Unbelievable: AGF ‘Slaps’ Nigerian Senate, Read What He Did

Reports from the National Assembly in Abuja have it that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has reportedly dealt the Nigerian Senate a huge slap on the face.
The minister of Justice who was expected to be present at the hearing on the allegations of forgery leveled against the leadership of the Senate and some of its key members, was said to be out of the country and was therefore represented by the special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, on prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla.

In a series of tweets by the 8th Assembly on Thursday, June 30, it was gathered that the lawmakers were really unhappy with the move by the AGF, especially as they expected him to be available for the hearing.
Below are some tweets by the senators:


Senate president, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, alongside two other top officers of the National Assembly were early this week, charged to court over allegations of forgery of its standing rules and the AGF was summoned on Tuesday, June 21.
The Senate resolved to mandate its committee on judiciary to summon the AGF “to explain and to justify with evidence the basis for his act and to explain why it does not constitute incompetence, gross misconduct, contempt of court and abuse of office.”
Source:Naij

What These Nigerians Are Doing With Fresh Blood Will Shock You

An investigation by NAIJ.com has revealed that an abattoir in Mararaba, Nasarawa state, is posing a significant danger to the health of people living in the vicinity.
The health and quality of life of residents in the town is  by pollutants from the abattoir located in their neighbourhood.

Like most abattoirs, Mararaba abattoir is located near a body of water because of the high demand for water for the processing of the slaughtered animals. However, blood from the animals and washing water is often released into a flowing stream untreated. Consumable parts of the slaughtered animals are washed with water drawn from the stream or the beef is washed directly in the flowing water.
Residents of Mararaba also have to cope with the stench of decaying animal parts emanating from the nearby abattoir. It was noted that there were few outdoor activities in the vicinity. The stench that blights the community, according to reports, emanates from dirty water and animal blood that runs out of the abattoir into a large canal nearby.
Research revealed that over 200 animals are slaughtered at the abattoir on a daily basis, and scores of meat sellers could be seen transporting beef to various markets in the metropolis. Some butchers were seen preparing carcasses on the wet, dirty floor outside the abattoir and very close to a pond dug by the abattoir management.

Before this stage, and immediately after animals are slaughtered, the fur is burnt off in the open using firewood and lorry tyres.
At least five fire points were counted daily over the period of observation, each producing smoke continuously between 7.30am and 11:00am, which according to residents is harmful when inhaled. It was, however, observed that firewood constituted the greater part of the fuel.
The use of lorry tyres was relatively minimal compared to other places in the country where they constitute the main energy base. The practice nevertheless produces a huge amount of smoke that pollutes the area and poses a danger to the health of residents.
The facility is also generally operating under unhygienic conditions due to a lack of certain basic amenities. Speaking with NAIJ.com, Anuolapo Richards, a resident of the area living close to the abattoir, decried the current state of the community, adding that the foul smell emanating from the abattoir had existed for years, while the government seemed to have forgotten about it.
He revealed that residents had been finding it difficult to cope with the stench, while efforts to make government provide a lasting solution had been met with a brick wall.
“There is hardly any time you come here and there won’t be a foul odor. You may have observed that many residents don’t usually open their windows; this is because it is quite impossible to do so without inviting the smell of decaying animal parts into our homes.
“The stench is really sickening, and it is often aggravated by the current art of burning animal horns and hooves almost every morning and late at night by butchers,” said Richards, who claimed to have been living in the vicinity for over four years. Andrew James, another resident, said that abattoirs should be prohibited from being located within residential neighbourhoods. They should instead be treated as industrial or agricultural land use.
“Just like high level industries, abattoir should not be found among residential houses because right now the effect it has on all resident of this area is bad and could lead to outbreak of sickness or disease,” he said.

Another resident in the area, Mrs Ngozi Hubert, whose shop was also situated close to the abattoir, agreed. She said: “Though much has been done by residents to enforce environmental sanitation and proper waste disposal methods, the irritating smell from the abattoir still lingers.”
She explained that due to the densely populated nature of the community, many residents stood the risk of contracting airborne diseases. She added that it was time for the abattoir to be relocated.
“Perhaps when the abattoir was created, there were few residential buildings around it, but now things have changed, as thousands of people have moved in here over the last few years.
“I am not a medical practitioner, but I don’t need to be one to know that it is time the government moved in and find a way to save us all from a possible outbreak of an epidemic,” she added.
Dr James Douglas, a medical specialist at the Kings Care Hospital in Mararaba, speaking on the health implications, explained that abattoirs’ activities have direct and indirect negative effects on the local environment and on people’s health, especially residents living close to the abattoir.
He said the negative effects include the contamination of air and water, the transmission of diseases and the blockages of gutters and drains. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter An unkempt abbatoir He also said that abattoirs’ management systems should include a waste management plan, and that legislative measures with regard to land use, waste disposal methods, abattoir management, odour control and provision of assessment criteria for all abattoirs should be enforced.
He said efforts should be made by all relevant agencies when formulating new policies to increase public awareness of the possible impact of pollution from abattoir waste. “Further measures should be provided for better environment secluded from residential area so the lives of people will not be endangered,” he said.
The chairman of Mararaba Butchers’ Association, Ndala Zuzu, told NAIJ.com that the association over the years had made several requests to the state government to provide a secluded area for the business to be relocated away from residents.
“We have made several efforts on our own to make sure our business does not hurt people within the environment. We were able to build a pond where we wash away waste products from the animals we slaughter. “Before now, we make use the river close by, but we decided to stop because of the effects it was having on the people who make use of the river water for domestic use. “
We also make use of chemicals to clean up the places where these animals are killed to eliminate the odor and other jams or bacteria,” Zuzu added.
He called on the state government to come to their aid by providing more boreholes and other necessary amenities to maintain the abattoir, or by moving the abattoir away from residential areas to a more secluded place. Speaking also, the state coordinator of the butchers’ association, Yunusa Garba, said that though the association has constructed three boreholes, it is not enough to cater for the water need of the butchers.
“Our association has always bought chemicals to wash and take care of the abattoir but we are pleading with the government to come in and assist us.
“The Karu local governments do not put our plight into consideration; we need them to look into our challenges,” he said.
At the time of filing this report, all efforts to learn the views of the Nasarawa state government on the issue proved unsuccessful as phone calls and text messages made to government representatives were not answered

Odiegwu! Man Gets Stuck In Friend’s Wife During s*x In Akwa Ibom

 



Ekanem (the woman’s hubby) who is a fisherman, narrated that though he got reports that Elder Ndarake, a married man with five children, always sneaked into his house whenever he was away on his fishing trips which sometimes lasted weeks, he never suspected that he could have amorous relationship with his his wife and mother of seven children.
“I have known Elder Ndarake for many years and he was even the one that recommended my wife to me when I wanted to get married. He stood in for me during the traditional marriage as I lost my father at an early age.
As such, coming to my house even in my absence, I never suspected anything because apart from his closeness to me, he is an elder in our local church and always preached against immorality. Even when people told me that he went to my house at odd hours when I am not around, I still believed he went there to see to the welfare of my family.
”But I was shocked when three young men from our village came to look for me where I was fishing to tell me that Obong Idung (Village Head), wanted me to come home as fast as I could. I thought our village had been attacked by our neighbours in Cross River state, so I hurried home, only to meet Elder Ndarake in the full view of people, unclad and stuck inside my wife’s private part.
“If not for people that restrained me, I would have macheted him to death because I was very angry. Though people said I placed Mbiam (powerful traditional charm) on my wife, I did not do such thing. It was our gods that wanted to disgrace them.
They were later disentangled after some sacrifices by a local native doctor but I have handed over my wife to him.
I don’t want her again,” Ekanem narrated. Nawa oo! Ekanem (the woman’s hubby) who is a fisherman, narrated that though he got reports that Elder Ndarake, a married man with five children, always sneaked into his house whenever he was away on his fishing trips which sometimes lasted weeks, he never suspected that he could have amorous relationship with his his wife and mother of seven children.
“I have known Elder Ndarake for many years and he was even the one that recommended my wife to me when I wanted to get married. He stood in for me during the traditional marriage as I lost my father at an early age.
As such, coming to my house even in my absence, I never suspected anything because apart from his closeness to me, he is an elder in our local church and always preached against immorality. Even when people told me that he went to my house at odd hours when I am not around, I still believed he went there to see to the welfare of my family.
”But I was shocked when three young men from our village came to look for me where I was fishing to tell me that Obong Idung (Village Head), wanted me to come home as fast as I could. I thought our village had been attacked by our neighbours in Cross River state, so I hurried home, only to meet Elder Ndarake in the full view of people, unclad and stuck inside my wife’s private part.
“If not for people that restrained me, I would have macheted him to death because I was very angry. Though people said I placed Mbiam (powerful traditional charm) on my wife, I did not do such thing. It was our gods that wanted to disgrace them.
They were later disentangled after some sacrifices by a local native doctor but I have handed over my wife to him.
I don’t want her again,” Ekanem narrated. Nawa oo!

Baby Boys Burnt To Death In Anambra While Their Mum Was At A Beer Parlour [GRAPHIC]

2 baby boys aged 6 months old and less than three years old were burnt to death while their mother was chilling out at a beer parlour in Uga, Anambra state last night.

This woman had locked her kids in the home with a lantern and gone off to enjoy her night but while she was away, the lantern caused a fire outbreak.
An eyewitness had visited her village yesterday, when late in the night, she heard a chilling voice of someone screaming. She called her neighbour and asked if she too heard the cry but the neighbour said she didn’t. Only for later in the night, her neighbour called her panicking saying they need to hurry to another woman’s house. That there has been a fire incident and kids were suspected trapped in the house.
They rushed off to the scene and this was the gory sight they met. The 6-month-old baby was burnt black and beyond recognition while his elder brother was equally dead.
It turned out that the someone screaming late that night was these kids’ eldest 3-year-old brother. He had managed to escape from the burning house and was now screaming and crying for their mummy as he ran in the darkness looking for help for his younger ones.
While he was running out, his younger brother pictured above not burnt was trying to run but was coughing (due to smoke). He sustained injuries and was finally choked to death by smoke but the baby burnt beyond recognition.
See photos below.

Buhari Gets New Chief Security Offficer

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja charged public officers entrusted with certain responsibilities to live up to their duties and justify the confidence reposed in them as this  was the only way Nigeria can get out of the current hardships facing the nation.

President Buhari said this while decorating two of the newly promoted officers of the Nigerian Police Force deployed to his office with their new ranks.
Abdulkarim Dauda and Kayode Sikiru Akande, both promoted from the position of Assistant Commissioner of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police, serve as the Chief Personal Security Officer to the President and the Officer in Charge of Presidential Movement respectively.
President Buhari congratulated the officers and urged them to justify their new ranks by increasing their commitment to the service of the nation.
He also commended them for their hard work and achievements which brought about their promotion.
He said Nigeria needed their dedication and unwavering commitment for it to achieve greatness and assume its rightful position,   cautioning them not to abuse their positions.

Cripple Arrested For Obtaining N20m From Job Seekers

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said it has arrested one of most notorious fraudsters involve in online advertising scams on non-existing vacancies in government agencies. The suspected kingpin whose real name was given as Abubakar Rilwan had been declared wanted by some security agencies in the country before his arrest. A top customs officer stated:

“Abubakar Rilwan, who is evidently disabled is one of the principal actors and suspect in a job/auction scam syndicate. Whatever he lacks in physical ability, he makes up for in his exceptional ability to manipulate and swindle his victims.

“He has duped desperate job and auction seekers to the tune of over 20 million naira, sometimes using the services of lawyers. “In one of his escapades, he collected money from 7 (seven) job seekers in Taraba State, issued them fake appointment letters, and caused them to travel all the way to Bayelsa State for fake training. They got there before realizing they were duped.”
Rilwan is currently in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service undergoing further investigation by other security agencies that had declared wanted for related offences. The spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Wale Adeniyi confirmed the arrest.
Source: Vanguard

Soldiers, Policemen Exchange Gunfire In Borno Government House

There was palpable tension in the air on Thursday at the Borno State Government House, Maiduguri, when policemen exchanged gunfire with a team of soldiers.
The exchange of ‘friendly fire’ between the security agencies took place when soldiers in a truck allegedly attempted to forcefully get a share of the rice being distributed to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) not living in camps.

It was learnt that the state government commenced the distribution of rice about a week ago in the Government House and directed policemen to ensure that the beneficiaries are genuine IDPs.
However, trouble broke out when the soldiers, who were reportedly in the habit of collecting rice since the distribution commenced without appropriate documentation, were denied the opportunity today.
Following the refusal of the policemen to allow the soldiers have their way, a shootout ensued, leaving at least one policeman injured.
It was not immediately clear as at the time of publishing this report who first started shooting but it was learnt that the policemen are currently holding two soldiers at the second gate of the Government House, while their soldier colleagues are at the first trying to free them

You Can’t Dictate How Buhari Fights Corruption, APC Tells PDP Senators

The governing All Progressives Congress has asked Peoples Democratic Party senators to face their legislative business and come to terms with the reality that they cannot dictate to the Buhari administration how to fight corruption.
The governing party was reacting to the decision of the PDP senators on Wednesday to withdraw their support for the APC-led federal government.

The PDP senators said the decision to withdraw their support was hinged on the APC government’s “belligerent attitude” towards the opposition members and the perceived bias in its anti-corruption crusade.
But APC, via a statement signed by its National Secretary, Mala Buni, said PDP lawmakers should rather face their lawmaking business in the interest of the nation.
“The attention of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a statement credited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate Caucus stating that the Caucus has withdrawn its support for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari over the administration’s hugely successful war against corruption”, the statement said.
“The PDP Caucus must be reminded of their primary responsibility of lawmaking and representation of their constituents at the National Assembly. The APC advises the PDP Senate Caucus not to allow political shenanigans to becloud overall national interest.
“For the umpteenth time, the PDP and their agents do not have the luxury of dictating how the current administration and anti-corruption agencies carries out its legitimate duty of investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption, as long as it conforms to the rule of law”.
Responding to alleged selective prosecution of the ongoing anti-graft war, the APC scribe asked the PDP to approach anti-graft agencies with petitions against anybody suspected to have indulged in corrupt practices.
“The PDP Caucus allegations of a selective anti-corruption fight and ‘belligerent’ stance of the current administration is hogwash and baseless”, Mr. Buni said. “If the PDP and its agents have proof of corruption against anybody, the APC advises that they approach anti-graft agencies constitutionally mandated to handle such cases instead of declaring innocence on newspaper pages and other media outlets”.
He further urged anti-corruption agencies “not to be stampeded and blackmailed by this new plot and continue to employ all legitimate avenues in investigating and prosecuting ongoing corruption cases”.
The statement added that, “The generality of Nigerians clamour for all looters of public funds to be brought to book. The APC assures Nigerians that the political will and sincerity of purpose of the current administration to tackle corruption remains resolute”

Troops Strike Boko Haram Enclaves In Borno; Arrest 2 Suspects

A joint patrol team of Sector 1 of 27 Task Force Brigade and Army Headquarters Strike Group has stormed some villages in Borno State and cleared Boko Haram terrorists’ enclaves. The villages include Buhari, Matari and Kaidiri, located some kilometres to Damasak, Borno State.

According to the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, the remnants of the terrorists at Kaidiri on sighting the patrol team withdrew and escaped to Niger Republic with gunshot wounds.
Although the troops pursued them, only two Boko Haram terrorists were caught. Seven motorcycles and borehole equipment were also recovered.
Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people since it began its campaign of violence in 2009

Army Clears Boko Haram From 3 Villages In Borno State

“A joint patrol team of Sector 1 of 27 Task Force Brigade and Army Headquarters Strike Group today cleared Boko Haram terrorists enclaves in Buhari, Matari and Kaidiri villages located some kilometres to Damasak, Borno State earlier today.

“Unfortunately, the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists at Kaidiri on sighting the patrol team chickened out and withdrew in disarray into Niger Republic with gunshot wounds. The troops pursued them and got 2 Boko Haram terrorists. In addition, they recovered 7 motorcycles and borehole equipment.

“In a related development troops of 7 Division recovered and successfully detonated Improvised Explosive Device planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists that came in Keke NAPEP in Gomari, Maiduguri metropolis this evening in conjunction with Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Device team.
“This development has necessitated the call for more vigilance and security conscious on the part of everyone especially the residents of Maiduguri and its environs.
“The fight against the menace of Boko Haram terrorists is a collective responsibility that require positive contribution from all citizenry. People should please be wary of suspicious persons or objects and report same to the nearest security agency or post.”




Source: News Helm

Meet Japan’s Hardcore Minimalists Who Live In Virtually Empty Homes

Thе minimalist lifestyle trend hаѕ bееn gaining popularity іn thе Western world fоr а whіlе now, but we’re ѕtіll fаr frоm thе hardcore minimalism Zen-loving Japanese hаvе adopted іn thеіr quest tо achieve а stress-free life. Space hаѕ аlwауѕ bееn аn issue іn crowded Japanese cities, ѕо frоm thаt point оf view іt mаkеѕ sense thаt people trу tо kеер thеіr homes junk free, but ѕоmе аrе tаkіng minimalism tо ѕuсh аn extreme thаt thеу аrе virtually living іn empty houses surrounded bу оnlу thе barest оf necessities.

Fоr them, minimalism іѕ nоt јuѕt аbоut de-cluttering thеіr living space, but аlѕо аbоut evaluating whаt material possessions trulу bring tо thеіr lives аnd focusing оn thе thіngѕ thаt thеу соnѕіdеr important. Tо Japan’s hardcore minimalists, lеѕѕ іѕ mоrе іn еvеrу sense thаt асtuаllу matters. Minimalism оr “minimarisuto” іѕ а popular concept іn Japan thеѕе days, wіth thousands giving uр thеіr possessions wіth goal оf leading happier lives, аnd thousands оthеrѕ аt lеаѕt interested іn dоіng thе ѕаmе аt оnе point.
But аѕ tо whаt sparked thе interest іn thіѕ extremely frugal lifestyle, nоbоdу knоwѕ fоr sure. Sоmе claim іt wаѕ inspired bу American popular figures lіkе Steve Jobs, whіlе оthеrѕ ѕау thе idea іѕ nоt foreign аt all, but а natural progression frоm Zen Buddhism аnd it’s stri*ped-down perception оf thе world. Thеrе аrе аlѕо thоѕе whо ѕау thіѕ kind оf lifestyle іѕ simply practical іn аn earthquake-prone country lіkе Japan, аѕ hаvіng fеwеr stuff tо fall оn уоu іѕ safer. Onе thіng іѕ fоr sure, though, Japanese minimarisuto іѕ а hard concept tо grasp іn Western consumerist societies

Man Develops Materials That Looks And Feels Like Leather But Made From Pineapple Leaves

Animal leather alternatives lіkе Polyurethane аnd PVC leather mау hаvе solved thе fashion industry’s animal cruelty problem, but thеу аrе nоt thе mоѕt environmentally friendly solutions. Piñatex – а nеw leather-like material mаdе frоm pineapple leaves – оn thе оthеr hand, mау јuѕt bе thе all-around eco-leather we’ve аll bееn waiting for.

Piñatex оr “vegan leather” іѕ thе invention оf Dr. Carmen Hijosa аnd hеr innovative materials company, Ananas Anam. Whіlе working іn thе Philippines аѕ а consultant tо thе Product Development аnd Design Center оf thе Philippines іn thе ‘90s, ѕhе discovered thе properties оf pineapple leaf fibers аnd dedicated hеr life tо creating sustainable alternatives tо leather аnd petroleum-based textiles. Aftеr years оf research, Ananas Anam hаѕ finally соmе uр wіth whаt іt believes іѕ а viable alternative tо animal leather. It rесеntlу showcased thе versatility оf Piñatex durіng а presentation held аt thе Royal College оf Art іn London, whеrе designers displayed vаrіоuѕ clothing items аnd accessories mаdе exclusively frоm thе revolutionary material.
Thіѕ nеw vegan leather іѕ mаdе frоm bonded fibers thаt аrе extracted frоm pineapple leaves оn plantations bу farmers bеfоrе thеу аrе cut uр аnd layered. Thеѕе fibers thаn gо thrоugh аn industrial process thаt yields thе innovative Piñatex textile. Thе canvas-like materials саn thеn bе dyed, printed аnd treated tо give іt dіffеrеnt thicknesses аnd types оf texture, including leather. Thе production creates а byproduct оf biomass whісh саn bе returned tо thе farmers tо bе uѕеd аѕ fertilizer оn thеіr plantations. Tо produce оnе square meter оf medium thickness Piñatex, 480 pineapple leaves аrе required. Thаt mау ѕееm lіkе а lot, but it’s оnlу thе leaves frоm 16 pineapples, leaves whісh аrе оthеrwіѕе јuѕt left tо rot іn thе fields аftеr thе pineapples аrе picked

Seyi Law Says He Is Giving Out Dollars For His Birthday

Comedian Seyilaw is here again with his strange lifestyle that baffles everyone in one way or the other.

Seyilaw took to his Instagram wall to reveal that he will be giving out some dollars as he celebrates his 33rd birthday today June 22nd, 2016.
Oluwaseyitan wrote :
“I am giving out some dollars for my birthday. Even Dangote can’t compete. The Dollar Man.m SEYILAW FAST AND FUNNY 2. July 24th, 2016 at EKO HOTEL and SUITES. KINGS AND QUEENS EDITION. #
FASTNFUNNYWITHSEYILAW #KINGSANDQUEENSEDITION #JOINTHEMOVEMENT

Witnesses Against Dasuki Must Not Be Allowed To Testify Openly, DSS Tells Court

Witnesses billed to testify against former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, must be protected and not made to testify in open court, the Federal Government insisted on Thursday.
Mr. Dasuki is being tried in court by the Department of State Services, DSS, for alleged unlawful possession of fire arms.
Making the argument before Justice Ademola Adeniyi of a Federal High Court, Abuja, prosecution lawyer, Dipo Okpeseyi, claimed that allowing the witnesses to give their testimony in open court may pose a risk to their lives by loyalists of the former NSA, who are currently serving in the military.
According to the prosecution, the defendant, who is a retired colonel of the Nigerian Army and prince of the Sokoto Caliphate, is a well-known figure in all spheres of Nigeria’s military, therefore, allowing the witnesses to testify openly against him in court could portend grave danger to them.
Mr. Okpeseyi further alleged that sophisticated firearms were discovered from the defendant – evidence that he was constituting a threat to national security.
Reacting to the argument by the prosecution, counsel to the defendant, Joseph Daudu (SAN), prayed the court to dismiss the application, as there was no basis for the allegations.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Adeniyi adjourned to September 13 to 15 for ruling.
It would be recalled that since the beginning of Mr. Dasuki’s trial last November, the prosecution has had three of its applications before the same court, demanding the protection of its witnesses thrown out

EFCC Not Probing Me – Obaseki

The candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has dismissed reports on social media that he was under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The APC flag bearer said he has never been involved in any fraudulent activity nor stolen from anyone before.

Speaking to newsmen in Benin City, the state capital on Thursday, Mr. Obaseki explained that issues raised by the late Humphrey Idisi family against a German firm have nothing to do with him.
He said he was simply a shareholder and board member of the company.
“I don’t have a case with the EFCC. I am on the board of several companies. This is a German company that owns rig in Nigeria. They have a partner who died many years ago and unfortunately, his estate has not been properly managed.
“His other businesses have gone bankrupt. The company saw a petition by some of the children claiming that the company was owing their father.
“There was an agreement that showed that the company paid everything due to the man. The family has been having quarrels and internal issues.
“There has also been some scam. If somebody is owing you, why go to the EFCC? There is a civil process to do so. It has nothing to do with me. I didn’t manage the company. I am just a shareholder and on the board of the company. I didn’t take money from anybody. I have never stolen, I have never taken anybody’s money before”.

Fayose’s Aide Rips Through Falana Over Bank Account Restriction

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, has been labeled a mischievous lawyer by Special Assistant to Governor Ayodele Fayose on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka.
Mr. Olayinka said the former President of the West African Bar Association is a lawyer, who is always out to defend any position that aligns with his “selfish desire”.

“Falana is only deceiving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Governor Ayodele Fayose’s matter because of his ambition to contest the Ekiti State Governorship election in 2018, thinking that he can achieve what he used the EFCC to achieve against Governor Fayose in 2006 ten years after”, Mr. Olayinka said.
The media aide was reacting to a widely circulated statement by Mr. Falana titled “The Limit of Gov. Fayose’s Legal Immunity” on Thursday, in which he argued that the EFCC acted within the ambit of the law in freezing the personal bank account of his state governor.
Citing various legal jurisprudences to back his position, the lawyer further called for the prosecution of the governor for treason, arguing that the immunity, which Mr. Fayose claims to enjoy, “has been watered down” by reason of his (Fayose) admission that he partook in the “coup which occurred in Ekiti State which culminated in his emergence as the Ekiti State governor”.
Mr. Olayinka, however, said it was shameful that a lawyer of Mr. Falana’s standing could make such arguments.
“Even though this comment coming from Femi Falana ought to have been ignored like we have always done because his hypocrisy has become so legendary that he should no longer be taken seriously by sane minds, it was shameful that Falana, a Senior Associate Nigeria (SAN) could say that EFCC can freeze Nigerians bank accounts and obtain a court order later even when Section 34 of the EFCC Act provided that a court order must be obtained (ex-parte) and made available to the bank manager before a bank account can be frozen”.
Olayinka said further; “Court Order is a condition precedent before a bank account can be frozen and Section 34 of the EFCC Act is very clear on this. It is unambiguous. It presupposes that EFCC cannot freeze the bank account of any Nigerian, no matter the status without first obtaining a court order and making same available to the bank manager.
“This position was also expressed by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday when he ordered the EFCC to pay N12.5 million damages to the son of former Governor Murtala Nyako, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako for unlawful freezing of his account and illegal detention.
“It is therefore strange that a SAN could tell Nigerians that EFCC can carry out an action first and obtain court order to justify the action later.
“If I may ask, was Falana called to the Bar before he attended Law School and passed his Call-To-Bar Exams? Was Falana’s LLB Certificate given to him before he got admission to the University? Was Falana’s BL Certificate issued to him before he attended the Law School? Was Falana’s Birth Certificate issued before he was born? Was Falana’s Marriage Certificate issued before he got married? Has Falana ever travelled to UK or USA and obtained Visa later? Can I, Lere Olayinka, because I can now quote some laws begin to practice as a lawyer and go to University to study law later?
“Obviously, opinions of lawyers like Femi Falana are better left in the trash cans and Nigerians should begin to thank God that he was not made Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
“It is also important to tell Falana to seek the face of the Lord for forgiveness of his sins against Ekiti and Governor Fayose in particular, because it appears God deliberately frustrated his bid to be appointed Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice because of what he would have used the position for.
“For instance, over ten Ekiti indigenes were murdered during the APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi, Falana kept silent. He also kept silent when the future of Ekiti State was being mortgaged to frivolous loans and deductions from workers salary were not being remitted. It also made no meaning to Falana that democratically elected local government chairmen and councillors were sacked and council election was not conducted throughout the four years of APC government in Ekiti State.
“Instead of hiding under human rights activism to perpetrate evil against Ekiti and its people as he has always done, Falana should be bold enough to declare his governorship ambition, which is not hidden and let’s see how far he can go this time around.
“Like we have maintained, this is 2016 and 2006 that Falana and his criminal collaborators used EFCC to remove Governor Fayose whose impeachment was later declared illegal by the Supreme Court”.

Alleged Forgery: Group Warns Senate Against Blackmailing Buhari

The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has asked the Senate to put the interest of the nation above personal interest and stop blackmailing President Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged forgery charges leveled against its principal officers by the Federal Government.
The BMSG said it was disappointing that the upper legislative chamber wants to blackmail the president into submitting to its whims and caprices by stampeding him into interfering with the court summons of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

A federal high court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday postponed the arraignment of Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu till Monday summon for alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules that was used to elect them as Senate president and deputy Senate president, respectively last year June.
Messrs. Saraki, Ekweremadu will be arraigned alongside a former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi, on two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery of the Standing Rules.
While the defendants deny the charges leveled against them, the PDP Senate caucus yesterday said it withdrew its support for the Buhari administration over the pending arraignment of the presiding officers.
But the BMSG, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Muhammad Labbo, and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke and made available to newsmen in Abuja, said that as lawmakers, the senators ought to be on the same page with the president and his administration to uphold the laws of the land.
They further stated that rather than constitute themselves into obstacles in the quest to reposition the country and ensure obedience to the rule of law, the senators should be seen to show good example to the citizenry.
The statement said: “we wish to remind the Senate that President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn to an oath to uphold the nation’s constitution, and no attempt should be made by any individual or group to undermine this sacred responsibility.
“Additionally, it needs to be restated that the summons emanated from the petition raised by some senators over the forgery of the Senate standing order, a ground norm for conducting business in the hallowed chambers of the Senate.
“The BMSG strongly believes that the individuals mentioned in the summons will have an opportunity in the court to prove their innocence, rather than using the hallowed chambers of the Senate to fan embers of division, and ill-feeling against the President.
“The BMSG implores that as the representatives of their various constituencies, the senators should always work together with the executive to address the myriad of problems besetting Nigeria.
“We therefore urge the Senate to immediately withdraw their uncouth language against the president and render an unreserved apology to Nigerians”.

Suicide Bomber Foiled By JTF In Maiduguri

A suicide bomber attempted to detonate a bomb this morning behind CBN Quarters, Damboa road.

According to the Nigerian army, the attack was repelled by the Civilian JTF.

Hundreds Of Christians Convert To Islam In Delta State

According to a Twitter user by the name, Saleem Abdulqadir, 104 Christians yesterday converted to Islam  in Delta State. An obviously elated Abdulqadir, who posted the pictures revealed that the conversion took place in Delta State.

He wrote:
Total of 104 Christians accepted the light of Islam in Delta state,Nigeria. Ya Allah grant them your infinite mercy.

Boko Haram Opens Fire On Mourners In Adamawa Village, Kills 20

At least twenty persons were killed and several others injured in Kuda village, Madagali local government area of Adamawa State when suspected Boko Haram insurgents opened fire on them.
Witnesses said the suspected insurgents walked into the village from the direction of Sambisa Forest around 9pm on Thursday and opened fire on the villagers, who were gathered at a square to mourn the 40th day since the demise of some tribesmen.
They added that the gunmen fired at the crowd, killing 20 people before attacking several houses where they executed men and carted away foodstuff.
A former Chairman of Madagali LGA, Maina Ularamu, who confirmed the attack, called for the deployment of soldiers to villages connecting Sambisa Forest so that pockets of attacks by remnants of the insurgents, who he said are hunger-stricken and hiding in the area, could be effectively checkmated.
Mr. Ularamu, however, commended the Nigerian military for their impressive performance in the war against insurgency.
Also confirming the attack, the Adamawa Police Command spokesman, DSP Othman Abubakar, said 18 villagers died in the attack.

Barack Obama rips into Donald Trump ‘you are doing the terrorists work for them’, Trump responds.

President Obama has launched his most scathing attack on Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, blasting his ‘Muslim ban’ and saying he is going against American values with his comments and propositions.
Obama said that ideas such as the Muslim ban on Immigrants were “doing the terrorists’ work for them,”
Obama’s comments on Tuesday came after a meeting with the Treasury Department with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and other national security advisors that focused on efforts to cut off the finances of ISIS. He also said that the campaign against Islamic State is “firing on all cylinders” and that the “noose is tightening” around the group’s territory in Iraq and Syria, before launching into a lengthy condemnation of Republican rhetoric about “radical Islam.”
“Are we going to start treating all Muslim Americans differently” than other citizens, Obama asked. “Are we going to start discriminating against them because of their faith?”

‘If the U.S. goes down down that path “we would have betrayed the very things we’re trying to protect,” the president said. “And then the terrorist would have won, and we cannot let that happen. I will not let that happen. The main contribution of some Republicans has been to “criticize this administration and me for not using the phrase ‘radical Islam.’”
“What exactly would using this label accomplish?” he asked. “Would it make ISIL less committed to trying to kill Americans? Would it bring in more allies? Is there are military strategy that is served by this? The answer,” he said, is “none of the above.”
“This is a political distraction,” he said. “Someone seriously thinks that we don’t know who we’re fighting? That would come as a surprise to the thousands of terrorists who we’ve taken off the battlefield.”
Trump in his usual fashion, replied to Obama’s comments saying Obama was more angry with him than the Orlando shooter, drawing cheers from the crowd.
“He was more angry at me than he was at the shooter,” Trump said. “We’re led by the stupid people,” Trump said at one point. “We’re not going to be fools anymore.”
Source: CNN / New York Times

Nigerian Soldier Escapes Death During Battle With Boko Haram In Borno

More power and grace to our military men who have laid down their lives for the security of the country. The gallant Nigerian soldier Henry Edobor -who celebrated his birthday on a ‘low-key’ few months back at the battlefield -escaped death yesterday following a battle with Boko Haram insurgents far in the northeast. He sustained only a minor injury after his right ear was grazed by a bullet during gun battle.

Henry who shared the good news on his page wrote; To God be the glory” gun shot on my ear during exchanging fire wt BOKO HARAM today’s pls help me to thank God.

Commercial Bus Crushes Infant Over N150 Change In Makurdi

Tragedy struck in Makurdi town of Benue state when a commercial bus crush to death an infant baby over N150 change, injuring the nursing mother in the process.

LEADERSHIP gathered yesterday that the ugly incident which occurred along Makurdi-Gboko expressway happened at about 9.pm.
The father of the deceased baby who simply gave his name as Senator Anuum narrated that the mother of child had boarded the vehicle, alongside her baby, from the second gate of the Benue State University (BSU) to Coca-Cola junction located along the highway.
Anuum explained that when the mother of the child was about to alight from the vehicle at the junction, she gave the bus conductor N200 and she was supposed to be given a balance of N150 which, the conductor refused.
“The mother and her child who she carried at her back, were the remaining passengers in the bus. The conductor did not want to give her the change and they drove off, in the process she grabbed the conductor that was already on the moving vehicle, with her baby at the back and she lost balance, fell down and was dragged on the road till the baby fell off from her back, in between the back wheels and was smashed, died instantly and the driver and the conductor drove off,” Anuum said.
It was further gathered that the barbaric act drew the attention of residents and passersby who thronged to the place to catch a glimpse and rescue the wailing woman.
It said the matter has been reported to security agencies.
Source: Leadership