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has been drawn to a statement credited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate Caucus stating that the Caucus has withdrawn its support for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari over the administration’s hugely successful war against corruption”, the statement said.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”.