Confusion As Court Sacks 9mobile Interim Board; Investor Warns Glo, Airtel

The Federal High Court, Ikoyi has nullified the Ex Parte Order earlier issued on 3rd July 2017 approving the appointment of an Interim Board for Emerging Markets Telecommunications Service (EMTS), now 9mobile.

The company is the fourth largest telecommunications service operator in Nigeria.

Document obtained shows that the order on Friday by Justice Ibrahim Buba followed the Preliminary Objection filed by United Capital Trustees Ltd in response to the application by Spectrum Wireless, a shareholder of EMTS, for a nullification of the Ex Parte Order.

The development has set off another round of confusion and may affect the January 16 new deadline set by the NCC lat week.

The Interim Board of EMTS backed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), recently received bids from about 5 bidders in its intended sale of the company.

Barclays Africa, the financial adviser handling the sale of 9mobile, had the initial mandate of December 31, 2017 to conclude the sale.

Barclays Africa had since last year, shortlisted the final five firms – Teleology Holdings Limited, promoted by Adrian Wood, the pioneer CEO of MTN Nigeria; Smile Telecoms Holdings, with operations in Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Congo DR and South Africa; Helios Investment Partners; Bharti Airtel and Globacom.

Meanwhile, Solicitor to Spectrum Wireless Communication Limited in a public notice warned that by virtue of the said judgment, Dr. Joseph Nnanna, Oluseyi Bickersteth, Ken Igbokwe, Funke Ighodaro and Boye Olusanya as security trustee nominee of the board of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Service has been nullified and the order appointing them vacated.

The Solicitors warned that any institution or company who transacts business for the purpose of sale or acquisition of EMTS or 9Mobile does so at his or her own risk.

Justice Buba in his judgment said that the motion is struck out having set aside the order adding that “the respondent shall reverse all steps taken by it since the order was nullity.”

Enugu Butcher Stabs Colleague To Death

A butcher, Michael Kingsley, has been arrested for allegedly killing his colleague, Ifeanyi Egwuagu, in Enugu State.

The incident happened at Artisan Quarters, in the Ogui area of Enugu. It was learnt that Kingsley and the deceased, Egwuagu, operated as butchers in the Artisan market located around the Artisan Quarters.

Kingsley slaughters chicken for a living while Egwuagu kills goats within the same area.

The two men were said to be close friends, but their friendship ended tragically when Kingsley stabbed Egwuagu to death on Sunday, January 14, 2018.


Eyewitnesses told Southern City News that Kingsley took to his heels after stabbing Egwuatu, who later died at Eastern Medical Centre in Enugu, where he was rushed to for treatment.

However, Kingsley’s attempt to escape arrest was not successful as he was eventually apprehended by the police.

The spokesman for the Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the arrest, said the butcher was nabbed while attempting to leave Enugu.

Amaraizu added that following his arrest, Kingsley owned up to the crime, but claimed that he did not intend to kill Egwuagu.

The embattled butcher said he killed his colleague in error.

“Following his prompt arrest, the suspect  revealed that the deceased was his close friend and that they were both butchers at Artisan Quarters and that on the fateful day, he had gone out with one of their butcher friends, who he identified as Ogidi, to drink, after which they came back in the evening.

“He (Kingsley) further alleged that when they came back, the said Ogidi compelled him to buy more drinks, but he refused, after which Ogidi engaged him in a fight, which later attracted Egwuagu’s attention.

“According to him, Egwuagu rushed out to stop the fight, but was mistakenly stabbed twice with a broken bottle, in the rib and the lower abdomen.

“Kingsley said he decided to run away to avoid arrest when he noticed that Egwuagu was gasping for breath,” Amaraizu narrated.

The police spokesman added that ‘a full-scale investigation’ was being conducted to unravel the circumstances that led to the killing.

He also disclosed that Egwuagu’s body had been deposited in the mortuary at Eastern Medical Centre.

Senate Gives IGP 14 Days To Arrest Perpetrators Of Benue Killings

The Senate Tuesday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to apprehend the perpetrators of the recent killings in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue State and hand them over to the attorney general of the state for prosecution.

The attacks led to the deaths of at least 73 persons.

Resuming from its Yuletide recess Tuesday, the upper legislative chamber said the failure to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators, who it said include “well trained foreign mercenary elements”, will threaten Nigeria’s unity as the crisis was deepening the country’s ethno-religious fault lines.

The lawmakers also called for an increased security presence in the affected areas, following findings by its Ad hoc Committee on Security that the presence of security forces was thin on the ground.


The lawmakers, however, rejected a motion seeking for the establishment of a North-central Development Commission to address the destruction by killer herdsmen in the Middle Belt region.

Adopting the recommendations of its committee, which visited the state last weekend, the Senate also resolved to convene a national security summit to examine the recurring violence and mayhem in the country’s rural communities before the attacks become an existential threat to national cohesion and survival.

In the face of the report by the committee that some faceless persons were sponsoring and harbouring well trained foreign mercenary elements and using them to unleash violence in Nigeria’s rural space, the Senate harped on the need for better policing of the national borders to ensure movement with proper documentation and regular surveillance.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said the resolutions of the senators on the killings would be transmitted to the executive to consider for immediate action.

Bomb Factory Uncovered In Edo State

             

A bomb making factory has been discovered in Okpella,Edo state.According to report,the factory is owned by strangers who are living in the premises of a house in Okpella with their wives and children which villagers thought they  were farmers.

God exposed them when one of the bombs exploded killing one of them (makers).Villagers tried to find out the cause of the explosion when the engineers (makers)  quickly started parking the bombs and other weapons into their car to escape. The members of the community gave them a hot chase when they took off.They ended up on a dead end road,abandon their vehicle and weapons and ran into a bush.

Nevertheless, one of them was arrested, including two of their wives and children. They are presently in police custody in Okpella police station.

Angela Okorie Goes Bald

Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie has gone bald. She took to IG to show her fans what she now looks like, captioning the photos; 'Am So Dope And I Know It'

FFK Arrested This Morning by DSS

Well that's according to Deji Adeyanju on twitter. Deji a close pal of FFK says he was almost arrested this morning over his Fulani Herdsmen comments. We haven't heard that news, but FFK liked the tweet suggesting it is true. 
See all the tweets below...

Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon Take Their Twins To Museum For Martin Luther King Jr

Their twins turn seven this April. And while their romance came to an end in 2014 Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, who were married for six years, are still just as committed as ever to co-parenting.

The pair were at Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena, California, yesterday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day.

Monroe and Moroccan, six, looked delighted to be spending the day with both parents as they posed for group snaps.


Carey, who wore a mini-dress, captioned one of her snaps: Celebrating today in honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior at the Kidspace Children’s Museum #Dream #ThankYouDrKing'.

While Mariah and Nick announced their split in 2014 they did not finalize their divorce until 2016, after tying the knot in 2008. 

Lagos Auto Parts Dealer Dies In SARS Custody

An auto parts dealer in the Owode Onirin area of Lagos State, Lukman Ogundele, has died in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.

Although the police formation had been reportedly  evasive on the whereabouts of the father of two children, a police charge sheet sighted by our correspondent marked his name ‘late’.

Punch Metro learnt that Lukman and his friend, Saheed Abayomi, had been arrested by SARS operatives for facilitating the sale of a stolen Toyota Camry.

It was gathered that the police apprehended Lukman in the midnight of December 29, 2017 and took him into custody in Ikeja, where he was detained alongside Abayomi and two others.


Punch correspondent learnt that Abayomi and Lukman’s families searched for them at police stations across the state, until on December 31 when Abayomi’s mother traced him to the SARS office.

It was gathered that Lukman’s wife, Wunmi Ogundele, and relatives consequently visited SARS office on several occasions, but were not allowed to see him.

“Any time we went there, policemen would chase us away and they did not allow us to see his friend, Saheed (Abayomi), so we could ask after him (Lukman). I had travelled with the children for the Yuletide when he was arrested,” Wunmi added.

His cousin, one Isaac, who went to the station on January 6, was reportedly told that the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Edwin Obam, had taken him out.

After failed attempts to see him, his mother, Yemisi Ogundele, who lives in Taraba State, was said to have travelled down to Lagos.

Yemisi said, “He sold auto parts and iron in Owode Onirin. A man wanted to sell a car. He and Saheed got a buyer for the vehicle and the person sold it to someone else. On December 29, in the night, some SARS men went to his house in Itowolo, Ikorodu, with Saheed, and arrested him.

“Our family members went to the SARS office, but the policemen did not give them any attention. Last Wednesday, I came down to Lagos State and went there. The policemen I met said they did not know anybody by that name.

“I saw Saheed while he was being taken to the Ikeja Magistrate’s Court that day with two others. I asked for my son, but they chased me away. They did not allow me to get close to Saheed.”

The mother explained that Lukman’s brother and she met with an official at the court, who showed them the charge preferred against him.

She said she was shocked when she discovered that her son was charged with robbery along with one Kehinde Hassan.

“His name on the heading of the charge sheet had been cancelled, but in the content, it was written as late Lukman Ogundele. That was when I realised that my son died in the police custody, but they were trying to cover up.

“When my daughter prodded the IPO further, he made a call. After a few minutes, about eight armed policemen came to scare us away,” she added.

Lukman’s uncle, Pastor Bolaji Michael, said a policeman confided in him that Lukman was dead and appealed that the family should take the death in good faith.

He said the family had contacted a lawyer to petition the police and take up the matter.

He said, “Lukman and Saheed were arrested for introducing a buyer to a stolen vehicle. But he was charged with a separate count bordering on robbery. We will be in court on Tuesday (today) to see what happens. We will also get a lawyer to petition the Inspector-General of Police.

“Officially, SARS has not told the family that he is dead, which is wrong. It was a policeman that told us that the boy slumped in custody and died. He said he was not tortured and advised us to let go of the matter. He said he would help us to collect his corpse. He said if we let the case drag on, we might not get his corpse in one year.

“I disagreed with him and said we would take it up. This was a man who had two kids of seven and nine years old and a wife. He must not die just like that.”

Abayomi’s mother, who wanted to be identified as Iya Saheed, said a SARS officer had promised her that Lukman and her son would be released on bail as soon as the prime suspects in the case were arrested.

She said, “The officer promised that Saheed and Lukman would be released once they got one Idowu and Kehinde, the prime suspects, arrested. But after the two were caught, they did not release them.

“I was surprised when I got a call last Tuesday that they would be charged to court. Saheed, Idowu and Kehinde were brought to the Ikeja Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday, but Lukman was not there. The police have postponed their arraignment to Tuesday (today).”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, said Lukman died naturally on January 2, adding that the victim’s relatives were informed about the death through a family member, who is a policeman.

He said, “The boy was arrested for armed robbery with four others. Along the line, he was sick while in the cell and was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. The doctor treated him and the police took him back.  He was returned to custody.

“The next day, he collapsed and was rushed back to the hospital. On getting to the hospital, he was confirmed dead by a doctor. Other gang members have been arraigned and remanded in prison.”

Suspected Killers Of Nigerian Model In London Have Been Arrested

Police have charged two men on suspicion of murder after a model, Harry Uzoka was stabbed to death, in what's believed to be a robbery which went wrong.

Uzoka, who was on the books of Premier Model Management, died from a single stab wound.  

Detectives have charged George Koh, 24, from Camden, and Jonathan Okigbo, 23, from Kentish Town, with murder, while Koh is also facing charges of possessing an offensive weapon.

Koh was arrested on Sunday and Okigbo was arrested yesterday, Scotland Yard said.

Both men will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court today.

A 27-year-old man, who was arrested on the day of the incident, has been released under investigation and a 28-year-old man, who was also arrested that day, has been released with no further action to be taken.

Neighbours on Old Oak Road, East Acton, reported a shout of 'hand it over' in the melee which involved several men.

Mr Uzoka, 25, staggered into the street from a housing estate before collapsing.

Trump Protects Famous Locks From Rainy Florida Weather Only To Ignore Wife & Son

President Donald Trump along with wife Melania and son Barron boarded Air Force One amid rainy Florida weather on Martin Luther King Jr day.

Photos show President 45 holding a large black umbrella close to his head - perhaps in an effort to keep his famous hair from being pelted by rain drops.

But wife Melania, 47, and Barron, 11, were left to the mercy of the elements as they boarded the plane at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach.

It is not clear whether Trump, 71, at any point offered space under his large umbrella to his wife or son.


One photo even shows the ever-careful Trump closing his umbrella from inside the plane - ensuring that at no point he would be struck by the water.

The First Family is traveling back to Washington D.C. after a long holiday weekend spent at Mar-a-Lago.

Meanwhile, protesters lined up near the resort to protest against Trump. The most recent reason for protest is Trump's disparaging comments about Haiti and African nations.

Obasanjo Completes PhD Programme At NOUN

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is among 14, 771 persons expected to receive honours at the 7th convocation of National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN’s Vice-Chancellor,  Prof. Abdalla Adamu, has said.

The former president is expected to receive a doctorate in Christian Theology, Adamu said at a news briefing on the institution’s 2018 convocation scheduled for Jan. 20 at its s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

He said that Obasanjo would be considered for an appointment as a facilitator or supervisor as PhD was the least qualification for one to teach in the institution.


The vice-chancellor said that 14,771 was the highest number any institution in Nigeria had ever graduated at a convocation ceremony.

He said that in spite of being a former president, Obasanjo conducted himself properly and deservedly bagged Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology.

“One of the graduands is the first PhD graduate the institution will produce; a university must graduate students at academic Masters Level before graduating PhD.

“Only one candidate has been able to do that and that is Obasanjo; the Senate has found him worthy of the award and approved the conferment of PhD on him.

“There are lessons to be learnt from Obasanjo’s feat – one is never too old to learn. Obasanjo was about 80 years when he started the programme and has finished it at 82.

“Again, one is never too powerful to learn; he was the president twice and yet subjected himself to learning; learning is a humbling process.

“We will consider him for the post of a facilitator or supervisor; maybe for our Abeokuta Study Centre; we will suggest it to him.’’

Adamu said that that because of Obasanjo’s achievement, NOUN had received requests from other older citizens.

He said that the institution was able to graduate such a huge number of students because it had created its own internal data management which was previously handled by external vendors.

The vice-chancellor said that students who were hitherto not cleared by the external vendors had been cleared.

He said that NOUN’s Business School would soon take off and would run nine professional programmes.

Toke Makinwa & Romangoddess In N1,118,000 Gucci Outfit Brouhaha

Above is OAP Toke Makinwa, and instagram sweetheart Romangoddess in a Flora Print Silk Shirt which costs N646k and Gucci New Flora Print Silk Pajama Pant which costs N472k. That's N1,118,000 in total for what you see above

Governor Seriake Dickson’s Quadruplets Celebrates Their First Birthday

Governor Seriake Dickson's quadruplets are already 1! And the amiable governor and wife threw them their first party yesterday. More photos from the occasion right after the cut...

Sofia Richie Gets Cozy With Scott Disick In Mexico

Their relationship has been heating up since going public with their romance last September.
And a bikini-clad Sofia Richie, 19, showed off her amazingly toned body while lounging in a luxury beach resort with her boyfriend Scott Disick, 34, in Mexico yesterday.

The daughter of Lionel Richie and the ex-boyfriend of Kourtney Kardashian were all smiles as they got steamy in the hotel hot tub.

During their romantic getaway, Sofia sported a black string bikini which flaunted her ample assets.

The model wore her newly-dark locks up in a ponytail while hiding her make-up free face with black designer sunglasses.

Scott showed off his toned physique by going shirtless while wearing black swim shorts.

The happy couple couldn't keep their hands off of each other as they packed on the PDA in the water.

Due to Greener Pasture,Four Suspected Migrants Caught While Hiding Under Car Bonnet To Sneak Into Europe

Four suspected migrants have been caught trying to sneak into Europe by hiding inside a car as it crossed into the Spanish North African territory of Melilla.

Two of the people - from sub-Saharan Africa - were hiding in the car's boot, while another was found under the bonnet.

A fourth, a woman, was reportedly found under the dashboard.

The driver and a passenger in the car were also detained, according to Spanish daily La Vanguardia.

Two police officers involved in catching the four suspected migrants had to be treated for injuries - one after taking a blow to the knee, the other after being hit in the hand.

The suspected migrants reportedly entered Spanish territory at the Beni-Enzar border crossing between Melilla and Morocco

Britain's Top Primary School Bans Hijabs, Says No To Fasting During Ramadan

The top state primary school in UK has banned girls under eight from wearing hijabs as well as fasting among young pupils.  St Stephen's primary school has called on the government to take a firm stand and follow suit rather than leaving schools to create their own rules.

The school in Newham, east London, has demanded that parents don't allow their children to fast throughout the school day during Ramadan when pupils will have to sit summer exams.

The chairman of governors at St Stephen's, Arif Qawi, has proposed that the Department for Education should 'step up and take it out of our hands'.

He added: 'We did not ban fasting altogether but we encouraged them [children] to fast in holidays, at weekends and not on the school campus. Here we are responsible for their health and safety if they pass out on campus. It is not fair to us.'

Mr Qawi announced that he had spoken to Muslim clerics who told him that boys should fast from puberty.

However some children at St Stephen's were fasting from the age of eight or nine which Mr Qawi said just seemed wrong.

He said: 'It is unfair to teachers and very unfair to governors. We are unpaid. Why should we get the backlash?'

Headmistress of St Stephen's, Neena Lall, backed the change in a bid to make the pupils feel more integrated into the school.

She recalled asking the children a couple of years ago to put their hand up if they thought they were British, and very few did.

Genevieve Nnaji Replace Funke Akindele On Avengers Cast List

Another alleged hack? Top actress Genevieve Nnaji has replaced Funke Akindele-Bello on the cast list for upcoming Hollywood superhero film “Avengers: Infinity War”.

Funke’s name was removed after it was revealed that she was never contacted for the role and it had to do with an alleged hack in the system. Genevieve Nnaji’s name is now on the list and if legitimate, she’ll play a member of the Black Panther’s guards – the ‘Dora Milaje’.

Michelle Obama and Her Daughter Spotted In Maimi Beach

Michelle Obama and her eldest daughter Malia made a rare appearance in swimsuits as they are enjoying the sun in Miami.
The mother and 19-year-old daughter were spotted walking off Miami Beach on Saturday surrounded by friends and Secret Service personnel.
Michelle, 53, looked sensational in a white bikini top matched with high-waisted white denim cut-off shorts as she trudged her way barefoot through the sand, holding her shoes in one hand.

Checkout Mr 2Kay reaction to Shina Peller response on the Value of his Stolen Wrist Watch

Mr 2kay who was robbed at his hotel room in Eko Hotel months ago which was later linked to fellow musician, Burna Boy has said he holds no grudges against Quilox CEO, Shina Peller who in an interview with HIPTV allegedly said Mr. 2Kay wasn’t rich enough to possess the expensive things he said he lost during the robbery. Aside from Shina Peller's alleged comments, Nigerians have also reacted saying Mr 2kay can not own such expensive items, saying for example how did he get a wristwatch he claims he bought N9m.

2kay however replied blasting that, he had a contract with an American company and also said he has so many godfathers, saying he can own anything he desires. In a chat however with Vanguard's Showtime, Mr. 2Kay has now reacted to Shina's comment saying;

“I feel nothing about it because I’m blessed; everybody is entitled to their own opinion so what he said is his own opinion, I have nothing against him and I don’t care because I’m blessed by the grace of God.”

Well, I guess, it's cool we all leave it at this.

Man Knocked down by Moving vehicle while trying to steal a motorcycle to fund his wedding

A suspected thief, Yunus Suleiman, was knocked down by a motorist as he fled on the Murtala Mohammed Road, Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday.

He shocked eyewitnesses when he was apprehended and confessed to have stolen the motorcycle at Challenge area of Ilorin. He added that he wanted to sell it off and use the proceeds to fund his wedding.

But, as he was knocked down on the overhead bridge along Murtala Mohammed Road, one of his legs was broken.

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said the suspect hailed from Kishi in Kaiama local government area of the state.


Suleiman barely escaped being lynched by a mob attracted by the cry of the owner of the motorcycle, who had been pursuing him.

He was caught as he lay in a pool of blood.

Some of the spectators suggested that he should be lynched while some others said he should be handed over to the police. The crowd watched him as he writhed in pain.

The suspect expressed regret for his action and said he was under pressure to find money to finance his wedding coming up in a few days’ time.

“If I had known that I would be passing through this problem, I would not have stolen this motorcycle. I was only looking for money to fund my wedding, which comes up in few days’ time. Please spare my life. Do not burn me. I regret my action,” he said.

Okasanmi told our correspondent that Suleiman was later rescued by the police and taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for treatment.

“We have commenced investigation into the matter,”Okasanmi said.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Henry Bilesanmi, said the corps had arrested seven petrol black marketeers.

He said two of the suspects were arrested on Tuesday while the rest were arrested during the Yuletide.

While warning people against careless use and display of petrol, he confirmed that a teenager was burnt to death at Zango area of Ilorin after his motorcycle had a head-on collision with a private Toyota car.

Punch correspondent learnt a passenger on the motorcycle was carrying a jerry can filled with petrol. The second occupants barely escaped death.

People in the neighbourhood reportedly tried in vain to save the dead victim by pouring water, on him to quench the fire as he burnt to death.

An eyewitness said the fire was ignited by a spark from the motorcycle’s exhaust pipe. The charred remains of the victim was later evacuated to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital mortuary.