Ooni of Ife hosts Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi in His Palace

Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, played host to the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Sanusi Muhammadu Sanusi, on Wednesday.

The Emir, who was accompanied by top members of Kano Emirate Council said he was in Ile-Ife to formally congratulate Ooni on his ascension to the throne of his forefathers and to appreciate him for his fatherly role sequel to the recent Hausa/Fulani crisis in Ile-Ife.
After presenting the Emir with an artwork gift representing the cultural diversity in Nigeria, Ooni Ogunwusi and his chiefs led the Emir and his entourage on a visit to the Hausa community at the Sabo area of the town where they both had a brief meeting with Seriki Hausa and his people.

Emir Sanusi thanked Ooni and the people of Ife for the warm reception and prayed for the robust relationship between Kano Emirate and Ife Kingdom to continue. More photos...

Two teenagers drown in hotel swimming pool In Benin(Graphic Photos)

Two teenagers have reportedly died in a swimming pool belonging to a hotel in Okhoro, in the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. - PUNCH reports.

The victims were identified as Ikponmwosa Isibor, 17, and 16-year-old Emmanuel Abuzu.
It was learnt that the deceased, who were friends, had paid to use the swimming pool before they reportedly drowned at about 4pm on Saturday. (Graphic Photos Ahead)


It was gathered that the hotel, Okhoro Play House, said to be popular in the area, had been under lock and key since the incident occurred.

A source said some workers of the hotel had also been taken to the Okhoro Police Station for interrogation.
 A worker at the hotel, who did not give his name, said the matter was being investigated by the police.

He said, “The police are already handling the matter. I think you should speak with them.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Nkombe, told our correspondent on Wednesday, that he was not aware of the incident, saying he was away on an official assignment.

It was, however, learnt that the case had been transferred to the homicide department of the state police command.

Graphic Photos below

Head Teacher demoted to gateman over certificate forgery scandal

                 
A Head Teacher with the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, on Grade Level 13 has been demoted to the post of a gateman on Grade Level 04, while 758 others were sent to lower grade levels for using fake certificates to gain employment into the service.
Dr. Stephen Odey, Chairman of SUBEB, said in Calabar that over 758 teachers with fake certificates and 700 ghost teachers were uncovered during a recent screening by the board across the state.


Dr. Odey said the fake certificates have been confiscated from their owners.
He added that although no punitive measures, apart from demotions and suspensions would be applied on the culprits, measures have been put in place to ensure that recruitment into the state teaching service is devoid of malpractices and fake certificate syndrome as in the past.

He revealed that those with genuine certificates are being promoted, while some who were employed as security men and care-givers, but have acquired additional qualifications, have been redeployed as class teachers.

Justice Ngwuta Arraigned Before CCT, Gets Bail On Self-Recognisance

The Federal Government on Thursday arraigned a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, on mostly charges of false asset declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.

He pleaded not guilty to the amended eight counts preferred against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Shortly after the defendant took his plea, his lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), applied orally that the Justice of the apex court be granted bail in self-recognisance.

The request was not opposed by the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Umar Muhammed, who is the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation.


The tribunal headed by its Chairman, Danladi Umar, granted the bail application and fixed July 12 for commencement of trial.

Ngwuta is currently undergoing separate trial for money laundering and passport fraud charges preferred against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

While Justice Ngwuta’s trial was going on before a Federal High Court, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation had on February 8, 2017 preferred separate sets of charges bordering on breaches of code of conduct for public officers and asset declaration asset breaches against him and another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

But no date has been fixed for Justice Ademola’s arraignment on the two counts preferred against him.

Ngwuta was initially charged with 10 counts now amended to eight counts before the CCT.

Culled from the Punch

Face of a 75yrs retired soldier arrested over Armed Robbery

A 75-year-old retired Nigerian soldier who is also a grand father has been arrested alongside others over alleged armed robbery in Edo State.

A Facebook user, Festus Alenkhe, took to his page to share pic and story of how a retired military officers and others were arrested for armed robbery in Edo state. He wrote:

"A 75-year-old grand father and retired soldier, Jubrin Ugiagbe and two others have been arrested by men of the Edo state police command for alleged armed robbery. 

"The ex-soldier is been squeezed for supplying the suspected armed robbers with the guns used in their Various operations where financial returns were made after every operation."

Nasir El-Rufai arrests another journalist

                                  

Another journalist have been arrested by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, the news was reported by Daily Post reports that El’Rufai ordered the arrest of Mr. Midat Joseph, a Kaduna-based correspondent of Leadership newspapers.

He was arrested by security operatives in his house at the early hours of Thursday.

According to sources, the journalist who is now in detention in Kaduna was said to have published a report considered critical of the state government.

This development has brought to six, the number of journalists arrested on the orders of the state governor since his assumption of office on May 2015.

However, calls put across to El’Rufai’s Chief Press Secretary for confirmation did not yield results as his line was switched off.

"The Hangover" Producer Is Found Dead At His Hollywood Home At The Age Of 45

                                   
                        

A successful Hollywood manager and producer, known for his role in bringing The Hangover trilogy and We're the Millers (2013) to the silver screen, has passed away.
JC Spink was found dead on Tuesday in his West Hollywood home at the age of 45, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Spink was the co-founder of Benderspink, the management-production company responsible for several blockbuster movies over the past two decades.
Chris Bender made up the other half of the founding team. The two both graduated from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania's Bucknell University and worked together at Zide-Perry Productions in Los Angeles.
They later became roommates and started their own lucrative venture.
We had a third bedroom, and the company just started out of there,' Spink previously said. 'I think it probably cost $35,000 a year or $40,000 a year to run it. We were just putting it on credit cards.'
The line of credit wasn't required for too long, as within their first year of operations they had sold over 20 scripts and helped bring 1999's American Pie to fruition. That film alone grossed $235 million across the globe.
A few of his many producing credits include The Butterfly Effect (2004), A History of Violence (2005), Cats & Dogs (2001), The Ring (2002) and the Ride Along films.
Spink left Benderspink in May 2016. The duo released a statement about the split on May 17.
'We started Benderspink in our late 20s almost 18 years ago,' the pair said.
'We could not be more proud of what we’ve worked on together and are excited for the next chapter in each of our lives.'
Spink also had a guest starring role in two episodes of The Goldbergs, his only acting credits.
The show's creator, Adam Goldberg, was also a classmate of Spink's, but from childhood.
'Ever since we were kids on the school bus, JCwas a passionate, driven and brilliant guy who put his friends first,' Goldberg said in a statement, as reported by Deadline Hollywood. '
He mastered the spec [script sales] game by his 30s, but even more impressive, he gave countless writers a start in the business. One of my best memories on The Goldbergs was when I cast JC to play our angry bus driver from our childhood. It was so surreal and incredibly fun. He really will be missed.'

Towie's Ferne McCann Disowns Boyfriend On The Run After Club Acid Attack

Ferne McCann yesterday deleted boyfriend Arthur Collins from all her social media accounts as police continued to hunt him over an acid attack.

Friends said The Only Way Is Essex star, 25, wanted to show they were finished after she urged the scaffolder to give himself up.

Detectives want to speak to Collins, 26, and two other men over a nightclub row that left 20 people with chemical burns.

A source close to Ferne said: “She is sending a clear message that their relationship is over - it’s like she’s wiping him from her life by erasing any trace of their time together.

 The past few days have been devastating, and this is a way of showing Arthur is no longer part of her life.

Another pal of Ferne’s, who asked not to be named, said: “We were wary of Ferne getting back with Arthur.

Not many people thought he was right for her. It’s good to see she’s distancing herself from him.”

Ferne’s spokesman has already confirmed she was not at Mangle nightclub in Dalston, East London, at the time of the incident early on Easter Monday.

Police raided Collins’ £1 million family home in Broxbourne, Herts, later that day and allegedly found cannabis, drug-farming equipment and illegal firearms.

Unemployed Nigerian Man's Wife Gives Birth To Quintuplets, Seek Govt Assistance

Mr Imudia Uduehi, a father of quintuplet who married less than a year ago, has appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians, philanthropists and government to support his family.

Uduehi, an unemployed graduate, from Ekpoma in Esan West LGA in Edo, made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the quintuplet was delivered at the National Hospital Abuja on April 12, adding that all the five babies and the mother were in good health. 

“I am delighted and I thank God to have blessed us with these healthy children, I know it is a huge responsibility because it is not easy to raise even one child.
"I am, however, appealing to the government, well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to come and support my family in raising the children. I want everyone to see these children not just as a blessing to us but also a blessing to the entire nation,’’ Uduehi said.
Also, Mrs Oluwakemi Uduehi, mother of the quintuplets, who is a civil servant, expressed joy for safe delivery adding that she conceived naturally and delivered five healthy baby girls.
The wife who appealed to Nigerians to support her family, stated that they were presently residing in a one bedroom apartment at Lugbe on Airport road. “My husband is presently searching for a job and I am a civil servant with Nigerian Population Commission in Abuja.

We both live in one bedroom apartment in Lugbe because that is what we can afford. But now that God has blessed us with five children, we will definitely need a bigger apartment and money to meet their needs, especially buying baby food and cloths,’’ she said.

Tears Flow as Murdered Man, Wife, Son Are Buried in Lagos

Emotions ran high yesterday at Ibeshe Titun, Ikorodu, Lagos, as three family members who were murdered by some assailants, were buried.

The late couple, Mr. Lucky Ebhodaghe and Mrs. Margaret Ebhodaghe, and their son, Jonathan, were buried in their house around 12pm amid tears.

Residents and members of the Deeper Life Bible Church, where the husband was a member of the prayer team and the wife, a worker in the ushering section, could not hide their grief.

Recall that 15-year-old Jonathan, the only child of the family, was participating in the ongoing West African Secondary School Certificate Examination when the incident happened.

It was reported that the assailants tore the window net and cut some burglar-proof bars to gain access into the house late Monday night.

The suspects were said to have inflicted machete cuts on the family members, leaving them for dead.

Their neighbours were not aware of the incident until the next day, when Jonathan’s friends and a teacher visited the house to know why he was not in school for his exams.

The visitors reportedly met the house locked and peeped through the window, from where they saw the victims in a pool of blood.

The wife, Margaret was alleged to have been r*ped by the assailants before she was killed.

According to Punch, some residents who identified the killers as members of the Badoo cult, said the gang had killed many other residents in a similar way.

Woman Lament Over unfair exploitation by LASTMA official

A Lagosian, Larry Mesh has cried out over an alleged exploitation he encountered in the hand of a Lastma official.
Larry wrote

“I was exploited by a Lastma official (Suenu Adejoke) by name yesterday and would like to know if/how I can be assisted or if someone can tell me what to do.'

According to her I used one way ( there was no sign to indicate this) I saw other vehicles moving the same way also. Two vehicles before me and several others behind me. She claim they are military men. 

So i told her to allow me turn back, next thing she jumped into the vehicle started dragging the steering with the driver.

She later claim that she was assaulted by my driver (George) and she had a miscarriage in the course of this.

We were taken to Area F police station where she demanded N150k for assault.

This woman collected N70k cash from my manager and I really feel bad about this because the police did not even help matters. Don’t know if there is any official handle (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) where I can report  this.”

Checkout Runtown Baby Mama baby bump in maternity photo

Singer, Runtown's US based baby mama, Selena L has released her maternity photos on Instagram.
 

She shared the photos and wrote:

"The amount of love we have for you is unmeasurable... 👪" 

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) #FamilyFirst #Mother #Babybump #Preggo #Maternity #Pregnantstyle #FabMom #BabyBoy #baby #Milf  #Runtown #BlackLove #Pregnant #Mommytobe #ExpectingMom"

Africa's 1st Solo Traveller Hosted By VP Osinbajo (photos)

We told you how this Nigerian, Captain Ademola Odujinrin flew around the world solo. Africa's 1st Solo Traveller was on a courtesy visit to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday...

Nigerian pastor accused of sexually abusing over 30 young girls in South Africa

Controversial Nigerian pastor Tim Omotoso of the Jesus Dominion International Church in Durban, is being sought by the Hawks for allegedly abusing young girls at his Umhlanga house.
According to an expose by SABC 3’s Special Assignment on Monday, he allegedly handpicked the girls and instructed them to live in his house where they were forced to have unprotected sex with him.

Hawk’s spokesperson, Lt-Col Robert Netshiunda, said Omotoso had gone underground and all three cellphones linked to him had been deactivated. “We are investigating the matter and we will only lay charges after getting him,” Netshiunda said.
Omotoso allegedly molested more than 30 young girls on the pretext of rescuing them from drugs. Some of the girls had reportedly dropped out of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, while others began travelling while singing for the pastor’s group, known as Simply Christolite.

Bishop Vusi Dube of the National Interfaith Council of SA said he had always had reservations about the way Omotoso conducted himself. Dube said:

“I challenge all honest Nigerian pastors to condemn this. If they don’t, there will be assumptions that they have no problem with this behaviour.”

INEC Begins Nationwide Voter Registration April 27

The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will commence a nationwide continuous voter registration on April 27 across the 774 local government areas of the federation.

The commission disclosed this in a statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner, Mrs Amina Zakari, after a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It stated that the exercise would take place from 9 a.m to 3 p.m on weekdays (Mondays to Fridays), excluding public holidays.

The registration centres, according to the statement, shall be the local government offices of the commission or such other suitable locations as would be made public by the State Offices of lNEC.

Banky W discovers that he drank an expired Lucozade

Halfway into drinking a bottle of Lucozade, singer Banky W discovers that it was an expired drink.
He shared the photos and a video reacting to the drink, saying he was heading to their office to lay a complaint. See another photo below...

Aaron Hernandez Branded His Head With Bible Verse Before Suicide

Aaron Hernandez, the convicted killer and former New England Patriots star, wrote a popular bible verse on his forehead using a red marker pen before committing suicide in his Massachusetts jail cell, it has been claimed.

The disgraced ex NFL star reportedly scrawled the verse 'John 3:16', which reads: 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'

He also left a Bible in his cell on to that verse, according to CBS Boston. The verse has been referred to as 'The Gospel in a Nutshell'.

Investigators are also said to be looking at the possibility Hernandez smoked K2 synthetic marijuana before taking his own life.

Inmates are telling investigators that Hernandez was high on K2 - also known as 'Spice' - prior to his death.

That's the same drug he was said to be smoking the night of Lloyd's murder. Although the chemical composition of the drug varies, it's been linked to psychotic episodes, collapses and seizures among users.

The investigative team is also looking at a 22-year-old friend and fellow inmate of Hernandez's who is believed to be the last person to see him alive. The inmate is now under suicide watch.

The fresh developments came after it was suggested Hernandez may have inadvertently or intentionally cleared his own name by committing suicide early this morning.

Pics Of SGF Lawal Leaving Aso Rock After Suspension

Moments after claiming ignorance of his suspension from office, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal was spotted leaving the Presidential Villa Abuja as his suspension was officially confirmed by the Presidency.

53 arrested in Kaduna for attending gay marriage

                              

Police, yesterday, arraigned 53 persons, who were allegedly arrested during a gay marriage, before a magistrate’s court in Chediya-Zaria, Kaduna State.
The prosecutor, Mannir Nasir, said the accused were arrested on April 15 at a motel and were being charged for conspiracy, unlawful assembly and belonging to a gang of unlawful society.


He said the offences contravened Sections 97, 100 and 197(a) of Criminal Procedure Code, CPC. According to Nasir, “on April 15, at about 9p.m., a team of policemen, led by DSP Muhammad Lawal-Mashi, arrested and brought to the police station 53 persons.”
 The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their counsel, Yunusa Umar, asked the court to release them on bail in line with sections 35 (4) and 36 (5) of the Constitution.
Gay marriage Mr. Umar said the accused persons were detained for more than 24 hours, contrary to Section 341 of CPC.


He told the court that most of the accused persons were students in their tender age. Chief Magistrate Auwal Musa-Aliyu granted the accused N500,000 bail, with one surety each in the like sum, who must be a blood relation to the accused.

He ordered that each surety must present two passport size photographs, valid identity card, bank account number, letter of credence from a traditional ruler, a 2015 utility bill and a valid GSM number. The Chief Magistrate adjoined the case till May 8 for further hearing.

Ambode orders execution of Rev. King, death row inmates

        
Akinwunmi Ambode has instructed the execution of inmates on death row in the state prisons, including the General-Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Rev. King.
According to NewTelegraphOnline

'The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday.  According to him, the state had begun reviewing the matter after prison officials complained of the antics of some death row inmates who felt that they had certain rights which excluded them from being executed. 

'The Attorney-General assured that, unlike previous administrations, Ambode would sign the necessary documents to execute those on death row.'

Kazeem said: “Very soon, you will see the action of this government on that issues, we are reviewing the case on Rev. King and others on death row.

He added: “Lots of people are on death row, Rev. King is not the only one on death row, it is on the instruction of Ambode that I visited the prisons recently and I discuss the issue with the prison officials and they expressed their concerns.

“We are moving in that direction of signing. The prison officials said we need to look at that seriously. Those on death row are beginning to think they have some rights. We are going to move in that direction, you will hear from me, but I will not tell you the exact date.”

The Supreme Court had on February 27, 2016 affirmed the death sentence passed on King by the Appeal Court.

The condemned cleric was arraigned before the Lagos High Court in Ikeja on September 26, 2006, on six counts of murder of a member of his church, Ann Uzoh, and attempted murder of five other members.

He was said to have poured petrol on the deceased and the five other victims and set them on fire for allegedly committing fornication.

Uzoh died on August 2, 2006, 11 days after the incident, as a result of the injuries which she sustained from the burns.

She was said to have been 65 per cent burnt in the fire incident. The trial judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole (now a Justice of the Court of Appeal), had in his judgement delivered on January 11, 2007, convicted Ezeugo and sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment on each of the five counts of attempted murder and death sentence for murder.