Sule Lamido kicks off race to become president in 2019

Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, recently released from prison on bail over allegation of incitement preferred against him by the state government, has set in motion his race to become Nigeria’s president in 2019.
With two years to the expiration of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, the immediate past governor formally unveiled his presidential bid on Monday, at a dinner for the 36 state chairmen of the Peoples Democractic Party, PDP, in Abuja.
Lamido was said to have unveiled his plans to the 36 state chairmen and all the six national zonal vice chairmen, at the dinner staged at a highbrow facility in Maitama district of Abuja.
Confirming the development to Daily Sun, one of his close confidants disclosed that the former governor told the gathering that Nigeria, as a country, has done him a lot of good and the only way he could pay back is to offer himself to serve the country come 2019.
Lamido was quoted to have said: “For now, what we are doing is internal; that is why I believe I have to start from home. I am aware a lot of people are likely to indicate interest in running on the platform of our great party. Please, we must make sure we go for the best.
“After series of consultations across the length and breadth of Nigeria, when the time comes, I will be offering myself for the presidency. I may not be the only aspirant, but please, when the time comes, only the best should be allowed to emerge on the platform of our great party, the PDP.”
Recall that Lamido had, in January declared that no amount of oppression and intimidation can stop him if God wishes for him to be president come 2019.
“Those in power today must know the same God that made Balewa, Ironsi, Gowon, Murtala, Shagari, Buhari, Babangida and Jonathan presidents can do the same for me if He so wishes.
“All the coercion and intimidation were because of my aspiration, and I must tell them that no matter what, if Allah has destined that I will be president, they cannot stop me because that will amount to fighting the will of God.
“Leaders should beware of the consequences that follow tyranny, impunity and abuse of human dignity,” the ex-governor had said.

Kano Assembly suspends Emir Sanusi’s probe

The Kano State House of Assembly has suspended its decision to probe the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The Speaker, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, disclosed this on Monday during a session of the Assembly.
According to him, Governor Abdullai Umar Ganduje wrote to the Assembly to halt the probe, following the intervention of well-meaning personalities.
The lawmakers had two weeks ago constituted a 14- member committee to investigate the emir over allegation of misappropriation of N4 billion and making false assertions against the governor.
Rurum explained that the lawmakers unanimously agreed to suspend the investigation indefinitely after an exhaustive deliberation.
He said: “We received a letter from Ganduje appealing to us to stop the investigation.”
Meanwhile, the governor has rated his predecessors for their contributions to the state, stating that ex-governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ranked second in terms of the state’s development after the late Abubakar Rimi, who was the first governor.
Kwankwaso constructed the “Kofar Nassarawa Bridge, Kabuga and Gadon-Kaya Underpass bridges. He also laid the foundation of the first Kano Independent Power Project.”
He explained that Rimi performed better in education, rural development and media, having established the Triumph newspaper and Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV).
He, however, rated the late Audu Bako as the best performing administrator since the state was created in May 1967. Ganduje made the commendation in a special radio programme to mark the 50th anniversary of the state.
Meanwhile, the President of National Tranquility Movements (NTM), Mohammed Gashash, has absolved the monarch of any wrong. Gashash made this statement at a press conference in Kaduna at the weekend.
He said Sanusi does not deserve the criticisms against him, saying the monarch has an international reputation for his honesty, intelligence and knowledge.

Gambia’s Jammeh ‘stole $50m’, assets frozen

The Gambia’s longtime former ruler Yahya Jammeh stole at least $50-million from the state, the country’s justice minister said Monday, in the first major anti-corruption move by the country’s new president.
It is the first time the new government of the small west African nations has put a figure to the amount it believes Jammeh plundered from state coffers before leaving for exile in Equatorial Guinea in January after 22 years in power.
“President Yahya Jammeh personally or under his instructions directed the unlawful withdrawal of at least $50 million,” said Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou, describing withdrawals from The Gambia’s central bank and linked with state-owned Gamtel between 2013 and 2017.
“We have today obtained a court order freezing or placing a temporary hold on the known assets in the country of former President Yahya Jammeh and companies directly associated with him,” Tambadou added.
The court order concerns 88 bank accounts in Jammeh’s name or those of his associates, Tambadou told journalists, along with 14 companies linked with the former strongman.
Jammeh ran everything from bakeries to farms during his tenure and was regularly accused of taking over successful businesses for his own gain.
Monday’s order was designed to prevent Jammeh “liquidating or dissipating assets,” the minister added, confirming the order applied only to the former leader’s assets in The Gambia.
Last Tuesday Gambian police said three cousins of the former president would face theft charges after selling off his cattle, raising suspicions that his contacts still in the country were under scrutiny.
“These discoveries are just a tip of the iceberg,” Tambadou told a press conference.
Interior Minister Mai Fatty accused Jammeh of taking $11 million after leaving in January, adding he also took luxury cars piled onto a Chadian cargo plane, but the claim was not backed up by the rest of the cabinet.
The Gambia’s longtime opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) won an absolute majority in parliamentary elections in April, easily defeating Jammeh’s party which has been cast into the electoral wilderness by his departure.
That came after the stunning ouster of Jammeh by President Adama Barrow in a December presidential election, a result which the defeated leader fought for weeks until the threat of a regional military intervention.
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate dozens of forced disappearances under Jammeh’s rule, with victims clamouring for justice.
The Gambia’s National Assembly was long derided for acting as a rubber stamp for Jammeh’s decisions, but hopes are high for a revitalised chamber with a raft of fresh faces elected

How ex-naval chief used family coy to acquire N600m property – witness

Peter Oguebie, managing director, Petrus Ogu Nigeria Limited, who is also a witness in the trial of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, on Monday told Justice A. S. Umar of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, that his company sold a property worth N600million to the former naval chief through a family company, Harbor Bay International Limited.
Mr. Jibrin is facing trial alongside Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia, Rear Admiral Shehu Ahmadu (all retired) and Habor Bay International Limited on a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The naval chiefs, while in office, allegedly bought a house worth N600million from the account of Naval Engineering Services without budgetary provision.
It was also alleged that, the documentation for transfer of ownership of the property was done such that a private company owned by the family of the first defendant (Vice Admiral Jibrin) became the buyer.
The offence is in contravention of Section 26 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Act 2000.
At the resumed trial Monday, Mr. Oguebie, who was led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Faruk Abdallah, as PW3, stated that, “payment for the property located at Plot No. 2717 Cadastral A06, Maitama, Abjua was made into our company account, Petrus Ogu Nigeria Limited, domiciled at Diamond bank, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja by Naval Engineering Services”.
He said: “All legal documents such as deed of assignment, power of attorney and sales agreement relating to the property were signed by me.”
Justice Umar had earlier admitted in evidence, the power of attorney, sales agreement and deed of assignment as exhibits 1a, 1b and 1c, respectively.
Also testifying, Abdulkadir Idris Wakili, a staff with the budget office of the federation, who had earlier been subpoenaed with respect to the certification of budget of the Nigeria Navy said, “I was in court to present the certified true copy of the budget of the Nigerian Navy for 2013 and 2014.”
The prosecution sought to tender the documents in evidence, but Jibrin’s counsel, Y. C. Maikyau, SAN, objected on the grounds that, “the same documents earlier tendered by the prosecution and rejected by the court for non-certification are being re-presented again.”
Responding, Mr. Abdallah urged the court to discountenance Mr. Maikyau’s submission saying, “the issues are not the same”.
According to him, “There are two sets of documents: one is from the Navy forwarding their budget estimate, whereas, my Lord, the document sought to be tendered is a document approved by the National Assembly”.
In compliance with Section 106 (b) of the Evidence Act, Mr. Abdallah added that the prosecution had listed a staff of the budget office as a witness in the proof of evidence.
At this point, Justice Umar adjourned to June 14, 2017 for ruling on the admissibility of the document.

Saraki-led Senate destroying our constitution – Arewa group

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has slammed the Senate as led by Bukola Saraki for refusing to honour a court order over a senator-elect.
The group, in a statatement signed by Alhaji Yerima Shettima, National President, subsequently gave the Senate two weeks to obey the order or face the wrath of Nigerians.
A Federal High Court had ordered that Bassey Etim be sworn in as the representative of Akwa Ibom North-East, but many months later, the group said the order is yet to be obeyed.
“We are appalled by the glaring reluctance of Senate President Bukola Saraki to respect a Federal High Court order,” the AYCF said through Yerima Shettima, its national president.
AYCF said it was unacceptable for the upper chamber of the National Assembly as an institution of public service and symbol of the rule of law, to employ delay tactics over the order of a competent court of jurisdiction.
“We have reason to suspect that by refusing to swear-in Senator-elect Bassey Etim for an unfathomable number of months is a ploy to thwart the court order and tamper with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“We are cautioning the Senate leadership to avoid playing to the gallery by doing what is legally and constitutionally appropriate, which is the immediate swearing-in of the bona-fide owner of the Akwa-Ibom Northeast seat at the Senate.
“The next appropriate step is to direct Albert Akpan, the man removed by the competent court, and to ensure he returns all the salaries and associated benefits he got so far as ruled.
“We find the prolonged drama created around the swearing-in by the Senate leadership as a smear on decorum, contemptuous, a breach of the nation’s constituion and a ridicule of the highest law-making arm of the Nigerian government,” the group said.
Shettima noted that while the Senate continues to play hide-and-seek over the issue, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had since complied with the court ruling by issuing fresh certificate of return to Mr Etim Bassey.
“There is no justification whatsoever for Senator Bukola Saraki to delay action in doing the needful. We therefore task the upper chamber to be alive to its responsibility by respecting the verdict of a competent court of jurisdiction. No amount of delay or artificial tinkering would subvert the course of justice.
“It is our fervent hope that this would be the last time the Senate will ridicule our courts of law and our constitution for political convenience. In this era of change, the Senate and indeed its leadership should set a good example for a democratic system in which the judicial arm plays pivotal role in governance.
“Consequently, we are hereby giving the Senate Two Weeks ultimatum to swear-in Mr. Etim Bassey as Senator representing Akwa-Ibom Northeast senatorial zone with immediate effect. If the Senate fails to do the needful, based on our ultimatum, we will not hesitate to mobilize Nigerians to occupy the National Assembly and jointly reject this impunity,” the AYCF warned.

I’ll contest 2018 Ekigi guber poll to compensate for truncated first tenure – Fayose

Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday evening, has disclosed that he would contest the 2018 gubernatorial election ‎so that he could serve his term which was truncated through an orchestrated conspiracy of illegal impeachment in 2006.
It would be recalled that the Supreme Court, in 2014, nullified the impeachment saga that ousted Fayose from office about seven months to the end of his first term. The apex court described the said impeachment as null and void.
Speaking in a live broadcast on Ekiti State Television in Ado-Ekiti on Monday evening, Fayose, who was explaining why he chose to put his image on a campaign poster currently circulating the state, said that since the apex court had said that his impeachment in 2006 was illegal, he would then have to approach same court to interpret what that ruling meant and also consider seeking a re-election in 2018.
“The ‘Continuity’ poster you see my image in and which is spreading across the state can be interpreted in two ways. First is the need for me to ask the apex court to explain its 2014 ruling that my so-called impeachment in 2014 was ‎illegal, null and void and also consider a re-election in 2018 so that I can complete my term.
Speaking also about the lingering non-supply of petrol to the state by the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN), Governor Fayose alleges that the decision of the fuel marketers to stop supply to the state days prior to the burial of late Major Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo was politically-motivated and done in conspiracy with the opposition so as to ensure that the burial of the late governor of Old Western Region failed to be successful and colourful as the governor has planned.
Vowing to resist any attempt to run business through illegal and questionable means, governor Fayose ordered that as long as fuel supply doesn’t come to Ekiti, commercial activities in all petrol station must stop henceforth.
He also ordered that all petrol stations defaulting in proper legal proceedings will be demolished henceforth.

PDP crisis: Why Supreme Court can’t hear Makarfi group’s appeal – Sheriff

Ahead of the hearing of the crisis in the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party by the Supreme Court, the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff group has given reason why the court cannot hear an appeal marked: SC/133/2017 brought before it by the sacked National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
The PDP’s National Executive Committee led by Sheriff as Chairman and Prof. Wale Oladipo as Secretary, said the Makarfi Committee, having been declared illegal by the February 17, 2017 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, lacked the powers to take decisions for the party, including initiating court proceedings in its name.
The party made the point in its written arguments it made in support of an application it filed on March 21, 2017, seeking the striking out of the appeal filed on February 27, 2017 by the Markafi Committee against the February 17 Appeal Court’s judgment.
The written submission was filed on May 10 in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive on May 4, 2017.
The PDP leadership is contending that the Makarfi Committee did not obtain the necessary authorisation of the PDP to appeal in its name and on its behalf because the PDP under the current leadership was comfortable with the Appeal Court judgment and did not intent to challenge it.
It further contented, in the address written by a group of lawyers led by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), that since the Court of Appeal, in its February 17 judgment, declared the Sheriff-led NEC as the authentic leadership organ of the PDP, the Makarfi-led Committee could no longer pursue an appeal in the name of the party.
The Sheriff-led PDP leadership argued that the decision of the Makarfi committee to file an appeal in the name of the PDP without its (the party’s) authorisation was not only illegal, it violated the party’s constitution.
Relying on the provisions of Chapter 5, Articles 35(1), 36(1) and 42(1) of the PDP constitution, it argued that the party, with a corporate personality, could only act through the principal national officer, whose powers and functions are stated in the constitution.
It referred to a May 18, 2016 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital territory (FCT) in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/1443/2016, ordering a return to status quo as at May 18, 2016 and the subsequent judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2016, to the effect that only the Sheriff NEC could instruct lawyers for the party, and urged the Supreme Court not to hear the appeal.
The Sheriff-led PDP leadership noted that it has not by its argument said the Makarfi Committee cannot appeal the May 17 judgment of the Appeal Court, having been parties in the case from the trial court, it (the Makarfi Committee) or its members could only appeal as interested parties after first obtaining the court’s leave to so appeal.
In a counter argument, the Makarfi Committee, represented by a group of lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), wants the court to discountenance the Sheriff NEC’s arguments and proceed to hear its appeal, in which it among others urged the Supreme Court to set aside the Appeal Court judgment of February 17.
In its reply argument dated May 15, 2017, the Makarfi Committee queried the legitimacy of the application filed by the Sheriff-led NEC and argued that it was not only strange, but intended to frustrate the hearing of the main appeal.
It argued that it was wrong for Sheriff and others, who had briefed Akin Olujinmi (SAN) to represent them in the substantive appeal and had filed a respondents’ brief, in which they also made similar arguments in relation to the competence of the appeal, cannot again brief Fagbemi to ask the court not to hear the appeal but to strike it out.
Relying on Order 8 Rule 6 (1), (2) and (4) of the Supreme Court’s Rules, the Makarfi Committee faulted the March 15, 2017 letter of the Sheriff-led NEC applying to withdraw the appeal and the subsequent application for its strike out.
It argued that since the appeal was not filed by Sheriff and others, they lacked the right to apply to withdraw it.
The Makarfi Committee argued that it was still a valid body with the power to file the appeal despite the Appeal Court judgment of February 17, 2017, because it was a creation of PDP’s highest decision making body, the National Convention, which disbanded the Sheriff-led NEC and preplaced it with the national Caretaker Committee.
In a response on point of law, filed by Fagbemi on May 18, the Sheriff-led NEC faulted all legal arguments by the Makarfi Committee, urged the court to discountenance its contention and hold that it lacked the locus standi to file an appeal in the name of the PDP, having been sacked by a subsisting judgment.

Buhari and his marabouts

“Lauretta. Lauretta. Who is she?”
“She is a social media assistant at the Presidency. She shoots straight and direct. She defends President Muhammadu Buhari with the passion of someone the President treats like a daughter.”
“Not a son, this time, a daughter! Interesting. Of power, fathers, wives, sons and daughters….”
“She spits fire, particularly if the person involved is in any way related to either the People’s Democratic Party or former President Goodluck Jonathan.”
“I see…”
“I try to pay attention to the many battles of the spin community in Nigerian politics.”
“Well, I have tried to tune off for a while. Now that the social media is dominated by all kinds of ghosts and malcontents, I just don’t always take everything that I read there seriously. I should pay attention to this your Lauretta though. She is likely to provide a lot of comic relief.”
“You call it comic relief?”
“You never know. What is she saying?”
“I have just read a piece she wrote saying some politicians are now hiring marabouts, pastors and Bishops to pray for President Buhari’s death.”
“Pastors? Praying for someone to die? Contrary to the miracle of Lazarus and the fact of Resurrection?”
“Yes, some pastors are shamanists. Fact.”
“Some journalists are pastors”
“So?”
“Wrong syllogism. Not all pastors are shamanists.”
“I said some…”
“You sounded as if…”
“We are not talking logic. It is not everything that happens in society or in the corridors of power that is logical. If Lauretta says politicians are hiring marabouts and pastors to pray for the President’s death, she must know what she is talking about. Have you not seen how the Buhari Media Centre has been very busy raining curses on anybody who wishes the President dead? They have even chosen a song: Baba oh Baba oh, Baba o, oluwa da Baba si fun wa.”
“I see there is a singing competition in Abuja now between the Senate and the Villa. It is good to sing.”
“She says certain politicians are attacking President Buhari because he is still alive, despite their prayers. She insists they just don’t want him in power. They robbed him of victory in three past elections, and now that he has won, and is in charge, they are recruiting marabouts and soothsayers to pray for his death.”
“Hmm, these demons and principalities…”
“She even pointed out that those who wish the President dead travel to Niger and as far as India to recruit evil spiritualists.”
“She should name the persons involved so they can be charged immediately for high treason, or at worst attempted murder, or spiritual assault with intent to kill.”
“How do you prove spiritual assault?”
“The security agencies can start with the investigation of anybody who has travelled to Niger and India in the last six months to determine if such persons had any contact with a marabout, a pastor or a bishop in those countries.”
“You think this is a joke? I know these things. The only thing I don’t understand is why Niger and India. There are more marabouts, pastors and bishops in Nigeria.”
“I think the President’s enemies travel abroad because walls have ears. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should summon the ambassadors of Niger and India and any other country that may be identified to shed light on the relationship between the Nigerian political elite and the marabouts in their countries. This is a matter for the Foreign Affairs Ministry.”
“But under what law will the Federal Government try the marabouts and their clients? Or prove that they are praying for the President’s death?”
“They’d create one. That is easy. And they can start with social media. There is a website for example that announced what did not happen. Then there is a British politician who is already sending condolence messages, and writing opinions about what does not concern him.”
“Are there marabouts on social media?”
“Ha. Plenty”
“And that Oyinbo man, is he a marabout too, hired by Nigerian politicians? You see, then, Lauretta knows what she is talking about. Too many things in this country are remote-controlled by remote forces and marabouts. The most dangerous ones are the marabouts who call themselves clerics, with big titles.”
“But I really don’t know why anyone would wish the President dead. That is wicked. It is a much better business to pray for the President to get well soon. We can organize prayer rallies and receive sponsorship from the private sector, government at all levels and their contractors. I am even surprised that holidays have not yet been declared for prayers yet.”
“You are right. Government can neutralise the wickedness of the marabouts by recruiting prayer warriors. Pastors and Bishops who can preserve, protect and promote with the sacred power of the Word. Imams who can talk directly to God and make things happen.”
“And the people who pray will smile and receive praise.”
“Candidly, I would love to recommend some Pastors and Bishops who will counter the marabouts and the other pastors with prayers that will destroy demons and principalities, fire-for-fire, back to sender!”
“We can even do a book, you know?. Powers, Demons and Principalities: A History of Nigerian Politics.”
“Where will you find the empirical evidence for that?” Sounds somehow.
“Don’t worry. Someone once got a Ph.D with a dissertation titled “A History of the Penis.”
“What? Strange things happen in this world.”
“Like what happened in Ibadan yesterday. That’s what I wanted to discuss with you before you brought up this matter about marabouts.”
“What happened?”
“First, let me ask you, how is that your Made-in-Oyo-state cousin? Where is she? She stands the chance of making a fortune before next week”
“How? She is fine. She is in Lagos.”
“Very good. I think she should just start going to Ibadan right now and get ready for a beauty pageant. I know her. She is beautiful and I am sure she will win the top prize.”
“I am lost. Free me.”
“The Oyo State Government is organizing a beauty pageant for ladies with tribal marks to celebrate the 2017 World Culture Day and to promote cultural tourism. The lady with the most beautiful tribal marks will go home with good prizes. In fact the state government declared that on Monday, May 22, civil servants and other persons in the state should wear traditional attires to work, play traditional games and eat traditional food.”
“Amala and gbegiri day.”
“You should ask why the pageant is only for beautiful ladies with tribal marks. Where are the men?”
“My cousin is over 40. She can’t go for a beauty pageant.”
“There is no age barrier. And your cousin is hot. She has the best tribal marks I have seen although I don’t understand why your Uncle, who is educated, should subject her to such violence.”
“Identity. Tribal marks indicate your place of origin. It was used in the age of slave trade and inter-tribal wars to properly identify persons who were sold into captivity or captured as prisoners of war. With their tribal marks, they could easily trace their way back home.”
“And that is what Oyo state is promoting in the name of cultural tourism in 2017? Nonsense. Who needs tribal marks in the age of the millennials? There are modern means of identification: your passport, driver’s license, national identity card, even your fingerprint and iris. So, what is Oyo state planning to celebrate – that tribal marks are good?”
“I just hope they will not insist on female genital mutilation or leviration as part of culture.”
“Certain aspects of our culture have been overtaken by modernity, science and technology. You can promote local fashion, but tribal marks? Made-in-Oyo state? Oh no. I hope they don’t end up at that beauty pageant with fake tribal marks, straight from Nollywood. Make-up artists are so good these days, they can inflict fake tribal marks on a face, the person wins and she walks away.”
“I hope that happens. As for my cousin, no, I am not even sure she is proud of the bold scars on her face. Not even the United Nations which declared a World Culture Day will be happy.”
“Tell them in Ibadan. If they want to promote culture, they owe the people good governance. That’s all. Culture is about the way we live, and the way we see the world as a people, community, group, society and government. It is a broad, dynamic, living organism. The Constituted Authority in charge of Oyo State should know that.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes oh. I was surprised though to see that they also have culture in Saudi Arabia.”
“There is culture everywhere.”
“Apart from Islam, I mean. I was surprised to see dancing, drumming and sword-waving at the reception for US President Donald Trump. The Americans seemed happy with Arabian culture.”
“You really believe that? I don’t think President Trump and his team give a damn about Saudi Arabian culture. The Secretary of Commerce danced, the President swayed awkwardly, and bowed to the king because the Americans were able to secure good business deals. Natural resources, construction contracts and sale of military equipment to Saudi Arabia worth $110 billion which Trump described as tremendous investments. The State Department celebrated how this could create tens of thousands of new jobs in the US.”
“I get your point. I saw Trump’s son-in-law high-fiving the National Security Adviser, H.R. McMaster.”
“And did you hear Trump talk about radical Islamic terrorism, human rights, or openly disparage Muslims the way he did during the campaigns? He didn’t. ”
“He mentioned something about radicalization and fanatical violence but he was obviously careful with words, and he played the politics of the region in a pragmatic manner.”
“You get it. Business is far more important than ideology or campaign rhetoric. In fact, Trump was practically sucking up to the Saudi Sunnis. That is a man who came to power condemning Muslims. That was sheer hypocrisy and opportunism at work. He played the same politics in Israel.”
“It is a fake world we live in. Fake Trump. Fake speech. It is sad though. While other countries are going round the world, looking for investments, Nigerian leaders are travelling here and there looking for marabouts and beautiful ladies with tribal marks!”
“And to think the social media is used to promote the fakery?”
“Social media?”
“Yes. It is a positive vehicle for democracy.”
“It is also a veritable vehicle for fake news. I am uncomfortable for example with the rise of twitter ghosts and masquerades.”
“I know what you mean. But there are remedies when people overdo things and violate other people’s rights. Twitter just sacked one twitter account called @SubDeliveryMan. The account has been used we are told, to invade people’s privacy, malign them and expose them to ridicule and yet the person behind the handle is totally anonymous.”
“Social media anonymity does not enhance democracy or free speech, it promotes mischief and the politics of hate. I am glad Twitter is doing something about it.”
“You know sometimes when I read what some people post on twitter. I wonder about their upbringing. I cringe. They just set out to hurt other people’s feelings.”
“Twitter has a responsibility to ensure that its platform is not abused by persons who have indecent motives.”
“The next account they should delete is @PObahiagbon. It is a fake account and Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon himself has said so. Identity theft is a crime.”
“You are sure it is not a parody account?”
“No. I also don’t like the idea of a parody account. It is easily abused. Free speech must be backed by a sense of decency and responsibility”
“The whole thing sounds like this marabout matter.”
“I think the real marabout matter in Nigeria is the on-going fake, auto-suggestive coup talk.”
“It shall be well with Nigeria.”
“A-a-a-a-men”.

Two men flogged 85 strokes of cane for gay sex

Two men have been caned 85 times each in the Indonesian province of Aceh after being caught having sex.
The men stood on stage in white gowns praying while a team of hooded men lashed their backs with a cane.
The pair, aged 20 and 23, were found in bed together by vigilantes who entered their private accommodation in March. They have not been identified.
Gay sex is not illegal in most of Indonesia but it is in Aceh, the only province which exercises Islamic law.
It is the first time gay men have been caned under Sharia law in the province.
The punishment was delivered outside a mosque in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh.
A large crowd of observers cheered as the caning took place. “Let this be a lesson to you,” one of the men watching cried out. “Do it harder,” another man yelled.
Earlier, an organiser warned the crowd not to attack the men, saying “they are also human”.
I met one of the young men in jail a day before the caning, the first journalist to speak to him.
He was terrified and his whole body was shaking. He was thin, pale and had a red rash on his skin.
Inmates surrounded us with intimidating glares as we tried to talk. I thought we were going to be speaking in a private room, but he was not granted that.
Before neighbourhood vigilantes broke down the door to his rented room, he was in his final years of a medical degree and his plan was to be a doctor. Now we are told the university has kicked him out.
Videos of the raid that caught him and his partner having sex have been widely shared online. In the mobile phone footage they are both naked, pleading for help.
“I just want the caning to be over and to go back to my family, I have been deeply depressed. I am trying to pull myself out of a deep black hole,” he said.

Hon. Paul Teejay Yusuf commisioned projects, gives out empowerment materials to constituents.

Hon. Paul Teejay Yusuf last Saturday 20th May, 2017 Commissioned skills acquisition centre in Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency and also gave out various empowerment material to the members of his constituency.

The event which held at Kabba and was graced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon.Yakubu Dogara who commissioned all the projects and empowerment materials.

The event also had in attendance other members of the green chamber, all Royal Fathers from the constituency, government officials, party members, youth, students and women organizations.

While addressing the people, Hon. Paul Teejay Yusuf reiterated his commitment to serving the people better.
He said the empowerment materials is to ameliorate the bad economy condition of the people.
The materials are to provide alternative means of income to the youth and the women of the constituency while the skill acquisition centre which is well-equipped is to empower the youth on major skills that will sure be of future benefits.

Amongst materials presented are Motorcycles, Grinding Machines, Keke Napeps, Solar panels among others while the acquisition includes tailoring, barbing saloon, computer training and sports utilities among others.

The acquisition centre is situated in Iyara in Ijumu Local Government of the constituency.
In addition, cash were also given out to women and youth in urgent financial need.

After commissioning of the project and presentation of the materials, Hon. Paul Teejay Yusuf thank the Almighty God for the success of the program and also appreciate the Rt.Hon. Speaker and other members of the green chamber for taking out time to grace the occasion despite their tight legislative schedule.

He however promised to continue to discharge his duties to the members of the constituency and urged them to make positive use of the materials distributed to them and the acquisition centre.

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