The South African Government has deported 97 Nigerians, made up of 95 males and two females. The deportees, who allegedly committed various criminal offences, landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos in a chartered aircraft with the registration number GBB710 from Johannesburg, on Monday night, February 27th.
All the deportees were profiled by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) while those deported for drug related offences were handed over to the Police for further investigation.

Former NFL star Darren Sharper sentenced to 20 years in jail for drugging & raping two women

Former NFL player Darren Sharper has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping multiple women in Los Angeles. Darren Sharper appeared in a LA courtroom on Tuesday, where a judge sentenced him to prison.Sharper pleaded no contest to charges in California of rape by use of drugs and furnishing a controlled substance.

Sharper had approached two women at Bootsy Bellows, a nightclub in West Hollywood in October 2013. He invited them to another party, but said he had to stop at his hotel. Inside his room, he offered the women drinks. One woman woke up to find herself naked, and Sharper sexually assaulting her. Weeks later, Sharper was at the same nightclub and invited two women to a party. Again, he stopped at his hotel. After the women woke up, they sought medical treatment.His 20 year sentence will be served in federal prison at a location to be determined by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in eastern Louisiana. He would also have to register as a sex offender for life upon his release.

Ondo state governor-elect, Akeredolu Rotimi, presented with his certificate of return

Akeredolu won the state governorship election last Saturday. 

76-year-old Nigerian woman & her daughter arrested in Uganda with Shs3bn worth of heroine

Police at Entebbe International airport, Uganda, arrested two Nigerian women headed for Lagos, Nigeria, for allegedly being in possession of 10kgs of heroine estimated at Shs3 billion.

According to reports, the two women who are family members, arrived in the country on November 20, 2016. Ms Aniugo Agnes Egonna, 76 and her daughter Ms Aniugo Gloria Vera, 35, were intercepted on November 25 at the airport.


While Ms Vera had 5kgs of heroin worth Shs1.565 billion, her mother also had 5kgs worth Shs1.565 billion that had been concealed in their luggage.

In their statement to police, Aniugo Agnes and her daughter claimed to have been in Uganda for the introduction ceremony of Agnes’ son who is engaged to a Ugandan girl. This has however not been verified and the police claims not to be sure whether their son who supposedly left Uganda before the two,  also trafficked drugs.

Under the newly passed Narcotics and Drug Psychotropic Substances Control Act 2016 in Uganda, the two suspects will be required to pay Ugshs 10 million or a sum two times the value of the drugs.

Women stripped naked by Ugandan soldiers following gunfight in Kasese district

A photo showing 20 women who were stripped naked following gunfight between Ugandan police and guardsmen of Kasese district, has been posted online.

The chaos sparked off on Saturday morning when the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and police attacked the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Kingdom, following the reports that the King was harboring militia fighting for the creation of an independent republic to stand on its own.

On Sunday, November 27, at least 55 people were confirmed dead including the guards and police in the fierce gunfight clash.

According to Tuko News, the women were reportedly captured from the palace and allegedly taken to an unknown destination by the Ugandan army.

EFCC arraigns Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla are currently being arraigned before Jutice Akeem Oshodi of a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja. The duo are being arraigned on a 30-count charge of conspiracy to pervert justice by allegedly giving and receiving a bribe of N5 million.

According to Leadership, EFCC sources alleged that about $793,800 passed through Justice Ajumogobia's domiciliary accounts between 2012 and 2015 and that the judge allegedly used the money to buy a house in London.

The two accounts, Access Bank (0002649223) and Diamond Bank (0032091183) have since been frozen by the EFCC. Five of the charges are centered on an alleged N5m bribe given to the judge by the senior advocate while the remaining 25 charges are on the huge amounts that passed through the accounts of Ofili-Ajumogobia and her alleged inability to explain her source of wealth.

RRS nabs four fraud suspects in Lagos

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested four suspects for allegedly swindling unsuspecting members of the public of various sums of money. The four suspects were picked up separately by the operatives in three incidents of fraud in Maryland, Ojodu Berger and Ajegunle between Tuesday and Thursday last week.
The suspects, Kenneth Umukoro, 36; Uba Utokcha, 41; Joseph Onuoha, 40 and Ikechukwu Okeke, 25, individually owned up to the crime when interrogated at RRS headquarters.
According to one of the victims, Ibeh Chiwenu, she was going to Ojodu Berger from Ojota when Kenneth Umukoro, driving a metallic colour Toyota Camry, 1997 model with the registration number SMK 886 DK, stopped at the bus stop to pick her.

"As he drove along, he picked another passenger on Kudirat Abiola Way. We were still on Kudirat Abiola Way when the new passenger started a conversation on something like French language with the driver… The driver now pleaded that he wanted to take the new passenger to Customs’ Office on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, where his goods were seized. It was here that their story changed and I became the subject of their manipulation in connivance with a custom agent and a pastor," she added.
She further explained:
"Under the pretext that the four of us assist the man whose goods were trapped with the custom over export duties, they brainwashed me into releasing my ATM card, led me to withdraw the last N9,000 from my account…. After this, the pastor prayed for me and told me to go home and get more money that my family kept at home."
"All these happened last week. Today, Thursday, my husband and I were standing at the Maryland Bus Stop. I saw the same Toyota Camry with same number plate and a new driver, but beside him was the former driver that lured me into fraud, pretending to be a passenger. I alerted RRS officers stationed in Maryland and they arrested them."
The two other suspects, Joseph Onuoha and Ikechukwu Okeke were arrested separately but in a similar circumstance on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Onuoha, confessed to interrogators that he belonged to a fraud syndicate led by one man simply identified as Toronto, adding that their leader, who is now at large, trained over 40 of them to go out daily in search of would-be victims.
"When we hit jackpot, we share it into five parts. Toronto takes two parts. Two of us in a team share two and we would share the remaining part to others…. Presently, our office in Ajegunle has been busted by the police. Toronto as I was told has relocated to somewhere in Surulere. Whenever we have issues with the police, he comes around to secure our bail," Onuoha said.
Responding to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Dolapo Badmos, said that the police won’t relent on their duties of making the state crime free but warned members of the public to be wary of suspicious dealings.
The four suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.

6 soldiers wounded, 30 Boko Haram terrorists killed in failed ambush on convoy in Borno State

Troops attached to the 121 Task Force Battalion killed 20 Boko Haram terrorist on Saturday, November 26th. The troops were escorting local government officials including the Caretaker committee chairman of Gwoza Local Government Council, Hon. Saeed Salisu Sambo and travellers from Pulka to Maiduguri when the terrorists ambushed the convoy.

They fired shots at the troops and officials, detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, the troops successfully repelled the attack. Six soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries.

The council boss took to his Facebook page to recount the incident

What he wrote below:

"Alhamdulillah, we thank Almighty The Exalted One for sparing our lives from the ambush of the BH. We scaled this attack with the help of our gallant Nigerian Army Soldiers of 121 Task Force Battalion Pulka, who were escorting me and my entourage from Pulka to Maiduguri. The incident happen at about 5km into Bama town 10am after living Nguro-Soye. 

The insurgent detonated an IED and followed by sporadic gun shoot which was repelled by the gallant soldiers which i can't deny to comment this gallantry work of the duo Patrol Commanders of the 121BN i.e (Capt. S. Suleiman and Lt. N. Ayuba). In the event of the ambush, six (6) soldiers sustain degrees of injuries, and more than twenty of heinous actors (BH) were killed by the rocket launcher as i vividly saw them them running away, as the military engage them in response. The officers injured were Sgt Onu Oga, Cpl Jonah Inji, Lcpl Dauda Isa, Lcpl Lawal Yahaya, Cpl Oku Sunday, Pte Austin Matthew and re presently receiving medical attention at Brig. Maimalari Barracks Hospital. We wish them immediate recovery, and to see them back to their working in the soonest possible time. Ameen"

80 couples wed at St. Sylvester's Catholic Church Nyanya, Nasarawa State

80 couples received their sacrament of matrimony blessings on Sunday, November 27th, at St Sylvester's Catholic Church, New Nyanya in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa Statexx The Holy Mass was officiated by His Lordship, Most Revd Dr Ishaya Mathew Audu, Catholic bishop of Lafia Diocese, Nasarawa State. In a statement signed by the public relations officer the Church, Ewache Ajefu, the church said that the ceremony was unique and historic in the history of St. Sylvester Catholic Church.
The marriage ceremony and the Sacrament of Confirmation put together by the Parish Priest of St. Sylvester Catholic Church, Lawrence Anyembugu, were part of the key activities lined up for first pastoral visit of the Bishop to the Independent Mission.

Speaking at the occasion, the Bishop admonished the couples to cloth themselves with the love of Christ in order to have a sustainable marriage life, stressing that marriage without love is meaningless. Citing many examples of causes of breakage in marriage life, Bishop Audu called on them to avoid pitfalls that would lead to regrets, adding that exemplary Christian life was key to successful marriage.

Obanikoro reportedly refunds N100.4m to EFCC, may regain freedom

Embattled former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has reportedly refunded N100.4 million out of the N785 million a company, Sylvan McNamara limited linked to him, received from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. 

 

The Nation reports that Obanikoro who has been in EFCC custody since October 19th, may be released after the N100.4 million he refunded has been confirmed by the antigraft agency.

An EFCC operative who spoke on condition of anonymity said “After many days of foot-dragging, the ex-Minister has paid back N100.4million out of about N785million allegedly collected from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) by Sylvan McNamara Limited, a company  which was allegedly linked to him. I think we may grant him bail to give him time to look for the balance of the cash. We are trying to verify the government account he paid into and we want to confirm the payment. We may release him any moment from now after the confirmation. This, however, does not mean that we are dropping any charges against him. Our objective is first of all to recover the illegal funds. The decision on his trial will depend on the review of his case and the extent to which he is liable. You know the ex-Minister has admitted flying over N1.299billion to Akure in two shuttles for Governor Ayodele Fayose. The cash was collected by Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, who is currently on trial. Obanikoro also confessed that he personally gave $5.377m (N60m then) cash to Fayose.  He admitted on oath that he was used to siphon public funds meant for arms purchase. These are all criminal offences which are punishable by the nation’s laws. The testimonies of Obanikoro will hasten his trial and ongoing prosecution of all the suspects implicated in the arms cash.”

Obanikoro in his statement to the EFCC, had alleged that N3.880 billion out of the N4.75 billion he collected from Dasuki, was handed to Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, to rig the state governorship election in June 2014 in favor of PDP.  Obanikoro also alleged that he handed over $5.377m (N60m then) cash to Fayose at Spotless Hotel, Ado-Ekiti in the presence of the former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Dr. Tope Aluko, and other party stalwarts. Fayose has since dismissed this allegation, accusing the Federal government of wanting to rope him into the case by all means possible since he is always very critical of the Buhari-led adminisitration.

Commenting on Fayose's denial, the EFCC source said “The governor is just grandstanding because of the immunity he enjoys. He personally admitted collecting money from Zenith Bank as a campaign gift. His associate, Agbele, reeled out how houses were bought from the N1.299billion brought by Obanikoro. And the ex-Minister has finally nailed him with his statement on oath. Fayose has a date with the court. It is just a matter of time. In two years, he will be in the dock to account for the contracts he executed in the ONSA to have earned such slush funds".

EFCC arrests former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati

EFCC operatives have arrested former media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati. He was arrested today and he is being interrogated for allegedly receiving some money from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki who is currently being tried for misappropriation of $2.1 billion arms procurement fund. ‎Abati is expected to spend the night at the EFCC office today.

Aftermath of Mosul offensive: ISIS militants fleeing to Syria as coalition forces close in

Hundreds of ISIS fighters are fleeing ISIS stronghold in Mosul, Iraq to neighboring Syria as coalition forces (Kurdish fighters, Peshmerga fighters, paramilitaries and U.S troops) closed in on Mosul, a powerful tribal leader revealed to CNN on Monday.

Sheikh Abdullah Alyawer, a tribal leader in the town of Rabia, on Iraq's border with Syria, revealed ISIS militants scared for their livesand their families were fleeing the city each day, and crossing into Syria at Ba'aaj, an ISIS-controlled crossing point south of Sinjar.

The route was entirely under ISIS control, he said, while fleeing civilians with no affiliation to ISIS usually ended up in the Syrian town of al Houl, which is under Kurdish control.

The coalition force about 108,000 which exceeds ISIS' numbers, is closing in on the beleaguered city, still home to an estimated 200,00 to 300,000 civilians and has taken on significance as the cultural capital of ISIS.

The coalition forces are currently celebrating gaining some ground in the battle to take over Mosul from ISIS but are aware that ISIS will offer more resistance when Mosul's perimeter is breached.

Source: CNN

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie put their Chateau Miraval estate’ and its ‘prized vineyards’ up for sale

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are putting their Chateau Miraval estate in France & its prized vineyards believed to blossom with rich rose wine juice up for sale. The 1,200-acre property was purchased by the now estranged couple for an estimated sum of $60 million back in 2012.

The chateau which they had previously leased, starting in 2008, is surrounded by forests, olive groves and a lake and had served as the venue for their 2014 wedding and also gave them a hideaway from the cameras and children when needed.


According to reports, the exquisite estate has been valued and is going on the market any day now.

Meanwhile, the duo has agreed rid themselves of all jointly-owned property as part of their divorce settlement, reports say. The pair and their lawyers are working behind closed doors to come up with an agreement with regards to a financial settlement and the custody of their six children - Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox.

Brad was due to file a response to Angelina's divorce petition on Wednesday, but reportedly turned the petition down in order to avoid a legal battle with the actress, something he believes would cause great psychological damage to their kids, reports added.

Nigeria Customs recovers sacks of cocaine hidden in 20ft container at Tincan port

Detectives attached to the Tincan Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service impounded about eight sacks of cocaine that were hidden in a 20ft container owned by a manufacturing company, Nigerite, which came into the country from Spain. 

Two persons identified as one Amata Jonah, Nigerite procurement manager and a clearing agent, have since been detained in connection with the importation of the illicit drugs. 


The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bashiru Yusuf, who made this disclosure yesterday, said the items seized did not show in the ship manifest that was presented to Custom officers at the point of examination. He said preliminary investigation showed that, though the container had in it other cargo that were declared in the ship manifest, items that were concealed in the eight black bags were not declared.

However, Mr Amata claimed Nigerite was not aware of the existence of the substance in their cargo. The NDLEA officials who performed field test on the seizure said preliminary examination confirmed that the item in the black bag was cocaine.

Source: Daily Trust

DSS releases detained judges

The State Security Service SSS has released all the judges arrested and detained in Abuja and six other states over the weekend. According to Premium Times, all the seven judges were released on self-recognition. A source at SSS said

“They were all released on bail yesterday(Sunday) on self recognition. They reported this morning (Monday) and they have all gone back home. They will be coming back tomorrow. And everything went very procedurally well and civil.
They were released on bail on self recognition based on the fact that given their standing in the society, they cannot run away. They were instructed that they should come back today by 10am. They did report for investigation this morning and they have gone back home. And the investigation continues and preparation to charge them to court continued. Also, action was sequel to lack of cooperation by National Judicial Council. Such as refusal by the NJC to allow the affected persons to be questioned by the DSS. Investigation started some seven months ago, precisely in April 2016”‎he said

The judges were arrested over their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.