Husband Kills Wife Over Breastfeeding of Babies

Benin --- A middle-aged woman, identified as Osarumwnse, was said to be preparing for the naming ceremony of her twins when she was allegedly killed by her husband in Oka quarters, Upper Sakponba, Benin City.
The incident is said to have occurred after a heated argument between the woman and her husband on when the woman should breastfeed the babies.
Witnesses said the couple celebrated the birth of the twins on Sunday and was preparing for the naming ceremony when the tragedy occurred.
It was gathered that the husband, Endurance Enadeba, hit the wife on the head with an object which resulted to her death.
Sources said the husband had asked the wife to breastfeed the babies who were crying but the woman said she wanted to urinate first.
Vanguard learnt that the husband who was said to be infuriated went to where the wife was to urinate and a fracas ensued which led to the man hitting the wife on the head.
Father of the deceased who gave his name as Eghenayayore was seen weeping and cursing profusely over the corpse.
He said his daughter called to inform him about the incident but that she died before they rushed her to the hospital Eghenayayore said the husband fled when the wife collapsed.
According to him, "He killed my daughter because of breastfeeding the twins. The twins are at home now, who will breastfeed them now? Why did he killed my young daughter. This girl was born in 1996. We were preparing to name the babies tomorrow because it was their first issue."
Police spokesmsn, DSP Moses Eguavoen, confirmed the incident. He said the husband has been arrested from where he was hiding.

"My Husband's 'Cousin' Turned Out to Be His Wife"

"My husband is a pathological liar, it was ten years after our marriage that I knew the woman he called his cousin and her children were his wife and children. My husband lied that he was going to Abuja for a training programme. I was surprised when I was told that he now lives in Mushin in a police woman's house," embattled housewife, Rashidat Adeniyi, told an Agege-Orile, Lagos customary court.
The husband, Toyin Adeniyi, 50, denied the allegations. Toyin, an engineer, said, "Because I am a handsome man, ladies fall for me, so it can be one of the strategies to cause quarrels between us that she heard those lies.
"I left the house because I owed a year rent and I told my wife that I would come for her and the children when I am back on my feet," he said.
Rashidat pleaded with the court to dissolve her 19-year-old marriage over two years desertion by her husband.
The 33-year-old computer analyst, who lives at 33, Alaramimo Street, Orile-Agege, told the court that her husband left the house two years ago for a police woman’s house.
She told the court that it was after ten years of marriage that she knew that her husband had a wife and children before she married him.
The mother of three asked the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her the custody of the children.
Meanwhile, the husband said he still loved his wife, and not in support of the dissolution.
"Since I am the busy type, anytime I left the house, my wife always suspected me. I haven't told anyone that I am a widower," he stated.
Toyin explained that the police woman the wife was referring to was just a friend.
The court President, Mr Joseph Adewusi, told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the case to July 22 for judgment.

Group Wants President Al-Bashir Arrested In Nigeria On Monday

The Nigeria Coalition on the International Criminal Court (NCICC) has called on the Nigerian government, as a partner to the Rome Statute, to observe the treaty and arrest Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir should he set foot on Nigerian soil on Monday. Reports say that Al-Bashir is expected in Nigeria on 15 July to attend a summit on HIV/AIDS.

In a statement by its spokespersons, Chinonye Obiagwu and Theodora Oby Nwankwo, NCICC reminded the government that Nigeria has an obligation to support the court.

“Nigeria is expected to arrest the Sudanese President and ICC suspect Omar Al-Bashir if he visits Nigeria in the next few days as planned,” the statement said. “In the alternative, we call on Nigeria to cancel his proposed visit to Nigerian territory.”

The group pointed out that if Nigeria and other members of the ICC are committed to ending impunity in the world, they must not allow ICC arrest warrants to go unenforced, and at the very least must not accept visits from suspects such as the Sudanese leader.

It further recalled that Al-Bashir has been wanted by the Court since 2009 for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region, and that the Court in 2010 issued the arrest warrant for Al-Bashir for the charge of genocide. NCICC also noted that the victims of the conflict in Darfur have suffered without justice for more than a decade due in part to the reluctance of some ICC member states to abide by the arrest warrants for Al-Bashir and other ICC suspects in Darfur.

"We, the members of Nigeria Coalition on the International Criminal Court (NCICC) urge Nigeria to stand with the innocent victims of the Darfur conflict, and the rule of law and arrest ICC fugitive Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir or bar him entry into Nigeria,” the group stressed, adding that Nigeria should not ignore their right to justice.

In that regard, NCICC drew attention to the fact that in the past, Nigeria has joined states such as South Africa, Uganda, Malawi, and Zambia which prevented the isolated Sudanese leader from visiting or had other officials come in his place. The ICC investigation in Darfur began in June 2005 after being referred by the United Nations Security Council, which had determined the conflict there a threat to international peace and security.

NCICC noted today that the Council has subsequently failed to ensure the cooperation necessary for ICC prosecutions to take place

Rivers Crisis: Chinda Flown Abroad for Treatment

The Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike, said in Port Harcourt on Friday that Michael Chinda, the wounded legislator in Rivers state, would be flown overseas for medical attention.
Chinda, representing Obio/Akpor constituency, the minister's base, was wounded with the mace during a fight on the floor of the state assembly on July 8.
He is a member of the Group of 5 legislators that attempted to impeach the Speaker Otelemaba Amachree, igniting the fracas. Amachree's group is made up of 28 legislators, with an an obvious overwhelming majority.
But the minister told newsmen when he visited the victim in the hospital that the attack on Chinda was an act of brutality and man’s inhumanity to man.
"The lawmaker that was brutalised is now being flown overseas because of his critical condition. The person who committed that crime was the same person who had to go to Government House clinic and laid on a bed to say that he was beaten up.
"What is important is for Nigerians to know that we will not be scared or be intimidated; we will do what we think is right within the law. We will make sure that Rivers people have the change which they had requested for," the minister said.

RIVERS CRISIS: Senator escapes suspension

 Senator Babajide Omoworare (ACN, Osun) narrowly escaped suspension from the Senate after he accused Senate President David Mark of rigging votes on the resolution on the crisis rocking the Rivers state House of Assembly.

 

On Wednesday, Senator Omoworare had challenged the decision of Senator Mark when voice vote was taken on a prayer which sought to urge Inspector General of Police to intervene and restore the frosty relationship between Rivers governor Rotimi Ameachi and Police Commissioner Joseph Mbu.

 

After the Senate was divided, with each Senator voting, Mark announced that those in support of the motion were in the majority, but this did not go down well with Omoworare, who wept bitterly.

 

He later, addressed newsmen after the plenary sitting where he accused Mark of rigging the election.

 

Senator Bello Tukur (PDP, Adamawa) had raised a point of order drawing the attention of his colleagues to what he called “disparaging” statements credited to Senator Omoworare, which he said has painted the Senate in bad light and prayed that the matter be referred to the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for investigation.
Omoworare later said he was sorry if the interview gave the impression that he disparaged the Senate.

Rivers Crisis: Mass Protest Looms • Demonstrators Must Be Orderly –Police • N’Assembly To Reject Emergency Rule

Organised labour and civil society groups are planning a showdown with the Federal Government should the crisis in Rivers State remain intractable.
The groups told our correspondents on Saturday that the mass action had become necessary because of the breakdown of law and order in the state which was threatening the nation’s democracy.
Even though the Presidency has washed its hands off the crisis in the state, there have been reports that President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience, and their loyalists are behind the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.
A civil rights group, Anti-Corruption Network, on Saturday threatened that the Presidency should prepare for the “Egyptian treatment.”
The organisation also gave the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, one week ultimatum to remove the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, over his alleged role in the face-off between the Presidency and Governor Rotimi Amaechi, failing which it would mobilise the masses and occupy the Force Headquarters.
The Executive Secretary of the organisation and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dino Melaye, said this in a statement titled; “Touch Amaechi, touch Nigeria” obtained by our correspondent in Abuja.
He said, “What is going on in Rivers State is African magic. We leave Amaechi’s life in the hands of Mr. President and his wife. We give the IGP one week to remove the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State; failure to do so, we shall mobilise Nigerians like never before to occupy the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The President should get ready for the Egyptian treatment.
“Touch Amechi and touch Nigeria. The abuse of law and order by both the anti-Amaechi legislators and the Nigerian Police is not only disgraceful but will not be tolerated by the mass of the people in this country. The Presidency cannot absolve itself from this satanic manifestation. Who ordered the military withdrawal from Rivers State Government House?”
Melaye said since the pressure group did not have another country to call its own, “it will do everything within the confines of the law to protect Nigeria’s fragile democracy which the President and his wife do not know how we got it.”
He said, “Usurps will not kill democracy. The battle to safeguard our democracy is a battle of no retreat, no surrender. President Jonathan is behaving as if he has no legacy intentions. Try us and see. I dare the Presidency. Enough is Enough.”
Labour unions in the state also told SUNDAY PUNCH an indefinite strike by workers might be the solution to the crisis.
The unions are insisting that apart from the Federal Government and the state government finding a solution to the impasse in the state assembly, the police must also vacate the Obio/Akpor Local Government Secretariat.
Already, they have met with the Senate Committee on Local Government and notified it on the need for the crisis to be resolved in order to forestall mass protests.

APC, Answer To Nigeria’s Problems — Aregbesola

The Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, during his courtesy visit to the Punch Place, addressed several issues, including governance, the controversial Nigeria Governors’ Forum election and the All Progressives Congress. BOSEDE OLUSOLA-OBASA was there.
Do you have a blueprint that has direct bearing with the needs of the people, since you claim to follow Obafemi Awolowo’s steps?
I have always been like this, but it is unfortunate that when you are still at the periphery there won’t be so much attention on you compared to when you are in the centre. It is interesting how I built myself to where I am. I’ve been in the foretaste of political affairs in Lagos State since 1993. Only close watchers, who were part of the process, knew that I was there until I came to the open in 1999. I was critical to the 1999 expression but many did not know. From 1999 to 2007, close watchers could see that I was not an ordinary person there.
That is about that; but what defined everything from the day I caught my political consciousness is that human beings must be at the focus of all efforts in any society. Whenever I see or sense any effort that will not benefit man, I criticise it. I am pro-people in every sense; I don’t like attempts to suppress or manipulate man. As for our blueprint, it is in public domain. If there are governors that came into service with clear outline of programmes, policies and objectives, I’m one of them. We completed the blueprint of our government in 2005. It was published same year. When you get a copy, you can do an assessment to see if we are indeed keeping faith with our programmes.
The blueprint could be classified into six action points. We realised that the greatest challenge of our people was poverty. So, our first assignment was to banish poverty, unemployment and hunger. Others are education, healthy living and communal harmony. These are the things that our state needs to get back to the root of development. On Awolowo, I must say that I patterned my programmes after his ‘People’s Republic.’ What I did before going into politics was to ensure I could recite the content. I regurgitated it whenever I needed to make reference to it. I do that in my own words. ‘People’s Republic’ is my manifesto. I have tried to adapt it to the current realities and it remains our driving force in governance.
Will some of your programmes be sustainable when another government comes into power?
Our programmes are sustainable. If they looked unsustainable initially, they become more sustainable as we go on. I will reel out some of them. When we assumed office, Osun was one of the states grappling with poverty and unemployment. After one year in office, Osun has the least unemployment index in Nigeria – three per cent. You may not like our approach and query it but it has multifaceted results. Crime rate is very low in the state today. Poverty rate is low.
I quote a report published in The PUNCH last September that Niger State had the lowest poverty index while it said Osun came second. On the other hand, the report said Osun had the least unemployment ahead of Niger. This, the report said, put Osun State as the best model of governance. I think the publication quoted the National Bureau of Statistics. We said in our plan that 100 days into our administration, we will engage 20,000 unemployed youths – whether with Senior Secondary Certificate, National Diploma, Higher National Diploma or degree. We advertised and asked interested people to apply. We got over 250,000 applications.
That means we only employed eight per cent of the total applicants, but it doused some social tension of years of unemployment and hopelessness. When we came in, there was no budget provision for that. So, we had to look for money to run it until we got a budget for it. I’m happy with what we have done and how the society has received it. We intend legislating on it to make it an enduring legacy. Even if we don’t legislate on it; no government can reverse it. It is impossible, it has become a pattern
When the World Bank heard of the programme, it came to study it and some weeks ago it allocated to Nigeria $300m (N48.4bn) out of which Osun was given $18m (N2.9bn) to do a nationwide youth empowerment scheme in line with the state’s initiative. Even if you were afraid of our capability to sustain it, consider the fact that the World Bank has endorsed and adopted it.
Before our time, public primary and secondary schools had lost their relevance. No human being with any form of decency wanted their children there, particularly primary schools. How did we come to that conclusion?
I was born and bred in Ikare, which was remote and far from civilisation, but then, the schools were the centre of education. They had the best buildings, it made attending school attractive and popular. As we moved away from colonial rule, symbols of government sent their children to such schools but that is no longer the case. We realised that the formative stage of life was critical, so we thought of getting the children protein-rich nutrition through the school system.
We checked our budget and recruited the best hands to do this. It is also providing opportunities for farmers, who are being patronised for this project. As of today, we feed 254,000 pupils every school day. Twice a week, they have chicken, once they eat eggs, meaning that at least 254,000 eggs are supplied every week. Because the state does not have the capacity to supply so much now, we get from Kwara State and Oyo, among others. We buy 3,000 whole chickens ever week, which are being supplied by farmers in the state. Already, poultry is a popular venture in Osun. People are laughing to the bank.
We slaughter 35 cows every week for the children. We also serve fish but I don’t have the statistics. What I know is that that has revived an ailing fishery project in the state. The fish is catfish — Obokun, our children now eat Obokun. We also learnt from nutrition experts that cocoyam has more nutrition that yam tuber, so we have also added it to their menu. I doubt how any administration, no matter how uncaring it is, will stop these programmes. Another area to address is the state’s revenue. I’m opposed to envelope economy. And that is one of the reasons I am very vocal on regional integration.
We must join hands to campaign for the restructuring of the architecture of governance which consumes so much of the nation’s wealth as against the actual needs of the people. If all governments could do half of what Osun is doing, the spate of crime and violence will drastically reduce. I look at sustainability from that point of view; it is to make people happy. I do say that the main assignment of any responsible government is the development of human capacity for self sustenance and good life. That explains the philosophy behind our people-oriented programmes and we are not ready to change.
There is this crave among governors to either buy private jets or register one in the name of a private airline or go on chartered flights. It has been speculated that Osun also got beaten by that bug despite the fact that it is considered to be poor. How true is it that the state bought a helicopter? If true, why?
We need to first answer some salient questions. What was the need for that intervention? The first is security considerations. We are into an arrangement on the helicopter idea but it is with the highest sense of responsibility to our people. The interest we want to promote led us into it even though we are no longer using it for the purpose it was meant because of disappointments in some quarters. Osun is not too big but the travel time from the capital, where the elite security operatives are and other locations in the state takes a minimum of between one and half to two and half hours. Talk of Ora, Ife Odan, Ifetedo, Ikire, Owena and so on.
Should there be an emergency, we should be able to support, rescue and intervene immediately. We won’t shout this on the house top but we had earlier invested in an alert system in respect to any threat to our people anywhere in the state. We thought that a helicopter would complement the rescue efforts by removing the impediment that the roads constitute when there is an emergency. But it is unfortunate that we met a brick wall, we have abandoned it. We would appreciate if the Federal Government could release the sort code for our use and safety of our people. Anybody could be in an emergency. We have the numbers to call on the ambulances. It is unfortunate that we have limited ourselves by the poverty we have around us. We must take a leap to be free. Awolowo used helicopter to campaign in the 50s.
But it was with his money…

Kudirat’s Daughter, Hafsat May Sue Al-Mustapha

A non-governmental organisation, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy may institute a civil legal action against Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former chief security officer to the late head of state who was set free by the Court of Appeal over the assassination of Kudirat Abiola, wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MK0 Abiola.
Al-Mustapha who had been sentenced to death on January 30, 2012, by a Lagos High Court over the murder of Kudirat was discharged and acquitted by the Appeal Court on Friday.
But KIND, which expressed “shock and disappointment” at the judgment, said in a statement on Saturday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital by its Executive Director, Amy Oyekunle, that it would obtain a copy of the judgment and commission a team of legal experts to study its details with a view to “determining whether a civil action is advisable at this point.”
The organisation founded in memory of Kudirat by her daughter, Hafsat Abiola-Costello stressed that it “vehemently disagrees” with the court’s verdict.
The statement entitled “Is this the face of justice in Nigeria?,” read, “While KIND will obtain this judgment and commission a team of legal experts to study it in detail, with a view to determining whether a civil action is advisable at this point, KIND respectfully acknowledges but vehemently disagrees with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“KIND hereby expresses shock and disappointment at the judgment, 2013, which overturned the judgment of the High Court, which had found Al-Mustapha, one time Chief Security Officer to Gen. Sani Abacha, and Lateef Shofolahan guilty of the June 4, 1996 murder of Kudirat in Lagos, during the reign of terror of Abacha.”
KIND stated that the gruesome murder of Kudirat in 1996 and the supreme sacrifice made by many other Nigerians, including Chief MKO Abiola and Alfred Rewane, to restore democracy to Nigeria.
“The judgment of Justice Amina Augie (presiding justice of the Court of Appeal’s Panel), Justice Rita Pemu, and Justice Fatima Akinbami, reversing the judgment of Justice Mojisola Dada, has now discarded that court’s findings and rejected the court’s reasoning,” it added.
The group said it was neither seeking vengeance nor retribution but insisted that the killers of Kudirat must be found

Oritsejafor Making Inciting Comments –North

The North has criticised the National President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, for faulting a ceasefire deal between the Federal Government and the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
The apex body of the North, Arewa Consultative Forum, on Friday warned Oritsejafor not to instigate the public to scuttle peace moves in the region.
The Chairman, Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, Mr. Kabiru Turaki (SAN), had last Monday announced a ceasefire deal between the government and the sect.
But on Wednesday at the ninth National Assembly of CAN where he was re-elected, Oritsejafor dismissed the ceasefire deal.
He noted that Boko Haram could not be taken seriously because the group had been factionalised, because there were two groups –the Shekau group and the Ansaru group.
“Even if one person says ‘I want peace and I drop my weapons. I will still ask, ‘Which Boko Haram?’ We have seen situations in the past, where they told us that some people wanted truce and the next day we saw people being killed,” the CAN President said.
The National Publicity Secretary, ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani, in an interview with our correspondent, however, said starting dialogue with a faction of the sect could lead other reluctant members embracing it.
He also said, “CAN President is expected to encourage this government, instead of creating doubt in the minds of both the government and Nigerians. That is unhelpful. This is because it is not possible for all the members of the sect to agree with dialogue – all at the same time. The extremist ones among them will always oppose dialogue.”
The ACF spokesman urged Nigerians to support the moves by the Federal Government, saying security issues should be approached in bipartisan manner.
While Sani admitted the possibility of a reprisal by members of Boko Haram over the life sentence passed on five members of the sect by a court recently, he said it was because the terms of dialogue had yet to be discussed.
He also said government’s moves for dialogue could run concurrently with the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Sani noted that the emergency rule was only to enable the government to reclaim Nigerian territories seized by the sect and not to preclude dialogue.
“ACF believes as soon as the territories have been fully reclaimed, dialogue will take the centre stage.
“With such assurance from the government that it has the capacity and capability to execute strategy of stick and carrot, it would be unpatriotic for anybody to doubt the possibility of the reported ceasefire,” Sani added.
He added that Orisejafor should allow those concerned with the affairs of security in the region to make comments.
“He (Oritsejafor) has been making very incendiary statements; he’s been accusing people left, right and centre. I don’t believe in his kind of religious leadership. He is not a Muslim; he is not a member of Boko Haram and he has no business commenting on the leadership structure of the sect.
“He doesn’t know the working structure of government. He has never worked in government.”
On his part, the National Coordinator, Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professional and Businessmen, Dr. JunaidMohammed, however, expressed his doubt over the ceasefire deal.
“Do you believe any ceasefire deal was signed?” he asked our correspondent.
He alleged that Turaki was only playing to the gallery with the ceasefire deal to win the favour of the Presidency.
“If you want to sign any deal with anybody, you must identify the bona fides. You can call your friend to come and sign a deal with you but how are you sure he’s the de facto leader? Boko Haram is not just a terrorist’ organisation, it is also an underground organisation. You must know the structure of any organisation before you can confirm that you’re dealing with the bona fide leader.”
On the prosecution of five members of the sect, he said nobody was above the law, adding that Nigerian justice system should be scrapped if it dreads prosecuting criminals.

2015: Jonathan Seals Deal With Muslim Leaders

President Goodluck Jonathan may dump Vice President Namadi Sambo for the former Zamfara State governor, Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima, as his running mate for the 2015 presidential election, it was learnt at the weekend
The President, who met with some Muslim scholars and leaders on his anticipated second term bid, was said to have been impressed by the senator’s role in facilitating the meeting between him and the Muslim leaders, who promised to mobilise support for him. Interestingly, this is coming at a time when the Professor Ango Abdulahi’s Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has made it known that the North would not support President Jonathan’s second term bid. Sources said that Yerima, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, directed his associate and deputy governor of Zamfara State, Ibrahim Wakala, who served under him as the Commissioner for Religious Affairs for eight years, to mobilise Muslim scholars to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for the meeting.
Although the scholars were earlier scheduled to hold another meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, for the purpose of forging unity among Muslim leaders, they abandon the Ibadan parley for the Aso Rock meeting, where the President solicited their support for his political aspiration. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saa’d Abubakar, it was learnt, was not aware of the Abuja meeting.
Vice President Sambo and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), were said not to be part of the meeting. A source very close to the meeting revealed that “in 2011, the President received bloc support of Christians because they were organised. He is trying to see how he can get the same support from Muslims in 2015. This is where Alhaji Sani Yerima came in. “He convinced the President about his popularity among Muslim leaders throughout Nigeria.
“The former governor directed Wakala to act as the link between the Muslim scholars and the President, and to mobilise them to the meeting in Aso Rock where the President, Yerima, the Chief of Staff and Protocol Officer were present. “There, Jonathan sought for their cooperation, which they promised to give”. The source disclosed that, at the meeting, Jonathan promised to address the grievances of Muslims before the 2015 general election which includes appointing a Muslim minister from the South into the Federal Executive Council. The source added.
“The former governor also used the meeting to strike a deal with the President. Now, the President, apart from promising to make Yerima the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the next cabinet reshuffle, is considering making him his running mate in 2015, owing to his perceived influence among Nigerian Muslims. The President believes that he will be a better choice in this circumstance. “In fact, at the end of the day, logistics support was reportedly provided for the leaders for taking time out to meet with Mr. President.
“Yerima”, Sunday Vanguard learnt, “then threw in another request, advising the President to sponsor them for the Umurah, the lesser hajj, so that they can pray for the actualisation of his ambition in the holy land”. This request may not be strange as the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been known to extend such favours to ‘Men of God’”

I Have Forgiven My Foes – Al-Mustapha

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, says he has forgiven those behind his 14 years sojourn in prison.
In an interview aired on BBC Hausa Service, yesterday, the former Abacha security goon said “there was conscious effort by those behind my travail to paint me black before the whole world, but my gratitude goes to God for allowing truth to triumph over falsehood”. He spoke about 24 hours after the Court of Appeal set him free.
Al-Mustapha Al-Mustapha stated: “The last 14 years of my life was spent between solitary confinement that lasted five years and three months and detention in about 32 facilities located within the northern and southern parts of the country.” Recounting his experience in prison, the former CSO declared: “I was toughened by my professional calling and my belief as a Muslim to persevere in whatever condition one finds himself”, stressing that 14 years from home had been tough and laden with lesson of life
The one-time feared Major, in the emotional interview, said, “I am fully convinced that my travail was ordained by God to test my will and trust in Him and those laying claim to have played a role must have done that out of ignorance, and I bear no grudge against them. “I have learnt a lot lessons from my incarceration and, from what I have seen at the maximum prison, there is a number of people who are being detained illegally across the prisons and those in position of authority must do something to address the issue”.
He added: “I am still a major in the Nigerian Army, and cannot be dragged into politics especially since I have been out for so long. I don’t think of politics, my major preoccupation now is how to reunite with my profession.” Rally Meanwhile, barring any last-minute change in plan, Maryam Sani Abacha, wife of the late Head of state, Abacha, is set to lead the entire Abacha family to receive him at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport as he returns home today. Al-Mustapha’s grandmother was also said to be anxious to see him.
Supporters and well-wishers of the freed former CSO were, yesterday, said to be planning to hold a rally for honour their hero. A jingle by Muhammad Abacha, eldest son of the late Head of State, ran on virtually all radio stations in Kano, calling on Kano people to come out en masse to welcome Al Mustapha back home.
Palpable festivities enveloped the city of nine million people as many were seen discussing today’s event that promised to attract hundreds of thousands of people. Al-Mustapha’s private residence, located at Lamido Crescent, Nassarawa GRA, wore a new look with increased activities as hordes of people were seen trooping in and out of the house. Sunday Vanguard checks round the city showed posters of the late Abacha dotted strategic streets with those of Al-Mustapha

Nigeria’s Kill-And-Go Mentality: Now, who killed Kudirat Abiola?

This report is not about to contest or upturn the judgment of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal which set Major Hamza Al-Mustapha free. However, judging from the plethora of unresolved murders, it does appear that a ‘KILL-AND-GO’ syndrome may have settled into the Nigerian system. Freeing Al-Mustapha has not changed anything. The authorities should answer the question: WHO KILLED KUDIRAT ABIOLA? By Jide Ajani
KILL-AND-GO! That was the catch-phrase when the mobile police unit was first introduced in Nigeria about four decades ago. Because of the fiesty men of the officers and men of that unit, they earned for themselves a reputation of no-nonsense. Worse still, Nigerians were conditioned to believe that whenever the unit was deployed to quell riots, their rules of engagement differed from the civil, gentle and persuasive approach of the regular police. Indeed, people were left to go with the impression that whatever the officers and men of the unit did was not to be questioned.
There was also the belief – for effect at that time – that if an officer of the mobile unit killed in the course of his duty, he would not be held accountable. And so they were named KILL-AND-GO. Not surprisingly, too, is the case of the many unresolved high-profile murders in Nigeria, that is, cases of people who have killed and since moved on – killing and going scot-free. There are over two dozen cases of unresolved high profile murders since the beginning of the Fourth Republic.
Whereas Nigerians gnash their teeth in unmitigated anguish upon hearing of the murder of a prominent personality, many appear to be contented with the show of anguish and emotion in sympathy with the family or colleagues of the deceased. Beyond that, time begins to play its healing role, such that Stockholm Syndrome sets in – a sense of pity begins to emanate from members of the society who are supposed to be victims of the dastardly act. It was in late 1999 that journalists waited anxiously at the water-front office of the High Court, Lagos.
These were both local and foreign journalists. Then British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC’s Sola Odunfa, could not but wonder aloud “Igba’olo bi orere” (nothing lasts forever). What forced that phrase out of him was nothing more than the near criminalisation of Hamza Al-Mustapha, the man who served as Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the late General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s one-time maximum dictator.

France Win U-20 World Cup

France have won the FIFA Under-20 World Cup for the first time in the competition’s 36-year history after beating Uruguay on penalties in Saturday’s final.
Neither side were able to break the deadlock during a tense 120 minutes in Istanbul, as both goalkeepers enjoyed largely quiet games prior to the shootout.
However, Uruguay stopper Guillermo De Amores did produce one stunning stop to deny Jordan Veretout late in normal time.
Neither side could find the necessary spark to avoid a dramatic penalty shootout to decide the destination of the title though.
It was De Amores’s opposite number, Alphonse Areola, who was the hero once the spot kicks got underway.
The Paris Saint-Germain stopper saved efforts from Emiliano Velazquez and Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
Meanwhile, France scored all four of their penalties as Pierre Mankowski’s side ran out 4-1 winners to clinch the trophy for the first time since the inception of the competition.

Paul’s Hope of Righteousness

Why is it that armed-robbers, pen-robbers, rapists, murderers and all sorts of evil men claim to be Christians? Have you ever wondered why Christians, supposedly followers of Jesus; the most righteous man that ever lived, are not known for righteousness?
On the contrary, Christians organised the Inquisition and burnt thousands of people at the stakes. Christians went on crusades and slaughtered the innocent. Christians killed over six million Jews in Germany. Christians divorce our wives. Priests rape young boys. Pastors devour widows’ houses. Why is it that armed-robbers, pen-robbers, rapists, murderers and all sorts of evil men claim to be Christians? Unrighteous church One man is principally responsible for this anomaly; and that man is Paul.
Paul’s message permits us to remain sinners as Christians. He entices us with the fallacy that no one is righteous. (Romans 3:10). He ensnares us with the falsehood that God justifies sinners. (Romans 4:5). He says deceptively: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19). But God can never be reconciled to our trespasses. In short, Paul lulls Christians into erroneously believing we can remain in our trespasses by faith, without losing our salvation.
Jesus’ message, however, is not at all reassuring for Christians who continue in sin. Unlike Paul, Jesus indicates the world will not be reconciled to God. (Matthew 24:3-14/37-44). He maintains categorically a sinner cannot be justified unless he repents: “Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them,
Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5). Paul says those who are in Christ “wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Galatians 5:5).
But what does that mean in practical terms? We are not so much waiting for righteousness, which would be pathetic enough; we are waiting for its “hope.” Thereby, Paul puts Christians in a holding pattern, waiting for the righteousness of Jesus to be imparted on us. But when exactly will this righteousness rain down on us? More importantly, what are we while we are waiting? Are we righteous or are we unrighteous? The fruit is self-evident. In the churches of Paul, “there is none righteous; no not one.” (Romans 3:10).
Hopeless righteousness The righteousness of Paul is a vain hope; a pie in the sky that has not materialised in 2000 years. Paul says: “The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19).
But are we supposed to be children of God now or shall we be his children at some undisclosed future date? Unlike Paul, John is unequivocal: “Beloved, NOW we are children of God.” (1 John 3:2). Paul says: “We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:24-25).
But exactly how can a man be saved by hope? Did God save the Israelites from Egypt by hope, or did he take them out of Egypt? Are we saved from Babylon by hope, or are we to come out of her now? John says: “I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4). Blind salvation Paul says we should hope for what we don’t see. But Jesus himself says we must be able to see the kingdom now. (John 3:3). Simeon declares to God on seeing Jesus: “My eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2:30-32). Furthermore, Jesus teaches that we should not dwell on the future: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” (Matthew 6:34). Thus, Jesus was at pains to discourage us from thinking like Paul. Jesus does not offer Paul’s “hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8). He is a present Saviour and not a future Saviour. When Lazarus died, Jesus assured Martha her brother would live again. Martha agreed but noted that Lazarus’ resurrection would take place “at the last day.”

You Won't Believe What Aspiring Nigerian Footballers And Students Go Through In Europe

When Jinaid left his home in Nigeria for Tajikistan last year, he thought he was traveling to Central Asia to pursue a career in professional soccer.
But the 21-year-old’s adventure didn’t turn out quite as planned.
After spending hundreds of dollars to fulfill his dream, Jinaid is now stranded in Dushanbe with no job and no money.
“Now, I’m struggling without doing anything,” Jinaid says. “I’m hungry, my visa has expired. Nothing to do.”
Jinaid is among a group of at least 10 Nigerians who have traveled to Tajikistan in the past three years, seeking to join soccer clubs and make a decent living. Some of them did play for Tajik teams, but they complain that what they got fell far short of expectations.
Alleged Afghan middleman
They have sued an Afghan national living in Dushanbe for allegedly acting as a middleman and luring them to the country on false pretenses.
The alleged middleman, Hamidullah Abdulmannon, has been charged on suspicion of scamming the would-be footballers. He is also accused of promising other young Nigerians places at Tajik universities.
Afghan national Hamidullah Abdulmannon says the Nigerians are ganging up against him, with no basis for the allegation that he was an unethical broker.
Jinaid says he traveled to Tajikistan along with three other Nigerian players.
“(Abdulmannon told) my coach in Nigeria that there is a football team here which is looking for good players, so our coach got in touch with us (and told) us that he had an offer for us: to come down to Tajikistan,” Jinaid says. “We paid money to my coach. I paid $700.”
But in Tajikistan, Abdulmannon is alleged to have forced Jinaid to pay another $1,500 for what he called “university fees,” telling the player he would be deported if he didn’t pay.
“So I had to call my parents and I (said) the scenario has changed,” Jinaid says. “We came here as football players without knowing that we were invited as students. They asked us to pay school fees of $1,500. So they sent the money to Hamidullah.”
‘No more claims’
Jinaid claims Abdulmannon brought the four Nigerian soccer players to the club Zarafshon Panjakent, based in northern Tajikistan. He says they were proposed a four-month contract that included a monthly salary, apartment allowance, and other benefits.
After playing for the club for five months without receiving any salary, Jinaid says, the footballers complained to the Tajik Football Federation.
“The federation wrote a letter to the president of the club. ‘OK,’ they said, they are going to pay the money,” Jinaid says. “Out of the $3,200 which they had to pay, they only paid $300 for each player.”
Tajik Football Federation official Nurali Khorkashev confirmed that the federation had received complaints from the Nigerian players last year and instructed Zarafshon Panjakent to pay the money it owed to the foreign players. Khorkashev adds that the payment has been made by the club.
Zarafshon Panjaken’s head coach, Jamshed Bahronov, says the Nigerian players were paid in full, including food and accommodation. He says that “after the club representative handed over the payment to the players they signed a letter for us that they have no more claims over our club.”
Dennis Tahgbok had a similar experience. The 21-year-old says he came to Dushanbe in March 2012 along with five other Nigerian football players. Tahgbok played center for eight months at Hosilot Farkhor, a club based in the Farkhor district that borders Afghanistan, without receiving any salary. He has been surviving in Tajikistan with the financial help of his parents.
Fine print?
But after complaining to the Tajik Football Federation, Tahgbok says he learnt that the Russian-language contract that Abdulmannon signed on his behalf mentioned tuition but not salary.