We didn’t rob; we only collected our dues – Suspects

The suspects

The police have arrested four suspected robbers at a Lagos market who claimed they did not steal from the traders, but only came to collect their dues.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspects- Onyenge Osanie, Azuka Eboh, Ezelonwu Michael and Afolabi Shakiru- were nabbed by the police while they were looting some shops and robbing traders at the Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspects, who are four members of a ten-man gang, were arrested by operatives of the state Special Anti-Robbery Squad on December 20.

Wreckage of AirAsia jet carrying 162 people is 'spotted' in sea .

The Pilot

An Indonesian official says objects have been spotted in the sea by a search plane hunting for the missing AirAsia jet.

Jakarta's Air Force base commander Rear Marshal Dwi Putranto said he was informed on Monday an Australian Orion aircraft had detected suspicious objects near Nangka island, about 160 kilometres south-west of Pangkalan Bun, near central Kalimantan.

It is 1,120 kilometres from the location where the plane lost contact.

Fire consumed my Bachelor, Master’s degrees – Sambo tells INEC

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that his Bachelors and Masters degrees certificates in Architecture from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, were consumed by fire.

The incumbent deputy to President Goodluck Jonathan and well as vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 general elections, made the declaration in the documents he filed with INEC. The documents, among others, are displayed at the commission’s office in Abuja. Sambo’s papers were received and stamped in INEC headquarters between December 10 and 18, 2014.

Baby falls off mum’s back on Okada, crushed by truck

A heavy duty truck, conveying crates of soft drinks, yesterday, at the Okorodafe Roundabout in Ughelli, Delta State, crushed a four-month-old baby girl, who had fallen off the back of her mother travelling on a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as Okada.

According to witnesses, the mother of the baby, who is in her 30s and simply identified as Ese, was said to have been struggling to adjust the wrapper with which she strapped the baby to her back, while the Okada was in motion.

One of the witnesses, identified as Efemena Okiemute, told Vanguard that the baby fell on the middle of the road and was immediately crushed by the truck, which was directly behind the Okada.

When Vanguard visited the scene, officials of Ughelli Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, were seen clearing the remains of the dead baby from the road

Police arrest man for abducting friend’s daughter

A suspected abductor, Mathew Alhaji, has been apprehended by policemen attached to Warewa Police Station, Ogun State, for abducting his friend’s daughter (name withheld).

Our correspondent gathered that Alhaji and Mr. Agbotome Denis, who adopted the victim, had been friends for two years.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect abducted the 13-year-year-old girl, around the Arepo area of the state on Sunday, December 14 while she was hawking fura.

SERAP asks UN to stop execution of 54 soldiers

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the United Nations to help stop the execution of 54 soldiers sentenced to death by the Nigerian Army on December 17.

A General Court Martial set up by the Army authorities had sentenced the 54 soldiers to death by firing squad for alleged offences of mutiny and conspiracy to commit mutiny.

But SERAP, in a petition dated December 23 and addressed to a group of five UN special human rights rapporteurs, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, described the mass death sentences imposed on the soldiers as “unjust and incompatible with fundamental human rights.”

President Jonathan To Buy New Executive Jet

President Goodluck Jonathan wants to ride yet another new aircraft, and he has asked the National Assembly to approve the purchase.  The request is part of the 2015 budget presented to the National Assembly in Abuja last week by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. 

It will be the fourth such purchase since he took office in 2010.

I’m being threatened for opposing Buhari’s ambition – Sheik Gumi

Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, on Tuesday disclosed that he has been threatened for not supporting Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Kaduna-based cleric raised the alarm on Tuesday in a Facebook post titled, “PDP v APC: It’s Not about Religion.”

“People like me who had all along been critical about the government can no longer speak or express personal opinion if it is not in support of Gen. Buhari,” said Shiekh Gumi.

News In Brief

1. The Nigerian Army has sentenced three officers and 13 other soldiers to two years’ imprisonment each over Boko Haram abduction of the over 200 schoolchildren from their hostel in Chibok, Borno State. The soldiers, included a Lieutenant Colonel, a Captain and a Second lieutenant. The officers include Col. A. O. Ojo, Capt. O. O. Ogunrinde, and 2nd Lieutenant ,V.I. Godknows.

MH370: Missing Malaysia Airlines plane 'shot down' by US Air Force

Mark Dugain, former CEO of Proteus Airlines, believes the mystery Boeing 777 was shot out of the sky by the US Air Force fearing another September 11 attack.

The Frenchman's claims emerged in a recent edition of Paris Match, where he explains how he spoke with residents in the Maldives after the event. He said locals told him of how they saw a "huge plane" with "red and blue stripes on a white background” had flown over them at a "low altitude".

Mel B's daughter Phoenix 'hates stepfather' after he allegedly 'scared her with a gun'

 

             


MEL B's husband Stephen Belafonte is said to have once scared her eldest daughter Phoenix with a gun.

According to US court papers filed during The X Factor judge's custody battle with Jimmy Gulzar, the 14 year old "hates" her stepfather. Mel's mum Andrea Brown made the allegations in 2009 and described her eldest grandchild's feelings towards the film maker.

In the reports obtained by the Daily Star, she said: "Phoenix told me Stephen had a gun and that he had scared her with it. 

"While at Danielle’s, Phoenix said Stephen told her that when she was 16, he is going to throw her out of the house."

Andrea – who no longer talks to her daughter Mel – also went on to detail how strange it was to hear her granddaughter talk like that. She added: "I was shocked at this time to hear Phoenix say she hated her stepfather Stephen and I dismissed this as a result of her having to share mum with him and sister Angel.

"But Phoenix has never spoken like that about Mel’s other partners."

The files have emerged as the Spice Girl plans to spend Christmas away from her husband and her three-year-old daughter Maddison.

Mel is also still recovering from her mystery illness at her London home.

ok

Buhari to meet, invite 22 aggrieved PDP aspirants to APC

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), will soon hold a meeting with aggrieved governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State.

The aspirants, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are considering defecting to the APC following the circumstances that surrounded the emergence of the eventual winner of the governorship primary, Udom Emmanuel.

Court Jails Parents Of Toddler Who Hit Him So Hard Till He Died

Toddler Levi Blu-Cassin died after being stamped on, kicked/punched by his parents who are drug addicts. Levi, 22 months, was found unconscious at his home in Chelmsey Wood with his intestine spilt into two and later died from the injuries. 

His parents Danielle Cassin and Mark Piper where however jailed yesterday by a Birmingham Crown Court. The judge described them as 'selfish, neglectful and manipulative' and sentenced them to 9 years in prison each.

Govt, puts Lagosians on red alert over Ebola -

The state government has advised Lagosians to be at alert and be mindful of what they do, eat and drink during the Yuletide celebrations even as it urged residents to call the Ebola Help line or the Local Government nearest to them in case of any suspected case during the season.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who gave the advice weekend urged residents to observe good personal and environmental hygiene as well as follow advice given by the State Government on the prevention of the Ebola Virus Disease.

Bomb Blast Rocks Bauchi Market Hours After Killing 19 In Gombe

Another bomb explosion has occurred at a market in Bauchi hours after killing 19 this morning at a bus station in Gombe. According to eyewitnesses the bomb exploded near a police outpost inside the market as traders were about closing for the day. The explosion occurred around 5:30pm and witnesses say, at least 15 people have died. Bauchi police spokesman also confirmed the explosion. 

Donate Your N21.27bn Campaign Money To Improve Electricity! Buhari Group Tells Jonathan

The Buhari 2015 Support Group Centre have asked president Jonathan to spend the N21.27bn donated by businessmen, multinationals and PDP governors  to finance his 2015 presidential election campaign,  on electricity.

The group said Nigerians have witnessed the worst power supply in his regime and says instead of spending the money to campaign on his re-election, the president should spend it to improve power supply for Nigerians.

It will be recalled that the oil and gas sector, doled out N5bn; road and construction, N560m; power, N500m and Chief Tunde Ayeni and his associates, gave out N2bn at the event which took place on Saturday at the Presidential Villa.

Jonathan leading a visionless govt –Osinbajo

Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has described the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government as “inadequate and visionless.”

The former Attorney-General of Lagos State said it was unfortunate that in spite of the fact that Nigerians had given “so much” to the present administration, they have got nothing in return for their sacrifices.

Osinbajo argued via his Twitter page that the APC presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is a “strong character” that brings to the table a ray of hope for millions of Nigerians.

Graduate robber promises to embrace God if released

A suspected car thief, Amucha Chike, who was arrested by operatives of the Anti-Kidnap Unit of the Enugu State Police Command, has promised to attend a thanksgiving church service and embrace God if released.

Chike, 27, who said he was a graduate of Agriculture Economics from the Abia State University, Uturu, and has completed his National Youth Service Corps programme, blamed the devil for his ill-fated venture into crime.

Nigerian Government into Yahoo Yahoo

Saw this video online and I think it is worth sharing.

BREAKING NEWS!!! Bomb explosion rocks Gombe Motor Park

Scores of people are feared killed after an explosion ripped through a crowded motor park in Gombe town, Gombe State, residents have said.

A journalist based in the state, Mallam Tildee, told PREMIUM TIMES that the blast occurred at Dukku Motor Park early Monday.

Mr. Tildee said he was on his way to the scene of the blast and would be able to give casualty figure later.
The spokesperson of the police in the state, Fwaje Atajiri, could not be reached for comments.

A similar blast had occurred in November at the Gombe line motor park, killing scores of commuters, drivers and traders.

Details later.

New video shows Boko Haram killing captives in dormitory

Militant Islamist group, Boko Haram, has vowed that “from now on, killing, slaughtering, destruction and bombing’’ would   be its religious duty anywhere it invades.

The group, in a new video released to journalists on Saturday, showed its armed members   mowing down civilians lying face down in a dormitory.

The setting of the latest video appeared to be a long school dormitory furnished with bunk beds which an unnamed     leader of the group claimed   was in Bama, a town 40 miles north of Gwoza, Borno State.

The leader of the sect was heard saying that they were killing ‘infidels’ or non-believers.

Pastor on the run over death of two brothers during spiritual bath

LAGOS — The Police in Lagos have arrested a member of New Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ajah area of the state over the alleged death of two men during a spiritual bath, weekend.

The deceased identified as Abiodun and Ayinde Oniru, of same parents and one of their step-brothers were alleged to have been taken to the church by their father and step-mother last Thursday for spiritual cleansing.

Femi Fani Kayode advises Osinbajo.

Article from former Aviation minister, Femi Fani Kayode...

I am glad that the APC eventually took my advice and saw the wisdom in not fielding a muslim/muslim ticket for the 2015 Presidential election even though I hear that, right up till the last minute, they almost did.

I congratulate my friend and brother Professor Yemi Osinbajo on his nomination as the Vice Presidential candidate of the APC and running mate to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Gunman kills two US policemen

Two New York police officers have been shot dead by a gunman who then killed himself, officials said.

The officers were killed without warning on Saturday as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn, Police Commissioner William Bratton told a news conference, flanked by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Although we’re still learning the details, it’s clear that this was an assassination, that these officers were shot execution style,” said de Blasio.

Bratton named the gunman as Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, and said he fled into a nearby metro station after the shooting and died there from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

What I Know About Boko Haram – Modu Sheriff

According to leadership, Former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has opened up on what he knows about the Boko Haram insurgents currently ravaging states in the northeast and some other parts of the country, while disclosing that only the neighbouring Republic of Chad could help solve the menace.

2015: President Jonathan receives N21.27bn from donors to boost campaign

President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid received a major boost on Saturday, as businessmen, multinational organisations, interest groups and individuals donated the sum of N21.27bn to support his campaign for the 2015 presidential election.

The naira rain was at the Peoples Democratic Party Fund Raising Dinner held at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Missing In Action

I'm sorry I've been missing since yesterday afternoon. I will be back later today. Just trying to complete my Xmas shopping.

Merry xmas in advance.

NDLEA nabs fake officer selling recruitment forms

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 39-year-old man for posing as an employee of the agency and extorting money from unsuspecting job seekers.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect, Siaka Adewunmi, had collected over N737,500 from members of the public, giving them recruitment forms under the pretext of providing employment for them in the agency.

Our correspondent gathered that Adewunmi promised one of his victims, who he defrauded to the tune of N680,000, employment for his son. He was also said to have promised to help him buy two vehicles purportedly auctioned by the NDLEA.

Police arrest robbers at Redemption Camp

A 26-year-old man identified as Emmanuel Olowu who was recently arrested at the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God while trying to rob worshipers was paraded alongside other suspected armed robbers by the Ogun state Police command at the Force Head quarters in Abeokuta,yesterday December 18th.

Parading the suspects before newsmen, the state's Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said Emmanuel was apprehended with a toy gun, phones and money. Adejobi said the other suspects were arrested while carrying out robbery attacks in some towns in the state.

I Need Your Prayers To Be Able To Choose Rightly- President Jonathan Tells Nigerians

President Jonathan today at the 2014 Christmas Carol organized by the Aso Villa Chapel at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa has said he needs the prayers of Nigerians to be able to make right decisions on matters brought before him. According to him, for every issue he had to take a decision on, multiple suggestions that were most times contradictory, were always made available to him which mostly makes it difficult to choose. He also prayed that God will give them the grace to have his fear in mind.

Video: Pastor Tunde Bakare Exposes Gen Buhari.

When you were asked to be a running mate, did you ask God about it or did He tell you to go ahead?

Several times Paul would say in the Bible that “this is I speaking but not the spirit of God even though I have the spirit of God in me.” With every sense of modesty, a man like me would not jump without looking. If you don’t look and you leap, you can leap into disaster that would backfire on you and everything you stand for in the society. When my book is out, it would be clear to all the process it took for me to be a running mate.

Bruce and Kris Jenner Officially Divorced

Kris and Bruce Jenner are now officially divorced. According to TMZ:

Kris and Bruce Jenner have settled their divorce ... TMZ has learned, and the goodies have been divided, with Bruce scoring several million from his ex. An L.A. County judge has signed the legal docs.  

It's about as clean a divorce as possible. As we previously reported, they did not sign a prenup. Kris gets the family house and they divided up various bank accounts and other assets. 

We're told based on the settlement agreement ... neither Kris nor Bruce will get spousal support. As for 17-year-old Kylie, she's so close to becoming an adult they share joint custody and each parent will foot the bill while she's with them. 

Under the agreement, Kris has to pay Bruce $2.5 million to equalize things. Kris gets a 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost, a 2014 Bentley and a 2014 Land Rover. Bruce gets a 2011 Porsche 997 Coupe, a 2013 Cadillac Escalade and a 2007 Harley motorcycle. They each get to keep their airline miles.

Kris filed for divorce in September, citing irreconcilable differences. She listed the date of separation as June 1, 2013.  

It looks like the actual date they are legally allowed to tie the knot with someone else is March 23, 2015 ... but the fat lady has sung. They're on the market folks.

APC appoints Rivers Governor, Amaechi, presidential campaign director

Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi has been announced as the Director General of APC's Presidential campaign. His appointment is contained in a statement released by the National Secretary of the party today December 18th. See the full text of the appointment letter below.. 

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has named Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organization, which will drive the party’s efforts to win the 2015 presidential election.

Photo; Ibinabo Fiberesima traditional wedding

Ibinabo's traditional wedding is holding this evening.

More pictures coming soon. Stay tuned

Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Fight Over Spending Christmas Apart

Kim Kardashian  and Kanye West have been hit with more split rumours than we've been hit with colds over the past few weeks and months, and today things have taken a turn for the, er, festive after claims the two are fighting over Christmas plans.

:( We really hope not, since Christmas is the season to be jolly and all that.

Yep, after being plagued by reports that their relationship was on rocky ground following THAT magazine cover, it's now being rumoured that it's the couples mince pie-making schedules that are causing rifts in Team Kimye.

Celebrity Big Brother 2015 Line-Up: Mel B's Husband Stephen Belafonte 'In Talks' For Show

Mel B and her husband Stephen Belafonte have had a ridiculously tough time of things lately, from rumours of splitting to claims he 'hit' her after she appeared on The X Factor with bruises.

Now, it's being reported that the Spice Girl's husband could be entering the Celebrity Big Brother 2015 house to clear his name and probably take part in a bizarre challenge where he pretends to be a cat. Or something similar, anyway.

 

The 39-year-old, who has finally broken his silence and spoken out about *those* worrying abuse claims, is apparently being eyed up for the house because he's such 'hot property' at the moment.

Tortured Lagos couple to sue police for N100m

According to punch,The couple that was tortured by a police corporal attached to the Ikoyi Police Division has perfected plans to sue the police for N100m damages.

A lawyer with the Femi Falana Chamber, Austin Audu, told our correspondent on Wednesday that the matter would be taken to court on Monday.

PUNCH Metro had reported how Ejeh Smith and his wife, Grace, were on their way home in a cab around Lekki area of Lagos State, when a police corporal, Dada Ogunsanya, stopped the driver.

Mother throws baby in refuse dump

Internet Image

A seven-month-old baby has been found abandoned in a heap of rubbish near Lanre bus stop in the Igando area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the baby whose head was said to be unusually big was dumped in the refuse owing to an unknown ailment.

It was learnt that a resident, who passed by the area, raised the alarm when he heard the cry of the baby.

Our correspondent gathered that the discovery was reported to the police, at the Igando Police Station, who came to evacuate the baby.

A resident, who identified himself as Segun Adesoye, told PUNCH Metro that he saw the child while he was being removed from the rubbish.

Another eyewitness and food seller, who identified herself simply as Iya Oyo, said, “Nobody could move close to the baby.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said the baby had been handed over to an orphanage.

He said, “The baby was taken to Heart of Gold Orphanage in Surulere. It is sad. A very responsible and caring parent would not have acted that way. We implore his mother to show up at any nearest police station or go to the orphanage.”

punch

Why I picked Osinbajo as my running mate– Buhari

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, has given reasons why he picked Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate as he bids again become Nigeria’s president.

While presenting Mr. Osinbajo to the media at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja, Mr. Buhari said his running mate was chosen because of his impeccable integrity and excellent background.

“He is an excellent professional, a man of faith, a devoted family man and a role model to our fellow countrymen and women,” he said.

News In Brief On Thursday Morning

1. Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has threatened in a new video that the group will kill the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. The threat is a response to the Emir’s call on Kano people to arm themselves and unite against the sect. The 19-minute video tagged Sanusi and other Muslim leaders as pagans.

Why I Am Not Buhari's Running Mate - Tinubu

I am a Nigerian who loves his country and am hopeful about what it can become. I have seen and conducted myself as a patriot long before I thought of myself as a politician.  I shall always walk this line and no other.

After all the political calculations are made and the dust of competition has settled, it must be this nation and its people who stand first and foremost. The question becomes whether we stand strong, able to shape ourselves into our best future or will we stand frail and trembling, burdened by the abject failure to surmount the multiple problems confronting us.

Buhari Calls Pastor Adeboye To Seek His Blessing Before Announcing Osinbajo As Running Mate

Presidential candidate of the All progressive Congress (APC), General Muhammad Buhari today called the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye a few minutes after he made his final decision to announce Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate for the 2015 presidential election, to seek his blessings.

An aide to the retired general said Adeboye gave his blessing over the phone and wished Buhari and Osinbajo a successful election campaign.

Osinbajo is one of Pastor Adeboye’s close confidants at the RCCG, where Osinbajo is a pastor, and also a church compere for major events. 

Sahara reporters

Boko haram Leader Threatens Emir Of Kano

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has threatened to attack the Emir of Kano, Muhummadu Sanusi II, in retaliation for the Emir’s call on Kano residents and other Nigerians to arm and defend themselves against the terror organization.

In a new video released weekend, Mr. Shekau said his group does not consider Mr. Sanusi a true Muslim, and will attack him whenever an opportunity presents itself.

Love Takeaway? Read on...

 The Golden Dragon in Plaistow, East London, was shut with immediate effect by inspectors when they discovered the health and safety breaches.

The takeaway is believed to have traded and sold meals in those conditions before it was officially closed.