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TORTURE IS STILL RIFE IN NIGERIA – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

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TORTURE IS STILL RIFE IN NIGERIA – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Nigerian authorities must do more to end the ongoing use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment by law enforcement agencies, Amnesty International said today, marking International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

It said despite recent government measures aimed at reducing the use of torture in the country, “it continues to receive regular reports of torture and other ill-treatment in military and police custody. ”

“Moreover, victims are still being denied justice, with the Nigerian judicial system failing to prevent or punish torture, perpetuating a culture of impunity,” the global agency said via a press release on Wednesday.

“Although steps have been taken to address torture in Nigeria, including the enactment of the Anti-Torture Act in December 2017 and the setting up of the presidential panel on reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) the use of torture by the police and others is still widespread,” said Osai Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria.

The statement also reads:

“Our research also shows that despite an existing law against the use of torture, no police officer has been charged under the act. Moreover, the Nigerian police is yet to amend Force Order 237 which allows police officers to shoot at fleeing suspects, giving room for lethal use of force that sometimes leads to extrajudicial killings.

“On 5 March 2018 a high court in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay compensation to Ugochukwu Oraefo for extortion, illegal arrest, unlawful detention and torture after he was arrested by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Awkuzu, Anambra state. The police have neither paid the victim nor ensured that the police officers involved have been brought to justice.

“Amnesty International highlighted rampant torture and ill-treatment especially by the SARS police unit in the report: Nigeria: ‘You Have Signed Your Death Warrant’ in 2016, yet shocking incidents of torture still continue. Every now and then videos of police officers or soldiers torturing suspects surface and generate outrage.

“It is time Nigerian authorities declare, in strong terms, that security personnel will be held accountable for torture and that victims of torture will get justice, including rehabilitation and compensation.”

Torture is prohibited under international law.

Malabu Scandal: Ex-Russian diplomat who claimed Goodluck Jonathan received kickback appears in Italian Court

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Malabu Scandal: Ex-Russian diplomat who claimed Goodluck Jonathan received kickback appears in Italian Court

A former Russian diplomat, Ednan Agaev, on Wednesday appeared before an Italian court in Milan over the controversial Malabu scandal.

Mr Agaev, a middleman and defendant in the case, once claimed that former president Goodluck Jonathan may have received $200 million in the controversial deal.

The Russian middleman helped negotiate the transfer of the OPL 245 oil block to Shell and Eni, two multinationals at the heart of the scandal.

In 2017, a report based on Italian court documents obtained by BuzzFeed and Italian business newspaper, Il Sole 24 Ore, quoted Mr Agaev as saying that Dan Etete, the former Petroleum Minister at the heart of the oil scandal, said he intended to dole out as much as $400 million in bribes if the deal went through.

If Mr Etete actually paid out such an amount in bribes to Nigerian officials, “Agaev stated that he would think President Goodluck Jonathan got at least $200 million of this money,” BuzzFeed quoted an excerpt of FBI submissions to Italian authorities as saying.

The revelations were made when the FBI interviewed Mr. Agaev, whom prosecutors also said met with Mr Jonathan on more than one occasion in Nigeria during the OPL 245 negotiations.

Mr Agaev, who at some point served as Mr Etete’s representative in the negotiation, said the convicted former petroleum minister told him of the $400 million bribe to Nigerian politicians when he approached him for his payment.

The Russian also repeated the claim in a follow-up interview with Italian prosecutors, led by Fabio De Pasquale in Milan.

“I said that if it’s true, that he paid, he had to pay 400 million, I assume that at least 200 went to Goodluck (Jonathan).”

“I heard from Chief (Etete), he claims that he had to pay 400 million, so, if this is true, if he paid 400 million, then most probably the President, as the biggest boss, took at least the half of it,” BuzzFeed wrote, quoting documents prepared by Italian prosecutors.

Mr Etete eventually recevied over $800 million of the $1.1 billion paid by Shell and Eni for the block. The former petroleum minister would later admit that of the amount he received, only $250 million was meant for him.

Mr Jonathan has, however, denied wrongdoing and none of the officials during his administration has publicly admitted receiving the bribe.

On Wednesday, Mr Agaev is expected to appear as the first of the defendants in the OPL 245 trial to take the stand. Eni and Shell executives on trial had earlier declined to give evidence.

All the defendants deny wrongdoing.

Last December, details emerged that Russia asked Italy to drop charges against Mr Agaev.

Reuters reported that legal documents showed that authorities in Russia planned to ensure charges against Mr Agaev, a former ambassador, were dropped.

The defendant just appeared on the stand at the Italian court at the time of filing this report Wednesday morning.

Youths block Benin-Ore road over woman’s killing by suspected herdsmen

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Youths block Benin-Ore road over woman’s killing by suspected herdsmen

Some youths in the Ofumwengbe community in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, on Tuesday, blocked the Benin-Ore Expressway to protest the death of a yet-to-be-identified woman, who was allegedly raped and killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

It was gathered that the victim, who had gone to her farm on Monday, failed to return, prompting the community to raise a search party for her.

It was gathered that the victim, who got married last year, was allegedly raped by the suspected herdsmen before she was killed.

It was also learnt that herdsmen in the area had fled for fear of being attacked by the youth.

The angry youths took the body of the victim to the expressway, where a bonfire was made to protest her death.

The protest, which caused a gridlock on the expressway, was later brought under control by security agents.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told one of our correspondents that he spent four hours in the gridlock before the security agents were able to disperse the crowd.

He said, “I was coming to Lagos State when we suddenly encountered the gridlock. I learnt that a woman went to the farm and herdsmen raped her on the farm before killing her. The villagers took the body of the woman, brought it to the expressway and stopped vehicular movement on both sides of the road.

“The youth went after the herdsmen and got hold of one of them, who had a gun on him, but there was no bullet in the gun. They got hold of him and killed him, cut his leg and brought his body to the expressway.

“It took the intervention of policemen, soldiers and other security agents before we were able to go. The security agents at first tried to pacify the youth but when they were not listening, they had to use force to disperse them.”

However, when contacted, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, DanMallam Muhammed, denied the alleged clash between the herdsmen and the youth, adding that the cause of the woman’s death had not been ascertained.

He said, “The youth blocked the road, because a woman died on the farm and they alleged that herdsmen killed her. They did not wait for police investigation but blocked the road and brought hardship on travellers, who did not know anything about it.

“The woman went to the farm and this morning, she was discovered dead. The youth suspected it that herdsmen killed her but nobody saw the herdsmen killing her.”

MAN SELLS OWN CHILD FOR N150,000 IN ANAMBRA

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MAN SELLS OWN CHILD FOR N150,000 IN ANAMBRA

A 27-year-old man, Chukwuma Enemuo, has allegedly sold his three-day-old baby boy for N150,000 in Anambra State.

The incident occurred in Ozubulu in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state.

A source said the man allegedly conspired with 45-year-old Obi Chidubem to sell the baby to one Anulika Okafor by lying to his wife that their baby died shortly after birth.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

He said the baby had been recovered and was in good condition, while the matter was being investigated by the police.

Mohammed stated that the incident occurred on Monday and that the three suspects involved had been arrested.

The PPRO stated, “Police detectives attached to the Ozubulu Division arrested one Chukwuma Enemuo, 27, of Okwutu Amawka village, Ozubulu in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“The suspect (Chukwuma) conspired with one Obi Chidubem, 45, of Umuabuche Eziama village, Uli in the Ihiala Local Government Area, and sold his three-day-old baby boy for the sum of N150,000 to one Mrs Anulika Okafor, 39, of Uruokwe village, Ozubulu.

“The suspect lied to his wife, one Oluchi Enemuo, 20, of Okwutu Amakwa by telling her that the baby died shortly after delivery.

“All the three suspects have been arrested, the baby was also recovered and the case is under investigation, after which suspects will be charged to court.”

NOLLYWOOD ACTOR DROWNS IN DELTA

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NOLLYWOOD ACTOR DROWNS IN DELTA

A Nollywood writer, actor and director, Kagho Harley Akpor, has reportedly drowned in a swimming pool at a popular hotel in Asaba, Delta State.

Although the details of the incident were still sketchy as of press time, sources said Akpor was at a location shooting a movie with other crew members when he fell into the pool.

The source stated that the director might have drowned as a result of lack of swimming skills, adding that as of the time he was rescued from the swimming pool, it was already too late.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeleke Adeyinka, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, however, said he could not give details.

Adeleke said contrary to rumours, the deceased was not at a movie location when he drowned, but simply went to the swimming pool for other reasons.

ISWAP, Boko Haram dealt deadly blow as troops intensify clearance operations in North East

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ISWAP, Boko Haram dealt deadly blow as troops intensify clearance operations in North East

Kill 3 terrorists, capture 2 gun trucks and 2 anti aircraft guns.

The sustained aggressive clearance operations by troops in the North East of Nigeria has continued to record tremendous successes in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

Dozens of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have been annihilated with large cache of assorted arms, ammunition and so many variants of gun trucks and other fighting vehicles were captured.

The operations have equally resulted in the rescue and eventual liberation of over 100 women and children from the grip of the terrorists.

Consequently, troops of 112 Task Force Battalion deployed at Mafa in Borno State effectively dealt a deadly blow on fighters of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Mafa, when they attempted to attack the location two nights ago.

According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations Colonel Sagir Musa, the terrorists failed attack on Mafa was as a result of available intelligence indicating the desperate longing for food and other logistics by terrorists necessitated by the recent, incredibly tireless and ferocious troops’ operational exploits.

The statement further added that during the failed attack, terrorists in 5 gun trucks and several motor cycles were seen. In a swift reaction, the troops with heavy fire power forced the terrorists to scamper for their dear lives, and recovered 2 Gun Trucks mounted with Anti Aircraft Guns and a motorcycle and the extermination of three (3) terrorists. There were indications that some of the insurgents members were wounded in an exchange of fire.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu had since visited the conflict location with reinforcement.

While being conducted round the camp to assess the situation, the GOC urged the troops to remain focus and not to be carried away by the successes. He directed them to redouble their efforts and doggedly maintain the momentum until they win the war on terrorism for Nigeria through total victory against the bandits.

Just In: INEC server: 60 Presidential candidates fault Atiku

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Just In: INEC server: 60 Presidential candidates fault Atiku

About 60 presidential candidates in the 2019 general elections have faulted the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar over the controversy surrounding the use of a server, describing it as unnecessary.

They also criticised the report of European  Union Election Observer Mission which alleged a lack of transparency in the guidelines of election.

The parties under the aegis of Joint Forum of 60 Presidential Candidates and National Chairmen, at a press conference addressed by Alhaji Mohammed Shittu, said the Independent National Electoral Commission did creditably well.

The event was also attended by the Co-Convener of the forum and chairman of West African Coalition of Political Parties, Chief Perry Opara.

Shittu said, “We reiterate that the INEC server controversy is unnecessary. It is a plot to discredit the election as political parties never agreed with INEC in any of the several pre-election meetings that results will be transmitted electronically.

Banditry: Troops arrest bandits’ informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto.

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Banditry: Troops arrest bandits’ informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto.

Troops of Operation HARBIN KUNAMA III have intercepted some notorious bandit’s informants and logistics suppliers while on routine aggressive patrol to Danboa village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, the operation is in continuation of ongoing offensive operations against armed banditry and other criminal activities within Sokoto State and its environs.

Colonel Sagir further stated that the troops acting on credible intelligence report raided the location and apprehended the criminals who were transacting in the market.

Notable among them were:
(i) Mallam Ibrahim — Confirmed to be a notorious bandits informant and collaborator renowned for collecting ransom on behalf of the bandits.

(ii) Mallam Ashiru Goni — Confirmed to be another notorious bandits courier agent who specializes in transporting logistics for bandits within and outside Sokoto State.

(iii) Mamman Taratse — A confirmed logistician for the criminals, – he specializes in the sale of rustled cattle at various markets within and outside Sokoto State.

Similarly, troops in response to complaints of bandits activities at Magira village, stormed and raided the location and engaged the bandits in a fierce battle.

Consequently, the troops pursued the bandits to their hideouts killing scores, while several others escaped with gunshot injuries. Unfortunately, one soldier paid the supreme price during the encounter.

Reacting to the development, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Major General Hakeem Oladapo Otiki on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai commended the troops for the exploits and thanked the locals for providing timely information that led to the successful encounter.

He enjoined members of the public to continue to support the ongoing operation by providing timely and accurate information to enable the troops sustain the tempo against armed banditry and other criminal activities in Nigeria.

Meet the billionaire who ordered helicopter to get out of traffic

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Meet the billionaire who ordered helicopter to get out of traffic
Meet Julian Osula, the Lagos billionaire in the viral video who ordered for a helicopter to come pick him after spending over two hours in a traffic gridlock along the Lagos-Benin expressway.

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A post shared by Julian Osula. (@julians_luxury) on 
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…Roaring Thunder…Brabus G700.? #JuliansLuxury #BraBusG700 #LuxuryCars #BraBus

A post shared by Julian Osula. (@julians_luxury) on 

BENITEZ TO LEAVE NEWSCATLE AS CONTRACT TALKS FAIL

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BENITEZ TO LEAVE NEWSCATLE AS CONTRACT TALKS FAIL

Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United after three years as manager when his contract expires next week, the Premier League club confirmed on Monday.

“It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019,” Newcastle said in a statement.

Despite failing to keep Newcastle in the top flight shortly after taking over, Benitez earned hero status on Tyneside as he led Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and then stabilised the club by finishing 10th and 13th in the last two seasons.

However, the Spaniard did not hide his displeasure at the lack of backing he was afforded by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and was believed to be seeking assurances over the budget he would have to work with before committing his future to the club.

“We have worked hard to extend Rafa’s contract over a significant period of time, however, it has not been – and will not be – possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives,” continued Newcastle’s statement.

“We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved.”

Benitez, who won the Champions League when in charge of Liverpool in 2005, has been reportedly offered a contract worth £12 million-a-year at Chinese club Dalian Yifang.

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