Troubled American singer Robert Kelly popularly known in music circles as R. Kelly has demanded that the US Supreme Court vacate his 2023 child s3x crimes conviction.
R. Kelly’s lawyers filed an appeal with the high court on Tuesday, arguing that the federal PROTECT Act, a 2003 law that allows prosecutors to pursue charges for child s3xual abusers during the child’s lifetime, does not apply to the musician’s case because the abuse occurred prior to the act’s implementation.
The singer’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, in her petition stated that when Congress adopted the 2003 law, they “did not express an intent” for it to apply retroactively.
“Consistent with the well-established presumption against retroactive legislation, the 2003 amendment is inapplicable to the charged conduct,” Bonjean wrote.
READ ALSO: R Kelly pleads not guilty to s*x abuse charges, denied bail
Now she’s asking the Supreme Court to consider whether the law should apply to R. Kelly who has been slammed with 13 charges brought before him by Federal Prosecutors in the city of Chicago under the PROTECT Act, in 2020 for crimes the musician committed against three underage girls in the 1990s.
Recall that the 57-year-old musician was found guilty of committing multiple s3x offenses against children, but he believes the statute used to accuse him was filed improperly.
He was found guilty of six of the offenses, including making child pornography and coercing adolescents into illegal s3xual behavior. Kelly is currently serving a 20-year term for his crime.
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R. Kelly asks court to vacate his 2023 child s3x crimes conviction
Oyo releases CBT results, sets 50% cut-off mark
The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board has released the results of its computer-based tests for the recruitment of teachers into primary schools in the state.
This disclosure was made in a release by the Executive Chairman of the Board, Nureni Adeniran, and made available to the newsmen on Wednesday, in Ibadan.
In the statement, Adeniran said the Board had set 50% as the cut-off mark for qualification to the next stage in the recruitment exercise.
The cut-off mark, according to him, would set the tone for the recruitment process.
He further advised all candidates to log into their portal to access their results already posted in the portal.
According Online reports that 52,423 applicants vie for 7,000 primary school teaching positions in the state.
Adeniran reiterated the Board’s commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure and services in the state.
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Police in Zamfara nab lawmaker, ex-LG chair, monarch over alleged kidnapping, banditry
The Zamfara State Police Command yesterday arrested a lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, a District Head and a former local government chairman over alleged kidnapping and banditry in the state.
According to a BBC Hausa report, Aminu Ibrahim, who represents Kaura Namoda state constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, was arrested by the police for complicity in banditry and kidnapping.
Ibrahim was reportedly involved in the abduction of Ibrahim Fada in Kasuwar Daji village, a man said to be about 80 years old.
The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan, who confirmed the lawmaker’s arrest, noted that the District Head of Kaura Namoda, Jafaru Kumburki and a former Chairman of Kaura Namoda LGA, Nasiru Muhammad, were also nabbed due to similar charges.
Dalijan said: “Three District Heads of Danjibga, Bukkuyum and Unguwar Gyauro in Tsafe and Bukkuyum LGAs, are also under investigation for alleged involvement in kidnapping and banditry.”
READ ALSO: Gunmen kill Police Inspector in Borno station attack
He explained that the District Head of Kaura Namoda connived with two suspected associates of bandits and kidnapped nine locals in Gidan Sambo village of Kaura Namoda LGA, and were paid a ransom of N800,000.
He added that the former council boss worked with two others and abducted Ango in the Kumurya community of Zamfara State.
“The District Heads of Danjibga, Unguwar Gyauro and Bukkuyum will face an investigative panel set up by the state government over their involvement in banditry activities.
“Prior to the formation of the panel, the police had conducted an investigation into the matter and submitted report to the state governor for further action. Police authorities will continue to identify, arrest and subsequently prosecute anybody found participating in banditry and other related crimes.
“Investigation is still ongoing and I can assure you that whoever is found directly or indirectly involved in this case will be invited for questioning,” the Commissioner stated.
Zamfara State has been a hotbed of kidnapping and banditry over the years.
This has seen the loss of lives and destruction of property.
Thousands of indigenes of the state have also been displaced due to the socio-economic menace.
Efforts by the Federal and State Governments to stem the tide have not yielded much result.
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Kano Electoral Commission set dates for LG elections, to conduct drugs test on candidates
The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSAIC) has set November 30 for the conduct of local government elections in the state, promising to conduct free and fair elections without external influences.
Releasing the election guidelines, the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, said the notification of the election will be issued on November 15. Nomination forms will be available from October 1 to October 11, with submission of the forms due by October 18, 2024.
He noted that the screening of candidates will take place from October 18 to October 20, while the list of eligible candidates will be released on October 24. The elections will follow thereafter.
“We plan to release the results of the winners by December 10, 2024. This announcement is made under Section 103, Subsections 3 and 1 of the Electoral Act and the powers conferred on the Commission under Paragraph 3(4) of Part II, Third Schedule, Section 3(1) of the Kano Local Government Law 2004,” Professor Malumfashi stated.
He noted that the elections are being conducted following a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, and the conduct will be in accordance with the law.
Professor Malumfashi also announced that candidates are barred from placing their posters on places of worship, schools, and government buildings. Anyone violating these rules will be punished.
The Commission expects all 19 parties to participate.
Noting the importance of security, he added that the Commission will work closely with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election. Kano, with 44 local governments and over 7 million voters, presents significant security challenges, particularly in light of current economic difficulties.
The commission will recruit about 13,000 ad-hoc staff to manage 11,000 polling units.
Kano Electoral Commission set dates for LG elections, to conduct drugs test on candidates
Femi Anikulapo-Kuti mourns Onyeka Onwenu
Renowned afrobeat musician and son of the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti has paid tribute to the late Onyeka Onwenu, expressing his sadness and shock over her passing.
Onwenu, a music icon, collapsed at Stella Okoli’s birthday party and subsequently passed away on Tuesday night at Reddington Hospital in Lagos.
In a heartfelt statement on X.com on Wednesday, Anikulapo-Kuti tweeted, “Shocked, waking up to very sad news of the passing of Mrs Onyeka Onwenu. 🕊️💔🕊️
“Rest in peace Ma. Your beautiful voice will live forever. Condolences to her family and loved ones.”
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Onyeka Onwenu’s death shocking – Ezekwesili
A former Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has expressed her sorrow over the passing of music legend Onyeka Onwenu, describing it as “shocking and extremely tragic”.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ezekwesili eulogised Onwenu as a distinguished Nigerian who brought joy and laughter to many through her versatile artistic endeavours.
Onwenu, 72, passed away on Tuesday night at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at a birthday party where she had performed.
Ezekwesili celebrated Onwenu’s life, highlighting her exceptional talents as a journalist, newscaster, songwriter, musician, performer, actor, and producer.
She said, “Shocking and extremely tragic news of the passing of our dear #OnyekaOnwenu – The Elegant Stallion – as we came to know her. 😭😭.
“Our sister, Onyeka was as cerebral as she was gifted in the Arts and quite a captivating journalist in the 80s when she returned home and did her National Youth Service with NTA #NTANewsNow . Her newscasting skills were unmatched.
“Her epic #BBCWorld documentary titled “A Squandering of Riches” will remain one of the greatest narration of the same issues that continue to ail Governance in Nigeria today.
“How about her giant strides as a songwriter, a musician, a performer, actor, producer! Distinction!!.”
She also acknowledged Onwenu’s political career, which followed in the footsteps of her father, D.K. Onwenu.
“Onyeka Onwenu later became a politician, following in the footsteps of her Dad- D. K. Onwenu.
“Her mom, Dame Hope Onwenu was an inspiration to their Generation of mothers. I recall how devastated my now-late mom was when Aunty Hope Onwenu died in 2011.”
Ezekwesili fondly recalled Onwenu’s tribute to her mother, Dame Hope Onwenu, in the song “Ochie Dike Mama”, which has become an anthem for mothers since 2010.
She wrote, “Before her death, Onyeka had eulogized her Dame Onwenu with that evergreen song- “Ochie Dike Mama” which we all began singing for our mothers since 2010 to date.
“We truly have lost a distinguished Nigerian in the death of Onyeka Onwenu.
“May God comfort and grant divine peace to her 2 sons, siblings and rest of Onwenu family. ✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾”
Lagos residents express mixed reactions to looming nationwide protest
Some Lagos State residents have expressed mixed reactions to the planned nationwide hunger protest, urging the Federal Government to address the needs of the masses amid persistent food inflation.
They disclosed this in separate interviews with NAN in Lagos.
They also said there was no money to engage in panic buying ahead of the protest.
A resident of the Abule-Egba area of the state, Mrs Joy Okam, said there was no panic buying as the funds to do so were unavailable.
“Personally, I am not panic buying because I do not even have the funds to stock up ahead of the planned protest.
“I will still observe the atmosphere and know if I should borrow to stock between today and tomorrow. It costs more to stock up for me, so I do not want the protest to hold.
“Some people want the protest to begin because of an inordinate agenda. There is no point protesting, we know how it starts, but nobody knows how it will end.
“We just want the government to intervene in the plights of the common man on the street,” Okam said.
Also speaking, Mrs Cornelia Edet, a resident of the Gbagada area of the state, described the claims of panic buying due to the protest as unfounded.
“I went to the market to get some food items, but I am not panic-buying because of the protest. There is really no panic-buying from my observation so far in the market and there’s no money too.
“The protest should hold if it will bring about the necessary changes Nigerians desire because food items are really expensive now.
“However, if the protest will lead to death, arson and violence, it should not hold.
“In essence, if the government can heed the calls of Nigerians, this protest is best avoided for the good of all. We do not want a repeat of the EndSARS protest of 2020,” Edet said.
On his part, Mr John Nwabueze, a foodstuff trader at Alimosho, said sales had been as usual and there had been no panic buying.
“There has been nothing unusual about our sales in the advent of the planned protest. The sales have been normal and gradually some food items have started dropping in price.
“We sold a 50kg bag of short grain rice for about N80,000 two weeks ago but now it sells for N72,000.
“The long-grain rice is also dropping in price, a bag sold between N85,000 and N87,000 two weeks ago but now sells for N80,000.
“There has been no panic buying at our end,” Nwabueze said.
Also, Mrs Patricia Amanyi, a resident of Ago area of the state, said she had to stock up her home with necessities because of the uncertainties of the protest outcome.
“I have gone to stock my house with the necessities because we do not know how the protests will turn out.
“I want the protest to be held peacefully because people are suffering. The government should heed the calls of the people.
“We hope that the protest is not hijacked by unscrupulous people and defeats its aim,” Amanyi said.
Mr Johnson Okoli, a trader at Abule Market Ajao Estate, pleaded for enhanced security to avoid a repeat of what happened during the EndSARS protest where many shops were looted by miscreants.
Okoli said there was a need to protect the markets, shopping malls, and lives and property to avoid a repeat of the EndSARS experience.
Lagos residents express mixed reactions to looming nationwide protest
Onyeka Onwenu lives on in her immortal masterpieces – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has joined millions of Nigerians to mourn the death of singer Ms Onyeka Onwenu.
According to reports, Onwenu slumped after performing at the birthday ceremony of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, and was later confirmed dead at a hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos.
President Tinubu in a statement signed by Signed by Ajuri Ngelale,his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, mourned the passing of the Queen of Songs, “whose edifying and mellifluous rendition, ‘One Love’, in the 1990s evoked a fervour of fellowship and harmony.”
“The president recalls the many artistic interventions of the late musical icon in promoting public good, noting her classic collaboration with King Sunny Ade on ‘Wait for Me’, a melodic campaign on family planning in the 1980s.
“President Tinubu celebrates the life of the versatile and extremely gifted artiste who applied herself to the whole gamut of artistic enterprise and expression, bringing joy and laughter to many.
“The president condoles with the entertainment industry, the Imo State Government, and the numerous fans of the departed star over this immeasurable loss.”
President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased artiste and that she finds a place yonder where the music never fades and where there is ‘Dancing in the Sun’.
“The President states that Ms. Onwenu lives on in her immortal masterpieces.”
Onyeka Onwenu lives on in her immortal masterpieces – Tinubu
MTN Nigeria loses N519bn in six months due to inflation, weak naira
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc reported a loss after tax of $519.1 billion for the first half of 2024, due to record-high inflation and a weaker naira.
This disclosure was made in its financial results for the period ending June 2024, according to an e-copy of the report obtained by The According on Wednesday.
Commenting on the results, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria said, “The macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria have been challenging during this period. The country has been grappling with rising inflation and the continued depreciation of the naira against the US dollar and other currencies.
“The inflation rate reached 34.2 per cent in June, with an average rate of 32.8 per cent for the first half of the year, while the naira closed June 2024 at N1,505/$ (December 2023: N907/$) at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market,” the CEO said.
Details to follow…
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Military, police missing the mark on hunger protests -Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal alleges
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal has criticized the Nigerian military and police for their stance on the looming nationwide protests by aggrieved Nigerians.
He accused them of missing the mark in their positions, adding that the planned hunger protest has exposed the hypocrisy and underlying issues within key segments of the country.
The former SGF took a swipe at the military high command for issuing threats to Nigerians in an attempt to discourage them from participating in the upcoming protests.
In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, Babachir Lawal said: “Egged on by the political class and probably to pander to the huge ego of their Commander-in-Chief, the military high command has been issuing threats to Nigerians to discourage them from participating in the proposed hunger protests.
“The military has blatantly ignored the fact that internal security is wholly the constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian Police Force.
“Meanwhile, bandits, kidnappers, insurgents, and the so-called ‘unknown gunmen’ are controlling large swaths of Nigerian territory with thousands of citizens held in captivity with no near-hope of redemption.
“The military appears unable or unwilling to effectively tackle these challenges but instead is intending to dabble into domains for which they are ill-equipped.
“Furthermore, the military high command pretends to be oblivious to the fact that their rank and file also frequent the same markets as the hapless civilians. They are also victims of the pervasive low purchasing power, extreme poverty, high cost of living, and the all-encompassing insecurity that has enveloped the nation.
“Indeed, one could argue that they are most affected, seeing as they are the ones losing more lives due to poorly equipped fighting forces, a result of pervasive government corruption.
“Indeed, it is common knowledge that bandits and insurgents are sometimes better equipped than the fighting troops. So, the argument could be made that the military stands to benefit more if the government were to act responsibly and accountably.
“And since, by virtue of their calling, they cannot organize or participate in protests, who else could come to their rescue but the protesting civilians?
“The police high command has also been issuing murderous threats to the would-be protesters. This is particularly sad because the Police Force knows that its duty should be to protect the protesters and ensure the protests proceed smoothly, devoid of violence and anarchy.
“However, given that the Police Act has just been speedily amended, with the primary motive appearing to be the extension of the tenure of the current Inspector General, it is not unreasonable to assume that the police high command intends to show its gratitude to the President through an overzealous suppression of the planned protests.
“Messrs Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General, State Security Service, and National Security Adviser, please calm down!
“The protesters are your relations, friends, and fellow countrymen and women who are severely overwhelmed by lack and want. Some of them are dying from hunger, malnutrition, and diseases.
“They are despondent because they see no hope on the horizon and receive no empathy from the government whose interests you are overzealously defending.
“The people’s backs are against the wall, and they see no alternative ways of communicating their discontent to an apparently deaf and dumb government.
“Imams, Sheiks, and Church leaders have now converted their minbars and pulpits into political platforms to discourage the faithful from participating in the hunger protests, likely in gratitude for substantial financial inducements from politicians and government agents.
“Such has been the practice of this government since the 2022/2023 campaign season. Some church denominations have even issued circulars directing their congregations not to participate in the hunger protests.
“But the faithful will ignore them. These renegade religious leaders should choose whom they will serve: either God or Mammon; but certainly not both.
“The government itself is in full panic mode, employing every weapon at its disposal, including cash, threats of arrests, fear-mongering, and intimidation.
“The Presidency has deployed its most virulent propagandists and attack dogs against its citizens in full force.
“Their preferred methodologies are threats and fear-mongering. The system is awash with cash to fund the activities of anonymous emergency and unregistered NGOs that threaten would-be protesters with violence and counter-protests.
“But their methods are not working. On the contrary, these methods have exposed the underbelly of the government and emboldened the organizers of the protests.
“The Constitution guarantees the right to protest. Both the protesters and the government know this fact, so the government and the people are now facing each other eyeball-to-eyeball.
“The protest organizers are not scared of these threats and intimidation because the hunger in the land is too severe.
“The people are angry because government looting continues with reckless abandon, nepotism persists with a ‘you can go to hell if you don’t like it’ mentality.
“Meanwhile, only the children of the ‘high and mighty’ get employed while those from the less privileged class remain at home with their starving parents.
“It is no wonder that Nigerians view the coming protests as an implacable matter: a sort of ‘you-do-it-you-die, you-don’t-do-it-you-die’ situation.
“Apparently, the government is unbothered or oblivious to these facts, hence their resort to a combination of intimidation and bluster, a classical Lagos methodology of tackling crises.
“The National Assembly, which could have mediated this conflict, is itself a non-starter. Led by a clownish, ineffectual leader, it has taken an extended recess to go into hiding.
“Those with private jets have taken flight out of the country, while those without have formed long queues at international airport terminals, most likely in the company of their concubines, leaving the hapless, unarmed Nigerians to face the full wrath of a frightened executive arm of the government.”
Military, police missing the mark on hunger protests -Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal alleges