TOO BAD: Pastor Perform Oral Sex With Members?

He said his p**s was blessed and that "the Lord had consecrated him with divine milk of the ''Holy Spirit" and, of course, he had to release into their mouth in order to "evangelize".
"He has convinced us that only God could come into our lives through our mouth and that's why he would do what he did".
One of his members who fell victim said what usually happens after church service is that:
"Pastor Valdeci would take us to where the funds were kept at the back of the Church and asked us to have Oral s*x with him until the Holy Spirit would come through ejaculation".
Brazilian Evangelical Pastor, Valdeci Sobrino Picanto, has been arrested after deceiving the faithful using the name of the "Holy Spirit", by claiming his sperm will anoint them for the "work".
Unfortunately, the pastor, who is now in jail, said he intends to continue his oral s*x "business" with others in the prison facility.

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WICKED: Nurse Set Maid On Fire Over Soup Pot?

A nurse at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos, Mrs. Nkese Iroakazi has been arrested by the Police at Bode Thomas Division for allegedly setting her 11-year-old maid ablaze.
The maid, Ita Bassey-Eno, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State suffered the wicked fate in the hand of her madam for stealing a piece of meat from the soup pot.
Having suffered 95 percent degree burns, the teenager is currently at the Burns and Trauma Centre of the Gbadaga General Hospital, where doctors are battling to save her life.
According to sources, the ailing girl was said to have stated that her madam poured kerosine on her and struck a match, in their residence at No. 7 Adeniran Ogunsanya Street.
Although Ita had rushed out of the apartment, apparently in an attempt to douse the fire in a nearby gutter, she collapsed before she could reach the gutter.
One of the residents was said to have put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, before Ita Bassey was rushed to the hospital.
A resident who witnessed the incident disclosed that: “I was alighting from the bus when I saw people gathered in front of the building. When I got there, Ita was on the floor, as the flame had been put out.
“Two men who attempted to carry her into a car could not because her skin had peeled off. They had to place her on a slab before she was rushed to the hospital.
“From what I gathered, the girl is barely one month old in Lagos. She was brought from her village in Akwa-Ibom alongside another girl called Happiness. Since then, none had seen them going to school.
“We heard that while Happiness was in the sitting room, there was a shrill cry from Ita and before the former knew what was happening, Ita rushed out of the kitchen to the road shouting for help. How could someone who has children of her own treat another’s like this? It was even the residents that alerted the police who then arrested Mrs Iroakazi”.
“It will take a miracle for her to survive. In any case, we are trying all we can to ensure she gets back on her feet and it will entail some surgeries because her private part is badly damaged. Presently she wears pampers”, said a doctor at the hospital.
According to the police, the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba for further investigations.
Source: Daily Post

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HOT PHOTO: The Kano Bomb Site

More photo soon....

Source: The Nation

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CONFESSION: I Slept With Davido - Pendo

Just when we thought Davido was finally free of controversy, the Pop star has been tangled up again, this time in East Africa.
A ‘Kenyan socialite’ is claiming she slept with the young Nigerian singer this past weekend while he was in the country for a performance at the Bombaata Festival which also featured Nigerian artiste Ice Prince, singer Victoria Kimani and some other Kenyan acts.
Staciey Brianar popularly known as Pendo is alleging she got to have a sexual encounter with the Davido hours after the concert ended, claiming to have hooked up with him at a Kenyan night club ‘Galileo’.
Pendo seemed to have a whole to say: the controversial young Kenyan lady in a lengthy chat with a Kenyan blog took time to narrate her experience with Davido.
Pendo says she met up with Davido hours before the show through HKN Gang’s Deekay. ‘I made my way there, got to at long last meet Deekay, my long-time pal from HKN and through him; I made my way to skyluxx for the play house party where all of us stuck up in the VIP area. I knew I had won my jackpot so there was nothing to worry about. As a matter of fact, he (Davido) had spotted me too; we talked in a way only the two of us could understand’, Pendo narrates.
Pendo says she wasn’t worried if Davido was going to choose another girl to take back to his hotel room after the ‘after party’ so she didn’t even bother going for the show…
‘I had my fun n made my way home ready for the big day as I said I was not worried, so there’s was no time in me hustling to go to the backstage as other girls did…no! I had my food ready to eat, after the event, my friend Deekay (HKN) buzzed me and asked me to turn up that he (Davido) was asking for me. I made my way to Galileo with my girlfriends, I minded my own business until he spotted me and asked his DJ to come get me, I still had no rush to be seen hanging out with him or anything, so I sat down n had my drink that he offered’, she continues her story.
Pendo says when it was time to leave the hangout spot, the organizers thought it best for them to leave in separate cars just to avoid the media. ‘So David paid for my cab that followed them directly to the hotel located in Hurlingham. When I got there, he sent his deejay (DJ Olu) to give me his key card to his room as he talked to someone. He escorted me to the room and the rest is self-explanatory’.
Now, Pendo is known for spinning stories to get mentioned on blogs and social network (she’s also been mentioning @Iam_Davido on Twitter) so everybody is finding this story hard to believe. But then again, she must be one damn good storyteller too!
The young lady has even gone on to describe her alleged sexual encounter with the young pop star, revealing Davido is one of the best she’s ever done it with, describing him as ‘Perfect’.
‘He was perfect. He is much better than your ‘average Kenyan’. He is big. Both length and width and best part is he really knows what he is working with. He has crazy moves; he kept it fresh for a couple hours. I am impressed. Definitely the best, ok maybe not the best I ever had, but he is up there’, Pendo told another Kenyan blog, the African Eagle.
She also praised him for not only being a ‘good lover’ but also a gentleman…
‘Not only did he not publicise the affair, but he left me with some personal mementos to remember him. I don’t think a one night stand does that. Plus there is still communication going on. I’m not saying we are dating, but we are definitely still talking. He did not ‘hit it and quit it’.
Pendo also says she didn’t bother taking pictures and definitely didn’t do it for the money…
‘I didn’t get money from him. I didn’t want money from him. I did it simply because I find him hot and he is pretty legit in the music industry in Africa. Yeah, I am attracted by his talent, his fame, his power, but honestly, who isn’t?’, she said.
Now whether true or not, this isn’t the first or the second time Davido has gotten himself tangled in some hotel room controversy – in February 2012, an 18-year-old undergraduate Sonia leaked pictures of herself and Davido half-naked in bed while in Ghana. Eight months and 17 days later, another set of bedroom photos showing Davido and some other girl leaked on the internet.
Davido’s manager Kamal has denied the story and explains that they were actually warned by the show’s publicist about the girl. He insists that Davido did not have any contact with Pendo.
Source: Nigerian Entertainment Today

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NOLLYWOOD: I Must Date A Man For 5 Years - Eniola Badmus

When asked about her marriage plans in a new interview, Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus said she must date a guy for at least five years before she will consider marrying him. Eniola said:

"What is the point if I marry today and tomorrow it's over? What's the essence? I am living my life. I will have a baby when necessary. Marriage is good but what's the essence of me getting married today and tomorrow I'm not in it? For any man I am going to marry or call my husband we should be together for five years before we walk down the aisle. We may have children but at least after five years I will know that you're ready for me. Not getting married today, and tomorrow he's out! I've seen it happen to my friends, I don't want to go through that trauma.

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NOLLYWOOD: Stella Damasus's Second Husband Drag Her To Court?

It seems the troubles in the lives of beautiful Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus, with regards to marriage are still very much with her.
It was revealed that Stella Damasus is not yet divorced from her second husband, Mr Emeka Nzeribe before she secretly married Doris Simeon's husband, Daniel Ademiroka.
As a result, Emeka Nzeribe is said to have commenced a process of suing Stella for going ahead to marry and live with another man (Doris Simeon's husband) while they are still married, legally.
If Emeka Nzeribe make good his threat to sue Stella, this will sure compound the problems of the actress who was highly criticized on the social media recently by her fans who said she lack the moral right to insult Senators over under-age marriage, since she is not also laying a good foundation for other ladies.

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AT LAST: Jonathan Declare Boko Haram A Terrorist Group?

Weeks after he declared a state of emergency in three states to combat Boko Haram, and one year after he originally said he would defeat the group,  Goodluck Jonathan has formally pinned the tag of terrorism on it.

A State House press statement said Mr. Jonathan has approved the proscription of the group and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring its activities illegal and acts of terrorism.

The order, issued pursuant to Section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011, as amended, comes one day after the United States announced a $7 million bounty on Boko Haram leader Ibrahim Shekau.

Gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013, it affects Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) as well as Jama’atu Ansarul  Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan.

“It officially brings the activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any persons associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act,” the statement said.

Section 5 (1) of the act prescribes a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who knowingly, in any manner, directly  or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.

The statement pointed out that under the Act, such "support" includes -

(a) incitement to commit a terrorist act through the internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information;

(b) receipt or provision of material assistance, weapons including biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, explosives, training, transportation, false documentation or identification to terrorists or terrorist groups;

(c) receipt or provision of information or moral assistance, including invitation to adhere to a terrorist or terrorist group;

(d) entering or remaining in a country for the benefit of, or at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group; or

(e) the provision of, or making available, such financial or other related services prohibited under this Act or as may be prescribed by regulations made pursuant to this Act.

Source: Sahara Reporters

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SHOCKING: Deadly Weapons Discovered In Amigo Supermarket?

Amigo and Wonderland still remain under seal.

Security officials who carried out a semi-excavation work on Amigo supermarket in Abuja say they have unearthed ‘boxes’ whose content have not been disclosed.

The boxes have been taken to the head office of the Department of State Security Service, SSS, in Abuja, an official of the agency, involved in the excavation, told PREMIUM TIMES.

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the security officials are currently excavating some parts of Amigo, one of Abuja’s busiest supermarkets, and Wonderland Amusement Park, Abuja’s largest amusement park, in search of likely weapons.

The SSS sealed of Amigo and Wonderland on Friday evening after the businesses’ co-owner was declared wanted for allegedly being part of a Hezbollah Lebanese terrorist cell in the country.

Earlier on Thursday, the Joint Task Force in Kano said it uncovered a bunker beneath a house in Kano where heavy ammunition including anti-tank weapons were stored.

The JTF said it arrested three suspected who mentioned the Amigo owner as part of them.

More detail soon....

Source: Premium Times

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HOT LIST: The Top 10 Sexy Female Artistes?

From left: Zaina, Niyiola and Retta

This week’s list is dedicated to the hottest women in Nigeria’s music industry. This list is hot as the women who make it up..

Zaina

10) Zaina  - The upcoming singer signed to Darey’s Soul Muzik is an ebony bombshell with captivating eyes.  She has a girl-next door appeal to her but still has the va-va-voom factor.

Niyola

9)   Niyola- The EME singer is making a statement that she still has it music wise and body wise. Niyola hasn’t changed much over the years- dark and slim with a soft voice that seems softer than butter. She looks so gentle and as if she doesn’t sweat. The little scar over her left eye adds a sense of mystery to her and her ridiculously flat tummy makes her look like a hot teenager.

Retta

8)   Retta- The soft-spoken singer has the same sensual appeal within the Rihanna range. She looks innocent, even angelic while rocking a hot as hell body. For guys who like their women with piercings and tattoos then Retta is your spec. Don’t let her cute face fool you, she has a wild side- watch May D’s ‘Soundtrack’ video.

Chidinma

7)   Chidinma -  The striking thing about Chidinma’s sex appeal is that it doesn’t fit into the stereotypical idea of what an average Nigerian man conceives as sexy. The petite MTN Project Fame singer possesses a cute face and smoldering look that has captivated many of her male admirers. A lot of emphasis is placed on ‘flesh’ in these parts but Chidinma has been able to challenge this notion and has proven that small can be sexy too. She also has a smile that can clear up a cloudy day.

Yemi Alade

6)   Yemi Alade- The Effyzzie mistress is brown sugar personified. While the former Peak talent show winner has been turning heads at events for a while, her sexiness went nuclear when she released her video ‘Ghen Ghen Love’. With just the right proportion of a little bit of this and a little bit of that Yemi Alade is like a Marvel comic female super-hero with the perfect body. With a high amount of energy to rock her hotness, Yemi Alade is one of the sexiest female artistes in the game now.

Muna

5)   Muna- Well of course, Muna has to be on this list. While the former beauty queen hasn’t had a lot of success in her recording career, she still packs a lot of punch when she walks down the red carpet. The ex-MBGN beauty isn’t one sided as she can go full lady or full tom boy and still be sexy. On some days she has this ‘goddess’ vibe about her. Her light skin (natural) is another plus to her which undoubtedly attracts a lot of male admirers to her doorstep.

Victoria Kimani

4)   Victoria Kimani -     All the way from Nairobi, Kenya comes Ms. Victoria Kimani. The singer/rapper is a dark skin and colorful entertainer who oozes sex appeal. She is not one to go conservative with her dress sense as she flaunts what she has. Signed to Chocolate City Kenya, Victoria Kimani is showing a lot of Nigerian chicks in the game that Kenyan babes are hot too.

Emma Nyra

3)   Emma Nyra- Remember that hot babe who was seductively singing ‘my waist, my waist, all you want is my waist’ in Iyanya’s ‘Ur Waist’? Yeah that babe is Emma Nyra, first lady of Made Men Music Group. The pretty lady with the pretty smile isn’t scared to flaunt her waist or any of her goodies on TV. Her sexy energy will over your TV screen when any of her videos pop up.

Tiwa-Savage

2)    Tiwa Savage- The first lady of Mavin Records is a chocolate wonder with legs that drip of caramel. Her soft spoken voice can melt the hardest stone and her eyes sparkle in the dark. Sorry guys she is engaged. You can only drool from a distance.

Lola Rae

1)   Lola Rae- This is another representative of team light skin. The half-Nigerian, half British singer piqued our interest as Ice Prince Zamani’s love interest in his music video ‘More’. She quickly released her music video ‘Watch My Ting Go’ which had a lot of tongues wagging and guys holding tight to their remote controls. She also has a British accent and most men can’t turn down a beautiful woman with a sweet accent.

Source: Nigerian Entertainment Today

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HOT PHOTO: Anti-Corruption Network Protest At The US Embassy

The Anti-Corruption Network (ACN) today escalated the war over the non-war against corruption in Nigeria by sending a petition to United States President Barak Obama, citing the dangers of failing to check “corruption with impunity” in the country, and linking it with growing insecurity.

The group led by a former house of representatives member Dino Melaye led protesters to the US Embassy in Abuja to drop a letter demanding that President Obama revoke the visas of key officials of President Goodluck Jonathan's regime and their families.

“We are deeply concerned that if this gravity of corrupt practices goes on unchecked, unpunished and unabated, it will definitely worsen the unpalatable security situation and challenges we are already facing which its root course could also be traceable to destructive impact of corruption,” the group said in the letter, dated May 16 and routed through the US Ambassador in Nigeria.

UPDATE: Dino's letter

Below is full text of the letter:

ACN/NEC/CORRP./VOL 1/004

16th May, 2013

His Excellency

Mr. Barack Obama

The President

United States of America (U.S.A)

White House Washington D.C.

U.S.A

Through,

His Excellency

The Ambassador

Embassy of the United States of America

Diplomatic Zone

Abuja, Nigeria.

Your Excellency,

CORRUPTION WITH IMPUNITY AND INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

It is with absolute sense of responsibility duty and patriotism that we in the Anti-Corruption Network have deemed it necessary to draw your Excellency’s attention to the practices of Corruption with impunity that is ongoing in Nigeria under the present Administration. We are deeply concerned that if this gravity of corrupt practices goes on unchecked unpunished and unabated, it will definitely worsen the unpalatable security situation and challenges we are already facing which its root course could also be traceable to destructive impact of corruption.

We are conscious of the fact that in todays globalized world, insecurity in one part of the world is insecurity to the whole, economic quagmire in one part will also affect the whole, particularly in the case of Nigeria as the most populous black Nation in the world and as the greatest influence among Africa nations. It is in the light of the foregoing and taking into consideration. During Obasanjo’s era, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, was impeached with less than the required number of Legislators, since then Plateau State has never been the same.

Now the same sage is happening in Rivers State, where the Police escorted only five Members of the House to perform similar act. Ameachi’s offence is that he is speaking out against injustices, oppression in the ruling class.

To further carry out the act Members of Rivers State House of Assembly are being lured with oil blocks. We have also refused to be used by those in Government to carry out mass protest against the Governor based on fictitious documents to implicate the Governor of corruption. We are also determined to protect any progressive Governor or citizens of Nigeria who is been intimidated by the Presidency for standing for the masses, including the media house.

The U.S.A huge investment in Nigeria and those of other Western Countries and others that we are calling on the U.S.A Government to use their good influence to call on our present political leadership to truthfully, sincerely and constructively fight Corruption, punish Corrupt officials and serve deterrence.

EXAMPLES OF THE CASES OF CORRUPTION WITH IMPUNITY

1) Mrs Daziani Allison Madueke: the Honorable Minister of Petroleum Resources, she has been indicted by five different investigative panel Committees reports at different time, yet she confidently remains in charge of the Ministry unperturbed.

2) The KPMG Report: Indicted the NNPC, PPPRA and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources of massive Corruption and lack of transparency.

3) The Farouk Lawal Report of the House of Representative Investigative Committee: Spoke elaborately of unprecedented Corruption between bureaucracy and the marketers of petroleum products. It is commonsensical as well as logical to observe that the marketers can not dip their hands into Government coffers to pay themselves without approval from NNPC, PPPRA, Minister of Petroleum, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) AND OF COURSE Minister of Finance. Unfortunately till date no Government Official in these Ministries and Agencies has been invited by the Anti-Graft Agencies or Police on these outrageous subsidy scandals.

4) Aig Imoukede Report: This report recommended refunds to the Government and indeed some refunds have been made, yet the Honorable Minister of Finance, Mrs Okonjo Iweala one year after refunds has refused to tell Nigerians who refunded what and out of what as demanded by best practices in good governance and transparency. Ideally, this nature of refund means indictment, yet no prosecution is ongoing talk less of jail.

5) Nuhu Ribadu Report: The Nuhu Ribadu report also spoke about unprecedented and scandalous Corruption in the petroleum Ministry and its Affiliated Agencies and parastatal.

6) NEITI Report: Revealed that the NNPC is yet to remit #1.3 trillion Naira to the Federation account under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Deziani Alison Maduekwe. It further revealed that 600 million U.S dollars was withdrawn from the Joint Ventures Account with Chase Bank and squandered on an inexplicable reason till date.

It also revealed that 2.3 billion dollars was collected from Joint Ventures account and transferred to the NNPC headquarters for security reasons in the Niger Delta region. We all know that the Ministry of Petroleum has no relationship whatsoever with defense issues, as all the security Agencies including the police are funded by Appropriation Act.

We recalled with great pain that in the year 2011 about 280 billion Naira was budgeted and appropriated for oil subsidy, however, the Government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan ended up spending over 2.3 trillion Naira, over 2 trillion Naira above appropriation and of course half of Nigeria total appropriation. This is unprecedented in Nigeria history and against the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. All of these took place under Mrs. Deziani Alision Maduekwe supervision as the Minister of Petroleum.

(2) We have chronicled and reported cases of Corruption in the Ministry of Niger Delta Headed by Elder Godsday Orubebe.

(3) Corruption in the Ministry of Power

(4) Corruption by Honorable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke.

THE POSITION OF THE PUBLIC POLICY TRADITION

The Public Policy Tradition recommends Suspension for any Government official indicted in cases of Corruption. We are deeply disturbed under the present Administration headed by President GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan, this act has not been applied afore mentioned glaring cases of Corruption. Undoubtedly, the administration is rather encouraging, shielding and promoting corrupt practices.

THE PUBLIC POLICY TRADITION APPLICATION IN THE PAST

1) Chief Sunday Afolabi, former Minister of Internal Affairs during the President Obasanjo regime was removed over the National Identity card scam

2) Professor Fabian Osuji, former Minister of Education was also removed over allegation of Corruption.

3) Chief Adolphus Wabara, former President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria was removed over bribery allegation

4) Professor Grange and Architect Gabriel Aduka, former Minister of Health and Minister of State for Health respectively were both removed from office on allegation of Corruption, to mention but few.

The Corruption cases against these mentioned Minister and the Senate President combined are nothing to be compared to the mountain of Corruption against Dezaini Alison Maduekwe alone (Minister of Petroleum) not to talk of others yet the Jonathan administration have turned a blind eyes to all cases of corruptions under him, instead President Jonathan went ahead to grant pardon to Mr. D.S.P. Alamesiagha who is carrying an international Warrant of Arrest for money laundry and escape from United Kingdom in a move that certainly boost Corruption with impunity. Major Magaji a man who committed Sodomy had sex with four men and was sentence to jail by the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Supreme Court in her judgment described the act by Major Magaji as brazen bizzare and barbaric, yet he got President Pardon.

Our Appeal:

1) We want to seriously appeal to the Government of the United State and President Barack Obama to use his good office and diplomatic influence to impress it upon the Nigerian Government and President Goodluck Jonathan to stand firm against Corruption.

2) We recommend that all indicted Corrupt Government officers visas and members of their immediate families be withdraw particularly for the following officers;

v Deziani Alison Maduekwe – Minister of Petroleum Resources.

v Mohammend Bello Adoke – Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.

v Elder Godsday Orubebe – Minister of Niger Delta.

v Alhaji Ibrahim Idris – Former Governor of Kogi State.

v Cecilia Ibru – Former M.D. Oceanic Bank PLC.

v Justice Abubakar Talba – Judge of the Abuja High Court.

We sincerely appreciate the great sacrifice you will have to make in reading through this lengthy letter of ours and the attached evidences of Corruption documents. We however hope that will deserving attention in the common interest of peace, political stability and security of our two countries.

Accept please the assurances of our high esteem.

Yours Sincerely,

Otunba Dino Melaye

Executive Secretary

Source: Sahara Reporters

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DANGER: We'll Blow Up All Shoprite Shops In Nigeria?

The Lagos State Police Command, Thursday, said it had begun investigation into threat by some unknown person to blow up Shoprite offices in the state.

Vanguard reliably gathered that an unknown person sent a text message informing owner of Shoprite of his group’s intention to blow up all Shoprite shops in Nigeria.

Although the unknown sender did not state the reason, but he disclosed that already, members of his group had planted some explosives in some packs of fruit juice at Shoprite Victoria Island branch.

The text message caused panic as customers reportedly fled the entire mall while motorists deserted the route, with text messages sent to loved ones around the vicinity to avoid the route.

It was even rumoured that there was a bomb explosion around the area.

Part of the text message read: “It is true, we do not deserve amnesty. You’ll even be surprised how I got your number. We came to Shoprite on a mission to drop a bomb. That day, we sow bullet into Five Alive packs. We are from Niger. Someone gave us your number from Abuja. We will make sure we destroy every Shoprite…”

But sources at the Lagos State Police Command told Vanguard that investigation had begun to ascertain the identity of the sender. Although sources dismissed the text message as mere threat but said the command would still go ahead with its investigation.

Source: Vanguard

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TRAGIC: Trailer Kills Okada Man And Passenger? VIEWER DISCRETION

A terrible accident occurred today around 5pm at Ijoju, Sango Ota, that left two people dead. A trailer used in conveying sharp sand crushed an Okada man and his female passenger while they were trying to cross the road. The bodies were left there for a bit before it was removed. There's no point looking at the photos but if you insist then be warned, they are quite graphic.

Source: Linda Ikeji

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EMERGENCY RULE: Jonathan Answer These Questions - ACN

The ACN questions the power of elected officials in an emergency rule.

The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has urged the members of the National Assembly to carefully study the emergency rule imposed on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by President Goodluck Jonathan so that “ they can see it for what it is – a sweetened bitter pill meant to hoodwink Nigerians”.

“Members of the federal legislature, as the true representatives of the people, must decide – purely on the basis of facts rather than sentiments – whether or not the emergency rule is the best option to resolve the Boko Haram crisis,” the party said in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed.

The ACN said the lawmakers will be able to make informed decision if they “truly understanding the proclamation”.

It said that the emergency rule, which is essentially martial law, has castrated democracy in the affected states, even though the democratic structures have been left largely intact.

ACN said the Jonathan Administration, realizing the groundswell of opposition that will be triggered if the Governors and the Houses of Assembly members were sacked, decided to pull the wool over the eyes of unsuspecting Nigerians by leaving the elected officials in place even under the emergency rule.

“In practice, it was a monumental deception. First, the democratic structures left in place are of no use in a state under martial law; Secondly, the proclamation did not give a time frame, meaning that the emergency rule is open-ended and can last as long as the President wishes.

“After all, the emergency rule imposed on 15 local councils in four states was

never lifted,” it said.

“Thirdly, now that the President has tested the waters and realized people could be so easily hoodwinked, what prevents him from extending the emergency rule to other states that catch his fancy?

”Truly, leaving the Governors and the state legislatures in place has made it easier for Nigerians to accept the imposition. But the truth is that the state chief executives and the legislatures have no role to play under the new system in place in the states,” the party added.

Governors have been sent on vacation

The opposition party also said that by the emergency proclamation the three states now have parallel governments, adding that the governors and other elected officials have been sent on leave.

”Essentially, there are two governments in place in each of the affected states, the de facto one headed by the military commander and the de jure one headed by the elected Governor. Real power resides in the de facto government, and the de jure government is just there in name. The Governors and the members of assembly are on holiday,” the party held in the statement.

”What are the powers of the Governors and the state legislature now?

Who has the power to order a search, an arrest, confiscation of property and lock-up of premises? Can the Governors move around freely, commission or inspect a project without the tacit approval of the military commander? Which is superior: the proclamation by the military commander or the law made by the state legislature? What happens if the military commanders order that the State House of Assembly be locked up for allegedly harbouring suspected Boko Haram members?

“These are some of the questions that should be asked before this proclamation is allowed to stand,” the party said.

ACN said its rejection of the imposition of emergency rule was based on the issues raised above, as well as the fact that it brings nothing new to the table – beyond the use of brute force and the infringement on the constitutional rights of innocent citizens – in the search for a sustainable solution to the Boko Haram crisis.

It reiterated its earlier statement that the use of minimal force must be complemented with genuine dialogue in the short term, while in the long term; good governance that delivers the dividends of democracy, including jobs for the teeming unemployed youth, will help deny Boko Haram the fertile ground for recruiting ready hands to perpetrate violence.

Source: Premium Times

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SURPRISING: Jonathan Has Not Declared Any State Of Emergency?

Jonathan had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in three states, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

The mandatory two days required for the National Assembly to approve the emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states elapsed on Thursday without a formal notification from President Goodluck Jonathan to federal lawmakers, leaving a web of confusion whether or not, a vital constitutional requirement was breached.

Lawmakers and lawyers shelved an overwhelming euphoria that have trailed the emergency rule, to accuse the president of violating basic requirements in imposing emergency order, pointing out what may turn out tools for potential challengers of the order.

“I’m not contented with the whole arrangement because of the way he declared it and did not follow due process. He was expected to notify the House,” Ibrahim Kamba, a House of Representatives member from Kebbi state said on Wednesday.

The senate confirmed on Thursday it had yet to receive a published gazette, as stipulated by the constitution, through which the proclamation of the emergency rule ought to have been made.

The senate’s position is founded on Section 305 of the constitution, which states that “Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the president may by instrument published in the official gazette of the government of the federation issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the federation or any part thereof.”

The succeeding sub section requires that “copies” of the published gazette be “immediately” sent to the senate and the House for consideration and possible approval. Such approval is expected in two days if the lawmakers are in session, or 10 days, if they are on break.

Senate yet to be notified

At a news conference, Thursday, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, repeatedly emphasized those requirements in remarks that eventually turned out contradictory.

Before he spoke, confirming no notification had been sent in from the presidency, Senate president, David Mark, announced the emergency rule will be considered by the senate for possible approval next Tuesday.

“It is not a nation-wide broadcast by the president that proclaims a state of emergency,” senate leader, Mr. Ndoma-Egba said. “It is the instrument published in the gazette “We have not seen any gazette.”

Yet, despite the denial, and somewhat conflicting signals, the president’s emergency order is deemed to have taken effect, with large scale military deployment into Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

By mid Thursday, deployment of troops and military hardware, including fighter jets continued, a day after the military confirmed in a statement it was taking broad measures to implement the president’s decision.

Reuters news agency quoted Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, as confirming that “air assets”, including helicopter gunships as well as jets, had been sent in support of the extra troops being deployed for the operation.

Military raids were also reported the same day in Sambisa, Borno state, which is said to host one of Boko Haram’s largest camps.

But as the operations rapidly drew steam, lawmakers and lawyers increasingly drew public attention to purportedly defective procedures adopted by the president to impose the emergency.

No State of Emergency yet

Mike Ozekhome, a senior lawyer, said, Wednesday, a day after the announcement that the president’s declaration violated the constitution’s requirement for a published gazette which he said should indicate the president’s intention to declare state of emergency. That was never done, Mr. Ozekhome said.

Another stipulation requiring the National Assembly to sit at a plenary session to decide if there was need for declaration of the state of emergency was also violated, he added.

“Therefore, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution was not obeyed before the proclamation of the state of emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan,” Mr. Ozekhome said.

“I would therefore say that since he did not follow due procedure, it is not a declaration of state of emergency, but an adoption of stiffer measures for the protection of lives and property in those states.’’

Lagos Lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, gave a similar view saying, “As at today (Thursday), by law, there is no State of Emergency until it is approved by the National Assembly.”

“If the National Assembly does not accept it, then that it is the end of Jonathan’s State of Emergency,” he added.

Mr. Ogunye, however explained that the massive movement of troops by the military to the affected states does not amount to a constitutional violation; saying that as the Commander in Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, President Jonathan can direct troop movement within the country.

Jonathan only gave an intention

The senate leader, Mr. Ndoma-Egba, struck a similar note though, with an apparent caution.

“The best we can make about what the President has done is that he has declared his intention to declare state of emergency. That is what he has conveyed to Nigerians,” he said. “He has conveyed his intention to declare a state of emergency. That State of emergency will be actually declared when an instrument proclaiming it is published in a gazette.”

He said the two days deadline for the National Assembly to pass a resolution in support of the State of Emergency starts running after the publication of the instrument in a gazette.

Despite the seeming violations, Mr. Ndoma-Egba insisted the president did nothing wrong and was acting in line with the laws.

“There is nowhere in the constitution where the president is required to publish the gazette within a specific time,” he said, before asserting that “For now, no provision of the constitution has been breached and there is no constitutional crisis.”

Source: Premium Times

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