Nigeria grants bail to Russian arms smuggling suspects

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LAGOS, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Fifteen Russian sailors charged with illegally bringing weapons into Nigeria last year were granted bail on Monday and released until a hearing in early April, a Lagos court ruled.

Nigerian authorities intercepted a ship and arrested its Russian crew on Oct. 23 after they found several guns and around 8,500 rounds of ammunition aboard.

The Russian sailors have pleaded not guilty and the Moran Security Group, the Russian company that owns the confiscated vessel, has said the ship had permission to carry arms, calling the accusations "groundless".

Countries will start to shoot down US drones - exclusive interview with Rick Rozoff ( MUST READ)

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"The US and its NATO allies, and its NATO allies are, we have to recall, all the major colonial powers that had formally divided up and ruled the African continent: Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, later on Germany and Italy, also Turkey during the Ottoman period, and this is a force that is not going back to supposedly restore order or pacify Africa again. I am sure the Africans on the ground, if not their governments, are nervous, they recollect what happened the last time these guys were there."

The world is just starting to take notice of the expansion of US drone usage worldwide. US drones are becoming increasingly larger, deadlier and greater in number (now at approximately 8,000) and pose a threat to world peace. In addition for NATO’s AFRICOM and the US, Mali is important due to its strategic location near uranium reserves, hence the recent military operations in the country, which are characterized as another “energy grab” by Voice of Russia regular contributor Rick Rozoff.

Students and soldiers clash at Nasarawa State University, Keffi

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 Students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, this morning clashed with soldiers after they protested over not having water for many days on campus. Soldiers were called into the school to restore sanity but things went crazy. They clashed with the students and I hear they may have killed one of them. The soldiers allegedly went to the off campus hostels to harrass and beat up students. The school has been closed down indefinitely as a result of this. The Governor of Nasarawa state, Tanko Almakura, have since advised all students of the school to leave the school premises with immidiate effect till further notice. See more photos after the Break...

Cardinal Keith O'brien, UK's most senior Roman Catholic cleric steps down amid claims of 'inappropriate behaviour'

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74 year old Cardinal Keith O'Brien, UK's most senior Roman Catholic cleric, resigned his position as the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh today Monday February 25th after being accused of 'inappropriate conduct' towards fellow priests.

Three priests and a former priest reported him to the Vatican over allegations of inappropriate behaviour stretching back 30 years. One of the priests alleged that the cardinal developed an inappropriate relationship with him, resulting in a need for long-term psychological counseling. Another one claimed O'Brien made an inappropriate approach after night prayers. The four demanded O'Brien's immediate resignation.
O'Brien denied the allegations and had been expected to continue in his post as archbishop until mid-March, when he was due to retire at age 75 but he resigned today. 

34year old man charged with raping a 3year old girl

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Alleged rapist, Kehinde Layode

A 34-year old man, Kehinde Paul Layode, has been arraigned before a family court in Ikeja for allegedly defiling a three-year old girl (name withheld).

The incident, which happened at 3/5, John Crescent, Igando, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, was reported at the Igando Police Station.

The accused, if found guilty, risks spending a minimum of five years in jail under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

Five years in jail for raping a 3 year old child? I think rapist should spend the rest of their lives locked up...

Students Riot in Ebonyi State University

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Angry students of Ebonyi State University this morning stormed the Canaan Lodge, Ishieke hostel of the Student Union Government president where they destroyed the SUG bus, looted a provisions store belonging to him and vandalized property.  The students said they were protesting the insensitivity of the SUG president especially his silence over the 100% increase in school fees. The angry students believed he had been settled to keep quiet so he became their main target.  The police were later called in and they shot tear gas to disperse the students. Sanity has since returned to the school

Police arrest 2 people over acid attack on Naomi Oni

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UK police revealed today that a 21 year old woman and a 28 year old man have been arrested in connection with the acid attack on Naomi Oni...a few days after they said they suspected she poured the liquid on herself.
Naomi Oni was left partially blind after she was attacked on her way from work on December 30th 2012 by a woman she said was wearing an Islamic niqab.

Photos From Goldie Burial

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Goldie was laid to rest today Monday February 25th at a private funeral held at Vaults and Gardens cemetery in Ikoyi. The singer died on Thursday February 14th. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord.

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Photos From Goldie Burial

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I’d have Become Head of State if I Wanted –Domkat Bali

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General Domkat Bali (rtd), one-time most senior military officer and prominent player in Ibrahim Babangida’s military presidency but now the Ponzhi Tarok, says he never became head of state because he rejected the position.

Excerpts: After serving in the military for three decades, how well will you say you have adjusted to your new life? I am yet to adjust to it. I have always been a very free person in the sense of going where I want to go to and doing what I want to do and no restriction whatsoever. In this traditional setting, there are too many restrictions, too many don’ts and dos and the don’ts are more than the dos.

What is the major difference between serving in the army and now being restricted to your palace and the community? The major difference is the restriction. In the army, nobody restricted me. I would go to the office in my uniform and do my normal work. When I return home I change from my uniform and live my life like anyone else. I am no longer that free.

Obasanjo has broadened Africa’s democracy — Mandela

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FORMER South African president, Nelson Mandela has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo played a prominent role in actualising the survival of democracy not only in Africa, but also the world at large.
Mandela described Obasanjo’s outstanding leadership qualities as epochal, which he added, assisted him to restore democracy in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan.
The ex-South African leader made his stand known in the foreword he wrote in a two-volume book entitled Olusegun Obasanjo: The Presidential Legacy, 1999-2007 co-edited by Professor Oladipupo Akinkugbe and Ahmed Joda.

We can’t achieve our aim through violence – Boko Haram

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A splinter group of the Islamic Boko Haram group, led by Sheikh Abdulaziz Ibn Adam on Saturday insisted that it was ready to dialogue with government to the group’s current bloody campaign. 

Ibn Adam made the announcement at a news conference in Maiduguri. He said that the group had come to realise that it could not achieve its aim through violence.  “You will recall that we announced a cease fire last month as a precondition for talks with government. 

Primate of Anglican Church of Nigeria Tasks Bishops To ‘Resist Standardizing Homosexual Lifestyles’

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As Anglican Church of Nigeria Consecrates 3 New Bishops, Primate Charges Them Not To Condone Homosexual Marriage

Three new bishops were yesterday consecrated by the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, at the Cathedral of Saint Jude, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Ebute-Meta.

The three new bishops are the Very Rev. Simeon O. Borokini, as Bishop of Akure. He was until his election, Provost of the Cathedral Church of St. David, Akure; Ven. James O. Odedeji, as Bishop of Lagos. He was formerly the Dean of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja and Ven. Geoffrey E. Okoroafor, as Bishop of Egbu. He was the former Vicar of Zion Anglican Church and Archdeacon of Okpala Archdeaconry.

In his message, the primate charged the new bishops to “concentrate on the spread of the gospel, maintain high standard of morality among the people and to, in every way, resist the attempt to make homosexual lifestyle a standard in the church.”

Teenager Shoots 12-Year-Old To Death In Osun

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A 15-year-old boy, Mojoyinoluwa Abioye, shot his 12-year-old friend, Timilehin Oguntoye, to death while playing with a loaded locally-made gun at Akiriboto in Osun State.

It was learnt that the incident happened on Saturday in the agrarian community in Ife-North Local Government Council.

A source explained that the incident, which threw the village into mourning, also caused pandemonium.

Man Beheads Wife After Fight In Delta State

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A mere misunderstanding that should have been considered normal between a man and his wife has resulted into serious tragedy in a one time peaceful home, as a middle aged woman, Ndidi Emeka Mordi, was brutally murdered by her husband, Chukwudi Mordia at their home in Egbudu-Aka town, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the couple had allegedly disagreed over an issue the previous night before the ugly incident happened.

It was learnt that Chukwudi woke up the next day and dealt severe machete cuts her wife, Ndidi before disappearing into thin air in order to avoid the wrath of the people.

Rapper Eva Writes Touching Tribute To Goldie

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How do i begin this? It is already too difficult to talk about you using words like ‘Was’ when i really want to say ‘is’ and ‘Would have been’ when my heart whispers ‘Would be’.

This is absolute insanity. How one minute you are here, vibrant, happy, excited about all the work you have mapped out for 2013. How you stayed cheering me on, telling me how you admire me, how you want to be there to help, you stoop low enough till I can hop on your back and bear my weight on your shoulders, regardless of the luggage you already have on yours.

‘Police foil terrorist attack in Minna’

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The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, AIG Suleiman Abba, has revealed that the zone foiled an attempt by a terrorist sect to attack, Minna, Niger State. Abba, whose zone covers FCT, Niger and Kaduna States, stated this while giving an insight into the activities of the zone at the zonal headquarters in Abuja. The AIG said policemen in Niger State had intercepted and arrested members of a terrorist sect operating in Minna, adding that they were on their way to receive their operational items for an attack when there were apprehended. According to him, “We have arrested these.

At least the level of security and safety has improved not only in the FCT but also in Niger and Kaduna. “This is as a result of not only the strategy that we have put in place but also the hard work of officers and men of the various commands, who have made diligent efforts in collaboration with members of the public to make sure that crime is brought to the barest minimum.” Earlier, the AIG presented cheques ranging from N500, 000 to N350, 000 to families of 33 deceased police officers in the zone. AIG Abba noted that what the families received was not commensurate, but urged them to put it into good use, saying it was a way the Nigeria Police could assist family members of their fallen colleagues.

Two Bankers Bag 2 Years Jail Term for Fraud

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Justice Dije Abdu Aboki on February 21, 2013 convicted and sentenced Funsho Olayele and Ayoade Peter Abiola to two years imprisonment with option of N410, 000 (Four Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira) fine each. The first accused was ordered to pay a compensation of N700, 000, while the second accused had already restituted the victim in the course of investigation.

The convicts, both former staff of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on six count charge of conspiracy and misappropriation of funds.

Boko Haram Shot Dead Five Persons Playing Cards In Gombe

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Suspected Boko Haram sect members last night shot dead five persons they found playing cards in Gombe, Gombe State. Several others were also seriously injured. Aside from the five that were confirmed dead, ten victims are reportedly in critical condition from bullet pellets that pieced their bodies. A security source told SaharaReporters that doctors in area hospitals were currently battling to save the lives of the injured.

How Gov. Peter Odili Stole ₦100 Billion Naira Of Rivers State Money and Put It In Arik Air, Thisday

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Ọmọ Oódua has obtained detailed draft charges that never made it to the courts regarding the brazen looting of Rivers State treasury by the state’s former governor, Peter Odili. The documents show how Mr. Odili used a combination of government officials and personal companies disguised as fronts to fleece Rivers State to the tune of N100 billion between 2004 and 2007.

Ọmọ Oódua analysis of the draft charges, which were prepared by well-known Nigerian lawyer Festus Keyamo on behalf of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the chairmanship of Mrs. Farida Waziri, reveal that, between December 2004 and September 2006, Emmanuel Nkatah, a personal staff of the governor operating at the Rivers State liaison office in Abuja, alone withdrew over N4 billion naira from Zenith Bank account No. 6010916567 which belonged to Rivers State Government House.

Goldie, Buried at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos.

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The deceased, popularly known as Goldie, was buried at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos.

The deceased’s colleagues in the industry such as Kenny Ogungbe, Denrele Edun, Essence, Kenny st Brown and Weird Mc.

Friends and family rendered written tributes to the 31-year-old whom they described as determined and loving.

One of such tributes was a written one from her husband, Andrew.

The Position of Authority in Nigeria Youth Unemployment

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It is the duty and responsibility of the government and different policy makers to provide such an environment and conditions which are conducive for the youth entrepreneurial activities. Different policy initiatives encourage and motivate young people to come up with new ideas and start their own youth enterprises. This will first reduce the incidence of unemployment to a great extent and as such would have dealt a massive blow to the problem of youth restiveness.

To do this effectively, the policymakers need to realize that alone public spending is not going to contribute towards the welfare of the youth. It is the policies of the states that must be created in a way that will help to stimulate the younger people as well as their parents and communities to invest in themselves. The main essence of implementing youth friendly policies is they are not as costly as direct investments but require a lot of political trade-off to actually implement the policies so that they benefit each and every young person living in the country.

Why Nigeria’s economy may collapse soon, by ACN

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THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has raised an alarm that the nation’s economy may collapse unless the Federal Government cuts the “astronomical cost of running a bloated government and takes urgent measures to diversify the economy and shore up the production of oil which remains the mainstay of the economy.”

The party, in a statement issued in Lagos Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, warned that if the listed measures are not taken, the government may not be able to pay its bills, including workers’ salaries, in the next few years.

‘’Contrary to what the Federal Government may say, this warning is not about crying wolf but is actually borne out of a patriotic fervour devoid of politicking, which is the usual refrain of this government when alerted to its shortcomings. We will like to be proven wrong, but this will depend on uncommon and monumental effort, rather than on the basis of the usual canned response from the government,’’ the party said.

Two gunmen killed, four arrested in Nigeria

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KANO, Nigeria, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops in northwest Kano State on Saturday killed two suspected gunmen and arrested four others in Kano metropolis when the gunmen attacked the checking point.

A security source told Xinhua that the incident happened around 1:10 p.m., local time, at a security check point along Hadejia road, during "a stop and search" on a commercial vehicle at the check point.

"It was in the process when one of the passengers of the vehicle opened fire on the security operatives at the check point, " the source added. "Soon after the incident security operatives at the check point responded by killing the attacker instantly," the source said.

Mahama calls for closer relations between Ghana and Nigeria

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President John Dramani Mahama on Friday called for closer relations between Ghana and Nigeria as both countries have had the same developmental potentials and challenges over the years.

He said Ghana would particularly partner Nigeria, which had developed effectively in the banking reforms sector and could share her experiences with others.

President Mahama made this statement when Dr Ngozi Okanjo Iweala, Nigerian Minister for Finance and Economics called on him at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.