Mikel: Nigeria Will Win Cup Of Nations

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Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is backing Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi to make history by winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations as a coach after he won it in 1994 as a player. Mikel has maintained that with good preparation and determination by the players, the Super Eagles could be crowned African champions in South Africa for a third time. However, he has not ruled out a few shocks at the tournament in South Africa, tipping defending champions Zambia and West African islanders from Cape Verde, who knocked out four-time champions Cameroon, to cause a few upsets.
Here's his interview with FIFA.com:

Fresh War Errupt Between President Jonathan and VP, Sambo

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A cold war brewing between President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo came out in the open last weekend as the two political figures attended two different events with their political allies.
Mr. Jonathan was in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, to bury his brother, Meni, while Vice President Sambo was in Kaduna to give his two daughters, Aisha and Huwaila, out in marriage. A top official of the Peoples Democratic Party told SaharaReporters that many members of the party were baffled that the president fixed the burial of his brother on the same day that his vice president had set for his two daughters’ marriage. SaharaReporters learnt that Mr. Sambo’s daughters’ wedding had been scheduled months ago.

Nigerian Police Arrest ’Ghost’ In Kano

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The Kano State Police Command, yesterday, announced the arrest of a ‘ghost’ that engages in extorting money from the members of the public by imposing fear in them via telephone calls. Briefing journalists at the Bompai headquarters of the command, the Kano State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ibrahim K. Idris, explained that the ‘Ghost’ turned out to be one Alhaji Nura Hamza, a resident of Kurna Asabe Quarters in the state. Idris explained that the suspect had taken advantage of the fear imposed in his victims by his status as a ‘ghost’ to cause them to source money and deposit same in a nearby bush, on an anthill, for spiritual purposes.

Students attacked by Bees, Disrupt Exam At Adamawa Polytechnic

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Students of Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola were disrupted from their on-going second semester examination by a swarm of bees on Wednesday morning. DailyPost gathered that the students scrambled out when the bees flew into the examination hall around 8.30am.  A victim said, “We were sent packing by bees this morning and we have to abandon the examination hall.”

Another Batch Of 40 Nigerians Repatriated From The UK

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Information emerging from the Head of Immigration at the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, Mr Lawal Isah, has it that not less than 40 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on Wednesday in the monthly repatriation exercise jointly organised by the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Border Agency. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in London, Isah said that the returnees were in two categories — those without legal rights to remain in the UK and those who have been repatriated after having served various prison terms.

The diplomat said that two officials of the high commission and the UK Border Agency usually accompanied the returnees. A similar exercise carried out last month also saw 40 Nigerian being repatriated from the UK and Ireland.

Source: NAN

Kidnappers Demand Okonjo-Iweala’s Resignation

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Negotiations have begun in earnest with the kidnappers of Prof. Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was kidnapped on Sunday in Delta State.  THISDAY gathered Tuesday that the kidnappers had contacted the Okonjo family during which they listed conditions for the release of the minister’s mother, chief of which was that the family should part with N200 million.

Nigeria To Join Organisation Of French Speaking Countries

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One of the decisions reached at the end of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council Meeting (FEC), was the approval for Nigeria to join the International Organisation of French speaking countries; the International Organization of the Francophonie (IOF). This move agreed upon by the cabinet of Ministers is expected to further enhance the development of the nation’s education sector.

HORROR: Man Lives With Girlfriend’s Corpse For Six Months

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Prosecutors say Devon Epps murdered his girlfriend and then lived with her rotting corpse, which he kept in the bathtub, for months. Veronica Jones, a 35-year-old mother of ten, was first reported missing by family members in June of last year. It wasn’t until Epps was evicted from his home six months later that the apartment manager discovered her body. According to authorities, her face had been beaten beyond recognition.

10 students crushed to death, 50 vehicles damaged in Ogun, Nigeria.

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ABEOKUTA—Emotions ran high, Wednesday afternoon when a truck rammed into a school building in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, killing no fewer than 10 students, while 50 vehicles were damaged. An eyewitness, who was part of the rescue team before the arrival of officers of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, told Vanguard that it involved students of Itori Comprehensive High School.

Matthew Ashimolowo completes billion Naira KICC University

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The flamboyant preacher and senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Church (KICC), has completed his billion naira KICC University situated at Ode Omu, Osun state. KICC University sits atop over 500 acres. The National University Commission of Nigeria requires at least 250 acres of land for a university campus.

Jigawa Governor's Son Arrested For Money Laundering at Kano Airport

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One of the sons of the Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, was arrested around 12 midnight at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport as he prepared to board an Egypt Air flight to Cairo. Aminu Lamido was flagged after he declared $10,000 in his possession to agents of of the Nigerian customs at the airport. However further checks by agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the airport revealed that he was carrying a lot of money far higher than was disclosed.

Singer Tiwa Banks recovering from stab wound

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The upcoming singer was allegedly attacked on Monday night by her landlord's son, Tobi Obadina, pictured right, who broke a bottle on her head then stabbed her after a misunderstanding. Tobi is currently being held at Moshalasi police station in Iyana Ipaja pending further investigations.

D'banj signs exclusive Pan African deal with Sony Music

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Global recording company Sony Music Entertainment is proud to announce the signing of Nigerian megastar D’Banj to its RCA Africa label. The breakthrough deal also includes a multi-album, worldwide exclusive contract with emerging Nigerian singer-songwriter star Kayswitch and a strategic partnership with D’Banj’s Nigerian record label DB Records, who’s catalog includes artists and producers such as J.Sol, Jay Sleek and DeeVee.

Federal Government Plans World Class Terminals for MMIA

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The Federal Government said yesterday during the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, that they are planning to build six new world class terminals in the three wings of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos to further improve the quality of services provided by the aviation industry to people of the country and foreigners. The project will commence next year. We are waiting!

Man Aattempts Suicide Twice Over Eye Problem

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Source: Punch Nigeria
Taofeek Muraina never had it good as a child. His adulthood is not even better. This, perhaps, explains why the 40-year-old bricklayer thought it wise to die rather than being put to shame by friends and neighbours.
Twice this year, he has attempted suicide. The first time, Punch Metro learnt, was about five months ago, while the second one was on December 5.

Man In Court For Allegedly Raping Fellow Chorister

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A man identified as Chukwuma Iheme was on Wednesday charged before an Ogudu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly attempting to rape a church member. 25-yeaar-old Iheme and his victim are choristers of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Goshen Parish, Ogudu Lagos. The suspect with no fixed address who pleaded not guilty was arraigned on a three count-charge of assault, stealing and rape.

5 Women, 4 Men Arrested For Prostitution

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The police in Lagos yesterday, arraigned five women suspected to be commercial sex workers and four men accused of patronising them. The defendants were charged with prostitution, unlawful gathering, breach of peace and loitering before an Ojokoro Magistrates’ Court.  They are: Emeka Chukwuma, 28; Paul Okon, 26; Fabian Sunday, 26; Shedrach John, 30 and Angel David, 27.

Extra Judicial Kiliings: Police Allegedly Killed 7195 In Four Years -AGF

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The Nigeria Police Force was on Monday alleged to have been responsible for the extra judicial killing of 7,195 persons in four years.  The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) revealed this while delivering a keynote address yesterday at the national dialogue on torture, extra-judicial killings and national security organised by the national human rights commission (NHRC) in Abuja. The AGF said that the Federal Government has noted with concern that the police has through the years relied on ‘’Police Force Order 237’’ to commit extra-judicial killings.
He said the order which allows the police to shoot any suspect or detainees trying to escape or avoid arrest has led to extra-judicial killings of 7,195 people in four years, out of which 2,500 were detainees.

Helen Ukpabio's Mum Dies Of Heartbreak After Losing 3 Sons Same Day

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 Evangelist Helen Ukpabio's mom, Mrs Etim Ukpabio, has passed away on weeks after witnessing the killing of 3 of her sons...around the same day. She also misplaced a daughter  nights later on who died from shock immediately after learning about what transpired to her brothers. Mrs Ukpabio's three sons, Joseph, Charles and Emmanuel Ukpabio (pictured above) ended up allegedly killed by males with the State Security Service (SSS) on Sunday March 25th 2012 in front of their aged mom (Read Full Story HERE), who loved ones say by no means recovered through the incident. They say she died incredibly unsatisfied, sad woman sometimes past month and kept begging people to help her get justice for her young children. Which Way Naija ???

Nigerian Girl (Franca Abumen) Has Been Killed In Rome, Italy

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Franca Abumen, a 27 years old Nigerian, living in Rome, Italy, has met her untimely death in the hands of an unknown men who brutally murdered her by tying her ankles and strangling her to death with a black cord, tied around her neck. Franca was killed in the woods of Stifone, between Narni Waters, in Rome and her body was found 24 hours after her death on Sunday 10th of December, 2012; after her friends called the police to declare her missing when she failed to return home from work (prostitution).

Chris Okotie to sue INEC over party de-registration, plans to contest in 2015

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Rev Chris Okotie's political party, FRESH Democratic Party was one of the 28 parties De-registered by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday 6th December. The Head Pastor of Household of God said he's planning to sue INEC for their action and also contest in 2015 whether his party is De-registered or not!

(Video - Photo) Hitman shoots and kills aspiring rapper in broad day light in NYC

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However, New York 1 reports that Woodard also had a criminal past - including charges for cocaine possession and hit-and-run driving. In 2009, he was arrested for stealing several bottles of wine from a market and has an assault and battery charge from as recent as June 2012. 'This is a shock,' Woodard's father J Lincoln Woodard told the Daily News.

Lagos Chief Judge frees 46 Inmates from Ikoyi Prisons

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The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, yesterday Tuesday December 11th released 46 prisoners, including 75-year-old man, from the Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos during her visit to the prison.
Justice Ayotunde Phillips released 233 prisoners just four months ago after reviewing their cases during a visit to the prison in September. She said the gesture was aimed at de-congesting the prison in order to alleviate the sufferings of the inmates.

Nigerian Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike Over Taxes

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Harder times await patients seeking medical care as Resident Doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, on Tuesday embarked on an indefinite strike.  The doctors, under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), commenced the indefinite strike over the implementation of a new tax law which they described as exorbitant and lacking uniform application.

JAF Mass Action Lagos Traffic Law (Photos)

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he Joint Action Front (JAF), the pro-labour civil society component of the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), on Monday protested at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Lagos kick off a mass action against the new Lagos State Road Traffic Law.

Lagos ripples: Okada Banned in Onitsha Markets too

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Even as some stakeholders are planning to flag off a nationwide protest against the ban of commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as “Okada” in some parts of the country, Markets’ leaders in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of the South-East, have banned commercial motorcyclists from entering their markets during the Christmas season.

Atiku Abubakar in Hot Party Romance

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One time Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind the re-emergence of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), as the group seeks to re-position itself to play an influential role in the 2015 presidential election. Members of the movement, which was started by the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, met in Abuja at the weekend to hone their strategies for the 2015 election, and concluded that they must come together to return the country to the path of progress. Atiku Abubakar, who was in attendance, compared the PDM to the Tea Party in the United States of America and urged members to return to their states to set up state, local government and ward chapters, with a view to recruiting all those with similar philosophy.

Oyo State Finally Gets Solely Owned University

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Indigenes of Oyo State will be very happy as they finally get their own their own, solely owned, state university. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has finally approved the take-off of the Technical University, Ibadan, Oyo State. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Julius Okojie, presented a letter of recognition of the first technical university in Nigeria to the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at a brief ceremony in Abuja, at the weekend. The university, according to the governor, is expected to commence academic activities by September 2013.

12 Christmas Scams You Should Watch Out For

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Online Christmas shopping is expected to grow 22.4 percent alone this year to as much as $146 billion. ICTCatalogue.com compiled together, Top 12 christmas scams to watch out for during this holiday.
Social Media Scams —Scammers use Twitter and Facebook. Friend’s accounts can get hacked so watch for fake alerts that install “holiday deal” apps that steal private data. Twitter ads can lead to fake websites that look authentic but then ask for your credit card information.

Adoyi Ali: Letter to the Best President in Africa, Goodluck Jonathan

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"Dear Goodluck,
This letter must not go through all the orthodox protocols of signing and ‘counter’ signing for acknowledgment. It must not be signed by Doyin and Abati. I don’t need all that formality. I don’t want all that bureaucratic presidential arrangements. All I desire, is to see this letter before His Excellency. I don’t want Her Excellency around you when you hurriedly run through the pages of my letter. Yes, I know you can only flip through the pages because of some urgent National problems calling for your attention. I warn against having Her Excellency around because she may misquote me, even though I have decided to choose my grammar carefully in order not to confuse anyone around you.

Gay Couple Sentenced To 14 Years In Jail For Getting Married

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Thrown into jail for 14 years under Malawi's anti-gay laws, Tiwonge Chimbalanga has no regrets about the marriage ceremony that became a symbol of Africa's intolerance toward homosexuality.
In the first press interview since being granted asylum in South Africa, the 24-year-old, who was freed amid global pressure, urged more Malawians to come out from the shadows as the country's ban on same-sex relationships eases.

Nelson Mandela Has Lung Infection- South African Govt

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South Africa's first black President Nelson Mandela has a lung infection but is responding to treatment, South African government said Tuesday, as the revered anti-apartheid icon spent his fourth day in hospital.
This is the first time officials have revealed why Mr Mandela, 94, was rushed to a military hospital in the capital, Pretoria, on Saturday.

Controversy Trails Patience Jonathan’s Dressing To Brother-In-Law’s Burial

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The burial ceremony of president Jonathan’s younger brother, Chief Meni Jonathan in Otuoke, Bayelsa state last Saturday, December 8th, has come and gone but tongues are wagging over the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan’s choice of outfit for the solemn occasion. The first lady was dressed in a black coloured gown with heavy gold embroidery and gele to match, heavy make-up and decked in jewelleries in sharp contrast to her husband, president Jonathan, who was decked in a simple black long sleeve shirt, navy blue trousers with a fez cap to match.

15 Killed In Nigeria Shoot-Out With Radical Sect

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MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — A shootout in northeastern Nigeria between security forces and members of a radical Islamist sect killed at least 15 people, including a local police chief, authorities said on Tuesday.
The shootings took place in the city of Potiskum, which has increasingly become the scene of violent attacks by the sect known as Boko Haram. Army spokesman Lt. Eli Lazarus said the attack began late Sunday night in the city and went on for hours after suspected sect members bombed a local police station and attacked a bank branch.

DPO, 13 Others Killed As JTF Clashes With Gunmen In Yobe

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A Division Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Mohammed Garba was yesterday killed when gunmen suspected to be terrorists laid ambush to Potiskum town in Yobe State.
A branch of Unity Bank, telecommunication masts belonging to Etisalat, MTN and Airtel, as well as a police station were also set ablaze by the gunmen using Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.
Thirteen of the alleged terrorists were also said to have died in the gun battle with members of the Joint Task Force.

223 Died In Fire Incidents In Rivers

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No fewer than 223 people were killed in various fire incidents in Rivers between January and November 2012. The state Director of Fire Service, Oshogharhe Powa, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Monday. Mr. Powa said that 84 persons were rescued from the fire disasters, while it saved property worth N17.37 billion during the period in review.

3 Policemen Pick Race As Rápist Allegedly Turns Into A Baboon

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A man who was wanted for allegedly defiling a juvenile in Zimbabwe and escaping twice from police custody reportedly turned into a baboon when he was arrested by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee.The man has been on the run for the past two months. It is alleged that on 2 December he returned to the area pretending to have forgotten his ‘sins’. The fuming villagers reportedly teamed up and proceeded to his place baying for his blood.

31-Year-Old Pastor Rapes His Maid Then Asks Her To Pray For Forgiveness

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A 31-year-old Seventh Day Adventist pastor who was accused of raping a maid before asking her to pray for forgiveness has escaped the jail agony by a whisker after Harare magistrate cleared him.
Basil Michael Green, who told the court in his defence that the charges were fabricated, walked free on Friday after his lawyer Simon Mupindu applied for discharge at the close of the state's case.

Fear and Loathing in Nigeria

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Nigerians seem to have relatively short memories. We forget the atrocities committed by public officials almost as soon as they leave office. However, every administration has had hate figures that were resented for one reason or another. In the First Republic, it was the minister of finance, the late Festus Okotie Eboh, largely on account of his lifestyle.

How Artists and Intellectuals Can be Instrumental in the Creation of Dictators – Soyinka

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Many Nigerians will agree that the last thing the country needs right now is another dictator. Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has shown how the making of dictators can be aided by artists and intellectuals who, he said, are custodians of the people’s culture. Soyinka was speaking at a colloquium, which is part of the 2012 Port Harcourt Carnival (CARNIRIV 2012) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He said every culture, if not guarded against abuse by politics, could breed dictatorship.

Ogun State Governor, Amosun Sacks LG Boss, Others

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Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun yesterday sacked the leadership of Ijebu-East Local Government Area for undisclosed reasons. However, sources close to the governor’s office, Oke Mosan linked the governor’s action to a fraud and distrust among principal officers of the council, which threatened the unity of the area. The state government also announced composition of a panel of enquiry to investigate allegations levelled against both the executive and legislative arm of the council.

Nigerian Female Singer Allegedly Stabbed By Landlord’s Son

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Tiwa ‘Tiwabanks’ Bankole, one of Nigeria’s promising female rappers/singer who sang ‘olenle’, has been stabbed, allegedly, by her landlord’s son on Monday.
The sonorous singer reportedly had a misunderstanding with her landlord’s son simply identified as Tobi in the afternoon only for him to return at night to finish what was started in the day.

He allegedly barged into her apartment, which is located around Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos State, and inflicted some injuries on her with a broken bottle. Tobi, who is said to be notoriously known around the neighbourhood, reportedly fled the scene leaving Tiwa in a pool of her own blood before she was rushed to the hospital by concerned neighbours.

Engr. Lanre Fashesin still missing

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Mr. Lanre Fashesin has not been heard from in the last 3 months after he was kidnapped at a site in Edo State. The family had up until now made frantic efforts to secure his release to no avail. The Police also claim to have hit a dead end and seem to have become clueless as to how else to find the kidnapped engineer. Mr. Fashesin was working at the site where he was kidnapped as a contractor for Dextron Engineering Limited based in Lagos.

Nigerian Police Force: My Ordeal - By Femi Badejo

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Sometime in November, an employee of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Femi Badejo and his security guard, Joshua Moses, were shot by policemen after they responded to a distress call about a robbery at the banker’s home in the Ikota area of Lagos. (If you missed it see it HERE)

Femi is finally out of the hospital and is telling his own side of the story. See it below...
As I discussed the armed robbery incident with other occupants within our apartment complex, we noticed the gate open slightly followed by the unmistakable sounds of a war grade AK47 rifle."
At the Instant, I docked under a car in the apartment complex and noticed my security guard groaning excruciating a few meters from my location.

Charles Okah prison letters

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Dear readers – I wanted to share with you this letter from Charles Okah, who is currently held in prison where he has been pressured to fabricate accusations against critics of the government and subjected to the worse kind of abuse. His story speaks for itself. – Nasir El-Rufai.
See Charles Okah's prison letter after the Jump Break.