Sahara Reporters Latest News Monday 8th July 2019
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 08/07/19
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target=_blank>Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation Commends Busola Dakolo, Urges More Victims To Speak
The Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation has urged more victims of sexual violence in Nigerian not to cover up the crime but report quickly to law enforcement agents so that justice can take its course. The group also commended Busola Dakolo for speaking out and motivating other victims to do so.
Dakolo was allegedly raped by the Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo.
The Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organisation founded by the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. The group made the call in a statement on Sunday, titled, “Broken voices: a call to action to end rape in Nigeria.”The statement partly read, “Beyond the mixed reactions and responses that trailed the rape allegation, it is important we understand the nature of sexual violence and why too many cases either go unreported or not legally handled when reported. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual violence is “Any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic or otherwise directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work”. As captured by the world’s apex health body, there are many forms of sexual violence with rape being the most common.
“Sadly, yet again, this problem disproportionately affects women and girls just like most other global development concerns. In 2015, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) reported that one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria had experienced sexual violence before the age of 18. The victims in question are not so far away when you look more closely, they are the same young girls and boys we see every day in our communities. Another report stated that almost 32% of girls in Nigeria said that their first sexual encounter had been raped or forced s** of some kind. Approximately 15 million adolescent girls (aged 15 to 19) worldwide have experienced forced s** (forced sexual intercourse or other sexual acts) at some point in their life.”
The group noted that it was unfortunate that as alarming and shocking as the problem might seem, perpetrators have grown from being first-time offenders to serial rapists, adding that they present themselves in various forms-father, uncle, brother, cousin, neighbor, etc.
It said the fear and shame attached to speaking up and coming out to report cases of sexual abuse are undoubtedly the banes to finding a perfect solution to the problem. The statement added, “Even with the best legal framework in place to put offenders behind bars forever, it is still ineffective if victims do not speak up, especially those who can. We must commend Busola Dakolo, whatever the case may be, for speaking up despite what was at stake and how it may affect the flourishing musical career of her husband.
“Her act of bravery has raised a lot of awareness on the several faces offenders may wear and has indeed given millions of other victims the courage to speak up. In less than 24 hours of releasing her story, social media went buzzing with many other stories previously untold unveiling themselves one at a time. More victims came up with their cases and boldly spoke about ways of avoiding rape without fear of public victimization or shame. This is exactly what movements like #MeToo and unbroken.ng have tried to advocate for, in a bid to curb the age-long menace. While there are several other ways of preventing sexual violence in our society, including effective legal framework to prosecute all offenders, strengthening community security, increased awareness among women and girls, public enlightenment on the Nigerian Criminal Code as it affects sexual violence, however, the ability to speak up when it happens remains the first and most vital step to solving the problem.
“There are many advantages to speaking up. According to Nwafor (2019), sexual violence victims should not only report cases but must also present early so that adequate evidence can be collected. That voice, however, broken, must not go mute because it can be made to sing again. Every woman, girl or boy who has been a victim of sexual violence must speak up. Speaking up is the first phase of recovering from the trauma. It can also prevent other associated health issues such as infectious diseases including HIV, teenage pregnancy, depression and mental illness, suicide and many more.
“Finally, everyone must join hands to end sexual violence in Nigeria. We must support victims who speak up and end all forms of victimization. The government, civil society, NGOs, religious groups, traditional rulers, business and corporate world, organized women groups and the media must synergize to achieve a collective and robust approach to solving the problem. The advocacy community while providing victim safety and offender accountability, and most importantly in preventing sexual assault, must not isolate itself from other relevant stakeholders. It must be emphasized that we want to see many more Bukolas springing up from their shadows across the nooks and corners of Nigeria, making bold to share their stories and demanding for justice.
“It is noteworthy to add that social media is gradually changing the Nigerian society and will continue to do so in years to come. As little as a video released on the internet can go viral in a matter of seconds largely influencing and dictating the outcome of vital issues that affect our well-being as a nation. We must be able to leverage this technology to increase awareness of rape and other sexual violence acts against women and girls. Victims can easily share their stories and be heard on platforms such as #Metoo or unbroken.ng. May I add that unbroken.ng was created by BusolaDakolo to share her story to the world and give other victims the opportunity to tell theirs too. Irrespective of the outcome of her case in the court of law, she has indeed set herself free from the bondage of the silent agony of reliving her sad experience for the rest of her life and also given other victims the strength to do so. That broken voice must be heard again; this time, it is no longer restrained in the shadows.”
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target=_blank>HEDA Gives Buhari 14-day Ultimatum To Prosecute Goje Or Face Legal Actions
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has given President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria a 14-day Ultimatum to immediately revive corruption case against Danjuma Goje or prepare for court action.SaharaReporters has exclusively reported how President Muhammadu Buhari quashed the case in a bid to convince Goje, now a Senator, to drop his Senate Presidency bid.
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EXCLUSIVE: Senate Presidency: How President Buhari Plans To Drop EFCC Case Against Danjuma Goje
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The Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) was trying Goje for stealing N5bn between September and November 2010, after forging a document titled, ‘Resolution authorizing His Excellency the Executive Governor of Gombe State to acquire a loan of with Ref. No: GM/HA/RES/VOL. 1/17. The Nolle Prosequi by Malami came after the trial judge was summoned to sit at 6pm on Thursday evening. HEDA had previously maintained that many Nigerians have the reason to suspect that transparency is being sacrificed on the altar of politics and horse-trading in the interest of the election of principal officers of the National Assembly.Reacting to the quashing of the case, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA, said that the withdrawal of the case cannot be justified and it only solidified claims by providing more evidence that the corruption fight of the President has been compromised.He said, “The action of the FG confirms the suspicion that Goje trial has been waved aside because of his decision to step as the Senate President for President Mohammadu Buhari’s prefered candidate, Senator Ahmed Lawan.
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BREAKING: Court Throws Out Danjuma Goje’s Corruption Case After Order From President Buhari, Attorney General
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“This withdrawal has no justification except to confirm the rife speculations that the case was compromised to meet “political considerations” as in previous cases taken over by the AGF office.“The AGF had set “bitter precedents” that the fight against corruption is selective depending on the political camp the suspected culprits belong.”Suraju stated that HEDA would seek all legal means and inform international organizations of the subversion of rule of law going on in the Buhari’s administration.”The withdrawal is in bad taste and this group will deploy all the constitutional legal means to defend public interest in this particular case”.“The international community would be notified of this subversion of rule of law and justice by the present regime.“Bilateral laws and agreement between Nigeria and other foreign nations will be explored to exposed both the government and the suspect. Constitutional provision on Nolle Prosequi is not to pervert justice but protect public interest”, said the organisation’s Chairman.
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target=_blank>Sexual Assault Of Minors: Lagos Police Record Worrisome Number Of Cases
Sexual Assault suspects
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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four men for sexual assault against minors.According to Bala Elkana, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, the men were arrested at different areas of Lagos State for offenses bordering on rape and molestation.One of the paraded men is a 68-year-old Yisah Showunmi, who allegedly raped his 15 years old daughter and her friends.The 15-year-old reported the incident at Imota Police Station in Ikorodu, on June 27.She alleged that her father has been having sexual intercourse with her for the past three years, stating that when her two friends (Names withheld) ages 15 and 16 came to stay in their house, her father also had sexual intercourse with them.She said that the last incident happened on June 23, 2019. In another similar incident, one Akin Olatilu was arrested for sexually abusing his step-daughter.According to the police, Olatilu has been assaulting his step-daughter for five year when she was only 14 years old.But on June 14 the lady approached the Police to make a report.She alleged that she reported the matter to her mother but her mother did not take any action. She further stated that the abuse did not stop until she turned 18 years old and that the suspect also had sexual intercourse with her in the month of March 2019.Another case was reported at Igando Police station by a mother who claimed that her daughter was assaulted by her guardian, one Pastor Popo Paul, who lives at 10/11 Aminu Street, Ishuti road, Egan Igando, Lagos.The mother, who lives at Akure in Ondo state, had brought her daughter to Lagos, in 2017, to live with Paul’s wife.She stated that, she noticed her daughter was pregnant sometime in June, 2018 and that when she interrogated her, she mentioned the name of the suspect. According to the pregnant girl, Paul started sleeping with her in January 2018. She gave birth to a baby girl in April 2019.In a related development, One Aliyu Ali Mohammed was arrested for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 14 years old girl inside an uncompleted building in Peace Estate Iba area of LagosAccording to Elkana the case was reported by one Harrison Chukwerueke, who caught the suspect.All the suspects have been charged to court.
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target=_blank>Nigerian Government Has Concluded Plan To Assassinate My Father, El-Zakyzaky’s Son Cries Out
Ibraheem El-ZakyZaky
Ibraheem El-ZakyZaky
One of the surviving sons of the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN ) popularly known as ‘Shiites’ , Mohammed Ibraheem Zakzaky has said that the Nigerian government has finalised the arrangement to assassinate his father , Ibraheem El-Zakyzaky. He disclosed this in a press statement issued at the end of a press conference addressed by Sheik Mukhtar Abdul-rahaman Auwal on Sunday in Abuja.He said that he visited his father at the detention facility where he has been kept by the security operatives on Saturday 6th of July 2019 but was shocked to see his father in deteriorating health conditions. According to Ibraheem ” This Saturday the 6th of July 2019, I met with my father and my mother. My father was found to have unusually excessive and life threatening concentrations of lead and cadmium in his blood. “This has always been an assassination in progress, and it is almost done. And the assassins are clearly determined to see it through.”When we met aside from what could be visibly seen of their deteriorating condition such as my fathers teeth which in the space of a month has turned from dark brown to virtually jet black, my father also informed me of how his condition has been worsening since the last time we met.He said that all efforts made by the family to ensure that his father get a proper medical attention were deliberately ignored and frustrated by the government. He explained that his condition has worsened beyond redemption adding that any effort to save his life now has become futile. He pointed out that his mother started showing signs of stroke in January 2018 as a result of intermittent attacks of chronic pain . He said the pain has become a daily occurrence now due to lack of proper medical interventionHis words ” My mother on the other hand, whose numerous medical issues were well known since before, has similarly received none of the care that was recommended. ” The frequent attack of chronic pain which she had been suffering on average on a monthly basis has now turned into a daily routine. And to date none of the underlying medical issues causing these attacks has been addressed ”
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target=_blank>Everything Is Messed Up In Kwara State, Decay Will Take Years To Fix, Gov AbdulRazaq Laments
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara state, has lamented the decay bequeathed to him by his predecessor in office, Abdulfatha Ahmed.
AbdulRazaq said he has been trying to fix the alleged decay since his assumption of office.
The governor made this known when he spoke during the commissioning of new ultra-modern library complex in Kwara state University (KWASU), Malete, Moro local government area of the state.He said, “Everything is messed up in Kwara state, the decay will take years to fix but we are convinced that we will succeed if everybody supports us. We are starting on ground zero.“We are faced with criminal breakdown of basic infrastructure across every sector in the state, especially in the education and health sectors.“Just last week, we had to pay N250 million to offset two months’ salaries the state government owed workers across the state colleges of education.“We also paid an additional N50 million to secure re-accreditation for two of the colleges.“We still have a backlog of arrears to pay these teachers. We have promised to steadily offset these backlogs with an appeal to the workers to return to work after many months of industrial action to protest the neglect of the schools by people elected to serve the public.“The decay in the infrastructure across our primary and secondary schools is better imagined.The more any patriot sees such a thing the sadder he becomes because it points at a bleak future unless something urgent is done.“It was so bad that funds meant for upgrades of facilities at the primary schools were diverted with serious consequences for the state.“Our government is determined to raise a generation of children who are able to cope with the education needs of the 21st century.”
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target=_blank>Four Students Expelled From Kebbi College For Engaging In Lesbianism
The Kebbi State College of Science and Technology in Jega has expelled four female students for engaging in lesbianism.Confirming the incident to journalists, the Provost of the institution, Alhaji Aminu Dakingari said the female students were caught red-handed by the school’s security personnel and cleaners.
It was further revealed that two of the students are from Kotangora in Niger State while two others are from Kebbi and Sokoto respectively.
However, the four students owned up to indulging in lesbianism and were eventually expelled from the institution.
“The students confessed to the committee that they committed the crime and we just have to expel them from the school”, Dakingari said.“They resorted to threatening my life through text messages but the security agents were able to rescue me from them,” he added.
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target=_blank>COZA: CAN Makes U-turn, Says It Is Investigating Rape Allegations Against Fatoyinbo
The Christian Association Of Nigeria has said it is investigating rape allegations against Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo by celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo.The body made this known on Sunday in a statement by its Acting General Secretary Joseph Daramola.CAN had earlier said the matter was outside of its jurisdiction and hence could not act on calls by Nigerians to get to the matter.Making a u-turn however, CAN said: “Since both Pastor Fatoyinbo and Mrs. Timi Dakolo are Christians, the leadership of CAN is already seeking ways to address the issues in order to heal every wound already inflicted on the parties concerned and the body of Christ in general.“It is our hope that steps which will exacerbate the current damages already done will be avoided.“As we seek the help of CAN Elders and the Holy Spirit in resolving the current problem, it is our prayer that both parties will sheath their swords and stop the media war in the interest of the Church and for the greater glory of God.”“The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is seriously concerned about the disturbing situation concerning Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, the General Overseer of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), one of our leading Pastors in the country, on whom allegations of rape has been leveled by one of our daughters, Mrs. Timi Dakolo.“It is disheartening how some commentators and columnists have been insulting the Body of Christ in Nigeria as a result of this incident.“Like we have earlier stated, it doesn’t matter who is involved, rape is ungodly and reprehensible. But we have resisted the temptation to jump into any conclusion since a body like ours will be expected to have uncovered the truth about any matter before making public statements and not base its position merely upon media reports.“Although we have disclosed that Pastor Fatoyinbo’s Church has not been an active member of CAN, that does not put the Church outside the spiritual watch-care of CAN.“CAN is the umbrella body for every Christian and Church in Nigeria. Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church does not turn back anyone that comes to Him and CAN also does not.“The Ministry of the Church, according to Jesus Christ, is the Ministry of Reconciliation, which is centered on true love and forgiveness of those who repent.“The Bible states it clearly that “God demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Roman’s 5:8,11).“Having reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, God has committed to us the ministry of reconciling the world unto Himself and to one another. (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).”
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target=_blank>Senator Abbo Must Not Go Unpunished, Nigerian Women Insist
The National Council for Women Society (NCWS), FCT Chapter, has maintained that Senator Elisha Abbo must face the law to serve as a deterrent to other abusers.
The women group on Sunday said it rejected the apology of the Senator after he assaulted a woman who was nursing a baby in an adult toy shop in Abuja.
Mrs Hadiza Umar, FCT Chairman of NCWS, who spoke on behalf of the group also called on the intervention of international organizations in ensuring the Senator is punished for assaulting a woman.
Umar said, “I am here with my executives and members of NCWS FCT chapter for a peaceful demonstration on what an elected senator, who is suppose to serve us did to one of our women.
“We want to stop the barbaric habits on women either at home, in the markets, shops, workplace and everywhere in the country.
“We are women of integrity and mothers, we are not animals and we are saying no to violence against all women and the assault should stop with immediate effects.
“We reject his apology and we will do everything within the ambit of law to demand justice for our fellow woman who was assaulted.
Senator Abbo is facing another possible legal action after Photojournalist, Olumuyiwa Owolabi Tayo, came out to reveal how the Senator assaulted and brutalized him when he worked for him in Adamawa during 2015 elections.
He said the Senator refused to honour a contract signed by both parties and instead of paying him, beat him, got him arrested and threatened to kill him if he ever asked for the money.
Tayo has vowed to pursue the case legally and ensure he gets his money.
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target=_blank>Senior Nigerian Government Official Arrested For Passport Racketeering
A senior official of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, one Maikudi Haruna has been arrested in connection with forgery of the minister of the ministry in order to obtain the country’s international passport for his client.
Haruna was accused of obtaining the sum of N250,000 from one Abubakar Mustapha who he falsely processed the ministry’s identity card for after collecting the sum from him.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Immigration Service, Sunday James insisted that Haruna knew Mustapha was not a staff of the ministry and still went ahead to procure the identity card for him in order to obtain the international passport.
James said Haruna conspired to forge official identity card and signature of the minister of the ministry.
He explained that in order to serve as a deterrent to others still in the system, the service charged the suspect to court and appeared before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja where he was charged with “conspiracy,” making false statement for the purpose of procuring Nigerian passport and engaging in forgery.
He vowed that the service under Muhammadu Babandede, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service will not condone any form of forgery or related offences either from individual or groups.
The statement reads in part, “The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service advise prospective applicants seeking Nigerian passport to avoid false declarations, forgery and use of fake breeder documents, but follow due process by paying online, applying online and desist from patronising touts.
“Both the procurer and the applicant will be prosecuted in accordance with the provision of the law related to passport offences.”
It is however not clear if the signature forged was that of the immediate past minister of in the ministry, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.
Fashola was appointed the ministry in the ministry in October 2015 to May 28, 2019.
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Police Rescue 4-year-old Who Was Kidnapped Two Weeks Ago In Kano
Khidijat Rilwanu, a four year old girl who was kidnapped two weeks ago, has been resuced from the den of her kidnappers by the Kano State Commmand of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Three of her abductors were arrested in the operation.
Parading the suspects, Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu, said, “On 4th of July, 2019, a team of Puff Adder detectives arrested one Ibrahim Musa of Ungwar Rimi quarters in Kaduna.
“On interrogation, two female suspects of the same address were arrested and a victim, one Khadijat Riliwanu, four years old of Wailari Quarters, Kano was rescued at the residence of the female suspects, while investigation is in progress.”
Iliyasu said 10 other suspected bandits were intercepted at Koki Quarters in a Toyota Hiace Bus, heading to Badawa Quarters.
When the vehicle was searched, they were found to be in possession of 22 dangerous weapons, including long knives, short knives, large quantity of hard drugs, and intoxicating/hallucinating substances, with new weapons of violence, known in local parlance, as ‘fate-fate tsitaka and ‘barandami’.
Iliyasu said 61 suspects were arrested at various criminal hideouts, while one Aminu, who graduated from Kano University of Science and Technology, currently undergoing a Masters Degree programme at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), was arrested, alongside his accomplice for stabbing a night guard at the university and was found to be in possession of 15 stolen laptops.
He said six armed robbers and kidnap suspects were arrested, while Bashir Sani of Rimin Kebbe Quarters, Kano was apprehended in possession of a single barrel gun, loaded with 15 rounds of cartridges.
He added that during investigation, another one locally-made gun, one chemical/pepper spray, one jack knife, one walkie-talkie, one handcuff and a police belt were recovered from him.
Iliyasu said, over 122 suspects, who were arrested and paraded two weeks ago have been charged to various courts of law within the state for prosecution, adding that those, who have just been arrested would be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.
Items recovered from the suspects, include 15 laptop computers; 26 parcels, as well as 250 wraps and other large quantities of Indian hemp; three stolen motor vehicles; 18 live ammunitions; 16 live cartridges; eight cut lasses; 32 clubs; 43 knives, 32 sachets of Diazapam tablets and 220 bottles of Suck-and-die.
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