Author: The Nation

  • Ex-ambassador to South Africa resigns from APC

    Ex-ambassador to South Africa resigns from APC

    Former Ambassador to South Africa, Musa Ibeto, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State.

    In his letter of resignation presented to the Chairman of APC in Ibelu Central Ward in Magama on Tuesday, Ibeto cited a lack of unity of purpose among members.

    Ibeto, who is a member of the Presidential Campaign Committee and the Assistant Secretary of the Northcentral Directorate of Mobilisation, accused members of non-commitment.

    The letter reads: “I write you with all sense of humility, respect, and regards as the Chairman of APC, Ibelu Central Ward to convey to you the resignation of my membership of the All Progressive Congress from today 3rd January 2023.

    Read Also: Ibeto leads former PDP gov aspirants back to APC

    “Mr. Chairman, with my many years of active participation in politics and as a former party administrator, and an elected official in many political offices, I have come to this conclusion for many reasons, chiefly among which are the absence of unity of purpose among party members and stakeholders occasioned by internal conflicts, unending litigations, internal threats and counter threats of anti-party activities, lack of genuine reconciliation coupled with lack of commitment and dedication to the success of the party by many stakeholders.

    “For these obvious reasons, I concluded that I cannot continue to be a member of the party.”

    Ibeto defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC after losing the bid to clinch the former’s 2019 governorship ticket.

    He was also the former deputy governor to Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

  • Buhari deploys hi-tech to tackle insecurity in Southeast

    Buhari deploys hi-tech to tackle insecurity in Southeast

    As part of efforts to combat insecurity in the Southeast, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the deployment of advanced technological devices to secure the region.

    Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, told reporters at the Villa, Abuja that he came to thank the President for all he has done for the region.

    The governor expressed optimism that the people of his state would have a better year than they did in 2022.

    He also said he was at the sit of power to ask for more federal support.

    According to him, with the President’s approval, advanced surveillance equipment will soon be delivered to the region that will enhance the fight against insecurity without collateral damage.

    Uzodimma said he thanked President Buhari for the conversion of the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, to a university teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology, and the approval that converted Alvan Ikoku College of Education to a federal college of education.

    Noting that he came to visit the president on behalf of his people, Uzodinma said it was “also thank him for the various supports he gave to us during this our period of security challenges and the support he’s also given to us in terms of the various approvals”.

    Read Also: Buhari to inaugurate Blue Line Rail January 24

    He added: “The approval to convert Federal Medical Center Owerri to a university teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology, the approval that converted Alvan Ikoku College of Education to a federal college of education.

    “Only two weeks ago, Igbos that came home from Lagos and outside Southeast enjoyed the benefit of the second Niger Bridge, something that is worthy of commendation.

    “I also appealed to him for further support, to support us with some technological deployments.

    “We have planned an advanced security control in the Southeast and he has also given his approval to that.

    “In a moment from now, we’ll be getting some surveillance equipment and some modern technologies that will help us manage security so that we can fight crime with little or no collateral damage to the environment.”

  • Ohakim reports at DSS after bombing of his convoy

    Ohakim reports at DSS after bombing of his convoy

    Barely 24 hours after gunmen attacked his convoy and killed four police orderlies, former Imo State Governor Chief Ikedi Ohakim on Tuesday reported at the Department of State Services (DSS) in Owerri.

    He is believed to have briefed the secret police on the attack.

    The gunmen late Monday attacked his convoy and threw explosives at it when they could not capture Ohakim.

    The former governor (2007-2011) was attacked at Oriagu in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area on Monday evening.

    Ohakim’s backup vehicle was bombed, which resulted in the death of the four security detail.

    Read Also: Four killed in Ohakim’s convoy bomb attack

    It was learnt that Ohakim was with two of his children and was returning from a visit when the gunmen struck.

    A source said: “His Excellency was the main target but his brave driver was smart enough to beat them because they were driving to block him.

    “Disappointed that their main target had escaped, they blocked his backup vehicle and burnt it. The four policemen with him were feared killed.”

    Ohakim’s media aide, Emma Chukwu, said: “I will comment on the issue later.”

  • Lawyer sues magistrate, her husband over illegal detention

    Lawyer sues magistrate, her husband over illegal detention

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the police, a Lagos magistrate and her husband to show cause why it should not allow a motion ex-parte challenging the detention of lawyer, Godswill Gomba Oyor for 10 days.

    Godswill Gomba Oyor and his firm Hyfex Capital Limited are the applicants in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/2489/22.

    The first to sixth respondents are the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; Deputy Commissioner of Police (State Cid Panti Lagos State); Inspector Ayo (Legal Dept); Supo Yetunde Cardoso Oc-Legal State CID; (Magistrate) Mrs. Fifunwa Ikobayo and her husband Mr. Olatunde Ikobayo.

    The applicants, through their lawyer Samuel Adeyemo, claimed in their summons ex-parte that Oyor had been detained by the police for about 10 days without bail over a civil transaction involving forex trading.

    Adeyemo, in the affidavit in support of the summons ex parte, averred that Oyor was being held at State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, Yaba.

    He said: “I was informed by the 2nd Applicant on 20th of December 2022 at the Detention facility of State CID at about 12:30 pm in the office of the IPO and I verily believed him that:

    “The 5th Respondent is a Magistrate serving with the Lagos State Judiciary.

    Read Also; Lawyers to pay N1m to apply for SAN rank

    “The 5th Respondent through the 2nd Applicant had a business relationship with the 1st Applicant.

    “That the nature of the business is forex trading, which is known to the 5th and 6th Respondents from the inception.

    “That during the pendency of the business relationship, the 5th and 6th Respondents made good money. 

    “Along the line, there was a dramatic twist or event that affected the income of the company which is why they have not been able to pay their investors, including the 5th and 6th Respondents.”

    He averred that ‘efforts to make the 5th and 6th Respondents resort to arbitration proved abortive.”

    Justice Tijani Ringim held: “This matter shall be adjourned till Wednesday 4th of January 2023, for the respondent to show cause why the reliefs sought ex parte shall not be granted.”

    Proceedings resume Wednesday.

  • Jay Jay Okocha marks 25th wedding anniversary

    Jay Jay Okocha marks 25th wedding anniversary

    Former Super Eagles captain, Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha has marked his 25th wedding with his wife Nkechi.

    To commemorate his marriage silver jubilee, the 49-year-old former attacking midfielder posted a photo with the wife of his youth.

    The pair, perhaps heading for a resort, held hand luggage, waiting to go on board a seaplane which was also captured in the photo shared.

    Read Also: Ozil: Jay Jay Okocha my idol

    He captioned the post: “Happy 25th wedding Anniversary to the wife of my youth.”

    The couple got married in 1997 and are blessed with two children, Ajay and Daniella.

    Their daughter Daniella also celebrated them on her Instagram story.

    “Happy 25th anniversary to my faves,” she wrote.

  • Tennis legend Navratilova faces cancer battle

    Tennis legend Navratilova faces cancer battle

    Tennis legend Martina Navratilova said she is hoping for a “favourable outcome” after being diagnosed with breast and throat cancer.

    The 66-year-old Czechoslovakia-born naturalised American told Tennis.com yesterday about the diagnosis but added they were both treatable.

    It is not the first time the 18-times Grand Slam singles champion has been diagnosed with cancer – in 2010 she had breast cancer but was assessed as being clear six months later.

    “The double whammy is serious, but fixable, and I’m hoping for a favourable outcome,” she said.

    “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all I have got.”

    Read Also: World’s Number One Barty quit tennis

    Navratilova noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck during November’s WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas.

    A subsequent biopsy revealed stage one throat cancer.

    During the tests, a lump was also discovered in her breast, which was later diagnosed as an unrelated cancer.

    Navratilova will begin her treatment later this month in New York.

    It has forced her to abandon plans to commentate on the Australian Open although she will appear from time to time remotely.

  • BBNaija’s Kess gifts parents’ house, car

    BBNaija’s Kess gifts parents’ house, car

    Former BBNaija Season 7 housemate, Kess, has gifted his parents a house and car.

    The reality star kicked off the New Year by fulfilling a lifelong dream of making his parents’ house owners.

    He shared a video along with photos of the house and car on his Instagram page, recounting how his family lost everything when their dad suddenly fell ill.

    He wrote: “This has been a lifelong dream for me and my brother. 

    “We finally were able to present this car as a birthday gift to my mummy and this beautiful home to my parents.

    “This is very special to us because of this very short story. 2010 was such a crazy year for us, I was in SS3 preparing for SSCE when the whole world came crashing down on us, pops suddenly became very sick, he could no longer shoulder his responsibilities hence we lost our home and lost everything we had.

    Read Also: Being married affected me, says evicted Kess

    “A family of seven automatically became squatters, each shared to live with family and friends.

    “But today, I am grateful to God Almighty for his Grace upon our lives. He came through for us. From being homeless to being house owners.”

    Having actualised not just his dream but also his brother’s of settling their parents in their own home, Kess encouraged individuals currently struggling, noting God will give them succour in the new year.

    “I don’t know who needs to hear this, things may be tough right now, but God will come through for you in this New Year. Happy New Year guys,” he added.

  • Wike: nobody can sack G-5 from PDP

    Wike: nobody can sack G-5 from PDP

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has warned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders mulling the expulsion of the G-5 governors to perish the thought.

    Wike said nobody in the party could drive members of the Integrity Group out of the house they spent many years building.

    The governor warned that abusing members of the Integrity Group by PDP leaders would only complicate the lingering crisis in the party. 

    The governor said: “Nobody can drive us from this house we have built. All of us will fight here. 

    “So, if anybody thinks that you can just sit in your house and dish out orders, it will not work. 

    “The house will collapse on you. So, you better think twice.”

    Wike spoke at the Mgbuodohia Community Primary School premises where he kicked off venue the construction of Mgbuodohia Road in Rumuolumene Town of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area on Tuesday.

    The governor clarified that his comment on the endorsement of Peter Obi by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, instead of his former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was motivated by his concern for the PDP.

    He said Obasanjo had served as President on the platform of the PDP with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as his Vice-President for eight years and was in a better position to solicit support from Nigerians on his behalf with confidence.

    He said if Obasanjo could not endorse his former deputy, it only showed that something was fundamentally wrong that should elicit concern from members of the PDP.

    Wike said: “I meant no bad. I’m only worried as a prominent PDP member. A man who loves PDP should be worried. I was not mocking anybody. I was merely worried. 

    Read Also: How Atiku, others frustrated PDP’s zoning, by Wike

    “My prayer was, look, let Obasanjo remain quiet and not say anything. That was all my prayer, but my prayer didn’t work.  

    “My prayer was that if this man makes any statement, it will indict us because he was president under the PDP for eight years, and he worked with our presidential candidate. 

    “And the campaign of our presidential council is that our presidential candidate during the eight years did very well, with experience.”

    He insisted that for Obasanjo to have gone ahead to endorse Obi instead of his former deputy meant that something must be fundamentally wrong.

  • Yomi Gold ends marriage with second wife one year after wedding

    Yomi Gold ends marriage with second wife one year after wedding

    Actor Yomi Gold Alore on Tuesday announced a separation from his second wife, Ameenat Abisola aka Meenah, barely one year after marriage.

    He claimed Meena deserved a better man and craved the indulgence of the public to resist the urge to judge them.

    Sharing a black screen to depict their now ‘loveless’ relationship, Yomi wrote: “Me and Meenah decided to go our separate ways.

    “I want all our families and friends, fans to understand. This is no time to judge anyone.

    “When love dies in a relationship. No one should force it…

    “I want to use this time to thank everyone who has been very concerned and supportive.

    “Meenah is a good person.. She doesn’t deserve a man like me.

    “She will make a great and loving partner to a far better person than me.

    Read Also: I’m not worth $2.5m, says Yomi Fabiyi

    “I am not perfect.. I will work on myself and be a better person.

    “This has to be published because we want everyone who knows about us to be aware of our decision. Time will be good again..”

    Yomi Gold had dissolved his first marriage with Victoria Ige, a U.S.-based Nigerian nurse who he started dating in 2008 and eventually tied the knot with at the Ikoyi Registry in April 2012.

    After separating from his first marriage which produced two children, the US-based actor secretly tied the knot in an unidentified location with Meenah on December 26, 2021.

  • How my aunt’s doctor-husband disvirgined me, by 16-year-old

    How my aunt’s doctor-husband disvirgined me, by 16-year-old

    The recorded video of the experiences of the 16-year-old s3xual abuse survivor, who accused a doctor of deflowering her, was played in court on Tuesday.

    The victim accused the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr Olufemi Olaleye, of s3xually abusing her.

    But the doctor denied it and pleaded not guilty.

    The video recording, contained in a flash drive, was admitted in evidence by, Justice Ramon Oshodi and marked Exhibit P1.

    Also admitted was the report of the forensic interview and certificate of compliance.

    Dr Olaleye is facing a two-count charge of child defilement before the court.

    Led in evidence by the Director, Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) Dr Jide Martins, child forensic interview expert, Mrs Olabisi Ajayi-Kayode, narrated to the court how Dr Olaleye groomed the survivor into serial s3xual activities and deflowered her while living with her auntie.

    Mrs Ajayi-Kayode is a Chief Forensic officer with Cece Yara Foundation.

    She told the court that the survivor informed her that Dr Olaleye asked her: “Are you still a virgin? Why are you still keeping your virginity? Virginity is no longer in vogue. Girls of 12, 13, 14 are no longer virgins.”

    The expert further told the court that the survivor told her that the first time the defendant had s3x with her, she experienced “sharp pain and there was blood and that he (Dr Olaleye) took tissue paper and wiped the blood.”

    Read Also: Bandits gang-rape expectant mom to death in Niger

    According to the expert witness, the survivor said she slept on the floor in the children’s room and the defendant would normally come there at night, pretending as if making sure the windows were okay.

    Mrs Ajayi-Kayode said he would tap and ask her to go and prepare coffee for him.

    She said it was in the course of preparing the coffee that the defendant started touching her inappropriately by fingering her private part and ordering her to perform oral s3x on him.

    She said whenever the minor attempted to resist him, the defendant would threaten her life and that of her auntie.

    Mrs Ajayi-Kayode told the court that the survivor informed her that the defendant defiled her in a part of the house not covered by the Close Circuit Television (CCTV).

    Mrs Ajayi-Kayode said one particular day, the survivor was waiting by the security house, based on her auntie’s instructions not to stay alone in the main house, when the defendant arrived and ordered her inside.

    “When they got inside, he asked her to prepare ‘amala’ for him.

    “In the process of doing this, he came into the kitchen and took her to his study and had s3x with her and warned her not to tell anyone.

    “After that, the abuses became more regular, having s3x with her and sometimes, oral s3x.”

    Mrs Ajayi-Kayode said the survivor informed her that she was tired of the constant abuse by the doctor.

    She said this was when the driver, Waheed, heard her and convinced her to narrate her experience to him and she did and pleaded with him not to tell anyone.

    The child forensic interview specialist concluded: “He (Dr Olaleye) gained access to the child and used his position as the husband of her auntie to gain the position of s3xual abuse, using coercion to maintain control and to suppress the abuse.”

    Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), the child forensic expert insisted that she drew her conclusion based on her interview with the survivor.

    She denied interacting with the police since they were part of the investigation.

    She insisted that the defendant serially abuse the survivor.