The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CCTV

  • 2022 WINTER OLYMPICS: IOC, CCTV in $550 million TV deal

    2022 WINTER OLYMPICS: IOC, CCTV in $550 million TV deal

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has exploited China’s likely status as host of the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games to agree a bumper new broadcasting deal with China Central Television (CCTV).

    The state broadcaster has been awarded exclusive rights to screen the next four Games after Rio 2016 in the world’s most populous nation, in a deal believed to be worth some $550 million (£350 million/€450,000).

    This is more than double the sum agreed for the same rights covering the four Games from Vancouver 2010 to Rio 2016, and reflects Asia’s monopoly of Olympic hosting rights between 2018 and 2022.

    With the 2018 Games earmarked for Pyeongchang, South Korea, 2020 going to Tokyo and 2022 set for either Beijing or Almaty, Kazakhstan, the IOC will be hoping for similarly substantial increases in other Asian markets.

    The new deal represents a scarcely believable leap from the $17.5 million (£11 million/€14 million) paid by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union for the TV rights (excluding new media) covering most of Asia, including China, for the last Chinese Olympics in Beijing in 2008.

    Even so, $550 million works out at only around $0.40 (£0.25/€0.32) per head of Chinese population for all four Games, compared with the approximately $3.80 (£2.40/€3.10)per capita paid by NBC Universal for the right to air Rio 2016 on US soil.

    CCTV have been long-time broadcasters of the Olympics but will pay much more for the privilege as part of the new $550 million deal.

    Thomas Bach, the IOC President, said he was “delighted that we will continue to work with our longstanding broadcast partner CCTV.

    “They have demonstrated many times their ability to bring first class coverage of the Olympic Games to hundreds of millions of Chinese people.

    “The revenue the IOC has secured from this agreement will be redistributed to support future organisers of the Olympic Games, as well as supporting sport and athletes in China and around the world.”

    Hu Zhanfan, CCTV’s President, described the deal as a “win-win agreement”.

    CCTV was, he said, “determined to be, as always, a powerful and exceptional partner of the IOC”.

    Zaiqing Yu, Chinese IOC vice-president, said CCTV was a “strong supporter of the Olympic values”, adding: “We look forward to continuing our partnership through to 2024.”

    CCTV has acquired the rights across all broadcast platforms in all languages; the deal also includes the right to broadcast all editions of the Youth Olympic Games until 2024.

  • ‘Install CCTV in garages, jetties’

    To strengthen security in all motor parks, garages and jetties and prevent attacks on innocent travellers, during and beyond the “Ember” months, stakeholders in the transportation sector have recommended the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and other security gadgets by all states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for sustained and effective security surveillance.

    They said such devices, strategically installed in all motor parks, garages and jetties, would help stem the activities of terrorists who in recent times have targeted such public places, leaving on their trail wanton destruction of lives and properties.

    It called for the full implementation of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTES) which was developed by the office of the National Security Adviser to reduce violent attacks, insecurity and unsafe transportation nationwide.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the week-long 14th edition of the National Council on Transport (NCT), which held at the Nike Lake Resort, in Enugu State, they urged all levels of government to continue to fund and subsidise mass transit operations, and to develop an end- of-life vehicles management policy in their respective states.

    The Council which is the highest advisory body on transportation tasked the federal and state governments to ensure that all vehicles, including fleet vehicles owned by corporate organisations and used for commercial purposes are registered and a regular enumeration of such vehicles are carried out periodically to ensure safety and security of commuters.

    They approved a stakeholders committee headed by the Federal Ministry of Transport, with membership drawn from the states and the FCT, Federal Road Safety Corps and other agencies to standardise among others: the classification of drivers’ licence; regulation of driving school and the structuring of pre-licence theory and practical tests for learner.

    Others are the issuance of permits to driving schools, structuring of drivers’ training and the pre-licence tests of riders of motorcycles and tricycles as it obtains for motor drivers.

    They urged states to equip their Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIO) for effective and efficient performance.

    The council urged the Federal Government to collaborate with the states to ensure the dredging of the inland waterways in all states to accelerate and sustain the development of waterways as an efficient mode of transportation. They urged the states, FCT to provide enabling environment for the rapid and sustained development of inland water transportation in the country.

    This, they said, remained the sure way to integrate water transportation with other modes of transportation in order to enhance seamless movement of persons and goods.

    Financial institutions are encouraged to provide grants and loans to service providers in the water transport sub-sector for the development, modernisation and expansion of their fleet and other facilities in order to promote water transportation and reduce pressure on the nation’s roads.

    It urged all states to strictly enforce all existing laws on pollution to abate pollution of the waterways, even as it called on all relevant authorities to regularly remove ship wrecks and derelicts on the waterways.

    They urged the Federal Ministry of Transport to direct the Nigeria Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA), which is the authorised receiver of all wrecks on the nation’s waters to establish facilities for the breaking, recycling and processing of wrecks for wealth creation and employment generation.

    The council strongly advised the Federal Government to liaise and collaborate with states for the purpose of developing projects and programmes located in states and aimed at improving mass transportation.

    The council called on the Ondo State Government to collaborate with the Federal Government on the take-off of the Alape River Port in Ilaje Local Government to promote transportation and employment generation in the state.

    The council urged the establishment of a public transport system that underscores safety, security and efficient services.

  • Security operatives call for CCTV in Yobe schools

    The military, police and State Security Services (SSS) in Yobe State have said there is need to install Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to monitor movements in schools.

    Malam Wakil Kaku, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu, the state capital.

    He said: “The military, police and SSS authorities noted that all schools must be provided with wall fences and CCTV cameras to monitor the movements and objects in and around the schools.

    “The security authorities also emphasised the need to provide designated entry and exit points to check unauthorised movements around the schools.”

    Kaku said the agency had educated head teachers and proprietors to understand basic precautionary measures on security challenges.

    The NOA director said the agency was worried about the spate of attacks on schools in which several students had been killed.

    He said: “We saw the need to sensitise school authorities on basic measures to secure the schools.

    “The agency, last week, organised intensive training on precautionary measures on security challenges for school principals and proprietors across the state.”

  • ‘Install CCTV in garages, jetties’

    ‘Install CCTV in garages, jetties’

    To strengthen security in all motor parks, garages and jetties and prevent attacks on innocent travellers, during and beyond the “Ember” months, stakeholders in the transportation sector have recommended the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and other security gadgets by all states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for sustained and effective security surveillance.

    They said such devices, strategically installed in all motor parks, garages and jetties, would help stem the activities of terrorists who in recent times have targeted such public places, leaving on their trail wanton destruction of lives and properties.

    It called for the full implementation of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTES) which was developed by the office of the National Security Adviser to reduce violent attacks, insecurity and unsafe transportation nationwide.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the week-long 14th edition of the National Council on Transport (NCT), which held at the Nike Lake Resort, in Enugu State, they urged all levels of government to continue to fund and subsidise mass transit operations, and to develop an end- of-life vehicles management policy in their respective states.

    The Council which is the highest advisory body on transportation tasked the federal and state governments to ensure that all vehicles, including fleet vehicles owned by corporate organisations and used for commercial purposes are registered and a regular enumeration of such vehicles are carried out periodically to ensure safety and security of commuters.

    They approved a stakeholders committee headed by the Federal Ministry of Transport, with membership drawn from the states and the FCT, Federal Road Safety Corps and other agencies to standardise among others: the classification of drivers’ licence; regulation of driving school and the structuring of pre-licence theory and practical tests for learner.

    Others are the issuance of permits to driving schools, structuring of drivers’ training and the pre-licence tests of riders of motorcycles and tricycles as it obtains for motor drivers.

    They urged states to equip their Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIO) for effective and efficient performance.

    The council urged the Federal Government to collaborate with the states to ensure the dredging of the inland waterways in all states to accelerate and sustain the development of waterways as an efficient mode of transportation. They urged the states, FCT to provide enabling environment for the rapid and sustained development of inland water transportation in the country.

    This, they said, remained the sure way to integrate water transportation with other modes of transportation in order to enhance seamless movement of persons and goods.

    Financial institutions are encouraged to provide grants and loans to service providers in the water transport sub-sector for the development, modernisation and expansion of their fleet and other facilities in order to promote water transportation and reduce pressure on the nation’s roads.

    It urged all states to strictly enforce all existing laws on pollution to abate pollution of the waterways, even as it called on all relevant authorities to regularly remove ship wrecks and derelicts on the waterways.

    They urged the Federal Ministry of Transport to direct the Nigeria Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA), which is the authorised receiver of all wrecks on the nation’s waters to establish facilities for the breaking, recycling and processing of wrecks for wealth creation and employment generation.

    The council strongly advised the Federal Government to liaise and collaborate with states for the purpose of developing projects and programmes located in states and aimed at improving mass transportation.

    The council called on the Ondo State Government to collaborate with the Federal Government on the take-off of the Alape River Port in Ilaje Local Government to promote transportation and employment generation in the state.

    The council urged the establishment of a public transport system that underscores safety, security and efficient services.

  • I was the target of attack, TB Joshua alleges

    I was the target of attack, TB Joshua alleges

    •17 dead, 119 injured

    Head of The Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T B Joshua, yesterday declared that the collapse of a section of the church complex, which occurred Friday afternoon was beyond the allegation of structural defects.

    He said he may indeed have been the target of those behind the dastardly attack on the church.

    Speaking to journalists after a CCTV footage of events leading to the building collapse was shown to journalists at the church premises, yesterday, Joshua said the helicopter, which eyewitness swore was a military helicopter, had earlier begun circling around his prayer ground, where he usually retreats to for spiritual upliftment a few distance from the church location as early as 10am.

    Not paying much attention to it, he said, he left the site and headed for the church complex to freshen up, only to be notified that the plane had also stopped circulating and headed towards the location of the church. Not long after, he said, he also got a security report from his officials that a ‘plane’ was sighted hovering over one of the buildings in the complex.

    He said the ‘plane’ circulated four times before the building suddenly collapsed at exactly 12.44 pm.

    The video footage actually showed the plane hovering above the five-storey building said to be an accommodation facility, first at 11.30, and then four times within three minutes. The helicopter then came back again circled the building again and left. At exactly 12.44 when it looked like it was all over, the building suddenly came down, collapsing all at once.

    According to some officials of the church and eye-witnesses, the building collapse looked very much like chemicalised demolition and may yet be a new dimension in the terror onslaught that the country has found itself.

    Apologising for the hostile treatment said to have been meted out to the media on the day of the incident by church members and security operatives attached to the church, Joshua said the reason he did not make any official statement on Friday was because he did not want to create any panic or an impression that terrorists have invaded Lagos.

    He also said that the video footage was there to corroborate his point, while also declaring that if indeed it was a terrorist attack, the perpetrators are not likely to stop with Friday’s incident.

    Asked to comment on the number of casualties, the prophet simply said ‘rescue mission was still ongoing.’

    One of the church officials, who craved anonymity, however, told this reporter that nearly all the people in the building had been pulled out and that “miraculously, nearly all survived”.

    One of the NEMA officials on site was, however, overheard saying that about 17 deaths had been recorded, with about 119 injured.

  • Dud CCTV cameras

    Dud CCTV cameras

    •Reps’ probe is good, but will it amount to much?

    GIVEN  the humongous amount of resources expended on tackling  insecurity in Nigeria over the last few years, there is no excuse for the continued widespread rate of crime that has put the entire country under siege. Apart from the festering Boko Haram insurgency that has practically crippled significant parts of northern Nigeria, criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killings, assassinations, rape and communal violence, to name a few, are all over the country. It would appear that the necessity to contain the scale of insecurity in contemporary Nigeria has provided unscrupulous public officers with an avenue to enrich their pockets to the detriment of the public good.

    Thus, the more resources that are channelled into the fight against crime, the more insecure the country becomes, in what is turning out to be a disturbing vicious cycle. The scale of this problem was, once again, highlighted by the decision, last week, of the House of Representatives to probe the $470 million purportedly expended by the Federal Government on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Projects to help detect and stem the tide of crimes in major Nigerian cities, particularly Abuja and Lagos.

    The contract for this project, known as Public Security Communications System, was reportedly awarded to ZTE Nigeria Limited by the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and funded under a finance agreement with the China Export Bank. Saviour Friday-Udoh from AkwaIbom State, who raised the issue on the floor of the House, said that the project included the installation of 1,000 solar-powered cameras each in Lagos and Abuja; the installation of 37 switch rooms; provision of 37 emergency response systems; 38 video conference sub-systems; 37 e-police systems; six emergency communication vehicles and 1.5 million subscriber lines. According to the legislator, the CCTV can produce video, digital or still recording images for surveillance purposes. It has been alleged that the projects had been completed and handed over to the government since 2012 but that “no criminal activity has ever been detected through the security cameras”.

    We commend the House of Representatives for mandating “its committees on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Public Safety and National Security to investigate the failure of the Video, Surveillance and Close Circuit Television to detect criminal activities in Nigeria’s cities and report back to the House within two weeks”. However, until a thorough investigation is conducted and all the affected parties given the opportunity to state their case, the conclusion cannot be reached that the facilities are non-functional or that they have never detected any criminal activities.

    Given the sensitive nature of the project, it is not impossible that the relevant security agencies may be reluctant to disclose the location of the devices in order not to compromise their integrity and efficacy. The onus is on those who awarded and executed the contracts to demonstrate to the committee that the facilities have indeed been procured, installed and are helping to achieve the desired objective.

    One benefit of the probe will be to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the project. Has the money invested in the venture been worthwhile? In what way have the CCTV cameras contributed to crime detection and prevention, especially in Abuja and Lagos? Could this project not have been more effective and efficient if the states had been empowered to undertake it in their respective jurisdictions rather its being centrally controlled from Abuja?

    It is important to note, however, that the national legislature does not have an enviable record when it comes to investigating perceived malfeasance by public officers. We hope the integrity of this probe will not be compromised by corruption, in which case it will end up another exercise in futility.

     

  • Insecurity: FG wants Nigerians to install CCTV in homes, offices

    Insecurity: FG wants Nigerians to install CCTV in homes, offices

    As a way out of the lingering insecurity in the country, the Federal Government yesterday advised Nigerians to imbibe the habit of installing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in their homes and offices as it is being done in other countries

    The Coordinator of the National Briefing Centre, Mike Omeri, who spoke on the security situation in the country, said the persistent bomb attacks in various parts of the country is a wake up call to Nigerians to be more vigilant and security conscious.

    He reaffirmed that the CCTV on the Banex Street in Wuse 11 where last wednesday’s bomb blast occurred is still functioning while the FCTA is also making efforts to improve on its functionality.

    Omeri said: “The activities of the insurgents, which is now targeted at some major cities in the country, is a wake up call on all of us to be more vigilant and cautious of our environment, and to resolve more than ever before to stand and unite as a people to end insurgency in the country.

    He said: “The Federal Government commends the security agencies for their prompt action, which led to the arrest of one of the attackers and the killing of another who was almost using his gadgets to detonate the second and possibly the third deadly device.”

    Omeri also said that the Federal Government has noted with concern attempts by some persons who are working assiduously to demoralise the security agencies, particularly the military personnel involved in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

    He said: ”While we do not want to go into details of the operations currently taking place, it is advised that the pratice in which some persons just bandied figures of casualties on either the side of the military or insurgents should be discourgaed and checked.

    “The truth remains that the military is winning the war and the nation shall surely triumph in this fight.”

    On the planned terror attack on some private schools in Wuse 11, Abuja, Omeri said: “This Federal Government is aware of false alarm and rumours in form of text messages being circulated in the social media with a view to create panic and anxiety among the populace to the effect that some schools are being targeted for attack.

    “While we urge parents and school management to be calm, cautious and more vigilant, we wish to state that security agencies are working round the clock and have taken measures to ensure that schools are safe and academic activities (are) unhindered,” he said.

     

  • Abba Moro dreams up new boondoggles

    Abba Moro dreams up new boondoggles

    IN May last year, the embattled Internal Affairs minister, Abba Moro, talked up a storm over his plans to persuade the government to build some 84 border plazas to secure Nigeria’s borders. It would cost some N38 billion, he estimated, and help stem illegalities and terrorist infiltrations in those forbidden areas. To build and equip them, he added, the United States and a private Chinese company would be involved. When he first mooted the idea, many observers sneered at his suggestion, believing it to be one of those fecund schemes designed to play ducks and drakes with the country’s finances. But in the light of recurring border incursions and abductions by terrorists, not the least humiliating among which was the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping of April, it does seem many could be convinced to go along jolly well with that fascinating idea if Mr Moro knew how to go for the kill.

    It was therefore not surprising that a few days back Mr Moro felt emboldened enough to reiterate his suggestion of multi-billion naira border plazas. With over 230 schoolgirls still kept in captivity by Boko Haram militants who stormed their dormitories to haul them into sex slavery, and with the conviction that our exceedingly porous borders were partly to blame, few would cavil at the idea of any scheme to secure the country’s 84 legal borders and seal the nearly 1, 500 illegal routes through which terrorists and smugglers practise their violent art. Though there is some logic in the idea of border plazas, and even more sense in urgently devising active schemes to police them forcefully and intelligently, it is not clear why Mr Moro should feel he is qualified to make the needed reiteration.

    This is of course not to endorse the N38bn estimated to be the cost of the plazas, especially considering that the failed N76bn Abuja CCTV project has not yet been satisfactorily explained to the public. But Mr Moro still has the burden of the tragic recruitment exercise into the Nigerian Immigration Service weighing on his conscience. Nine applicants died in that most appallingly organised exercise, while scores of others were injured. Not only did Mr Moro fail to accept responsibility immediately, it turned out that the exercise fetched a hefty N700 million or so for the consultants engaged to handle the computerisation part of the scheme. In order words, the Internal Affairs ministry gave the federal government a bad name of profiting from the misery of millions of unemployed young Nigerians. Moreover, the investigations that followed the recruitment debacle blamed the ministry and Mr Moro.

    Rather than sack the offending minister, however, the President Goodluck Jonathan presidency has kept indiscreetly silent, while Mr Moro himself stands pat and now begins to dream up new boondoggles. The political philosophy of the Jonathan government is certainly difficult to understand, and the principles that underline his government even more arcane. That may explain why the minister, who should feel the weight of the deaths that accompanied the NIS recruitment exercise, has gone about his duties with unprepossessing sang-froid. Perhaps, in his arcane logic, he wonders why he should feel more catholic than the Pope when his employers do not appreciate the magnitude of the excesses and corruption that accompanied the NIS exercise.

    Maybe the Jonathan presidency does not want to be pressured by the public to do what is right, an inclination that has prompted some writers to describe him as instinctively monarchist. But by refusing to punish his aides and ministers who transgress so openly and shockingly, President Jonathan has acquired the unflattering reputation of harbouring remorseless cabinet members whose public morality, even if it does not reflect their private morality, is no less stifling than the president’s own incomprehensible, if not entirely impenetrable. Would to God they all had borrowed a little modesty from the South Korean prime minister, Chung Hong-won, who resigned his post on account of the slow response of the Korean government to the ferry disaster that was not their making, than to continue exhibiting the gargantuan imprudence which they seem to exemplify on a continental basis.

  • APC: Intelligence failure, corruption caused Nyanya bombing

    APC: Intelligence failure, corruption caused Nyanya bombing

    •Party seeks convocation of security summit

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the bombing of Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja was the failure of intelligence and a combination of corruption and incompetence.

    The main opposition party noted that despite the billions the Federal Government had spent on security equipment in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), nothing was working to enhance security surveillance in the territory.

    APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, addressed reporters in his home town, Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, after attending the dedication of St. Andrews Catholic Church in the town.

    He said: “What is happening in Nigeria today is simply the failure of government. What happened in Nyanya was failure of intelligence and it is a combination of corruption and incompetence.

    “How can the government tell us it spent N86 billion to install closed circuits cameras (CCTV) in Abuja and yet none is working today? If that money had been truly spent, we would have had footage of what happened in Nyanya. Is the Federal Government really telling us what it knows about Boko Haram? We suspect the government is trying to make political benefits out of the lives of our people.”

    The party faulted the claim of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the APC was behind insurgency in the land.

    APC said: “It is quite reckless and unfortunate that anybody without any proof would come and make such senseless accusation. Who are our leaders you are accusing of supporting Boko Haram? Who are our leaders that you are accusing of being fanatical Muslims? They will mention Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Unfortunately for many Nigerians, we are ruled by emotions, not by facts. In December 1983, when Gen. Buhari came to power, he had a Muslim as the second-in-command, the late Gen. Tunde Idiagbon. Yet, Gen. Buhari refused to drag Nigerians to the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).

    “Is there any further proof that this is a man who believes that Nigeria should not be divided on the ground of religion? Why have Nigerians forgotten this? Nigerians have also forgotten that our forefathers, our former leaders, ran away from everything that would divide us, especially in terms religion and ethnicity?

    “That was one of the reasons the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was introduced – to forge unity among Nigerians. One of the reasons the Federal Character Commission was introduced and made part of the constitution was to ensure that despite our differences, there is balance and equity.

    “This (PDP) government has brought religion and ethnicity to the forefront. It is very sad, and it pains me when Nigerians take hook, line and sinker the accusation by the PDP that APC is behind religious uprising. What would APC gain from killing the people it wants to govern; from destroying the economy of the (Northeast) states?

    “Each of the governors in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe is spending so much money, which ought to have gone to infrastructural development, on security. They have had their entire economies destroyed. There are over 10,000 widows in those three states; there are 201 schools destroyed in Yobe and 800 classrooms destroyed in Borno.

    “It would have been sensible if Boko Haram were the creation of APC and it was attacking PDP states. What is the information that Olisha Metus has that the National Security Adviser (NSA) does not have? If it is true we are behind Boko Haram, why can’t you arrest and prosecute us?

    “Not too long ago, the President himself admitted that his government was infiltrated by Boko Haram. The late National Security Adviser (NSA), General Owoye Azazi said the Boko Haram problem stemmed from inequity and injustice in the PDP.”

    On the solution to the security challenges in the land, APC said: “We have offered them (the Federal Government) our hands of cooperation. The latest we suggested is a National Summit on Security. The government should urgently convoke a National Summit on Security. This is different from the ongoing national confab. However, the insincerity of government is worrisome to us.

    “Even the reaction of President Goodluck Jonathan does not portray him as somebody who is genuinely concerned about the plight of Nigerians. Otherwise, 24 hours after the Nyanya bomb blasts, he would not have left Abuja to go dancing in Kano or for the Olubadan of Ibadan’s centenary to drink champagne when we had over 75 people roasted alive.

    To combat religious acrimony in the land, the opposition party offered a good example.

    Mohammed said: “I will urge Nigerians to emulate my small community where religious harmony and tolerance are at play. However, the truth of the matter is that Nigerians are really not divided along religious lines. But I think people who want to seek elective offices or people who want to seek undue advantage to exploit these primordial sentiments of religion and ethnicity are the problems. I think the average Nigerian can live together harmoniously, irrespective of his or her religion.

    “The Boko Haram insurgency is worrisome because, going by the statement credited to Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio. He said President Jonathan should sack the three governors of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, not for any reason but because it would give the PDP an advantage towards 2015.

    “That, again, gives us concerns, that probably the manner the government has been handling the Boko Haram insurgency has been with a view to 2015 elections. That will be very sad, because I know that our party has severally warned that nobody should politicise, ethnicise or regionalise the issue as it is a national matter. It is even becoming a global issue. We should all be sincere in our approach to it.”

  • Pistorius murder trial adjourned till Friday

    Pistorius murder trial adjourned till Friday

    The murder trial of Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been adjourned by the High Court in Pretoria until Friday.

    The two-day break was granted by the judge after the prosecution wrapped up their proceedings after a collection of text messages between Pistorius and his deceased girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp were read out in court.

    The double amputee is accused of murdering the South African model, whom he shot dead through a bathroom door at his home on Valentine’s Day last year.

    Yesterday, a message from Steenkamp to Pistorius just a few weeks before the fatal shooting, read that she was sometimes “scared” of the Paralympic champion.

    Mobile phone expert Captain Francois Moller took to the stand on day 15 of the trial to be cross-examined by defence lawyer Barry Roux, who took the witness through a number of loving text messages between Pistorius and Steenkamp leading up to the shooting.

    The court was also shown CCTV footage of Pistorius kissing his other half while they shopped just 10 days before Steenkamp was killed.

    Pistorius,who is expected to give his version of events in court at some stage, denies murder by maintaining that he mistook his girlfriend for an intruder when he fired the gunshots.