Viral Video: Police detains 3 officers, a civilian for ‘Dehumanising’ woman

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July 24, 2020

police-torture-lady — Screengrabs from a viral video in which a police officer was seen ‘dehumanising’ a woman. Credit: Channels TV

Following a viral video of harassment and dehumanization of a lady by some men on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, police authority has identified three officers and a civilian accomplice who participated in the unprofessional act.

This was disclosed in a statement Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Frank Mba, noting that the suspects are currently being detained at the Lagos State CID detention facility, Panti, Yaba.

“Two suspects, ASP Tijani Olatunji and Inspector Gboyega Oyeniyi have been arrested for their role in the discreditable conduct and incivility to a member of the public,” the statement read.

“Preliminary investigations show that the policemen who are attached to Area ‘A’ Command, Lion Building, Lagos, were on legitimate investigation activities to Ibadan, Oyo State where the incident took place.

“Effort is being intensified to arrest the two other accomplices. Meanwhile, appropriate disciplinary procedures will be initiated as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement added.

In the video, one could hear the officer interrogating the young lady named Towobola, following a raid at the apartment of an alleged kidnapper.

This is harassment by the Ibadan arm of the Nigerian Police. Even if she’s guilty what sort of questions and harassment is this? @kikimordi @ozzyetomi @StandtoEndRape pic.twitter.com/aeB9kvfMBL

— Olayinka Olaonipekun (@OlayinkaOlaoni1) July 22, 2020

According to the officer who spoke in Yoruba, the young lady was to answer for how she got to know the kidnapper who she claimed to have met only recently.

After whisking the kidnap suspect away, the officers placed Towobola in handcuff and went on to harass her verbally for ‘sleeping with a criminal’.

The interrogation degenerated into very lewd seeming dialogues, with questions ranging from if the suspect is a virgin to how many people she had slept with.

The video went viral after it surfaced online with many calling for the dismissal of the officers, arguing that their conducts were unprofessional.

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NDDC Contracts: Akpabio claims he was misunderstood by NASS

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 23, 2020

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Nigeria’s Minister of Niger Delta affairs, Godswill Akpabio, says he was misunderstood in his statement on NASS members being beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the commission.

In a letter read by Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday, Akpabio said the house panel probing the alleged mismanagement of N81.5 billion in the commission did not give him the opportunity to clarify his statement.

His letter came barely an hour after the House threatened to sue him for defamation, for failing to name lawmakers who got the contracts from NDDC, an allegation he made during a televised hearing.

“I never referred to members of the ninth national assembly as beneficiaries of NDDC contracts as NDDC is yet to fully implement any NDDC budget since the commencement of the ninth national assembly. In fact, the 2019 budget passed in February and harmonised on 5th of March 2020 was received by the commission in the middle of April 2020 when the same was designated to expire on 31st May 2020.

As a former minority leader in the eight senate, I shall forever promote the ideals of the national assembly as an institution, hence I will not make the attached documents public since I obtained the documents from the lead forensic auditors in confidence, he added.

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Photos: Buhari lands in Mali hopes for peace

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 23, 2020

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PMB in Mali 1 — President Muhammadu Buhari paid a one-day visit to Mali on July 23, 2020.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Mali on a one-day visit aimed at finding a political solution to the crisis in the country.

The President’s arrival was confirmed in a tweet by his personal assistant on new media, Mr Bashir Ahmad.

According to an earlier statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, Buhari’s planned visit followed the briefing by the ECOWAS Special Envoy to the country, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The statement adds that President Buhari and the ECOWAS Chairman, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic had already agreed to meet in Mali to engage in further consultations towards finding a political solution to the crisis in the country.

The two leaders are expected to be joined by the Host President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire respectively.

The arrival of President @MBuhari in Bamako. He is in Mali with some ECOWAS leaders led by President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, as they agreed to meet there to engage in further consultations towards finding a political solution to the crisis in the country. pic.twitter.com/qzblArbaRE

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) July 23, 2020

“We will ask the President of Niger, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS to brief us as a group, and we will then know the way forward,” President Buhari was quoted as saying.

Photos:

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Leave before August 17 – UAE tells Nigerians with expired visas

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 23, 2020

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Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has given Nigerian citizens living in that country with expired visas up till August 17 to pack up their belongings and leave otherwise they would be greeted with wrath of the law.

Following this development, the Nigerian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has implored Nigerians in UAE with expired visas to use the emergency evacuation flights organised by the Federal Government of Nigeria to depart the country on or before the August 17 ultimatum.

“The Embassy wishes to inform that the government of the United Arab Emirates has granted waivers on fines/penalties on visas that expired before 1st March 2020 to leave the country on or before 17th of August 2020.

“Consequently, the Embassy is urging fellow Nigerians living in the UAE to avail themselves of this opportunity to return home with the impending Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled for 1st August 2020, and or subsequent Emirates evacuation flights before the expiration of the grace period.

“Accordingly, affected Nigerian nationals who are willing to return home are kindly requested to submit their names and passport numbers to the Embassy and or the Consulate for onward transmission to the UAE authorities in order to obtain the necessary clearance,” said a statement by the Nigerian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

By Idowu Sowunmi

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Photos: Flying Officer Tolu Arotile buried with full military honours

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 23, 2020

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Arotile buried in Abuja 1 — Remains of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot wheeled by officers of the Nigerian Air Force at the military cemetery in Abuja. July,23, 2020.

Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, has been laid to rest at the military cemetery in Abuja.

The funeral on Thursday was attended by many dignitaries, which include the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.

Late Arotile, who died on July 14 from head injuries sustained from a freak accident at the Nigerian Airforce base in Kaduna, was described as the pride of NAF, was bestowed full military honours.

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Jegede clinches Ondo PDP ticket, to battle Akeredolu in Oct poll

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 23, 2020

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A former Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in the state.

With this victory, Jegede is expected to slug it out with the incumbent Ondo State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, at the October 10 governorship election in the state.

Announcing the result of the primary election, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who’s also the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer, said “the exercise was peaceful, free and fair, and was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of PDP.”

He said: “By the powers conferred on me as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer for this exercise, I announce that Jegede Eyitayo Olayinka, having scored the highest votes cast and met all the requirements of our party’s guidelines for the conduct of this election, is hereby declared winner of the PDP Governorship Primary Election in Ondo State, and is returned elected.”

In a keenly contested primary in Akure on Wednesday, Jegede defeated other contestants, polling 888 votes, while Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, got 657 votes; and PDP National Vice Chairman, Eddy Olafeso, came third with 175 votes.

Other aspirants include: Bode Ayorinde (95 votes); Banji Okunomo (90); Boluwaji Kunlere (33); Sola Ebiseni (29); and Godday Erewa (14).

While appreciating the aspirants and delegates for their comportment and commitment to the success of the exercise, Ugwuanyi urged all the aspirants to close ranks and work for the victory of PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State.

In his acceptance speech, Jegede thanked the people of Ondo State, his fellow aspirants and party delegates, for the victory.

He also commended members of PDP Electoral Committee led for “a very transparent exercise.”

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Suspected Boko Haram insurgents slay 5 aid workers in Borno

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 22, 2020

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Boko-Haram-Execution-1 — Suspected Boko Haram terrorists staging an execution in Borno State. Photo: A screengrab from the video showing the execution of five men. Credit- Channels Television.

A video has surfaced online showing the execution of five persons by masked men in military camouflage, suspected to be Boko Haram fighters.

A voice was heard speaking in Hausa before the execution, saying that the five persons were working for infidels.

“Those of you that are being used by infidels to turn others to infidels, know this today oh, you who work for infidel groups, you satisfy their aims but they do not care about you and that is why when we catch you they do not show concern. Our call to you is to repent and follow Allah; we shall waylay you in all the roads that you follow and if you don’t listen, the fate of these ones will befall you,” the voice said.

The execution immediately followed his speech at the cue of another voice that said “bisimillah.”

The slain persons are believed to be aid workers captured during a raid in Monguno Local Government of Borno State on June 13, 2020.

They include staff of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Action Against Hunger, Rich International, International Rescue Committee and a security guard.

The execution came after the insurgents demanded the sum of 500,000 dollars to release them.

A staff of the SEMA who pleaded anonymity identified his colleague among those executed, who had also featured in a recent video where they spoke from captivity pleading with the government to intervene.

Despite several air raids by the military and assurances by the Federal Government that many insurgents have been neutralised, they have continued to resurface, attacking communities, aid workers, and even military bases.

Last year, Jihadists aligned with the Islamic State group released a video showing a female aid worker and five male colleagues who had been kidnapped in an attack in northeast Nigeria.

Aid group, Action Against Hunger, had said earlier that one of its staff members along with three health workers and two drivers were missing after their convoy was attacked near the border with Niger.

One of the six hostages who had been held since July, was eventually executed in September, while four others were killed in December.

Thereafter, the French aid group, said it was “extremely concerned and called for the immediate release of its staff member, Grace, who was the only one left in captivity.”

Channels TV

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President Buhari departs for crisis-hit Mali, aims to restore peace

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 22, 2020

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President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday depart for Bamako, the Republic of Mali on a one-day visit.

This is according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina.

Buhari’s planned visit followed the briefing by the ECOWAS Special Envoy to the country, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The statement adds that President Buhari and the ECOWAS Chairman, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic had already agreed to meet in Mali to engage in further consultations towards finding a political solution to the crisis in the country.

The two leaders are expected to be joined by the Host President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire respectively.

“We will ask the President of Niger, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS to brief us as a group, and we will then know the way forward,” President Buhari was quoted as saying.

Earlier, Jonathan in the company of President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, on Tuesday briefed President Buhari on the unfolding situation in Mali, necessitating the visit of ECOWAS leaders to consolidate on the agreements reached by various parties.

The former President had filled in President Buhari on his activities as Special Envoy to restore amity to Mali, rocked by protests against President Keita, who has spent two out of the five years, the second term in office.

A resistance group, M5, is insisting that the Constitutional Court must be dissolved and that the President should resign before peace can return to the country.

The crisis had erupted after the court nullified results of 31 parliamentary seats in the polls held recently, awarding victory to some other contenders, which the resistance group said was at the instigation of President Keita.

Riots on July 10 had led to the killing of some protesters by security agents, causing the crisis to spiral out of control, hence the intervention by ECOWAS.

Channels TV

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Lagos intensifies economic growth, gives 2000 people grants, empowers 2743 farmers

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 22, 2020

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Lagos-Sanwo-Olu — File Photo: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, flanked by the state's Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat (L) and Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa at the Governor's Office, Alausa, Ikeja.

Another set of beneficiaries have emerged under the social inclusion programme initiative of the Lagos State Government which empowers indigent members of the society for economic independence and self-sufficiency.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, stated this during the disbursement of the funds to 217 beneficiaries at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa.

The programme, tagged ‘Eko Cares’, is aimed at actualising the Greater Lagos project of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, through social inclusion and making Lagos a 21st Century economy.

She explained that the programme, which is designed as a form of financial assistance to 2, 000 beneficiaries from all the Local Governments and LCDAs, will grant each beneficiary the sum of N20,000 to invest in economic activities that would guarantee a quick turnover.

Adebowale stated that the impact of the exercise, which is being supervised by her office, is expected to stimulate micro-economic activities, promote a sense of belonging, reduce tension in the communities and enhance self-reliance.

She added that the beneficiaries would also be exposed to business and investment opportunities requiring minimal start-up capital.

Adebowale noted further that many companies producing fast-moving consumer products have keyed into the programme.

The Special Adviser, however appealed to the beneficiaries not to abuse the privilege, as successful participants will benefit more from mentoring from partners, who would closely monitor each beneficiary and give progress reports and recommendations for further empowerment funds.

In a similar development, the Lagos State Government says about 2,743 farmers in the state will next week Tuesday receive inputs and productive assets under the State Government 2020 Agricultural Value Chains Empowerment Programme.

The State Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, who disclosed this on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 in Lagos, explained that farmers, agro-processors, fishermen, butchers and marketers would all benefit from the empowerment programme as productive assets peculiar to all the agricultural value chains would be made available to them at no cost.

According to her, the Agricultural Value Chains Empowerment Programme has been designed as a means of channeling the needed support to small-holder farmers who are actively engaged in the various Agricultural Value Chains thereby creating further wealth and job opportunities in farming communities.

Olusanya explained that the aim of the empowerment programme was to provide the necessary inputs and assets needed by farmers to improve food production in the State in an effort targeted toward increasing the State’s self-sufficiency to 40% of food needs by 2023.

“The overall aim of the Agric Value Chains Empowerment Programme is to provide the necessary agricultural inputs & productive assets to farmers as a means of achieving improved food production & supply as well as delivering optimum economic benefits to farmers and other operators.

“The Empowerment Programme would further contribute to the achievement of the vision of ‘Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy’ and also the attainment of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17 of no poverty zero hunger, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequality, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land as well as partnership to achieve the goal would be met”, she said.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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Senate advises Buhari to Present 2021 budget in September

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 22, 2020

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Ahmad-Lawan3 — File Photo: Nigeria's Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, during plenary at the upper chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja.

Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has urged the President Buhari-led Federal Executive Council (FEC) to begin in earnest estimates for the 2021 budget and ensure it is presented to the National Assembly by the end of September this year.

Senate President Lawan stated this Tuesday in his remarks after President Muhammadu Buhari’s request on the 2021 – 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) was referred to the Senate Committees on Finance; and National Planning for further legislative input.

Lawan, while charging both Committees to engage the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning on the MTEF/FSP request, stressed the need for the panel to lend its support to Revenue Generating Agencies, where necessary, towards meeting expected revenue targets.

The Committees were given four weeks to report back to the Senate.

“The request of Mr. President C-in-C is referred to the two committees, Senate Committees on Finance; Budget and National Planning, with Finance as the lead Committee.

“This Senate is giving the Committee four weeks within which to work very closely with the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, and particularly engagement with the revenue-generating agencies where we are expecting them to meet their targets.

“We need to ensure that they have all the support that they require from the National Assembly, particularly the Senate to meet their targets.

“Meanwhile, the executive should continue to work on the preparations for the 2021 budget, and by this, we are also equally committed to ensuring that we receive the budget estimates at the end of September and that we are able to consider the budget and get it passed before the end of December to repeat what we did for budget 2020,” Lawan said.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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