Professor Of Law, University Of Calabar, In Sex Scandal With Female Student, Suspended

September 11, 2015

The Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon is facing a case of sexual assault of a 20-year-old 400-level student in his office and has been suspended by the panel instituted by the school’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivara Esu.

Professor Ndifon, who is the first professor of Law from Cross River State, was said to have been briefly arrested and detained by the police and later released on Wednesday before he was suspended yesterday evening by the panel set up to investigate him.

In a letter to the university, mother of the victim, Mrs. Irene Akpan alleged that professor Ndifon allegedly committed the offence between 3 and 5pm on August 29 at the dean’s private office on the top floor of the faculty building.

According to the mother, Professor Ndifon forcibly had sex with her daughter after a fierce struggle even as the school authorities later confirmed receipt of complaints from the victim as the police also affirmed it but added that the matter was undergoing thorough investigation.

Narrating her daughter’s ordeal, Mrs. Akpan said that the dean had set a one-hour test for the students on that Saturday, assigning two lecturers to carry out the supervision.

She alleged that 20 minutes to the end of allotted time, Ndifon entered the hall and ordered the students to stop writing.

She said that while the the students were preparing to submit their answer sheets, Ndifon approached her daughter, tore her answer sheet and left the shreds on the seat.

Mrs. Akpan said: “He walked straight to my daughter’s desk, collected the script and tore it. He left the torn script on her seat, so the girl collected the pieces and put them in her bag. According to her, you will still have to pass through the faculty before leaving the building.

“She said as they were leaving, the dean accosted her again and asked if she still had the shredded script, she said yes. He instructed her to follow him to the general dean’s office to recopy the answers on another plain sheet, which she did.”

“The unsuspecting girl followed him to the general office where two people were, including the dean’s secretary. The office of the dean is on the first floor of the building, according to my daughter.

“She said while writing in that office, the dean who had earlier gone out, came in again and instructed her to follow him to his private office on the second floor so that she could comfortably use the table.”

The victim’s mother said five minutes after getting to his private office, the dean locked the door, concealed the key and started making advances, adding that they struggled but Ndifon subdued her and had sex with the girl.

She said her daughter was later taken to Airport Police Station, along IBB Way in Calabar, where she gave statement and also had medical examinations at the police clinic.

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Effiong Eyo, said the institution was seriously looking into the matter.

“A panel has been set up to look into the matter. The authorities are looking seriously into it,” Eyo said.

Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey, said the command was investigating the case.

“The case of rape or sexual assault requires discreet investigation and we have to handle it with care.” [myad]

Echocho Fights Governor Idris Wada For Kogi PDP Guber Ticket

Greenbarge Reporters

September 11, 2015

Kinsman of Governor Idris Wada of Kogi state, in the person of Alhaji Jubrin Isah Echocho is believed to be fighting tooth and nail to defeat the incumbent in the Monday primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November governorship election in the state.

Information reaching us indicates that the camp of Echocho is swelling by the day even as governor Wada battles to win more support from mostly his kinsmen who appear to be disenchanted with his lack luster performance in his four-year in office.

It was learnt that political leaders from his East senatorial zone of the state have concluded that the governor has lost what they called ‘electoral value’ and are shopping for his replacement in the next dispensation.

According to sources, most of the support base which Governor Wada is counting on for second term has been eroded with leaders and stakeholders like former Governor, Ibrahim Idris, Billionaire businessman, Chief Jide Omokore, Chief Tunde Ayeni, Senator Smart Adeyemi and a host of others, turning their back on him.

It was gathered that former Governor Ibrahim Idris has also turned his back on Wada because of what he termed Wada’s affront in terminating a contract he gave to his son, Sule Idris. The former governor is said to be angry that the contract for the building of a specialist diagnostic centre in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, given to his son, was revoked.

Also, the former governor was said to have accused Wada of failing to liquidate the balance of the N4 billion he spent on his election.

The decision of Idris to back out of the second term ambition of the governor is said to be a major source of worry because Wada is said not to have any political structure of his own but only relying on that of the former governor.

It was learnt that the former governor had enlisted the support of Senator Smart Adeyemi, Tunde Ayeni and Jide Omokore, who are said to be ready to break the bank for Echocho to defeat Wada at the primaries.

The source, who is a delegate to the primaries, however said the only way the governor can avoid a defeat is for him to step down from the primaries, adding that the caliber of delegates the party is parading for the primaries are not hungry people who can be swayed by some thousands of naira.

“The truth is that we have delegates who are not hungry people or those looking for a few thousands to make them vote for a particular aspirant. Things are different this time around. No aspirant can buy our conscience; we are poised to do what is best for the party and the state.”

The source also disclosed that most of them, who are delegates, only pretend to be working for the governor because they have to be politically correct. He said they are actually all queuing behind Alhaji Echocho, who they believe can stand Abubakar Audu of the APC and defeat him.

Reacting to the pressure put on Wada to step down, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Jacob Edi, said that the governor is on course with his ambition and that nothing has or can derail him.

“The governor is not under pressure at all; he is on course and will win the primaries any day it is conducted. He is not perturbed or moved by any of the propaganda making the rounds. He is focused on the task ahead,” Edi said. [myad]

U.S Marks 14th Anniversary Of September 11 World Trade Centre Attacks

Greenbarge Reporters

September 11, 2015

The United State of America, today, marked the September 11, otherwise known as 9/11 bomb attack on the World Trade Centre’s twin towers in the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania 14 years ago.

Reports from the US said that with a moment of silence and somber reading of names, victims’ relatives began marking the 14th anniversary of Sept. 11 in a subdued gathering today at ground zero.

The reports said that hundreds of victims’ relatives gathered, carrying photos emblazoned with the names of their lost loved ones as they remembered the day when hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center’s twin towers, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

“We come every year. The crowds get smaller, but we want to be here. As long as I’m breathing, I’ll be here,” said Tom Acquaviva, 81, who lost his son, Paul Acquaviva, a systems analyst who died in the trade center’s north tower.

For Nereida Valle, who lost her daughter, Nereida De Jesus, “It’s the same as if it was yesterday. I feel her every day.”

President Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle Obama stepped out of the White House at 8:46 a.m today — when the first plane hit the north tower — to observe a moment of silence. Later, , President Obama was scheduled to observe the anniversary with a visit to Fort Meade, Maryland, in recognition of the military’s work to protect the country.

The Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville in western Pennsylvania was marking the completion of its visitor center, which opened to the public yesterday. At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary, Ash Carter and other officials were joining in remembrances for victims’ relatives and Pentagon employees.

After years of private commemorations at ground zero, the anniversary now also has become an occasion for public reflection on the site of the terror attacks.

An estimated 20,000 people flocked to the memorial plaza on the evening of Sept. 11 last year, the first year the public was able to visit on the anniversary. The plaza was to open three hours earlier after the anniversary ceremony.

“When we did open it up, it was just like life coming in,” National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum President Joe Daniels said this week. While the memorial will still be reserved for victims’ relatives and other invitees during the morning ceremony, afterward, “the general public that wants to come and pay their respects on this most sacred ground should be let in as soon as possible.”

Elsewhere, Ohio’s statehouse will display nearly 3,000 flags — representing the lives lost — in an arrangement designed to represent the World Trade Center towers, with a Pentagon-shaped space and an open strip representing the field near Shanksville. Sacramento, California, will commemorate 9/11 in conjunction with a parade honoring three Sacramento-area friends who tackled a heavily armed gunman on a Paris-bound high-speed train last month.

In Washington, some members of Congress planned to spend part of the anniversary discussing federal funding for the ground zero memorial. The House Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a hearing Friday on a proposal to provide up to $25 million a year for the plaza.

People read the victims’ names at the 9/11 Empty Sky memorial at sunrise across from New York’s Lowe …

The memorial and underground museum together cost $60 million a year to run. The federal government contributed heavily to building the institution; leaders have tried unsuccessfully for years to get Washington to chip in for annual costs, as well.

Under the current proposal, any federal money would go only toward the memorial plaza. An estimated 21 million people have visited it for free since its 2011 opening.

The museum charges up to $24 per ticket, a price that initially sparked some controversy. Still, almost 3.6 million visitors have come since the museum’s May 2014 opening, topping projections by about 5 percent, Daniels said.

Any federal funding could lead to expanded discounts for school and other groups, but there are no plans to lower the regular ticket price, he said.

This year’s anniversary also comes as advocates for 9/11 responders and survivors are pushing Congress to extend two federal programs that promised billions of dollars in compensation and medical care. Both programs are set to expire next year.

Organizers of the ground zero ceremony decided in 2012 to stop letting elected officials read names, though politicians still can attend. Over the years, some victims’ relatives have invoked political matters while reading names — such as declaring that Sept. 11 should be a national holiday — but others have sought to keep the focus personal.

“This day should be a day for reflection and remembrance. Only,” Faith Tieri, who lost her brother, Sal Tieri Jr., said during last year’s commemoration. [myad]

Woman Hides Loaded Gun Inside Her Private Part

Greenbarge Reporters

September 11, 2015

Police in Waco, Texas in the United States of America have found one Ashley Cecilia Castaneda, 31, with a loaded handgun in her vagina after she was stopped for traffic violation.

According to reports, police officers stopped her for a routine traffic check during which the discovery was made and she has been detained. She was arrested alongside her confidant, one Gabriel Garcia, who was with her.

The Police Officers in Waco during their search at about 11 p.m reportedly found 2.5 grams of methamphetamine under vehicle’s driver’s seat and a set of digital weighing scales in Castaneda’s purse and the duo were immediately arrested and taken to the police station.

While being conveyed to the station, Castaneda confessed she was carrying a loaded semi-automatic handgun inside her private part and she was no longer comfortable with it.

A female police who was alerted by the male policemen en-route the station, reportedly confirmed Castaneda’s vagina was loaded and had a full magazine. The female police was said to have retrieved the loaded .22 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol therein.

The Waco Police Department spokesman, Sergeant Patrick Swanton said: “It is conceivable that the gun could have gone off inside the suspect and that would have been deadly because of the proximity to internal organs.”

Both Garcia and Castaneda were reportedly charged with possession of methamphetamine in a drug-free zone.

Castaneda was reportedly charged with violating State concealed firearms laws by hiding a fully loaded, snub-nosed handgun in her vagina.

She was also charged with methamphetamine possession.

Garcia, the driver, was however, charged with possession of methamphetamine in a drug-free zone because the traffic stop was within 1,000 feet in a drug-free zone. [myad]

Soldiers, Militants Clash In Delta State, 3 Dead

Greenbarge Reporters

September 11, 2015

Officers of the Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield) and suspected Niger Delta Militants were engaged in a gun duel in Delta State leading to the death of no fewer than three persons.

The commander of the force, Alani Okunlola told newsmen yesterday in Warri that his men raided one of the camps of the militants in Benigboye where they opened fire leading to the gun battle between the two groups.

Parading a suspect allegedly arrested with various arms and ammunition, Okunlola said the operation took place in Benigboye community of Burutu Local Government Area of the state on September 5.

“My men raided a militant camp in Benigboye. On sighting the troops, the suspects opened fire which led to a gun battle that lasted for 30 minutes before they fled the camp. In the follow up operation on September 6, my troops, on getting information on the hideout of the suspected militants that attacked Odimodi community, launched a search operation and apprehended one Ebiwame Lamia.”

Okunola said that during preliminary investigation, Lamia confessed that he was in the camp during the previous raid, adding that three persons died in the gun battle while some escaped with bullet wounds.

The commander said the JTF was in search of the fleeing suspects and urged the people to assist the troops with useful information that could lead to their arrest.

He said that weapons recovered from the camp include medium machine gun, AK 47, light machine gun and AK 47 automatic rifle. Others were SMG, G3 riffles, one single barrel gun, and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and an identity card.

He said the recovered arms and ammunition were in the custody of his men even as the suspect, who claimed to be 17 years old, told reporters that he was a cook in the camp of the militants. [myad]

I’m Not Against Governor Wada’s Second-Term Bid – Ex President Jonathan

Greenbarge Reporters

September 11, 2015

Immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has described a statement credited to him that he is against the second-term bid of the Kogi state governor, Captain Ibrahim Wada in the November governrship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a mere propaganda.

He said: “the Kogi State gubernatorial election will be a keenly contested one and you should expect any of these kind of media propaganda. I am not the one conducting the primary. Even when I was President, I never interfered in issues like party primaries. The PDP delegates in Kogi will decide that under a free and fair primary. Please ignore mischief-makers who are using my name to cause disaffection in the media.”

Former President Jonathan was reacting to media report indicating that he and other PDP party chieftains were kicking against the re-election of governor Wada, saying that at no point he made any of the statements credited to him in a news report.

This was even as governor Wada has disclaimed reports that he was under pressure to step down from the race, saying: “it is totally incorrect that I am under pressure to step down from the governorship race. Pressure from where? It is those sponsoring these lies against me who are under pressure. Not me.”

The National Working Committee of the PDP on Wednesday, postponed the PDP Kogi governorship primary to Monday earlier scheduled to hold on Thursday. A statement from the party cited logistic concerns. [myad]

Brave Police Officer Who Crushed Maitatsian In The 80’s Is Dead, Buhari Mourns

Greenbarge Reporters

September 10, 2015

A retired Police Commissioner who played prominent role towards the crushing of a deadly fanatic, the Maitatsine in 1980, Alhaji Ibrahim Babankowa is dead, even as President Muhammadu Buhari mourns him. He died on Monday night at the age of 79.

Late Babankowa was also said to have been instrumental to the discovery of the body of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa after the January 15, 1966 coup d’état.

Babankowa, who was the old Gongola state police commissioner, died on Monday after being struck by struck and was bed ridden for 17 days, according to family source.

His younger brother, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi, said: “in the morning, about 23 days ago, he wanted to enter his room at his house in Kano State but he couldn’t because he was struck by stroke. When his family realized his condition, they quickly held him before he fell down. From there, he was taken to one of the private clinics in Kano city.
“Two days after he was taken to the hospital he felt better, but later on his condition worsened to the extent he was not able to talk. After spending about 17 days at that private clinic, he was transferred to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
“Alhaji Babankowa spent only two days there before he breathed his last in the presence of his children and brother.
“My late brother lived a simple life. He was the pillar of the family, a father of all as his name, ‘Baban Kowa’, portrays.
“His high sense of brotherhood, compassion, caring, love and assistance cut across every member of his family and everyone who approached him from far and near in the country.”

In a condolence message, according to the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in a statement, Buhari described late Babankowa as a role model in integrity and steadfastness to those who knew him.

The President, who is said to have enjoyed a long and close association with Alhaji Babankowa, extended his personal condolence to the family of the late police boss.

Late Babankowa was survived by three wives, nine children and many grand children.

The President also condoled with the family of a celebrated farmer and bookseller, Jibrin Ahmed who also died recently, saying that he was saddened by the death of Ahmed with whom he also had a close relationship over many years.

Buhari confessed that he greatly respected his exemplary humility and belief in the dignity of labour, adding that he will forever treasure the memories of Ahmed as one of the most hardworking and humble Nigerians he has had the privilege of knowing.

He prayed to Allah to grant Babankowa and Ahmed eternal rest, and to comfort their grieving families, friends and associates. [myad]

If I Was Not Forced Out, APC Would Not Have Won 2015 Election – Bamanga, Ex PDP Boss

Greenbarge Reporters

September 10, 2015

Former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has boasted that if he was not forced out by strong forces in the party, there was no way All Progressives Congress (APC) would have won the 2015 general elections, especially at the Presidential level.

He recalled that “some powerful forces within the PDP forced me out,” adding that if he had still been there, his party would not have been defeated during the last general elections,
Bamanga Tukur who spoke today with newsmen in Abuja as part of the events marking his 80th birthday said that it would be difficult for him to change his behaviours.

“At 80 what do you want somebody to do? You want to change somebody character at 80? Is it possible? At 80 you remain because you cannot bend anymore because it will break.”
Bamanga Tukur, who was also Governor of the old Gongola State, commended the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari in his first 100 days in office.
He argued that President Buhari is on the right track in the areas of fighting corruption and insecurity, and has in the last 100 days “delivered on his promises of confronting corruption, power, unemployment and insecurity.”
“To me, they are going ‎the right way, they are not deviating from what they said they will do.”

Bamanga Tukur who ruled out the possibility of his joining the Apc as some members of the PDP have done, offered suggestions on how to move Nigeria forward, saying: “We must remove religion from politics. We must accept ourselves as Nigerians and not see ourselves as being from A or B state, or local government. We must ensure that anything, culture or ethnicity that we cannot change we don’t bring to the table.”

He advised Nigerians to endure what they cannot change, explaining: “you cannot change yourself from being an Hausa man to Ibo man or an Ibo man to a Yoruba man, or a Yoruba man to an Ijaw man. You can’t. So forget about that, it is not an issue. So don’t bring it on the table.”

He stressed the need for the citizens to de-emphasize ethnicity in the conduct of the national affairs, saying: “What we must bring into our politics is equity, justice and for us to be our brother’s keeper.

“We can do it. I have told you, God has given you land, water and us, as a people that is what He gave to every nation on earth.” [myad]

How Piracy Costs Gulf Of Guinea $7 Billion, Togolese President Laments, Invites Buhari To Maritime Security Summit

Greenbarge Reporters

September 10, 2015

President of Togo, Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé has lamented that piracy alone is costing the Gulf of Guinea the sum of $7 Billion annually, even as he extended an invitation to President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to a summit ‎on maritime security and development which his country would hold in November.

Gnassingbe who met with President Buhari today at the Aso Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria, appealed to him and other African leaders to step in to halt the perilous emigration of African youth to Europe.

He also called on African leaders to do more to ensure peace and security in the continent, adding that piracy alone costs the Gulf of Guinea $7billion because little effort is being made to combat it.

He stressed that without cooperation, no single country alone could combat piracy, ‎and that the first stage is for the countries involved to come together and talk.

“I am in Nigeria to congratulate the president on his victory at the elections and to condole with the president for the victims of terrorism. We continue to pray for those who lost their lives with the hope that God will console their families.” [myad]

NECO Releases June/July Results, Cancels 43,608, Records 68.56 Percent In 5 Credits

Greenbarge Reporters

September 10, 2015

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released its June/July 2015 results with 511, 931 or 68.56 per cent of the students recording five credit pass and above in all subjects including English Language and Mathematics. It also announced the cancellation of 43,608 results of fraudulent students.

Announcing the release of results today at the Council National headquarters in Minna, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Abdulrashid Garba said the result shows 12 per cent improvement to the results of the 2014 result, released by the council and a remarkable improvement to the results in the last four years.

According to him, 969, 991 candidates registered for the examination out of which 969, 491 sat for the examinations in centers across the country.

Giving a breakdown of the results, the NECO Registrar said 83.28 per cent credit pass in English Language and 80.74 per cent credit pass in Mathematics.

The Registrar lamented that despite the adequate vigilance and monitoring by his organization, NECO still recorded substantial malpractices which led to leading to cancellation of 43,608 culprits results and black listing of culpable adhoc staff.

“We have de-recognized seven schools and centres for their involvement in malpractice cases with at least 2 year ban and some forever. This action also affects Ad-hoc staff, we have blacklisted those involved in malpractices.”

He attributed the improved performance of the candidates to the home grown curriculum operated by NECO and the improved funding of the educational sector by the federal government which led to high motivation of teachers in classrooms.

Garba said that 13 states were partially indebted to NECO, with commitment to pay and the Council released the results of those states adding that some private schools also owe the organisation but all results were released except those involved in malpractices.

In the analysis of candidates’ performance by states, Delta State‎ scored the highest in five credits and above including English and Mathematics with 83.51 percent, and Edo state followed with 83.42 percent. [myad]

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