A teacher, Omotayo Adanlawo, who raped impregnated a 10- year- old daughter of General Overseer of his Church has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He was jailed by an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, presided over by Justice Samuel Bola.
Justice Bola said Adanlawo did not give convincing evidence and testimony to prove his innocence, adding that the victim was a ‘Witness of Truth’ because of the courage and precision in her testimony.
Adanlawo was said to have committed the offence at the victim’s house at Iju while she was alone and defiled her with a warning not to tell anyone else she will die.
The bubble burst when the victim could not walk properly and doctor’s examination revealed that she has been raped. She told her father that it was his spiritual son that was responsible for the rape.
Adanlawo was subsequently arrested and arraigned before Justice Bola on a one count-charge of rape punishable under section 358 of the criminal laws of Ondo State.
The prosecution led State Counsel, Stella Adegoke called five witnesses but the defendant testified for himself.
Adanlawo in his statement before the police denied the allegation, saying that he was battling hernia and was not medically fit to have sexual intercourse with the girl.
Justice Bola, in his judgment, said that the prosecution proved there was penetration of the victim, adding that the defendant gave no medical report to prove his condition as well as any evidence to suggest he was in his house as claimed on the day of the incident.
He therefore sentenced Adanlawo to life imprisonment in line with section 358 of the crimanal laws of Ondo State.
The Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has eliminated scores of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and destroyed compounds housing them at Tongule in the Lake Chad area of Northern Borno.
According to the Coordinator Defence Media Operations Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche, in a statement today, August 14, the air strikes were conducted following credible Human Intelligence reports indicating terrorists’ activities in the village.
The statement said that following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, which showed presence of a sizable number of the ISWAP elements at designated locations in the settlement, the Air Task Force dispatched a force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets to attack the location.
It said that NAF Jets took turns in engaging the location, scoring devastating hits on the designated targets, leading to the destruction of the structures as well as the neutralization of several ISWAP fighters.
The statement said that Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had commended the Air Task Force for their dedication and professionalism and urged them to intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements in the country.
Crisis is brewing at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) over the removal of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olawatoyin Ogundipe by the Governing Council on allegation of misconduct and other infractions.Ogundipe’s sack was announced during an emergency meeting held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Complex, Abuja.
But Prof Ogundipe dismissed his removal as untrue and advised stakeholders of UNILAG and the general public to disregard the “mischievous disinformation” about his sack.
“The purported removal is an illegality and cannot stand as it is in clear violation of the University of Lagos Act as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003.
“Therefore, members of the University of Lagos community and the general public are advised to disregard the information about the sitting Vice-Chancellor of the University contained in the notice. Prof Ogundipe remains the VC of UNILAG.’’
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) UNILAG chapter has also claimed that the removal did not follow due process as stipulated in the university act.
A management staff told Daily Sun that six members voted for the removal of Prof. Ogundipe while four voted against. It was further gathered that one of the council member voted for his suspension.
The emergency council meeting was presided over by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Wale Babalakin and out of 15 members only 12 attendees.
In statement, Registrar and Secretary to Council, Dr. Oladejo Azeez, said the VC was removed in accordance with statutory powers vested in the council by law.
“The decision was based on council’s investigation of serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office against Prof Ogundipe,” Azeez explained.The registrar’s statement did not state who among the three deputies – Prof Oluwole Familoni, (Academic and Research, Prof Emukufia Oghojafor, (Management Services) and Prof Folashade Ogunsola, (Development Services) – will take over from Ogundipe as acting VC for six months.
But ASUU UNILAG branch chairman, Dr. Dele Ashiru told Daily Sun that the union will not allow anybody to take over because the process leading to the removal was wrong and the sole handiwork of the council chairman.
Dr. Ashiru described Babalakin’s decision to remove Ogundipe without following due process as dictatorial.Ogundipe was appointed in November 2017, after he defeated Prof. Olukayode Amund and Prof Ayodeji Olukoju to the post. Until his appointment, he was the deputy vice chancellor of the university. Source: Daily Sun.
Former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has asked younger Africans to be ready to force out the older generation of politicians who have refused to retire honourably.
Obasanjo, who delivered a keynote address at a virtual interactive session, held to mark this year’s International Youth Day, organized by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, stressed that unless the leaders are forced out, they would continue to occupy the political offices.
Unless you squeeze out those who are in the office and those who want to remain in office perpetually, some after the age of 80.“Unless you squeeze them out they will not want to be out.”
Obasanjo said that for youths to influence the political structure, they have to start at the party level.
The virtual interactive session had participants from Nigeria, Mali, USA, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa in attendance.
Dr. Obadiah Mailafiya | Photo credit: Intervention.ng
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN), Dr. Obadiah Mailafiya, has admitted that he lied when he claimed that a Northern governor, whose name he did not mention in his earlier media interview, was leader of Boko Haram insurgents.
In the said interview with an Abuja-based FM Radio, Mailafiya had alleged that one of the Northern governors was a Commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria and that there would be civil in 2022. But speaking to news men today shortly after he was grilled by officers in the Department of State Security (DSS) in Jos, Plateau State capital, Mailafiya said that the information he gathered from his source were not carefully checked and verified by him.
“I should have taken more care to corroborate some of the information that I received but perhaps some of it was uncorroborated.”
He said that his words were not clearly gotten, wondering how he would be judged without listening to the whole 55 minute interview.
“Yes all of those words were made by me, but if the whole 55 minutes interview was played out, the context of what I said in the simple clip that went viral would have become clearer.
“This is not the time to disown what I said. Yes I was privy to some very sensitive information which all statesmen are entitled to have by virtue of our public roles.”
Mailafiya commended the officials of the DSS for treating him “professionally, fairly and graciously.”Northern Governor’s Forum Chairman and Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, had, yesterday, August 22, described Mailafiya claims as either smear campaigns or attempts to discourage the governors who were putting in their best in the fight against the terrorists.
Nigeria is set to establish a National Criminal Information Management, as recommended by a committee set by President Muhammadu Buhari to address the issues that led to the US travel restrictions on the country.
According to the recommendations of the committee, headed by the minister of interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the National Criminal Information Management would be fashioned after the INTERPOL model.
The panel also recommended the establishment of a National Criminal DNA Laboratory all aimed at aiding criminal investigation, administration of criminal justice as well as sharing of relevant information.
Receiving the report of the committee today, August 13 at the presidential villa, Abuja, President Buhari said that the implementation of the far-reaching recommendations as articulated in the Report will fully address all outstanding issues that led to the visa restrictions.
‘‘An effective Citizen Data Management System is critical for socio-economic planning, improved service delivery and good governance, as well as national and global security. It also has the over-arching benefit of enhancing integrity of the nation’s citizens’ identity instruments for the purpose of information sharing.‘‘
Accordingly, the Committee’s recommendations on the strategies for harmonizing existing databases, improving the infrastructure for the National Identity Database as well as a review of the supervisory mechanism of the National Identity Management Commission would be given serious consideration.
‘‘The implementation of the recommendations as estimated by the Committee would require enormous resources. In this regard, an Implementation Committee would be constituted to further study the recommendations and develop a workable implementation plan.”
President Buhari pledged Nigerian Government’s commitment to sustaining the follow-up for the removal of the visa restrictions by the United States and developing a credible harmonized National Identity Data Management System. He recalled that the Federal Government’s response to the temporary visa restrictions placed on Nigerian citizens by the United States in January this year, led to the setting up of the Committee to review the restrictions and develop systems and processes that would address the security concerns raised.
‘‘In consideration of the fact that the concerns raised cast doubts on the credibility of the nation’s citizen identity data management system, the scope of the Committee’s assignment was expanded to include strategies to harmonize the various citizen identity data held by different Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
‘‘I have gone through the highlights of the Report and must commend the Chairman and members of the Committee for painstakingly carrying out the assignment in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘‘The recommendations as highlighted are capable of addressing the concerns raised by the US Government as well as lead to the development of a reliable national citizen identity data management system.’’ he said.
In his remarks, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Committee on Citizen Data Management and Harmonization, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recalled that the body was set up on February 3, 2020, to among others, review the visa restrictions imposed by the U.S and develop systems and processes that would address the security concerns raised.
Another mandate, the Minister said, was to review the status of Nigeria’s numerous citizen identification data, including biometrics, held by different ministries, departments and agencies, and propose strategies for the harmonization of same.He reported that Nigeria had fully satisfied two of the six areas of concern raised by the U.S, two others substantially satisfied, and progress being made on the remaining two.
“It is our hope that the findings, strategies and implementation plans proffered, if fully implemented, will expedite the lifting of the visa restrictions while bequeathing to the nation an enduring identity management system.”
In the last few weeks, Nigeria has witnessed protests and threats of protests by organized labour and civil society groups in the country over Federal Government’s borrowing. In particular, they have criticized the Chinese loans and other loans obtained by the Federal Government for the execution of concrete infrastructure projects in the country.
Revolution Now, a civil society group had last week embarked on civil protest over the loans and have vowed to continue to protest until the Federal Government stop taking loans.
Although no Nigerian has the right to stop anyone from protest over any issue including taking of loans by the government, resorting to threats and blackmail is Irresponsible and unacceptable irrespective of who is involved.
It is however unfortunate to note that some individuals and civil societies have resolved to join the bandwagon in organizing civil unrest to show their grievances over government’s borrowing without a proper understanding of the entire issue.
Protests, civil unrests and threats are not the best options in dealing with a national issue of this nature but rather dialogue. It is important to note that the Federal Government borrow not to pay salaries but for the execution of concrete projects. Several of the infrastructure projects executed with the structured loans have had and are having positive impacts on the economic growth of the country. The ordinary Nigerian is the immediate beneficiary of these loans. Rather than condemn the government for this, those who are planning protests and civil unrests should think twice and see how they can form partnership with government in making quantum leap in infrastructure development for the overall benefits of the electorates.
Loans taken by Nigeria have followed due process and also have similar conditions over the years. What obtained in 2010 when Nigeria kickstarted the loan process is still what obtains today. Nothing has changed. So why the renewed interests in civil unrests and disobedience if not for political gains?
So let’s sheath our swords, understand the issues to enable us make informed decisions. Nigeria belong to all of us and we should not allow a few individuals for personal benefits ruin the progress we have so far made as a nation. Let’s be guided.
Dr Joseph Ejemhen, a social commentator wrote in from Abuja
Traditional rulers from Anambra State have expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to development of the country in general, and the Southeast in particular.
The monarchs were led to the Presidential Villa today, August 13 by Prince Arthur Eze and were received by Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
The royal fathers, who listed the landmark projects embarked upon by President Buhari in their region, said: “the people of the Southeast are, indeed, grateful, as we have never had it so good, and on their behalf, we say DAALU (thank you).”
The Monarchs listed some of the gigantic projects carried out in the region by the President to include the Second Niger Bridge, that had been presented as an impossible task by previous administrations.
“But now, it is becoming a reality under your keen watch,” the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, among others.They lauded the President for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in government, adding that as custodians of the heritage of the people, they felt it was incumbent on them to “come and express our appreciation on behalf of the entire people of the area, and to urge Your Excellency to do more for the Zone.” This was even as Professor Gambari described their gratitude to the President as an incentive for the President to do more for the country, and also for the Southeast.
“As it is generally said in most parts of the country, when you thank somebody for what he has done, he is encouraged, and does more.”
The visiting monarchs included Eze Dr. Nkeli Nzekwe, Igwe Chuba Mbakwe, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, Igwe Anthony Onwekwelu, and Igwe Chukwuma Bobo Orji.
The National Broadcasting Commission has slammed N5 million fine on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM, Lagos over what it termed as “unprofessional conduct” in the handling of the Programme, “Morning Cross Fire”, that was aired on August 10, 2020, between 8.30am and 9.00am.
“The station provided its platform for the guest, Dr. Mailafia Obadiah, to promote unverifiable and inciting views that could encourage or incite to crime and lead to public disorder.”
In a statement today, August 13, the management of the Commission reminded the Broadcasters that they hold Licenses in trust for the people and therefore, no Broadcast Station should be used, to promote personal or sectional interests at the expense of the people.
The Commission said that Dr. Mailafia Obadia’s comments on the Southern Kaduna Crisis, were devoid of facts “and by broadcasting same to the public, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, is in violation of the following sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code:
3.1.1 No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime, lead to public disorder or hate, be repugnant to public feelings or contain offensive reference to any person or organization, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity;
3.1. Broadcasting shall promote human dignity, therefore, hate speech is prohibited;
3.3.1 (a) The broadcaster shall ensure that any information given in a programme, in whatever form, is accurate;
3.3.3.1(b) The Broadcaster shall ensure that all sides to any issue of public
interest are equitably presented for fairness and balance;
3.11.1(a) The broadcaster shall ensure that language or scene likely to encourage or incite to crime, or lead to disorder, is not broadcast;
3.11.1(b) No programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of constituted authority or compromises the unity or corporate existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state;
5.4.1(f) The Broadcaster shall not transmit divisive materials that may threaten or compromise the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state.
“Consequent on these provisions and in line with the amendment of the 6thedition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Nigeria Info 99.3FM Lagos, has been fined the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), only.
“This is expected to serve as a deterrent to all other broadcast stations in Nigeria who are quick to provide platform for subversive rhetoric and the expositions of spurious and unverifiable claims, to desist from such.
“The Commission wishes to put it on record that it will not hesitate to suspend the Broadcast Licence of broadcast stations that continue to breach the Code.
“tations are, by this statement, admonished to desist forthwith, from airing unwholesome content, or be ready to face appropriate sanctions.”
File photo of snapshot from the ongoing edition of BBNaija Reality TV show
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has expressed displeasure with the way Nigerian youths are misdirecting themselves in matter concerning nation-building.
“When people say this country, or what kind of country is this, they are indirectly saying these people – it is the people that make a country; so what kind of Nigerian youths are we?”
The monarch, who played host to scores of Nigerian youths from all parts of the country under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in Ile-Ife, regretted that in the last general election, the total number of votes cast was around 27 million while over 170 million people voted during the 2019 Big Brother Naija reality show.
“This is a practical reality of who Nigerian youth are and where our priorities lie as Nigerians.
“The funny side in all of these is that we still go to bed, have a good sleep and wake up with the hope to meet a Nigeria we didn’t create. Nigerians Youths! Nigerians Youths!! Nigerians Youths!!!
“Unfortunately, every time I talk about this kind of attitude, everyone just laughs and moves on. What kind of nation are we building?
The Ooni who advocated a replacement for Big Brother Naija with what he called “a reality show,” said that the reality show which will project the country’s values, cultures and traditions.
He advised leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria to work out plans on the show, which will be called, “The Big Nigeria Reality Show.”
“The proposed show will be structured in a way that young professionals, talented individuals and others across several field of endeavour will be showcased and helped to reach their peak.
“This would help the participants and also help viewers to have access to people that can be seen as role models,” Ooni added.
Earlier, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who was represented by Mariam Abdullahi, a Director in the Ministry, explained that the youth have major roles to play in the country’s development.
According to him, the digital literacy and skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, employability and leadership initiative of the Ministry are ongoing and all geared towards the development of our youth.
“As government, we will keep ensuring that we equip our youth towards prosperity,” the minister assured.
Representing Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Yemi Lawal, said the youth have a lot to learn from the elders towards reaching their goals.
“As much as we youths are important, let us be humble enough to learn from our elders because they were once like us. Humility, persistence and patience is the key and we must be upright in our dealings”.
In his address, the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Sara-Igbe Sukubo, thanked the Ooni for what he described as an unthinkable warm reception for the youths.
“Your Imperial Youthfulness as you told us to address you, we are indeed happy and proud to have you as a father and mentor.
“We have heard your kind words of wisdom and I want to assure you on behalf of the teeming Nigerian youths that we will put them into action.
“Fellow Nigerian youths, as we reflect on youth engagement for global action today, let us realize that a new era of opportunities and responsibilities is now upon us.
“Today’s youths are now being called upon to rise as practical stakeholders in governance and development. Let us rise to this challenge,” Mr Sukubo said.
Meanwhile, the youth at the occasion announced the Ooni as the ”Royal Father of Nigerian Youths”, in recognition and appreciation of his immeasurable commitment towards youth development in the country.
Similarly, the founder of Elizabeth Jack-Rch Aid Foundation, who is the matron of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Elizabeth Jack-Rich, was given an award for her role and stance as a mentor to the Nigerian youths.
Mrs Jack-Rich had earlier expressed the readiness of her foundation to sponsor the reality show proposed by the Ooni.
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A teacher, Omotayo Adanlawo, who raped impregnated a 10- year- old daughter of General Overseer of his Church has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He was jailed by an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, presided over by Justice Samuel Bola.
The National Broadcasting Commission has slammed N5 million fine on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM, Lagos over what it termed as “unprofessional conduct” in the handling of the Programme, “Morning Cross Fire”, that was aired on August 10, 2020, between 8.30am and 9.00am.
FG Loans: Protest Not The Answer, By Joseph Ejemhen