Delta community thrown into mourning over monarch’s death

THE hitherto bobbling town of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has been thrown into mourning, following the killing of their king, HRM Obi Akaeze Edward Ofulue III by his abductors.

IGP-Solomon-Arase

The deceased monarch whose decomposing body was found at Ekpon bush in Edo State, was reportedly kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen on the 5th of this month at a bad spot along Obior/Igbodo Road.
As at about 12 noon when Saturday Vanguard visited the community, armed soldiers were stationed at the Ogwash-Uku Road end of the town to forestall the breakdown of law and order, whereas youths of the area barricaded the Issele-Uku Road end with woods and bonfire.

The youths in their numbers, took advantage of the situation to make brisk business by extorting money from motorists and ‘okada’ riders before they were allowed access into the community.

Our correspondent who drove round the community, report that the news of the unexpected death of the 52-year-old monarch who was crowned in December, 2006 crippled economic activities in the town, adding that all shops in the area were closed.

All attempts to get the people’s reaction did not yield result as they declined comments on common ground, saying; “Saturday Vanguard, we are not in the mood to talk now; this is not the best of time for our kingdom.
“As you can see, everybody is mourning, including children. These Flani herdsmen have dealt with us. We have not been ourselves since we got the news of death of our revered king”.

Meanwhile, one of the vigilante members in Ubulu-Uku told Saturday Vanguard that the decomposing body of the king was found at Umunede bush in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State and not Ekpon in Edo State.

The vigilante member, who pleaded anonymity, said they discovered two decomposing corpses in the bush but were able to identify the monarch “because of his beads and clothes,”.

The source who was cornered by our correspondent in the community, said: “We could not identify the second body but the fellow had Hausa shoes on. This is a very challenging period for us in this kingdom. “I was one of those who went in search of the king.

In similar development, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in the state, Celestina Kalu said the decomposing body of the monarch and one other unidentified corpse were recovered in a bush within Umunede at the boundary between Delta and Edo states.

All those who diverted money from Jonathan will die — Ibu

Recalls how his father died and reveals why their movies are full of rituals
Nollywood star actor and comedian,John Okafor,popularly known as,Mr. Ibu, in this interview expresses his reservations on the efficacy of the current   anti-corruption war even as he revealed that Enugu State has abundant latent Nollywood potentials yet untapped.
BY FRANCIS IGATA
What do you foresee for the Nollywood industry in 2016?
The picture I foresee for the Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN,in 2016 is big. But,there is a clause. The clause there is that we should

stop attacking each other. If we stop attacking each other by going to court and police every minute including washing our dirty leaning in the public, we will go far. AGN is one all over the world. Our own should not be an exception. Good administration has eluded us for so long now. We do not have people that can pilot the affairs of the AGN.
We are fighting every minute. How do we succeed in life in that kind of atmosphere? Now,I sent a proposal for Film Village to the Federal Government. Only God in Haven knows weather it has gotten to the designated point or not. The same thing was sent in to the government of Enugu State. We are conducting a poll   to ascertain where will be most suitable for citing a Film Village. Enugu State scored 83%. It means that if ever we are going to have a film village, Enugu State is the most suitable nationwide. Second to Enugu is Lagos, with 53% then Owerri, Asaba, 38%,34% respectively. That is why if you watch most Nollywood films,t here locations are shot in Enugu.

John Okafor (Mr. Ibu)

So we have more advantage than any other place. We are looking forward to having that film village in Enugu. It is very important. Let government make us responsible rather than looking beggarly,going to government houses and so on. I promised myself that I will never be part of the people going to government houses seeking   alms. Our people should stop piling themselves in government houses. When ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was in office,every minute they were there asking for all maner of favour. And the ex-President loved us so much that he gave them huge money.   All those who diverted monies meant for AGN or Movie Makers will die because they do not know the souls they have killed. For 2016,if all these things are taken care of, AGN will do better. I am promising one thing, am not contesting anything on the AGN but, I have a lot of surprises.

Now that you said Enugu State ranks highest for citing of the Film Village, have you taken your proposal to the government?
 
A woman working with me has sent in the proposal. The federal or state government might not spend much because we will go ahead and get sponsors. They will come and build a five-star hotel with a big gate carrying a neon sign,AGN. All the things one may need from all accredited members of AGN will be there. We will be resident inside the village. People will come in,shoot pictures,shoot musicals among others. I have all these things inside. I equally have friend who are not Nigerians willing to come and invest.

What is your perception of the President Muhammad Buhari-led government anti-corruption war?
It is too early to fight this. I would have preferred the government to set their house in order first. Set the administration going,make the people who voted you talk good of you as you are coming in. The corrupt people know themselves. While your good work is going on,you can then start picking them one after the other. Whoever that has offended government knows he or she has done so.

Government should set its house in order first. Let the good things about this administration flow first before the arrests. Let Nigerians talk good of you first, then you can now tell them,there are people who did this and that,that need questioning. But starting with this quarrel,fighting as a new government,I do not think it will help. Many people are talking about hunger,no money,collapsed businesses among others. They would have first of all laid good foundation about their administration so that people will feel them first. The change should be seen in the peoples’ welfare and every other thing will follow. That’s my own idea.
Why is it that most Nollywood films tilt towards,ritual and affluence that are perceived as lacking morals?
 
Films are a reflection of the society. Nobody believes he is a poor person in Nigeria. We are trying to give proper interpretation of what is happening in the society. Films give back the life in the society. But,already,we have held a meeting that all things should go and give way for films dwelling on family,tragic,comedy stories. The issue is that the ritual thing can’t even go in the society. My father for instance, was poisoned to death by his best friend. I was small then.   When my father died,he told my mother in a dream about three weeks after, that it was his best friend that killed him. In that dream,my father told my mother,invite the man who killed me but nobody should hurt him.

My father equally instructed my mum to invite my brothers and relations inside our compound. Tell them what I said. My mother invited the man, as my father instructed  and other relatives. My fathers instruction was done exactly as it came. They told the man what my father said. He denied and they said okay,you will eat the yam roasted on my father’s grave. If you did not do it,you will go home, but if you did it,you will die here. The yam was roasted on my father’s grave in the presence of the man. All the elders in my village ate the yam and said the yam was sweat and that we did not put poison in the food roasted on father’s grave. Then came the turn of the man. The elders asked him to say that if he was responsible for the death of my father,Emmanuel Okafor,let this food be the last food he will eat.

But if he did  not know anything about my father’s death,let his life span be increased. The man who killed my father refused to eat it. And remember,my father had warned us in the dream,that we should not touch him. When he refused,nobody touched him and he left. That is to tell you that the rituals we are shooting is real. But the new generations coming up,they are oblivious about these concoctions. That is why we shoot films to highlight these things so that people will know and shun such evil ways.

What happened to the money,ex-President Jonathan allegedly gave to the AGN as loan?
Laughter…I did not see one naira oohhhh! I do not know who processed andcollected it. If the money was released,I do not know. If they did not release it,I do not know. The people who were supposed to give us information, talking about the leadership of AGN, did not tell us anything even the first $200 million,nothing was heard of it. What am looking for is hectares of land for the Film Village,then I will leave acting.

Biafra: Eleven Deaths Due To Police Violence Against Protesters – German Tabloid.

Biafra: Eleven Deaths Due To Police Violence Against Protesters – German Tabloid.

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) reports that eleven Biafrans have lost their lives in a bloody crackdown on protesters in southeastern Nigeria since Sunday. The human rights organization now demands the establishment of an investigative commission to clarify the extent and the backgrounds of the violence. “The security forces must be held accountable for the excessive use of force in the crackdown. This is the only way to prevent a further escalation,” said Ulrich Delius, the STP’s Africa-expert, in Göttingen on Wednesday. The human rights organization sharply criticized the behavior of the security forces, who are denying the fact that several Biafrans got killed during the protests – despite contrary reports from doctors and eyewitnesses. Since December 2, 2015, a total number of 26 Biafrans lost their lives in the demonstrations against the illegal detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the former Director of Radio Biafra.

Last Sunday, eight supporters of the organization “Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)” got killed in Aba (a city with 1.7 million inhabitants in the state of Abia) when, despite a demonstration ban, they publicly demanded Kanu to be released. There were also protests in the cities Asaba and Engu (both in Delta State). Here, 30 Biafrans were injured and 26 were arrested in the crackdowns.

On Monday, three protesters got killed in the city of Aba when soldiers opened fire on a demonstration. Once again, the police denied responsibility for any injuries or deaths, stating they only used teargas.
“The ruthless and disproportionate actions of the security forces are obviously stoking further tensions and violence in the south-east of the country,” warned Delius. Rather than trying to de-escalate, Nigeria’s security agencies rely on confrontation and on demonstrations of power. This leads to even more tensions, as the protesters are growing more and more resentful over the arbitrariness of the authorities, who are keeping Nnamdi Kanu locked up although a court had decided that he should be released. Originally, Kanu was supposed to be heard at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Sunday, but the trial was postponed to January 21 because the judge did not turn up.

Arms Deal: Dasuki Case Adjourned To Feb 4

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the case concerning the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) till February 4. 

Dasuki in court today. Photo credit: Stephanie Findlay

Judge over the case Hussein Yusuf said the

adjournment will allow the court time to go through all submissions made by the counsels.

At the hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs had prayed the court not to entertain an application by the defendants to stop the trial.

“I’m not unmindful that the first defendant filed an application urging your lordship to prohibit the prosecution to proceed with this charge or stay the proceedings,” Jacobs said.

He said he submits that the application cannot be taken or if taken should be adjourned till the end of this proceeding.

“My Lord, the era of stopping criminal trial is over by the effect of the criminal Justices Act in May 2015.”

Jacobs said once an arraignment has been made, trial continues day to day.

“My lord that is the provision of Section 396 and with due respect the provision the trial should continue,” he said.

He also added that section 306 enjoins the court not to stay the application.

In his defense, Joseph Daudu told the court that the prosecution took his client back into custody shortly after he was released.

“As far as we are concerned it is our duty to ensure that the orders of this court are obeyed,” Daudu said.

He also noted that his team is not aware of where the brought his client, Dasuki from.

The only thing I can see now is that he is looking thinner and thinner and we have not even discussed with him,” he said.

He also reminded the court that it was on the judge’s order that the federal government produced Dasuki on Thursday, January 21.

“First of all, a lot of damage has been done by the fact that he was re-arrested,” he said.

He said: “Nobody forced them to bring him to court when they had not finished their investigation.”

He also informed the court that the defendants have been charged with a 26-paragraph counter affidavit this morning and will need time to reply.

Also speaking, counsel to the second defendant, Akin Olujimi said his team has been served additional proof of evidence.

He asked that the prosecution be advised to place all his cards on the table if he is sure he is ready to go on with trial.

“My lord we have to cross all these hurdles created by the prosecution before we can head to trial,” Olujimi said.

Speaking also, counsel to the fourth defendant, Solomon Umoh said he is aware of an application before the court.

He however, noted that his team is yet to be served the application.

“My lord I can say the issue is not yet ripe, I am yet to get the said application  and when that comes I will have yo study it,” Umoh said.

But Jacobs in his argument told the court that it was only this week that one of the counsel informed him that he needed the statements of accused persons and some other documents.

He said it will be unfair to state that he created a hurdle for the defense counsels.

He added that the address on provided by the counsel was not complete thus delaying the serving of the application and counter affidavit.

Having listened to all the submissions, the judge adjourned the case to Thursday, February 4.

Dasuki alongside his former finance director, Shuaibu Salisu, Baba Kusa and two companies are facing a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal abuse of public trust before Justice Yusuf.

He also facing various charges in two different courts in Abuja.

He is accused of diverting funds meant for the procurement of arms during his tenure as the national security adviser.

The money, $2.1 billion, the EFCC alleged were shared between the former NSA’S cronies for the funding of the last presidential election campaign.

Meanwhile, Dasuki has filed a suit against the federal government before the ECOWAS court in Abuja over his continued detention.

In the suit filed by his lawyer, Robert Emukpoeruo, Dasuki wants the court to declare among other things that his continued detention after having been granted bail by three different courts and met the conditions for his release, was “unlawful, arbitrary and an egregious violation” of his human rights.

Clark writes Buhari, condemns renewed blowing of pipelines

FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information for Information and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the alleged castigation and harassment of the people of the Niger Delta and for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

EDWIN CLARK

In the letter dated January 22, 2016, Chief Clark specifically asked President Buhari to investigate  the humiliation of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), the proposed scrapping of  the Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government, Delta State established by former President Goodluck Jonathan  and refund of the money already released for the project as disclosed by the Minister of Transportation, Chiibuike Rotimi Amaechi when he appeared before Senate Committee on Marine Transport, headed by Senator Ahmed Sani.

The elder statesman advised President Buhari to be wary of some persons around him who may be misinforming him and creating problems for him. He said that the Niger Delta region lays the golden egg, yet goes through humiliation and harassment by the government, adding that except for one or two persons, no Niger Delta person or any one from Ijaw land owns an oil bloc, as they were being controlled by other people from other regions.

Chief Clark who condemned the renewed blowing up of major oil and gas pipelines by militants in the Niger Delta region of the country, urged the president to bring to book all the culprits even as he said that Tompolo, a civilized Nigerian can never be part of the renewed bombing of the pipes. He said, “I totally condemn the vandalisation of oil and gas pipelines and will give you 100 per cent support for whatever action you take to bring the culprits to book. It is with heavy heart that I decided to take record of pipeline vandalisations that have taken place within the last two years.”

Photos: At least 20 dead in Al-Shabaab terror attack on a Mogadishu beachfront restaurant

estaurant

At least 20 people died when Al-Shabab suicide bombers and gunmen have attacked a popular seafront restaurant and cafe in the Somali capital, Mogadishu on Thursday, Somali police said

Mohamed Moalimuu( in bandages) a former BBC Correspondent was wounded. Freelance journalist Hussein Mohamed lost three of his classmates (pictured) Mohamed Dek Shurie (on bloodied shirt) survived. A mother and her baby were among the dead. Three members of a family(pictured together) Abdikani Kheyre 24, his sisters Fardosa, 22 and Naimo, 15 died in the attack.


According to reports, a car laden with explosives rammed into the Beach View Hotel on Lido beach after which several al-Shabab fighters opened fire at the hotel.

"After the blast, I saw at least four armed men run into the hotel, shooting everyone inside and around the hotel," Mustafa Elmi, a Lido beach visitor, told DPA news agency.

"I managed to escape with minor wounds, but there were people who were shot dead on the spot," he added

A second explosion hit the nearby Lido Seafood restaurant, where several gunmen were reportedly holed up.

"The lights at Liido Seafood have just been switched off. Heavy gunfire is now ongoing," Abdirizak Mohamud, a freelance journalist at the scene, told Al Jazeera.

The terrorists engaged in a gun battle with government security forces trying to force flush them out. Captain Mohamed Hussein who spoke from the scene of the attack said that the security forces finally took control of the restaurant just befor dawn.

"The operation ended at 3 am last night and at least 19 civilians were killed," police officer Osman Nur said

Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack in a broadcast on its radio late on Thursday.

photos of the victims...

 

 

 

 

See Mariah Carey's $7.5million engagement ring

Mariah Carey who got engaged to beau, James Packer, got this amazing 35-carat rock which experts have estimated is in excess of $5million and could even be up to $7.5million based on the quality of the cut. More photos after the cut...