Opinion: The 8th National Assembly is not entirely useless

Article written by Chambers Umezulike

Thoughts on the Interrogation of the NGN 9.2 billion Women Clean Cook Stoves Project Saga by the Federal House of Representatives

I have been involved in several dialectics on the practical importance of the National Assembly (NASS) since 1999. Most of such dialectics have ended with the conclusion that the institution has been a gross waste while levying the country so much. The foundation of this conclusion is rooted on several actualities. First, since 1999, the NASS has been used as a compensatory platform to settle former politicians and a mechanism for accentuating a post-1999 outbreak of political patronage in Nigeria. In short, the institution has directly supervised the proliferation and acculturalization of contemporary corruption in the country. Secondly, the leadership crisis the Senate experienced from 1990 to 2003 started occasioning some elements of incertitude on the minds of Nigerians on what could be the real essence of such institution. Thirdly, one cannot remember any bills from the National Assembly that has had any impacts on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Goodluck Jonathan was a prophet – Reno Omokri

Former aide to the former president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has described him as a prophet.

Omokri's statement is coming as the Nigerian naira hit 500 per dollar at the parallel market segment on Monday.

President Trump Replaces Acting Head of Immigration Enforcement

President Donald Trump replaced the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday night, shortly after he fired the acting attorney general, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed.

Unlike the firing of Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, the replacement of Acting ICE Director Daniel Ragsdale came with no explanation. Ragsdale was replaced by Thomas Homan, ICE's executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations since 2013.

Quebec mosque shooting suspect charged with murdering six people

A French-Canadian university student was the sole suspect in a shooting at a Quebec City mosque and was charged with the premeditated murder of six people, Canadian authorities said on Monday, in what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called "a terrorist attack."

Court documents identified the gunman in the attack on Sunday evening prayers as Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, and charged him with six murder counts and five counts of attempted murder with a restricted weapon. The slightly-built Bissonnette made a brief appearance in court under tight security wearing a white prison garment and looking downcast.

Kogi State | Group passes Vote Of No-Confidence in Dino Melaye

A group - National Coalition of Kogi West Youth for Good Governance - has dissociated itself from the vote of no confidence passed by Senator Dino Melaye in Governor Yahaya Bello.

The coalition vowed to resist DIno and his group of “degenerates” parading themselves as leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, even as it warned those culpable to desist from sponsoring protests against the Governor.

President of the Coalition, Zacchaeus Dare Michael addressed a conference in Lokoja yesterday.

Say What | Female Prison Officer Caught Smuggling Inmate’s Sperm Out Of Prison

A 47-year-old female prison official has been caught with what is said to be the sperm of one of the prisoners she was supervising.

The lady, Alison, was caught when a container of sperm belonging to a 32-year-old convicted kidnapper, Marvin, was found in her handbag during a routine search.

Marvin and his twin brother, Michael, were notorious for hijacking cars and kidnapping motorists, shooting their way around.

Lagos State | Customs Officers Arrested Over Intercepted Pump Action Riffles

An update on the weapons intercepted by Customs officers in Lagos has indicted an officer of Nigeria Customs Service. 

Recall the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs, intercepted a container loaded with 49 boxes of 661 pump-action rifles along the Mile 2 Apapa Road of Lagos State.

The 40-foot container, which was SURPRISINGLY cleared at the Lagos port, was intercepted by Customs officials who were on patrol.

Officials discovered that although the manifest said the container had 'steel doors and merchandise goods', boxes of the weapons were concealed deep in the container.

Toolz shares more photos from her traditional marriage

OAP Toolz and husband, Tunde Demuren yesterday marked their first year of being married traditionally.

She has been sharing more photos form her traditional marriage since yesterday.

Oh Dear! Cult Members Die in Benin While Waiting for the Holy Spirit

Five anti-voodoo cult members died from asphyxiation (the state or process of being deprived of oxygen, which can result in unconsciousness or death; suffocation) in Benin.

Several more were hospitalised after a religious cult told followers to seal themselves into prayer rooms and burn incense and charcoal, residents and a survivor said.

The group, whose name in French translates as the “Very Holy Church of Jesus Christ of Baname’’, has thousands of adherents across the country and has stirred tensions by vehemently opposing the local voodoo culture.

(Must Read) Don't Eat Suya Without Vegetables - Expert Warns Nigerians

Consumers of barbecued beef popularly called “Suya” have been advised to always ensure that generous portions of onions, cabbage, tomatoes and other vegetables were eaten along with it.

Suya is generally made with skewered beef, ram, or chicken. Innards such as kidney, liver and tripe are also used.

The thinly sliced meat is marinated in various spices which include peanut cake, salt, vegetable oil and other flavourings, and then barbecued.

Ngozi Nnam, Professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

Commotion In Lagos As Hausa Trader Kills Family Man over N30

There was chaos on Monday on Mojeed Sanni Street, in the Igando area of Lagos, after a 40yrs old Hausa trader, Ibrahim Adamu, allegedly killed a bus driver, Lekan Adeleke.

Some residents and friends of the victim made a bonfire on the road as they chased away all Hausa traders in the community, threatening to avenge the killing.

The men were on the rampage when policemen from the Igando division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Olatunji Ajimuda, stormed the area.

The police team reportedly took Adeleke’s corpse to a mortuary, while the suspect, who was saved from being mobbed to death, was taken to the Area M command.

Unbelievable! See The SHOCKING Reason This Nigerian Man Poisons His 11-year-old Twin Daughters to Death

A 40-year-old man, Anyanime Festus has been arrested by operatives of the Cross River State Police Command.

The man was arrested after he allegedly poisoned his twin daughters in Akampka Local Government Area of Cross River, because he felt they were responsible for his parents’ death.

According to Vanguard, the arrest was effected by the Divisional Police Station, Akampka, before the suspect was transferred to Police Headquarters in Calabar. The suspect allegedly gave his 11-year-old daughters a black substance, believed to be poison to drink, which led to their death on January 10 and 11.

Benue State | Man Commits Suicide After Impregnating His Younger Sister in Otukpo

A young man identified as Inalegwu, has died after he reportedly drank poisonous substance suspected to be insecticide in Adoka, a district in Otukpo community on Monday, as residents were thrown into confusion 

According to reports, the deceased who took his own life, allegedly impregnated his younger sister identified as Ene, is believed to be in his 20s and has been an object of ridicule in the village following his incestuous act.

Drama as Man Shoots Wife, Mother-in-Law and Pastor in Benue (See Details)

Jerome Adoko, a hunter at Iwewe-Ichama community in the Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, has been arrested by the police after he allegedly shot his wife, Regina Adoko, his mother-in-law, Esther Edoga, and a pastor, Eze Udoh.

It was learnt that the pastor died from injuries he sustained from the gunshots, while the two other victims were still undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Punch Metro reports that the suspect and his wife had been at loggerheads over the ownership of a parcel of land in the community, while efforts by their relatives to settle the dispute had hit a brick wall.

Declare me winner of Edo gov poll, Ize-Iyamu urge tribunal

People's Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the September 28, 2016 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, yesterday, testified in the petition he and his party filed against the declaration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki of All Progressives Congress, APC, by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the winner of the election. 

Pastor Ize-Iyamu Led in evidence by Mallam Yusuf Alli (SAN) leading other legal practitioners for the petitioners, he reiterated his call on the election petitions tribunal to declare him the rightful winner of the poll.

Donald Trump and the Muslim World

Article Written by Reuben Abati

I am not a fan of Donald Trump, the incumbent President of the United States. I didn’t stand with him. I stood with her- Hillary Clinton- in the last US Presidential election. No other election in recent American history has been more international in terms of interest and emotional involvement. Trump’s election even divided the Nigerian middle class.  Majority of Christians in Nigeria stood with Donald Trump. They liked his anti-Muslim rhetoric, and in a country where religion is such a volatile subject and the Christian community feels as if it is under siege from radical Islamic extremism, it was easy for a category of Nigerians to see Trump’s politics being in sync with their own fears and expectations.  

Keystone Bank, Boss in 'mess' over N4bn illegal transaction

Nigeria new generation bank, Keystone Bank is currently in hot soup as there is currently an allegation of Billions of Naira fraud against one of their top boss.

These are not the best of times for Keystone Bank Limited and its managing director/chief executive officer, Mr. Phillip Ikeazor as the House of Representatives on Monday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to commence investigation into an alleged illegal movement of N4 billion from the Industrial Trust Fund’s account domiciled with the lender.

The Travails Of Apostle Johnson Suleman And The Inciting Words Of The Sultan Of Sokoto (Part 2) - By Femi Fani-Kayode

President Donald J. Trump summed it up rather well when he said, in reference to the Islamist terrorists and those that derive joy from committing genocide against Christians, that "they are sneaky dirty rats. They blow up people in a shopping centres and they blow up people in a church".

He went on to say "we are fighting sneaky rats right now that are sick and demented. And we are going to win.”

Finally he said, "the execution of Christians is no longer acceptable".

Daddy Freeze come for Redeemed Church over rescued boy branded a witch

OAP Daddy Freeze has slam Redeemed Church over rescued boy branded a witch. He shared the photo with the caption below:

Redeemed was busy setting up churches on every street, yet they missed this boy..... I bet with you, that there was a Redeemed church within walking distance from this starving child, branded a witch by the same doltish belief system that extorts your first salary every January, having you willingly give your hard earned money in a recession, to a church where the G.O has a private jet and leads a life of sheer opulence!

Rann Bombing: Hungarian Ambassador Visits Survivors At NAF Hospital (Photos)

Federal Commissioner of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Mrs. Sadiya Farouq and the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, paid a visit to Bama and Rann accident survivors at NAF hospital in Borno state.

See more photos below:

I stand by my statement - Apostle Sulieman says as he arrives DSS with 30 lawyers

There was drama, yesterday, as the Department of State Services, DSS, rescheduled its appointment with the embattled  Senior Pastor of the Omega Fire Ministry, OFM, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, twice.

Suleiman had told his supporters at a religious crusade in Ekiti State, last week, to defend themselves if they were attacked by herdsmen. The DSS officially invited Suleiman to appear before it, yesterday, for interrogation after their operatives’ initial plan to arrest him in Ekiti was foiled by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Dressed in black suit, Apostle Suleiman, who said his invitation was in order, arrived the DSS headquarters accompanied by 30 lawyers and Christian leaders.

President Trump fires top government lawyer who defied immigration order

U.S. President Donald Trump fired the federal government's top lawyer Sally Yates on Monday after she took the extraordinarily rare step of defying the White House and refused to defend new travel restrictions targeting seven Muslim-majority nations.

Yates said late on Monday that the Justice Department would not defend in court Trump's directive that put a 120-day hold on allowing refugees into the country, an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria and a 90-day bar on citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Yates said she did not believe defending the order would be "consistent with this institution's solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right."

See The Face Behind The Importation Of The Pump Action Rifles Found In A Container In Lagos

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 661 pieces of pump-action rifles from China, concealed with steel doors and other merchandise goods, which came in through Lagos port. Pictured are the suspects; Mr Oscan Okafor (an importer), Mr Mahmud Haruna (a clearing agent), Mr Sadique Mustapha (accompanying the consignment to its destination).

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Alli, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

Barack Obama Weighs In On President Trump For The First Time

Former President Barack Obama released a statement on Monday expressing solidarity with those protesting his successor’s ban on travelers and refugees entering the United States from certain Muslim-majority countries. 

The statement, issued under the name of Obama’s spokesman Kevin Lewis, was the first time that Obama has weighed in on Donald Trump’s presidency. And though it did not mention Trump by name or directly criticize the executive order that he signed on Friday, the implication was one of disapproval. 

President Trump’s travel ban confusing – Airlines

The aviation industry’s trade association on Monday criticised US President Donald Trump’s travel bans for “causing confusion” and called on Washington to clarify the new rules.

“We ask for early clarity from the US administration on the current situation,” the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a statement.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order barring US entry for travellers from seven mainly Muslim countries — Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days.

PHOTONEWS: Protests against Trump travel ban across the United States

...And the protests continue. Will this protest make President Trump backtrack from his decision on #MuslimBan?

Morocco readmitted into the Africa Union

The African Union agreed Monday to readmit Morocco 33 years after it quit the bloc, following a difficult debate over the status of Western Sahara, according to presidents attending the summit.

“Morocco is now a full member of the African Union. There was a very long debate but 39 of our 54 states approved the return of Morocco, even if the Western Sahara question remains,” Senegalese President Macky Sall told journalists.

“As we have said, if the family grows bigger, we can find solutions as a family,” he added.

Taye Taiwo joins Switzerland’s FC Lausanne-Sport ⚽

Former Super Eagles defender, Taye Taiwo, has joined FC Lausanne-Sport of Switzerland from HJK Helsinki until the end of the season 2016/2017.

Taiwo, 31, is expected to help Les blancs strengthen their back-line. ⚽

Announcing Taiwo’s capture on its website Lausanne-Sport said, “FC Lausanne-Sport is proud to announce the arrival of a defensive reinforcement of weight in the person of Taye Taiwo, who spent his medical visit today.

Breaking: Buhari’s Medical Report Leaked (See Details)

President Muhammadu Buhari is critically ill. This is no longer news. The president himself admitted that he has some health problems.

Before the president left the country under the guise of vacation, Nigerians thought he was going to rest.

This was not until his rumored demise spread like wildfire across social media.

The fact is that the president suffering from a severe disease condition called Meniere’s disease.

Jeez! Vigilante Butchered on Duty in Anambra Community (See Photo, Details)

Mrs. Cordelia Umeh, a native of Umuinem village, Umuonyiuka, in Ufuma, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State is distraught. She cannot be consoled because her eldest son, Chuks Umeh, was recently murdered in cold blood a few strides from their home.

The deceased, 30, was a member of the community’s vigilance group. On the night he was murdered, he had allegedly rung the village bell at about 10pm, signalling the commencement of duty; but unknown to him death was lurking at the corner.

Before his tragic death, his kinsman, Ezechukwu Okechukwu, had allegedly threatened on different occasions to deal with him over a series of issues. Some of their kinsmen, including the chairman of their vigilance group, Andy Nwankwo Eze, corroborated the allegation.