Sammie Okposo’s wife, Ozioma Okposo has reacted after her husband returned to Instagram.
Recall that Naija News earlier reported that Sammie re-activated his Instagram account after taking a break from social media.
He had written: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am born of God the life of God is in me; Christ in me the hope of glory I am free from the law, from the power of sin. I am no longer bound by the fear of men.
“God’s grace is available sufficient and working for me. Jesus already saved me not because of any works of righteousness that I have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
“Jesus is crazy about me, He loves me just the way I am. Christ has redeemed me. I live free, all my fears and mistakes are drowned in God’s perfect Love. There is, therefore, no condemnation to me. I am in Christ Jesus. I walk not after the flesh but after the spirit; the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made free from the power of sin and death. Who is he or she that saith a thing and it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth it not…… NOBODY.”
To show her approval of her husband’s return and declaration on social media, Ozioma liked his post.
At least 29 people have been killed, with many houses burnt in fresh attacks at Galadima-Kogo and Galkogo Communities of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Naija News gathered that the bandits invaded and launched attacks on the two communities after overpowering security operatives on Sunday morning.
In a chat with Daily Trust, the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar, said over 20 residents were killed during the attacks on Sunday.
Umar added that the gunmen attacked a Forward Operating Base in the area and killed 12 members of the Special Taskforce deployed to the community.
He said “One of our Forward Operating Bases manned by our security was overran during the attack. But we are already strategising to take the fight back to them. Already, there have been ongoing security operations in the area, both air and ground. We are doing our best.”
The Chairman, Shiroro Local Government Area, Suleiman Dauda Chukuba, also said 11 dead bodies have been recovered while nine persons who were injured have been taken to hospital for treatment.
He said: “This is a tragedy that has just occurred on Saturday and I cannot really ascertain the number of casualties for now because the place stands as a no-go area as I am talking to you now.
“The only dead bodies that we have recovered were 11 but that is not the exact number of casualties. A lot of people were affected. Those that were wounded were nine in number and they are in the hospital as I am talking to you.
“As the situation is now, we have not done much about the displaced people. Our concern now is how to make sure we get back the communities that have been taken over by the attackers.”
He, however, dismissed the rumour making rounds that the security operatives were withdrawn before the attacks.
“It’s not the withdrawal of security operatives per say. But the attackers were more in number and well-armed with sophisticated weapons. So, when they launched the attack, they overpowered our security men because they came in hundreds with sophisticated weapons,” he said.
Four Chibok girls have been released from the captivity of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
Recall that the girls were part of the victims kidnapped during an invasion of Kautikari village of Chibok Local Government Area in Borno State on Friday, January 14.
It was learned that the girls were taken to Dille village which shares a border with Sambisa forest before they were released on Sunday afternoon.
Confirming the development, a resident of the town said that the girls regained their freedom on Sunday.
He told Vanguard that the girls are with the District Head of Kautikari village who resides in Chibok town.
“I can exclusively confirm to you that the four young girls who were in the captivity of insurgents have regained freedom today (Sunday).
“I was informed that they were taken to Dille axis of Askira Uba local government area of Borno state which shares border with Sambisa forest.
“Presently, all the girls are cooing off with the District Head of Kautikari who resides in Chibok town,” he said.
Marwa Arrests Drug Traffickers In Adamawa, Lagos, Plateau States
Three trans-border drug traffickers have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, while trying to smuggle 48,000 tablets of 225mg Tramadol through Mubi, Adamawa state to Cameroon Republic, just as over 1,500 kilograms of imported Loud and other illicit substances have been intercepted in raids across Lagos and Edo states.
A statement signed by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy and made available to NAOSRE, the agency stated that the suspects: Mohammed Hussaini, 32; Adamu Bella, 18, and Mohammed Umar, 18, were arrested at Tsamiya Junction, Madanya Road, Mubi, Mubi North LGA, Adamawa State on Friday 28th January, with the exhibits concealed in the packets of another drug. When interviewed, they claimed the drugs were being taken to Bagira town along Nigeria-Cameroon border to be delivered to some Cameroonians for onward delivery to Maroa in Cameroon.
This comes on the heels of a similar operation at Alaba Rago area of Lagos where operatives of the state command of the Agency intercepted 1,200 parcels of imported Loud, a strong variant of cannabis suspected to have been smuggled into the state from a neighbouring country with a total weight of 1,229 kilograms.
In another raid on Wednesday 26th Jan, at Suru Alaba, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Lagos, operatives arrested one Ibrahim Musa, 25, with 18,530 tablets of Tramadol, Rohynol, Diazepam, Exol-5, and 138 bottles of Codeine.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the airport during their routine cargo search intercepted a consignment of 22 international passports of six different countries concealed in a bag of Gari among other food items.
Nine of the passports were three each of UK, France and Portugal, while the rest were: Nigeria -8; Ghana -4 and Cameroon -1. Also at the airport, operatives equally recovered 12 parcels of cannabis weighing 4.95kg concealed in a carton of Golden Morn packaged for export through the SAHCO export shed.
In Plateau state, a team of Marwa led NDLEA officers on Friday 28th Jan. arrested two suspects; Emeka Ezenwa, 37, and Julius Akingbe, 45, for being in possession of 126.5grams of methamphetamine concealed inside a DVD player coming from Lagos, while a raid in Kampani Zera- Wase LGA of the state on Friday led to the arrest of Fatima Sadiq, 20, who was caught with 21.3kg cannabis.
A similar raid on Friday of a notorious drug joint, Bakin Kogi Ringim, Jigawa state led to the recovery of different quantities of Cannabis, Diazepam, Exol-5 and some new psychoactive substances with a total weight of 8.680kg as well as weapons such as knives, cutlasses, Gora sticks, catapults and charms.
In Edo state, operatives recovered 19 bags of cannabis weighing 144.10kg stored in the bush along Uromi Road, Esan North East LGA ready to be transported to other parts of the country, while eight bags of the same substance weighing 111kg were recovered from a bush at Iruekpen, Esan West LGA.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended officers and men of Lagos, MMIA, Adamawa, Plateau and Edo commands of the Agency for their tenacity and vigilance. He charged them along with their colleagues across the country not to relent until the last gram of illicit drug is recovered from every part of Nigeria.
Ekiti 2022: Coalition Warns APC, PDP Against Unethical Standards
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations based in Ekiti State, Ekiti Democratic Movement (EDM), has warned political gladiators in the State not to be reckless as they jostle for the governorship of the State owing to the violence that erupted before and during the conduct of the primary elections of the two dominant parties in the State, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a press release issued on Thursday and signed by the Convener of the coalition, Comrade Akinola Busuyi, it stated that apart from the violence that characterized the gubernatorial primaries of the PDP on Wednesday, 26th January, 2022, the planned APC governorship primaries of Thursday, 27th January, 2022 also failed woefully in complying with democratic norms.
According to the group, “It has been reported that Governor Kayode Fayemi in his desperate bid to impose an unpopular candidate on APC members, bought over the Governorship Primary Electoral Committee led by Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State and has also used top Government functionaries to hijack the exercise”.
It was made known that contrary to democratic standards, Governor Fayemi insisted on using Government functionaries and appointees as returning officers for the election in the 16 Local Government Areas and 177 Wards across the State.
While the coalition rightly commends the APC National leadership for the adoption of direct mode of primary for governorship aspirants in Ekiti State, “we seriously take exception to the ways and manners that the process is being characterized with politics of bitterness and acrimony, violence brigandage, arson, unlawful abduction of perceived opponents, killings, maiming and undue harassment of innocent party members as well as the heating up of the polity in the desperation to get the guber ticket of the party by the gladiators.
“In his words “we make bold to say that these dastardly activities are critically threatening the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria, to the extent that the gains of the nation’s democracy may be eroded if proper care is not taken. Moreso, it is quite worrisome that Governor Kayode Fayemi who had a robust background in human rights and pro-democracy activism could perpetrate the brazen contravention of democratic principles and the ideals of fairplay and social justice despite his promises to provide a level playing field for all the contestants.
“Finally,the coalition therefore calls on the leadership of both APC and PDP, and especially the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, transparent, fair and devoid of manipulation and violence so that the popular decision of the parties are upheld.
The Lagos State Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Thursday convicted and sentenced a 42-year-old man Ekpo Lawrence to life imprisonment for defiling and impregnating his 15-year-old daughter.
Justice Abiola Soladoye sentenced Lawrence after she held that the prosecution proved the ingredients of the charge of defilement beyond a reasonable doubt.
The state government had told the court that the convict committed the offence between December 2018 and June 2019 at his home in the Agege area of the state.
The prosecution had told the court that the convict, who was 39 years old when the offence was committed, defiled his 15-year-old daughter by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
In handing down her judgment, Justice Soladoye held that the evidence given by the prosecution was consistent while that of the defendant was inconsistent and manifestly unreliable, adding that the convict’s denial of the allegations was a calculated attempt to mislead the court.
“The immoral behaviour of having sex with his biological daughter is toxic, absolutely disgraceful, and an abomination contrary to the law of nature. It is morally reprehensible as it is incest,” she said.
“Where is the self-respect of this defendant? How bizarre! Having sex with his daughter obviously took away his ability to make rational decisions. He foolishly tampered with the purity and self-esteem of his child.
“I pray for inner peace for the victim to relieve her of fear and hatred for her father who sexually molested her several times so that she can deal with her pains, trials, and tribulations and go on to live a purpose-driven life.
“A father should be a trusted person in the life of a child. He was supposed to keep his child safe but betrayed her sexually; he ripped purity off her body and her soul. This is taboo and he must no doubt face the music for his morbid, sordid sexual misconduct.
“For the above-stated reasons, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment with no option of fine,” the judge held.
Justice Soladoye further directed that the convict’s name should be registered in the Sex Offenders Register as maintained by the Lagos State Government.
During the course of the trial, four witnesses, including the survivor, a medical doctor, a social worker, and a police officer testified for the prosecution while Lawrence testified solely in his defence.
The survivor, who was 17-year-old when she gave her evidence in court, said her father had on numerous occasions defiled her whenever her stepmother travels.
She said the incest came to light when she confided in a social worker in her school about her father’s actions.
Dr Maria Fadaka, of the Mirabel Center (a Sexual Assault Referral Center), said that after examining the survivor, her findings had revealed evidence of vaginal penetration and early pregnancy.
Lawrence had denied having sexual intercourse with his child claiming he was at work when the defilements allegedly took place.
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos State, has ordered an executive of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Azeez Adekunle Lawal, popularly known as Kunle Poly, and two others to be remanded in the facility of the Nigeria Police Zonal Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan-Lagos,
The Chief Magistrate, Linda Balogun on Thursday ordered that Kunle Poly, Prince Idowu Onikoyi Johnson and Agboola Akeem Kosoko should be remanded for 30 days over the last Thursday Idumota mayhem.
The executives of the NURTW were remanded after the police’s application for remand was moved by Barrister Morufu Animashaun.
Barrister Animashaun, while urging the court to remand the three, said the application is pursuant to sections 264(1), (2), (3), (4) and (6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2021 (as amended); Section 4 and 10 of the Police Act, 2020, and sections 6(c), 35(1)(C)(5) and (7)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 199 (as amended).
He further stated that the application sought, is to enable the police to conclude an investigation of a case of threat to life and property, violence, cultism, mayhem, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, unlawful possession of firearms, conspiracy and murder against the three men.
Barrister Animashaun supported the remand application with an affidavit of 14 paragraphs, deposed to by inspector Monday Ohion.
Chief Magistrate Balogun, after listening to the submission of Barrister Animashaun, held that: “I have listened to the submission of the counsel, as well as perused the application for remand and the attached affidavit.
“I found merit in the application and it is accordingly granted. The three defendants are to be remanded in the facility of the Nigeria Police Zonal Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan-Lagos, for the next 30 days, to enable to police conclude investigation”.
Helen Paul Inducted As Public Administration Fellow, Ambassador
One of Nigeria’s most resourceful entertainers, Dr Helen Paul has been inducted as a Fellow of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria.
The special investiture of Dr Helen Paul took place on Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 at the the serene Banquet Hall of Mayors and Diplomats Hotel and Suites, Oduduwa Way, G.R.A Ikeja, Lagos.
The induction ceremony was conducted by Dr Uche Okereke, Registrar of the institute on the mandate of the body’s head honcho, Professor A.M Awotoku.
Other representatives of the institute included Alhaja Yeye Mosunmola Johnson, Madam Kemi, Mrs Tinuola Mabuso —Secretary General, and Professor Segun Olabintan who read Dr Helen Paul’s citation.
It was an epoch-making event attended by captains of industry and eminent personalities from all walks of life. There were representatives from the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service and other government parastatals.
Celebrities like Binta Ayo Mogaji, Ngozi Nwosu, Uti Nwachukwu, Yomi Fabiyi, Bunmi Davies, Rose Odika, Dupe Jaiyesimi, Ada Ameh, Comedian Ashiri and a host of other entertainers were not left out.
According to Dr Okereke, Dr Helen Paul, FCPA, will also double as an ambassador of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria, a body founded in 1996 and chartered by Act of Parliament No. 1 of 2017.
“This institute passed through the National Assembly, both the Senate and House of Representatives, and the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Today, it is the only recognized professional body that practice Local Government and Public Administration in Nigeria,” Dr Okereke said.
He added that the induction of Dr Helen Paul as a Fellow and Ambassador of the institute was decided by the Council of the institute after a meticulous monitoring of her academic strides and service to humanity.
Dr Okereke explained that “the choice of Helen Paul was made by our Council after due consideration of her academic excellence. She has a Masters Degree in Public Administration, not only in Theatre Arts, which is her primary constituency. She sneaked in to Public Administration, and this is the first time we are combining Public Administration with Theatre Arts. We really want to experiment how Public Administration and Theatre Arts can work together… that is why we are also making her our Ambassador.”
With her induction, Dr Helen Paul has joined other eminent Nigerians as Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria.
The institute has about four serving governors, two Justices of Supreme Court, former governor of Lagos State and NDLEA Chairman among others as Fellows.
The abandoned hospital in Elele-Alimini community where the decomposing bodies were found
Thirty rotten bodies said to be those of kidnapped victims have been uncovered in an abandoned government hospital in Elele-Alimini community, Emohua LGA of Rivers State.
The rotten bodies were believed to have been dumped there by kidnappers.
Chairman of the council, Dr Chidi Lloyd made the shock discovery.
He also discovered that a part of the hospital is being used for storage of illegally refined petroleum products by illegal artisanal refiners.
Decomposing remains of alleged kidnap victims discovered in the mortuary of Elele-Alimini community General Hospital in Rivers
Decomposing remains of alleged kidnapped victims discovered in the mortuary of Elele-Alimini community general hospital in Rivers
Llyod had stormed the abandoned and disused hospital along old Ahoada road in Elele-Alimini community based on tip-off that many criminal activities were going on in the facility.
He came in company of a combined team of security personnel and the local government Taskforce on illegal artisanal refining.
The deposed Deji of the Akure Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Adesina Oluwadare Adepoju, is dead.
The spokesman for the Adesina Royal Family of the Osupa Ruling House, Dapo Adepoju, in a statement released on Thursday disclosed that the deposed monarch gave up the ghost in the early hours of the day at a private hospital in Abuja.
The statement reads, “Oba Oluwadare Adepoju has passed on to the eternal glory this morning, January 27, 2022, during a brief illness.
“He passed on in a private hospital in Abuja early hour of today.
“The late Oba Adepoju was deposed by former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko on grounds of misunderstanding between the monarch and his wife.
“Before his transition to eternal glory, the deposed monarch prayed for the peace of Akure Kingdom.
“He said he did his best in defending his people while on the throne.
“The late deposed Deji of Akure Kingdom said God made it possible for him as a son of the Osupa Ruling House to ascend the throne as the Deji of Akure Kingdom 100 years after the reign of the Ojijigogun Ruling House.
“The 45th Deji promulgated and ensured the implementation of reasonable market price control during his reign. He also recovered and took possession of Ilula Recreation Centre from a powerful cabal back to the Akure Kingdom.
“Oba Adepoju during his reign also provided local security and fair judgement was the order of the day.
“Shortly before he passed on, he predicted that Akure shall be great specifically that an Akure son would lead Nigeria as President.
“Finally he urged the good people of Akure Kingdom to always live in oneness and peace.”
Recall that the monarch was deposed by the state government on June 10, 2010, for allegedly assaulting one of his estranged wives, the late Bolanle Adepoju, in public.
He was banished to a secluded village in Owo, Owo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State over the offence.
