Fear of Election Violence: Politicians Move their Families Overseas

In  a bid to avoid being caught up in the violence that may erupt after the February 2015 general elections, politicians, many chief executive officers/chairmen of companies, top businessmen and several other wealthy Nigerians have started relocating their families out of Nigeria.

Investigations by PUNCH showed that some apprehensive politicians and members of the business community started relocating members of their families abroad few weeks ago.

In fact, it was learnt that many are still moving their families out of the country.

According to findings, medical check-ups, vacation, among others, are being cited by wealthy Nigerians as the reasons for their trips to stay out of Nigeria during the elections.

Aviation experts told Punch that passenger traffic in Nigeria is usually low between January and March but that is not the case this year.

The CEO of a travel agency, who identified himself as Damian and did not want further details about himself or his company in print, said many of his clients had made bookings to travel abroad for fear of being caught up in violence.

Damian said, “It is true that there is an increase in the number of transactions we receive; many people are making bookings to leave the country.

“People are afraid; they fear that there may be violence after the election. Those making travel plans are mostly businessmen. I am also running away. I will leave before the election and return after the person who emerges as the president of the country has been sworn in.”

Similarly, a popular travel agency on Lagos Island told one of our correspondents that many managing directors/chairmen of some companies in Nigeria had booked their flight tickets in anticipation of leaving the country before the general elections.

One of the senior workers with the company, who simply identified himself as Thaddeus, said aside politicians who thronged the firm to buy tickets, many companies’ MDs and businessmen had bought tickets from the firm between November 27, 2014 and January 14, 2015.

Thaddeus named the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirate as the most preferred destinations of the MDs.

He said, “Some politicians made arrangement to travel out of the country after the election, while many of the MDs chose to leave the country with their families a week before the poll.

“Before the political parties’ primaries held late year, we procured tickets for the families of some politicians and we believe that they must have left the country by now. The politicians started procuring their tickets from the first week of this month.”

A human rights activist, Jiti Ogunye, said it is necessary that politicians refrain from manipulating the electorate and election results to avoid violence after the elections..

Ogunye said, “The first condition for credible election is the activation of electoral justice. Politicians should learn not just to preach peace but to do justice. If they manipulate the election results, there could be reaction of violence. So I advise that they play by the rules so that we can enjoy peace in this period. They should not rob the electorate of their decisions.”

Source: Punch

Muna Obiekwe Biography

The passing away of Nollywood star actor Muna Obiekwe came as great shock both for Nigerians and the actor’s colleagues. It would be recalled that the sad news broke out yesterday. It was however surrounded by controversy as some insisted that the information was fake.

The misunderstanding was connected with the tweet allegedly posted by the actor himself on a Twitter handle, @MunaObiekwe, that he was still hail and hearty. Soon the indications emerged that the mentioned Twitter account was fake.

Obiekwe’s colleagues took to social media to express their sorrow over his death.The president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima, confirmed the news in a phone interview with Y!Naija saying:

“Yes, he is truly dead, i have spoken to his wife… He was a private person, he didn’t tell us he had problems so there was no way we could have helped….please i can’t disclose much information for now.”

It was learnt by The Nation that Muna had been battling renal related ailment but had kept it secret for a long time before informing Ibinabo Fiberesima.

Some unconfirmed reports say that his death was connected with his financial state.

“He could not go for his regular dialysis for the past two weeks because he was broke but rejected seeking public assistance due to shame.”

Muna Obiekwe’s Biography

Today we are paying tribute to Muna Obiekwe and recalling some of the episodes of his career which got Nigeria talking.

1. Raunchy movie scene?

The Enugu based Nollywood star was once involved in a serious controversy over a spicy incident with a fellow colleague, Biola Ige. Muna was pictured grabbing Biola’s boobs in the movie, Pregnant Hawker. However the actress later said that the widely circulating photo was fake and that there was no such scene in the movie.

Muna also commented:

“…I don’t remember the movie. I also don’t remember grabbing Biola’s boobs. If the movie exists, that scene never took place.

“Like I told you, I don’t recall the movie. I do a lot of movies and I can’t remember what happens in all of them. The fact that I don’t recall means that the movie was shot a long time ago. Probably three or more years back. When love scene was in vogue with producers. I’m still searching for the movie to acquaint myself with the story.

“There has never been anything between myself and any actress that I’ve made a movie with. My romantic relationships have always been outside the movie industry. I don’t take my work home.”

2. Muna becomes a baby daddy, they say

In 2011 it was reported by Nigeriafilms that that the actor fathered a girl “birthed by Treasure Daniels(one of the shocking look alike twin of the Gholden Girlz fame) who recently meandered into music.” It seems however that the information was never confirmed and remained rumours till the date.

3. The many roles of Obiekwe

The actor has featured in dozens of movies including Men in Love, Songs of Sorrows, Wasted Effort, My Best Friend, etc.

In the drama Men in Love dating back to 2010 he played a gay man. The film was harshly criticized as many alleged that it was popularizing the ideas of homosexuality in Nigeria.

In Fumble the actor played a role for which he was wearing a female pant in one of the scenes.

We express condolences to the family members, friends and colleagues of Muna Obiekwe. Rest in peace.

Photo: Young girl goes missing in Ogba, Lagos

15 year old Paulina Ojeka Ogwuledwu, pictured below has been declared missing by her family. According to her Uncle, a pastor with Baptist Church in Ogba, who spoke with LIB, Paulina, an indigene of Benue state, was last seen on Wednesday January 14th. She lived with her Uncle in Ogba and is an apprentice with a fashion outlet in Ogba. On the day she went missing, Paulina had gone for her training and returned in the evening but later left the house and up until today has not returned.

Anyone with information about her whereabout should please call 08027186422 or 08060168569 or contact the nearest police station.

An Open Letter to Nigeria’s President by Hafsat Abiola

Hafsat Abiola is a human rights, civil rights and democracy activist, founder of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), and daughter of late business man/politician, MKO Abiola. Her letter below

Dear President, 

As young global leaders we would like to express our deep concern about the recent situations in Nigeria.

The massacre in Baga has been Boko Haram’s deadliest so far and what has it met with? Your silence. Most disturbing still is the fact that you would send a message to France condemning the killings there, yet seem unable to address the Nigerian people who look to you for leadership. Unfortunately, it would not be the first time

On 10 November 2014 a suicide bomber killed 47 people and injured 79 others. The following day, with barely a mention of this horrific incident targetting children, you launched your re-election campaign.

And despite the ease with which you move on, even you will remember the abduction of the schoolgirls in Chibok in April last year. It was 40 days before you addressed the country on that occasion. Nigerians waited, perplexed, as your government debated whether or not the abductions had even taken place.  As a result, of all the girls captured, only 52 have secured their freedom – escaping on their own. The rest are still in captivity, still waiting to be rescued, 276 days after being taken from their friends, family and community.

Could it be that your government also doubts that the Baga attacks happened? Amnesty International’s satellite images confirm that indeed a massacre took place, and as many as 2000 people are dead. Yet your army wastes time contesting the numbers.

Whether 150 or 2000, we’d like to hear from you on your governments plans to secure the region and to bear witness to the loss of lives in Baga. We have seen a clear incompetency in handling matters of national interest. In the context of existing ethnic and religious fault lines, silence only says that Nigeria’s government does not care about the victims and is not dealing with the insurgency.

True the global community has also failed to maintain pressure on your government that seems ambivalent about fulfilling its constitutional role to secure the lives and properties of its citizens.

As 1.5 million Nigerians flee their homes,  swelling camps within Nigeria and overwhelming border communities’  (if not same as before), it seems the only hope to see you act is global outrage. It was this that finally forced you to address the nation and the world 40 days after the Chibok abductions.  It was only then that you reached out to other countries and, with their help, agree a plan for a regional security force to secure the porous borders between Nigeria, Niger and Chad where Boko Haram roams undeterred.

Perhaps, had international pressure been sustained last year, a multi-regional force would have been based in Baga as planned. Perhaps it would have been strong enough to repel Boko Haram when the militants attacked on 3 January. Perhaps 2000 lives could have been saved.

But Isis happened and the world moved on, leaving a small national military unit to stand between thousands of armed militants  and a town of ten thousand people. We now know what happened. The world has seen pictures of bodies still strewn around the forest and river where they died.

If these deaths do not generate the attention, outcry and action that they ought to, we can only prepare the ground for more bodies because Boko Haram shows no sign of relenting. The insurgents can be defeated but first you must decide if the lives of Nigerians are worth it or not.

Break the silence, Mr. President. Call for global attention and support to avert a crisis that begins to echo the early days of the Rwandan genocide.  Be the voice for the thousands of innocent people who have died and the millions who yearn for peace. They have the right to rebuild their communities and claim their place in the unfolding rise of the African continent.

Hafsat Abiola-Costello 

Founder/President Kudirat Initiative for democracy

Nigeria

Co-Signatories

Arnaud Ventura, France

Bjarte Reve, Norway

Binta Niambi Brown, USA

Erik Charas, Mozambique

Funmi Iyanda, Nigeria

Georgie Bernadette, USA

Jacqueline Musiitwa, Zambia

Loulwa Bakr, Saudi Arabia

Leo Shlesinger, Chile

Marieme Jamme, Senegal

Mark Turrell, Germany

Rossana Figuera, USA

Salim Amin, Kenya

Soulaima Gourani, Denmark

Susan Mashibe, Tanzania

Tara Fela Durotoye, Nigeria

Bobby Brown says he and Whitney Houston cheated on each other

Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston were married for 15 years (1993-2007) and Bobby says they cheated on each other through out their loving, turbulent marriage. In an interview with Access Hollywood set to air today Jan. 17th, after Whitney's Lifetime biopic airs, Bobby opened up about the cheating rumours that followed the couple for years.
"There was infidelity in the marriage, yes, on both parts. Both of us cheated on each other - period. So that's hard to swallow for both of us. I just think when two people that love each other as much as we loved each other, when they start drifting apart, different people come into the situation, into the scenario, and we make mistakes. We're human.' he said.

Angry Mob Lynch Boko Haram Suspect at Kano Mosque

A suspected Boko Haram member was yesterday lynched at the Kano Central Mosque where hundreds of worshippers were killed late last year. According to DailyTrust, the suspect was lynched by an irate mob around 11.30 am at the Kofa Kwaru area of the mosque as worshipers were congregating for the juma’at prayers.

Last November, over a hundred worshippers lost their lives at the mosque when insurgents hurled explosives at them and opened fire on others who tried to escape. It was gathered that the suspect was
pursued to the Kofar Kwaru area of the Emir of Kano’s palace where he was overpowered and lynched.

One worshipper, who said he witnessed the lynching, stated that a gun was found on the suspect, which prompted the mob action.

“The suspect went to drink tea around the mosque. It was the tea seller that raised an alarm that he saw a gun in the guy’s possession and that was what caused the commotion,” the witness said.

But in a telephone interview, the spokesperson of the Kano State police command, ASP Magaji Musa Majia, who confirmed the lynching, said nothing incriminating was found in his possession.

“The identity and address of the suspect is still unknown. No explosive or weapon was found on the deceased’s body. We have not found any incriminating evidence on him and nobody has come out to give or tell us of any gun or explosive found on the deceased,” he said.

The spokesman reiterated the command’s commitment to ensure the safety of all and appealed to the people of the state to desist from taking laws into their hands, saying jungle justice would not help.

Since the November 2014 attack on the mosque, youths and other volunteers have been mounting surveillance there and before worshippers are allowed in, they are thoroughly searched. Similar checks are conducted in other mosques across Kano State.

See Why Cristiano Ronaldo Dumped Girlfriend Irina Shayk

According to new reports that just emerged today, Cristiano Ronaldo dumped his model girlfriend, Irina Shayk after she apparently refused to attend a surprise birthday celebration for his mum.

The Real Madrid superstar, 29, spent New Year’s Eve alone with his son when Irina Shayk decided not to attend the 60th birthday party. The couple rowed and the former Manchester United star – this week voted the best player in the world – decided to end his romance with the Russian beauty.

Her relationship with his mum Dolores Aveiro and sisters Elma and Katia was at the centre of tensions, according to reports in Portugal. Irina, 29, sparked speculation after she stopped following
the Real Madrid star on Twitter.

She also chose not to attend the FIFA Ballon D’Or ceremony in Zurich on Monday when he was named the best player in the world. Her boyfriend of nearly five years was joined on stage by his four-year-old son Cristiano Jr and mum, Dolores. Ronaldo even thanked his family, teammates and supporters but made no mention of Irina

Sources told MirrorUK that:

“Dolores wanted someone who would assume the role of mum for Cristiano Jr. That was not a priority for Irina.”

Irina and Cristiano, who met on an Armani photo-shoot, have yet to comment officially. Her PR claimed the model did not attend the Ballon d’Or because she had other commitments.

“Jonathan Will Win 2015 Election But Be Cut Short” – Prophet Emmanuel Nwazuo

Another man of God has spoken about the 2015 election holding between February 14 and 28.

The new revelation is coming from one Prophet Emmanuel Ezenwa Nwazuo who has said that President Goodluck Jonathan will defeat his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari in the election.

The Sun reports that the man of God this known at his Lagos church.

This is actually not the first time Nwazuo would be prophesying about electoral issues. He had in 2011 published his version of his prophecy where he said Jonathan would triumph at the election which came through.

“I am not the one saying this; it is a revelation from God. I see President Jonathan winning the 2015 election with a landslide but the All Progres­sives Congress (APC) will revolt. In 2011, I predicted that Jonathan would defeat his opponent. Some people did not believe but the prophecy was ful­filled. He did not just win but he won convincingly. Quoting his prediction before 2011 presidential election, from a published Christian journal:

“The Lord took me in the spirit to the seat of power in Aso Rock and showed me a bold inscription on the Presidential seat with a heavenly seal on it ‘No vacancy here’. Thus said the Lord to President Jonathan: “I appointed you for another period of five years to lead Nigeria to greatness”. Within these five years which symbolizes grace, no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper.”

He also said the president had the mind of God and has already started praying for him in order to better his regime.

“Well, we have started praying for him. I am not campaigning for Jonathan. If we compare all the presi­dents we have had in Nigeria, I think Jonathan has the mind of God and not only that, he also has the fear of God.”

However, the prophet also said he saw the president being cut short but did not reveal if it will be the president himself or his tenure.

“I would not want to go further than that but I see him cut short.”

He also spoke on the Lagos state Governorship election.

“Both PDP and APC have equal chances of winning the state. It is open to both parties. However, there would be riot immediately the result is announced, except much prayer is rendered to avert it.” He said

Photos from the fire outbreak at Marina this morning

Another fire outbreak reported in Marina this morning. The fire started around 4am in one of the tall buildings at Eko/Berlin Market, around CBN building. Shops and other buildings have been engulfed by fire though the fire service is trying their best to put it out. Millions of Naira lost in property. This season of fire outbreaks, is it the weather? See more pix below

D’banj Claims Dr Sid Caused His Break Up With Don Jazzy

No one can really say what actually transpired between Dbanj and Donjazzy that led to their break up, a break up so major it shook the whole Nigerian entertainment industry; we were all surprised. In an interview with Olisa on The Truth With Olisa, D’banj shed some light on his break up with the Mavin boss.

Olisa asked Him, “Why did Mo’ Hits break up?”

D’banj’s response: “If I will be truthful, it would be Dr Sid”

46-Years-Old Woman Drugged And Molest 22-Year-Old Man Until His Manhood Became Swollen

A  woman was arrested and charge for molesting a young man until his private parts became swollen, police in South Africa said.

Limpopo Police said that the 46-year-old woman of Bolobedu, who was accused of raping the 22-year-old man, was released from custody after posting R1,000 ($86) bail.

According to World Wide Weird News, the woman lured the man into her home and gave him a drink that was spiked with drugs before raping him overnight.

The woman locked all the doors and windows of her home to keep the victim from escaping. In the morning, the man’s genitals began to swell.

That is when the woman freed him from her home and he went to a nearby hospital. He was treated and released. Police described the man’s injuries as serious.

I Will Punch Anyone Who Insulted My Mother – Pope Francis Says

Pope Francis warned that he will not hesitate to punch anyone who insulted his mother.

The Pope says people ‘cannot insult the faith of others’ adding that he would punch someone if they insulted his mother, as he debated freedom of speech in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack.

The Pontiff said there were limits to freedom of expression and that ‘provocateurs’ should not purposely anger religious people.

Speaking on board the papal plane on his way to the Philippines, he also insisted that it was an ‘aberration’ to kill in the name of God and that religion can never be used to justify violence.

INEC Officials Burgled Office to Steal Voter Cards

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed two of its workers for allegedly theft of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Delta State.

The commission said the officers allegedly burgled its office in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State to commit the offence.

According to The Nations, INEC’s in-house Daily Bulletin listed the affected officers as: Mr. Collins Omofoma (SGL 09 Officer) and Mr. Onome Avbunudiogba (SGL 07 Officer).

Two Decision Extracts on January 8 by the Director (Commission’s Secretariat), Ishiaku A. Gali, said the dismissal and termination of the workers’ appointments followed the commission’s meeting last Thursday.

Also, INEC has terminated the appointment of Mrs Obi Chinwoke Ugochi, an Administrative Officer II (SGL 08), for alleged absence from duty without leave. Mrs Ugochi was of the commission’s Anambra State office.

5 Major Questions Obasanjo Asked Jonathan During Meeting With Bishop Oyedepo & Pastor Adeboye

When Obasanjo showed up at President Jonathan’s daughter’s wedding in Abuja last weekend uninvited, GEJ took it as a friendly gesture unknown to him that some top PDP leaders begged Obasanjo to show up as a sign of support for Jonathan.

OBJ obliged and was captured bowing for Jonathan, a picture Obasanjo reportedly ordered Aso Rock photographer to delete from his record.

At the meeting, President Jonathan reportedly asked Obasanjo for support as he planned to campaign in Abeokuta the following week.

Jonathan used the opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to the elder stateman’s mansion.

One of the sources, who was present at the meeting, said Obasanjo merely welcomed Jonathan and other PDP chieftains in his home as a mark of respect to the office of the President and not to make peace.

We learnt Obasanjo deliberately requested the presence of two top Pastors Oyedepo and Adeboye to act as  witnesses at the meeting to prove the point that it is Jonathan who actually caused disaffection between them by reneging on previous decisions they jointly reached.

Why The Meeting Ended Abruptly

The source said Obasanjo was irked by last Sunday’s statement in which Jonathan referred to some elder statesmen behaving as ‘motor park touts’, a classification, Obasanjo reportedly took in bad faith.

Obasanjo however allegedly asked Jonathan some salient questions, saying if he (Jonathan) could answer them truthfully before everyone present, then peace could be reached.

Some of the questions allegedly asked were:

1. Did you agree to run for only one term or not?

2. What did you tell me was your reason for not going after Boko Haram insurgent even when I told you this will boomerang?

3. What happened to the Nigeria’s external reserve and sovereign wealth fund?

4. Did you give licence to Niger Delta Militants (Dokubo and Tompolo) to import arms in the name of their privately owned companies? If so for what reasons?

5. Did you not get correspondence from the United States consulate that a certain citizen named Buruji Kashamu is indicted for Drug trafficking ? Why did you appoint the same Kashamu as South West leader of PDP rather than hand him over to the US? And did the PDP give automatic senate ticket to a wanted and convicted drug baron?

A security source who requested anonymity said Jonathan refused to answer Obasanjo’s question and so the meeting was called off by OBJ with no peace agreement reached between the two.

Bird Flu Hits Lagos And Kano

Accordng to Punch the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, yesterday, announced that there has been unusual high mortality in two poultry farma and live bird in Lagos and Kano States.

It said samples forwarded to the National Veterinary Research Institute tested positive for H5 strain of Avian Influenza Virus, otherwise known as bird flu, adding that confirmatory samples were sent to the International Reference Laboratory in Padova, Italy, for further characterisation.

Avian influenza, known informally as Avian flu or bird flu, refers to influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds.

Influenza, commonly known as ‘flu’ is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus.

The ministry, in a statement, noted that it had taken some measures in the affected sites to contain the reported outbreaks.

According to the FMARD, it had quarantined the infected premises and placed restriction of movement of poultry and poultry products into and out of areas around infected premises.

It said, “All state directors of veterinary services and the Federal Capital Territory, Poultry Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders have been informed and advised to be on alert with intensified bio-security measures to avert possible spread of the disease to other states.

“The World Organisation for Animal Health and Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resource and development partners have been appropriately notified in compliance with our statutory international obligations.”

It added that it had ensured immediate reactivation of all animal health component of the Emergency Preparedness Plan on bird flu for Nigeria, adding that the conduct of surveillance activities around infected areas to determine the level of spread of the disease was being undertaken.

FMARD said, “All stakeholders in the poultry industry are urged to enhance hygienic practices (bio-security measures) which include, but not limited to, regular disinfection, proper disposal of dead carcasses and poultry products and timely reporting of mortalities in poultry and other bird species to veterinary authorities.

“We wish to assure the public that, given our experiences in handling previous outbreaks and with your full cooperation in the implementation of containment measures, we are determined to contain this disease again within a short time. We will keep you informed as events unfold.”

Elections may not hold in troubled North east states - Jega

Chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega says it may be difficult for them to conduct elections in three north-east states - Borno, Yobe and Adamawa next month. The states have been under Emergency rule for a while now
"A place like Borno state, unless something is done about those that have been displaced, even the time of the governorship election may be very very difficult, if not impossible under the circumstances. We are been realistic. We must say that it may be impossible to do elections everywhere and in every local government in every constituency in those three states" he said at a forum in Abuja today.
On the possibility of internally displaced people casting their votes during the elections, Prof Jega said
"First and foremost, we know that there are many Internally displaced persons in Nigeria on many causes but our focus is going to be on the North east zone and it will only be for internally displaced persons that are in that states" he said

Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA 2014 World Footballer of the Year

The Portugal/Real Madrid player beat Argentina/Barcelona Lionel Messi and Germany/Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer to win the 2014 FIFA World Footballer of the Year. You think he deserves it?

Actor Jackie Chan’s Son Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Drug Offense

The son of actor Jackie Chan has been sentenced to six months in jail after pleaded guilty in a Beijing court to providing a venue for drug users.

Police seized more than 100 grams of marijuana during an August raid at Jaycee Chan’s Beijing home, while he and Taiwanese movie star Ko Kai both tested positive for the drug, it was reported.

His imprisonment comes amid a major crackdown on illegal drugs in China, and is particularly embarrassing for his father, who in 2009 was named an anti-drug ambassador.

 ‘I violated the law. I deserve to be punished. When I return to society, I won’t do it again,’ Chan said in courtroom footage aired on state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).

Police arrested more than 7,800 people last summer in Beijing over illegal drug use.

Other celebrities, including actor Gao Hu, were also among those detained in what was described as the biggest such crackdown in two decades.
Illegal drug use has ballooned in China in recent decades, after being virtually eradicated following the 1949 communist revolution.

Official News Agency Xinhua said the maximum sentence for the charge against Chan was three years in prison.

The trial and sentence were especially sensitive for Jackie Chan, who was named an anti-drug ambassador in 2009, and sits on China’s top national political advisory panel — the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

The actor has told Xinhua that he did not use his connections to interfere with the case and that he hopes his singer-actor son will eventually become an anti-drug ambassador.

CCTV had aired video of the police raid on Jaycee Chan’s apartment, in which Chan was shown identifying marijuana in his possession. Ko testified on camera that he had used drugs at Chan’s home.

CCTV also said Chan told police that he has been using drugs for eight years.
Ko, whose real name is Ko Chen-tung, has been released after a 14-day administrative detention for drug use.

Saudi Arabia Blogger To Be Flogged 1000 Strokes Publicly For Insulting Islam

Saudi Arabis has lashed a liberal blogger 50 times in public, despite the widespread of international outrage and calls for clemency from human right group.

Hillel Neuer, the Executive Director of UN watch, said on his twitter handle that blogger and activist, Raif Badawi, was lashed outside a mosque in the Red Sea Costal City of Jeddah on Friday.

Amnesty International says Badawi, who started the “Free Saudi Liberals” website, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes on charges related to accusations he insulted Islam on the online forum.

He was also ordered by Jeddah’s Criminal Court to pay a fine of $266,000.

“It is horrifying to think that such a vicious and cruel punishment should be imposed on someone who is guilty of nothing more than daring to create a public forum for discussion and peacefully exercising the right to freedom of expression,” Philip Luther, Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa Director, said.

“Saudi Arabian authorities must immediately halt all plans to carry out this brutal sentence,” he said.

The United States had also appealed to Saudi Arabia to cancel the sentence.

State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said the US was “greatly concerned.” She called the 1,000 lashes an “inhumane” response to someone exercising his right to freedom of expression and religion.

“The United States government calls on Saudi authorities to cancel this brutal punishment and to review Badawi’s case and sentence,” Psaki said.

Around 14,000 people have signed an online petition calling on Saudi’s King Abdullah to pardon Badawi.

Rights groups and activists say his case is part of a wider clampdown on dissent throughout the kingdom.

Those Accusing President Jonathan Of Corruption Are Father Of Corruption – Oba Of Lagos

The traditional father of Lagos state, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, has said that all those who are accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of corruption are the father of corruption.

The Oba Of Lagos was speaking in his palace when President Jonathan led a delegation of PDP officials to receive his blessings just before the flag-off of the PDP presidential campaign in Lagos state. Oba Akiolu raised issues of corruption with a mention of the Harliburton scandal and the killing of former Attorney-General, chief Bola Ige but prayed that in the end only the best candidate would emerge in the 2015 general elections.

In his speech, President Jonathan thanked the Oba for supporting his administration. He also described Lagos as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria that should be of improtance to any well meaning politician and which needs the right persons to govern..

The President added that his administration has much to show in the area of transportation, agriculture, road construction and wondered why anyone would say that his administration had not performed.

Traditional Ruler Brutally Assaults Wife Over Phone Call In Lagos

In glaring case of domestic violence, a Lagos traditional ruler, Baale Abeeb Lawal of Ikolalumo in Meiran/Ajasa command area Lagos state, brutally assaulted his wife on New year day, January 1st, 2015. According to reports, he was angered over a phone conversation she was having and when he gave her a signal to end the call, she misinterpreted his gesture as a sign to lower her voice. So, she lowered her voice and continued the call.

Thinking she disobeyed him, the infuriated baale pounced on her, hitting her repeatedly with a chair, and stabbing her with a broken bottle on her back. He only retreated when she fainted. She was rushed to the hospital by neighbors who watched the drama unfold ..

It is unknown if she has pressed charges.

Horror, Anger, Condemnation as Enugu Traditional Ruler Accuses Subjects of Witchcraft (photo)

The story sounds like a fairy tale or a Nollywood epic movie script  but the story is real and happened in Unadu community in Enugu State.

The traditional ruler of Unadu community In Nsukka Enugu State  a retired police officer, Barnabas Agbaji who allegedly forced himself to become the Igwe (chief) of the town recently elevated the act of wickedness by allegedly arresting” two of his subjects Remigus Nwa Ikeagwu and Silas Ameh, arbitrarily accused them of witchcraft, reportedly convicted the accused of being guilty of the offence of Witchcraft, hung a tire around their necks, tied fresh palm fronds all over their bodies and paraded them around the community as common criminals!!

According to a source in the community, the Traditional Ruler has been ruling the town with high handedness and impunity, leaving his subjects in fear and misery, boasting that nothing will happen to him because of his Influence in Enugu state Government.

Tension is already running high in the community and from my investigation, his people are spoiling for war, threatening fire and brimstone  if appropriate action is not taken against the ex-policeman now Traditional Ruler  and some of his subjects are calling for his dethronement because his recent bizarre action on his subjects is the height of what they can tolerate.

The question is: During his service years in the Nigerian police, did this man ever arrest and successfully prosecute anyone for practicing witchcraft? Under which law did he do this?

Buhari Can’t Remember His Phone Number – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday during a rally in Enugu said that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), cannot remember his own mobile phone number.

Jonathan, whose unscripted address was mostly a response to previous statements made by Buhari, accused the APC presidential candidate of deceiving Nigerians by promising to revive the economy without explaining how he would achieve the feat.

The President wondered how Buhari would develop the country’s economy, a feat he could not achieve while he was in office as head of state between 1983 and 1985.

“Is it now that Buhari cannot even remember his own phone number that he can change the economy of the country.” Jonathan asked.

The Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate said that although he did not like to “go personal during campaigns,” “sometimes circumstances demand that certain things must be said.”

Jonathan said that Buhari belonged to the medieval age, adding that he (the APC candidate) intended to run the Federal Government as a medieval king.

He said, “We cannot run the government as if we are in the medieval age; we cannot run a government where somebody said he would throw people into jail.

“You are not a medieval king – a medieval king can throw you into jail but we have to follow the rule of law because we cannot go back to the old days.”

Jonathan, however, read the speech made by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) after overthrowing Buhari’s regime through a military coup on August 27, 1985 to justify his claim that the APC candidate does not keep his promises.

Babangida, in the portions of the address read by Jonathan, justified Buhari’s overthrow by pointing out that the latter did not live up to the promises he made to Nigerians when he ousted a democratically elected civilian government headed by Alhaji Shehu Shagari in a military coup.

Noting that Buhari “deceived Nigerians” from 1983 to 1985, Jonathan quoted Babangida as saying, “The initial objectives of Buhari’s intervention were betrayed as there was a general deterioration of standard of living in the country.”

The PDP candidate also pointed out that Babangida accused Buhari of being “too rigid in his attitude to national issues” and “became alienated from the people” in the course of his stay in power.

He, therefore, challenged Buhari to tell Nigerians how he intends to revive the economy.

Jonathan said, “They are telling young Nigerians that they are going to change the economy but they have not told us how they want to manage the economy more than us.

“If they say they want to change agriculture, they should tell us the weak links in the agriculture value chain and what they want to do about it.

“I said in Lagos that I want to work with young people, not to deceive people.

“I am not going to run the government based on my habits, I am going to run the government according to global best practices.”

Jonathan also insisted that he was committed to the campaign against corruption.

“There is no government that has fought corruption more than we do,” he said, noting that some previous administrations pretended to be fighting corruption while oppressing their enemies.

He recalled that Buhari jailed some prominent Igbo politicians while in office as head of state, including former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme and former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo.

Stressing that Buhari jailed politicians on trumped up charges, Jonathan said, “You can no longer carry people and put them in prison for 301 years.”

The President equally accused Buhari of having a wrong idea of corruption.

According to him, Buhari believes that every wealthy Nigerian is corrupt.

He said, “If a Nigerian businessman has a private jet, then you are corrupt but if a South African has a private jet then you commend him.

“If you have a good house, then you are corrupt, if you have a good car then you are corrupt – that is his definition of corruption.”

Jonathan accused his opponent of making spurious claims against him.

The President said, “They are saying that government is corrupt but they are not telling us what they are going to do to stop corruption. Let them go back to their consultants to coach them, then I will listen to them.

“They should tell us how they are going to manage the economy better than we do.

“They are saying we stole foreign reserves, nobody can steal foreign reserves – spurious allegations.”

He also reiterated his claim that Buhari did not equip the military while he was the head of state.

Jonathan said that he had done more than his predecessors to shore up the country’s defence.

“For 30 years, we had only one frigate, now we have four additional frigates,” he said.

In the same vein, he pointed out that Buhari did not find any woman worthy enough for appointment when he was the military head of state.

The President asked Nigerians to assess him and Buhari by looking at how they performed during their respective periods in office.

He said, “They have deceived us before and they want to deceive us again.

“Go and find out whether these people are deceiving you or are telling you the truth.

“People are assessing me because I have run this country for some years – they have run this country for two years.

“They came with promises but immediately they came in, what they did was to jail Jim Nwobodo for 201 years

Accident in Ikeja allegedly claims the lives of grandmother and her pregnant daughter

According to Dayò Àllí @chubbydick on twitter, a group of boys returning from the club killed a grandmother, her pregnant daughter and grandson returning from a vigil last night at Oriyomi street in Ikeja. What a sad story!!!

Photo: 80yr old man arrested for allegedly raping 12yr old in Ekiti

80 year old Pa Olajide Ojo (pictured above) has been arrested by the Ekiti state Police command for allegedly raping a 12 year old girl at his resident located at No. B22, Oke Ode Idogun Street, Ikole–Ekiti on 24th of December, 2014.

According to police reports, the little girl was out hawking her wares when the old man called her and lured her into his room and raped her. The cry of the girl attracted neighbours who promptly alerted the police. Medical examination on the little girl showed she was raped. He is expected to be charged to court soon.

Yaya Toure wins Glo-CAF African Player of the Year 2014

Cote d'Ivoire's Yaya Toure beat Nigeria's Vincent Enyeama and Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to win the 2014 African Player of the Year. The fourth time he will win it - 4 years in a roll. Congrats to him but I think Enyeama should have won.

Davido shows off his new Rose Gold Presidential Rolex watch

The singer who is currently on holiday in Dubai with his family just got himself a new Rolex watch, worth millions of Naira!

25 year old man arrested for raping great grandmother in Ekiti

25 year old Familola Ayodeji (pictured above) has been arrested by the Ekiti state Police command for raping an 85 year old great grandmother on December 25th 2014. According to police report, Familola a resident of No. 17, Oke Ido Street, Ido-Ekiti sneaked into the great grand mother's room, bolted the door and forcefully had sex with her. He initiall went into hiding after the act but was caught after a widespread manhunt. Medical examination conducted on the aged woman showed she was raped. Familola is expected to appear in court as soon as possible...

Man Cut Lady’s Throat For Turning Down His Proposal

A young man, named Herny Sikiru whose marriage proposal was turned down by his girlfriend, Boluwatife Ajayi, the 31st of December, 2014, has been arrested for attempted murder.

He tried to kill her by cutting her throat for daring to refuse his marriage proposal.

But for her cries for help which drew the attention of passersby who rescued her, Boluwatife would probably have been dead.

The suspect allegedly lured his lover to an uncompleted building located at Alhaja Wosilat Street, Baruwa area of Lagos on New Year’s Eve, with the intention to carry out the evil deed but was caught in the act.

He was said to have pinned the struggling Ajayi down and started slitting her throat with a razor blade, when some nearby residents heard her faint cry and dashed into the building where she was rescued.

One Oluwole Olalekan who witnessed the sordid incident, said he was sitting in front of his house when he heard Ajayi’s strangled cry.

“The boy was using the sharp razor to cut the lady’s neck and also trying to strangle her, so that she would not cry out for help. It was a few minutes before 11pm and there was no light.

I was sitting in front of my house to receive fresh breeze before going to bed when I heard a voice that shouted ‘Egba mi o’ (Yoruba for ‘help me’).

I decided to trace the voice. On getting to the uncompleted shop, I switched on my torchlight, only to find the boy sitting on the lady’s chest, trying to strangle her.

I shouted ‘thief! thief!! thief!!!’

The man dashed off  but I ran after him, still screaming. Other neighbours joined me in chasing him. Luckily, we were able to nab him. We handed him over to the police. There were deep cuts on three different areas on the lady’s neck. We took her to the nearby hospital.”

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Ipaja Police Station where the suspect is, CSP Ajewole Adebayo, said that the suspect had been arrested alongside some boys residing in the same place and investigations were on to unravel the truth, promising that the case would soon be transferred to the higher authority before taking it to court.

On his part, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kenneth Nwosu, said the victim was presently receiving treatment at a private hospital.

What a Crowd! Lagos Stands Still for President GEJ’s Rally at TBS

The rally is on right now at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Couple Caught Making Love Next to ATM, People Applaud and Take Photos

This picture below shows a randy couple who were caught up in the spur of the moment and had sex right next to an Automated Teller Machine.

See what Teen mom reality star did to her lips

Teen mum reality star turned porn star Farrah Abraham shared these photos on her twitter page a few hours ago showing what happened to her lips as she tried to get lip injection. She wrote "Girlfriends don't say I didn't warn ya ! #Botched. California #ER #fixit"

Guys, if she had the personality of an angel but with skin like this, would you still take her home?

Be sincere she's got a great personality but some cheap cream messed up her skin, would you still take her home? Get naked with her? Let these hands touch you? Let these legs rob on you?

So Christ Embassy worshippers are mad that they paid N1k for their New Year crossover service?

Like he's been doing for the last few years, since 2010 I think, pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy made his followers pay N1,000 each as gate fee to attend the Church's New Year Crossover service which held at their Ikeja church HQ on Dec. 31st, 2014. The ones who could afford to buy the gate pass were allowed in, the ones who couldn't were asked to go back. Now, some of them are mad.

In 2013, the church said the reason they did this was to reduce the number of people who come for the annual service, because the venue couldn't handle the thousands that showed up, many or whom were not even members of the church. So, it was their own way of controlling the crowd.

So the HQ sitting capacity is about 20k, and let's say half of the crowd paid N1k each, that would be about N10m for the church from just gate fee. Some say it's extortion, that no church should ever ask for money for members to attend, some say they understand why the church would insist on this. What do you think? Is crowd control a reasonable excuse to collect gate fee at a church?

See what this woman did to herself just to get bigger butt

27 year old Brazilian beauty Andressa Urach spent a month in intensive care after cosmetic gels rotted her muscles after she got surgery to enhance her butt. The model, who was 2nd runner Miss Bum Bum Brazil in 2012, said she feared she would lose her leg after the gel inserted into each of her upper thighs 'rotted' her muscles. Her wounds then got infected, causing septic shock.

She reportedly had injections of two filers, hydrogel and PMMA, to make her butt larger but a few months after the cosmetics surgery, she knew something was wrong as she became uncomfortable. The gel had to be drained from her butt. "The hydrogel was not absorbed by my body and started to harm me." she told Brazil's R7 website.

The model recently released photos taken during her month in intensive care. See more pic below...

High Quality Infinix Touch Screen SmartPhone for Only N13,400. Buy it Now

The Infinix brand of screen touch smartphones and tablets have been widely acclaimed as one of the best phone brands in Nigeria at the moment. They are known to have better specs than other phones of the same price range.

For a limited period only, Konga is offering a big discount on the latest Infinix phone called Infinix Hot at the low price of N13,400, no longer N20,000.Click Here http://www.konga.com/infinix-hot?k_id=ameen

This phone feels great 

Photos: Senator Hope Uzodinma marries 25 year old new bride

Nigerian politician and multimillionaire businessman, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, who is representing Imo West constituency in the Nigerian senate married a lady said to be 25 years old this past Saturday January 3rd. They had a low key traditional wedding in Owerri. See more photos after the cut. (that's him in white and his bride in pink and black)