GUNMEN ABDUCT CATHOLIC PRIEST FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FOR YEARS IN DELTA STATE

Rev. Fr. Jude Onyebadi, the Parish Priest of Saint’s Peters & Paul, Issele Asagba, was said to have been monitored and kidnapped in his farm, at the weekend,for the second time in four years: where he went to inspect his farm, workers and pay them for the work done.

 

 Fr. Onyebadi was taken into the bush alongside three workers in his farm. The three workers were later set free while the priest is being held incommunicado.

 

The search party organised by the family members of the priest in conjunction with locals in the area, including members of the local vigilance group, have not yielded the desired results.

 

Communication Director, Catholic Diocese of Issele Uku, Rev. Fr. Charles Uganwan, who confirmed the development, said that the matter had been reported to the security agencies and that members of the church had embarked on prayers for his release unhurt.

 

He said the kidnappers have not made any contact or demanded ransom.

 

He, therefore, pleaded with the kidnappers who may not know that he is a priest to release him unconditionally.

 

When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident, saying: "The police have been dispatched to the bush to rescue the Catholic Priest."

 

APPARENT CRACKS IN NIGERIA MAY LEAD TO BREAK-UP IF NOT ADEQUATELY MANAGED

Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has warned that Nigeria may break up if efforts are not made to address the "existing cracks."

He gave the warning while speaking at an interdenominational church service to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary on Sunday, September 27.

The Vice-President who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, at the National Ecumenical Centre, where the anniversary service was held, said efforts to mend the crack might be opposed, but such opposition would be defeated with focus and consistent prayers.

Making reference to the biblical story of how Nehemiah championed the rebuilding of the broken walls of Jerusalem, Vice President Osinbajo said

“The story should be a challenge to every Christian in Nigeria. It’s only that kind of Nehemiah’s love that will make us, as Nigerians, to rebuild the cracks we have in our walls today.

For us in Nigeria, Nehemiah should be taken as a metaphor for those Nigerians who either reside in Nigeria or outside, to cry to God to use the abandoned opportunities in Nigeria to address our challenges of nation-building.

Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken, but there are apparent cracks that could lead to a break if not adequately addressed.

Nehemiah started with fervent prayers, seeking the face of God and pleaded with his king to allow him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls because the wall signifies peace, security, contentment and prosperity. It represents the essence of the state of the nation.

There’s an urgent need for a Nehemiah in our country, Nigeria, today. And like Nehemiah faced opposition in his efforts to rebuild the walls, any Nigerian that desires to rebuild Nigeria must also be ready to face stiffer opposition which will come in torrents. It can only be diffused by consistent focus and prayers.”

 

 

NIGERIAN BOXER DEFEATED BRAZIL'S PAULO COSTA TO RETAIN UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE

Nigerian MMA fighter, Israel Adesanya defeated Brazil's Paulo Costa with a second-round TKO win to retain his UFC middleweight title in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night, September 26.

In the second round, Adesanya opened up Costa's face with a high kick and then finished the challenger with punches. Costa, 29, stumbled backward and could not recover as he was left bloodied and bruised on the canvas.

The win is Adesanya’s 20th professional MMA victory. He remains the world's best middleweight at a perfect 20-0.

"I've been telling you guys, but everyone thinks ... like Roy Jones said, 'Y'all must have forgot' because of what happened last time," Adesanya said after his win. "I had to remind the world who's the best."

‘The Last Stylebender’ calling out Jared Cannonier for his next fight dueing the post-match interview. 

“I already messaged Jared Cannonier, he is a hell of a dude, I love his energy, I said, you destroy Robert Whittaker, you are next. He’s the one I want to fight next.”

 

AN AIR FORCE OFFICER SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FRAUD

An Air Force officer identified as  Michael Oyebanji,a  Master Warrant Officer (MWO),has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after sitting before a General Court Martial at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Makurdi. 

 

Michael Oyebanji and three other Air Force officers were sentenced based on their levels of involvement in the fraudulent misappropriation of funds of the 151 Base Services Group Multipurpose Cooperative Society funds. 

 

While Flt Lt Olawoore was tried for negligently performing his duty as the President of the Cooperative and awarded a six-month loss of seniority after being found guilty, Fg Offr Adekoya was tried for negligently performing his duty as Secretary of the Cooperative and awarded a one-year loss of seniority after being found guilty. 

 

WO Paul Atteh, who was tried for negligently performing his duty as the Treasurer of the Cooperative as well as for the Making of False Documents and Criminal Breach of Trust, was found guilty of all 3 charges. He was punished with a reduction in rank from WO to Sergeant, in the first instance, and then eventually reduced to the rank of Corporal. He is also required to pay a fine of N1,000,000.00.

 

Oyebanji, who was the Vice President of the Cooperative, was tried on a 46 count charge, including; Criminal Breach of Trust, Theft, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Misappropriation, Making of False Documents and Conduct to the Prejudice of Service Discipline, contrary to Sections 114 and 103 (d) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Sections 312, 287, 96 and 309 of the Penal Code Cap P3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

 

He was found guilty on all 46 counts and subsequently sentenced to serve 21 years imprisonment, cumulatively, as well as a reduction in rank to Corporal and ordered to refund all monies misappropriated.

 

President of the GCM, Air Commodore Nazib Aliyu who pronounced the four accused personnel guilty of various charges, has also ordered the release of WO Atteh from detention. 

 

Air Force spokesman, Ibikunle Daramola said the sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority. It is however within the rights of the Accused Personnel to appeal the judgment of the GCM if they are dissatisfied.

 

POLICE PARADED 17 TEACHERS FOR WAEC EXAMS MALPRACTICES

Force headquarters on Friday paraded 17 suspects including School Principals, Teachers and Supervisors, for examination malpractices during the last West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in the country.

The  suspects were arrested in Kano, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Rivers , Delta, Enugu and Lagos states .

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba who paraded the suspects disclosed that their arrest was made possible with the cooperation of the West African Examination Council.

Mba said,

“WAEC has begun massive collaboration and partnership with the Nigerian Police Force designed to strengthen integrity and wipe out all kinds of examination malpractices.

He regretted that the bulk of the suspects are person’s employed, trained and are being paid by WAEC.

“Some of them are Teachers, Principals in Secondary Schools. One of them is a Primary School teacher. Some of them were host teachers, some are supervisors in the school where the exams took place”

The FPRO noted that the Police, working in synergy with WAEC is working to fashion out a robust policy that will henceforth checkmate activities of exam malpractices in WAEC

He advised parents and candidates to ensure their wards to prepare for their exams and shun exam malpractices and fraudulent practices.

The Force PRO added that all the suspects will be arraigned in court for prosecution.

In her speech, Mrs. Omolemi Hassan who represented the Head of National Council of WAEC, appreciated the Nigerian Police Force for the support which led to arrest of the suspects.

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She said,

“There was no leakage at all. It was those we trusted as invigilators, supervisors that tried to scuttle our efforts by taking pictures of the question papers and posting them to certain people. But before the suspect could escape, the Police arrested them.

One of the arrested suspects and Principal of a Private Secondary School, Essence Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Mr. Hanson Belot said he regretted that action even though many of the students were crying that because of Covid 19 lockdown, they were not thought many of the subjects as school.

 

KINGMAKERS PICKED BASHIR AMINU AS THE NEW EMIR OF ZAZZAU

Kingmakers of Zazzau Emirate have picked Iyan Zazzau, Bashir Aminu,a  chartered accountant by profesion, as the new Emir of Zazzau.He succeed  the late Emir, Shehu Idris, who died on Sunday at the age of 84.

The kingmakers include the Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, who is the Chairman, Makama Karami, Alhaji Muhammad Abbas, Fagacin Zazzau, Alhaji Umar Muhammad, Chief Imam of Zazzau, Sheikh Dalhatu Qasim and the Chief Imam of Kona, Sheikh Muhammad.

The election was conducted in front of the Secretary of the State Government, Head of Service, Commissioner of Police, among many others.

According to source, it was  gathered that three of the kingmakers voted for Aminu, while Turakin Zazzau, Aminu Idris, eldest son of the late Emir and Yeriman Zazzau, Munir Ja’afaru got one vote each.

The late Emir Idris, it was learnt, succeeded his father, who died in 1975.

Until the reforms two years ago to resize Kaduna traditional institutions, Aminu was the district head of Sabon Gari, a position he was first appointed to in 1979.

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A source said the kingmakers have written a report and are due to meet Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, soon, who is expected to make an announcement following their meeting.

 

STELLA DAMASUS: DUMPED BY HER 3RD HUSBAND IN USA

Doris Simon ex-hubby Daniel Ademinoka, has dumped his wife of  9-years,Stella Damasus..It will be recalled that during the emergence of the pandemic, Stella disclosed that she has moved to a different state because she has been kept away from her husband.

However, it has been revealed that her husband Daniel packed out of their home in Dallas with his son to Houston earlier this year.

In a fresh update to the alleged breakup between Stella Damasus, and her hubby of 9-years, Daniel Ademinoka, it has been established that the husband hired ‘spies’ to keep tabs on his wife during the boiling point of their marital woes.

This new information was made available by German based Nigerian blogger Stella Dimiko Korkus.( SDK) was quoted as saying: ‘Daniel unknown to anyone hired a private investigator when he discovered some weird activities going on with his beloved wife..The contract with private investigator was about three years ago and this person did some technical forensic digging over a period of time and the outcome is damaging…..”

SDK sources furhter enquired: ”What kind of damaging info was unearthed and why did it take him so long to take to his heels?”

Then came the reply: ”Daniel is only talking to a few people and some of these people are leaks and that is why this story is getting to you, the info is very damaging and there are other people involved in this…All will be revealed soon but you can take this info from the bank…..That Daniel bugged all that could be bugged to get al what he needed and then he decided he could not be in that kind of marriage and told a few close friends who told him to stay and work it out or run, he confronted her with info but she denied it, her stiff denials led him to take friends advice and he took to his heels, Stella story plenty and I will quickly get the next and final one because if this story brokes everyone will become a suspect and there will be no more sources….’

The insider also informed the blogger that their Church members and co are trying to intervene and asking Daniel to return home to Dallas with his son David but his reaction is not known as at press time.