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BBNAIJA All Stars: Kiddwaya evicted, new housemates added

Itoro ETUKUDO
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BBNAIJA All Stars: Kiddwaya evicted, new housemates added

TERSEER Kiddwaya, widely known as Kiddwaya, has been evicted from the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) All-Stars show, while Prince Nelson Enwerem (Prince), Omashola Kola Oburoh (Omashola), Chinonso Ibinabo Opara (Kim Oprah) and Lucy Essien (Lucy) were added as new housemates.

During the live eviction show on Sunday, August 20, the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchenndu, revealed that Kiddwaya and Tolanibaj were the two housemates with the lowest votes, of which the jurists voted out Kiddwaya.

Tsakute Jonah (Saskay from Shine Ya Eye season 6), Elozonam Ogbulu (Elozonam from Pepper Dem season 4), and Victoria Adeyele (Vee from Lockdown season 5), who were members of the jury collectively decided to evict Kiddwaya through a unanimous vote.

Kiddwaya, a former participant of Lockdown season 5, was the third contestant to be evicted from the All Stars show. Others who were evicted are Uriel and Princess.

Ebuka, during the live eviction show, said that the new four ex-housemates will be joining the show to add to the game’s fun but will not be competing for the N120 million grand prize.

Spain takes home $4.29 million for winning 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Dotun OMISAKIN
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Spain takes home $4.29 million for winning 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

 

THE Spanish women’s national team has won $4.29 million in prize money as they defeated England 1-0 to be crowned the champion of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup played at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

The monetary reward of $4.29 million was earmarked for the winner, a slight increase in the $4m the USA received as a team for winning the World Cup in 2019.

Also, each Spaniard player will smile home with $270,000.

The keenly contested match was decided by Spain captain Olga Carmona whose strike earned the first major title for her team.

This feat also completed a unique clean sweep of FIFA crowns for Spain at U-17, U-20 and senior level.

The match witnessed football artistries between both teams which created an exciting moment.

Sweden defeated Australia, 2-0, to emerge as the third-place winner.

Individual awards won at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Spain’s Aitana Bonmati won the Adidas Golden Ball Award for the tournament’s best player. She scored three times and two assists during the tournament.

Japan’s player Hinata Miyazawa emerged as the top goalscorer to win the Adidas Golden Boot Award. She had an unmatched five goals.

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England’s Mary Earps won the Adidas Golden Glove Award after earning three clean sheets and making a host of fine saves, including a penalty in the final.

Spain’s Salma Paralluelo won the FIFA Best Young Player Award.

Japan won the FIFA Fair Play Award after finishing first in the Fair Play contest.

Seyi Awolowo’s comment contributes to a culture of violence and abuse – Lagos DSVA

Itoro ETUKUDO
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Seyi Awolowo’s comment contributes to a culture of violence and abuse – Lagos DSVA

THE Lagos State Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Agency (DSVA) has condemned the comment made by a BBNAIJA All-Stars housemate, Seyi Awolowo.

In the early hours of Sunday, Seyi shared with some male housemates that he plans to have only sons that would “run train” on girls.

Dictionary.com describes ‘to run train’ as when multiple men sleep with a woman one after the other, with or without consent.

“I gave birth to a boy first… My boys! They will come to me and say ‘daddy I need the Benz’, I will give them the Benz, I will give them the key to the guest house, and they will run train on people’s daughters. I am saying this plainly because i know where I’m saying it from. I’m giving birth to boys, and they will have *** with people’s daughters”, he said.

In response, the Lagos DSVA, through their official Twitter account, expressed their condemnation of Seyi’s remarks, citing that such comments promote harmful beliefs and add to a culture of violence and abuse.

“We strongly condemn the comments made by Seyi Awolowo in the disturbing video that has surfaced. Such remarks perpetuate harmful attitudes and contribute to a culture of violence and abuse. 

“The bystanders’ passive response in the video is also deeply concerning because it only enables such behaviour to persist. It is important for us all to actively speak up in circumstances such as this. 

“We remain committed to addressing issues of domestic and sexual violence. Together, we can work towards creating a society that truly values consent and is free from violence.” 

Celebrities and former housemates took to social media to express their dissatisfaction and disappointment with Seyi’s comments.

Mike Edwards, a BBNaija ex-housemate said, “I don’t condone this behavior”.

Similarly, Nigerian actor Daniel Etim Effiong said, “ This isn’t a true representation of fatherhood. We raise our children to be respectful, disciplined and speak with wisdom”. 

SERAP urges Tinubu to stop ex-governors serving as ministers from collecting life pension

Mustapha USMAN
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SERAP urges Tinubu to stop ex-governors serving as ministers from collecting life pension

SOCIO-ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct the former governors to stop collecting life pensions, exotic cars and other allowances from their states while serving as ministers in his administration.

The organisation also appealed to Tinubu to direct the former governors to immediately return any pension and allowances that they might have collected since leaving office to the public treasury.

SERAP, in a letter dated August 19,  and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare,  said, “The appointment of former governors who collect life pensions while serving as ministers is implicitly forbidden by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international legal obligations.”

The ICIR in an earlier report, disclosed that Tinubu has so far assigned ministerial portfolios to eight past governors. The president initially submitted names of nine ex-governors to the Senate for confirmation but the former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, was not confirmed due to what the Senate described as ‘security clearance.’

The former governors confirmed as the ministers in the Tinubu administration are: Badaru Abubakar, Nyesom Wike, Bello Matawalle, Adegboyega Oyetola, David Umahi, Simon Lalong, Atiku Bagudu and Ibrahim Geidam.

Stating the need to stop the ex-governors from receiving pensions, SERAP explained that the president would be acting in the public interest given the current grave economic realities in the country.

SERAP, in the letter, also pointed out that while many pensioners are owed arrears of their pensions, former governors serving as ministers get paid huge severance benefits upon leaving office and are poised to enjoy double payments on top of the opulence of political officeholders.

SERAP, meanwhile, threaten to take legal action against Tinubu’s administration if he fails to order the ex-governors in his administration to stop taking life pension within seven days.

According to SERAP, stopping the former governors from collecting double emoluments would be entirely consistent with the proper exercise of your constitutional power to appoint ministers.

“The states currently implementing life pensions for former governors reportedly include Jigawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Yobe, and Rivers. Many of these states owe workers’ salaries and remain the poorest in the country.

“Several of the pension laws in these states include provisions for six cars every three years, a house in Lagos worth N750 million, and another in Abuja worth N1 billion, unrestricted access to medical attention, and pensionable cooks, stewards, and gardeners.

“Other provisions 100 per cent annual salaries of the incumbent governor, security operatives and police officers permanently assigned to former governors,” the statement added.

The organisation also noted that life pensions for former governors serving as ministers are inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.

“The convention, specifically in paragraph 1 of article 8 requires you and your government to promote integrity, honesty and responsibility in the management of public resources.

“Furthermore, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, in a judgment dated November 26 2019, also indicated that double emoluments for former governors are unacceptable, unconstitutional and illegal.”

NDLEA raids warehouse, recovers N4.8 billion worth of drugs

Bankole ABE
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NDLEA raids warehouse, recovers N4.8 billion worth of drugs

OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Saturday, August 19, recovered N4.8 billion worth of illicit drugs seized at a warehouse at the International Trade Fair Complex, Alaba, Ojo, Lagos.

According to a statement by the NDLEA on Sunday, August 20, signed by its Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the Warehouse is owned by a wanted billionaire drug baron.

Items recovered from the Warehouse include “1.4 million (1,400,000) pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 826kgs; 3.2 million (3,200,000) pills of codeine with gross weight of 3,360kgs; and 2,841 cartons of codeine syrup containing 284,100 bottles with 28,410 litres of the psychoactive substance, with a combined street value of Four Billion Eight Hundred and Twenty Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N4,820,500,000) only,” the Agency stated.

During the operation that lasted hours, the anti-narcotics Agency said a suspect, Paulinus Ojukwu, Chief Security Officer to the wanted drug baron, was arrested and now assisting ongoing investigation.

The NDLEA added that the latest drug warehouse bust is coming on the heels of the arrest of a drug baroness, Faith Ebele Nwankwo, who was nabbed on Wednesday, August 9, with Two Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand pills of tramaking, a brand of tramadol.

Meanwhile, NDLEA said its operatives on Friday, August 18, intercepted Twenty Million US Dollar notes ($20 million) suspected to be counterfeit during a stop and search operation along Abaji – Lokoja road within the Federal Capital Territory.

“The suspected fake money was recovered from a bus coming from Lagos to Abuja, while the 53-year-old vehicle driver, Onyebuchi Nlededin, was arrested.

“The previous day, Thursday, August 17, Jude Ndubuisi, 52, was arrested with 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Kabusa village, FCT,” the NDLEA stated.

The Agency said the suspect was initially arrested with 20.75kg of cannabis on July 2022 and was on bail following his ongoing prosecution when he was nabbed for yet another drug crime.

According to the Agency, another raid of two notorious drug joints within the FCT: Dei Dei and Tora-Bora Hills, led to the recovery of 82.8kg skunk, 1.8kg rohypnol and 1.2kg diazepam on Wednesday, August 16.

Bayelsa: MRA condemns attack on journalists, urges immediate police action

Joshua Ovorumu
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Bayelsa: MRA condemns attack on journalists, urges immediate police action

A civil society organisation, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has condemned the assault on journalists by armed thugs on Wednesday, August 16, in the Opu Nembe community in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.

The MRA, in a statement made available to The ICIR, also urged the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the tragedy thoroughly to ensure the culprits be brought to justice.

Journalists from various media covered an outbreak of violence in Opu Nembe on the day when thugs brutally assaulted them. The assailants attacked the journalists and took their television cameras and other necessary tools.

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MRA listed Joseph Kunde and his cameraman from TVC News, officials from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and employees of Daar Communications Limited and The Sun Publishing Limited as victims of the assault.

MRA’s Programme Officer, John Gbadamosi, observed that “the Government’s silence and inaction appear to foster a culture of impunity for attacks against journalists.”

He appealed to the police chief, Kayode Egbetokun, to open an investigation into the incident.

In addition, he emphasized the significance of educating the Nigerian Police Force on the critical function and legal rights of the media in a democracy.

Gbadamosi called attention to the rise in violence against journalists. He said this pattern not only endangers the safety of journalists but also threatens the foundational principles of press freedom and, consequently, democracy itself.

In Nigeria, there have been similar assaults on media practitioners.

Niger Coup: Military government demands three-year transition period

Ijeoma OPARA
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Niger Coup: Military government demands three-year transition period

THE MILITARY government in Niger Republic has demanded a three-year transition period after which it will give up power in the country.

Niger’s new ruler Abdourahamane Tchiani disclosed this on Saturday, August 19, reiterating that attempts to disrupt his government would result in war.

“Our ambition is not to confiscate power. Transition period will not exceed three years; meanwhile, political parties are urged to submit their vision for the transition within 30 days. There’s availability for any dialogue, provided that it takes into account the aspirations of the people of Niger.

“However, any intervention will open a Pandora’s Box and will not be a walk in the park,” he said.

Delegates of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held meetings with the junta leader on Saturday as part of efforts to diplomatically resolve the military takeover of power in Niger.

The delegates also met with the deposed president of the country Mohamed Bazoum, on Saturday.

Earlier, Delegates sent by ECOWAS to dialogue with the new Nigerien government were denied entry into the country on the basis of safety.

However, former Nigerian Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar led an ECOWAS delegation to the meeting with Tchiani, which lasted about an hour and a half.

Coup plotters ousted Bazoum’s administration on Wednesday, July 26, after which Tchiani was declared the country’s new ruler.

Reacting to the coup, ECOWAS imposed several sanctions on the country, including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between the Niger Republic and member states, freezing its assets in the Community’s central and commercial banks, and a travel ban on military officials involved.

ECOWAS also issued a seven-day ultimatum on July 30, ordering the coup plotters to reinstate the deposed president or be faced with a possible military intervention, but the Niger junta has maintained its stance and warned against the use of force.

In support of Tchiani’s threat to meet ECOWAS military intervention with war, Mali and Burkina Faso deployed super Tucano fighter jets to Niger on Friday, August 18.

NDLEA debunks appointing Naira Marley as ambassador

Mustapha USMAN
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0
NDLEA debunks appointing Naira Marley as ambassador

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has refuted the alleged appointment of afrobeats star Afeez Adeshina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, as an ambassador.

The Agency, in a statement by its spokesperson Femi Babafemi, on Saturday, August 19, described the alleged appointment as ‘misleading’ and ‘absolute falsehood,’ adding that the picture of his visit to the agency was properly captioned.

Marley, it would be recalled, had visited the agency’s Abuja headquarters on Thursday, August 17, where he delivered a message against drug abuse, encouraging Nigerians to steer clear of drugs.

Sharing images of his visit on Thursday via its Twitter account, NDLEA wrote: “Photo caption 1: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) with music star, Naira Marley when the artiste paid a visit to the National Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja to declare support for the War Against Drug Abuse on Thursday 17th August 202.

“Photo 2: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) and music star, Naira Marley (both middle) flanked by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi (2nd l) and other members of Marley’s team: Sam Larry; Dami Marshal and Chuddy Naira when the artiste paid a visit to the National Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja to declare support for the War Against Drug Abuse on Thursday 17th August 2023.”

This event was followed by different reactions and speculations from Nigerians on social media, with many asserting that the singer had secured an ambassadorship with the agency during his visit.

Several individuals who commented on the post expressed concerns that the agency hadn’t done its due diligence before ‘appointing’ Naira Marley as ambassador, while some stated that the supposed appointee is a drug user.

Meanwhile, reacting to this, NDLEA said its engagement with the star was “to encourage him to use his skills and platforms to put out content that will discourage millions of his followers and Nigerian youths from substance abuse.”

Part of the statement read: “This clarification became necessary following continued misrepresentation of the purpose of the visit, especially on online platforms where some reports suggest that the British-Nigerian singer was appointed as an NDLEA Ambassador.

“This is a misleading and absolute falsehood as the pictures of the visit and the short video containing Naira Marley’s advocacy message to his followers were properly captioned and shared by the Agency without any suggestion of such an appointment.

“The decision by the Agency to encourage Naira Marley with over seven million followers, half the population of those who abuse drugs in Nigeria, to use his platform to share anti-substance abuse messages as against using same to promote and glamourize drug abuse with the dire consequence of misleading millions of Nigerian youths into their peril, is to create a balance between our drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

“This is also in line with the Agency’s whole society approach to the fight against drug abuse and in tune with global best practices as well as the theme for this year’s World Drug Day; People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”

Nigerian extradited over attempt to steal $25 million in US benefits

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Nigerian extradited over attempt to steal $25 million in US benefits

A Nigerian national living in Canada, Sakiru Olanrewaju Ambali has been extradited to the United States of America, after being accused of defrauding the pandemic unemployment benefit programme in some states in the United States of America.

This was disclosed in a statement by the United States of America’s Attorney’s Office published on Friday, August 18, 2023.

According to the statement, Ambali, 45, was arrested in February 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, as he travelled back to Canada from Nigeria and had been detained in Germany pending extradition.

It stated that the suspect made his initial appearance in the United States of America’s District Court, in Tacoma, on Friday, after arriving in the Western District of Washington Thursday.

Ambali and one Fatiu Ismaila Lawal had earlier been accused of using the stolen identities of thousands of Americans to submit over 1,700 claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to over 25 states, including Washington state.

It was alleged that both used stolen personal details from numerous US taxpayers and residents to submit deceitful claims for COVID-19 pandemic aid and fabricated tax returns aiming for refunds.

“In total, the claims sought approximately $25 million, but the conspirators obtained approximately $2.4 million, primarily from pandemic unemployment benefits,” the statement read in part.

They also purportedly lodged claims for pandemic unemployment benefits in excess of 25 states, encompassing key regions like New York, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, California, and Washington.

The duo were accused of submitting over 2,300 counterfeit income tax returns, seeking refunds exceeding $7.1 million. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) detected a significant portion of these fraudulent claims, resulting in only approximately $30,000 being disbursed as fraudulent refunds.

Part of the statement read, “The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

“Lawal remains in Canada, pending extradition. The conspiracy and wire fraud counts are punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

“The National Unemployment Fraud Task Force provided a lead on this case to the investigative team in Western Washington.

“The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the United States of America’s Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). Also contributing to the investigation were Washington State Employment Security Division (ESD), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).”

“The case is reportedly being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy Chang and Seth Wilkinson of the Western District of Washington, while the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs is said to be assisting.”

Coup: Mali, Burkina Faso deploy warplanes to Niger after ECOWAS threat

Ijeoma OPARA
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Coup: Mali, Burkina Faso deploy warplanes to Niger after ECOWAS threat

THE governments of Mali and Burkina Faso have deployed warplanes to Niger Republic following threats by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democratic rule in the country through military intervention.

A report from Niger’s Television Station confirmed that Mali and Burkina Faso deployed super Tucano fighter jets to Niger on Friday, August 18, 2023.

The military leaders met at the Nigerien capital, Niamey, to discuss other measures to be adopted in the event of military intervention by ECOWAS.

The military junta in Niger Republic had ousted the administration of President Muhammed Bazoum on Wednesday, July 26, after which former Head of Presidential Guards Abdourahamane Tchiani, who had held the position for about 12 years, was declared as the country’s new ruler.

The Nigerien military also warned against external military confrontation, stating that it would result in a massacre of the masses.

Following the coup, ECOWAS imposed several sanctions on the country, including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between the Niger Republic and member states, freezing its assets in the Community’s central and commercial banks, and a travel ban on military officials involved.

The ECOWAS also issued a seven-day ultimatum on July 30, ordering the military government to reinstate the deposed president, but the Niger junta maintained its stance, warning that the use of force by the Community will be met with war.

Delegates sent by ECOWAS to dialogue with the new Nigerien government were denied entry into the country on the basis of safety.

“The current context of public anger and revolt following the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS does not permit the welcoming of this delegation in the required conditions of serenity and security,” the Nigerien government said in a letter.

Although several groups have warned against the use of force in Niger, West African military chiefs decided on Thursday, August 17, that there would be a standby force to restore constitutional order in the country.

“Democracy is what we stand for, and it is what we encourage. The focus of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that results in peace and promotes stability,” Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, said during a meeting of ECOWAS Defence Chiefs held in Accra, Ghana.

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