Nigerian conjoined twins "healthy" after operation in India

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Doctors declared Wednesday that a pair of formerly conjoined twins were healthy and happy after they were successfully separated in a marathon "nerve-wracking" operation in India by a team of 40 specialists.

The one-year-old girls from Nigeria, sporting matching bright pink dresses, sat patiently on their parents' laps as doctors explained the separation last month during an 18-hour operation at a New Delhi hospital.

"They were fused at their back when they came to us which is very rare," paediatric surgeon Prashant Jain told AFP.

[caption id="attachment_412259" align="alignnone" width="412"] Badaru Mannir (L) holds his daughter Hassana Badaru (2L) and Hussaina Badaru (R)  after a surgery to separate the conjoined twins at BLK Super Specialty Hospital in New Delhi on September 4, 2013.[/caption]

"Usually the twins are joined in the head or the upper body. It posed a huge challenge to our team of doctors," Jain said.

Doctors held the media conference as the twins, Hussaina and Hassana, sat happily, grabbing at a mobile phone, clutching a rattle and trying to pull off their mother's earrings.

Malama Badariyya Badaru, the mother of the twins, said she was overjoyed at finally being able to hold the girls in her arms "individually".

The girls, sporting hair bands of different colours to make recognition easier, looked curiously at the cameras during the conference at the BLK Super Speciality hospital.

"It was all nerve-wracking work. But it feels great to see them happy, healthy and independent," Jain said.

The single surgery was carried out in three stages, preparation, separation and then reconstruction of their shared organs which include the lower spine, lower intestinal and urinary tracts as well as genitals.

"We carried out rehearsals using dummies. All tubes, wires, injections and drugs were colour-coded in pink or blue (for each girl) to avoid any mistake," he said.

Jain said only 15 percent of all conjoined twins are born with this type of condition, known medically as pygopagus. Medical literature lists just 32 such cases, he said.

The family, from Kano state in northwestern Nigeria, were told by doctors in their country that one of the girls may not survive if they went ahead with the surgery there.

An unnamed philanthropist then stepped in to help, and suggested they travel to India which offered good facilities at relatively low medical costs, Jain said.

The family can head home to Nigeria after a series of month-long check ups, he said.

Vatican envoy sacked over child sex probe

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - The Vatican's envoy to the Dominican Republic has been sacked amid an investigation in Rome into accusations he had sex with children, a spokesman was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

Monsignor Josef Wesolowski, a 65-year-old Pole, has been the papal nuncio in Santo Domingo for over five years, the I.Media news agency on Vatican affairs reported quoting the spokesman.

The Dominican press said the diplomat had sex for money with underage boys in the "Zona colonial", the historic centre of Santo Domingo.

The cleric was ordained in 1972 by the then archbishop of Krakow, cardinal Karol Wojtyla, who later became pope John Paul II.

John Paul II appointed him nuncio to Bolivia, his first posting. Wesolowski also worked in several countries in Central Asia and was appointed to the Dominican Republic by Benedict XVI in 2008.

Pope Francis has vowed to crack down against abuse in the Catholic Church, reiterating the zero-tolerance approach eventually taken up by his predecessor Benedict XVI following a wave of revelations.

Mali's new leader vows to unite divided nation

BAMAKO (AFP) - President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita pledged on Wednesday to unite Mali and end endemic corruption as he was sworn in to lead the deeply-divided west African nation's emergence from months of political crisis and conflict.

Keita, a former prime minister, began his five-year term in the presence of outgoing transitional leader Dioncounda Troare and more than 1,000 Malian politicians, diplomats and military personnel as he took the presidential oath at a ceremony in the capital Bamako.

"I will not forget for a moment that you put me where I am to take care of all aspects of the life of our nation. National reconciliation remains the most urgent priority," he said after taking an oath to preserve the constitution, democracy and the law.

Mali's constitutional court confirmed Keita's landslide victory three weeks ago in the August 11 presidential run-off against former minister Soumaila Cisse after an election campaign focused on law, order and ending the culture of impunity in public office.

"I want to reconcile hearts and minds, restore true brotherhood between us so that all the different people can play their part harmoniously in the national symphony," Keita said to huge applause.

The 68-year-old veteran of the political scene in Bamako is charged with leading the country out of a 17-month political crisis sparked by a military coup.

Army officers angry at the level of support they had received to combat a separatist Tuareg rebellion in the north overthrew the democratically-elected government of President Amadou Toumani Toure on March 22, 2012.

In the chaos that followed, the Tuareg seized control of an area larger than France before being ousted by Al-Qaeda-linked groups who imposed a brutal interpretation of Islamic law on the local population, carrying out amputations and executions.

Their actions drew worldwide condemnation and prompted France to launch a military offensive at Mali's behest to oust the Islamists in January.

The country's return to democracy has allowed France to begin withdrawing some of the 4,500 troops it had sent in.

"France welcomes the new president of the Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, on the occasion of his swearing-in ceremony," said French foreign ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot in a statement.

"Granted a strong legitimacy with the outcome of the recent elections, the new authorities can now meet the needs of the people of Mali and the challenges facing Mali. France is ready to give its full support to President Keita."

The son of a civil servant, Keita was born in 1945 in the southern industrial city of Koutiala, the declining heartland of cotton production in the country.

His election in the first presidential polls since 2007 was seen as crucial for unlocking more than $4 billion in aid promised by international donors who halted contributions in the wake of last year's coup.

His daunting workload over the coming months will include tackling an economy battered by political chaos and war, as well as healing ethnic divisions in the north and managing the return of 500,000 people who fled an Islamist insurgency.

Corruption has tainted government institutions and the military in Mali since it gained independence from France in 1960 and the country remains in the bottom third of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

A 2012 report by the Washington-based think-tank the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Foundation report spoke of "state complicity with organised crime" as the main factor enabling the rise of armed Islamist rebel groups in the north.

"I will put an end to impunity, to the special privileges that are at the heart of the perversion of our judicial and state institutions," Keita vowed.

"As president, I will ensure the proper management of public funds. I will put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure transparency and efficiency of public spending. No one will get rich illegally off the back of the Malian people."

Man who held three women as slaves for 10 yrs hangs self

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The former US bus driver jailed for life for kidnapping and raping three young women he held as sex slaves for a decade was found hanged late Tuesday in "an apparent case of suicide" in his closely monitored cell, authorities said.

The death of Ariel Castro, who was required to be checked on every 30 minutes, brought an abrupt and dramatic ending to a sordid case that shocked America and the world with its revelations of systematic depravity and brutality.



JoEllen Smith, spokeswoman for the Ohio prisons department, said that Castro was found hanging in a cell in which he was alone Tuesday night in a prison in the town of Orient.

"It does appear to be an apparent case of suicide," Smith told AFP early Wednesday, declining to give further details.

But Cleveland TV station WOIO said he had not been on suicide watch. It said he had been at the Orient prison for only about 30 days. He was sentenced in August.

Officials tried in vain to resuscitate the 53-year-old, according to an earlier statement from the Ohio Department of Corrections.

"He was housed in protective custody which means he was in a cell by himself and rounds are required every 30 minutes at staggered intervals. Upon finding inmate Castro, prison medical staff began performing life-saving measures," the statement by Smith said.

Castro, it said, was pronounced dead at 10:52 pm after he had been found hanging in his cell at 9:20 pm at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient.

"A thorough review of this incident is underway," the statement said.

Blogs posted in the main Cleveland newspaper, The Plain Dealer, were merciless.

"Adios diablo, may you burn for 1,000 years, just like you were sentenced," one said, alluding to his jail term of life plus 1,000 years.

"Why no picture of him hanging? Now THAT would be justice," asked another.

"Must have used his clothing?" mused yet another.

Castro's crimes -- keeping the three young women in what came to be known as a house of horrors and raping and otherwise brutalizing them for around a decade -- disgusted the country and led to an outpouring of national pity for the three victims. They were abducted separately between 2002 and 2004.

Their names are Amanda Berry, now 27; Gina DeJesus, 23; and Michelle Knight, 32.

A cousin of Castro, Maria Castro Montes, told CNN that perhaps there was some good to come from the death of Castro. Maybe now, she said, the victims can truly can get on with their lives and not deal with periodic new details leaking about their respective nightmares.

"Maybe this is for the best," Montes said. "Maybe this is the only way he will be out of the spotlight."

She added of the women he tormented: "They would never find peace if he were still in prison."

Montes said she found it "hard to believe he had the courage to take his own life."

The woman ranged in age from 14 to 20 when Castro took them off the street in a working class neighborhood of Cleveland, under the pretext he was offering them a ride in his car.

They escaped on May 6 when Berry managed to break open part of the front door and call out to a neighbor for help. Her frantic telephone call later to emergency rescue services was played and replayed over the media in the days after the three women escaped.

At the trial, as Castro -- a pudgy, balding man in wire rim glasses -- sat in a bright orange prison jumpsuit, it emerged that they were brutalized, sometimes chained up and kept in abysmal conditions.

Berry had a daughter fathered by Castro.

The white delapidated house where they were tormented was demolished a few days after Castro was sentenced.

At his sentencing hearing August 1, Castro had insisted he was not evil but rather addicted to sex.

"I'm not a monster. I'm sick," he pleaded.

Despite having pleaded guilty to 977 charges related to his victims' brutal decade-long ordeal, including many rapes and the murder of a foetus through beating its mother, Castro said he was not a violent man.

He pleaded guilty after prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

Castro said he had himself been sexually abused as a child and had grown up obsessed with sex, addicted to pornography and a compulsive masturbator.

He said he had not plotted the three kidnaps, but had acted on impulse.

"I am not a monster. I am a normal person. I am just sick. I have an addiction just like an alcoholic has an addiction," he said.

Michael Russo, the judge who sentenced Castro that day, described his crimes as unspeakable.

"Sir, there is no place in this city, there is no place in this country and indeed there is no place in this world for those who enslave others, those who sexually assault others and those who brutalize others," Russo said.

A tearful Michelle Knight, who was kidnapped at the age of 20, said in emotional testimony before the court that death would have been "so much easier" for her tormenter.

"I spent 11 years in hell, and now your hell is just beginning," Knight told Castro.

Woman cuts off landlady's finger

Lagos - A lady, Blessing Sunday, 22, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Ojokoro Magistrates' Court, Lagos, for allegedly biting and cutting off her landlady's finger.

The accused, who lives at 10, Messiah St., Meiran, Lagos, is being charged with assault.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Ahonle Luggard, told the court that the offence was committed on Aug. 29 at Messiah St., Meiran, Lagos.

``Following argument between the accused and the landlady, Mrs Felicia Egwuh, over house rent, the accused bite the landlady's finger and cut it off.

``The finger is in police custody as an exhibit,"  revealed Luggard, adding that the offence commited, "contravened section 244 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State."

The accused however pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000, with two surety in like sum, and adjourned the case to Nov. 11.(NAN)

0.25% bank loans go to small African farmers - Report

By JIMOH BABATUNDE, Maputo
The report on the State of African Agriculture launched  by Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)  has revealed that only 0.25% of bank lending goes to smallholder farmers in Africa though the sector represents as much as 40% of GDP in some African countries.

The Africa Agricultural Status Report  by AGRA which was presented at the opening day of the African Green Revolution Forum today  in Maputo  takes an in-depth look at the stable  crop value chain  in 16  African countries brings together  data and analysis from 15 national and international organisations.

Explaining reasons for the focus on stable crops, David Ameyaw, Director of Strategy, Monitoring and Evaluation at AGRA and one of the report’s leading authors, explained that the focus was inspired by the need to an accessible  and reliable  resource depicting the status and trends  of African agriculture.

“Given the role agriculture plays in African economies, it is critical to have such a resource to inform the designing of policies and strategies based on current and accurate information on key indicators.”

The concept of the book runs from production, through post-harvest handling, to processing and marketing of commodities, to consumption.

David Ameyaw also explained that the report marks the beginning of an ambitious project to consolidate reliable and accessible data on African agriculture. “There are considerable gaps in our knowledge of the agricultural sector – Governments, national research institutes, but also private sector actors, need to collect and share data openly. Our aim is to extend our analysis to include all sub-Saharan African countries within a couple of years.”

The highlights of the book divided into two sections showed that low cost and subsidized food imports are weakening African agriculture markets, along with poor access to credit, trade restrictions and high transportation costs.
Just as it revealed that while a number of countries are investing heavily in Research& Development and developing their agricultural sector, others are lagging behind to the detriment of food security.

“In terms of personnel engaged in agriculture, Africa has the world`s lowest capacity with only 70 researchers per million inhabitants compared to USA and Japan with2, 640 and 4,380 respectively.

The report noted that declining soil fertility threatens crop yields and agricultural development in a number of countries. While the average price of fertilizer delivered to farms in the USA is US$226 per ton, it is US$414 per ton in Zambia.

Outdated national and regional laws and regulations  restricting the development of Africa’s seed markets was also listed  as a challenge to growth of African agriculture as the average length of the seed release process is around three years in most sub-Saharan African countries.

Women, who represent the majority of Africa’s smallholder farmers, according to the report, are heavily disadvantaged under current land rights systems. “This is reducing their ability to access credit, agricultural technologies and services. Evidence shows that women in Africa are five times less likely than men to own land.

Speaking at the launch of the report   the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rhoda Peace said “The Africa Agriculture Status Report is being published at a critical time for the continent. 

Ten years on from the Maputo Declaration, we can recognise some significant progress, but we must also shine a light on areas where action and investment are urgently needed. This new resource will guide policymakers to direct resources and efforts so that they can have the greatest impact on achieving food security and alleviating poverty.”

On his part, Strive Masiyiwa, Vice Chair of the Board of AGRA, said “If we are to succeed in bringing about a Green Revolution in Africa, we need to record and understand where we making progress, but also where we are lagging behind. 

For the first time, the Africa Agriculture Status Report shows us the big picture and allows us to make comparisons between countries. It provides much-needed and reliable data and will, we hope, lead to more informed policymaking and greater accountability.

British PM warns danger of fresh Syria attack if no US strike

LONDON (AFP) - Blocked by his own parliament from taking military action against Syria, British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday urged the United States to act or risk further chemical weapons attacks by the regime.

"(US President Barack Obama) set a very clear red line that if there was large-scale chemical weapons use something had to happen," Cameron told lawmakers in the House of Commons.

"Now we know that the regime used chemical weapons on at least 14 previous occasions.

"I think to ask the president of the United States, having set that red line, having made that warning, to step away from it, I think that would be a very perilous suggestion to make.

"Because in response I think you'd see more chemical weapons attacks from the regime."

Obama has said he will punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for using chemical weapons but wants authorisation from the US Congress before conducting any military strikes.

Britain will not be involved after members of the House of Commons last week voted against Cameron's call for action, in a historic decision that severely damaged the prime minister's authority.

But in his weekly question and answer session in the Commons on Wednesday, Cameron made clear that he still believed strikes were justified.

"If no action is taken following President Obama's red line, and if no action is taken following this appalling use of chemical weapons, you have to ask yourself what sort of Armageddon are the Syrian people going to be facing?" he said.

Cameron rejected calls for a second parliamentary vote on military action, but said Britain would continue to push for a solution to the Syrian conflict.

"We must use everything we have in our power -- our diplomatic networks, our influence with other countries, our membership of all the key bodies, the G8, the G20, the UN, the EU, NATO -- we must use all that influence to bring to bear," he said.

Cameron said the world still had to take a "very tough response" to the use of chemical weapons, including aiding opposition forces.

"I accept that Britain can't be part and won't be part of any military action on that front," he said.

"But we must not in any degree give up our utter revulsion at the chemical weapons attacks that we have seen and we must press this point in every forum of which we are a member."

19 injured as police, marshals clash in Gombe

Gombe - Nineteen Traffic Marshals, working for the Gombe State government on Tuesday sustained various degrees of injuries in clashes with a group of policemen in Gombe.

Mr Babaji Dunama, General Manager of the Gombe State Agency for Social Services and Other Related Matters, made the disclosure in an interview  in Gombe, the state capital.

He said that the clashes followed a disagreement between the police and the marshals at the Cross Roundabout in Gombe town.

The marshals are youths, employed by the State Government to perform sundry duties such as assisting in controlling traffic and enforcing environmental sanitation laws.

Dunama alleged that the marshals were attacked by the police while performing their duties.

The general manager said that when he tried to ask the police to stop harassing the marshals, the policemen threatened him.

He said that shortly after he left the place, the problem degenerated with the policemen beating marshals on duty.

Dunama said that after the incident at the roundabout, eight vehicles filled with police men went to his office at the Ministry of Youth and Poverty Alleviation and ransacked it while every marshal they saw there was beaten.

He alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Gombe Command, Mr Baba Yola, led the policemen to commit the act.

The general manager said that the DPO had been having problems with marshals, adding that his incessant harassment of the marshals was a threat to peace in the state.

He said that the 19 wounded marshals were arrested and taken to the police station.

Dunama, however, said that after he reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kudu Nma, the marshals were released on bail.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Gombe State Police Command, Mr Fwaje Atajiri, said that two policemen from the Gombe Police Division were sent to invite some persons suspected of committing assault.

According to the PPRO, when the policemen tried to invite one of the suspects, he refused and an argument ensued between the suspect and the policemen.

He said it was later discovered that the suspect was a marshal but that he was not in uniform.

Atajiri said that the clash could not have occurred if the police had known that the suspect was a marshal.

The spokesman said that the marshal should have followed the policemen to the station to explain and identify himself since he was not in uniform.

The PPRO denied allegations that policemen in eight vehicles went and beat many marshals in the Ministry of Youth and Poverty Alleviation.

Atajiri said the police was a disciplined organisation and that investigation would be conducted and anyone found to have gone beyond the call of his duties would not be spared. (NAN)

How Police foiled attempt to rob pharmaceutical firm

By EVELYN USMAN, UJU MBANUSI & LINDA AMALU
LAGOS — Operatives of  the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Lagos have foiled an attempt by an eight-man robbery gang to smuggle two trucks of drugs worth over N20 million from May&Baker company in Oba Akran area of Ikeja.

Surprisingly, two of the suspects were discovered to be guards attached to the company.

Recovered from them were seven packs of drugged Lucozade Boost and another drugged drink which were reportedly given to other guards, in order to put them to sleep while the operation lasted.

[caption id="attachment_412158" align="alignnone" width="412"] The suspects[/caption]

Other items recovered were five destroyed padlocks of the warehouse from where  they attempted to remove the drugs, a knife, a saw, a chisel and 84 cartons of sulphorite and taxamite drugs which they allegedly succeeded in loading inside their operational truck before they were apprehended.

Parading the suspects before newsmen at the command’s headquarters, the command’s  spokesman, Ngozi Braide, said information on plan to operate at May&Baker was received by  the operatives on August 24, 2013.

She said: “At  9 p.m, one of the suspects came in and cut the keys to the entrance of the company. Before then, they had connived with some of the guards and even gave them some poisoned juice to give to others who were not in the know.

"They were promised N200,000 at the end of the operation. SARS operatives waited patiently from 6 p.m till midnight when other members of the gang came in with two empty trucks. They were caught in the act. They came with two AK-47 rifles but when they discovered that SARS operatives were around, they threw the weapons inside the warehouse.

"Same time last year, same gang struck in the same company carting away same drugs.”

How we struck

One of the suspects, Olarewaju Simeon (21) stated that one James contacted him on the operation.

He said: "But I told him there was need to speak with the security men before I could get them a buyer. He later came with one of the security men who demanded N1 million. At the end, we agreed to pay the security man N200,000. So we fixed August 24 for the operation.

"He later came with two other security men who said there was need to carry others along because there were over 20 guards in that premises which houses about six companies.

"I told them not to worry that we would add Rophinal into Lucozade Boost which would make them fall asleep. That night, before we left, they informed us that the people had slept off, that we should come.

"When I went inside, I cut the keys. But later, three other people came and said I must pay N2 million because of the number of cartons I intended to carry. I agreed. But while loading, we heard sporadic gun shots. All I did was raise my hands, informing the policemen that we were not armed.

We carried out  last year’s operation

"We were not armed because we never expected to have any confrontation because those who could have raised alarm were already asleep.

"We were also responsible for last year’s operation at the warehouse. That operation was successful because the guards were also involved. We were six in number  and at the end of the day, I got N1 million. My share for this foiled one would have been over N1 million.”

 Mild drama unfolds

A mild drama unfolded after one of the guards,  Alli Salif, who denied involvement in the operation was told by Olarewaju to say the truth.

But Salif maintained that “when they drove in, they told me they were going to Gogoni company. But when I opened the gate they drove straight to May and Baker, prompting me to alert my colleagues who closed the gate,waiting for when they would be driving out so that we would check the content of the trucks.

At this point, Olarewaju interrupted: “ But you were to be paid N200,000. Why don’t you state the truth, after all we have all reached the cross roads.”

Receiver of the goods, 62-year-old Ejike Ehirim, admitted to have bought last year’s stolen drugs from the gang. He also said he was contacted to buy the current one for N4 million but said he was convinced by the gang members who claimed they were May and Baker staff.

Father of stowaway boy appears

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN CITY — THERE was drama, yesterday, at Edo State Government House, Benin City, when the father of the stowaway teenage boy, Daniel Oikhena, who was said to be bedridden due to illness, surfaced during a meeting between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the family.

This came as theDepartment of State Services, DSS, yesterday, handed over Daniel to the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development but denied the mother, Mrs. Evelyn Oikhena, access to her son.

[caption id="attachment_410831" align="alignnone" width="412"] Daniel Oikhena[/caption]

Mr. Osaigbovo  Oikhena, 44, a driver by profession, told journalists that contrary to reports that he was sick and bed-ridden, he was living separately from the family due to a disagreement with his wife.

He said his wife refused to stay in the house where he could afford the rent. Therefore, he decided to move out of the house a year ago to where he could afford the rent.

He said: “I decided to come here today (yesterday) to tell the world that I am the father of Daniel. Initially, when I heard the news, I thought my son was kidnapped. But my wife said I should calm down that when everything is okay, she will call me.

My wife refused to  move in with me

“I never dreamt of going to America, I am not married to another woman. My wife refused to give the DSS my number when they asked for it.

"Arising from my loss of job, I decided to move to a new apartment where I can afford the rent and told my wife that they should move in with me, but she refused and continued to stay in the three-bedroom flat on 7, Ehigiagbe Street, Ekenwan, Benin City.”

Mr Osaigbovo who said he resides at Siluko Road, noted: “I usually  pay my children's school fees and provide feeding money regularly, contrary to claims that I abandoned my family.”

He  accused the wife of making it look as if he was dead by denying people access to him.

Meanwhile, De RAUFS, a volunteer group which had indicated interest in the welfare of Daniel was at Government House, Benin City. Represented by Yinka Muyiwa, head of legal team, De RAUFS said it came to Edo State to reaffirm the scholarship it earlier gave the lad to continue his education up to university level.

DSS releases stowaway kid to Edo govt

The 13-year-old Oikhena has been in the custody of DSS in Lagos before he was released to the Edo State Government, yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Oikhena, the mother of Daniel, has confirmed the return of her son to Benin.

She told newsmen in Benin that she got a call, yesterday, inviting her to the state Ministry of Women of Affairs.

She said: “I went to the office and was told that my child had been taken to DSS.  I went there and saw Daniel. They  did not allow me to touch or greet him, but he was looking good.”

She said after a short session with DSS, she was asked to go and wait at the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Suntai drags Taraba Speaker, lawmakers to court

BY Soni Daniel, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Abdulwahab Abdulah & John Mkom

ABUJA — Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State, yesterday, commenced a legal action against the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly for refusing to allow him resume duties as governor after his return from medical treatment abroad.

Suntai, who was previously incapacitated to carry out his official duties sequel to his involvement in a plane crash, in an originating motion he filed before Taraba State High Court, Jalingo, accused the state legislature of attempting to usurp his position and constitutional powers.

Suntai had on August 26, transmitted a letter to the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, notifying him of his return after a 10-month absence and his readiness to take over his office as governor.

However, his request was rejected on the premise that the letter ought to be deliberated upon by the House of Assembly before a decision could be reached on it.

Acting Gov

Accordingly, the state House of Assembly directed that the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Garba, whom it had declared acting Governor, should continue to exercise the powers of governor pending a resolution of the House on Suntai’s letter.

[caption id="attachment_412179" align="alignnone" width="412"] Umar Garba and Danbaba Suntai[/caption]

Dissatisfied with the action of the legislature, Suntai, in a suit filed through his lawyer, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), yesterday, maintained that his letter notifying the Speaker and the House of his return and intention to take over was not subject to the exercise of their discretion to accept or reject, saying it is “mandatory” for them to do so.

The suit

Specifically, he urged the court to determine “whether by virtue of Section 190(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 1st and 2nd Defendants can by press release or debate, interfere with, do anything whatsoever in connection with or in relation to the letter transmitted by the Plaintiff to the 1st Defendant pursuant to the said Section 190(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“Whether the 1st and 2nd Defendants can debate the letter of Plaintiff, dated August 26, transmitted to the 1st Defendant and, by press release, direct that the Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, should continue in office as Acting Governor of Taraba State till Plaintiff is declared medically fit to resume office having regard to the provision of Section 190(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

‘My letter  mandatory'

He is also urging the court to “declare that the letter of the Plaintiff dated August 26, transmitted to the 1st Defendant is absolute, mandatory, immutable and cannot be debated or contradicted by any means whatsoever as the 1st and 2nd Defendants lack any discretion and that upon transmission of the said letter, Plaintiff has automatically assumed his powers and responsibilities as Governor of Taraba State.”

Besides, he wants the court to declare that by virtue of Section 190(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 1st and 2nd Defendants cannot by press release or debate, interfere with, do anything in connection with or in relation to the letter transmitted by the Plaintiff to the 1st Defendant pursuant to the said Section 190(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“A declaration that the 1st and 2nd Defendants’ press release of August 29 or any other date whatsoever directing that the Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Umar Garba, should continue as Acting Governor of Taraba State is null and void, ultra vires and constitutionally void and of no effect whatsoever.”

Accordingly, he is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants from debating, interfering with, doing anything in connection with or in relation to the letter transmitted by the Plaintiff to the 1st Defendant pursuant to Section 190(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

PDP intervenes

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, made a spirited effort, yesterday, to reconcile the ailing governor of the state with his Deputy, Umar, who has acted as governor since October last year.

The party held a successful consultation with the different factions in the state’s raging political crisis and pleaded with them to give peace a chance by allowing the governor to recover fully from his medical condition.

The Hope Uzodinma Fact-finding Committee, which was empaneled by the party’s leadership, flew into Jalingo in the morning and was able to meet with the critical parties, including Suntai, his wife, Hauwa, acting governor, Umar and members of the state House of Assembly before arriving at a political solution to the crisis.

Although the seven-member panel met Suntai in secret, they later held a session with others at the Governor’s Office, Jalingo, before making known their verdict on the crisis, which accentuated with the attempt by Suntai’s loyalists to take over the mantle of leadership from Umar following the return of Suntai.

...arrives at decision

The committee aligned with the position canvassed by the state House of Assembly and the representatives of the state in the National Assembly that while Suntai remains the governor, the Deputy Governor, Umar, must continue to act pending when Suntai would recover from his condition.

The bitter struggle between forces loyal to the two political leaders in the state led to the sack of the State Executive Council by the governor’s supporters.

The situation forced the state House of Assembly to openly oppose the takeover of the administration by Suntai’s men.

They promptly asked the ailing governor to return to the United States and seek further medical attention, while Umar continues with the running of the state’s affairs.

However, after a closed-door meeting with the stakeholders in Government House for about two hours, Senator Uzodima announced that the acting governor would continue to hold the fort for Suntai, who remains the governor.

Uzodima, who played down on the problem in the state since the return of Suntai, said that the state was merely involved in what he called “little quarrel” and nothing more.

It’s settled  — PDP C’ttee Chair

He said: “We had a little quarrel in the state, but not crisis as some people may describe it. We met with Governor Suntai and discovered he is getting better by the day.

“He (Suntai) has also agreed that Umar should continue to run the state in acting capacity and we all agreed with him.

“Umar, the acting governor will be running the government in serious consultations with Suntai and we urge all of you to support him to succeed in the onerous task.”

Umar told journalists that he was grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the original PDP for taking urgent steps to resolve the crisis.

He restated his commitment to work in strict collaboration with Suntai, particularly on matters of politics and the development of the state.

Umar said: “Today we have been able to tell ourselves the truth and we have been able to resolve all the differences.”

On the dissolution of the State Executive Council by Suntai, Umar said: “I am still in consultations with my boss and I will communicate to you on the issue after our consultations.”

The governor and his deputy were expected to hold the consultations last night and the outcome made public today.

Participants

Umar and the Secretary to the Government, Gavey Yawe, had earlier received members of the team at the Jalingo Airport before leading to the crucial meeting with stakeholders at the Government House.

Before the arrival of the team, Suntai’s wife, Hauwa, had touched down at the Jalingo Airport with chattered plane marked No.5N-BMR at about 10am.

Another hired private plane, No.9H-ZAT, Hawker 900, with members of the National Assembly from the state, also touched down at exactly 10:25 am.

The NASS members on the team were Sen. Abubakar Tutare, representing Taraba Central; Jerry Mamwe, representing Karim-Lamido; Lau, Aldo-Kola Federal Constituency; Aminu Male, representing Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency and Ibrahim Tukur, representing Gashaka, Kurmi and Sadauna Federal Constituency.

However, in spite of the intervention of the PDP fact-finding mission, the Senator representing Taraba South, Sen. Bwacha, and a close ally of Suntai, had maintained that members of the House of Assembly should respect the position of the law regarding the letter transmitted to them by the governor.

Police boss sued

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been urged to compel the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate the letter sent by the Governor Suntai to the Taraba State House of Assembly, indicating his readiness to resume duty.

In the suit, No. FHC/ABJ/CS/593/13, filed by Falana Chambers on behalf of Haruna Daniel and Bako Ojoda against the police boss, and Taraba State House of Assembly, they also asked the court to compel the lawmakers to equally constitute a committee to investigate the state of the Governor’s health before he resumes duty.

No date has been fixed for the suit.

 

Rape of two sisters: Police re-arrest suspect in court

BY PETER OKUTU
ABAKALIKI — THERE was a mild drama at the premises of an Abakaliki Magistrate court, Ebonyi State,  as operatives of Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Ebonyi State Command, numbering over 20, besieged the court to re-arrest the Vice Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Mr Sunday Ota and Sunday Nwaokpokwu.

The duo were alleged to have been involved in the rape of two sisters in Ikwo council, last month.

The suspects were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, robbery and rape.

The heavily armed SARS operatives stormed the court at 12:30pm and took positions in the front and back entrances to the court after Magistrate Gladson Ugbala had ordered that the name of the vice chairman be struck off from the charge sheet on grounds of noticeable defeat in the document.

During the proceeding, the chief magistrate described the inclusion of the name of the vice chairman in the charge as an after-thought and wondered why his name would be written with a pen in a criminal matter.

Ugbala ordered that Sunday Nwaopkoku be remanded in the Abakaliki Prisons and adjourned the matter indefinitely.

Meanwhile, the vice chairman of Ikwo council was taken away from the court in a blue Sienna car to the Ebonyi State Police headquarters.

It would be recalled that the Ebonyi State Police Command arrested the Ota, Monday,  over his alleged mastermind of the rape and robbery incident against a widow and Peoples Democratic Party,  PDP, female councillorship candidate for Ndiagu Echara Ward 1 in Ikwo council, Mrs. Margaret Elom and two of her daughters.

Broadcasting stations to go digital in 2014, says Mba

Abuja - The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Emeka Mba, said on Tuesday that broadcasting houses in Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt would switch-over to digital transmission in 2014.

Mba made the announcement in Abuja when a delegation of the commission paid a courtesy visit to the FCT Minister of State, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide.

``The cities to experience the switch-over next year include Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt in the pilot phase.”

He said that the Federal Government had set up a committee to work with the commission to ensure that digital transmission was possible before the 2015 deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union.

According to him, challenges facing the switch-over to digital transmission include funding, getting the right transmission equipment and paying for the signal distribution company.

He described broadcasting as a fundamental human right of every Nigerian, including those in rural areas.

Mba said that the commission would meet with broadcasters to agree on the sensitisation plan to use, adding that aggressive campaign would commence from October.

Mba said that the commission monitors contents of broadcasts to ensure that compliance with guidelines.

``We monitor all contents, we are addressing the kind of music the public listens to on radio, we have a system where all contents must be approved and where radio stations that go against this are fined.”

He said that regulating digital smart services was a challenge as technology kept evolving everyday.

``The best way to look at this challenge is to look at who creates the contents and how the contents are distributed.”

The director-general said that the commission would want to partner with the FCT Administration to create a strong radio and TV station in the territory.

Mba requested for land where the commission could build affordable housing for its workers.

In her response, Akinjide said that in a democracy, the NBC was one of the most important regulatory agencies a nation could have.

``The NBC is playing a very critical rule to ensure that as we go through our democracy, its not hijacked by some interests.''

Akinjide said the commission should look for a way to regulate activates when broadcasting goes digital that is within the ambit of the law without violating freedom of expression.

She said that the administration would partner with the commission in the next Africa's Investment Platform for Broadcast Content and Technology conference which would hold in Abuja in 2014. (NAN)

Suspected drug addict stabs 40-year-old man to death in Jigawa

Jigawa - A suspected drug addict on Tuesday stabbed a 40-year-old man to death in the Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa.
The  incident which occurred in the Ausar Quarters of Ringim town also left five people injured.

Bala Shehu, a resident of the area, told NAN the suspected killer, popularly known as ``AKT’’, had been well known as a thug in the area.

He said the thug had a quarrel with his mother but suddenly ran out and started stabbing people on the street.

``Most of the persons he stabbed with machete were seriously injured, while one of them died,’’ Shehu said.
Salisu Ringim, another resident, said the suspect had a misunderstanding with his mother over his indulgence in drug abuse.

The Jigawa Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Muhammad Gidado, confirmed the incident.

He said the suspect’s arrest had been jointly effected by men of his command and those of the state police command.
Gidado said the suspect had killed one Magaji Ringim, who was later identified as a staff of the School of Legal Studies in Ringim.

``The suspect also injured some men, who are currently receiving treatment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano,’’ the commandant said.(NAN)

Abortion saga: Rochas Okorocha bows

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI - Governor Rochas Okorocha Tuesdday, bowed to he superior fire power of the fiery Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, over the obnoxious abortion law.

The Governor, who retraced his locus when he addressed members of the State House of Assembly, appealed to he lawmakers to immediately commence the processes of expunging the offending sections of the obnoxious law.

"I have always loved children. I fell for this law as soon as I saw the safeguards it contained for the protection of our women", Okorocha explained.

According to the Governor, a law is as good as the acceptability by the people for which it was made and used the opportunity to appeal to the lawmakers to repeal the offending sections of the law.

[caption id="attachment_412098" align="alignnone" width="412"] Owelle Rochas Okorocha OON addressing members of the Imo House of Assembly and cross sections of the public Tuesday.[/caption]

"I make this appeal because my political opponents are waiting patiently for the outcome of this unfortunate abortion saga. It is no worth the trouble to keep this law longer than necessary", Okorocha said.

It was his considered opinion that the law unfortunately touched on the sensibility of church leaders, who he claimed, remained the pillars of his administration.

Before anchoring his speech on the abortion law, the Governor had earlier given a rundown of what he termed "the successes of my administration in the past two years and half".

While saying at government had already released N5 billion to the contracting firm handling the Akachi Towers, Okorocha however expressed regret that te project had suffered some setback.

"Over 350 kilometers of rural roads have been tarred. All projects started by this administration will be completed within the tenure of this administration", Okorocha promised.

Responding, the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Donates Ozoemena, who also superintended over the day's sitting, said the House was roundly misunderstood by the citizenry.

"We had the noblest of intention when we passed the Bill. It went through the processes of law making. We promise to repeal this law to conform to the wishes of Imo people", Ozoemena said.

Vanguard recalls that this vexatious law was signed by Okorocha since May 29, 2012, and remained silent until Dr. Phillip Njemanze drew the attention of Archbishop Obinna to it.

Addressing journalists last Friday, Archbishop Obinna not only demanded that the offending abortion law must be repealed but had also held a meeting with his priests to strategize on how to battle the anti-life legislation.

 

Woman arrested for dumping baby in toilet

Dutse - The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa on Tuesday arrested a 23-year-old woman for allegedly dumping her new born baby boy in a toilet in Hadeja town of Hadejia Local Government Area of the state.

The Corps Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, said in Dutse that the suspect was arrested following a tip-off by patriotic citizens.

He explained that the suspect gave birth to the baby on Sept. 1 around 11.30p.m and allegedly dumped it in the toilet.

The Commandant said that the suspect alleged that she was impregnated by a man who ordered her to dump the baby.

 According to him, the man also been arrested, adding that ``he confessed to committing the offence”.

Gidado said that medical examination conducted at General Hospital, Hadejia, revealed that the suspect gave birth to the baby.

He stated that efforts were being made to recover the baby, which he said ``might be dead by now due to the hours it spent” in the toilet.

The commandant said that the suspects would be charged to court after investigation had been concluded. (NAN)

Women slump as court remands 29 cult suspects

Ilorin - Two women on Tuesday slumped at an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court when the court ordered that all the 29 suspected cultists brought before it be remanded in prison.

The women slumped in separate incidents when the accused were being led into the prison van parked at the court’s  premises.

The accused were recently arrested at Eiyenkorin area of  Ilorin after allegedly initiating  new members.

The police prosecutor, Insp  Nasiru Yusuf, had  told the court that the accused were arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and belonging to a  secret cult.

He said the offences were contrary to Section  97 of the Penal Code in conjunction with Kwara State Legal Notes No.3 of  2010.

Yusuf also objected to the bail of the accused on the ground that the alleged offences were not ordinarily bailable.

The prosecutor listed the accused to include  Olatunbosun Aree, Lekan Yemi, Bamidele Segun, Fatahi Wahab, Amodu Abdulrahim, Ajide Olalere, Jamiu Bamidele, Sodiq Mohammed, Olarewaju Ganiyu, Olatunji Emmanuel and Saka Safi.

Others,  according to Yusuf,  are  Oyewale Anuoluwapo, Olaitan Oganji, Sulu Isah, Abdulganiyu Kazeem, Isiaka Sanusi, Ismail Kareem, Ajayi Jacob, Saliu Gafar, Fatahi Ismail and Ahmed Lawal.

Moshood Raman, Salam Lukman, Tope Atolagbe, Kunle Olalekan, Olayinka Tolu, Mohammed Ibrahim, Alimi Ibrahim and Yahaya Umar were also listed.

The defence counsel, Ayinde Obadofin,  applied for the bail of the accused persons on  liberal terms.

He submitted that section 36 subsections 5 of the Penal Code presume the accused innocent until contrary was  proved.

The Magistrate, Mr  Mohammed Ibrahim, however,  ordered that the accused be remanded in Mondala Prison Yard, Ilorin.

He adjourned the case to Sept. 11 for mention. (NAN)

Army probes killing of 26 vigilance group members in Borno

Maiduguri - The Nigerian Army on Tuesday declared that it has commenced investigations into  the  killing of some members of a youths' vigilance group called Civilian JTF by suspected Boko Haram militants in Monguno, Borno.

Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on Operation Restore Order (ORO) said in Maiduguri that the army was disturbed about the situation.

``The military high command is aware of the killing and it is disturbing, the Nigerian Army Brigade in Monguno has been mandated to carry out investigations into the matter,'' Musa said.

He blamed the problem on the group which embarked on a trip without military backing.

``We have always made it clear to the vigilantes that they should not operate on their own but should always seek for military backing.

``They are just supporting the security agencies with information; the real battle should be left in the hands of security agents.

``We will continue to appeal to them not to conduct any operation without armed military escort,'' Musa said.

The 26 civilians were killed in Monguno, headquarters of Monguno Local Government Area while in search of Boko Haram militants. (NAN)

Ex-militants issue one month ultimatum over unpaid allowances

BY FESTUS AHON
UGHELLI-NIGER Delta Ex-militants Phase II leaders Tuesday, issued a one month ultimatum to the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku to release unpaid allowances to members of the various camps in the phase or risk another round of crisis in the region.
 
They also raised alarm over the non implementation of the leaders’ entrepreneurship training, lamenting that the amnesty office have been sending some of the boys for training without notifying the leaders of their camps.
 
Speaking with newsmen in Ughelli, Delta State on behalf of the leaders, ‘General’ Owonama Edward and ‘General’ Charles Akatakpo decried the omission of some of the members in the monthly payments.
 
“We have been experiencing a situation where some of the boys will receive their salaries in a particular month and have their names omitted the next month. We are insisting that the pending allowances should be paid,” they said.
 
While reiterating that the leaders of the phase II were not being recognized and carried along by the amnesty office, they said: “we the leaders are being treated like nuisance by the amnesty office; why? They should work towards the implementation of the leaders’ entrepreneurship training.”

I don't know outcome of Jonathan, govs' meeting - Amaechi

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME
PORT HARCOURT - Governor Chibuike Amaechi said he was not aware of the outcome of the meeting some governors in the newly formed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had with President Goodluck Jonathan.
 
Meantime, the governor who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt reaffirmed that he belonged to the Abubakar Bareje led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
 
The governor said the National Chairman and the secretary   would speak on all issues around the newly formed faction of the party.
 
He also said he did not influence the decision of his loyalists who were statutory delegates to the last special convention of the party to boycott it.
 
 : “I am not the national chairman, the national chairman is Abubakar Kawu Baraje and he is the only person who is qualified to speak for now or the publicity secretary.  All you know is that I belong to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) led by Abubakar Kawu Baraje and we are forging ahead because we need to make some changes”.
 
“Well, when we get to 2015 God will determine that.  We can’t be discussing 2015 now.  We will discuss 2015 when we get to 2015”.
 
 “You know, the chairman of the party and the members of the National Assembly and House of Assembly took that decision, I wasn’t around, so I wouldn’t know what to say about that but the most important thing is that we are on course”.