A 16-year-old rape victim on Tuesday told an Abuja High Court that the accused poured anointing oil on her and raped her in the name of removing evil spirits inside her.She told Justice Hussieni Baba-Yusuf that Basil Princewill of Mountain Mover Fire Ministry Church, Nyanya, in 2012 told her he had a revelation that her foundation was dirty.The victim told the court that Princewill said that her father's wife was trying to kill her and that the Lord told him to perform a quick deliverance on her.``I agreed for the deliverance to be carried out on me. During the deliverance, he carried a white handkerchief and a bottle of oil and asked me to remove my clothes.``He also asked me if I was menstruating and I told him no.``He told me that I am possessed with many evil spirits that have stained my blood and it will only take my husband to deliver me and I was not married, he said that he will carry out the cleansing on me,’’ she said.The victim testified that the accused led her into his bedroom and asked her to close her eyes, brought his handkerchief and placed it over her head and she became very weak.She said the accused raped her.``I cried and begged him to stop but he refused. All I remember is that I fainted and woke up later to see that I was bleeding from my private parts.``When he was done, he helped me to wear my clothes and he called Pastor Moses Onuoha and asked him to take me outside and burn the handkerchief,’’ she said.She said that the accused also told her that the ``deliverance’’ will need to be take place again after a while to complete the cleansing of her blood.``Sometime in December 2012, he sent for me against and told me that the spirits were stubborn and he lured me with alcohol and asked me to go home.``After that I discovered that I was pregnant, he took me to Fantanu Head Medical Centre, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, for an abortion.``The doctor, took me to a room inside his office and brought out instruments and asked his nurses to prepare me for an evacuation.``I saw the instruments and I ran out of the hospital (papa) Apostle ran after me and beat me up, saying I want to bring shame to him,’’ she told testified.She further said that the accused dragged her into the hospital and left a directive that she should not leave the hospital until he comes for her.The victim told the court that she was kept inside a room after the evacuation and was not allowed to leave the hospital as instructed by the accused.She said that her mum later took her to a family doctor, who diagnosed that she had a recent abortion.Baba-Yusuf adjourned the case to Feb. 20, for cross-examination. (NAN)
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
FCT Minister reallocates church land to a Kebbi state company.
An Abuja High Court has fixed March 17 to deliver ruling in an application seeking to stop the FCT Minister from further demolishing the God's Kingdom Church, in Dakibiyu, on Airport Road.Justice Omakiano Agbaza fixed the date after hearing an application for interlocutory injunction, filed by counsel to the Church, Mr Okah Joshua. Agbaza had on Jan. 27 adjourned the case to Monday to give the defendants time to enter appearance.But at the resumed sitting on Monday, neither the defendants nor their counsel was present in court and no reason was given for their absence after they were served the writ of summons. Joined in the suit are the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Federal Capital Development Authority.The plaintiffs are the registered trustees of God's Kingdom Society situated at Plot No. 316, Dakibiyu District, Abuja,in their statement of claims, the plaintiffs alleged that the FCT minister, Malam Bala Mohammed, allocated their land to a company. The land, situate at Plot 316 HDC within Dakibiyu (B10) District, Abuja, .covers an area of 6500sqm with property beacon: PB 3568, PB 3569, 3558, PB 3559 and file No. MISC 21327. It also has a new File No. MISC 50576 and certificate of Occupancy, No. 18CW2AFEZ6787R90C4U80 .The church is claiming N15 million as general damages on the land from the defendants.The plaintiff had prayed the court to grant an order restraining the defendants from further demolishing any property in the church, pending the determination of the suit. (NAN)
Sunday, 20 October 2013
E-X-P-O-S-E-D!!! Why APC Has Kept Silent On Stella Oduah's Bulletproof Car Scandal
Nigerians are still under shock about the silence from the camps of the All Progressive Congress (APC), over the alleged purchase of two BMW armoured vehicles for the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for N225 million.As mounting outrage trails the, Elombah.com investigation has exposed the reason behind the silence of APC in the raging matter of the ruling party's $1.6 million dollar car scandal at the aviation ministry. Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his political Godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu two years ago took delivery of new acquisitions; three N600 million bullet-proof Jeeps.The cars are customized- by special order of Lagos state government. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is known to issue condemnatory press releases at the flimsiest of excuse, the last being their statement describing as the height of insensitivity the decision by First Lady Patience Jonathan to receive an Honorary Doctorate award in far away South Korea.Source identified Fashola and Tinubu's purchase of three bullet proof cars- Jeeps- with bomb detector apparatus and surveillance cameras.Findings revealed that two of the purchase are with Governor Fashola for official usage as the helmsman of Lagos state. Asiwaju Tinubu is said to have one to his name as party leader. The brand of the bullet proof cars is identified as Toyota Prado Jeep.The cost of each jeep- including handling, registration, insurance and other fees- is two hundred million Naira. The three jeeps are valued at six hundred million Naira. This is double the amount spent by Ms Stella Oduah in the current bullet-proof jeep scandal.The three automobiles were reportedly bought for Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Fashola on grounds of 'security'.Insiders say that the two political figures have not gone public with their jeeps for fear of attracting public anger.The Osun state governor is also reported amount 6 other APC governors that have their names to the Bulletproof car. The government of Osun state bought their own bulletproof car at the sum of N125 Million.We are appealing to our Politicians to look at the faces of Nigerians on the street before going for these monumental waste of scare resources.About 480 Nigerians die daily for hunger related sickness across the country.
You will never look at a banana the same way again after discovering the many health benefits and remasons to add them to your diet.
1. Bananas help overcome depression due high levels of tryptophan,which is converted into serotonin -- the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter.2. Eat two bananas before a strenuous workout to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar.3. Protect against muscle cramps during workouts and night time leg cramps by eating a banana.4. Counteract calcium loss during urination and build strong bones by supplementing with a banana.5. Improve your mood and reduce PMS symptoms by eating a banana, which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation6. Bananas reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6.7. Strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added iron from bananas.8. High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure, and protect against heart attack and stroke.EATING BANANA AIDS DIGESTION9. Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.10. Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.11. Constipated? High fiber in bananas can help normalize bowel motility.12. Got the runs? Bananas are soothing to the digestive tract and help restore lost electrolytes after diarrhea.13. Bananas are a natural antacid, providing relief from acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.14. Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids.NATURAL CURES FROM A SIMPLE BANANA15. Eating bananas helps prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes against macular degeneration and builds strong bones by increasing calcium absorption.16. Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium.17. Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing free radicals and protection from chronic disease.18. Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness.19. Rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel to relieve itching and irritation.20. Control blood sugar and avoid binging between meals by eating a banana.21. Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a fever or on a hot day.22. The natural mood-enhancer tryptophan, helps to relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).23. Quitting smoking? Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins as well as potassium and magnesium speed recovery from the effects of withdrawal .24. Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place.25. Rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or handbag and polish with a dry cloth for a quick shine.Oh, and remember -- bananas make great snacks and delicious smoothies. Now you know why monkeys are so happy. Eat a banana!
N255m Car Scandal: Stella Oduah, NCAA Officials Risk 10-year Jail For Violating Budget, Procurement Laws
If Nigeria’s anti-corruption authorities would, for once, punish violators of federal budget and procurement laws, then aviation ministry officials involved in a scandalous purchase of two armour-plated BMW vehicles at an inflated cost of N225 million, would be facing charges leading from three to 10 years in jail.Our sources can authoritatively report today that the multimillion contract that has sparked anger across the country was never listed or approved in any government budget as required by law, neither was it openly advertised or bided for. The contract was not listed in the budget by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, the agency compelled by the minister to make the purchase; and was not listed by the Federal Airport Authority, FAAN or Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA.The ministry’s own budget too, had no plan to purchase any car for the minister, or other officials. Spending public funds on unbudgeted projects attracts three years in jail and a fine of N100, 000 the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences law stipulates. Also, contracts involving public funds without due procurement processes- basically open advertising and bidding- draws a minimum of five years, and a maximum of 10 years in jail, the Public Procurement law says.A spokesperson for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, Folu Olamiti, said the anti-graft body would make its position on the matter known later. A representative for the Bureau of Public Procurement, said the “law was clear” on this case. He did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak.After its initial denial of a contract that has shocked a nation with majority of its population poor, the ministry of aviation, on Sunday, admitted that two reinforced BMW sedans had been purchased for Mrs Oduah at the total cost of N255 million, a sum enough to deliver at least five of such cars. Joe Obi, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, said the cars were to protect Mrs Oduah from “imminent threats” bred by the minister’s purported radical reforms in the aviation industry, the Punch newspaper reported.“When she came on board as the minister, she inherited a lot of baggage in terms of concession and lease agreements in the sector, which were clearly not in the interest of the government and people of Nigeria,” Mr Obi said. “And so, she took bold steps and some of these agreements were reviewed and some were terminated, and these moves disturbed some entrenched interests in the sector, and within this period, she began to receive imminent threats to her life; therefore, the need for the vehicles.”Mr. Obi did not elaborate on the processes leading to the procurement of the cars, whether it followed due process or not; or why the minister chose to mandate an agency under her supervision to deliver the cars, or still, why the contract was directly awarded to Coscharis Motors-the company that supplied the cars- in breach of government procurement laws.But sources confirmed that the agency’s budget, which is not usually open to the National Assembly for appropriation, had no provision for a car, or more, for the minister. This paper has also established why the aviation minister, Mrs Oduah, possibly opted for the NCAA, out of the six offices under her regulation, to bankroll the exotic vehicles.NCAA’s secrecy Of the six offices under the ministry, NCAA is the only fully self-sustaining organization with no kobo provided by the government for its operation. All the funds used by NCAA are internally-generated, from charges on airlines, passengers and fines etc, as stipulated by the Civil Aviation law, setting it up.The FAAN and NAMA, are also as revenue generating agencies. Government agencies under such arrangement, illegally spend their revenues without the approval of the National Assembly, and usually refuse to disclose their budgets. Although believed to be in hundreds, offices officially listed by the government in the Fiscal Responsibility Act as revenue-generating total 31.They include big spenders such as Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. With the title, comes a somewhat self-imposed privilege of maintaining secret budgets, in the belief that since they source their own funding, they should not be appropriated for.That claim has irked Senators and House of Representatives members for years, and the lawmakers have repeatedly threatened not to pass federal budget until the 31 agencies make open their spending proposals yearly. The legislators accuse the agencies of violating the constitution and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which makes it mandatory for all spending be approved by the National Assembly.The two arms of the National Assembly are currently pushing amendments to compel the 31 agencies to make their budgets public. It is the secrecy that has predictably helped NCAA and others spend freely with little or no oversight, lawmakers say, making the NCAA the likely choice for the controversial and unapproved car purchase contract.Between 2009 and 2012, the agency raised N35.3 billion, and spent all of that on its internal needs, according to the National Assembly Budget and Research Office. The research office predicted that NCAA will raise N10.6 billion in 2013, and if allowed, will fritter all on operational cost. The cars purchased for the minister came from the 2013 revenue.
Nigerian Army seeks ties with US Army on flood management
Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers is to visit the United States Army Corps of Engineers, USACE, later this month to work out modalities for collaboration in flood management and control.The Commander Corps of Engineers, Major General FS Owonibi, who disclosed this during CCE’s Third Quarter Conference held at 82 Division Dragon Officers’ Mess, Enugu, said the delegation would work out modalities with the USACE in dredging.Owonibi who is expected to lead the team added that other areas of interest include courses and specialized trainings for their personnel.He assured that he would continue to support their personnel to attend local and foreign professional seminars “to further build capacity in relevant engineering and related field”.He disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff, under the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan, established 7 Division Nigerian Army and 47 Div Engrs in Maiduguri to strengthen the ongoing fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern party of the country."">He further stated that the corps had in turn deployed many soldiers under 47 DE in support of the division.The Nigerian Army Engineers boss averred that the troops were fast settling down and to some extent operational.He disclosed that to ensure the Divisional Operational Efficiency, the Chief of Army Staff tasked the corps to fabricate containerised accommodation for troops deployed at “FOB in Maiduguri”.He stated that currently, 4 units of the containerized accommodation capable of sheltering 2 platoons have been constructed and delivered while 2 more sets were being built.Earlier in his address, the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division, Major General Adebayo Olaniyi applauded the initiatives of the Engineer Corps Commander.He thanked him for choosing 82 Div as the venue of the Conference.General Olaniyi further lauded the achievements of the Corps in the last eight months especially its support to Nigerian Army Operations in the North East as well as aid to civil authorities.
The President's Convoy Rescues Accident Victims on Lokoja- Abuja Highway
The advance team of President Goodluck Jonathan’s entourage, returning from Ado-Ekiti on Sunday rendered emergency rescue services to accident victims on the Lokoja-Abuja highway, witnesses say.The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reported that the accident, which occurred at Okpu village, few kilometres after Lokoja, involved two cars carrying 11 people.A Nissan Almera car with registration number AH 47 KAA going to Lokoja and a Honda Accord model with registration number BG945BWR en-route Abuja, were involved in the accident.The two vehicles had a head-on collision with serious impact, causing varying degrees of injury to the occupants of the vehicles.The accident occurred few minutes before the presidential motorcade came by the scene, NAN reported. Mr Jonathan was in Ekiti state over the weekend on an official visit.As the convoy arrived, the president’s security team rescued victims trapped in the two cars.The front door of the passenger seat of the Nissan car was axed before a middle aged woman, who was inside, could be rescued.The medical team, led by Dr Aliyu Usman of the State House Clinic, rendered emergency medical treatment to the victims, aided by two nurses.Later, a team of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, led by one Mohammed Haruna, arrived the scene of the accident about 30 minutes into the rescue operation.The victims were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, in an FRSC rescue van for further medical attention.An eye witness, Aliyu Sadiq, said that the accident was caused by speed, dangerous driving and the poor state of the road.The eye witness, who is a commercial bus driver, said he plied the road on daily basis, and that there was hardly a day that an accident is not recorded on the road.