Human Rights Watch has documented a staggering toll of civilian deaths in a single day in Burkina Faso this year. According to their investigation, more than 220 civilians, among them at …
Over 100 prisoners have fled from a correctional facility near Nigeria’s capital following severe rain that caused damage to parts of the prison infrastructure. Authorities report that initially, 118 inmates escaped …
A group of Malian political parties and civil society organisations appealed to the Supreme Court on Monday to annul the junta’s ban on political activities. In a statement, the group said …
Popular social media personality, Ismaila Mustapha, aka Mompha, has been rearrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arrested over charges of money laundering. Mompha is facing charges before …
Popular social media personality, Ismaila Mustapha, aka Mompha, has been rearrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arrested over charges of money laundering.
Mompha is facing charges before the Federal High Court.
The Nation learnt Mompha was re-arrested last Friday when he went to the EFCC office in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He was at the office to reclaim his five wristwatches, one Apple Air pod, one iPhone 8 mobile phones and one pair of sunglasses seized from him by the anti-graft agency.
Following an application by his lawyer, Mr Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), Justice Mohammed Liman on July 24 ordered the EFCC to release the items to Mompha.
The judge ruled since the items were not listed as exhibits in the money laundering charges filed against Mompha, the EFCC had no justification to continue to hold onto them.
He dismissed the submission by the EFCC that Mompha was still under investigation for another offence, saying there was nothing before the court to back the submission.
“Failure to release the property is illegal. As of today, no charge has been file regarding the items. It is too long to withhold the applicant properties,” the judge had held.
It was gathered Mompha had barely left the premises of the EFCC office in Ikoyi after collecting the items on Friday when operatives of the anti-graft agency waylaid him and returned him into custody.
If you will recall popular instagram celebrity Huspupi is still in prison in the US facing money laundering and cyber crime related charges.
The federal government has announced to reopen Nigeria’s airspace for international travel on August 29. Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, announced on Monday that the reopening procedure will mirror that …
The federal government has announced to reopen Nigeria’s airspace for international travel on August 29.
Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, announced on Monday that the reopening procedure will mirror that of domestic flights where operations began with the Lagos and Abuja airports.
Glad to announce the resumption of international flights from the 29th of August, 2020. Beginning with Lagos and Abuja as we did with the domestic flight resumption,” he tweeted.
“Protocols and procedures will be announced in due course. We thank you for your patience.”
Nigeria shut its airspace to international travel on March 23, 2020, to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Mutala Muhameed International Airport
Domestic flight operations began across the country on July 8 with the Lagos and Abuja airports while Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Maiduguri airports reopened on July 11.
On August 6, Sani Aliyu, national coordinator of the presidential task force on COVID-19, asked the aviation authorities and airline operators to begin the process for the resumption of international flights.
Today, Monday 17th August the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates commenced across Nigeria under strict COVID-19 protocols. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that 1,550,000 candidates would be participating in this year’s examination spread across 19,129 centres nationwide. The examination, which was supposed to commence on April 6 to June 5, was suspended due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Patrick Areghan, the Head of National Office (HNO) of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), told journalists during an inspection tour of some centres in Lagos that he was impressed with the level of compliance with the COVID-19 protocols. “Firstly, let me offer thanks to God that the much-awaited examination for this year has finally commenced today” “As I speak, this examination is going on simultaneously across all member states in the region” “As you already know we have visited a couple of schools in the state on this first day of the examination and I will like to say I am highly impressed with what I saw on ground in terms of compliance level by everyone participating in this examination” “We all observe the rules by washing our hands with soap and water, carry(ing) out temperature checks, use of hand sanitisers and face masks or shields” “Even the sitting arrangement of the candidates are very well established by ensuring a two-meter gap from each other” “So, if you ask me, I will say I am very impressed with the level of the compliance of the COVID-19 safety protocol and the smooth take-off of the examination,” the HNO said.
Mr Areghan warned that the council would deal decisively with any act of malpractice, irrespective of who was involved. He warned principals of schools that they would equally not be spared, if any act of malpractice was recorded in their respective schools in the process of the ongoing examination. “Right now, with the aid of technology we have caught a supervisor in Nasarawa and a candidate in Rivers trying to snap a question paper and send outside for solution” “These persons have since been handed over to the security agents for necessary actions” “We will stop at nothing to ensure that the integrity of our examinations are not compromised” “I will like to let you know that the Federal Ministry of Education is very interested in the process and conduct of this examination” “In fact, as we speak, the Minister of State for Education, is currently in Imo to monitor the examination too, just like all other top officials of the ministry” “So, together, we will ensure that this examination comes out highly successful,”Mr Areghan said.
He, however, dismissed the possibility of lowering the standard of the examination as a result of the pandemic, adding that it would not be obtainable. “Let’s not delude ourselves that because of COVID-19, WAEC will lower its standard” “This examination was supposed to have commenced by April 6. Before then, it was expected that these candidates would have covered their syllabus” “With the outbreak of the pandemic that affected all activities in the country, they had enough time (to) further get themselves better prepared” “So, for those who prepared, they will surely record success and for others who played with their time, too bad, as WAEC will never compromise standard,” he said.
Mr Areghan said that the council was faced with the challenge of increased cost of conducting the examination, as it had engaged more supervisors and invigilators. He, however, assured that WAEC would do everything within its reach to ensure the smooth running and outcome of the examination. NAN reports that schools visited included Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, BABS Fafunwa Millennium Senior Secondary School, Ojodu and Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, Ikeja, all in Lagos State. Indeed, its good to know, that the long awaited W.A.S.S.C.E has started today. Having continued relentlessly in individual study and preparation towards the examination, despite the earlier interruption in academic activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic that required that everyone should stay home to stay safe; this is a good news for many candidates and their parents/guardians.
Pablo Escobar was known as one of the richest during his reign as the leader of medellin cartel he had all the money. Today we take a look into what his car collections looks like and it will amaze you that he had eyes for automobiles.
1972 Mercedes S600 Pullman
There’s no better way express opulence and class than a stretched Merc. Back in the day, this 6.3-liter V8 powered limo was the preferred means of transport for innumerable heads of state. Since Escobar fancied himself the unofficial president of Colombia, it’s no surprise he snagged one of these. Destroyed by he rival Cali Cartel during a bombing of his Medellin home in 1988, the blackened shell was shipped to his next estate, Hacienda Napoles, where it was displayed as a sign of defiance to his foes.
1964 Porsche 356 Rumor has it this coveted German speedster was Don Pablo’s most beloved car, despite initial complaints about an insufficient engine. It didn’t take long for Escobar to warm up to the rear-engined coupe’s 75 ponies. Demolished in the aforementioned Cali bombing, the rusty 356 still resides at the Hacienda Napoles, as part of a macabre museum, near a plaque inscribed: “Escobar’s luxury car collection was a symbol of ostentation and his leadership in the underworld. It was the first to suffer the consequences of multiple wars. Only these scraps remain.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Unrepentant, bloodthirsty psychopaths seem to gravitate towards Toyotas and Escobar was no exception. He outfitted his private militia with a fleet of FJs, their stellar off-road capabilities adept at navigating the unpredictable terrain of Colombia’s preferred smuggling routes. Netflix’s Narcos, based on Escobar’s rise and downfall, accurately shows these workhorses in action often, and makes another interesting note. Land Cruisers were too expensive for the average, impoverished Colombian, so cartel soldiers rocking them stuck out like a sore thumb. The DEA grew wise and sicced a surveillance plane on any FJ they encountered, able to connect more dots between traffickers as a result.
Mercedes 190SL Roadster While it’s reputed Escobar had a 300SL, the remains instead look to be a 190, given the lack of side vents behind the front fenders. Another victim of the Cali Cartel explosion, this drop top probably didn’t handle undulating Medellin back roads well, but must’ve been a dream on the asphalt.
1928 Cadillac V8 Town Sedan Escobar picked up this classic piece of Americana in homage to Al Capone, who famously owned one. The drug don took great care to refute speculation he’d purchased the infamous bootlegger’s very ride, though he did want an authentic 20’s mobster patina in the form of bullet holes. Escobar is purported to have personally pumped lead into the side of the Caddy to achieve the desired effect.
1946 DeSoto
This American marque was brought to market as a sub-division of Chrysler, named for and marketed via an image of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. There were two variants, the entry-level Deluxe and the more lavish Custom, though both used an L-head 236.7 V6 powerplant that generated 109 horsepower. Safe to assume Escobar opted for the upscale Custom.1978 Renault This no-frills French-designed hatchback was manufactured, in part, in Envigado, Colombia and was (and still is) rather omnipresent in Colombia. With 1,100cc, a hot hatch this wasn’t. Still, Escobar used one to campaign in the 1979 Renault Cup, his first foray into racing. He may have been good driving 80% of the world’s cocaine distribution but Escobar was shit behind an actual wheel. His paltry results didn’t deter him from continuing on, bringing a little drug war mindset to the race track. Allegations abounded that he sabotaged competitors’ cars and had tacks thrown on the course
1978 Simca 1000 This rear-engined, rear-wheeled little French number was actually born in Italy, under guidance from Fiat. The gas tank was tucked in the back, giving this little baguette a 35/65 front/rear weight distribution. That meant a delightfully agile and responsive front end, capable of handling oversteer on twisty roads. Like Fiat, rally and race variants were tuned by Abarth, and Escobar used one of these with cousin Gustavo Gaviria and their team Deposit Cundinamarca to lose in the Marlbo Cup
Porsche 935V Tired of piloting diminutive French matchbox cars, Escobar decided to focus on powerful coupes that could handle a hillclimb as adroitly as they could an endurance race. After the German champion that is the slant nose 935 took top honors at the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans, Escobar picked up the precise model, a 3.0 liter turbocharged flat-six which churned out 560 horsepower. His first order of business? Slapping his name on the windshield.
1974 Porsche 911 RSR This may be the finest auto Escobar owned because it comes with pedigree papers. One of 15 in existence, this is the very racebomb F1 and Indy darling Emerson Fittipaldi used in the inaugural International Race of Champions (IROC). Fittipaldi took pole in qualifying, though was docked ten positions for a late arrival to a driver’s meeting. Later it would be DQ’d after Fittipaldi ran off and punctured the fuel tank. Repaired, it was a reserve IROC car until Konrad Racing ultimately sold the 3.0L Butterfly-powered yellow bee to Escobar, who promptly added a sizeable front splitter and massive wing. Upon re-emerging in America, it was restored to original IROC specs and sold at auction in 2012 for $875,000.
Amidst some cultures in southwestern and Northern part of Nigeria, Agbada is a profound male attire. The name ‘agbada is adopted by the Yorubas located in southwest Nigeria while other regions have their unique names. It is a four-piece attire also worn among the Republic of Benin, West Africa. It consists of a large, free-flowing outer robe. It is worn on top of inner top attire with a pair of long trousers (sokoto) which is always accompanied by a cap (fìla).
Agbada is a big, loose-fitting, ankle-length garment which has a rectangular centerpiece, flanked by wide sleeves. The centerpiece which is usually covered front and back with elaborate embroidery has a neck hole (orun) and big pocket (apo) on the side. Depending on the individual’s financial capacity and preference, the density and extent of the embroidery vary considerably. The length of the agbada also vary : some prefer a full length attire while the contemporary styles are mostly dominated by ankle length attires.
There are two major types of agbada among the Yoruba, namely the casual (agbada iwole) and ceremonial (agbada amurode). Commonly called Sulia or Sapara, the casual agbada is smaller, less voluminous, and often made of light, plain cotton. The Sapara came into being in the 1920s and is named after a Yoruba medical practitioner, Dr. Oguntola Sapara, who felt uncomfortable in the traditional agbada. He therefore asked his tailor not only to reduce the volume and length of his agbada, but also to make it from imported, lightweight cotton. The ceremonial agbada, on the other hand, is bigger, more ornate, and frequently fashioned from expensive and heavier materials.
Beneath the agbada is the undervest called buba by the yorubas. Bubas may either be in form of a loose round-neck shirt with elbow-length or long sleeves or dansiki, a loose, round-neck, sleeveless smock. This is accompanied by the Yoruba trousers, all of which have a drawstring for securing them around the waist. The trousers also come in a variety of shapes and lengths. The two most common trousers for the agbada are sooro, a close-fitting, ankle-length, and narrow-bottomed piece; and kembe, a loose, wide-bottomed one that reaches slightly below the knee, but not as far as the ankle. However, the contemporary trousers are more fitted and of latest fashion.
Different types of caps are worn to complement the agbada of which the most popular is gobi. It is cylindrical in shape which is about ten inches long. When worn, it may be compressed and shaped forward, sideways, or backward. Another very popular style cap is ‘abeti aja’ which literally means “the dog-eared one,” It has a crestlike shape and derives its name from its hanging flaps that may be used to cover the ears in cold weather. Otherwise, the two flaps are turned upward in normal wear. The labankada is a bigger version of the abetiaja, and is worn in such a way as to unveil the contrasting color of the cloth used as underlay for the flaps. Some fashionable men may add an accessory to the agbada outfit in the form of a wraparound (ibora).
Agbada with Abeti aja cap
The largest and most elaborately embroidered is called agbada nla or girike. The most valued fabric for the ceremonial agbada is the traditionally woven cloth popularly called aso ofi (narrow-band weave) or aso oke (northern weave). The term aso oke reflects the fact that the Oyo Yoruba of the grassland to the north introduced this type of fabric to the southern Yoruba. It also hints at the close cultural interaction between the Oyo and their northern neighbors, the Nupe, Hausa, and Fulani from whom the former adopted certain dresses and musical instruments.
Today, Agbada has gained much popularity as a fashionable attire among wide classes of people in West Africa, the African diaspora, and very recently, even among Bantu people in East, Southern and Central Africa. Although It is popularly worn by the Yoruba race in Nigeria, it is not exclusive to the Yoruba, being found in other parts of Africa as well. It is known as mbubb (French, boubou) among the Wolof of Senegambia and as riga among the Hausa and Fulani of the West African savannah from whom the Yoruba adopted it. The general consensus among scholars is that the attire originated in the Middle East and was introduced to Africa by the Berber and Arab merchants from the Maghreb (the Mediterranean coast) and the desert Tuaregs during the trans-Saharan trade that began in the pre-Christian era and lasted until the late nineteenth century.
The Ghanaian President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had finally announced that tertiary institutions in the country reopen by August 24 for students who are yet to complete the academic year.
Following the shut down of schools due to covid19 pandemic, the Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had finally announced that tertiary institutions in the country reopen by August 24 for students who are yet to complete the academic year.
It should be noted that some institutions like The University of Cape Coast (UCC), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), technical universities and some other colleges for instance are yet to complete their academic work for this year as a result of the covid 19 pandemic which led to the indefinite closure of the institutions earlier this year.
In his speech, the president said “After extensive stakeholder consultations, the decision has been taken for continuing students in these tertiary institutions to return to school, on 24th August to finish their academic year.”
However, he noted that the government will ensure that all necessary preventive measures are put in place to allow students resume back to school safely. Akufo-Addo said during his 15th COVID-19 national address that “Government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, will ensure that all these tertiary institutions are disinfected. Universities will be equipped with necessary personal protective equipment and those with their own hospitals and clinics will have isolation centers to deal with positive cases,” Akufo-Addo added.
The president also said that strict adherence to the basic covid 19 preventive measures such as avoidance of mass gatherings, sporting activities or religious activities on campus will be ensured. Recall that schools in the West African country were closed on March 16, four days after Ghana recorded its first two coronavirus cases. Ghana has since registered 42,532 coronavirus cases as of Sunday, with 231 deaths and 40,362 recoveries.
The initial 45-day mandate of the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel investigating the Suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, will elapse tomorrow without Magu …
The initial 45-day mandate of the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel investigating the Suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, will elapse tomorrow without Magu responding to the allegations leveled against him by interested parties that appeared before the panel.
It was gathered last night that Magu was yet to present his defence against the 12-point allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami.
Embattled Former Acting EFFC Chairman
The suspended Acting Chairman of EFCC was only served a copy of the terms of reference of the panel 33 days after its inauguration, prompting his lawyers to protest against the unfair treatment meted out to him.
Justice Salami, had in one of the proceedings assured Magu of the determination of the panel to accord him fair hearing.
However, it was also gathered that the panel would continue sitting after the submission of the interim report to President Muhammadu Buhari as contained in the instrument setting up the panel.
“The panel will continue to sit after that. The president says interim report should be submitted to him after 45 days.
“The panel continues sitting on Monday (today) and other issues and complaints would be treated,” a source disclosed this to news authorities.
Magu’s lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, had in a letter accused the Salami-led panel of flouting President Buhari’s directive and the Tribunal of Inquiry Act 2004, the instrument setting up the panel.
The letter written by Shittu also accused the panel of non-adherence to the instrument setting up the panel with regards to private sitting of the panel contrary to the terms of reference which required public sitting.
Lagos Police arrested suspected fraudsters who planned with local and international bankers to steal money from the accounts of dead persons.Seven persons were arrested in connection with the alleged scheme. They …
Lagos Police arrested suspected fraudsters who planned with local and international bankers to steal money from the accounts of dead persons.Seven persons were arrested in connection with the alleged scheme. They are being interrogated by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). RRS said in a statement on Sunday that the suspects planned to transfer N25 million from a local bank account and $220,000 from an international accounts.
Police said the alleged fraudsters scout for obituaries of well-to-do individuals, use bank insiders to determine their account balance, and clone their SIM cards for online transfer.
One of the bank insiders was arrested in Lagos while another based in Benin is on the run after suspecting the gang had been busted and that police were on his trail.
Their arrest was based on intelligence received on the activities of a fraud syndicate based in Lagos allegedly led by one Osita Nwafor, alias Ossy. Nwafor, 45, was picked up in the gang’s hideout after a technical analysis of the details of the gang and its activities. His arrest facilitated the apprehension of six other members of the gang in different parts of the metropolis.
They are Nwogu Joseph Chika, 36, Anthony Odama, 43, Ikechukwu Nkem, 32, James Okonkwo, 51, Adedio Paulinus, 29, and Ogundepo Olufemi, 51. The arrest of the gang voided a fraudulent transaction of N3 million that had been perfected by the syndicate through a cloned SIM card. Police said Nwafor recruited the gang, with each member handling specific aspects of their operation. cases and each and every member of the has his own role on each of the cases.
“Once I have done my own part of the deal (sourcing for SIMs and accounts numbers through which the group perpetrates its fraud), I push it to whoever among the member has to play the next role and that is how we treat our cases. “Apart from this, each member of the gang also has his own splinter group. Whenever they have personal jobs, they also handle on their own.”
The suspects said they work with bank insiders locally and internationally. Nwafor added: “Chike (Nwogu) sourced for foreign and local accounts for money lodgments. I don’t know anything about how he does that, I simply hand over to Chike. He has his connections and they work on percentage. Once they agree on the percentage, when the money comes, everybody gets his own cuts”. Nwafor said Nwogu was working on the transfer of $220,000 fresh transaction from a foreign bank (bank name, account holder and parties withheld) before he was arrested.
Another member of the syndicate, Femi Ogundepo, it was revealed, was also working on a fraudulent transaction of N25 million from an old generation bank with an insider connivance (details of the deal withheld). James Okonkwo, a close ally of Nwafor, the gang coordinator, it was disclosed allegedly cornered N8 million fraudulent proceed of the gang shortly before his arrest.
This, it was learnt, was the cause of a serious dispute between Nwafor and Okonkwo, who just came back from the village. RRS said the suspects have been transferred to the SARS for further investigations and prosecution.
World Bank Commends Obaseki As Edo Election Draws Closer Allegations trailing the corruption in Niger delta took a new turn when the World Bank project supervision unit in the Niger Delta …
World Bank Commends Obaseki As Edo Election Draws Closer Allegations trailing the corruption in Niger delta took a new turn when the World Bank project supervision unit in the Niger Delta observed that Bretton Woods International projects in Edo State exposed the identifiable deceit in the campaign communications of the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, the APC candidate in the Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and the party, itself, in portraying incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to have failed in the governance of the state in the past three and a half years. The World Bank contrary to criticism, commended Governor Obaseki for upholding transparency in governance and achieving in job creation for the youths in the state.
Apparently, the World Bank implementation support team, supervising implementation of State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR), projects in the Niger Delta, had last week scored Edo State high on transparency and youths job creation under the leadership of Obaseki.
The team leader, Ismaila Ceesay, had on a visit to the Edo State Governor in Benin City, commended Governor Obaseki whom he said has done well in component A1 of projects of the Word Bank in the Niger Delta.
It was noted that Component A1 projects include creation of direct jobs for youths. Ceesay had disclosed the World Bank team visited Edo State for assessment of the implementation of the components of the SEEFOR projects in the four selected states, which were identified to include Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers.
Ceesay revealed: “Edo is one of the four states that produce its financial statements and have them audited within six to seven months of the fiscal year and have the report published.”
The World Bank projects coordinator encouraged Governor Obaseki to continue his attitude of financial accountability and maintain his governance credential of a beacon of transparency in public finance. He further encouraged Governor Obaseki to ensure all segments of the projects are active till accomplishment in Edo State. He promised further cooperation with the state government in accomplishing the development projects.
Incumbent Governor Obaseki assured that the Edo State government would collaborate with the World Bank team for the development plans toward the reactivation of the Technical Vocational Education and Training, TVET, and FADAMMA projects.
Obaseki had disclosed that Edo State government fulfilled its obligation of paying over N400 million counterpart funding in his administration. He commended the World Bank for the $1.6 million disbursed for the renovation of the Benin Technical College. Stakeholders in Edo State were of the view that the World Bank commendation of Governor Obaseki shows that the opponents may be misleading or deceiving the people of the state with false information in the campaign for the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.
Earlier this year, Incumbent governor of Edo State left the All Progress Congress for People Democratic Party after fight ensued during the primaries and was denied ticket to run for second term.
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