Police arraign Inspector for killing bus conductor

The police have arraigned a police inspector, Abdullahi Ibrahim, for killing a bus conductor, Ibrahim Fagbohun, during a mob action against his team at the Agege area of Lagos State.

He was arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court on one count of manslaughter.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the inspector and his team of other four officers were attached to the Elere Police Division.

They were on a patrol on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway when they were stopped by the chairman of a transport union in the area.

The chairman, Ramoni Okanlawon, was said to have flagged down the patrol vehicle and complained that one Ajisafe, a commercial bus driver, had stolen his tyre.

The policemen, who got down from their vehicle, were said to have challenged Ajisafe, who made a counter allegation that Okanlawon wanted to rob him and his passengers.

The police team was said to have arrested the union chairman at this point and was whisking him to the station when some area boys blocked the road and confronted the officers.

The police inspector reportedly released a shot from his AK-47 rifle which killed Fagbohun, who was in the crowd.

After spending one year and seven months in incarceration, the inspector was arraigned.

A legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions ordered that he be charged for manslaughter as nothing qualified the case for murder.

The advice, signed by the Director of the DPP, Ms Ebola Eboda, said, “In order to scare the mob, Inspector Ibrahim fired his gun into the air. The bullets hit and killed the deceased.

“From the above, it is evident that the intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm is not present in the instant case. While the two other ingredients of murder are present, the third being intention, is absent.”

He was subsequently arraigned on one count of manslaughter.

Deportation of Igbos: Fashola wins case

Justice Musa Kurya of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday entered judgment in favour of the Lagos State Government in a suit filed by some people alleging a breach of their rights.
The applicants, Rosemary Nathaniel, Friday Ndukwe, Grace Igbochi, Ugulori Tutua, Chinyere Nicholas and Osondu Mbuto filed the suit on their behalf and 77 others, seeking the enforcement of their rights.
Joined as respondents in the suit are the Lagos State Government, the state attorney-general and the commissioner of police in the state.
The applicants had sought a declaration that their alleged arrest, remand and forceful deportation from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra, in 2012 by the government, on the ground that they were non-indigenes of Lagos, was a violation of their personal liberty and freedom of movement.
The applicants had prayed the court to declare that the alleged action was a violation of Sections 35, 41(1) and 42 of the Constitution and Articles 6,12, 2 and 28 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
They asked the court to award damages in the sum of N2 billion against the Lagos State Government and its agents for the alleged breach of their rights.
The applicants had also sought an order of the court compelling the respondents to apologise to them in at least three national dailies.
Justice Kurya held that there were conflicts in the affidavit evidence tendered by both parties, which ought to be resolved by oral evidence.
He said that efforts were made to serve the respondents with the court processes.
“Efforts have been made to get the respondents served, and from the proof of service, they have been served consequent upon which they filed their counter-affidavit.
“The respondents’ case is a complete denial of the facts and circumstances as put forward by the applicants.
“The respondents said in their affidavit that they did not deport the applicants to any place outside the territory of Lagos State at anytime.
“They said that, in furtherance of state government’s policy to cater for the welfare of citizens irrespective of their origins, the applicants were rescued from different parts of state while they were begging for alms and engaging in vices.
“The respondents said that those who could not provide details of their places of residence or businesses were taken to a rehabilitation centre at Majidun, Lagos, and given an opportunity to acquire vocational skills.
“They said that it was three months after that the applicants’ home state contacted the respondents and the applicant, who had successfully completed their programme and indicated their intention to rejoin their families.
“The respondents decided to assist the applicants in getting back to their families.
“It is trite law that where there are conflicts in affidavit evidence; it is normally resolved by oral evidence, and applicant counsel did not call for such oral evidence.
“The court was therefore, left with no option but to decide the matter on available evidence.
“I do not find any substance in the case of the applicant; there seems to be truth in the respondents’ averment.
“Consequently, judgment is entered in favour of the respondents against the applicant with no cost awarded to either party,” Kurya held.
Counsel to the applicants, Mr John Nwokwu, had argued that it was unlawful for Lagos State or any other state in the country to forcefully remove a citizen of Nigeria from its geographical boundary on account of indigeneship.
Nwokwu had prayed the court to order Lagos State to go in search of the said deported Igbo indigenes and to return them to Lagos.
He had also prayed for an order restraining the respondents from further deporting the applicants out of the state.
However, the Lagos State Government argued in its counter affidavit that the applicants’ deportation to Onitsha was not done out of malice but with the intention of re-uniting them with their families.
Lagos State averred that the applicants were assisted to re-join their families after pleading that they had no homes, relatives or businesses in Lagos State.

Nigerian military seizes arms-laden Russian plane bound for Chad

Premium Times is reporting that a Nigeria military has intercepted a Russian plane loaded with large amount of arms and ammunition, bound for neighbouring Chad.

A security source told PT that the plane was seized early today Saturday Dec. 6th at the Aminu Kano International Airport.

The aircraft, which was headed for N’djamena, the capital of Chad, landed in Kano at about 2a.m. Nigerian time, the source said. All crew members of the aircraft have been detained by Nigerian forces. (Source - Premium Times)

Brand expert, Kenny Badmus, shares his amazing story of living with HIV in the last 15 years

To mark World AIDS Day which is today, December 1st, Nigerian brand expert & founder of Orange Academy, Kenny Badmus, took to his Facebook page to share his inspiring story of living successfully with HIV for the last 15 years. Find his story below...
Today, Monday December 1st, is World AIDS day, and I'm celebrating my resolve to live with this damn virus all these many years without letting it define who I am. Every journey I take, every picture of me you see, and every new challenge I take on are all huge reminders that I must never stop living my best life. So, I decided to share my journey with you today. Honestly, I don’t know what exactly you are dealing with but I’m writing you this to hold tight to your dream. Here's a quick sketch of my journey from the first day I tested positive, 15 years ago. My upcoming book tells the full story.

1999. After three years of different pains and minor illnesses, I was encouraged by my best friend and Professor Soyinka, an HIV specialist, to go get tested so I could face my fear. I had just resumed work as a Copywriter at McCann. I’d rather not know. I was working on Coca Cola, and I would rather live in the joy of that dream. It was that point when you assured yourself this was only a lie from the pit of hell. I had not been a ‘bad boy,’ I would assure myself.

1999. I tested, and it came back positive. I blamed everyone but myself. I wanted to end my life immediately. Trust me, I did try a few things. Then I called on God. I told God to change the status because it didn't look good on him. I sang. I fasted. I gave offerings. Prophet offerings. I died several times, but I didn't die. I was always back to myself. I came up with a few pseudo coping skills, but I was always depressed. The picture of HIV back then was very gory, and I was wasting away.
2004. I realized I didn't die yet. My flesh had not fallen off. My heart was still beating. I still liked rice and pepper stew. I still had early morning erections - and not just in the early mornings. Shouldn't I be dead by now? I began to question everything I ever knew.

2006. I had a local operation for tonsillitis, and it brought my immune system to level zero. I was infected by everything you could name. But I was so happy that I was going to die finally. Wouldn't it be nice to die just like that? Unfortunately, I did not die. I was bedridden for four months and was forced to live by myself. It was there that my Exodus happened. I realized for the 1st time that the real death is when we refuse to live out our full potential. Death is not a physical thing. It is an emotional thing. When we stop living. When we stop laughing. When we stop learning. When we stop crying. Or feeling. So I couldn't wait to get out of the hospital. There, I started the anti-HIV medication. (Trust me, it doesn't kill as I had feared)

2007. I started living and loving myself. As a creative person, I created Orange Academy to start teaching people how to find their creative self. Love themselves. Tell compelling stories. I put all my life into it. Then, I started to undo all my pseudo coping skills. Oh, I had tons of them. Like getting married, wanting people to accept me, being the 'yes' man to Ministers of God - something I did in times past to assure myself I was doing 'God's will.' I stopped sending my money to Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and started investing it on people I could see around me. Little did I realize that God didn't send me to do anything to gain his favor or search for him. God had never been lost. I was meant to find myself and live my authentic life. Lift people up. Fight the oppression around me. I started spending time with myself. I started working out at the gym. I started to travel to enjoy the universe.

2008 - 2010. I looked in the mirror, and I saw a better me. A younger me. A healthier me. No more lies. At Orange Academy, we started the ART OF POSITIVE THINKING and started to use our arts and money to assist people living with debilitating diseases or social conditions. I took those layers of lies off my soul. I started writing my memoir - my full story as a preacher boy trying to find God who art in heaven! [ THE EXODUS coming out next year ]

2014. November. I had an appointment with my doctor in Maryland, USA, and he asked me:
'What's your secret?' All your medical tests are amazing. We tested for everything possible. No new infections or conditions. Blood work is excellent. Nothing at all to worry about. Perfect health. Just that you are still HIV+.'
‘Oh really?’ I said. ‘I thought that had disappeared.’
‘ Well, it’s still there, sadly. I hope Science gets the cure someday soon.’

We both laughed and then I fought back a little tear in my eyes. This dude doesn't know how grateful I am for HIV. Thank God for HIV. I wish I never had it, but Lord I did! It made me run after myself. Maybe I would never have understood myself; that no one can save us but us. Maybe I would never know the refreshing power that loneliness can bring when we embrace our broken self.

Here's what I want you to take away: don't end your dreams just because you are presented with bad news along the way. Remember, HIV doesn't kill anymore; it's ignorance that kills. Use that bad news to ride onto your next phase. It will be tough. I won't lie. Don't be afraid to live vulnerably. It's empowering. Empower yourself by loving yourself. Find yourself. Give yourself to people without expecting anything in return. If you are a Faith person, keep living your Faith in love for humankind. Empty yourself and accept to be filled with kindness from others. Believe me, there are still angels out there to lift you up.

*NOTE: Potentially I cannot infect anyone with HIV since my viral load went to undetectable since 2008. Nevertheless, I still advise that you take precaution with sexual partners as an HIV+ person, so they don't infect you with STDs. If you have not tested, know your status. It's liberating. Starting an HIV medication now doesn't only protect your loved ones but can make you live even longer than people without HIV.

Photos: OAU students protest over President Jonathan's visit

Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, are currently staging a peaceful protest on their campus. The students say they are angry that all activities at their school have been suspended due to President Jonathan's visit. They also say they are protesting the failure of the educational system under the GEJ administration.

2015: INEC reschedules distribution of voters’ cards in 7 states

In its efforts to address the complaints arising from inability of eligible voters to register or obtain voter cards ahead of the 2015 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, announced the rescheduling of the ongoing exercises in seven states of the country.
According to the commission, the production of Permanent Voter Cards and preparation for Continuous Voter Registration will take place in six states and remaining nine LGs in Lagos State, where the exercise has not taken place.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said the decision was reached after a meeting with leaders of 22 registered political parties from Niger, Katsina, Rivers, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Borno as well as nine LGs in Lagos State that were left out in the recently concluded third phase of the programme.
“At the meeting with political party leaders, the commission presented a progress report on the production of PVCs and explained lingering challenges necessitating a readjustment in the previously announced schedule for distribution of the cards and CVR in the outstanding states”, the statement said.
To ensure effective distribution of PVCs and mitigate difficulties encountered in the previous phases, INEC rescheduled the exercises to hold as follows:
In Rivers and Nasarawa states and remaining nine LGs in Lagos PVC Distribution has been slated for between Friday, November 28 and Sunday, November 30 2014 while CVR will take place between Wednesday, December 3 and Monday, December 8 2014.

DNA result reveals two of Femi Kuti's five children are not his

Afrobeat king, Femi Kuti says he recently found out that two out of the 5 children he always thought were his, weren't. In an interview with Encomium mag, Femi said a DNA test conducted on a boy and a girl named Tosin and Dupe who were born after his first son, Made, showed he's not their biological father.
"I did a DNA test and was told two of the children are not mine. The first two (after Made), a boy and a girl. It is very serious. I never knew somebody could give you what is not yours. I’ve three boys now. I can’t father children I was tricked to believe I am their father,” he said
Femi says he has since returned the children to their mothers.

N'Assembly drama: Senate sets up panel to probe IG of Police

The IG of Police Sulaiman Abba was invited by the House yesterday to explain why his men invaded the National Assembly last week Thursday but after the meeting abruptly ended over the IG's refusal to properly address Speaker Tambuwal, the Senate has now set up a committee to probe IGP Abba and other policemen involved in the siege.

A seven-member committee has been set up to probe the action of the police on that day and the committee have been given seven days to have those behind it brought to book.

Members of the panel include Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who will act as chairman, Abubakar Bagudu, Victor Lar, Adegbenga Kaka, Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, Mohammed Jibrilla Bindowo, and Ehigie Uzamere.
"We are appointing members from this House and we are not bringing anybody from outside and nobody is going to interfere in the work of the committee. We want them to be very thorough, we want them to be very sincere and we want them also to bring the report as quickly as possible.” Senate president David Mark said
"That act was unconstitutional, criminal, deliberate and intended to tell us that we are not what we are or what we called ourselves.Where are the privileges of the National Assembly? Can this action be contemplated in South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon or even Mali that is close by? It is impunity of the highest order and we must act and very seriously to do justice to this issue in order to restore the dignity and sanctity of the National Assembly.” - Senate Minority Leader, George Akume said.

Can’t Afford a Range Rover Evoque? The Landwind X7 Clone is Four Times Cheaper

Remember the patent images of the Range Rover
Evoque Chinese copy, the Landwind X7 ?
Well, fresh spy shots of the SUV have appeared
recently and it seems the Chinese are not bothered at
all with the reactions their copy has provoked.
That’s because the final product looks exactly like the
car in the patent photos – i.e. almost identical to the
Range Rover Evoque.

See pix after the cut

And that’s not all; since the X7
is expected to arrive in dealerships later this month, it
means it will beat the real Chinese -made Range Rover
Evoque to the market by at least two months!
The cabin is also inspired by the Evoque’s, although
the Chinese manifested more restraint in copying the
interior and put in a little more effort to differentiate it
from the original.
The Landwind X7 will be priced from 120,000 yuan,
which is the equivalent of about $19,500. That makes
it a lot cheaper than the imported Range Rover
Evoque, which starts at 528,000 yuan ($85,665) in
China. The locally made Evoque will be priced from
425,000 yuan when it launches later this year.
Based on a shortened variant of the platform that also
underpins the Landwind X8, the Evoque clone is
powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
petrol engine producing 190hp and 250Nm (184 lb-ft)
of torque, offered with either a six-speed manual or an
eight-speed automatic.

Copy cats: Chinese car company unveils $22,000 copy of Range Rover

China is at it again. 'Copy cats' (no say I talk ooo).
Anyway, UK giant car company Jaguar Land Rover is furious after a relatively unknown Chinese car company called LandWind unveiled a car that looked almost exactly like the Range Rover E-vogue which at $22,000 cost $48,000 less than the Evogue which is about $70,000. Pictured below, left is the Evogue and to the right is the Chinese car. It was launched at a motor show in China last week.

Jaguar Land Rover say they may take legal action against the company. Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Dr Ralf Speth told Autocar magazine:
‘The fact that this kind of copying is ongoing in China is very disappointing. The intellectual property (IP) is owned by Jaguar Land Rover and if you break that IP then you are in breach of international regulations.’