Gunmen Abduct President Jonathan's Uncle In Otuoke

By SaharaReporters, New York

Heavily-armed gunmen on Sunday night abducted Chief Inengite Nitabai, who was said to be an uncle of President Goodluck Jonathan’s, in their home village of Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Nitabai, 65, was said to have been involved in the recovery of a piece of land he sold several years ago, when he was snatched by the gunmen, who numbered about 10. They appeared to have been waiting as he returned from an outing, and they took him away in his vehicle.
A security source said that the vehicle was later recovered at the Onuegbum community waterfront where it had been abandoned, an indication the gunmen may have made away with their victim through the creeks.  Although the motive of the kidnappers has not been ascertained, a community source told our correspondent that it may be connected with the alleged sale by some youths of the land that had belonged to him.
The incident has led to a heavy security presence in the community, which is also host to the Federal University, Otuoke.
The Deputy Commander of the Joint Task force, Operation Pulo Shield, Commodore Ime Ekpa, along with a team of security agents visited the crime scene on Monday.
Confirming the incident, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said one person had been arrested.  He also confirmed the recovery of the abduction vehicle.   
"Investigation is in progress to unmask the kidnappers and rescue the victim," he said.

Boko Haram Returns On A Killing Spree In Borno Village

By SaharaReporters, New York

Despite assurances of military strength and capacity in Borno state, Islamist militant group Boko Haram yesterday attacked Izge village again in the state.
A source in the village told Saharareporters that the sect returned to the village last night and killed some people who are mostly elderly and burnt many houses with impunity.
The source said there were no military personnel when the sect got into the town chanting war songs and shooting helpless villagers, while youths and some women fled through bush path in the night.
The source added that thousands of the villagers are presently taking refuge in Gulak local government area of Adamawa state.
There is no official reaction from the military regarding the latest Saturday night attack.
A newspaper report today in Nigeria had suggested that President Jonathan is considering appointing a military administrator for Borno State.
 
There has been cold war between Governor Kashim Shettima and Nigerian military over Shettima’s claim that Boko Haram wields more sophisticated weapons than the Nigerian military, an assertion both military and Federal Government officials debunked last week.



Source: SaharaReporters

65-yr-old man, 3 sons nabbed for robbery

A 65-year-old man has been arrested in Asaba, Delta State along with his three sons for robbery.

Also arrested were three other robbery suspects, who were dislodged from an uncompleted building allegedly provided by the father of three.

State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Celestina Kalu, who paraded the suspects at the Police ‘B’ Division, Asaba, weekend, said: “We are taking the fight to their (criminal) hideouts, so there is no hiding place for criminal elements. Wherever they are we will smoke them out.”

She said the suspects (names withheld) were arrested following a distress call by a resident at Oduke, outskirts of Asaba, who was attacked  at night and N72,000 cash stolen from him.

“Following the distress call,  a police team was drafted to the area from B Division Asaba and on sighting the police, the robbers fired at them and there was a gun battle in which two of the robbers were brought down while some of them escaped,” the PPRO said.

She added that the father of the suspected three robbers was habouring the criminal gang in his uncompleted building .

Meantime, a  boy has been arrested at Ogwashi-Uku, in Delta State for allegedly stabbing another boy to death following a minor quarrel over a lover.

Report said the incident took place at Ogbe-Ofu area of Ogwashi-Uku where the suspect was said to have met the victim in the woman’s house  and a fight ensued.

 See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/65-yr-old-man-3-sons-nabbed-for-robbery/#sthash.Mgy9dp9t.dpuf

Presidential media chat holds tomorrow

President Goodluck Jonathan will  respond to questions from a panel of journalists and media executives on current national issues and developments in another edition of  the Presidential Media Chat.

According to Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity), the chat will be broadcast live on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Voice of Nigeria (VON) at 7pm, tomorrow.

File: President Goodluck Jonathan (3rd l) answering questions from a panel of journalists during the Presidential Madia Chat at the Presidential Villa Abuja On Sunday (29/9/13).

What questions are you expecting the President to be asked tomorrow?

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/presidential-media-chat-holds-tomorrow/#sthash.DzINqgiV.dpuf

Mother burns 11-yr-old daughter’s buttocks with hot knife!

A middle  aged woman, Ene Edem Okon, has been arrested by the police  for allegedly  inflicting bodily harm and tying her 11-year-old daughter, Queeneth Ene Edem, hands and legs  for being wayward. She was arrested when Queeneth appeared in her school, Government Primary School, Akim, with multiple wounds on her chest, stomach and buttocks prompting the school authorities to report the matter to the police at the Akim Police Station.

The girl  narrated to Sunday Vanguard that, on  February 17, she left  home at  Eneyo village in Akpabuyo  Local Government Area for  the Maternity Junction Settlement, some four kilometers away from  home, to meet her cousin, one Blessing, but did not return home. “We were waiting for Blessing’s friend from whom she wanted to collect something but she delayed in coming and we waited till night and, because we were afraid of  going back home, we slept in an uncompleted building at the Maternity Junction”, she said.

The 11-year-old said the next day, one of her friends saw her at the Maternity Junction and told her that her mother  was looking   for her with a machete after which she became afraid to go  back home. “We stayed on the road near  our house and were breaking kernel to eat when my mother sent somebody  to come and catch us. That  person  came pretending to play with us but  suddenly grabbed me and dragged me to my mother”.

The mother, angry, allegedly got hold of her and used a rod to hit her all over her body, thus leaving  her with severe wounds. “She also put the kitchen knife in the fire she was cooking and when it was hot, she placed  it on my buttocks”, the girl stated.

When Sunday Vanguard met Mrs Ene Okon at the Akim Police Station, she appeared  remorseful,  stating that  she was driven by anger because Queeneth  was stubborn and had formed the habit of spending the night outside at such a tender age. “I  sent her  to school in far away Calabar because I don’t trust the school here in Akpabuyo but she is just too stubborn, so I had to teach her a lesson.”

Mr Hogan Bassey, the police spokesman for Cross River Police Command, said the woman would  appear in court after investigations are concluded.

Mr Bassey Ibor, a  child rights activist, said children’s courts in the state are not functioning and called on the state government to fund the courts. “The cases we have taken to the children’s courts  have suffered long adjournments because the judges are not sitting. Government should, as a matter of urgency, ensure that the courts are funded so that these children would not continue  to be denied of justice.”

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/torture-mother-burns-11-yr-old-girls-buttocks-hot-knife/#sthash.KEGk4fGi.dpuf

Pastor’s wife murdered for refusing to be raped in Akure

A 25-year old Uni-versity drop- out identified as Jerry has murdered in cold blood the wife of a pastor, Mrs Eunice Ajayi 55years for refusing to be raped.

The suspected killer was said to have been rusticated from two institutions in the state for being a member of a secret cult.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the deceased was hacked to death on the ill fated day when she refused to be raped by the suspect who is now on the run.
The deceased husband who rushed to the scene to save his dying wife was also matchetted by the suspect and is presently hospitalised.

Eyewitness account informed Vanguard that alleged killer visited the house of the Pastor  located at Peace-land Road,along the Expressway in  Akure metropolis  and attempted to rape the deceased.

Jerry who has been eyeing the woman reportedly came that day with the sole purpose of having his way but the Pastor’s wife resisted.

This according to report infuriated the suspect who reportedly  brought out a machete which he used to hack the deceased .

Several machete cuts were inflicted on  the deceased by the furious killer.

Her distress cries  and shout for help attracted the husband who rushed to the room only to meet his wife in her own pool of blood.

The husband was also attacked by the suspect while trying to save the wife from the killer.

After attacking both the wife and the husband the suspect reportedly took to his heels while attempt by some students residing in the area to apprehend him failed.

The wife of the pastor was said to have died before help could come neighbours who rushed to the scene following the shout and cries from the couple.

Contacted the Police image maker Wole Ogodo said that the suspect is still on the run and that he would soon be tracked down and prosecuted.

Ogodo said that “ we discovered that the suspect attempted to rape the deceased because her pant was half-removed by the suspect, later our men visited the house of Jerry but he has fled.

” Investigation has commenced on the matter and we have put all necessary machinery in place  to apprehend him and bring him to justice . “

Ogodo said that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of the State Specialists Hospital in Akure.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/pastors-wife-murdered-refusing-raped-akure/#sthash.DuhqecXo.dpuf

Police Arrest Man for Having Sex with Goat in Jigawa

A 20-year-old man, Malam Kamisu Baranda has been arrested by Jigawa State Police Command for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a goat at Baranda forest in Dutse Local Government Area.

The chief magistrate’s court sitting in Dutse has ordered the remand of the boy, Malam Kamisu Baranda, in prison for two weeks.
Magistrate Auwalu Sani Balago said the accused person did not confess that he committed the act but the court remanded him to allow police make further inquiries.
Kamisu was said to have admitted that the goat belonged to him and that he had asked the goat to have sexual intercourse with him but he was arrested by the village head of the area and handed over to the police.
He explained that this was not the first time of having sex with animals inside bush because he has done it over 10  times and was never arrested.
He regretted that if he knew that he would be arrested, he would have not tried it because it was the reason why he did not make love with women in the area.
He said animals satisfied his demand, that is why he is not after women in the state just to avoid embarrassment but still he found himself ambushed by people in the area.
He called on the court to do justice for him because he knows that what he did was an offence to a society and against the Islamic injunctions.

Exclusive Interview With Ousted Nigerian CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

This exclusive interview with Sanusi Lamido Sanusi took place after SaharaReporters followed the ousted CBN governor from the airport to a residence in Lagos shortly after his arrival from Niamey in Niger Republic following his ouster from office by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Gunmen Killed 9 Children In Plateau Village

Unknown gunmen on Wednesday night in Plateau state killed nine children and four other adults in a Berom ethnic group settlement.
The gunmen, according to police, struck in a village, Rapyem in Barkin Ladi local government and attacked a few houses where the nine children and the adults were battered with machete cuts and sporadic gun attacks.
The source said the children were fast asleep when the gunmen stormed their village, and could not escape as some adults hence they were left at the mercy of the militia.
The source in the village who confirmed the attack alleged that the gunmen were Fulani herdsmen, an allegation the Fulani had always denied.
“As far as we are concern, it is the Fulani militia that are carrying out these attacks. Nine of our children killed like rams in their own sleep. We are helpless in our own land and government and security agencies cannot protect us.”

Source: By SaharaReporters, New York

Power failure: Ikeja High Court conducts proceedings with torchlight

LAGOS — Majority of judges in Ikeja division of the Lagos State High Court, yesterday, conducted their proceedings in darkness due to persistent power outage.

As early as 9.00 a.m, lawyers and litigants, who prepared to conduct their cases, were disappointed as several of the judges, particularly those in the new big building, could not sit.

Vanguard observed that the persistent power outage in the court in the past one week got to its peak, because the courts could not initially sit until about 11 am when one of the power generating sets for the building was switched on.

Thirty minutes after the power was brought back, the generating set went off, prompting some of the judges to stall their proceedings.

Judges who were conducting their cases, however, opted to continue proceedings with torchlights to conclude their cases.

Vanguard observed that one of the judges, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, continued proceedings with a torchlight to avoid disruption.

Lawyers who were in the court were not left out as they were forced to use lights from their phones since the courtroom was in darkness.

Justice Onigbanjo, however, rose about 10 minutes after he was unable to continue with the proceedings.

At Justice Kudirat Jose’s court, where the bail application for Lagos lawyer, Mr Fred Ajudua, was billed to be heard, the judge conducted part of her court proceedings in darkness for about five minutes before stepping out of the bench to her chambers, while all cases before her were adjourned.

At press time, all the courtrooms were still in darkness.

Efforts to get reactions from the High Court Chief Registrar proved abortive as our correspondent was told she was busy.

A senior official of the court who refused to be named told our correspondent that the court premises had since been cut off from power supply.

The official said the court took the decision following  huge bills for the court even when there was no electricity supply for weeks.

The official also said the two generating sets in the court had been faulty in the past one month.

Source: Vanguard Newspaper

SPORTS: Barcelona charged over Neymar transfer

Barcelona have been charged by a Spanish court with committing tax fraud in the signing of Brazil forward Neymar last year, a court spokesman said on Thursday.

"Judge Pablo Ruz has charged FC Barcelona with an infringement against the tax authority relating to the purchase of the Brazilian player," the spokesman said.

Barca denied wrongdoing after local media reported on Wednesday that Spain's public prosecutor had asked Judge Ruz to lay fraud charges against the club.

"The club's actions have, at all times, regarding that operation (to sign Neymar) and in line with the available information, been fully compliant with existing law," Barca said in a statement.

Barca to defend

The Spanish champions added they would be sending legal representatives to court 'in the coming days' to defend their rights and interests.

"At the same time, (Barca) states its complete availability to collaborate with the justice authorities in this process, as it has been doing from the first moment, or in any other that might require its intervention."

Neymar's high-profile move from Santos in the close season is also being investigated for possible misappropriation of funds following a complaint from a Barca member.

Sandro Rosell, who was named in the lawsuit but denies wrongdoing, stepped down as president last month. He said he wanted to protect the club's image and alleged he and his family had been threatened.

Rosell was replaced by his deputy Josep Bartomeu who said Neymar cost Barca $118.6m, including payments to the player and his family, and not $57.1m as they originally said.

Sanusi to Jonathan: You Can Suspend Me, but You Can’t Suspend the Truth.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has granted a video interview after news of his suspension went on news airwaves. In an interview with CNBC Africa, CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi speaks on the issue of his suspension:

When asked if he had received appropriate notice of his suspension, he said he received word from his office that he had a letter waiting for him. However, “I flew in this morning to Niamey along with other Governors of West African Central Banks to meet with the President of Niger and President of Ghana…Fortunately, I came in with my VP Sarah Alade whom I have been asked to hand over to. I have left the meeting to hand over to her. I have just met the Nigerian Ambassador to Niger who confirmed to me that the President asked him to inform me of the decision.”

On the accusation by the president of various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct, Sanusi says he has no idea what they are talking about. He says that when he returns to Nigeria, he will see what the allegations are. He noted that whatever issues that will be raised will not be issues that haven’t been raised before. He stated that his suspension was the consequence of decisions he had taken. His words: “this is something that is long overdue. I am surprised it took them so long.”

He also said that he was concerned about the safety of the Nigerian market, “Basically, my concern is for the safety of the market…I have had a wonderful time in service to my country. I would not want to see all of my work unraveled. No individual is worth it.”

When he was asked if he thought his suspension was politically motivated, Sanusi said: “It is not for me to comment. I am not sure that erm… I think the answer to that is obvious…there is a legal question of whether the president has the authority to suspend the Governor and whether suspension is not removal. It will be helpful to establish the principles by court.

Even if I challenge it, I will not go back to the job. Even if I challenge it successfully, I will not go back to it. I think it will be in the interest of the institution for the courts to establish once and for all if the president has the powers to do this… If it is not challenged, the next Central Bank Governor cannot be independent with fear of being suspended by a politician. I do plan to have the courts confirm if indeed that authority exists and I will challenge it.”


Source: Nigerian Bulletin

Boko Haram attack in northeast Nigeria kills 60

An attack by scores of Boko Haram Islamists in the northeast Nigeria town of Bama has killed 60 people and caused massive destruction to public buildings, police told AFP, today.

Residents said gunmen stormed the town at roughly 4:00 am (0300 GMT) on Wednesday, armed with heavy weapons and tossed explosives into various buildings, forcing residents to flee into the surrounding bush.

“We are collating the figures and the death toll has risen to 60 from the Bama attack,” said Lawal Tanko, the police commissioner in Borno state, which is the epicentre of Boko Haram’s four-and-half-year Islamist uprising.

“The toll is likely to rise,” he said. “The attackers caused enormous destruction. They burnt down some of the major landmarks in the town including the local government secretariat,” and the palace of the area’s top cleric, Tanko added.

He said the airforce dispatched fighter jets to suppress the raid from its base in the state capital Maiduguri some 60 kilometres (40 miles) away and dropped bombs on the fleeing insurgents.

“I can’t say how many of the gunmen were killed but the number is huge,” Tanko said.

The latest unrest in Nigeria’s embattled northeast came as Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau threated to widen his rebellion to the southern oil-producing Niger Delta region.

In a video statement delivered to AFP Wednesday, Shekau promised to strike the region which churns out some two million barrels of crude per day, the highest oil output in Africa.

Shekau has made various threats in a series of videos since 2012 and many have not materialised. It is not clear if the extremist leader, declared a global terrorist by the United States, has the capacity to spread Boko Haram’s violence beyond the group’s stronghold in the northeast.

Boko Haram has killed thousands in the north and centre of the country since 2009 in its rebellion aimed at creating a strict Islamic state in Nigeria’s north.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/boko-haram-attack-northeast-nigeria-kills-60/#sthash.eVg7yhNZ.dpuf

Mixed reactions trails suspension of Sanusi, CBN Governor.

Lagos- Mixed reactions on Thursday trailed the suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Some financial experts, who spoke in Lagos, said that the suspension was timely.

The President suspended the CBN governor on Thursday, Feb. 20 and appointed CBN’s Deputy Director of Operations, Mrs Sarah Alade as the acting governor.

A former director in CBN and an Economist, Mr Titus Okunronmu said that Sanusi’s pronouncements of recent might have been responsible for his suspension.

Okunronmu said that Sanusi should have resigned a long time ago instead of denting his image by the suspension.

He said that the next CBN governor should be a core professional with multi-disciplinary experiences.

Mr Adebayo Adeleke, General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) said that Sanusi’s suspension was long over-due.

Adeleke said that Sanusi’s tenure as CBN governor should be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But Mr Muda Yusuf, the Director-General of Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) lauded the President’s decision to appoint Alade as the acting governor.

He said the appointment was rational because she was the most senior officer in the bank.

He urged Nigerians not to see the development as a gender issue.

According to him, she is not there because she is a woman but as the most senior deputy governor in the bank.

Mr Victor Ogiemwonyin, an economist and Managing Director of Partnership Investment Company Ltd., Lagos also said that the appointment of Alade was a welcome idea.

He said that the acting governor was a team player.

He hoped that Alade would continue with the transformation agenda of CBN, which would lead to stability of the money and capital market.

Ogiemwonyi added that the next CBN governor should have a strong understanding of the nation’s economy.

Dr Sarah Omotunde Alade was appointed Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Central Bank of Nigeria, on March 26, 2007.

Alade attended the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where she obtained a B.Sc (Hons) Degree in Economics in 1976.

She also obtained an M.Comm degree at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia in 1983 and a Ph.D Management Science (Operations Research), from the University of Ilorin in 1991.

She joined the CBN in 1993 as an Assistant Director in the Research Department and later became the head, State Government Finance Office from1993to1996).

She also led the Federal Government Finance Office from 1996 to2000 and Fiscal Analysis Division from 2000 to 2004.

Alade was appointed Director, Banking Operations Department in May 2004.

In that capacity, she served as Chairman Board of Directors, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) as well as Secretary, National Payments System Committee (NPSC).

In his reaction a member of the House of Representatives Ralph Igbokwe (PDP-Imo) said that the President acted within his powers in suspending Sanusi.

He said that the CBN was a Public institution and that the governor could not operate outside the laws and rules governing the public service.

Igbokwe said that since Accounting Standards Board had raised a lot issues, it was appropriate for the president to suspend Sanusi. (NAN)

SOURCE -  http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/mixed-reactions-trail-suspension-sanusi-cbn-governor/#sthash.wj5B1659.dpuf

Breaking News: President Goodluck Jonathan suspends CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido.

President Jonathan has announced the suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

This was made known in a statement signed Thursday by Reuben Abati Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity.

The statement further Directed that the most Senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, “Dr Sarah Alade who will serve as Acting Governor until the conclusion of on-going investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN”.

The statement reads thus

Having taken special notice of reports of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and other investigating bodies, which indicate clearly that Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s tenure has been characterized by various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct which are inconsistent with the administration’s vision of a Central Bank propelled by the core values of focused economic management, prudence, transparency and financial discipline;

Sanusi

Being also deeply concerned about far-reaching irregularities under Mallam Sanusi’s watch which have distracted the Central Bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate; and

Being determined to urgently re-position the Central Bank of Nigeria for greater efficiency, respect for due process and accountability, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ordered the immediate suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from the Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

President Jonathan has further ordered that Mallam Sanusi should hand over to the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade who will serve as Acting Governor until the conclusion of on-going investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN.

The President expects that as Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Alade will focus on the core mandate of the Bank and conduct its affairs with greater professionalism, prudence and propriety to restore domestic and international confidence in the country’s apex bank.

The Federal Government of Nigeria reassures all stakeholders in Nigeria’s financial and monetary system that this decision has been taken in absolute good faith, in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy and in accordance with our laws and due process.

See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/jonathan-suspends-lamido-sanusi-cbn-gov/#sthash.vIt0IDY9.dpuf

Facebook buys WhatsApp for $19 billion

In a play to dominate messaging on phones and the Web, Facebook has acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion.

That's a stunning sum for the five-year old company. But WhatsApp has been able to hold its weight against messaging heavyweights like Twitter (TWTR), Google (GOOG,Fortune 500) and Microsoft's (MSFT, Fortune 500) Skype. WhatsApp has upwards of 450 million users, and it is adding an additional million users every day.

Referring to WhatsApp's soaring growth, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on a conference call, "No one in the history of the world has done anything like that."

WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app for smartphones, according to OnDevice Research.

Buying WhatsApp will only bolster Facebook's already strong position in the crowded messaging world. Messenger, Facebook's a standalone messaging app for mobile devices, is second only to WhatsApp in its share of the smartphone market.

Related: 5 key moments that changed Facebook

Similar to traditional text messaging, WhatsApp allows people to connect via their cellphone numbers. But instead of racking up texting fees, WhatsApp sends the actual messages over mobile broadband. That makes WhatsApp particularly cost effective for communicating with people overseas.

That kind of mobile messaging services have become wildly popular, with twice as many messages sent over the mobile Internet than via traditional texts, according to Deloitte. But most of the messaging industry's revenue is still driven by text messaging.

On the conference call, Facebook said it is not looking to drive revenue from WhatsApp in the near term, instead focusing on growth. Zuckerberg said he doesn't anticipate trying to aggressively grow WhatsApp's revenue until the service reaches "billions" of users.

WhatsApp currently charges a dollar a year after giving customers their first year of use for free. WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum said on the conference call that WhatsApp's business model is already successful.

That indicates Facebook bought WhatsApp to add value to its existing messaging services, as well as for the long-term potential of the company.

Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 for similar reasons: As young social network users gravitated towards photo-sharing, Facebook wanted to scoop up what could have eventually become a big rival.

Like Instagram, WhatsApp will function as an autonomous unit within Facebook, with all the existing employees coming in as part of the deal.

Facebook (FB, Fortune 500) said it will pay WhatsApp $4 billion in cash and $12 billion in stock. WhatsApp's founders and staff will be eligible for for another $3 billion in stock grants to be paid out if they remain employed by Facebook for four years. Koum will also join Facebook's board of directors. 

2015: Permanent voters’ card ready – INEC

SPURRED by the catalogue of criticisms trailing  its 2015 elections time table, the Independent National  Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday revealed that permanent voters’ cards for 2015 general elections are ready and it would begin the distribution of same for Osun and Ekiti gubernatorial elections from February 25.

The commission explained the reasons the 2015 elections would be staggered and not held in one day as earlier agreed with the political parties. The commission also answered some of the questions that trailed the faulty conduct of elections in the past and the efforts it is making to ensure hitch free elections.

In an interactive section with Editors yesterday in Lagos, the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega revealed that in line with constitutional provisions on conduct of elections, the commission has scheduled February 25 to March 12  to commence distribution of permanent voters cards for Ekiti and Osun  gubernatorial elections and March 12 to 17 for the  display of voters register for Osun governorship polls.

Represented by Dr Chris Iyimoga, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Publicity Committee, Jega said permanent voters cards for 2015 general elections are ready.

INEC officials at work:…

On why the polls would be staggered, he said holding all the  elections in one day as earlier agreed will be too tasking, coupled with the high level of illiteracy among voters.

“ We learnt lessons in the last general elections and this time we hope to take another look at the structure and processes involved. The key thing in any general elections is to have a credible election. We are committed to achieving the best and perfect voters’ register. We have gone through the biometrics since 2011 elections and we want to get it right.

“The nationwide process for distribution of permanent voters’ cards will commence as soon as all is ready and the logistics and every detail is in place. We want the permanent voters’ cards to be swiped by the card reader to determine their authenticity so we would avoid what we passed through in the past¼ and  certain parts of the Electoral Act which posed a  hinderance in 2011 would be reviewed by the National Assembly by July 3rd this year,” he said.

On the issue of security,  the INEC said it was putting everything in place to control snatching of ballot boxes and other forms of  electoral violence.

“We are putting everything in place to improve security at polling units and we are involving the police, and the army to work as a team and put intelligence together  to curb electoral violence. INEC is worried by the attitude of politicians and their scary utterances. We are worried by lack of internal party democracy and sometimes how the candidates emerge pose problems and that is why INEC is always invited to parties’ primaries to observe the conduct of the primaries.

The commission called for active participation of the electorate saying that “inactive citizenry participation in the preparations is also a problem. When the electorates don’t participate in preparations for elections, it poses a challenge.”

It also canvassed that the electoral umpire should not be burdened with handling electoral offences. “ INEC should not be saddled with the issue of electoral offenders as some of them are criminal cases that should be handled by the police. There should be a body in place to handle these issues. This current INEC has prosecuted over 200 people for electoral offences including rigging. Almost a million people are guilty of double registration nationwide. How do we begin to prosecute all these people?

“ Look at what happened at the Anambra elections. Even observer status cards were forged. There were fake media cards too. These people travelled across five states before they were arrested in Imo. We don’t know what they were coming to do in Anambra. They were arrested and that case is still on.

“ We failed in Anambra but it was not too woeful. Let’s just hope that Ekiti and Osun guber elections would be better. INEC cannot be everywhere. We employed 15,000 people as staff but during elections, we deploy about 500,000 people,” Jega said.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/2015-permanent-voters-card-ready-inec/#sthash.oP3H1VWp.dpuf

Lagos state passes smoking ban

Smoking is popular in Lagos in beer gardens and nightclubs

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MPs in Lagos state, Nigeria's economic hub, have passed a bill banning smoking in public places, including restaurants and on public transport.

Those who ignore the ban could face a $62 (£38) fine or up to three months in jail or both.

The bill also makes it an offence to smoke in front of a child - offenders will be fined $94 or be sentenced to a one-month jail term or both.

Lagos has already banned drivers from smoking to promote road safety.

Lagos is one of Africa's biggest cities, with a predicted population of 12 million in 2015, according to the UN. Lagos state says it has about 21 million inhabitants.

The smoking ban will only come into force once the state's governor, Babatunde Fashola, signs the bill into law.

The BBC's Tomi Oladipo in Lagos says smoking in public places is already prohibited by the federal government but this is loosely implemented.

In Lagos, smoking is popular in bars, beer gardens and nightclubs, he says.

BBC Hausa editor Mansur Liman says Lagos has long had a reputation of being a chaotic and disorderly city.

But he says that under Mr Fashola, a series of measures have been introduced to clean up the city - the latest being this ban.

The new bill stipulates that the owners or overseers of public areas will have to ensure that no-smoking signs are prominently displayed.

Failure to do so will mean a $627 fine or six months in prison.

Anyone who repeatedly contravenes the smoking ban would also be liable to a six-month prison sentence or $313 fine or both.

Woman sentenced to life for killing friend, cutting baby from womb

(CNN) -- A Massachusetts woman found guilty in the first-degree murder of her pregnant friend has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, according to Worcester Superior Court.

Julie Corey, who was 35 at the time of the crime, was convicted in 2009. She was found to have bludgeoned and strangled her friend, Darlene Haynes, 23, before cutting the baby from the victim's womb.

Haynes' body was found in her apartment on July 27, 2009. She was eight months pregnant at the time of her death.

Days after the murder, Haynes' baby was found with Corey in New Hampshire.

DNA evidence and a fingerprint on a bottle at the crime scene tied Corey to the killing, the district attorney's office said.

According to trial testimony, Corey tried to pass the baby off as her own to family and friends, the statement said.

"It's probably the most horrific case this office has seen," said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. "This woman was killed for her baby."

"There was no surprise in the sentence. It is a mandatory sentence under Massachusetts statutory law. A notice of appeal has been filed," said Corey's attorney, Michael C. Wilcox.

18 killed in Adamawa, Benue separate attacks

Eighteen  people were killed in Adamawa and Benue states yesterday in separate attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen.

No fewer than seven persons were confirmed dead yesterday morning, following a renewed attack and sacking of the home town of the paramount ruler of Tiv nation, Tor Tiv Dr. Alred Akawe Torkula, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, in Guma local government area of Benue state.

Vanguard gathered that Fulani mercenaries numbering about 200 invaded the densely populated Angyom, Tse-Usenda and Tse-Torkula the ancestral home of the paramount ruler, killing anything on sight and burning down houses, huts and farmland.

“The herdsmen who were over 200, stormed Tse-Torkula, Angyom and Tse-Usenda settlements at the early hours of Tuesday when everyone was still at sleep,’’ the sources added.

“It was the sporadic gunshots that woke everybody up and we all scampered for safety but as i speak to you, at least seven person have been killed while not less than 100 houses have been razed down.

“We have lost several of our farmland while we are yet to account for over 40 persons who are still missing as a result of the invasion; heavy fighting is still raging as i speak to you and the communities have been deserted,   but we hope that the missing persons are still alive.”

Confirming the attack on phone, the Guma Local Government council Chairman, Mr. Frank Adi expressed grief over the renewed invasion saying that his people were becoming refugees in their own state.

Also, Boko Haram reportedly killed 11 people in Adamawa State. The attacks were carried out in Galga, Gabun in Gaanda District in Gombi Local Government Area of the state.

Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, confirmed the attack but gave no details of the incident, saying it could be obtained from the military.

However, efforts made to confirm the incident from the 23rd Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Yola, proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.

Army Public Relations Officer at the 23rd Armoured Brigade,  Captain Nuhu Jafa’aru promised to speak later when contacted on phone.

A prominent citizen of Gaanda District who described the attack as pathetic disclosed that Gaanda District had been suffering from incessant attacks by the insurgents and had similarly lodged complaints to the security agencies of the need to beef up security in the area but without any prompt response to the series of letters to that effect.

According to him, the district is located in a mountainous terrain but the insurgents have several times trooped into the Gaanda District and attacking innocent persons in the area, and sometimes demand for money and that in the absence of that the residents were being killed.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/18-killed-adamawa-benue-separate-attacks/#sthash.2iDsQOkn.dpuf

Ex-banker hangs self after allegedly killing wife

Probably for fear of being held responsible for the death of his wife, a 40‑year-old man, Anthony Bankole, who was an ex‑staff of a commercial bank, yesterday, hanged himself in his uncompleted building at Olodo area, Kumapayi, Ibadan.

Vanguard gathered that the man had fought his wife, Kemi, who died later in the hospital last Saturday before he chose to take his life.

According to a source, the man, who resided at Abayomi Road had deceived a neighbour that he was going to withdraw some money from the bank through his Automated Teller Machine, ATM, when he decided to hang himself.

The source said it was too late for anybody to prevent him from dying  as the deceased sent a text message that he was going to kill himself after he left the house.

The source said: “I did not have any premonition of his death because his wife died on Saturday. When he told me he was going out, I even gave him some money as transport fare and told him not to stay out long.

“The deceased lost his wife last Saturday and arrangements were being made for the burial as her remains were still in the mortuary.”

It was gathered that Mrs. Bankole had a business centre at the University College Hospital, UCH.

The source said the wife did not die on the spot as she was rushed to the UCH but died some minutes after and the remains taken to Yemetu mortuary.

According to the neighbour, “we heard him shouting for help around 2 am on Saturday and with the help of another neighbour, she was rushed to the hospital. By that time she was already foaming in the mouth.”

SOURCE:     http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/ex-banker-hangs-self-allegedly-killing-wife/#sthash.Mx2od2Yg.dpuf

Court remands 3 suspected homosexuals nabbed on Valentine’s day

A Chief Magistrate’s  court, sitting at Isabo in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday, remanded three suspected homosexuals, including  a 64‑year‑old Oluwasegun Adesina‑Rasheed,  Samad Ojo, 20 and Ope Abeeb, 18 in Ibara prison.

The suspects were allegedly caught in the act on  February 14,  St. Valentine’s day  at about 11:30 p.m. at the secretariat of the Nigeria  Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council, otherwise known as   Ile‑Iroyin in Oke‑Ilewo, Abeokuta.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Banji Sangotokun told the court that the three men engaged in the indecent practice in the first accused’s, Adesina‑Rasheed,  Honda CRV Sports Utility Vehicle .

All the accused who were represented by Kehinde Amosa,  however,  pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and homosexuality.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba, denied the suspects bail  and reminded  them  in Ibara Prison.

He adjourned the case till February 24.

SOURCE:    http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/court-remands-3-suspected-homosexuals-nabbed-valentines-day/#sthash.1dacSRkM.dpuf

Don’t fear those who cannot kill your soul, Obasanjo tells Amaechi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, adjured Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State not to fear persecutions or antagonism of his political traducers so long as he puts the interest of his people above every other consideration.

Speaking at a special banquet in his honour in Port‑Harcourt, the former president nevertheless admonished Amaechi not to regard anyone as his political enemy as he enjoined him to leave those who oppose him in the court of God.

Obasanjo spoke following a narration by Governor Amaechi of his travails in the hands of the Federal Government and some of its agents.

Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo nevertheless welcomed the development projects of the Amaechi administration at the banquet attended by some of the leading personalities from within and outside the state including former Supreme Court jurist, Justice Kabiri‑Whyte.

“You should not worry about what people who don’t like you much as you would want them to like you say about you, you should worry about your conscience and your God and the people who voted for you.

“If you can do what your conscience says is good and right for the people of Rivers State, keep on doing it. But bear in mind that there is God who if you do not satisfy Him has the final judgement.

“So don’t worry about what those who cannot kill the soul, they can kill the body if they like or those who will try and pull you down if you like, worry about God, the people you were voted to serve and your conscience.

“Do not say that you have enemies. I have no enemy and you should have no enemy, but if they oppose you, leave them in the court of God once you know you are doing the right thing.

“I am here to see development, I am here to hear development, I am here to talk development.”

SOURCE:     http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/dont-fear-kill-soul-obasanjo-tells-amaechi/#sthash.EbJ4I2Mp.dpuf

100 massacred in fresh Borno attacks

No fewer than 100 people were, weekend, killed in separate attacks in Baga and Izge villages of Kukawa and Gwoza local government areas of Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents, who also reportedly wounded several others and destroyed property worth millions of Naira. This came as President Goodluck Jonathan said in Lagos, yesterday, that the security challenges facing the country would have been worse without prayers from religious groups across the country.

It has also emerged that the Federal Government may be under pressure to open fresh negotiations with the terrorist group.

President Jonathan, who spoke at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olive Tree Parish, in Banana Island, Lagos thanked Christians and other religious groups for their prayerful intercessions for the country. He said, but for their prayers, Nigeria would have been worse than it is in terms of the security challenges.

However, the Military High Command has now suspended further rotation of troops deployed to the North East region to fight the Boko Haram terrorists over alleged discovery that troops now play hide and seek to avoid being killed by the terrorists. The order banning further rotation of troops every six months came into effect on February 3.

Aside the weekend attacks, investigations by Vanguard showed that  the Boko Haram terrorists had killed over 200 people within the last few weeks as well as inflicting severe wounds on residents who lost property worth billions of naira in Konduga, Gwoza and Kukawa council areas of Borno State.

Vanguard gathered from reliable sources that the attack in Baga village bordering the Chad Republic Friday evening, claimed 10 lives, while the Izge massacre at the Cameroon border with  Borno State yesterday morning also left 90 people dead.

*Boko haram

The Baga Ízge attacks
On the Baga incident, sources said that the gunmen numbering over 100 invaded the village at about 7pm with sophisticated weapons, including Improvised Explosive Devices, IED’s, and wreaked havoc on innocent citizens before fleeing without being arrested.

A resident, Mallam Ali Yakubu said the gunmen succeeded in killing several people after dislodging some security operatives in the area. He added that the gunmen arrived in Toyota Hilux and several other vehicles and motorcycles while dressed in military camouflage, chanting Allahu Akbar (God is great) and shot at anyone on sight before setting houses ablaze.

“As I am talking to you now, all the dead bodies are still lying on the streets as we can’t get the opportunity of burying them because of fear that the terrorists were still around in the nearby bushes of Izge.

“I thank God for sparing my life yesterday, because I thought my days in this world were over when we started hearing sounds of gunshots and explosions all over Izge in the night. God really had mercy on me. We ran into the bush without being hurt by the insurgents, although, I lost all my belongings,’’ he added.

The Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawal Tanko confirmed the incidents in a telephone interview with Vanguard, when contacted yesterday.

He said: “Yes there were separate attacks in Baga Village located on an island of Lake Chad where about eight or nine people were killed on Friday, while the terrorists attack on Izge villages of Gwoza Local Government Area on Sunday (yesterday), led to the death of innocent civilians.

“I have already directed the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in-charge of the area to feed me back with details, I will let you know, but as at now, I do not have details on the number of casualties,’’   Tanko said.

Prayers helping Nigeria — Jonathan
Meanwhile, President Jonathan said in Lagos, yesterday: “I thank Christians and other religious groups that pray for this country especially at the period the whole world is facing a lot of challenges.

“You will agree with me that whenever you tune your television especially the international news centres like CNN, Aljazeera or Sky news you always see breaking news.

“All the breaking news are always negative, you hardly see any positive breaking news all over the world.
“In Nigeria too, we have been having our own fair share of these negative news brought about by the Boko Haram killing people at will. But we believe that God knows it all.

“Without your prayers, probably it would have been worse than this. God has always been faithful to Nigerians. God will continue to hear our prayers so that our country will get out of these challenges of terror and other related crimes” he said.

The President thanked members of the Redeemed church for 100 days of fasting and prayers they have embarked upon saying “even to keep faith with the orthodox 40 days fasting during the lent period which I also participate in is not easy. To fast for 100 day is not an easy task.

“You are fasting not because of your personal interest, but for the country. I have to thank the General Overseer and all of you who have been fasting. God will hear our prayers” he said.

The first Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola; the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs Adejoke Adefulire and the Minister of State for FCT and the Supervisory Minister of Police Affairs, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide were also at the service.

However, the Military High Command suspended further rotation of troops deployed to the North East region to fight the Boko Haram terrorists every six months following alleged discovery that troops now play hide and seek to avoid being killed.

Soldiers playing safe in N-East areas — Military
The authorities believe that, the ‘’mentality of troops deployed to the North East is to play safe pending when they will be rotated. In view of that, there would be no further rotation  till the war is brought to a favourable conclusion.”

According to military sources, the only way the new rule would be relaxed and ‘’troops deployed to the North East, unit are rotated will be when they suffer heavy casualty.”

Sources told Vanguard that the Nigerian troops who were circumspect that the Boko Haram insurgents were better equipped than they had resorted to playing safe to avoid being killed in the war against terror.
The sources who confided in Vanguard gave example with last week’s killing of nine soldiers in a border village of Izge in Adamawa State.

The source said that the Boko Haram insurgents travelled from the Sambisa Forest which was over 50 kilometres away from where the troops were stationed to launch the attack on them.

‘’They arrived Izge in two Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, among other heavy military hardware without hindrance. Although the Nigerian troops fought gallantly and killed some of the Boko Haram terrorists, including the ‘gunner’ in one of the armoured vehicles but the attackers re-grouped and came back the second time and killed the troops as well as wounding one of the officers due to lack of reinforcement.

“Apart from the two APCs, the terrorists came with several other vehicles which enabled them to escape after inflicting such casualties on us. They were even able to carry away their dead or wounded colleagues.
‘’It is a known fact that the Boko Haram terrorists have their cells at Sambisa Forest, where they get logistics supply from helicopters that fly to the forest from time to time.”

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State was apparently lamenting over the situation when he said at Konduga, in the state last week that members of the Boko Haram sect were better motivated to carry out attacks on innocent people than the Nigerian security agents.    Shettima spoke in an interview with newsmen shortly after inspecting the magnitude of the destruction carried out by Boko Haram insurgents at Konduga, Tuesday evening.

- Source:   http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/02/100-massacred-fresh-borno-attacks/#sthash.thVoC7ei.dpuf