PTF: Nigeria Will Return To Lockdown If…

Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Boss Mustapha on Thursday said he would return Nigeria to lockdown if he had the powers to do so.

Mustapha said that although a return to lockdown might not be popular, it was the right thing to do considering the attitude of some Nigerians to the virus.

The PTF is expected to submit its assessment of the first three months of waging war against coronavirus pandemic to President Muhammadu Buhari next week.

The Task Force had continued to lament the flagrant disregard for the protocols developed by the PTF to contain the spread of the virus.

Speaking during the briefing of the task force on Thursday, the SGF lamented some persons are “already romancing with Covid -19” in the manner of Tom and Jerry.

Latest figures from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control showed that Nigeria has 22, 020 confirmed cases of COVID -19 with 542 deaths from the deadly virus.

Mustapha said: “You want to hear the truth? If it were within my powers this is the time to lockdown. Lockdown might not be a popular thing but this is the time to lockdown because I can see the attitude of Tom and Jerry, we are already romancing with Covid -19 and it is not good.”

The SGF said Nigerians must continue to take responsibility to reduce community transmission of the virus.

He urged Nigerians to take the virus serious and continue to observe the guidelines developed by the task force.

Mustapha added: “I saw a real romance with Covid -19 today. Romance of people behaving as if the matter (virus) is over. It is a very serious issue and my appeal to Nigerians listening is that; let us take this thing (virus) serious.

By now, with 500 plus fatalities you can’t be ignorant, you can’t say you don’t know of any body that has fallen victim either by way of name or pictures but today they are no more.”

Ochanya: Wife, Mother Of Alleged Rapists Have Case To Answer – Court

The Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State on Thursday, dismissed the no-case-submission of Mrs. Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja over the rape and death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje by the defendant’s husband and son, Mr Andrew Ogbuja and Victor Ogbuja, respectively.

Recall that Ochanya died on October 17, 2018 as a result of complications arising from the alleged sexual molestation she suffered at the hands of Mr. Ogbuja and son who allegedly persistently raped her while she was living with the family.

Mr Ogbuja is a senior lecturer in the Department of Catering and Hotel Management, Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo while his son, Victor (now at large), was a final year student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Mrs Ogbuja, 43, and staff at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, was arraigned by the Federal Government through its agency, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on a two-count charge.

The counts were read to her thus;
Count 1: “That you, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja (Female) 43 years of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Benue State, sometime between 2014 and 2018, in Ugbokolo, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did omit to take action against the sexual exploitation of one Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje (Female) 13 years by your husband, Andrew Ogbuja and your son, Victor Ogbuja, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 13 (4) (b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

Count 2: “That you, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja (Female) 43 years of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Benue State, sometime between 2014 and 2018, in Ugbokolo, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did keep, detain or harbour one Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje (Female) 13 years, knowing that she is likely to be sexually exploited by your husband, Andrew Ogbuja and your son, Victor Ogbuja, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 15 (b) of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.”

After hearing the charges against her, Mrs Ogbuja pleaded not guilty and the trial Judge, Justice M O Olajuwon stated that the prosecution had led substantial evidence to warrant the defendant to enter her defence.

“The prosecution in this matter has put substantial evidence before the court to warrant the defendant to enter her defence. Consequently, the defendant’s no-case-submission is hereby dismissed,” the court declared.

The case was therefore adjourned till July 27, 2020, for Mrs. Ogbuja to open her defence.

In 2018, the news of Ochanya’s death arising from complications resulting from the alleged serial sexual assault by father and son provoked national outrage and demonstrations across the country with calls from human rights activists for the arrest and prosecution of Mr Ogbuja and his son, Victor.

While Mr Ogbuja has been remanded at the Makurdi prison (where Mrs Ogbuja was also remanded), Victor is reportedly still at large since then.

Ceo of federal competition & consumer protection commission (FFCPC ) Babatunde Irukera

Mr Babatunde Irukera, CEO, FCCPC, led the legal team in continuation of the prosecution of four supermarkets/pharmacies at FHC, Abuja, over alleged price gouging.

He also received EXCO members of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Abuja, on a courtesy visit.

More photos below

INEC Raises Concern Over Conflicting Court Orders, Indicts Senior Lawyers

Says They Constitute Threat To Preparations For Elections
*Asks NBA to call senior lawyers to order in the interest of democracy
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has in a press release dated 25th day of June, 2020 notified the general public on some sundry issues.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Festus Okoye, Esq., INEC National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer.

The Commissioner expressed its intention to test run its policy on conducting election within COVID-19 in Nasarawa Central Constituency amongst other issues.

Furthermore, the Commission expressed worries over the hike in the conflicting orders of Court against it and charged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prevail on its members.

In addition, the Commission stated that it had uploaded on its portal, National Security Adviser & Police, the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty.

The statement reads:

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met today the 25th June 2020 and deliberated on various issues including the pending bye-elections that arose as a result of resignations and death of members of the National and State Assemblies and the effect of conflicting court orders.

Bye-Election
In view of the pending Edo and Ondo Governorship elections and the Commission’s Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Commission noted as follows:
1. Before the lockdown across the country as a result of the pandemic, it received notifications of vacancies in the National and several State Assembly Constituencies. However, the Commission could not conduct bye-elections to fill these vacancies due to the exigences posed by the pandemic.
2. In view of its Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the need to test run the new Policy as well as Regulations and Guidelines developed therefrom, the Commission resolved as follows:
a. To test run its Policy in the Nasarawa Central State Constituency of Nasarawa State to fill the vacancy created by the death of Hon. Adamu Suleiman Ibrahim, member representing the Constituency.
b. The bye-election will take place on 8th August 2020. The Timetable and Schedule of Activities has been uploaded on the Commission’s website.
c. The official notification for the election will be given on 29th June 2020. Political Parties shall conduct their primaries between 30th June and 6th July 2020 while the last day for submission of list of nominated candidates is 6pm on 7th July 2020.
3. The scheduling of this election will enable the Commission and all the critical stakeholders to learn the necessary lessons and make adjustments before the Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

Conflicting Court Orders
The Commission is worried about the spate and rapidity of conflicting Court Orders mostly obtained ex-parte involving substantially the same parties, on the same or similar grounds and from courts of coordinate jurisdiction on issues and challenges around the administration of political parties and conduct of party primaries. Some of the Orders were obtained from Courts completely removed from the geographical area where the course of action arose. The Commission is committed to obeying all court orders, but the speed, frequency and conflicting nature of the Orders leave it in an awkward and impossible position.

We urge the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to impress on senior members of the Bar to put the country’s interest and the judiciary above every other interest and not allow personal considerations to outweigh their commitment to the profession, the rule of law and due process. It is in the best interest of the Bar and the Bench not to do anything that would bring them into disrepute.

These calls have become necessary to draw attention to the uncertainties and threats posed by conflicting orders on not only preparations for elections and but also to the growth and development of our democracy.

A prominent young lawyer to be,dies while jogging in Enugu

Michael Ugochukwu mourns his friend Chiemerie Dim on his facebook

Let us pray🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕰️🪔!!!!
We pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our beloved brother who had cardiac arrest and left the mother earth yesterday while jugging in d morning.
He is Chiemerie Dim a fresh Graduate of the blessed faculty of law unizik, currently in law school Enugu , a devoted guru in taxation law.
We pray that the Good lord console his family, friends, loved ones, classmates and the faculty at large.
We also decree and declare that no untimely death shall come to any one of us again in the name of Jesus Christ
We also pray that his short life will bring to our consciousness that the end is near.
May the soul of Dim Chiemerie and that of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace.
Amen!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯

But sources said he was suffering for cardiac arrest.

May his gentle soul Rest In Peace .

The two Nigerian brothers allegedly paid by Jussie Smollett to carry out homophobic attack refuse to testify against him

Nigerian brothers Ola and Abel Osundario, who had agreed to testify against Hollywood actor Jussie Smollett after being allegedly paid by the actor in January 2019 to carry out a homophobic attack against him in Illinois, have now refused to testify in the court case against him, saying the police still treat them as suspects.

The Chicago Police Department claims Ola and Abel Osundario were paid $3,500 to stage an attack against the ‘Empire’ actor in January 2019 before he claimed he was a victim of a homophobic attack leading to a court case.

The new case against Smollet came months after the county’s state’s attorney’s office abruptly announced it was dropping charges against the actor, angering police, Donald Trump and City Hall.

The case was restarted again following public outcry and early this month, a Cook County judge dismissed actor Smollett’s attempt to have criminal charges against him dropped, telling the actor that the new charges against him do not violate his right against double jeopardy.

Smollett’s attorneys made the double jeopardy argument after a special prosecutor secured a six-count indictment on charges alleging that he lied to police about a racist and anti-gay attack that police say he staged himself.

The Nigerian brothers agreed to help police in the case against Smollett but now their lawyer has said they have changed their minds because the police are treating them as suspects and are still withholding their belongings as evidence.

‘It’s been over a year and they need to give us our stuff back,’ Abel Osundairo complained to CBS 2 on Wednesday.

‘I would understand if we were defendants in the case, which we are not’

During a police raid, a number of possessions belonging to Abel were taken,  and Abel says most of the items he can’t get back belong to his loved ones.

‘Most of the stuff isn’t even mine,’ Abel said. ‘They belong to my oldest brother, my mother, my sister. They even took my dog’s toy.’

But he’s also concerned about his 9mm gun taken by police.

‘Legally it belongs to me, and I want to know its whereabouts,’ he continued.

His attorney, Schmidt Rodriguez, has filed a court motion with a judge for the items to be returned. Abel also filed a police report on Wednesday as part of the administrative dispute.

‘Of course I’m skeptical, because you are saying one thing one day and another thing another day,’ Abel Osundairo said. ‘It’s just another thing we have to go through.

16-year-old TikTok star Siya Kakkar commits suicide in Delhi, India

TikTok artist and dancer, Siya Kakkar has left her fans devastated after committing suicide at the age of just 16. 

The fast-growing Indian star killed herself today at her residence in Preet Vihar, New Delhi. 

The news of her death was confirmed by her manager Arjun Sarin, who managed all her work and endorsements

Arjun said, “This must be due to something personal…work-wise she was doing well. I had a word with her last night for a new project and she sounded normal. Me and my company Fame Experts manage lots of artists and Siya was a bright talent. I am heading to her home in Preet Vihar.”

Photographer Viral Bhayani also wrote in an Instagram post, “Sad news 16-year-old sweet tik-toker @siya_kakkar died by suicide . Before publishing this I spoke to her Talent management agency head Arjun Sarin who just spoke to her last night for a song collaboration and he says she was in a good mood and perfectly alright. Even he has no clue what went wrong that she had to go this way. You go through her videos and you can she was so good in her content, it’s really sad that she chose this path. If you are feeling depressed please don’t do this (sic).”

Siya Kakkar was very active on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube and was known for her dance videos. She had over 104k followers on Instagram and over 1.1 million followers on TikTok.

May her gentle soul Rest In Peace

Former Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, dies at 70

Former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has died. He was 70 years old.

Ajimobi who has been in a coma and on life support, died of COVID19 complications in a hospital in Lagos state today June 25. 

The former governor was rumored to have died last Thursday, June 18 but his aides and family members denounced the report asking Nigerians to rather pray for his recovery.

Late Ajimobi was governor between 20011 and 2019.

He is survived by his wife, Florence, and children. 

May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

Dino Melaye sings as he taunts suspended National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomole, in new video

Dino Melaye has shared a new video taunting suspended National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomole.

The former lawmaker sang a song in Yoruba as he mocked former Edo state governor,  Oshiomhole, today June 25.

”Why did Buhari, APC take Oshiomole to Golgotha? Meanwhile myself and Sen Saraki are waiting for our retirement letter from the disgraced former chairman.” he wrote

Recall that the National Working Committee of the party which Oshiomole set up before he was suspended, was dissolved earlier today at the NEC meeting of the APC held in the statehouse Abuja.
 

The NEC meeting was converged by Victor Giadem and was attended by President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and APC governors.

There is no love lost between Dino Melaye and Oshiomhole. 

Watch Dino’s video

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