Boko Haram debunks Federal Government's victory in Sambisa Forest

Boko Haram debunks Federal Government's victory in Sambisa Forest

Regional News Unknown   11:03

There is a confusion trailing the victory of the gallant Nigerian Army against Boka Haram insurgents in Sambisa Forest.

Barely few days after the Nigerian government declared total eradication of the supposed last stronghold of the insurgents, the mysterious leader of the insurgents Abubakar Shekau resurfaced in a fresh video on Thursday debunking the alleged claim by the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Buhari saying they have been completed annihilated.

“We are safe. We have not been flushed out of anywhere. And tactics and strategies cannot reveal our location except if Allah wills by his decree,” Shekau said in the 25-minute video, flanked by masked armed fighters.

“You should not be telling lies to the people,” he said, referring to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari who said on Christmas Eve that the extremist group had been defeated and driven away from the forest, its last known bastion.

“If you indeed crushed us, how can you see me like this? How many times have you killed us in your bogus death?” he asked.

Though the location the video was shot was not made clear, nevertheless, Shekau speaking both Hausa and Arabic claimed that the video was shot on Christmas Day.

Recall in September how the said Shekau showed himself in a video clip debunking all the claimed credited to the military that he had been seriously wounded during a major onslaught.

During his appearance, he vowed to continue the long battle with the Nigerian government unless Islamic state was imposed in northern Nigeria.

“Our aim is to establish an Islamic Caliphate and we have our own Caliphate, we are not part of Nigeria.”

President Buhari in an announcement said a months-long military invasion Sambisa Forest brought about the final defeat of Boko Haram insurgents in their last stronghold.

The claim and counter claim by the government and the insurgents somehow makes independent authentication of the government’s announcements about the successful invasion difficult.

In addition, different attacks from various locations is now making the said victory questionable, even though the military have been having upper hand in the battle.

French national who helps in fixing Boko Haram warfare equipment arrested

French national who helps in fixing Boko Haram warfare equipment arrested

Regional News Unknown   13:19

Investigations made so far signifies that the foreigner (white man) that was apprehended by the Nigerian Army in Sambisa Forest is an expert who gives assistance to the insurgents by unlocking and repairing Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) as well as other warfare machineries.

The identity of the arrested ‘white man’ according to investigation is a French national. And that it was along Bama axis of Sambisa Forest.

Though the account did not reveal the full identity of the French national, because the Nigerian government is being very cautious of some diplomatic treaties.

“He was arrested along the Bama axis of the Sambisa forest and agreed to give vital information provided he would be spared.

“I learnt that he is from France but authorities do not want to make his real identity known for diplomatic reasons. They don’t want to jeopardize the success recorded, ” the Soldier said.

Magistrates’ Court remand two homos3xual suspects for engaging in unnatural affairs.

Magistrates’ Court remand two homos3xual suspects for engaging in unnatural affairs.

South Unknown   13:12

It was a bad day for two young guys who engaged in unnatural affairs in one of the cities in Nigeria, as they were caught and handed over to the police, and later charged to court.

Paul Frank aged 31, and Ejimofor Christian aged 22, were on December 28 2016, ordered to be remanded by an Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin, for indulging in unnatural offence which attracts a stiff penalty if found guilty.

Frank and Christian are said be levelled with charges related to conspiracy, illegal carnal knowledge and stealing.

According to the Chief Magistrates, Mrs M.C. Ojobo, the suspects should remain in prison custody till their application for bail is looked into in the next sitting of the court on January 4 2017.

Testifying earlier, the Prosecutor O.A. Enebabor informed the court that the offences were committed by the suspects between December 14 and 17, at Boundary Road, in the state capital.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Speaking further, he also made known to the court that a Techno Y6 phone worth N25, 000 was stolen from Solomon Shaibu.

The offences are said to be repugnant to Section 516, 214 (3), 217 (3) and 390 (3) of the criminal Code, yet, the duo did not plead guilty of the offence.

New visa application process announced for Nigerian applicants by the UK government

New visa application process announced for Nigerian applicants by the UK government

Regional News Unknown   08:00

The British High Commission has announced a new and easier process of documentation during visa applications made by Nigerians.

According to sources, Joe Abuku, speaking on the Commission’s behalf stated that the change signifies that “visa staff now only need electronic versions of support documents”. And that the new process is effective from the 5^th of December for all applicants in Victoria Island and Ikeja in Lagos.

The statement further stated that “TLSContact (responsible for UK Visa Application Centres in Nigeria) will scan your supporting documents whilst you’re at the visa application centre, and then return your original documents to you.”

“They will then send these (electronic) documents to UKVI, with your passport and application form, and visa officers will consider your application in the usual way.”

The Commission has thus requested that applicants provide all documents in A4 size to avoid delays. Documents smaller or larger than A4, should be photocopied onto A4-sized paper. And also advised customer to remove any clips or pins from documents before submitting their application.

More troubles for Nnamdi Kanu, as Justice Binta Nyako denies him bail

More troubles for Nnamdi Kanu, as Justice Binta Nyako denies him bail

Regional News Unknown   12:21

Today’s ruling by the an Abuja High Court comes as a surprise to many who had hoped earlier that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would be granted bail after local and international human rights groups condemned the manner in which the Buhari led government is handling the matter.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday (today) prevented leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, bail.

According to Justice Binta Nyako the offenses Kanu and others were standing trial for were not by any stretch of the imagination bailable.

She said the charge of treasonable felony they are confronting draws in a lifelong incarceration.

She thus denied all the suspects bail on the grounds that their case was touchy to national security.

Additionally, the trial judge while responding to a contention of Kanu's team of legal experts with respect to a late explanation made by President Muhammadu Buhari, where he guaranteed Kanu was liable of the offense he is standing trial for said, the president has the right to speak freely; he can express his assessment on any matter.

Review that Kanu, close by Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, were re-summoned by the Federal Government on 11 count charge verging on psychological oppression, treasonable lawful offense and production of defamatory matter.

Justice Nyako as of late assumed control over the trial of Kanu taking after the withdrawal of the previous trial judge, Justice John Tsoho over claim of predisposition leveled against him by the safeguard group of the ace Biafra agitator.

Taking after his re-arraignment before justice Nyako of a similar court, the imprisoned IPOB pioneer via his legal team, had recorded an application for bail November 8.

Against the background of the application, the new trial judge had settled today, for thought of the application.

Justice T. Oshodi orders Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia into the dock today

Justice T. Oshodi orders Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia into the dock today

Regional News Unknown   11:38

LAGOS: The Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja will today arraign Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, along with Chief Godwin Obla (SAN). The duo were accused of bribery.

Accordingly, sources have it that Justice T. Oshodi, have this morning ordered the defendants into the dock for hearing on the matter.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is represented by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia by Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), and Obla by Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN).