Man pours petrol on policemen, threatens to set them ablaze

Lagos – A 31-year-old driver, Tola Omoleke, on Thursday appeared before an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, charged with pouring fuel on two police officers to set them ablaze.

Omoleke, who resides at No. 33, Moshalasi St., Ejigbo, Lagos, is being tried for threat to life and assault.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 3 at Dopemu, Lagos.

He said the accused assaulted two police officers — ASP James Agboru and Cpl. Ali Sakuru — while performing their lawful duties.

“The accused assaulted the officers by fighting and punching them. He also poured fuel on the policemen and threatened to set them ablaze.

“It was the quick intervention of people that averted the disaster,’’ said Olatunde.

The prosecutor said the accused, who drove his car without a driver’s licence, damaged a Toyota Sienna car, property of one Mr Sheu Yisa, in his escape bid.

“The accused damaged a car while trying to escape from the law enforcement agents.

“He refused to stop but unfortunately for him his truck broke down at Dopemu.

“The complainants tried to arrest him but he resisted; instead, he started assaulting them,’’ he added.

According to Olatunde, the offences contravene Sections 172 and 238 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Section 238 prescribes life imprisonment for offenders.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, adjourned the case till Oct. 31 for mention.

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Kate-Henshaw formally picks-up-PDP nomination Form

Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw has proven beyond reasonable doubt that she is ready for the political task ahead.

The 43-year-old Cross-riverian , who is noted to be amongst the league of entertainers that dabbled into partisan politics, has formalized his political intention and declared she is running for a seat in the House of Representatives. She has picked up the Nomination & Expression Of Interest form of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP.

The star actress who is also a Samsung and Onga Brands Ambassador aspires to represent the people of Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency of Cross River State.

According to insiders, the mother of one is well loved by her people especially coming from the background of the movie industry which has made her quite a popular candidate and could easily pick the ticket to contest for the 2015 election.

Other celebs that have joined politics include the likes of Nollywood actor, Bob Manuel,  Desmond Elliot, actress, Kate Henshaw, singer, 9ice,Tony Tetuila,comedian, Julius Agwu amongst others

Sourced from:http://www.naij.com

Ceasefire Announcement Was Political – US Expert

The Nigerian government has been criticized for its hasty announcement of a ceasefire deal with Boko Haram before the negotiations were finalized

The continuation of violence by Boko Haram despite a ceasefire arrangement it supposedly reached with the Nigerian government has caused questions to be asked about the government’s hasty announcement of the deal.

The ceasefire was supposed to lead to a cessation of attacks by the sect and the release of the abducted Chibok girls but there has been no sign that either of these things will happen soon.

According to the Vice President of Africa Analysis at the Stratfor consultancy, Mark Schroeder:

"I sense Nigeria rushed to announce the deal with electoral-political calculations in mind."

"Getting a victory with the schoolgirls and a short-term truce with Boko Haram could be positive for President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign."

A resident of Maiduguri, Joel Peter told Reuters:

"The government just wants to (win) 2015 elections at all costs."

"Only the government is ready for ceasefire, not Boko Haram. Government is tired of insurgency and it hasn't been winning the war ... but Boko Haram aren't tired," he said. "For the Chibok girls, let's wait and see,"

A Chadian diplomat reportedly added that the Nigerian government had rushed to announce the deal before it was even finalized.

He said:

"Our feeling is that they acted precipitously. They should have waited until they at least had some of the girls. I don’t know anyone in the country who actually knows where they are."

The ceasefire was announced by the Chief of Defence Staff,Alex Badeh on Friday, October 17 but battles between Boko Haram and Nigerian troops are still ongoing and the only mention that has been made of the Chibok girls’ release is by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali who said in Berlin that the schoolgirls would be home in the “near future.”

Original Source: http://pulse.ng/news/fg-vs-boko-haram-ceasefire-announcement-was-political-us-expert-id3218763.html

Bomb Blast in Bauchi Bus-Station

An explosion has occurred in a bus station in Bauchi State and is believed to be the work of terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

The bomb went off in the Azare area of the state at about 9:45pm on Wednesday, October 22, AFP reports.

According to a resident, Musa Babale:

"We had a huge blast at exactly 9:45pm (20:45 GMT)... We realised it had come from the bus station." "The whole place was a mess."

This is the latest in a string of attacks that have cast doubt on the authenticity of the recently announced ceasefire between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram.

Unconfirmed reports say 5 people were killed in the incident while an unspecified number suffered varying degrees of injury.

Story developing.

Original Site: http://pulse.ng/news/breaking-bomb-blast-in-bauchi-bus-station-id3217594.html

Breaking News

There was pandemonium at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Thursday afternoon following fire outbreak in the top floor.

According to emerging reports, a fire has broken out at theMurtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos causing panic among occupants and travellers.

The incident occurred on the second floor of the airport terminal but the fire was extinguished before it could cause any major damage, Daily Post reports.

The blaze is said to have originated from the commercial department of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) due to a power surge.

However, the situation has been reportedly been brought under control and airport activities are returning to normal.

Story developing.

More details from the Original Site: http://pulse.ng/news/breaking-fire-outbreak-at-murtala-muhammed-airport-id3219462.html

Champions League: Real Madrid crushes Liverpool at Anfield

(CNN) -- Booed and jeered upon his entrance, cheered upon his exit -- perhaps even the most bitter of rivals are finally ready to submit to the mercurial talents of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Few former Manchester United players have been given the ovation which Ronaldo received from an Anfield crowd, but then again, this is not just any player.

Ronaldo had never scored at Anfield during his time with United -- it was a statistic which took just 23 minutes to become history.

A 3-0 victory over Liverpool, inspired by Ronaldo, ensured Real Madrid made it nine points out of nine in Group B.

A 70th Champions League strike means he is just one behind the all-time leading scorer, Raul, the man so revered by all at Real.

The record will soon fall, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who has 69, will set records which few would have ever imagined possible.

For Real, a club record seventh consecutive European victory was assured courtesy of Ronaldo's breathtaking strike and Karim Benzema's double.

For all the pre-match hype of another 'special European night' at Anfield, it was all pretty routine.

Liverpool, the five-time winner, was blown away by the pace and power of Real as Ronaldo took center stage.

"It was special, my first goal at Anfield and I am very happy -- amazing," Ronaldo told Sky Sports

"We knew that Anfield is a difficult place, but we were fantastic in the first 45 minutes and we deserved to win.

"I'm not worried about the Champions League goalscoring record. I know I will beat it. Me and Lionel Messi are very close.

"The best thing is that the team has nine points.

"Can we retain the cup? Why not? We are taking it step-by-step but we are going to try.

"We know it will be tough but we are POSITIVE and it is possible."

No team has ever MANAGED to retain the Champions League title since it was revamped into its current format in 1992, but Real will certainly go close in it attempt to record an unprecedented 11th triumph.

A day after Bayern Munich had ransacked Rome by scoring seven, Real arrived at another of European football's most famous fortresses and blew it to smithereens.

This was a result that most would have anticipated given Liverpool's stuttering start to the season but the way in which Real scythed through its opponents was nothing short of exquisite.

Deprived of Gareth Bale, who remained in the Spanish capital NURSING an injury, Real was able to call on its hosts of stars as it taught Liverpool a lesson in the art of attacking football.

In James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco, Real boasted a midfield which most teams could only dream of.

While Liverpool, so inconsistent following the success of last season and the departure of Luis Suarez, has struggled in recent weeks, Real has been on cruise control.

Seven consecutive victories which have yielded 32 goals meant Real arrived as favorites at a stadium where it had never MANAGED to win before.

And yet, any doubts over its ability to break its three-game losing streak against Liverpool were soon extinguished.

The breakthrough came after 23 minutes -- and it was worth waiting for.

Ronaldo, who appeared to induce panic each and every time he as much as breathed, laid the ball off to James Rodriguez, who in turn produced a quite sumptuous pass over the top of the Liverpool defense.

With those in red caught watching the flight of the ball, Ronaldo ran in behind and produced a finish which belied belief, flicking the ball into the far corner with unerring accuracy.

That strike, the forward's 20th in 13 GAMES this season, seemed to leave Liverpool winded -- a blow from which it never recovered.

Seven minutes later, the contest was all but over as Benzema pulled away at the far post to send a looping header into the opposite corner following rather questionable Liverpool defending.

 Original Site: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/22/sport/football/liverpool-real-madrid-champions-league/index.html?hpt=isp_c1