Police arraign man charged with cheating, intimidation

The police on Wednesday arraigned a 33-year-old man, Eniola Gabriel, of Angwa Sarki Orozo, Abuja, in an Area 1 Court, Kado, Abuja, charged with cheating and intimidation.

The prosecutor, Inspector Friday Idi, told the court that one Mrs Okolo Efioma of 47 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja, reported the matter at Utako Police Station on October 29.

Idi said that the accused went to Efioma’s restaurant and demanded for food and drinks, valued at N700.

He said that after eating, the accused refused to pay and intimidated the complainant with a knife when she requested for her money.

Jonathan in Ghana to share Nigeria’s Ebola success story

President Goodluck Jonathan will join other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra, Ghana, today (Thursday) for an Emergency Summit on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which continues to ravage Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The emergency summit, which will also be attended by representatives of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation, will seek greater international support and collaboration for the containment of the Ebola outbreak.

An Aso Rock statement said Jonathan is expected to avail the gathering of the benefit of Nigeria’s successful containment of the deadly EVD after it entered the country in July this year through a traveller from Liberia.

INEC, NDDC team up for voter education

As preparations for the 2015 general elections gather momentum, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up its sensitisation campaign, as it gets set to commence the distribution of the permanent voter’s card (PVC) in 4,442 polling units in Rivers State.

In line with this, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aniedi Ikoiwak, recently led a team of INEC principal officers to the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt to brief the NDDC management on its activities and seek support for its voter education efforts.

Ikoiwak said the essence of the visit was to solicit the support and participation of corporate bodies in the distribution of voter cards in the state. He urged eligible voters to come out en masse to collect their cards from their polling units across the state, from Friday, November 7 to 9. The INEC commissioner said a continuous voter registration exercise has been scheduled for the 319 registration wards in the state, from November 13 to 17.

VERY GOOD WORK UNDONE

I don’t feel like thinking about Arsenal. I thought i’d be more rational this morning but i’m still mightily pissed.

Bus driver to die by hanging for robbery, kidnapping

AN Effurun High Court in Delta State has sentenced a 43-year-old bus driver, Peter Onwusiribekan to death by hanging for robbing a female nurse of her car.

The accused is from Mbanor Local Government Area of Imo State while the female nurse (name withheld) works at Ekpan General Hospital who regained her freedom along the Orerokpe Eku road where she was later found.

The incidence happened within the Ekpan General Hospital, Ekpan, when the Nurse was about driving out of the Hospital premises having closed from duty

The court found him guilty of the three count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, the substantive offence of armed robbery which is a capital offence and kidnapping and was sentenced to death on count two while he got two years imprisonment for count one and five years on count three respectively.

Magpie Sammy wants Shola reunion with Nigeria

SAMMY Ameobi is looking for him and Shola Ameobi to be brothers in arms again – for Nigeria.

The Ameobis played together at Newcastle United up to Shola’s summer departure.

And Ameobi would love to link up again with his elder sibling on in the international stage.

Ameobi Snr went to the summer’s World Cup with Nigeria, who have reinstated coach Stephen Keshi for the final two African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa later this month.

The Super Eagles are three points adrift of a the two qualifying spots for January’s tournament in Morocco.

Ameobi – who has played his part in United’s mini-revival after coming in from the cold on Tyneside – is hoping to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

Shola, like Sammy, represented England at Under-21 level, but he switched alleigence late in his career.

Nigeria: Gombe Govt Orders Closure of Schools

The Gombe State Government on Wednesday ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state, a day after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked two towns in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that parents who took their children to school yesterday were told to take them back as the schools had been closed on the orders of the government.

The headmistress of Bethany International College, Gombe, Edith Williams, said she received a circular on Tuesday evening that all schools should be closed down for security reasons.

Nigeria: I Have Not Been Served Witness Summons, Says T.B Joshua

The founder and Senior Pastor of the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN), Prophet T.B. Joshua, on Wednesday told the coroner's inquest investigating the circumstances which led to the collapse of a six-storey guest house belonging to the church that the court has not served any witness summon on him to warrant his coming to testify.

Joshua, who was one of the witnesses expected to appear before the inquest, but was absent, disclosed this through counsel to the church, Mr. Olalekan Ojo.

Robert Downey Jr., Kelly Rowland 

welcome new arrivals

Oh, baby! Growing celebrity families

The newest star of Robert Downey Jr.'s family also happens to be a newborn.

The 49-year-old actor and his wife, Susan, welcomed their second child together on November 4, and "Avengers" star Downey is positively giddy about his new baby girl.

Taylor Swift's '1989' has biggest sales 

week since 2002

(CNN) -- It's official: Taylor Swift's new album had the largest sales week since 2002, according to Billboard. "1989" sold almost 1.3 million copies in its debut week, said the data from Nielsen Sound Scan.

No one has posted such big numbers since Eminem's "The Eminem Show" sold just over 1.3 million during its second week on the charts in June 2002. Swift is the only artist to have three weeks in which an album sold a million copies, and this one is her fourth No. 1 -- following "Red," which was released in 2012, "Speak Now" from 2010 and "Fearless" in 2008. It also makes Swift the only single artist to go platinum in 2014.The "Frozen" soundtrack, which features multiple artists, has sold 3.2 million albums this year, but in just one week, Swift has become the second-biggest seller.The singer just barely missed breaking the one-week sales record for an album by a woman, which is held by Britney Spears with "Oops! ... I Did It Again" in 2000. Spears sold 1.319 million copies.

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Clashes at Jerusalem holy site; van slams 

                                            CNN) -- Israeli-Palestinian tensions flared again in Jerusalem                                             on Wednesday, with police and youths clashing at one of the                                             holiest sites in Judaism and Islam, and a Palestinian motorist                                             slamming into pedestrians, killing one.

The events occurred amid unrest spurred in part by a days long war of words -- and sometimes rocks and bullets -- over the compoundcalled the Temple Mount by Jews and Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, by Muslims.

Sectarian tensions running high, say Australian Muslim leaders

(CNN) -- Muslim community leaders in Australia say sectarian tensions are soaring, as radicalized Sunni youth, inspired by ISIS, seek to import the religious conflicts wracking the Middle East.

"The tensions are very high and will continue to be high," said Jamal Daoud, a Shia community leader in Sydney, where a 47-year old Shia leader was shot in the shoulder early Monday morning, as worshipers observed the Shia ritual of Ashura.

He said Rasoul Al Mousawi, a leader in the Shia community focused around the Islamic center in Greenacre, south-west Sydney, had been released from hospital on Tuesday and was doing well.

Now what? What Obama can (and can't) 

do with a GOP Senate

Time to brush off the veto stamp.

For someone who's only used it twice, President Obama may need some reacquainting with the last remaining weapon in Democrats' arsenal. He last rejected a bill from Congress in 2010.

But he's had blocking from a Democratic Senate majority until now. They've stood in the way of bills most Democrats would oppose. Things are likely to change in January, when Republicans take charge of the Senate.

If Senate Republicans follow the path of their House counterparts, he could be faced with proposals to repeal Obamacare and budgets that cut entitlement programs - the type of bills that will meet a quick end at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Northerners in South want Kwankwaso for president

Northerners resident in the southern part of Nigeria, under the auspices of the Southern Mandate of Arewa Wing, have declared their support for the presidential aspiration of the Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso. They have also called for a seven-day prayer session to ensure his emergence as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming presidential primary election.

This was contained in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Mallam Sarahaisu Usman, in Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday.

According to him, “We strongly believe that it is only Almighty Allah that gives power and as such it becomes pertinent for us who are not just his supporters but strong believers of the Kwankwasiyya ideology to rally round him.

Confirmation of IGP insensitive, say Muslim group, activists

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described the confirmation of the appointment of Suleiman Abba as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) by President Goodluck Jonathan as insensitive to public opinion and a confirmation of partisanship.

In a statement signed by Ishaq Akintola in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, the group said the confirmation of the IGP, coming the same week in which he openly supported the ruling party by withdrawing the security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, informed its opinion.

Tambuwal defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), following which his security aides were withdrawn and the issue has received wild condemnation from across the country.

Women more reliable than men in politics – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday said the task of nation-building could not be achieved by men alone, without the support of women.

Obasanjo made the remark when some national executive officers and members of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) visited him at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He also said women are more reliable in politics than their male counterparts because of their  decency, dignity and honour.

Security guard banned from working at docks over Ebola fears

A PRIVATE security guard EMPLOYED to cover shifts at Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth was banned from returning to work after a three week holiday in Nigeria over fears he might have caught the Ebola virus, writes Natasha Swift.

Security officer Sam Ayodele Ogunnoiki came back from a three-week holiday in the African country — officially declared free of the deadly virus — on Saturday to find a letter from his boss informing him that several members of staff had raised concerns about working with him following his trip.

WBA to replace Ideye in January

The underwhelming start of Nigeria  international striker, Brown Ideye, to his West Bromwich Albion career may see the club dispense of his services as early as January.

Ideye, who joined the Barclays English Premier League club from Ukrainian side, Dynamo Kiev in August, has yet to score in the league for the Baggies after 10 rounds of matches.

The Nigerian forward is the club’s record signing (he joined for £10 million) and that has seen the pressure on him intensify.

Nigeria: Pinnick's Vote of Confidence on NFF Management

President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, has reposed confidence in the management and staff of the federation, after a late morning meeting with the personnel on Wednesday.

In a first official meeting he held with the entire personnel of the Glass House, the new NFF President espoused his vision of taking Nigeria football to new heights, and freely expressed his belief that the core of management and staff, most of whom he had known for several years, is capable of driving the vision with its abiding and abundant energy, experience and creativity.

"I am a young man with a vision, and that vision I will pursue doggedly. I have known so many of you for several years, some for close to 15 years, and I appreciate your commitment and drive.

"I want to assure you that there will be no witch-hunting. The new NFF Executive Committee that I head has brought a new way of doing things, and we know that change does not come easy. But all those who have the will to go along will be there for the whole hog."

Tambuwal: Legal expert urges NASS to tread cautiously

As controversies continue in the National Assembly over the defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the subsequent withdrawal of his security aides by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), an Owerri, Imo State-based legal practitioner, Uche Dureke, has cautioned the National Assembly and warned that defection should not be done in such a manner as to expose the nation’s political system to international ridicule, contempt and disdain.

Rivers PDP denies favouring Wike in ward congress

The Rivers State Appeal Panel set up to look into allegations raised by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the just concluded ward congresses has pooh-poohed the allegations that the process was set to favour the chances of the immediate past minister of state for education, Nyesom Wike.

The three-member panel said the insinuations by the petitioners that the panel was doing everything to pave the way for Wike impugned on the integrity of members of the panel.

About 16 PDP governorship aspirants in the state had expressed their anger over the membership of both the electoral body that oversaw the congresses and the appeal panel set up to address the grievances of members of the party.

Messi best I’ve ever seen – Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique labelled Lionel Messi the best player he has ever seen after watching him score twice in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Ajax and equal Raul’s record 71-GAME haul of Champions League goals.

The triumph came at a crucial time, following back-to-back La Liga losses against Real Madrid and Celta Vigo, as Messi scored in either half to get Barca back on track at the Amsterdam Arena and secure their progress to the last-16.

Coach Luis Enrique was full of praise for the Argentina international, who can now break the record against APOEL later this month.

“Messi is without doubt the best player I’ve seen as a player and a coach,” he said.

“I’m happy for the side in general. There were parts of the game we could improve, but in general we had a marvellous attitude, and I’m happy.

Nigeria reveals wave of jailbreaks

Many of the jailbreaks have taken place by blowing holes through the walls of prisons

More than 2,000 prisoners have escaped over the past five years in Nigeria, officials say, mainly as a result of attacks on jails by the Islamist militant Boko Haram group.

They say that dozens of prison staff have been killed during the raids.

Last month hundreds of prisoners escaped when jihadists overran Mubi town. This week they blew a hole in a jail in Kogi State to free dozens more.

Almost 500 prisoners escaped in the city of Maiduguri in 2009.

Oron rejects Akpabio’s proposal, insists on governorship

The recent meeting between the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, with a cross-section of Oron leaders at Government House, Uyo, is said to have ended in a deadlock, as the Oron people vehemently rejected Akpabio’s offer.

Sources at the meeting told Daily Independent that the governor, for the first time, was calm in his plea with his “minority brothers,” to accord him support and understanding in his succession plan.

The source who pleaded anonymity confirmed that the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekpenyong Ntekim’s refusal to succumb to Akpabio’s persistent entreaty to forego his governorship ambition for the Senatorial offer formed the sole agenda of the meeting.

Fiscal Commission seeks probe of AMCON, NNPC, NIMASA, others over non-remittance of revenue

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Assets MANAGEMENT Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have been fingered as most defaulting agencies in the remittance of revenue into the Consolidated Revenue Account (CRA).

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance,  Abdul’Mumin Jibrin, made this known Wednesday during an oversight visit to the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) in Abuja.

Jibrin made the observation while responding to complaints made by the acting Chairman of the Commission, Victor Chinemerem that certain agencies of government have formed the habit of looking down on the Commission and therefore don’t like to submit their financial records as they relate to remittances in a given fiscal year.

Group decries invasion of Lagos roads by SURE-P officials

An Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has expressed concern over the invasion of federal roads in Lagos State by officials of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC noted that officials of SURE-P Federal Task Force, who are linked to Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), allegedly chased away men of the Lagos State TrafficMANAGEMENT Authority (LASTMA) from Federal roads recently, thereby causing chaos and pandemonium.

The group, while expressing shock at the action wondered when FERMA and SURE-P suddenly realised that traffic should be maintained on ‘Federal’ roads in Lagos.

Synagogue founder, Joshua absent at coroner’s inquest

Founder of Synagogue of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Joshua,  on Wednesday failed to  appear before the coroner court investigating the collapse of a guest house within the church on September 12.

One hundred and sixteen persons, mostly South Africans, lost their lives in the incident.

The coroner judge, Magistrate, Oyetade Komolafe,  had ruled insisted that  Joshua, alongside the contractor handling the project  must appear before the court in person to testify despite objections by the church’s legal representatives.

Manchester City are in crisis, admits Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini admits Manchester City are suffering a crisis of confidence after Wednesday’s shock home defeat to CSKA Moscow left them on the brink of another humiliating Champions League exit.

Seydou Doumbia struck twice for the Russians to give them a first ever victory on English soil, while Fernandinho and Yaya Toure were both sent off in the second half as City imploded.

The Premier League champions now lie bottom of Group E with matches against Bayern Munich and Roma to play and, while he insists they are not out yet, Pellegrini is at a loss to explain the cause of their struggles.

Ekiti PDP alleges bias in suit against Fayose

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has raised concerns on how the suit filed against the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, is being handled.

The party, in a petition to the Ekiti State Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, said it could not understand why the CJ re-assigned the case to the Justice Segun Ogunyemi, who had voluntarily withdrawn from it over the alleged attack on him .

In the petition signed by the PDP state chairman, Idowu Faleye, and addressed to Daramola, the PDP noted that, going by the manner the matter was previously handled by Ogunyemi, the governor and the PDP, who are defendants in the case, would not get justice.

Manchester City are in crisis, admits Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini admits Manchester City are suffering a crisis of confidence after Wednesday’s shock home defeat to CSKA Moscow left them on the brink of another humiliating Champions League exit.

Seydou Doumbia struck twice for the Russians to give them a first ever victory on English soil, while Fernandinho and Yaya Toure were both sent off in the second half as City imploded.

The Premier League champions now lie bottom of Group E with matches against Bayern Munich and Roma to play and, while he insists they are not out yet, Pellegrini is at a loss to explain the cause of their struggles.

Gunmen kill two FRSC marshals in Koton Karfe

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Wednesday confirmed the killing of two officers of the commission by gunmen in Koton Karfe community in Kogi State.

The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Kogi, Mr Godwin Omiko, confirmed the killing while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja.

He said that the officers, Olaoluwa Adebayo and Adesina Iyanda were shot by the same armed bandits, who attacked Koton Karfe Prison and set 144 inmates free on November 2.

'Joshua followers attacked us'

Followers of one of Nigeria's most popular preachers attacked emergency service workers, preventing them from accessing the site of a deadly building collapse, an inquest was told on Wednesday.

"The first three days (after the collapse) were marred by the so-called church sympathisers and the crowd," said the head of the Lagos State Emergency MANAGEMENT Agency, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu.

"By the time we attained momentum after 96 hours a lot of things had gone bad."

A total of 116 people, 84 of them South Africans, were killed when a guesthouse for foreign followers of TB Joshua's Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) collapsed in Lagos on September 12.