A PRIEST, 20 OTHERS PARADED BY SSS FOR CHILD THIEFT

Officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Akwa Ibom State yesterday paraded a Catholic priest and 20 others for their alleged involvement in child theft.

The priest, Rev Okono Joseph of St Peter’s Parish of Owerri Catholic Diocese in Imo State, was arrested for buying two boys, age three and four years, at N900,000.

State Deputy Director, Fubara Duke, who spoke at the DSS headquarters in Uyo, said the cleric bought the children self-styled man of God bought the children from an agent sponsored by Uche Joel Canice Onyekedru from Ogiri in Imo State.

Other suspects are: Mercy Etim; Collins Edet; Caroline Nkwonna; Cecilla Ngene; Eleka Okoye; Nwaonu Okoro; Adaobi Onyeke; Elizabeth Onubogu, Umeh, Ebele Nwadika, Florence Onyodobi, Emenka Anaefuna, Nnamdi Onuchukwu, Ifeoma Gladys Nweze, Chiyneyen Roseline, Idam Vivian Ogbona and David Ogbuagu.

The deputy director noted that over 60 children had been sold in the last eight months, adding that leader of the syndicate, Onyekedru, had lost count of the number of children he has sold off to members of the public.

According to Duke: “He (Onyekedru) usually operates in conjunction with agents, who liaise with government officials in children homes and maternity hospitals.
“The investigation took our men to Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states before they arrested some of the suspects. Over 20 children were rescued.
“Though some of the suspects are still at large, efforts are being intensified to ensure that they are all arrested”, he said.

The SSS boss advised parents to be wary of strange faces.

BREAKING NEWS: SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK MAIDUGURI AGAIN

 Four insurgents suspected to be suicide bombers in four Volkswagen golf cars have died in their IED laden vehicles along the Damboa-Maiduguri road, Borno State.

According to a statement by the Defence Headquarters, the insurgents were apparently heading for an NNPC facility in the area when they met their waterloo.

The explosions took place at Mule in the outskirt of Maiduguri.

Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said three of the four explosive laden vehicles were demobilized when soldiers manning a checkpoint along the road fired at them while the fourth one rammed into a military truck thereby resulting in explosions.
Five soldiers were confirmed wounded while it is not yet known whether there are civilian casualties.

More Updates later.

SHOCKING NEWS: SSS ACCUSES SANUSI OF FINANCING TERRORISM

The former CBN governor has been accused by the SSS for financing terrorism. According to naij.com,

The SSS stated this on Monday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, while defending its decision to seize Mr. Sanusi’s international passport.
Mr. Sanusi’s passport was seized on February 20, as he arrived the Lagos international airport, hours after he was suspended as Central Bank Governor by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The new charge, which Mr. Sanusi’s lawyers described as false and baseless, tallies with a similar surreptitious but baseless allegation thrown at the bank chief by a presidential aide.

Reno Omokri, the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, had, on February 26, used a pseudonym, Wendell Simlin, to circulate an article that tried to link the recent spike in Boko Haram attack to the suspension of the CBN governor.

During the hearing of the rights’ suit, which continued on Monday, the respondents – the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF; the Police; and the SSS – made different claims.
The fresh terrorism-related allegation against Mr. Sanusi came from the SSS.
The agency said it was investigating Mr. Sanusi for allegedly financing terrorism.

According to SSS counsel, Moses Idakwo, the provisions of Section 6 of the National Security Agencies’ Act empowered the Service to impound the international passport of suspects pending the conclusion of investigations.

On Monday, however, Mr. Sanusi’s counsel, Kola Awodehin, accused the SSS of falsehood in its new claim against the bank chief, saying the agency had no shred of evidence.

Nigerian journalists had exposed how Mr. Omokri, using a non-existent alias, Wendell Simlin, created a document linking Mr. Sanusi with financing the terrorist Boko Haram group.

The counsel to the AGF, Fabian Ajogwu, had objected to the suit, urging the court to strike it out for want of jurisdiction.

Mr. Ajogwu argued that the provisions of Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) ousted the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
He noted that the case before the court borders on the applicant’s employment, saying that labour -related cases are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court, NIC.
The counsel urged the court to strike out the suit.
The court, however, adjourned ruling on the preliminary objection to April 4.

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63320.html

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63320.html

FOOLS DAY! WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU

Good Morning, Today is one day in the entire year a fools day is celebrated it is actually hilarious and fun. For some of us April Fools Day means a lot of things, so we would want everyone to share with us what this day means to you or share an experience you have had on this day. Share your thoughts, it might just be what someone may need.....


Happy April fools day and a wonderful new month. And please do not play scary pranks on people....ENJOY your DAY!!!

BOKO HARAM RIDICULES THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE IN A VIDEO, SAYS CHURCHES ARE THEIR TARGET

The Boko Haram sect has ridiculed the Nigerian Police in a 24 minute video posted yesterday. The sect referred to the Police as 'women' who are incapable of stopping them, the video also gave details of  how the sect attacked Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri on March 14,  2014. According to Sahara reporters,

The video shows the sect exhibiting their warfare techniques, shooting targets from specialized armed vans, as well as holding and firing grenades from the ground. It also shows the sect's commanders coordinating operations by giving orders. 

The footage contains details of how the sect launched attacks from several directions in and around the military barracks. It also shows hundreds of people the sect claimed to have freed from detention by the Nigerian military.

Warning Nigerian police officers to stay off their path, the sect sang, “Police give us way, you are too weak and small to stop us. You are all women and we understand you.”

The sect sang that their demand for Sharia cannot be compromised. They restated that their targets remained churches, Christians and the Nigerian state. Part of the song stated, "We are working for Allah and must bring Shariah to existence; we are committed to protecting Muslims from being annihilated by infidels. We are going to kill them. We will enter Churches and slaughter Christians and barracks. We are calling on all Muslims to come out and fight Jihad. If you joke, these infidels will annihilate Muslims. You see how they are killing our women and children.”

The group boasted that it had demonstrated its prowess in Borno, Bauchi and Abuja, and the infidels of Plateau, Kaduna, Adamawa and Gombe.

They vowed to fight for Shariah will all their might until success was achieved.

National Conference “Sleeping Delegate” Hamma Misau Is Dead

A delegate at the ongoing National Conference in Nigeria, retired police AIG Hamma Misau has died at the National Hospital in Abuja. Mallam Misau died last night of an undisclosed illness at the age of 67.

Mallam Misau became famous after a photo of him taking a nap at the conference was shared on social media three days ago.

Barrister Mohammed Hamma a cousin to the retired police officer confirmed his demise to SaharaReporters. He said a Muslim funeral is due shortly in Bauchi for the late delegate. Mallam Hamma Misau hails from Misau in Bauchi state.

IMMIGRATION STAMPEDE: FG ORDERS FRESH RECRUITMENT

The Federal Government yesterday has set up a Presidential Committee to assist para-military agencies to conduct a fresh recruitment exercise into the Nigerian Immigration Service. The statement issued by the Secretary to the Government the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the committee had 12 weeks to conclude its assignment. 
Also, President Goodluck Jonathan approved the composition and mandate of the Special Presidential Committee to assist the Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Board to conduct a fresh exercise in place of the aborted recruitment into the NIS.
The SGF further said the committee is also to assist the Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Board by processing the applications, short-listing potential candidates and conducting the necessary interviews for the purpose of the exercise.

Other terms of reference of the committee are to assist the Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Board by following all relevant laws, public service rules and guidelines, to determine successful applicants and announce their appointment into the NIS. The committee is also to ensure that three family members of each deceased applicant from the aborted exercise, at least one of whom should be a female, are given immediate and automatic employment in the NIS; and ensuring that all those injured during the aborted exercise, are given immediate and automatic employment in the NIS.

The SGF named the chairman, as Federal Civil Service Commission-Chairman. Other members include Comptroller General, NIS; representative of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation; representative of the Commandant General; representative of the Comptroller, Prison Service; representative of the Corp Marshal, FRSC; representative of the Director General, DSS; and the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, who will serve as the secretary.

Source:The Punch

COURT DECLARES NEW PLATE NUMBERS ILLEGAL

Osita Chidoka, FRSC Corps Marshal.

Yesterday, a Federal High Court in Lagos declared that the new number plates introduced by the Federal Road Safety Commission are unconstitutional and as such cannot be imposed on vehicle owners.

 According to The Punch;

The judgment was delivered by Justice James Tsoho on Wednesday, the court held that the redesigning of the old number plates was not backed by any law.
Tsoho, who was delivering the judgment in a suit by a lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, against the FRSC, therefore, held that the FRSC had no power to impose the redesigned number plates on vehicle owners, who had not acquired them.

The judge said, “The issue of redesigning new number plates by the respondent, is not covered under the provisions of any law in Nigeria.
“The respondent cannot force Nigerians to acquire new plate numbers by impounding cars without the backing of any legislation to that effect.
“I hold that the act of the respondent amounts to an arbitrary use of power, and is therefore illegal and unconstitutional.
“Judgment is therefore entered in favour of the plaintiff, and all the reliefs sought is hereby granted, I so hold.”

Ofoegbu had instituted the suit on September 30, 2013, to challenge the power of the FRSC to impound vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new number plates.
The plaintiff contended that the threat by the FRSC, which gave October 1 deadline for all vehicle owners to acquire the new number plate, was a gross violation of the provisions of Section 36 (12) of the 1999 Constitution, which guaranteed the rights of individuals.
He maintained that the threat by FRSC was illegal, since the amended National Road Traffic Regulations (2012) should not affect everything that was done, based on the revoked NRTR (2004), under which the old number plates were issued.

According to the plaintiff, Regulation 230(2) of the National Road Traffic Regulations (2012) states that the revocation of NRTR (2004) “shall” not affect anything done, or purported to be done pursuant to that regulation.

He submitted that the NRTR 2004 was a subsidiary legislation, made under the Federal Road Safety Commission Act, Laws of the Federation, as revised in 2004.

He, therefore, asked the court to declare as unlawful, the threat by the respondent to arrest motorists, using the old number plates, as according to him, “there is no law validly made in accordance with the constitution, prohibiting its use.”

The applicant also sought a court injunction restraining the FRSC from impounding vehicles, arresting or harassing vehicles owners, who refused to comply with the directive.

SENATE CONFIRMS EMEFIELE AS CBN GOVERNOR

It is offical,the Nigerian Senate today confirmed former Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the new Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Confirming the president’s nominee, President of the Senate, David Mark expressed assurance that Emefiele would lead the bank “without fear or favour”.
Emefiele will take over the reins of CBN from Dr. Sarah Alade, the most senior deputy governor at the bank who has been Governor in acting capacity since Sanusi’s suspension.

We say congratulations on his new appointment.

PHOTO STORY:GOV AKPABIO SPENDS BIG ON PRIVATE JET TRIPS

Governor Godswill Akapabio coming down from a private jet.

As the news about the petroleum minister's extravagant spending continues to fuel the air, Governor Godswill Akpabio has also been seen enjoying the luxury of the best of these private Jets on his numerous trips. According to Sahara reporters;

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State spent $10 million over a twenty-five trips or 600 hours of service. The governor hired a private jet, a Canadian Challenger 604 from Swiss-based Vista jet, an investigation by SaharaReporters has revealed.

Mr. Akpabio paid the sum to the jet charter company owned in part by Kola Aluko. Mr. Aluko is known to be quite close to Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and has been described as one of a few fronts for the minister’s extensive money laundering schemes.

Mr. Aluko was also instrumental to the private jet provided to the Nigerian Petroleum minister who caused the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to spent N10 billion naira to charter another Vista jet, Challenger 850 Aircraft marked OE-ILA which has now been moved out of Nigeria following an investigation launched by the House of Representatives.

The charter jet used by the governor was registered in Switzerland as OE-INI. The governor and his entourage used the jet on trips within Nigeria and Europe within the period. Records seen by SaharaReporters indicated that Mr. Akpabio spent close to $400,000 per day for the period of the jet charter, which started in January 2010.

Mr. Akpabio later purchased a Bombardier jet for $45 million in 2012. SaharaReporters reported exclusively on the governor’s purchase of the jet.

A few months after splurging on the jet, Governor Akpabio also bought a bullet-proof van from a US armory company for $1 million dollars.

In 2012, Vista jet made at least 900 trips within the Nigerian airspace using four jets that were making at least three landings per day.

See more pictures of the Jet below;

Private Jet scandal: Reps Uncover Second Jet Used by Alison-Madueke For Private And Official Trips

As the Jet scandal of the petroleum minister continues, Indications appeared on Tuesday that Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, maintained a second jet, which she allegedly used for private and official trips abroad. According to naij.com:

It has been gathered that a return trip on such a XRS plane cost taxpayers 600,000 euro.
Meanwhile the first discovered jet, the Challenger 850, was said to have gulped N10bn in the last two years to fly the minister.

Punch has gathered that the House Committee on Public Accounts came across the second jet in the course of the ongoing probe into the N10bn expenditure on Challenger 850.
Interestingly, the owners of Challenger 850 have probable fled Nigeria as soon as the House ordered an investigation into the transaction between them and Alison-Madueke and asked for assistance.

Although it had been previously reported that the committee would summon the owners of the plane to testify before it, now it seems hardly possible.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Solomon Olamilekan, said that he was “shocked by the latest information”.
The official also confirmed the information about the uncovering of a second jet.
According to him, they are currently trying to establish how many trips it made outside the country.

Punch journalist managed to obtain a document, which provides that Alison-Madueke flew in Global Express XRS on two occasions in 2011 and chartered the same jet twice in 2013 on a return trip bill of €600,000 per trip.

Abuja lawmakers angrily wonder how it is possible for a serving minster to travel as the expense of the country taxpayers. One of them, who pleaded anonymity, inquired:

“Where is the law that authorises a government minister to be flying around the world in chartered private jets? You are going to London, why did you not not use the British Airways or any other international airline?”

It would be recalled that Alison-Madueke is accused of spending about 500,000 euro monthly to maintain the first aircraft.

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/62822.html

RUMORS OF SABOTAGE AS CBN LAGOS IS RAZED BY FIRE

It is no longer news that a strange fire razed part of the CBN building in Lagos yesterday at about 5:30pm. Though the reason for the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained but there are a lot of rumor of sabotage as this coincides with the appearance of the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi before the Financial Reporting Council over allegations of financial abuse. According to Naij.com

The fire incident comes amid several multi billion dollar allegations of fraud rocking the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Investigations into some of these allegations have already been initiated by several government bodies and agencies including the National Assembly and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Analysts say they would not be surprised if the fire was meant to get rid of certain key documents that could serve as evidence in these investigations.
More Details coming soon

Pics: Daring Nigerian youths embark on protest at Fed Min. of Interior HQ

Looks like some Nigerian youths are not taking the immigration incident likely despite the presidential intervention. This maybe a sure way to go...Keep reading
Some Nigerian youths this afternoon marched to the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja where the man in the eye of the NIS Recruitment storm, Minister Abba Moro's office is. The youths said they were there to protest the death of some of the applicants of the recently conducted NIS employment test. They demanded to see Moro but they were not allowed in. See more pics after the cut...

HOW MEMBERS OF BOKO HARAM RAPED, KILLED MANY: ESCAPED BOKO HARAM VICTIMS NARRATE THEIR ORDEAL

The Boko Haram insurgents continue their reign of terror in the northeast  part of Nigeria and only few who have had encounters with them lived to tell their ordeal.

Will Ross of BBC Nigeria met with some survivors  who gave heart breaking accounts of their ordeal in the hands of the suspected members of the Boko Haram sect and how they managed to escape.

Two ladies residing in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria identified themselves as Liatu, aged 23, and Janet 19  spoke in their interview with the BBC Hausa service on Monday narrating how they managed to escape.

Liatu said she spent 12 days in captivity in Sambisa forest before she escaped.

According to her, she was abducted on her way to the village from Maiduguri, the suspected terrorists had created a road block just near the Bama bridge, killed some people and went away with others into the bushes.

Liatu, a Christian by religion was ordered to accept Islam  by the Boko Haram members, and watched in full glare while they slaughtered about 50 people before she made an extremely risky escape.

She said “One of the captives stood up and said, ‘You only die once. Who is ready to make a run for it?’ Six of us jumped into one of the Boko Haram vehicles in the camp – a Volkswagen Golf.

“They chased us on motorbikes, shooting at the car until we got close to Bama town. Then they left and we got out of the car to continue on foot as there was a curfew in place. It was only then that I realised the three people on the backseat had all been shot dead.”

Janet’s ordeal was a little different as she was a captive for three months, where she also witnessed the slaughtering of some people, repeatedly raped and was forced to join Islam.

“They went to Gwoza and brought five people to the camp. They started slaughtering them in front of me,” said Janet, who  was in  the insurgents’ den for three months.

She said at that point, she was ordered by the insurgents to slit the throats of one the captured people but she refused.

“Then they ordered me to slit one of their throats. I refused. I told them I couldn’t do it. Then the wife of the leader of the group killed him instead.” Janet said.

Janet said, “I knew almost all the people in the group I was with. I knew them from my home area.

“I was really angry and when I couldn’t keep quiet any longer, I said to one of them, ‘When we were at home you would even visit me and I respected you. So why are you doing this to me?”

Till date, she explained, she had continued to be frightened by the nightmare and the gory details of what transpired when the victims were killed.

Janet was able to escape after feigning illness and was allowed to seek for medical attention.

“I feigned illness for two weeks, they said I had AIDS and should be taken to their hospital for test, I told them it was stomach pain, that was how I escaped.”

“The Boko Haram hide in caves and mountains, they sight jets and other aircrafts, I felt happy whenever I see soldiers, but they could not locate the Boko Haram who are mostly along the Liman Kara and Gwoza axis.”

“They took many of us into the bush, if they search and found ID cards, they will say they had warned that people should not work for the government, and they will kill the person.”

“For those Konduga girls, they will select those who perm their hair and kill them.”

Meanwhile, the BBC Hausa service reported that a video that was released on Monday, had Boko Haram leader, Shekau, claiming responsibility of the attack on Giwa, a Barracks in Maiduguri where they released some of their members.

Source: ynaija.com

How many more will die before the bloodshed is enough?

The Debate: Wole Soyinka, Odein Ajumogobia, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, others for St. John’s Forum debate in Lagos

St. John’s Forum, a group of public spirited Nigerians with deep interest in promoting the common good, good governance, national development, peace and stability, announces the inaugural edition of its Public Service Debates.

This maiden debate will hold on March, 26^th 2014 at 11.00am at Agip Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, with the motion: “Will Nigeria be better served by a parliamentary system of government?” 

The debate is part of a Public Service Debate series designed to bring to the fore, critical issues that affects our society.  The Forum’s aim is to promote and enhance public awareness, dialogue, and encourage participatory thought on matters of social and national importance.

The speaking panel at this maiden edition comprises some of Nigeria’s noblest minds, including Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; former External Affairs Minister, Mr Odein Ajumogobia (SAN); Senate Deputy President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; renowned Oxford University scholar, Dr. Abdu Raufu Mustapha. The former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku will moderate the debate.

The St. John’s Forum is apolitical. It is a platform committed to advancing dialogues that promote the common good in all aspects of our national life. Its activities will be of interest to all segments of the community – industry, commerce, the intelligentsia, the press, politicians, decision makers, and indeed ordinary Nigerians. The Forum believes that the coming together of such a diverse body of people with widely differing backgrounds and aspirations to debate a singular issue, must ultimately promote good.

The debate is open to the general public, and all are welcome to engage the key speakers.

The first edition of the Public Service Debate Series will hold on Wednesday, 26^th March 2014 by 11:00am at Agip Hall, Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria

Source: ynaija.com

PHOTO STORY:DORA AKUNYILI MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE AFTER BATTLING ILLNESS

The former DG of NAFDAC made her first appearance yesterday at the National conference after battling an undisclosed illness for months(Dora's new look at the right). According to media reports, she had health issues since last year and was admitted in the United States.It sure doesn't look like her but she is the one. When interviewed yesterday,she said;
"I just need to put on some weight. There is a saying in Igboland that goes this way: “Let the sickness take the flesh but leave the bones because with time the bones would grow new flesh. I just came out of a major sickness, for which I thank Almighty God for delivering me. I know that God did that for a purpose, this National Conference being part of that purpose. I am well now but only need time to put on more weight” she said.

PROPHESY & VISIONS: MINISTERS PROPHESY MISHAP ABOUT CELEBRITIES AND ASO ROCK

 The ministry of prophesying about events is not uncommon in Nigeria especially about politicians but lately this ministry seem to have swerved towards celebrities. The ace musician turned prophet and Primate Ayodele had visions about wizkid , Davido, Dbanj, Okonjo-Iweala and Aso rock. Read, what they said;

Primate Ayodele, the head of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, (pictured right) whose predictions are said to always come to past, recently shared his prophecies for 2014 and mentioned Davido and D'banj.About Davido, he said the singer needs to be a bit more careful and increase security around himself and his crew as a kidnap attempt is in the offing. Once again, we forbid this.

About D'banj, the prophet said he needs to be very careful or he would be defrauded over a foreign business deal.

About the Finance Minister & coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Primate Ayodele said she might bow out of office before the end of this administration.

PHOTONEWS: NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA PROTEST AGAINST THE BOKO HARAM MENACE AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

Nigerians in West-Virginia USA protest the incessant killings by the unknown Boko haram and the corruption in Nigeria. Read the placards to see their concern...more pictures below







SOURCE: Naij.com

No FG Directive To Return Applicants’ Money: Immigration - PUNCH

By PUNCH

The Federal Government may not refund the N1,000 application fee that was paid by each of the 693,000 applicants that participated in the Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment on March 15.

The FG had on Wednesday cancelled the recruitment exercise, which claimed 18 applicants’ lives.

The Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Mr. Emeka Obua, told SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday that the service had not received any directive on the refund of the money.

He said such a directive would come from the Federal Government to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro.

Also, the Ministry of Interior said no directive had been given to it from any quarters to refund the money to applicants.

The Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mr. George Ubong, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, said no such directive had been received in the ministry.

“We have not received any directive to refund any money,” he stated.

Ubong also said the contracting firm, which handled the exercise, had been registered with the Ministry of Interior as a contractor long before the appointment of Moro as minister.

He stated, “The man has been a contractor with the ministry of interior before the advent of the minister. The minister doesn’t know him.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and prominent lawyers have called on the Federal Government to refund the N1000 paid by each of the applicants.

The General-Secretary, NLC, Mr. Chris Uyot, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday, described the conduct of the exercise as “criminal.”

He said, “We support that (refund of the application fees). Given the fact that the government has cancelled the exercise, the money should be refunded to the applicants.

“It is apparent that government needs to take unemployment seriously. It looked like all they were interested in was the applicants’ money without providing adequate facilities. The issue of employment must be seen as an emergency.”

In a separate interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, the President, TUC, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, also asked for the refund of the money.

He said, “Since government has cancelled the exercise, it should refund the money to the applicants.”

Also, two prominent lawyers, Mr. Rotimi Jacob (SAN) and Mr. Festus Keyamo, insisted the refund.

The two Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lawyers questioned the propriety of collecting money from job seekers.

Jacobs said, “It would be unfair to retain their money and cancel the recruitment exercise. Is it not abnormal to ask young graduates to pay money before they can apply for jobs? They should not be collecting money from them in the first place.

“It is like the strong in the society victimising the weak – the rich are collecting money from the poor. That is very unfair. They should refund the money.”

Kayamo described the collection of the application fees as ‘advance fee fraud.’

He said, “It was tantamount to stealing from job seekers. They must return the money to them. What happened amounted to stealing, it is nothing but advance fee fraud.”

But Prof. Itse Sagay noted that it was not necessary to refund the fees.

In a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, he said, “I don’t think that (refund of application fees) is an important aspect.

“If I were the President, I would recover the money from the immigration service and plough it back into youth employment and things that could better the lives of the youth, so that at the end of the day, the youth will not lose out.”

Similarly, the All Progressives Congress on Saturday said Moro and the consultants should account for the money collected from job seekers.

The Interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Lai Mohammed, said this in a telephone interview with SUNDAY PUNCH.

He explained that it was possible that neither the NIS nor its Comptroller-General, David Paradang, could account for the N1,000 collected from the job seekers because they did not collect the money.

Mohammed said “That is probably because the money is not with them. Only the minister and the consultant, we are informed, were responsible, and they both should be held responsible for the refund unless the money was paid into Immigration account.”

Also, the Executive Secretary, Anti-Corruption Network and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dino Melaye, described the exercise as a complete fraud.

A legal practitioner, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, equally said the money should be returned with interest and “additional hazard allowance of N50,000.”

For the Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, “The cancellation without refund amounts to defrauding innocent citizens, it is condemnable.”

Another legal practitioner, Mr. Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, said, “It is sad that helpless and innocent Nigerians have to die, for the sake of seeking employment.”

FEMALE LAWMAKERS IN KENYA STORMS OUT AS POLYGAMY LAW IS PASSED

It was a sitting filled with drama today in Kenya's parliament as female members of the assembly staged a walkout during proceedings in the parliament. Their grievance was as a result of a new law their male counterparts all favored which they see as derogatory to the rights of Kenyan women.

Prior to today when the Kenyan Marriage Amended Bill was passed into law, it was customary in Kenya for men to seek the permission of their first wife before bringing in another woman as second wife or even marry as many as they want. The men obviously woke up from their slumber and decided to remove that clause in their constitution and this infuriated the women big time. Continue..


Mohammed Junet, an MP representing a constituency from the western Nyanza province,

"When you marry an African woman, she must know the second one is on the way and a third wife… this is Africa," Kenya's Capital News website quotes him as saying.

MPs Aden Duale, Jakoyo Midiwo and Junet Mohammed said it was against tradition to seek consent to marry a second wife and claimed their female colleagues had an ulterior motive in trying to push for the clause.

"I want my Christian brothers to read the Old Testament, King David and King Solomon never consulted anybody to marry a second wife," said Duale.

The women would have none of those talk as they believe it is a sign of respect for a man to discuss with his wife his intention to marry a second wife. MP Soipan Tuya says"It behoves you to be man enough to agree that your wife and family should know".


Despite their walkout, the bill was still passed into law as the men outnumbered the women in the parliament when voting was required.

The law on a brighter side enables Kenyan women to have 30%of any property the couple acquires during marriage and she can go with it even after divorce. The bill amongst other things also bans marriages of anyone below 18, and does not recognize live-in-lovers known as "come-make-we-stay" in Kenya.