Man killed for accusing neighbour of sleeping with co-tenant’s wife

A tenant, Adekunle Adeyemi, has gone into hiding after allegedly stabbing a co-tenant, Stanley Dickson, to death in the Grammar School area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Punch Metro gathered that Stanley accused Adekunle of having an illicit affair with the wife of another neighbour, Arinze Onuoha, who confronted him with the accusation.

During the confrontation, it was learnt that an argument ensued between Adekunle and Arinze, but Stanley, who informed Arinze of the alleged affair with his wife, Chisom, was not at home.

Adekunle was said to have threatened to confront Stanley with the accusation on his return from work in the evening.

A resident of the area, Ibidunni Adegoke, said during a visit to the area on Sunday that when both Adekunle and Stanley returned from work in the evening, they had a confrontation, which degenerated into a fight, adding that when the fight broke out, Adekunle allegedly stabbed Stanley to death.

She said, “The victim (Stanley) went to report his neighbour’s wife, Chisom, to her mother-in-law that another neighbour, Adekunle, was having sexual relations with her. From what we gathered, all of them live in the same building and Adekunle had been assisting Chismo with money to feed her family whenever her husband, Arinze, did not provide money for them to feed.

“So, because of that, he concluded that they were in a relationship and went ahead to inform Arinze’s mother. When Arinze was informed, he had a shouting match with Adekunle, who later got to know that Stanley was the person, who accused him of having an affair with the woman. So, Adekunle left for work but promised to have a word with Stanley when he returned.

“In the evening, when both of them had returned from work, an argument ensued between Adekunle and Stanley and it degenerated into a fight. When Adekunle was overpowering Stanley, the latter instructed his wife in Igbo language to bring a knife, which he used in stabbing Adekunle’s leg. Adekunle later dispossessed him of the knife and used it to stab Stanley in the chest. After stabbing him, he pinned Stanley to the ground until he died.”

Another resident, Omotola Aderibigbe, said the fight took place in Stanley’s room, adding that after he was killed, Adekunle absconded and other residents, who were afraid of being arrested in connection with the incident, also fled the home.

He said, “The fight happened around 2am; so, when Adekunle realised that Stanley had died, he came out of the room, threatened everyone not to move close to him, instructed his wife to help him get something and fled from home. It was people in the area who informed the police and when they came, they arrested Adekunle’s wife and took the corpse away.

“Other residents have deserted the house because all of them are scared because of what happened.”

The bus used by Stanley for commercial transportation when he was alive was seen by Punch correspondent where it was parked at the scene of the incident.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba, for discreet investigation, adding that a manhunt had been launched for Adekunle.

Ghana reopens international airport after five months

Ghana will reopen its international airport on Tuesday but with new regulations in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus , the president announced.

Kotoka International Airport , located outside the capital Accra , was closed in March along with other border points in a bid to contain the virus in the West African country.

“ I am glad to announce that Kotoka International Airport will reopen and resume operations from Tuesday , 1 st September 2020 , ” President Nana Akufo -Addo said in a nationwide broadcast late Sunday.

He said land borders would remain closed .

New safety measures have been imposed to prevent passengers bringing the virus into the country.

“ Any passenger arriving in Ghana must be in possession of a negative Covid - 19 PCR test result from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin , ” he said .

The test should have been done not more than 72 hours before their departure.

All airlines are to ensure compliance with the directive for passengers wishing to travel to Ghana , he said .

Lagos health commissioner Abayomi recovers from COVID-19

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, has recovered from coronavirus .

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State , Gbenga Omotosho, made this known on Monday.

Abayomi had on August 24 announced that he tested positive for the virus .

Announcing Abayomi ’ s recovery, Omotosho tweeted , “ It is with gratitude to God that I announce the recovery and subsequent negative test for COVID - 19 of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.

“ It is with gratitude to God that I announce the recovery and subsequent negative test for COVID - 19 of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.

“ Following the mandatory isolation , the Commissioner retook a COVID - 19 PCR test which returned negative yesterday evening .

“ Governor Sanwo - Olu , the Incident Commander, is excited by the news and urges Lagosians to realise that COVID - 19 is still with us ; they should keep obeying the guidelines- watching their hands , wearing face masks and avoiding large gatherings, among others .

Lebanon names Berlin envoy, Mustapha Adib, as new PM

Lebanon named its envoy to Germany , Mustapha Adib , as the new premier Monday to steer the country through a deep crisis after the Beirut explosion compounded a sharp economic downturn .

The presidency made the announcement in a televised statement as Adib arrived at the palace in Baabda near Beirut to meet President Michel Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri .

Adib has been Lebanon ’ s ambassador to Germany since 2013 and his name only emerged on Sunday to replace Hassan Diab, whose government resigned in the aftermath of the deadly August 4 blast at Beirut port .

The 48 - year - old was born in the northern city of Tripoli and is a Sunni Muslim , making him eligible to become prime minister under Lebanon ’ s sectarian- based power- sharing system .

His biography on the Berlin embassy website presents him as an academic who holds a PhD in political science .

It says he has conducted “ research and expert work in the areas of both human and state security , parliamentary oversight of the security sector , decentralisation and local democracy , and electoral laws ” .

From 2000 to 2004 , he served as an advisor to Najib Mikati , a billionaire and former prime minister who backed his nomination on Monday.

In 2011 , then - prime minister Mikati appointed Adib as his chief of cabinet.

Former premiers Saad Hariri and Fouad Siniora also threw their weight behind Adib after two other candidates were reportedly rejected by the dominant Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah and its political allies.

His appointment came on the day French President Emmanuel Macron was due to arrive for another landmark visit .

An acquaintance of Adib from Tripoli who asked not to be named described him as “ calm , courteous and diplomatic ” .

Ex-Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Felagha, dies at 26

A former goalkeeper of Nigeria’ s Flying Eagles , John Felagha , is dead .

He died in Senegal on Sunday, according to the Nigeria Football Federation .

He was aged 26 .

NFF expressed condolence with the family of the late player in a tweet on Monday .

The football federation tweeted , “ Former National U 17 and U 20 goalkeeper John Felagha has died .

“ Felagha died on Sunday in Senegal . He was aged 26 .

The federation expressed its condolences with the family of the late player .

“ Our thoughts and prayers are with his family . ”

DJ Cuppy reacts to call for Pepsi to dump her for DJ Switch

Popular Nigerian disc jockey , Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola popularly known as DJ Cuppy has reacted to a call for her to be dumped as Pepsi ambassador.

The call came from a Twitter user who said that she should be replaced with DJ Switch , another ace female disc jockey .

This was after DJ Switch put up a splendid performance at the ongoing BBNaija reality TV show over the weekend which was hailed by many on social media .

“ DJ switch , Pepsi please replace Cuppy !” , the man wrote .

In response to the call , DJ Cuppy said that such can never happen because Pepsi loves her too much .

“ REPLACE ? No , Pepsi loves Cuppy too much , so this can never happen . Sign ASWELL ? Yes , they certainly should add more females ! Blue heart # CuppyDat” , she tweeted .

Sudan government, rebel groups agree peace deal

Sudanese leaders and rebel commanders agreed Monday on a historic peace deal , a crucial step towards ending 17 years of conflict in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed .

Leaders of the Sudan Revolutionary Front ( SRF) , an umbrella organisation of rebel groups from the western region of Darfur and the southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile , raised their fists in celebration after inking the agreement .

Fighting in Darfur alone left around 300, 000 people dead after rebels took up arms there in 2003 , according to the United Nations, with former government leaders accused of carrying out genocide and of crimes against humanity.

Conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile erupted in 2011 , in the wake of South Sudan ’ s independence , resuming two decades of war.

“ I congratulate all in Sudan on reaching a historic comprehensive peace that addressed the roots of the problem and ended the war , God willing, ” said Gibril Ibrahim, commander of one of rebel groups , the Justice and Equality Movement ( JEM) .

He paid tribute to all those killed or affected by the long years of war .

Sudanese paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo — best known by his nickname “ Hemeti ” , and who commanded fighters in the war — signed the deal on behalf of Khartoum.

Daglo and the leaders of the rebel movements grouped together and shook hands — and briefly danced together .

“ We have started the real transformation of Sudan from dictatorship to democracy , ” Faisal Mohammed Salih , Sudan ’ s information minister, told AFP , at the ceremony in Juba , the capital of neighbouring South Sudan .

– First steps –

But while celebrating the deal , he said there was also still a long way to go .

“ We know that we are going to face some problems when we start to move this ( deal ) from paper to the ground … but we have that political will , ” Salih said .

Rebels fought troops deployed by now -toppled autocrat Omar al - Bashir , who is wanted by the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) over charges of genocide and crimes against humanity in the Darfur conflict .

Bashir , who is in jail in Khartoum convicted of corruption , is now on trial for the 1989 coup in which he grabbed power .

Sudan ’ s transitional authorities in February agreed Bashir be handed over to the ICC .

Human rights groups say Khartoum targeted suspected pro - rebel ethnic groups with a scorched earth policy , raping, killing , looting and burning villages .

The deal was “ initialled ” and not signed , as a way to leave the door open for two key holdout rebel groups to join in a “ final” agreement , officials said .

Forging peace with rebels has been a cornerstone of Sudan ’ s transitional government , which came to power in the months after the overthrow of Bashir in April 2019 .

Both General Abdel Fattah al - Burhan, head of a sovereign council , and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, were also at the ceremony in Juba .

Sudan ’ s rebels are largely drawn from non - Arab minority groups that long railed against Arab domination of the government in Khartoum under Bashir .

The agreement covers key issues around security , land ownership , transitional justice , power sharing , and the return of people who fled their homes because of fighting .

It also provides for the dismantling of rebel forces and the integration of their fighters into the national army .

Rebel members of the Sudan Liberation Movement ( SLM ) and the Sudan People ’ s Liberation Movement - North ( SPLM - N ) had provisionally initialled the agreement with the government late on Saturday.

However , an SLM faction led by Abdelwahid Nour and a wing of the SPLM -N headed by Abdelaziz al - Hilu refused to take part .

Malik Agar , rebel chief of the SPLM - N faction that agreed to the deal , called on his comrades still fighting to lay down their arms.

“ I announce from this platform the end of the war, ” Agar said in a speech , calling on Nour and Hilu to “ not miss this historic opportunity ” .

AFP

Late Black Panther star Boseman secretly got married before death

Although the late Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman was a public figure , he succeeded in shielding his private life from public glare. Not many of his fans knew that he got married before his demise .

The PUNCH gathered that the late movie star got engaged to his long time girlfriend , Taylor Simone Ledward , in 2019 and the couple later tied the knot in a private ceremony before his death .

It was reported that the actor passed away at his home in Los Angeles after a private four- year battle with colon cancer and his wife was at his bedside alongside close family .

Ledward is a singer who graduated from California State Polytechnic University . The couple kept much of their early relationship secret , before allowing themselves to be pictured together at award ceremonies and red carpet premieres .

Their budding romance was first confirmed in 2015 , when the pair were spotted together by paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport .

She was then seen with him again in 2017 as a guest on US talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live ! and by 2018 she was regularly joining him at star- studded premieres including Black Panther and 21 Bridges .

In March 2019 , he spoke about their romance for the first time at the 50 th NAACP Image Awards , saying : ‘ Simone , you ’ re with me every day . I have to acknowledge you right now . Love you . ’

When the cameras panned to her , she could be seen mouthing back the words ‘ I love you ’ .

Ledward ’ s grandmother confirmed the pair was ‘ very happy ’ together when she spoke to InTouch Weekly in April 2018 . ‘ They respect each other. She’ s very happy , and he is , too , ” she said .

Boseman ’ s shocking death comes just ten months after the pair got engaged , with the wedding ceremony thought to have taken place recently . The couple were reportedly planning to tie the knot with a ‘ 2020 ’ wedding .

The actor ’ s death at the age of 43 was reported yesterday . He leaves behind his wife and close family members. The couple have no children .

How Denzel Washington helped Chadwick Boseman pay tuition fees at Oxford

Hollywood actor , Denzel Washington , has reacted to the death of Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman , whom he once helped with tuition fees at a prestigious theatre program.

Chadwick Boseman died on August 28 after battling colon cancer for four years .

His wife , Simeone Taylor , and members of his family were by his side when he died at his Los Angeles home .

“ He was a gentle soul and a brilliant artist who will stay with us for eternity through his iconic performances over his short yet illustrious career , ” Denzel Washington said in a tribute statement .

In June 2019 , Chadwick Boseman narrated before an audience how he and nine others were sponsored by Denzel Washington to study at Oxford University .

“ Many of you already know the story that Mr . Washington , when asked by Phylicia Rashad to join her in assisting nine theatre students from Howard University , who had been accepted to a summer acting program at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford , gracefully and privately agreed to contribute. As fate would have it , I was one of the students that he paid for , ” he said .

“ Imagine receiving the letter that your tuition for that summer was paid for and that your benefactor was none other than the ‘ dopest ’ actor on the planet . There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington , ” the actor added .

Lesbians woo me a lot, ex-BBNaija star Uriel reveals

Big Brother Naija season 3 star, Uriel Oputa , has revealed that her beauty has not only attracted men but also women , having been approached by lesbians “ plenty of times ” .

The 32 - year - old who first gained popularity as a contestant at the 2016 Top Actor Africa told The PUNCH in an exclusive interview that she doesn ’ t have anything against anyone into lesbianism, saying , “ how you want to live your life is how you want to live your life, but that ’ s not what I do . ”

Narrating an experience , the hair extension and wig enthusiast said , “ I’ ve had somebody approach me; she just wanted to be friendly with me. You know , how you meet a friend at a salon and so on… and the phone conversation turned from her looking for a house and all sorts of things to I like your hips . ”

A startled Uriel added that “ immediately I heard that , everything just made sense to me and I obviously started avoiding her . It was a bit awkward but I had to let her know that I don’ t do that sort of thing . ”

While she maintains a straight status, Uriel , who is single and searching for her prince charming , revealed that she has been approached by a lot of guys .

“ I am single and I am searching . I am very single ; I have had to turn down many suitors because I can smell somebody that just wants to use you sexually or someone that ’ s not just serious . I can smell that from a mile away . ”

Moving forward , she said , “ For me right now , I’ m single and I do hope that I meet somebody . I’ ve said it so many times that I’ ve dated ‘ up and coming ’ guys and the last one I dated , it lasted five years , but he ended up cheating and ended up marrying somebody else after I’ ve stayed with him for five years .

“ But for me, if you ask me what I look out for in a man , I don’ t think I’ m going to date an ‘ up and coming’ man . I’ m not saying I want to date somebody that is rich , but I want to date somebody that is doing something with their life.

“ My ideal kind of man is Anthony Joshua ‒ tall , athletic , nice body ‒ you have to be smart and business- minded . If you are not business- minded , we cannot roll because I am very business- minded and I can ’ t be with anybody who is clueless . You have to be business - minded and you have to be a go - getter for me to even be around you . ”

Uriel also opened up on her ordeal with body - shaming , especially from people on social media .

She said , “ I’ ve lost a lot of weight ; when I was a lot bigger , I used to get body -shamed , and now that I’ m losing weight people are telling me not to lose too much weight . ”

But the star has devised a means of blocking out internet bullies when it comes to body - shaming .

She said , “ If you ’ re not able to pay my bills and you ’ re not able to look after the simple necessities in my life, then why should your opinion matter in my life or about me?

“ So when it comes to body - shaming , it ’ s something that I really brush off and I tell everybody that ’ s been body - shamed to do the same thing but it ’ s very hard because not everybody reacts the same. ”

She also revealed that she has never contemplated going for surgeries and has nothing against those that do plastic surgery.

She further said asides working on her e -cook book titled ‘ The Modern African Woman ’ , she had other projects underway , which she would disclose in due time .

Reckless drivers to face death sentence in Zamfara – Gov

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State says his administration has a plan to “ introduce a law that will enforce death sentence on reckless drivers ” responsible for the death of their passengers .

Matawalle also said “ such drivers will also be compelled by law to pay compensation on every life lost ” .

The governor said this when he led members of his Executive Council and the Management of BUA Group to a condolence visit to the Emir of Gusau Alhaji Ibrahim Bello over the death of 15 persons from the Emirate.

Matawalle expressed sadness over the death of 15 persons who lost their lives as a result of reckless driving by a truck driver who ran into their vehicles last Wednesday along Gusau / Funtua road .

He said his administration would introduce speed limit gauge on highways as well as weight measurement on trucks .

“ Drug tests will also be conducted on drivers passing along the major roads in the state in order to guard against rough and reckless driving which usually end up in fatalities , ” he added .

He announced a donation of N 2 million to families of each of the deceased who were married and N 1 . 5 million to families of those unmarried among them .

The governor also declared that each of the families of the victims would be receiving monthly allowance of N 50 , 000 each up to the end of his tenure .

COVID-19: Lagos has passed peak, says health commissioner

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof . Akin Abayomi, has said the state has passed the peak of the COVID - 19 pandemic .

He, however , said there was the need for vigilance, saying the scourge was not over .

Abayomi spoke on Wednesday during a talk show on Nigeria Info 99 . 3 FM , themed, ‘ Fighting COVID - 19 in Lagos ’ .

He said , “ Lagos might be a its peak in the COVID - 19 pandemic , but it ’ s not over yet as we may see an escalation of positive cases . However , until we see a decline in the number of positive cases , we shouldn ’ t relent.

“ We believe the lockdown was not effective because of the reality of a city where people go out to fend for themselves on a daily basis . If not , you will replace a health crisis with an economic crisis .

“ Concerning the number of positive results seen this period , we have sample collection centres in every local government in Lagos , so the more we test the more cases we find . If there are no more positives , then the outbreak is slowing down .

“ Our observation is that Lagos has passed the worst of the pandemic ; it has passed the peak of the pandemic and is now on the flattening stage and over time , we will experience a down slope of the virus , then the end of COVID - 19 . ”

South-West won’t place Amotekun under police, says Akeredolu

The Chairman of the South - West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor , Mr Rotimi Akeredolu , on Wednesday declared that the South - West Security Network , Operation Amotekun , would not be subsumed under the Nigeria Police.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , Mr Garba Shehu, had earlier said the structure of the security agency would be defined by the Inspector - General of Police.

But South - West governors objected to the position on the grounds that the bill setting the security agency up was passed by the Houses of Assembly of the six states of the South- West and was duly signed into the law by the governors of the states .

Akeredolu , who spoke on Channels TV programme, Sunrise Daily , on Wednesday , said the agency could not operate under community policing .

According to him , there was a collaboration between the police and the Amotekun corps in order to secure lives and property of people of the region .

He said , “ A law set up Amotekun and Amotekun operates under its own law and it ’ s not going to be subsumed under any setup. No , we will work together , it is a collaboration, but not that it will be subsumed; that is not the thinking and that is not going to be acceptable. ”

Lagos pastor defiles, impregnates two sisters

The Lagos State Police Command , on Wednesday , arraigned a pastor , Nduka Anyanwu , before the state Magistrates ’ Court in Yaba for allegedly defiling and impregnating two sisters .

Anyanwu was alleged to have slept with the sisters , aged 17 and 13 , on several occasions and impregnated them .

The suspect was arraigned on two counts bordering on defilement before Chief Magistrate A . Adedayo .

He pleaded guilty to the charges .

The prosecutor , Roman Unuigbe , told the court that Anyanwu committed the offences sometime in June 2020 at a church complex in the Oshodi area of the state under the pretext of praying for the victims .

PUNCH Metro gathered that the mother of the victims had tried to prevent the police from arresting the defendant on the grounds that he was a man of God.

According to Unuigbe , the offences contravene Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State , 2015 .

Following the defendant ’ s plea , Magistrate Adedayo ordered him to be remanded in custody and adjourned the case till September 15 , 2020 , for presentation of facts and sentencing .

Judge handling suits against Ize-Iyamu’s candidacy linked with Wike – APC

The All Progressives Congress has petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court , Justice John Tsoho , asking for the transfer of two suits filed against the candidacy of Mr Osagie Ize - Iyamu as the party ’ s flag - bearer in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State , from Justice Taiwo Taiwo to another judge of the court .

The party stated that it would not get justice from Justice Taiwo because of his alleged strong affinity with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State , who belongs to the rival Peoples Democratic Party .

The PDP had nominated Governor Godwin Obaseki as its candidate in the forthcoming September 19 , 2020 governorship election in Edo State .

The APC, in its August 20 , 2020 petition signed by its National Secretary , John Akpanudoedehe , alleged that Wike had openly boasted that he would do everything to ensure that the PDP won the Edo State governorship election .

Aside the alleged affinity between Justice Taiwo and Wike, the APC also expressed doubts about the judge ’ s impartiality in the handling of the cases so far .

The party stated, “ That on August 10 , 2020 , when Suit No : FHC / ABJ/CS /758 /2020 came up for mention , the learned judge , suo motu, abridged the time allowed by law for the defendants to respond , even when some of the defendants have not been served with the originating processes , by fixing the matter for August 24 , 2020 , for hearing and that responses must be filed before then .

“ That at the time the learned judge made the said order , a motion on notice to abridge time was pending before the court which had not been served on all parties. ”

The APC said it had no confidence that it would get justice before Justice Taiwo Taiwo “ and therefore humbly request that the said matters be transferred to any other vacation Judge in the Federal Capital Territory . ”

In one of the two suits referred to in the petition , two APC members , Momoh Abdul -Razak and Zibiri Muhizu , asked the court to disqualify the party ’ s governorship candidate, Ize - Iyamu , and his running mate , Mr Audu Faniyi .

The plaintiffs ’ grounds for the suit included allegation that Ganiyu gave false information to INEC in aid of his qualification for the governorship election .

When Abdul - Razak and Muhizu ’ s cases came up for hearing on Monday, Justice Taiwo said he could suspend hearing the case to await the decision of the Chief Judge .

The judge told Ize - Iyamu ’ s counsel , Mr Roland Otaru ( SAN ) , and counsel for Ehiogie West - Idahosa , that the court ’ s new practice direction did not allow a judge to withdraw from a suit the moment a petition was filed .

The defence lawyers the applied for an adjournment to enable them to respond to the suit.

The judge then adjourned till September 3.

Delta SARS operatives extort, attack man with machetes

Some operatives of the Delta State Police Command have allegedly assaulted and extorted a resident of the state identified simply as Samuel .

PUNCH Metro learnt that the operatives attached to the Special Anti - Robbery Squad of the command , on Saturday , August 22 , 2020 , accosted Samuel and his girlfriend , who were on a motorcycle in the Koka area of Asaba .

It was gathered that the policemen allegedly dragged the victims from the motorcycle into their waiting vehicle and when Samuel and his girlfriend demanded where they were being taken to , the SARS personnel allegedly dealt machete blows on the man ’ s leg.

A human rights activist , Harrison Gwamnishu , alleged on Instablog that the SARS personnel extorted the sum of N 15 , 400 from the victims before they were released .

The post read , “ The SARS officers dragged him from the okada and forced him and his girlfriend into their car. The victims demanded to know where they were being taken to but the officers responded by macheting Samuel ’ s leg .

“ They seized his ATM card and forced him to disclose his pin and withdrew N 15 , 400 from his account . I’ m calling on the Delta State government to please intervene by putting an end to the constant harassment Nigerians from SARS . 

When contacted by PUNCH Metro , the state Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onovwakpoyeya , said she would get back to our correspondent , but she had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report .

Boko Haram: gov Mailafia declines police invitation, secures injunction

A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia , on Monday failed to honour the invitation by the police in Abuja.

Mailafia ’ s lawyer, Yakubu Bawa , who addressed a press conference in Jos on Monday, faulted the police invitation, saying he “ find the service of the letter of invitation on Dr Mailafia by the Nigerian Police Force through the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police , Force Criminal Investigation Department , strange and alien to our extant laws and procedure . ”

The police had last week invited Mailafia to appear at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

The former CBN deputy governor had been grilled and released twice by the Department of State Services over the comments he made during a radio programme alleging that a serving northern governor was the commander of Boko Haram.

Bawa said , “ It is imperative to state that the case the Nigeria Police Force is investigation , where the name of Dr Obadiah Mailafia purportedly featured prominently cannot be unconnected and unrelated with the case the DSS is investigating , which borders on internal security

“ It is sacrosanct to note also that the DSS is the only statutory body empowered by law to investigate alleged crime against internal security not Nigerian Police Force .

“ Section 3 ( a ) of the Security Agency Act stipulates this position and in consonance with the said provision , the DSS had assumed investigation into the matter .

“ We have carefully analysed the letter of invitation served on Dr Mailafia , as well as the intention of the Nigerian Police Force as clearly stated in the said letter of invitation and upon which we immediately approached the high court of justice in Plateau State and filed an action for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing as enshrined in our constitution.

“ We have served the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, FCID, and the signatory of the said letter of invitation, one DCP Omar Mamman Sanda , by substituted means through the Commissioner of Police Plateau State command having obtained a court order to do so .

“ We are praying the court to make a judicial pronouncement on the letter of invitation served on Dr Obadiah Mailafia ; we are equally subjecting the invitation made by the office of the DIG , FCID, to Mailafia to appear for an interview on Monday under judical scrutiny .

“ We strongly believe that it is significant to hear the decision of the court on these germane issues , and it is necessary also for the office of the DIG Force CID to wait for the judicial verdict in order to know whether it is appropriate and in tandem with our extant laws for the Nigeria Police Force to invite Dr Mailafia in the midst of an ongoing investigation by the DSS on a matter that is related to internal security . ”

The counsel called on the police to desist from taking any action that was unlawful until the court made a pronouncement on the matter .

Ex-convict jailed one year for stealing Osun trader’s purse

An ex - convict , Ismaila Sikirullahi , on Monday, bagged a one - year jail term for stealing .

The convict allegedly stole an Itel mobile phone and N 8 , 360 belonging to a shop owner , Anifat Azeez .

The police prosecutor , Inspector Kayode Adeoye, said , “ Sikirullahi , had on August 17 , 2020 , around 3 pm on Bası Bankole Street , Oke - Oniti area , Osogbo , did break into the shop of one Anifat Azeez and stole a purse containing one Itel mobile phone and the sum of N 8 , 360 , property of Anifat Azeez . ”

Adeoye also told the court that Sikirullahi had just completed a jail term for a similar offence .

The two counts of burglary and stealing were said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 412, 383 and 390( 9 ) of Criminal Code, Cap 34 , Vol . II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002 .

The defendant had no legal representation but pleaded guilty to the charges .

Delivering his judgment , the presiding magistrate , Adebayo Ajala, found Sikirullahi guilty of the offences and sentenced him to one year imprisonment without an option of fine .

Enugu monarch arraigned for falsely calling self engineer

The Enugu State Police Command , on Monday, arraigned the traditional ruler-elect of the Ogugu community in the Awgu Local Government Area of the state , Chief Emmanuel Ogbonna, before the Enugu South Magistrates ’ Court for perjury .

The police accused Ogbonna of claiming on oath to be an engineer when he had no qualifying certificate to back the claim .

The two counts read , “ That you , Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna , sometime in 2011 at the Enugu State High Court, Awgu Division , within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did make an oath in suit No . HAW / 01 / 2011 between Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna and Jonas Uchenwa and six others , that you are an engineer when you knew you never obtained any professional qualifying certificate , thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 145 and punishable under Section 146 of the Criminal Code , Cap 30 , Vol . II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004 .

“ That you , Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna, within same time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district , did with intent to defraud falsely represent yourself as a professional engineer when you knew you were not , thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 460 of the Criminal Code , Cap 30 , Vol . II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004 . ”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges .

His counsel , Nwabueze Ugwu , applied for his bail on very liberal terms , saying , “ The accused is an octogenarian and Igwe - elect of his community . It is that status that is in contention ; the accused is a community leader ; he is always in his palace in the village and can never absent himself from court . We make an application that he be granted bail on self recognition. ”

The police prosecutor , ASP Austin Aguodoh, said he would not oppose the bail application provided that the defendant would provide reasonable surety that must have verifiable address .

Two children hit by stray bullets in South Africa clash

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa 

One child was killed by a stray bullet in Cape Town on Monday and another wounded when illegal residents fired at police seeking to prevent them from moving into social housing units , the mayor said .

Police in the coastal South African city have broken up several unlawful property grabs in recent weeks .

These so - called “ land invasions ” happen relatively regularly in South Africa , fuelled by rampant inequality and a lack of low -cost housing in urban areas .

But Cape Town ’ s latest “ invasions ” have turned violent , with squatters setting vehicles on fire and destroying community facilities as they clashed with law enforcement officials .

The situation escalated on Monday , when shots fired at police killed an eight - year -old boy and wounded a 12 - year - old girl , Mayor Dan Plato said in a statement .

“ Over the last month we have seen violent and coordinated land invasions in over 30 different parts of the metro , ” Plato said , adding that almost 50 officers had been injured in clashes.

Cape Town security official Richard Bosman said the shots had come “ from a crowd of people ” , after which a gunman was identified but fled the scene .

“ The officers did not return fire … but sought cover instead , ” he added .

Cape Town police have opened an investigation for murder and attempted murder .

( AFP )

FG may reopen schools soon, minister tells protesting students

Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba

The Minister of State for Education , Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba , says the Federal Government has started considering full reopening schools .

Nwajiuba said this during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 on Monday in Abuja, monitored by our correspondent .

Though he said no date has been fixed yet for full schools ’ resumption , the minister urged protesting students to “ be patient with FG ” .

He explained that the government had continued to engage stakeholders , some of whom have expressed readiness to resume fully .

Secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria were closed due to the COVID - 19 pandemic on March 19 , 2020 .

The minister expressed optimism that the date for resumption was “ around the corner” .

He disclosed that he and the Minister of Education , Adamu Adamu , met some stakeholders in tertiary education on Monday on the issue .

Nwajiuba said about 78 privately - owned universities were insisting that they were ready for resumption while the response from government - owned universities was still “ 50 - 50 . ”

He said that after aggregating opinions, he would return to the PTF to review the situation and then go ahead to make a pronouncement .

“ I urge our students who have actually exercised a lot of patience along with their parents … I urge you to bear with us a little bit more . The rioting needs to stop ; there is nothing to riot about .

“ We don’ t want to bandy around dates , ” he said , “ We remain positive , ” he added .

Channels TV’s John Momoh Appointed as UNILAG governing council chair

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , who is also the Visitor to the University of Lagos , has appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television , Mr . John Momoh , as the acting chairman of UNILAG Governing Council .

This is contained in a letter dated August 21 , 2020 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education , Sonny Echono .

The letter titled , ‘ Emergency Meeting of the Governing Council of University of Lagos ’ with reference number FME / PS / 606/C . 1 / III/129, called on Momoh to convene an emergency council meeting with a view to approving the nomination of the Acting Vice - Chancellor for the university .

The letter read in part , “ I am directed to request you to convene an emergency meeting of the governing council to consider and , if found suitable , approve the Senate nomination of the Acting Vice -Chancellor of the University of Lagos in line with the enabling Act .

“ You are to preside at the meeting in the absence of the substantive pro - chancellor /chairman of council who has had to recuse himself in line with the visitor ’ s directives .

“ You are to also submit a report on the decision of the council to the visitor through the honourable minister of education immediately thereafter . ”

A spokesman for the Minister of Education , Mr . Ben Gong, also confirmed the authenticity of the letter to The PUNCH.

“ The letter is authentic . It was approved by the visitor ( Buhari ) , ” he said .

Momoh , who is a veteran journalist, is the President of the UNILAG Alumni Association .

The UNILAG Senate had , on Monday, voted Prof . Folasade Ogunsola as the acting VC , making her the first woman to hold such a position in the school ’ s 58 - year history.

Marseille record three more COVID-19 cases

French football giants Marseille announced Tuesday that three more people have tested positive for the coronavirus , following five players last week .

“ Marseille has just learned that three new suspected cases of COVID - 19 have been detected in its professional squad , ” the club said in a statement .

Marseille , which had to cancel what would have been the Ligue 1 season opener last Friday because of the five existing coronavirus cases , added that it had notified the French league about the new infections .

The five players already infected , whose names have not been divulged , are all asymptomatic , according to the club .

Besides Marseille , several other Ligue 1 clubs have been affected by the virus , including Nimes, Montpellier , Lens , Nice, Angers , Monaco and Brest .

Paris Saint - Germain , meanwhile , have obtained a derogation from league officials to push back their season - opening match , initially scheduled on Saturday against Lens, to September 10 .

PSG played in Sunday’ s Champions League final, losing 1 - 0 to Bayern Munich , meaning there would have been just six days between matches .

Their return to domestic duty will come at a busy time , however , sandwiched between France’ s international match against Croatia on September 8 and the French capital side ’ s opening home fixture of the season five days later against arch -rivals Marseille .

( AFP )

NAFDAC warns Nigerians against apple, blackcurrant from Australia

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has cautioned Nigerians to stop consuming an organic apple and black currant originating from Australia .

NAFDAC Director- General , Prof . Moji Adeyeye, who disclosed this , said the products had been certified harmful for human consumption.

“ The Centre for Food Safety of Hong Kong ’ s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has warned against the consumption of Pure Tassie Organic Apple and Blackcurrant Juice originating from Australia .

“ This was due to unacceptable level of patulin ( a mycotoxin ) which had exceeded the maximum limit in fruit juice , ” she said .

Adeyeye pointed out that the level of patulin content in the affected fruit juice can induce the liver , spleen , and kidney damage.

She added that the toxic level would affect the immune system and causes nausea , gastrointestinal disturbance and vomiting .

Adeyeye implored importers , distributors , retailers and consumers to immediately stop the importation, distribution , sale and consumption of the affected commodities .

The NAFDAC director - general urged members of the public in possession of the affected fruit to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office .

( NAN)

UNILAG crisis: Court strikes out suits against Babalakin, others

Justice J . I. Essien of the National Industrial Court on Tuesday struck out two suits challenging the “ purported ” removal of the Vice - Chancellor of the University of Lagos , Prof . Toyin Ogundipe.

This was after the formal withdrawal of two suits filed in relation to controversy in the university .

One of the suits was filed by Ogundipe to challenge his removal by Governing Council then under the chairmanship of the now - suspended Pro - Chancellor, Dr Wale Babalakin ( SAN ) .

The other was filed by the Senate of the university to challenge Ogundipe’ s removal and his replacement with Prof . Theophilus Soyombo by the governing council .

While Messrs Tayo Oyetibo ( SAN ) and Ebun - Olu Adegboruwa ( SAN ) applied for the withdrawal of Ogundipe’ s suit ; Prof . Taiwo Osipitan ( SAN ) applied for the withdrawal of the suit filed by the Senate.

There was no objection to the withdrawal of both suits by Mr Tola Oshobi ( SAN ) who represented Babalakin in both cases .

Following the applications for withdrawal , Justice Essien struck out the suits.

He urged authorities of the University of Lagos to resolve the raging controversy in the university amicably , stressing that controversy is not good for the image of a university .

Justice Essien , who said he is a professor of Law who left teaching to become a judge , said actors in the controversy should allow peace to reign .

The judge said he was glad that the parties elected to withdraw the suit, thereby saving him from having to make pronouncements .

He, however , said having been a Dean of Faculty and member of a university Senate, “ I would have determined the case properly and settled the controversy because the matter came to the right place .

“ We hope that peace will reign because when two elephants fight, in this case, the grass will wither . The controversy is not good for a university , ” Justice Essien said .

Osipitan assured the judge that “ maturity will prevail ” .

How I escaped from police custody –Oyo serial killer

The suspected serial killer in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State , Sunday Shodipe , has been re- arrested .

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State , Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi , who confirmed the development on the telephone to our correspondent in Ibadan on Sunday, said the 19 - year - old suspect was back in custody.

Residents of the area were excited with the news of the re - arrest of the suspected ritual killer , warning that he must not be allowed to escape again.

The suspect, while narrating how he escaped, said he climbed a tank stand and scaled the fence when he was taken out to take his bath .

Shodipe said this in a video posted by

Oriyomi Hamzat TV .

He spoke after he was re- arrested on Sunday.

He said , “ The new DPO at Mokola Police Station told a policeman, Funso , that he should take us out to have our bath . The policeman took me out and he warned me against trying to escape . I didn ’ t even think of escaping when he said that .

“ But when I saw that he was engrossed in his discussion with a man , I climbed the tank stand and scaled the fence . It was around 7 pm when I escaped . ”

UCL final: 148 arrested as PSG fans riot after defeat

Police said Monday they arrested 148 people as Paris Saint - Germain fans set cars ablaze , smashed shop windows and clashed with police in the French capital after the team ’ s Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich .

The violence occurred around the Parc des Princes stadium and on the Champs -Elysees avenue during and after the match on Sunday night, police said on Twitter .

Thousands of supporters had gathered at the Parc des Princes to cheer on PSG, lighting flares and chanting as they watched the 1 - 0 defeat in Lisbon on a big screen.

AFP

Bandits killed 1,126 Nigerian villagers in six months – Amnesty

Global rights group , Amnesty International , says bandits killed 1 , 126 villagers in Nigeria between January and June 2020 .

The organisation said the most affected were villages in Southern Kaduna , where armed men killed at least 366 people in multiple attacks between January and July.

The AI said this in a report signed by its Director, Osai Ojigho , on Sunday

The organisation said it interviewed civilians in Kaduna , Katsina , Niger, Plateau , Sokoto , Taraba and Zamfara states , who said they lived in fear of attacks and abduction as insecurity escalated in the rural areas .

“ The Nigerian authorities have left the rural communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen , who have killed at least 1 , 126 people in the North of the country since January , ” the report stated .

Amnesty pointed out that many of those interviewed described how security forces often arrived hours after attacks had ended, even when officers had been given information about impending attacks .

“ During one attack in Unguwan Magaji in Kaduna State , security forces arrived at the scene but left when they saw the sophisticated ammunition the attackers were using . By the time they returned, at least 17 people had been killed , ” the report added .

Amnesty added that at least, 77 people had been killed since January 2020 in the ongoing communal clashes between the Jukun and Tiv ethnic groups in Taraba State .

The organisation said on May 28 , 2020 , at least 74 people were reportedly killed in Sokoto State , when gunmen attacked four villages in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

“ According to witnesses interviewed by Amnesty International in Kaduna , Plateau and Katsina states , the attacks are well coordinated . Attackers stormed villages on motorcycles and heavily armed . They shoot sporadically at people , set houses on fire , steal cattle , destroy farm produce and abduct villagers for ransom , ” the report read in part .

Amnesty said in response to increasing violence in Southern Kaduna , Governor Nasir El - Rufai imposed a 24 - hour curfew in the affected communities in June 2020 , but attacks have continued as 22 people were reported killed when gunmen suspected to be herders attacked four communities in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state on August 6

“ More than 100 people were killed in July during 11 coordinated attacks in Chikun , Kaura and Zangon - Kataf local government areas of the state . At least, 16 people were killed in Kukum - Daji on July 19 , 2020 , in an attack that lasted five minutes , when attackers shot sporadically at villagers , ” it said .

It was also learnt that some victims of the recent attacks in Southern Kaduna told Amnesty that security forces were absent during most of the attacks , arriving only hours after the attackers had left .

Amnesty said no fewer than 380 people had been abducted for ransom during attacks in Kaduna , Niger, Katsina, Nasarawa and Zamfara states this year , mostly women and children .

“ In their response to these attacks , the Nigerian authorities have displayed gross incompetence and a total disregard for people ’ s lives. Arresting people who dare to ask for help is a further blow . Instead of arresting critics , the authorities should be seeking urgent solutions to this crisis and doing all they can to prevent further attacks , ” said Ojigho .

Amnesty called on Nigerian authorities to independently investigate all the deaths and ensure accountability by bringing the perpetrators to justice .

Punching.com

AMCON returns property to Anglican Church after 99 years

The Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria has handed over a landed property and all the assets on it popularly called the Ambrosini Property at Ebute Meta to the Cathedral Church of St. Jude after almost 100 years that it was leased out .

The handing over was attended by representatives of the church and AMCON at the venue of the property in Ebutte Meta area of Lagos on Thursday .

Speaking at the event , a Credit Officer in AMCON , Ndom Ita , said , “ It is a pleasure for us to officially handover this place to the dioceses . It is a significant event .

“ The official handing over of this place means that there are no more encumbrances with the property ; everything on this property has been resolved . ”

The Dean of the Cathedral Church of St . Jude, Olufeyisanjo Ojelabi , recalled that the property which belonged to the church was given to a reputable company , Ambrosini & Co , to get a loan after which it became a big problem to the church since the year 1920 .

Along the line , he added , Ambrosini also had issues and sublet it to another company , G . Cappa, which also got involved with bad loans with United Bank for Africa , and this led AMCON to take over the property .

While noting that the property was a huge and valuable one , he said it portends opportunity for the church .

Speaking on plans for the property after its recovery, he said the church had the Ambrosini recovery committee that would work and recommend what would be done with it going forward .

While appreciating AMCON for making the recovery easy , he said , “ It has been the grace of God that exactly 100 years , we are able to get back our landed property .

“ The litigation that would have taken us one or two years , God just removed it . ”

The Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland , Rev . Akinpelu Johonson, said it was good from the point of history when another generation could inherit what the previous generation had done .

He said , “ Even though for many years the church did not have access to this property , by God’ s grace , we now have access to it and we now appreciate the sacrifices that those who have gone before made in getting the place .

“ The vision of what they leased it out for is still with us in the church and now this present generation now receives it back . We hope this generation will be able to use it to have something that the generation coming after can thank God for . ”

He appreciated all those who contributed to the recovery of the asset .

Brazilian president threatens to punch reporter in the mouth

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday threatened to punch a reporter repeatedly in the mouth after being asked about his wife ’ s links to an alleged corruption scheme.

“ I so want to pound your mouth with punches , ” the far - right president said when a reporter from O Globo, posed the question .

The reporter was part of a group that met Bolsonaro after his regular Sunday visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Brasilia . The president ignored protests from other journalists after the remarks and left without making further comments .

The O Globo reporter asked about a report in the magazine Crusoe linking First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro to Fabrício Queiroz, a retired police officer, friend of the president , and former adviser to her son Flavio Bolsonaro , who is now a senator .

Queiroz and Flavio Bolsonaro are under investigation for a scheme that allegedly swindled pay from government employees when the younger Bolsonaro was a regional lawmaker in Rio de Janeiro , and before Jair Bolsonaro became president in January 2019 .

According to the magazine , Queiroz deposited funds in Michelle Bolsonaro’ s bank account between 2011 and 2016 .

The first lady has said nothing about the case.

Soon after the president ’ s outburst O Globo issued a statement repudiating his “ aggression … towards a journalist from our newspaper that was carrying out his job in a professional manner. ”

Such intimidation “ shows that Jair Bolsonaro does not acknowledge the duty of a public servant … to be accountable to the public . ”

( AFP )

Lagos health commissioner Abayomi contracts COVID-19

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof . Akin Abayomi , has tested positive for coronavirus .

The Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso , made this known in a Press statement on Monday.

The statement was titled , ‘ Press release on the positive COVID - 19 status of Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof . Akin Abayomi’ .

The statement read , “ Subsequent to close contact with persons feeling unwell and testing positive for the COVID - 19 infection , the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Prof . Akin Abayomi , has tested positive for the virus .

“ Professor Abayomi became aware of his status following the required testing protocol of contact tracing procedures .

“ However , he is doing well with no symptoms . Adhering to the protocol of the home - based strategy in Lagos State , the Honorable Commissioner will be isolating in his home for the next 14 days but will continue to discharge his duties both as the Deputy Incident Commander of the Incident Command System for COVID - 19 and most especially, as the Honorable Commissioner for Health .

“ Our prayers are with him and his family during his period of isolation . ”

On Sunday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control announced 322 new COVID - 19 cases in the country, bringing the total number of infections to 52 , 227.

Nigeria’s economy shrinks by 6.10% in Q2

For the first time in more than three years , the nation ’ s economy shrank in the second quarter of this year as the Gross Domestic Product fell by 6 . 10 per cent .

The National Bureau of Statistics , in its GDP report for Q2 2020 , said on Monday that the decline was largely attributable to significantly lower levels of both domestic and international economic activity , which resulted from nationwide shutdown efforts aimed at containing the COVID - 19 pandemic .

“ Gross Domestic Product decreased by –6 . 10 per cent ( year - on - year ) in real terms in the second quarter of 2020 , ending the three - year trend of low but positive real growth rates recorded since the 2016 /17 recession , ” the NBS said .

It said when compared with Q2 2019 , which recorded a growth of 2 . 12 per cent , the Q2 2020 growth rate indicated a drop of 8 . 22 per cent , and a fall of 7 . 97 per cent when compared to the first quarter of 2020 ( 1 . 87 per cent ) .

“ Consequently , for the first half of 2020 , real GDP declined by – 2 . 18 per cent year on year , compared with 2 . 11 per cent recorded in the first half of 2019 . Quarter on quarter , real GDP decreased by – 5 . 04 per cent . Furthermore , only 13 activities recorded positive real growth compared to 30 in the preceding quarter , ” it added .

The Nigerian economy , which emerged from its first recession in 25 years in the second quarter of 2017 when it posted a 0 . 7 per cent growth , had continued its slow recovery since then .

With another negative growth rate likely in Q3 2020 , the economy will slide into its second recession in four years .

After Beirut blast, foreign workers beg to go home

After struggling first through Lebanon ’ s economic crisis and then the coronavirus pandemic , Ethiopian worker Tarik Kebeda said the deadly blast that ripped through her Beirut home was the final straw .

Inside the small house she shares with four friends , she pointed to the window frames covered by sheets , because the glass was smashed out by the August 4 explosion.

They had already lost their jobs — as domestic workers , or in supermarkets or restaurants — but now their home too is at risk.

“ I’ m scared to sleep here , ” the 22 - year old said , showing the deep cracks running down the bedroom’ s walls , saying she feared the building “ will collapse on top of us ” .

Thousands of foreign workers were already stranded in Lebanon , after months of dollar shortages and then the coronavirus pandemic .

Then came the blast in Beirut ’ s port that killed more than 181 people , wounded thousands and devastated swathes of the city .

Many say it was just one disaster too many, and now they need to leave .

“ I love Lebanon , but I don’ t want to live here anymore , ” Kebeda said . “ There’ s no more work . How will I eat ?”

Some foreign workers also say they feel sidelined by aid efforts .

In the poor neighbourhood of Karantina , Kebeda ’ s neighbour Hana claimed aid workers sometimes put fellow Lebanese first.

Next door , 31 - year - old Romane Abera recounted how she hid beneath a parked car to hide from the explosion .

“ Once, a truck came to distribute food boxes but they said : ‘ Only give them to the Lebanese ’ , ” Hana said .

Today her damaged home is barely held up by scaffolding , with hot gusts of summer air sweeping through a huge hole in the wall .

“ I wish Lebanon could go back to how it was before , ” said Abera , who left behind her baby boy in Ethiopia and recently lost her job .

Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers of multiple nationalities – including at least 250, 000 housekeepers and carers – toil in Lebanon for cash to send home .

They enter Lebanon under a controversial sponsorship system called “ kafala” , which has been repeatedly denounced by rights groups as enabling a wide range of abuses .

Under kafala, a worker cannot terminate their contract without the permission of their employer or they will lose their legal immigration status.

Many foreign workers have reached breaking point .

Outside the Gambian consulate in Beirut , around 30 Gambian women clamoured for help .

“ We ’ re like slaves , ” one protester shouted . “ We are not treated well , and the racism here is very high. ”

Zeina Ammar , from Lebanon ’ s Anti - Racism Movement ( ARM ) organisation , urged countries to fund evacuations, and provide travel documents when needed .

“ We want to go home , ” they chanted .

Some threw handfuls of dirt towards the building , while others hit its door with hammers .

“ It should be a systematic , unconditional provision of laissez- passer to absolutely everyone in order to save their lives, ” she said .

AFP

IPOB members attack DSS patrol team, kill two operatives

The Department of State Services said two of its men died on Sunday when a patrol team was attacked by the members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra in the Emene area of Enugu.

The service did not provide details of the attack but said a comprehensive investigation had commenced into the incident .

The DSS Public Relations Officer, Dr Peter Afunanya , disclosed this in a statement titled , ‘ Unprovoked violent attack on DSS patrol team in Enugu . ’

It stated , “ The DSS wishes to inform the public that its patrol team was , today ( Sunday) , attacked in Emene , Enugu State by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.

“ The service lost two personnel in what was clearly an unprovoked violent attack launched by IPOB on the team . ”

The secret police condoled with the families of the departed officers and also prayed for the repose of their souls.

It explained that all measures had been put in place to ensure that their killers and everyone involved in the dastardly act were promptly apprehended and brought to justice .

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to work with other security agencies to maintain public safety and order .

It urged law - abiding citizens and residents to go about their normal businesses without fear .

Father defiles 15-year-old daughter to test her virginity

A 40 - year - old man , Gbenga Taiwo, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling his daughter, Folake ( not real name ) .

Taiwo, a widower, and his 15 - year - old daughter live together in a rented apartment at Baruwa , Ipaja area of Lagos State .

We learnt that the father had been constantly molesting the girl since she was 13 by dipping his fingers into her private parts .

Folake, having got tired of the molestation , was said to have reported his father to their landlord who warned Taiwo to desist from the act .

He allegedly persisted which prompted the girl to report him to her uncle recently . While the uncle was trying to handle the case discreetly , a neighbour got wind of it and escalated it .

Our correspondent learnt that the matter was reported at the Ipaja Police Station and Taiwo was arrested last Saturday.

The Coordinator of a child rights group following up on the case, Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network , Mr Ebenezer Omejalile , told City Round that Taiwo claimed to have suspected Folake of going out with men and decided to conduct “ a virginity test” on her with his finger .

He said , “ The girl said she had been constantly abused by her father since she was 13 . He is about 40 years old and a retired electricity worker.

“ Before the intervention of the girl ’ s maternal uncle , one Mr Alagba , the girl got tired of the wickedness of her father and informed their landlord who confronted the father to stop the evil act and he let him know the consequence of his action .

“ But the survivors turned a deaf ear to it and kept doing it to the extent that whenever he was on night duty , he went to the office with girl to keep having her to his satisfaction .

“ The man claimed that he saw some pictures in her daughter ’ s phone and suspected that she was wayward . He said he did not have sex with her but only used his finger to check if she is a virgin or not . ”

It was gathered that Taiwo’ s relations claimed that he had mental illness in 2018 and was admitted at a private rehabilitation centre , Ise Oluwa Hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State .

A report signed by the hospital ’ s Medical Director, Dr Kayode Ojomo , indicated that Taiwo was admitted at the facility on October 1 , 2018 “ for complaints suggestive of a mild depressive episode . ”

The report added , “ He is currently on admission and will be discharged soon as he has made remarkable improvement . ”

“ He has been exhibiting strange behaviour inside the cell . At times , he would just remove his clothes , ” a source said .

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state , SP Bala Elkana , confirmed Taiwo’ s arrest.

He said , “ Investigation has commenced on the case and tests will be carried out on to determine the suspect ’ s mental health. ”