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Scores Killed In Boko Haram Attack On Mafa Village

At least 47 people were killed in an attack on Azaya Kura village of Mafa local government area, Borno State, after Boko Haram insurgents invaded the village.

According to sources, the militants who rode in many vehicles stormed the village at about 12:30 pm and launched attacks on the residents, burnt down many houses and also carted away foodstuff and livestock.

According to a report by Reuters, a military source said the militants stormed the village in Wednesday’s attack to avenge four of their members who had wandered into the market but were identified and killed by soldiers in a gun fight.

“The Boko Haram militants mobilised and came on a reprisal,” the source told Reuters in the Borno state capital Maiduguri.

The attack on Azaya Kura village occurred on a busy market day, Shettima Lawan, chairman of Mafa district council said by telephone.

40 people mining without licenses in the Ghanaian town of Tiagbani are reported to have been trapped in the pit they were mining in.

40 people mining without licenses in the Ghanaian town of Tiagbani are reported to have been trapped in the pit they were mining in.

According to a local Ghanaian radio station seven [7] of the unlicensed local miners were pulled out of the pit but died shortly afterwards. Another 33 are believed to be still trapped underground.The bodies of the those pulled out of the pit have been deposited at the district hospital for autopsy.

“They went to operate at their site but unfortunately the pit caved in on them. Rescuers are doing their best to dig out the dead bodies but at the moment the whole township is mourning,” the reporter for the radio station said.

Tiagbani is in the Talensi-Nabdam district of the Upper East Region, far from the traditionally-known gold mining sites in Ghana......For more updated News 

Abuja quakes as Buhari, Oyegun, Amaechi protest

All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders yesterday took to the streets their case against the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Some of the party’s leading lights, including Chiarman John Odigie-Oyegun, led a “Salvation Rally” in Abuja, accusing President Jonathan of using the Boko Haram insurgency as a joker to win election.

The party said there was  no limit to the length the President  had not gone in his “obsession” for re-election.Read more

Nigeria Ranked One of Five Countries Worst Hit By Terrorists

Nigeria has been ranked among 2013 world’s most terrorised countries in the Global Terrorism Index 2014 report released on Tuesday.

In the said report, five mostly terrorised countries, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Syria, accounted for 80 per cent of the deaths from terrorism in 2013.

Iraq alone recorded more than 6,000 deaths, making the country most affected by terrorism, the report said.

India, Somalia, the Philippines, Yemen and Thailand were the next five, with between one per cent and 2.3 per cent of global deaths by terrorism.

Behind most of the deaths were militant groups, Islamic State militants, al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and the Taliban, which the Global Terrorism Index 2014 report said were the four main groups responsible for 66 per cent of all deaths from terrorist attacks in 2013.

The latest study into international terrorism showed that the number of deaths from terrorism increased by 61 per cent between 2012 and 2013.

The report, which investigated terrorism trends between 2000 and 2013, used data from the United States (US)-based Global Terrorism Database.

Nearly 10,000 terrorist attacks occurred in 2013, which amounted to 44 per cent increase from 2012, the report indicated.

The report by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) said nearly 18,000 people died from terrorist attacks in 2013

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2015 African

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2015 African Nations Cup after being held to a 2-2 draw by the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium.

Congo had defeated Sudan 1-0 in the other Group A match which meant Nigeria missed out on a top two place in the Group.

Tokelo Rantie had put the South Africans 2-0 up with a goal in either half of the game but Sone Aluko leveled the scores on the 68th and 90th minutes.

The South Africans however finished the game with ten men after  Renielwe Letsholonyane was sent off with 72 minutes into the game for committing two bookable offences.

FRSC Lacks Powers To Fine Motorists – Court

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lacks the powers to impose fines on erring motorists.

Justice James Tsoho held that FRSC cannot turn itself into a court of law by punishing those who commit traffic offences. The court gave this judgment in a suit filed by one lawyer, Mr Tope Alabi.

The lawyer had asked the court to declare that only a court of competent jurisdiction can pronounce a person guilty under Section 10 sub section (4) and 28 subsection (2) of the FRSC (Establishment Act) 2007 and Regulation 143 of the Nigerian Roads Traffic Regulation, 2011.

The judge declared the sections null and void for being inconsistent with Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution which vests judicial powers in the courts.

The judge also awarded N1 million as damages to the lawyer because FRSC confiscated his vehicle and driver’s license.

“It is my conviction that the plaintiff is entitled to remedy on this account,” the judge said.

Justice Tsoho held that while FRSC is statutorily empowered to arrest and fine traffic offenders, a closer look at the definition of the word “fine” means “a pecuniary criminal punishment or civil penalty payable to the public treasury.

“In the instance case, however, the involvement of the element of arrest takes the imposition of fine by the second defendant (FRSC) to the realm of criminal punishment.

“It is noteworthy that a fine, when viewed from that perspective, is a component of sentence.

“From these definitions, it is obvious that the act of sentencing is a judicial action or exercise. Imposition of fine connotes conviction for an alleged offence. This presupposes a trial and conviction of the person fined, especially having regard to the definition of sentencing.

“It is, thus, very clear that the FRSC, not being a court of law, can not impose fine, especially that it has no powers to conduct trial.

“Hence, the exercise of the statutory powers given to the second defendant under the Act as pertaining to imposition of fine is clearly a usurpation of judicial powers exclusively vested in the courts,” the judge held.

Justice Tsoho further held that FRSC’s imposition of fine on the plaintiff because of his cracked windscreen is illegal.

“In the circumstances, I endorse the plaintiff’s submission that by virtue of S.1(3) of the Constitution, the power to impose fine conferred on FRSC by the enabling Act is null and void to the extent of its inconsistency with Section 6 of the Constitution,” the judge held.

The judge said though the National Assembly is empowered to make laws, it cannot go outside the limits set by the 1999 Constitution.

“Basically, an unconstitutional legislation is null and void. That is, therefore, the effect of Section 28 (2) of the FRSC Act 2007 which has purportedly conferred power on the second defendant to impose fine, which is a judicial function. Such power is unconstitutional and unenforceable.

“The FRSC is not constitutionally vested with judicial powers and cannot and should not under any guise purport to function as a court, with competence to impose fine on alleged offenders.

“Much as FRSC seems to have passionate zeal for traffic law enforcement, it cannot be allowed to do so in breach of constitutional provisions.

“It is necessary to add that even in respect of strict liability offences, a court of law should appropriately declare the guilt of an alleged offender and then impose fine.

“FRSC’s function should not go beyond issuance of mere notices of offence,” the judge said.

“The point must be made is that it is a cardinal principle of natural justice that no person be condemned without being heard. It is in observance of this that a person alleged to have committed an offence has to respond to such allegation before a court of law during trial,” he held.

According to the judge, Alabi was issued a Notice of Offence Sheet on April 4 last year, but FRSC did not take him to court for five months before the plaintiff filed his suit on September 9, last year.

“The vital question to ask is how long would the second defendant reasonably take to commence prosecution of a traffic offence? The plaintiff was not under obligation to wait indefinitely for redress due to FRSC’s inaction or laxity,” the judge added.

The judge faulted FRSC’s practice of detaining vehicle whose drivers commit traffic offences.

“I hold the view that confiscation of the vehicle was unnecessary in the first place, though the second defendant (FRSC) spiritedly sought to justify it.

“The seemingly indefinite retention of the plaintiff’s vehicle papers and driver’s licence by officers of the second defendant is totally unreasonable, insensitive and unacceptable.
“The confiscation no doubt deprived the plaintiff of the use of the vehicle for as long as it lasted and also custody of his vehicle papers and driver’s licence.”

The judge granted 11 of the plaintiff’s 14 reliefs, and said he was awarded N1 million rather than the N10 million Alabi prayed for because “FRSC acted under the belief that it was statutorily empowered to so act,” adding that the corps’ innocent mistake “constitute a mitigating factor as to the quantum of damages.”

The National Assembly, FRSC and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) were the defendants in the suit.

Kelly Rowland Delivers Baby Boy

Former Destiny’s Child singer, Kelly Rowland and husband, Tim Witherspoon welcomed their first child on Tuesday, naming him Titan Jewell.

‘We are thrilled to announce that today we are the proud parents of our first son,’ Kelly said in a statement.

‘We are blessed to report everyone is healthy and happy!’.

Kelly got married to Tim Witherspoon on May 9 in Costa Rica.

Osun Tribunal: Hearing On Omisore’s Election Petition Begins Monday

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo on the August 9 governorship election in Osun state will start its hearings on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, challenging the outcome of the election on Monday, November 10, 2014.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime at the proceeding in Osogbo, the state capital, gave the PDP 14 days to convince the court that Aregbesola was not validly elected and equally gave the three respondents 10 days each to defend their case.

She also ruled that all witnesses will be given 20 minutes each for cross examination and that the court would not mandate any party to streamline its witnesses as only the party has the authority to do so.

The Tribunal after formulating the issues to be considered during the trial, adjourned hearings till November 5, 2014.

Counsels to PDP and its candidate, Nathaniel Oke (SAN) and counsel to Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kunle Adegoke assured journalists that they are fully ready to prove and defend their cases respectively within the 14 days given by the Tribunal.

46 catholic priests working in Maiduguri Diocese, 20 are currently displaced by Boko Haram attacks.

The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Oliver Doeme Dashe on Thursday said out of the 46 catholic priests working in Maiduguri Diocese, 20 are currently displaced by Boko Haram attacks.

He also noted that out of the 40 existing parishes 20 have been deserted, adding that out of the 6 existing Deaneries, 3 are occupied by the Boko Haram members.

He also called on the Federal Government to expedite action towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency or risk its spread across the country.

Speaking to Channels Television in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, the Bishop said the entire north-eastern part of the country, particularly Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, have been greatly affected by the Boko Haram menace.

The Bishop, whose jurisdiction spans across the three states under the emergency rule, said actions of the insurgency has paralysed economic, social, religious, agricultural activities in all the affected states, as people continue to wallow in abject suffering and expressed sadness that government seems to be less concerned.

“I wonder what is happening. The government is supposed to be proactive but the Boko Haram is always ahead of the security personnel and even the plans of the government. Something is basically wrong and I am therefore using this opportunity to call on the government to act decisively before this cancer spreads to every part of the body” the bishop lamented.

He expressed fear that government seems to be surrendering some towns to the insurgents who are advancing gradually, having long taken over Bama, Gwoza, Uba, and now Mubi, apart from several other Local Government Areas in northern part of Borno state.

Enough Is Enough, CAN Warns Boko Haram

The President of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, angered by the continuous killing of Christians in North-eastern part of the country and the daring-devil attacks by Boko Haram, has exploded, warning that enough is enough.

Oritsejafor, who spoke extensively on Wednesday in Abuja during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of CAN, said “territories that have fallen under the control of Boko Haram are predominantly populated by Christians, a sign that Christians are no longer safe in those parts of the country.

The CAN President re-echoed his earlier stance that Boko Haram is waging a religious war against Christians, saying that the carnage in the North-east is unacceptable.

Oritsejafor said, “What is happening there is unacceptable to us. Christians are the main victims. We are not saying that other people are not affected. But Christians are the ones affected more. All the places where Boko Haram has foisted their flags are dominated by Christians.

“They have taken over Mubi in Adamawa state which is dominated by Christians. Somebody will now tell me this is not religion. Who is fooling who? Nigerians should accept that we have a problem.”

Calling on Nigerians to pray to God to put an end to the mindless killings, Oritsejafor said he will not join other Nigerians who have created names for themselves, by constantly criticising the military, however called on the leadership of the military to fish out saboteurs in their midst, if the war against terrorism must be won.

He said, “All well meaning Nigerians must pray and continue to pray. We must pray. I will not join those condemning our security agencies. They are Nigerians. Women are losing their husbands and children are losing their fathers. I want to challenge the military. They can do better. They must continue to fish out those sabotaging their efforts. Those people should be expelled. They are in all the security agencies.

“No matter the intention you have, if you have people working against you, you will not succeed. There are too many people in the system working against the system. Why should these kind of things be happening? Innocent people are being killed. It is too much. Enough is enough!

Advising the federal government, stakeholders and other critical stakeholders to adopt another approach in bringing an end to activities of Boko Haram, Oritsejafor warned that the use of force alone would not end the insurgency.

Oritsejafor said,” Even though I have said the military must continue to work harder, guns and bullets alone will not save this problem. Boko Haram is an ideology. Let us not run away from it. You do not defeat an ideology with guns and bullets. You defeat an ideology with a superior ideology. Boko Haram will not listen to me.

“I want to make an appeal to our Muslim clerics and Muslim political leaders to come together and see how they can help us solve this problem. They have the solution. There are some muslim scholars Boko Haram members respect. To a large extent, that is the only way out.

“As members of CAN, we are ready to meet with them. I believe in progressive dialogue. This is my strong appeal. I want to appeal to those at the grass root. This connects to the leaders. The leaders should talk to those at the grass roots. They should give reliable intelligence to our security agents. Please, do not harbour these people. They are not fighting for you. Expose them.

“I know we have some members of the press here. I hope they will pass the message. We want a better Nigeria, where everyone is equal and respects the constitution. In fact, we want one constitution where everyone will follow. Those saying Boko Haram is not religious are deceiving themselves.

“We want a Nigeria where everyone is safe. We want a Nigerian where a man is not judged by his religion. That is the Nigeria we all want. If we want one united Nigeria, we must all pay the price for it.”

Calling on the international community to come to the aid of Nigeria and Nigerians, Oritsejafor said he still believes the country will surmount its current challenges and come out stronger.

“I believe as bad as the situation is, with God, all things are possible. I know that there is God. He will not forsake us. We have restrained our people so much and we will continue to restrain them. But I beg Nigerians to not let this continue. These are dangerous and serious times.

“I was reading a report from a priest in Borno of how churches have been destroyed. I wonder why the international community is not saying anything. Is this not human rights violation? We call on government, NEMA, NGOs, the international community. We need help. Our people are dying. Come and help us,” he pleaded.

Speaking on the forthcoming general elections, Oritsejafor appealed to Christians across the country to register and vote, adding that they must participate in who govern them.

Oritsejafor who said he suspects a cover up on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the poor handling of the distribution of the permanent voters’ cards, warned that any plans to disenfranchise Christians will be resisted.

“I want to say passionately to Nigerians. ‎Go and get your voters’ cards. I want to appeal to INEC to double up. Our people must register and have their voters’ cards. I hope INEC is not doing something deliberate here in order to prevent Christians from voting. I hope Professor Attahiru Jega can hear me. We must all vote and vote wisely.”

Source; Leadership News Paper