Monday, January 21, 2013
Video - 30 human bodies found in river
Over 30 dead bodies, all male, were (yesterday) found floating on Ezu, a river at the boundary between Anambra and Enugu states.
The decomposing bodies without any noticeable body mutilations or injuries could not be identified by the people of Amansea community who live in the area on Anambra state side of the divide.
Eyewitnesses told Channels Television that the bodies were discovered in the early hours of the morning when they went to fetch water.
Anambra and Enugu states Commissioners of Police who visited the area said investigation will commence to unravel the mysterious incident.
The river is the only source of water for the five communities of Amansea, Ebenebe, Ugbenu, Ugbene and Oba-Ofemili and the development had caused a lot of discomfort to the people.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Bala Nasarawa, who shuddered at such inhuman and ugly incident, said investigation in to the matter will commence immediately while his Enugu counterpart, Musa Daura, maintained that Enugu and Anambra enjoy relative peace and so could not decipher where the corpses were coming from.
Daura wondered how the avalanche of dead bodies got there because he had not heard of any communal clash whether in Enugu or Anambra where many people were killed".
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lawrence Ikeafor, also wondered where the dead bodies could be coming from as there are no communal clashes within the state or even in neighboring Enugu state. He however advised the villagers not to fetch water from the river until the bodies are cleared and buried.
Nigerians in UK prisons to be sent home
Nigerians serving in various prisons in the United Kingdom will soon be sent back home to serve their jail terms following a bill to that effect now waiting for President Goodluck Jonathan's assent.
The Clerk of the National Assembly Salisu Maikasuwa forwarded the bill passed by the lawmakers to the President in December last year.
Under the new bill, Nigerians serving in UK jails will be repatriated home without their consent.
THISDAY on Sunday had exclusively reported in August last year that the prisoners' exchange programme entered into between Nigeria and UK was suffering a hitch because of the domestic laws in Nigeria, which oppose forceful repatriation.
Of the 571 Nigerians serving in UK prisons as at August 2012, only 40 of them were said to have agreed to return home to serve out the remainder of their sentences.
One prisoner was repatriated to Nigeria in May last year from the UK and is serving out his term at an undisclosed prison in the country.
However, according to THISDAY investigations, the larger majority were stalling the transfer as they know their repatriation home to serve out their jail term could not be effected without their consent.
The newspaper had reported that the 1963 Prisons Act would have to be amended to pave way for the transfer by removing the issue of consent.
If President Jonathan signs the amendment bill into law, at least 350 of the Nigerian prisoners in UK would be eligible for without consent return to Nigeria.
Eligibility is determined by the seriousness of the offence for which a person has been jailed and the amount of time he has left on his sentence.
The Head of Political Section of the British High Commission in Abuja Paul Edwards told THISDAY at the weekend that the Senate and House of Representatives passed the amendment bill after they were convinced the bill does not seek to return prisoners convicted for minor offences such as failure to pay parking fines.
Earlier at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, British High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr. Andrew Pocock had said the legislation was in an advanced stage.
Presently the agreement between the two countries is that a prisoner must consent to being returned to his country, a condition, which Nigerian prisoners in the UK have exploited to refuse to be sent back to serve out their sentences.
The major reason for the refusal stems from the fact that most prisons in Nigeria are in deplorable conditions and are not fit for human habitation.
Britain therefore demanded that prisoners be transferred to prisons that meet human rights standards where the rights of the prisoners would be respected.
To reduce the unnecessary burden on its taxpayers and ensure that the prisoners are put in prisons that meet minimum standards, Britain reportedly committed £500,000 to train prison guards and to fund an ongoing prison officer exchange programme.
It also built an extra wing at the Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos and provided the funds for the construction of a guard tower for the extra wing after officials discovered that the building was not being used.
An additional £1 million was also allegedly earmarked for ensuring the smooth implementation of the agreement.
At an earlier interview with THISDAY, Edwards had said it makes more sense for a prisoner to serve out his sentence in his home country where he has a family support structure.
"Some of the works we have been doing is to ensure that there are prisons where their human rights would be respected," he had said.
The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, had also said earlier the prisoners' exchange programme was not effective because of some factors, which included the domestic laws in the country opposing forceful repatriation, the issue of prisoners' consent, unwillingness of Nigerian prisoners abroad to serve in prisons at home and the obsolete 1963 Prisons Act.
He said the act was inimical to any meaningful reform of the prison system.
The Clerk of the National Assembly Salisu Maikasuwa forwarded the bill passed by the lawmakers to the President in December last year.
Under the new bill, Nigerians serving in UK jails will be repatriated home without their consent.
THISDAY on Sunday had exclusively reported in August last year that the prisoners' exchange programme entered into between Nigeria and UK was suffering a hitch because of the domestic laws in Nigeria, which oppose forceful repatriation.
Of the 571 Nigerians serving in UK prisons as at August 2012, only 40 of them were said to have agreed to return home to serve out the remainder of their sentences.
One prisoner was repatriated to Nigeria in May last year from the UK and is serving out his term at an undisclosed prison in the country.
However, according to THISDAY investigations, the larger majority were stalling the transfer as they know their repatriation home to serve out their jail term could not be effected without their consent.
The newspaper had reported that the 1963 Prisons Act would have to be amended to pave way for the transfer by removing the issue of consent.
If President Jonathan signs the amendment bill into law, at least 350 of the Nigerian prisoners in UK would be eligible for without consent return to Nigeria.
Eligibility is determined by the seriousness of the offence for which a person has been jailed and the amount of time he has left on his sentence.
The Head of Political Section of the British High Commission in Abuja Paul Edwards told THISDAY at the weekend that the Senate and House of Representatives passed the amendment bill after they were convinced the bill does not seek to return prisoners convicted for minor offences such as failure to pay parking fines.
Earlier at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, British High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr. Andrew Pocock had said the legislation was in an advanced stage.
Presently the agreement between the two countries is that a prisoner must consent to being returned to his country, a condition, which Nigerian prisoners in the UK have exploited to refuse to be sent back to serve out their sentences.
The major reason for the refusal stems from the fact that most prisons in Nigeria are in deplorable conditions and are not fit for human habitation.
Britain therefore demanded that prisoners be transferred to prisons that meet human rights standards where the rights of the prisoners would be respected.
To reduce the unnecessary burden on its taxpayers and ensure that the prisoners are put in prisons that meet minimum standards, Britain reportedly committed £500,000 to train prison guards and to fund an ongoing prison officer exchange programme.
It also built an extra wing at the Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos and provided the funds for the construction of a guard tower for the extra wing after officials discovered that the building was not being used.
An additional £1 million was also allegedly earmarked for ensuring the smooth implementation of the agreement.
At an earlier interview with THISDAY, Edwards had said it makes more sense for a prisoner to serve out his sentence in his home country where he has a family support structure.
"Some of the works we have been doing is to ensure that there are prisons where their human rights would be respected," he had said.
The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, had also said earlier the prisoners' exchange programme was not effective because of some factors, which included the domestic laws in the country opposing forceful repatriation, the issue of prisoners' consent, unwillingness of Nigerian prisoners abroad to serve in prisons at home and the obsolete 1963 Prisons Act.
He said the act was inimical to any meaningful reform of the prison system.
Related stories: Nigeria and UK to swap prisoners
Henry Okah found guilty of terrorism
Handing down judgment, Judge Neels Claassen said the State had proved Okah's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Claassen said Okah's failure to testify meant evidence against him remained uncontested.
Twelve people were killed and 36 injured in the car bombs on October 1, 2010, the anniversary of Nigeria's independence.
Okah was arrested in Johannesburg the next day.
He apparently leads the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, which claimed responsibility for the blasts.
He was found guilty on Monday of engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.
Okah also faces terrorism charges relating to two explosions in March 2010 in the southern Nigerian city of Warri.
South Africa has tried him as part of its international obligation, as the Nigerian authorities had not applied for his extradition, according to the prosecution.
After the guilty finding, Okah was taken to the court holding cells under heavy police guard.
When his wife became emotional a friend comforted her, before they left the courtroom.
About 10 police officers were in the court, with another four outside while the case was being heard. The main road in front of the court was also closed.
Sentencing is expected on January 31.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Video - New Nigerian TV series Gidi Culture
The series, it shows the lives of several young people from different walks of life as they relate to each other under various climates of prosperity and privation often associated with life in Gidi (Nigeria).
The show’s protagonist, Halima Dan-Ladi Adebayo, is a naïve upper class Nigerian attending graduate school in New York City. When a grave accident occurs in her apartment, Halima’s divorced Mother, Mariam Dan-Ladi, coerces her daughter to return to Nigeria indefinitely and attend the Lagos Business School. Life in Gidi exposes Halima to a whole new world she never knew existed.
Will she ultimately succeed in this challenge of familiarizing herself with Gidi Culture and come to terms with her new reality? Or will she plummet into bad company and fall prey to the enmity amassed by some of Nigeria’s frustrated youth? Only time will tell as life unfolds in “Gidi Culture.”
Will she ultimately succeed in this challenge of familiarizing herself with Gidi Culture and come to terms with her new reality? Or will she plummet into bad company and fall prey to the enmity amassed by some of Nigeria’s frustrated youth? Only time will tell as life unfolds in “Gidi Culture.”
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Nigeria deploys military aircrafts to Mali
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Alex Barde yesterday disclosed that the Nigerian Air force will today commence the deployment of Nigeria war planes to check the activities of Islamist fighters in Mali.
Barde who stated this in Enugu when he paid his maiden visit to Enugu Airforce Unit, added that the action was in compliance with President Goodluck Jonathan's directive that a military contingent be sent to assist the country of Mali to contain the jihadists liked to terror group, Al Qaeda.
He said: "As I speak to you now," he said, "our air planes have arrived in Port-Harcourt. In fact, I'm on my way to Rivers State now and tomorrow morning we are beginning our deployment to Mali and that's what I am going to witness.
"I am going there to bid them a sort of farewell and go-and-fight-well greetings as they depart.
"We expect them to do what Mr. President directed that we do; he has directed that we should go and assist Mali in repelling the jihad fighters there because you know that if they finish with Mali the next thing will be to come to Nigeria.
"So we are going there to fight them and also protect our borders.
He explained that his maiden visit to Enugu unit was to talk to them on his vision for the Nigeria Air Force.
According to him, "We must use innovative technology because we have spent so much money buying equipment and each time they are bad we have to send them to the manufacturers for repairs. We have the know how, we have the personnel; we have professionals in the Airforce and we cannot too continue buying and not repairing."
Related stories: Nigeria deploys 900 troops to Mali
Barde who stated this in Enugu when he paid his maiden visit to Enugu Airforce Unit, added that the action was in compliance with President Goodluck Jonathan's directive that a military contingent be sent to assist the country of Mali to contain the jihadists liked to terror group, Al Qaeda.
He said: "As I speak to you now," he said, "our air planes have arrived in Port-Harcourt. In fact, I'm on my way to Rivers State now and tomorrow morning we are beginning our deployment to Mali and that's what I am going to witness.
"I am going there to bid them a sort of farewell and go-and-fight-well greetings as they depart.
"We expect them to do what Mr. President directed that we do; he has directed that we should go and assist Mali in repelling the jihad fighters there because you know that if they finish with Mali the next thing will be to come to Nigeria.
"So we are going there to fight them and also protect our borders.
He explained that his maiden visit to Enugu unit was to talk to them on his vision for the Nigeria Air Force.
According to him, "We must use innovative technology because we have spent so much money buying equipment and each time they are bad we have to send them to the manufacturers for repairs. We have the know how, we have the personnel; we have professionals in the Airforce and we cannot too continue buying and not repairing."
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