BlackBox Nigeria

A male trader identified as Abiodun Taye was on Tuesday, January  6, 2014 hit by a stray bullet at the Sura Market area of Lagos Island following a clash between some area boys over money given to them by a governorship aspirant.

Taye was reportedly rushed to a hospital within the axis by some sympathisers.
Some of the sympathisers went straight to his wife and told her that her husband had been shot and killed by the hoodlums.
On hearing the sad news, the woman immediately slumped and died at the spot.

A witness said that the clash between the two factions – youths from Oke-Suna and Sura Market – started on Sunday and spilled over to Tuesday morning, according to New Telegraph reports.
The witness said, "The trouble started over the sharing of money given to them by a governorship candidate who visited the area on Sunday."

Furthermore, another anonymous trader in the market said that after the victim was shot, some of his friends thought he had been killed and went straight to his house to inform his wife.
"The woman had been sick. When she was told her husband had been killed, she slumped immediately. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but later pronounced dead by the doctor," he said.‎

Commercial sex workers in the country under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes, NANP, have thrown their weight behind the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

NANP said it would declare a-three day free sex across the country if president Jonathan eventually loses the seat to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of APC.

Recall that the group had in 2013 declared one-week free sex after the Super Eagles defeated Burkina Faso to lift the AFCON trophy after almost 20 years.

A statement signed by the group's General Secretary, Jessica Elvis noted that NANP was not happy with Jonathan's government over the way commercial sex workers were being treated in the country since he assumed office as the first citizen.

It described Jonathan's government as the worst in the history of Nigeria, saying that it recorded the lowest income during his tenure.

The statement also quoted Elvis as saying that several approaches to the presidency to legalize prostitution were turned down.

DAILY POST recalls that a female prostitute, Patoo Abraham last year led protests in Lagos to seek a better place for prostitutes in Nigeria.

Abraham who heads the Nigerian chapter of African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) and the Women of Power Initiative (WOPI), led the protests with demonstrators wearing T-shirts screaming "Sex work is work, we need our rights".

"We are tired of dying in silence; we want to be able to practice our profession with pride like every other person. We want an end to name-calling and stigmatisation. We are sex workers and not asawo [a derogatory Yoruba name for prostitutes]", She told Aljazeera.

"Sex work is normal work and there are sex workers everywhere under one form of disguise or the other. The government should stop criminalising our work", she further said.

Backing Abraham's point, Elvis said for failing to legalize prostitution, the group would not support Jonathan for a second term.

"We sent a proposal to the government in March 2, 2012, almost a year after Jonathan was fully elected as president of Nigeria on the need to legalize prostitution. That was when our late president, Micah Ejoyo was alive, but the presidency rather declared war on us by arresting some members on the street of Abuja.

"Most of them are students who are using the job to pursue their education. We all cannot work in Aso Rock, NNPC or Shell. We don't rob people. We are using our endowment to fend for ourselves. We deserve to be respected. Enough of this hypocrisy because even Jonathan and his team are not saints."

Speaking further, the statement as obtained by DAILY POST on Friday enjoined all members of the association to come out en mass come February 14 to vote out Jonathan from Aso Rock.

"We are calling on all our members and every Nigerian in particular to join the march. No to Jonathan! Because under Jonathan's government, we lost over 400 members in the north to the Boko Haram insurgency and we are not ready to lose anybody again. We would be declaring a three-day free sex if God eventually sends Jonathan out of Aso Rock. You can count on us. We did it before and we can do it again. Enough is enough," the statement added.‎

APC Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari was this morning conferred the title of Ogbuagu1 (The Lion Killer) of Aba by Enyi of Aba in Abia state. He is currently in Abia state campaigning.

After a successful spell in the South-South, the APC campaign team stormed the South-East for a continuation of their run.

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, while receiving the president in his palace on Thursday said President Goodluck Jonathan should not be blamed for the problems of Nigeria.

Mr. Jonathan was in Lagos State for the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP's) presidential campaign at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
He was at the Oba's palace to pay homage to him and seek his blessings before going to the campaign venue.

The Oba said fighting corruption should be the responsibility of every Nigerian. In his words he said,

"What will be, will be; God Almighty will give the best person the opportunity to lead this country.

"Mr President, God knows the best; I am happy; what I want are free and fair elections.
"I am happy that Mr President directed INEC to ensure that voters' cards are distributed to every eligible member of the electorate.

Mr. Akiolu accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of not treating Lagos well during his administration and leaving many problems unsolved in the country.

Mr. Jonathan while addressing the people said he went to the palace to pay homage to the royal father and sought his prayers and support for his ambition.

The president said that the Nigerian government under the PDP had done much for the country, contrary to claims by the opposition.
He said that his administration did not believe in blowing its trumpet but determined to meet the expectations of the citizenry.

Mr. Jonathan concluded by saying his administration had revived rail transport system, improved road network, created jobs and implemented policies aimed at economic advancement, among other achievements.‎

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it did not fix the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 14, to deny Nigerians the celebration of Valentine's day.
The Chief Press Secretary to the commission's Chairman, Kayode Idowu, while speaking in Abuja on Thursday, January 7, said that the election date was a coincidence.

He said: "When the commission was taking that decision, it never even occurred to the leaders of the commission that it was Valentine's Day. But then, it is a day for showing love and if we can show love that will discourage people from fomenting violence. That will discourage you from being hateful towards another person on that day. It will make the election peaceful. So, it is a good coincidence. ''

He, however, urged Nigerians to be guided by the meaning of Valentine's day to make the election peaceful.
"The message of the day is to show love for one another and therefore, there is no basis for violence, acrimony and being unruly because that day is a day for showing amenable conduct towards others. So, that should guide the behaviours of voters as they go out to vote," Idowu added.

25 year old Familola Ayodeji (pictured above) has been arrested by the Ekiti state Police command for raping an 85 year old great grandmother on December 25th 2014. According to police report, Familola a resident of No. 17, Oke Ido Street, Ido-Ekiti sneaked into the great grand mother's room, bolted the door and forcefully had sex with her. He initiall went into hiding after the act but was caught after a widespread manhunt. Medical examination conducted on the aged woman showed she was raped. Familola is expected to appear in court soon.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, may have been hit by a crisis, following the purported endorsement of General Muhamadu Buhari (rtd) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the presidential election, as a former leader of the group, 'Gen' Reuben Wilson, has called on Nigerians to disregard the said endorsement.
He said that the ex-militants were all for President Goodluck Jonathan in next month's presidential election.
But Jomo Gbomo, who speaks for the group, has lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC, for questioning its credibility and describing MEND as a ghost organisation because of its proclaimed support for Buhari.
Gbomo said: "MEND views the recent question and statement credited to the PDP National publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, as very callous and irresponsible. The question: 'Explain your connections with MEND' further confirms and vindicates our views about President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP.
"MEND strongly denies any links with the APC and has never been approached for anything, at any point in time, by the party, as alleged by Olisa Metuh."
Wilson, on his part who spoke for the ex-militant commanders, called on Nigerians to ignore the Buhari endorsement story, describing same as part of the APC, propaganda ahead of the general elections.
 
Reaffirming the support of ex-militants in the region for the second term bid of President Jonathan, Reuben who is now a Pastor, said: "MEND ceased to exist from the day we all keyed into the amnesty programme of the Federal Government," adding that what they had as Jomo Gbomo was a pseudonym used by the ex-agitators to prosecute their crusade as MEND years back.
"We challenge the Jomo Gbomo to show his face on a national television the way we will do, as we have always done. Since we left the creeks, we have integrated into the society, contributing to the development of the country. We have stopped all forms of militant activities under any guise, including MEND activities."
He added that at the moment there was nothing like Jomo Gbomo or MEND, stressing that they owned MEND and also collapsed it after they embraced the Federal Government's amnesty programme.
"We have read and heard of reports in the media on the purported endorsement of the APC presidential candidate, Buhari, and have decided to inform the public that we, the former leaders of militant camps, who owned and controlled the activities of MEND, did not and could not have endorsed Buhari as our candidate.
"We are aware that the APC and their presidential candidate are desperate for power and are ready to do anything to mislead the public as part of their desperate efforts to take over power this year. But it is criminal to use the name of MEND to score a cheap point and deceive the public.
"For the avoidance of doubt, let us put it clearly that we owned MEND and we never endorsed Buhari. Neither Buhari nor MEND can shave our head in our absence."‎

President Goodluck Jonathan began his re-election campaign in Lagos   on Thursday, saying he would not fight corruption by arresting and putting people in crates.

Jonathan, in his 33-minute speech that centered more on responses to criticisms of his administration by some prominent Nigerians and the opposition, faulted a recent statement credited to the APC presidential candidate, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, that he would send corrupt Nigerians to jail.

Although he did not mention   names, he   was indirectly making reference to   Buhari's role in the 1984 botched attempt to smuggle a former Transport minister, the late Umaru Dikko, to Nigeria.

He said, "They said they will start fighting corruption after they have crossed the bridge. And only two days ago, somebody stood in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and said he would catch people that steal and throw them in Kirikiri(Prisons).

"I agree that we must stop corruption but I will not do so by catching people and putting them in crates and   jailing   or killing them. We can't stop corruption that way."

The President told the PDP chiefs, members and supporters at the carnival-like event that held at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos that "the   same mouth says something from the right and the left, making contradictory statements."

Raising his voice, he asked rhetorically," Can you trust such a man ? Are they not deceiving you?

"They want power by all means. All they want to use power for is to lock up and imprison their enemies," he claimed, eliciting thunderous applause from the gathering.

The President also said that if   Buhari had effectively fought corruption   between 1983 and 1985 when he was Head of State, Nigeria would not be grappling with graft today.

He argued that the kind of anti-graft war the APC presidential candidate was advocating had no place in today's democracy.

The President said that instead of fighting corruption by making arrests, he would structure Nigeria in such a way that people holding public offices would no longer have direct access to funds.

Jonathan added   that his administration had   curbed corruption in the civil service and the agricultural sector through the computerisation of   payment system.

The President, however, explained that the   system caused the delay in paying federal civil servants   December salaries.

He said, "I apologise to those families that suffered because I believe that for you to fight corruption, you must take some measures such as establishing institutions. You don't just wake up, enter the streets and start arresting people   and showing them on television sets and saying you are fighting corruption.

"If they had succeeded in fighting corruption, corruption would not have been with us today. If they had set up structures to manage resources, in this ICT era, we would not have been talking about corruption today.

"What happened on the issue of civil servants is something known as IPIS which is a software for protecting salaries. Sometimes people steal   salaries in some Federal Government agencies and ministries. They tried to divert funds meant for some allowances but since the system is scientific,   it shut down.   This is the only way that you can prevent corruption.

"I served in Bayelsa State as deputy governor and governor for eight years and then vice president and president for another four years. Within these periods,   fertiliser distribution was an area where both the federal   and state governments spent billions of naira. Less than 10 per cent of   the product got to farmers while the rest was stolen and sent out of the country. Even the 10 per cent was sometimes adulterated.

"What did we do? We assembled some young Nigerians that are IT gurus and developed what we call the Electronic Wallet. Through   the wallet,   farmers got   fertiliser directly and nobody is cheating the government again. Is that not a way to stop corruption?

"If somebody tells you that the best way to fight corruption is to come and arrest your mother and father and show them on   television,   will that   stop corruption? In fact, it will even encourage corruption. We are shooting armed robbers but is that stopping them? So, arresting people and showing them on television sets will do nothing. We must set up institutions and strengthen them in order to prevent people from stealing public money. That is what we are working on and we are succeeding."

Although Jonathan was also short of mentioning names , he said that Nigeria would become a jungle if some people who did not believe in the rule of law were allowed to take over governance.

He said, "They say the government is weak and have no plan. They say we are weak because they took our fathers, mothers and uncles and drugged and put them in crates before flying them to Nigeria. They were intercepted mid-air by superior powers.

"That even blocked Nigerians from even going to Britain at a time. The relationship between Nigeria and Britain went sour and the whole world isolated Nigeria . They say that is the way to fight corruption. So the moment I suspect your uncle (of corruption), I can crate him and send them to Kirikiri (prisons).

"Is that the way to stop corruption? I served with (former President Umaru)Yar'Adua and he stood by due process and I also stand by due process.

"Any country that does not obey the rule of law is a jungle. Do you want Nigeria to be a jungle ? "Immediately I suspect you of doing something wrong, I will call the police and the army and throw you into jail. Is that the kind of country you want? They said to be strong is to jail people indiscriminately for 300 years. Is that the way to go? A country is like an industry, it must be managed properly by people who have grey and white matters upstairs."

He said the APC was not a democratic party as the Department of State Service had exposed its plan   to clone Permanent Voter Cards in order to rig the general elections.

Jonathan warned that a vote for the APC was a vote for backwardness.

In the area of insecurity, Jonathan said Buhari could not tackle the problem because he contributed to it by failing to invest in the military when he was head of state.

He said, "They talked about insecurity. Are Nigerians in the armed forces weak? The problem is that we don't have platforms (equipment) and somebody who wakes up and tells young people   that they want to fight insecurity, ask him:   Did he buy one rifle for a Nigerian soldier?

"These people did not buy anything; they refused to equip the military and there were no helicopters; nothing. Ask them what they did with their defence budgets and the whole time they could not equip the military."

The President said $10bn was not enough to buy equipment for the military as it usually took   years to boost its capacity. He, however, said he had been able to curb corruption in the armed forces by eliminating middlemen in the purchase of arms.

He said, "No country equips its military overnight . Armed forces are built over the years because even if you spend $10bn today, you cannot equip the Air Force, the Navy and   the Army. They refused to build their capacity, they instigated crisis and now they are telling you they can fight insecurity.

"They said the military is corrupt. When this insecurity started, we had nothing so to tackle it very quickly, we used vendors to get equipment.   But now, we are doing government to government arrangement and so there is nothing like corruption anymore. Is that not the way to fight corruption? You must prevent people from touching public money."

Jonathan said since   his generation had failed Nigeria,   it was important for the youths to vote for those who would invest in their future.

He said it was his dream for the next generation of Nigerians to fly to the moon.

He said, "Those of my age and above are finished; we are gone. That is why I am addressing those of you that are voting for the first time. We believe it is you that will take us to the moon. My generation has failed, we couldn't take Nigeria to the moon.

"Look at what India is doing? I said for us to get to the moon,   our first class graduates should be sent   to the best 25 universities in the world for postgraduate studies.

" So you must vote wisely. They will build prisons for you but I will build universities for you. I will build primary schools and secondary schools ."

He said the APC was not on a mission to fight corruption but to jail their enemies. He, therefore, urged Nigerians not to vote for the party.

Jonathan laughed at the reported endorsement of Buhari by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.

He said it was unfortunate that the group which was responsible for killing Nigerians on October 1, 2010 was the one identifying with the APC.

He also alleged that MEND jailed leader, Henry Okah, was paid   to kill him in 2010.

Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, said the alleged missing money from the treasury was a propaganda tool created by the APC.

Akpabio said,   "We (governors) were the ones that told Mr. President that we should share the 55bn. We said we could not be saving while our people are hungry. Will you be saving when your child is in the hospital?

"If your child dies, wouldn't you be a fool? The money was shared by the three tiers of government so no money is missing."

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

A former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said he can sacrifice his life in the interest of Nigeria. However, he said he would not do the same for any political party.

He said this on Thursday during a visit to his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta by the presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party, Dr. Martins Onovo.

He said since he left office his pre-occupation had been the promotion of the country's interest, adding that it would be foolish for anyone to say Nigeria did not belong to anybody.

He said, "My first pre-occupation is what is best for Nigeria. Nigeria first, party second and any other thing, third. I can sacrifice anything in the interest of Nigeria and I can sacrifice my own life for Nigeria.

"I can't sacrifice my life for any party's interest but I'll sacrifice my life in the interest of Nigeria."

He frowned on the situation where everyone would keep quiet and watch things degenerate in the country.

While commending the late legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, the founder of the NCP, he said though some people might not agree with his brand of activism, he was a veritable voice of conscience.

He said, "Let me hasten to wish you every success in your endeavour and also pay tribute, as I have done in my recent book, to the founder of your party, Gani Fawehinmi. I believe he was a genuine social critic. Though you may not agree with all he said or how he went about it but he was definitely a genuine social critic.

"So if you, as the flag bearer of the party, believed that you should follow on his footsteps of integrity and genuine critical and committed analysis and criticism of the situation in the country, I think nobody will fault you."

He advised the party to accept whatever was the outcome of the election, if the election was free, fair and uninterrupted. He said that people should not necessarily be in government before they could contribute to the nation's development.

He said, "In this part of the world, we have a saying that if people sleep and they put their heads on the same pillow, they are in danger. That means there should be some people that should be critically looking and watching and also able to speak up. They should speak up, no matter what others may say.

"Because people may come up and say Nigeria doesn't belong to anybody, I believe that is a stupid saying. Nigeria belongs to all of us because anything that doesn't belong to anybody, anything can happen to it. For me, Nigeria belongs to all of us and we are stakeholders in this country.

"Let me make my own position clear, I am a card carrying member of the PDP, because that is the party on which platform I became the President of this country.

"If what you're trying to do is in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians accept and vote for you, who I am I not to accept you as President of Nigeria, I will. But in this your campaign, try to inform, woo and to convince the electorates but whatever may be the outcome of the election after you have done all that, once the election is free and fair and undisturbed, uninterrupted, then you have to accept the verdict of the people."

Onovo said his government, if voted, would continue with the developmental initiative of the former President.

He said, "Our programme is designed to lead to the abolition of poverty through full employment, improve health care and electricity supply and energy which are very critical to industrial development.

"We are very aware that you did very few critical things in government when you were there and some of those we wish to continue when we get to office, particularly the anti-corruption efforts, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, we intend to continue.

"We intend, when we get elected with your guidance,ý to your effectiveness, to check the loss in national revenue so that we have funds to carry out the developmental programmes we've promised our people."
Punch

Despite losing the main award to Yaya Toure, Super Eagles skipper and shot stopper,Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa were however named in CAF Africa XI for 2014.
Goalkeeper Enyeama was beaten to the prestigious CAF African Player of the Year by Cote d'Ivoire skipper, Yaya Toure, while Ahmed Musa was on the five-man shortlist for the award.
Other players on the Africa XI are Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyeng (Gabon), Jean Kasusula (DR Congo) and Yacine Brahimi (Algeria).
Lille shot stopper, Enyeama, was also the goalkeeper in the Africa XI for 2013.

Vincent Enyeama has however stated that he has no regret losing the award to Toure saying he deserves it more than anyone. He however lamented that his pain at this period was due to Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the African Nations Cup which begins in a few weeks.

In this report originally done by Vanguard, focus is placed on Muhammadu Buhari's campaign in the South South‎ as the race for the February 14 elections thickens.

All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), yesterday, took his campaign to the home base of President Goodluck Jonathan in Bayelsa and Rivers States with a promise to frontally address environmental concerns and degraded infrastructure, if elected.

Buhari's promise to implement the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, report on Ogoniland was elatedly received by Ogoni traditional rulers who through the president, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Biniwa, handed him a sword to wipe out their tears when he emerges president.
General Buhari and his entourage, following the stop at Ogoniland, followed up with campaigns in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State the home base of the president and his main rival for the presidency.
Meanwhile, his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Benin City, Edo State, said the country would be unrecognisable in one year of an APC government.
His position came as Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State regretted that President Goodluck Jonathan was blaming his predecessors in office when his six years in office has only brought agony and poverty to Nigerians.
At an interactive session with students, traditional rulers, market women and professionals in Benin City, yesterday, Osinbajo said an APC government would within one year solve the power problem, free health care and free food for school children.
He added that though the nation was rich, "we lack the leadership to harness our resources," just as he noted that insurgency and corruption had thrived because President Jonathan lacks the political will to fight them.
 
Buhari urges Ogonis to vote APC
Speaking in Saakpenwa, headquarters of Tai Local Government Area during a meeting with Ogoni people, Buhari appealed to the people to vote for the APC and urged them to get their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs.
Flaying the neglect of the region, Buhari put the blame squarely on President Jonathan saying: "The decision of the Federal Government to abandon the Bodo-Bonny road project is a clear case of incompetence and social injustice. It amounts to neglect at the highest level.
A lot is taken from Ogoniland and relatively little is brought back in return. I assure you that an APC-led Federal Government will fulfil all its promises in Ogoniland."
Senator Magnus Abe, who hails from the area, was absent during the visit. In a statement read on his behalf, he lamented the pains the Ogoni had suffered in the nation.
Magnus, who represents the Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly, further appealed to the people to vote the APC.
He said: "Our position as a people concerning resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni is that, there should be adequate consultation with and participation of the Ogonis in the process leading to their eventual operation.
"As a deprived people, we have consistently placed in the domains of all governments, the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) that seeks for equal representation of Ogonis in the affairs of the nation. These demands include appointment of Ogoni sons and daughters in government, provision of live sustainable infrastructures, such as good roads, water and development institutions."
On his part, Director General, Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, urged the people to vote for the APC, saying the Ogoni had suffered neglect in the country.
President, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Biniwa, later handed a copy of the UNEP report and a sword to Buhari, urging him to wipe out their tears when he emerges president.
 
Buhari identifies bane of nation's march to greatness
Buhari repeated the same vow of dealing with environmental problems in Bayelsa where he was received by thousands of supporters who had defied the scorching sun and long delay to receive him at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
The stadium was filled to capacity as at 3 p.m. five hours after his scheduled arrival as party supporters busied themselves with entertainments provided by dance troupes and other entertainers.
Speaking at the event, Buhari identified corruption, insecurity and incompetent leadership as bane of the nation's march to greatness even as he promised to tackle environmental pollution ravaging the Niger Delta region.
He also promised to revive agriculture and fishing in the region to boost food production and reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.
He lamented that the PDP neglected agriculture with the result that the nation is dependent on imports to feed her population.
He also noted with sadness that the people of the Niger Delta can no longer fish in their troubled water due to pollution and promised to work with the United Nations to remediate the environment if voted into office.
Also speaking, Governor Amaechi in his speech at the occasion assured that the party would create jobs, tackle poverty, unemployment and insecurity in the country of voted into power.
 
A bad brother is not as good as a good friend—Sylva
Earlier, the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, urged Bayelsans to vote out Jonathan, saying: "A bad brother is not as good as a good friend."
He said: "Vote APC and welcome prosperity, good governance into your homes. I have gone to the West, East, North and South, I have one assurance that Buhari has won the 2015 poll."
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of flags to the party senatorial candidates in the forthcoming National Assembly polls. They include, Chief Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa East, Eddie Julius, Bayelsa West and Preye Aganaba, Bayelsa Central.‎

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced a pregnant woman, Kudirat Bello and 125 others to between one day and 15 years in prison.

Bello, who was arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Command, with cannabis weighing 33.3 kilogrammes was sentenced to one day imprisonment by the presiding judge, Justice Musa Kurya.

Among other convicts are Obinna Okeke (38), Salisu Usman (42), and 17-year-old Lanre Salami.

While Okeke got 15 years imprisonment, Usman and Salami were handed five and 10 years jail terms respectively by Justice M.D. Idris.

Our correspondent learnt that Salami, who initially lied to the court that he was 15, was apprehended in the Oshodi area of the state with 400 grammes of cannabis.

It was learnt that Usman was nabbed at the Iddo Motor Park on his way to Zamfara State where he resided.

The NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr. Aliyu Sule, told PUNCH Metro that his command was satisfied with the rulings.

Sule said that over two metric tons of illicit drugs were intercepted in 2014, adding that an illegal factory used for the production of methamphetamine in the state had been shutdown.

He said, "The Lagos State command seized a total of 2,056.9kg and apprehended 434 suspected drug traffickers in 2014. Those arrested include 413 males and 21 females. Drug exhibits seized are cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and psychotropic substance. The convicts include 117 males and nine females.

"Apart from those prosecuted, others found to be addicted were counselled. In addition, a clandestine laboratory used for the manufacture of methamphetamine was discovered and shut down in 2014."

Punch

Add BBN on 2BAFB965

Ivorian and Manchester City star Yaya Toure was last night named the Best Player on the continent for a record fourth time beating Vincent Enyeama ( Nigeria) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang( ) to the coveted prize.

The soccer legend however dismissed insinuations that he was better than other nominees claiming that he feels rather lucky to have been so honored. In his words, he said: "I'm happy to have won this award again but it wasn't easy because the continent is blessed with great players and they are all doing well with their respective clubs in Europe.
"The nominees for this award such as Enyeama, Aubameyang, Gyan and Ahmed Musa are no pushovers. They are of top qualities players so it was tough coming out tops among these stars whom I have so much respect for. I think I'm lucky to have won this again."

Full list of winners ...
African Player of the Year – Based in Africa:
Firmin Mubele Ndombe (DR Congo and AS Vita)

Most promising talent:
Yacine Brahimi (Algeria)

Women's player of the year:
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and River Angels)

Youth player of the Year:
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and River Angels)

Coach of the Year:
Kheireddine Madoui (ES Setif)

Platinium Award of the year
President Goodluck Jonathan
 
National team of the Year:
Algeria

Women's National team of the Year:
Nigeria

Club of the Year:
ES Setif (Algeria)

Referee of the Year:
Papa Bakary Gassama (Gambia)

Football Leader of the Year:
Moise Katumbi Chapwe, President of TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

African Legend award:
Oryx Club (Cameroon), winners of the maiden edition of CAF Champions League 1964