Gunmen seize Libyan Prime Minister at Tripoli hotel

Gunmen seized Prime Minister Ali Zeidan from a Tripoli hotel Thursday, amid conflicting reports over whether he was formally arrested or abducted by lawless former rebels who helped topple dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

The pre-dawn seizure of Zeidan comes five days after US commandos embarrassed and angered Libya’s government by capturing senior Al-Qaeda suspect Abu Anas al-Libi off the streets of Tripoli and whisking him away to a warship.

A source in the premier’s office said Zeidan had been taken by gunmen from Tripoli’s Corinthia Hotel, where he resides. A hotel employee confirmed a pre-dawn raid by “a large number of armed men”.

A government statement said Zeidan had been taken “to an unknown destination for unknown reasons by a group” of men believed to be former rebels.

The Operations Cell of Libyan Revolutionaries, comprising former rebels and which had roundly denounced Libi’s abduction and blamed Zeidan’s government for it, said it had “arrested” Zeidan under orders of the public prosecutor.

The group, which in principle reports to the defence and interior ministries, said on Facebook it had seized Zeidan “on the prosecutor’s orders”.

It said he was detained for “crimes and offences prejudicial to the state” and its security.

But the cabinet said on its Facebook page that ministers were “unaware of immunity being lifted or of any arrest warrant” for the premier.

Later, another group of ex-rebels, the Brigade for the Fight against Crime, said it was holding Zeidan, according to the official LANA news agency.

The brigade added that Zeidan “will be well-treated”, the agency reported.

Thursday’s government statement said it suspected both the Operations Cell of Libyan Revolutionaries and the Brigade for the Fight against Crime of being behind the raid that netted Zeidan.

Both groups loosely fall under the control of the defence and interior ministries but largely operate autonomously.

PDP’s founding chairman, Solomon Lar dies at 80

The Plateau State government has announced the death of the former governor of old Plateau State and founding chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, at the age of 80.

Lar’s death was announced by Governor Jonah Jang at the Government Lodge, Jos following a call from a member of the family from the United States where he passed on at 3.30am, yesterday.

”I received a call from the US that Baba (Chief Solomon Lar has gone to be with The Lord. Baba died at 3.30 a.m. this morning”, he said in a solemn voice.
He said he felt duty bound to inform the people of the state following the confirmation of the death.

Anxiety over the health of the elder statesman heightened on Monday after he reportedly passed out and had to be resuscitated and placed on life support.

Family sources disclosed that it became apparent that it was a matter of time as the doctors treating him doubted if he could make it.

It was learnt that they made it clear that he was not fit to travel when some family members suggested that he should be brought home following the hopeless picture painted by the medical team.

THE REASON BEHIND AGAGU'S PLANE CRASH

THE Ondo State Government, yesterday, clarified that it did not hire the  aircraft of Associated Airline, which crashed last Thursday in Lagos, while  conveying  the body of former Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, to Akure for the commencement of  the burial rites.
The state government made the clarification on a day Chief Olu Falae, whose first son, Deji, was one of the 15 persons who died in the crash, said he has submitted to the will of God who cannot be questioned.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade in a statement in Akure,  said  the clarification would not have been necessary at the time the state and families were still mourning those who lost their lives in the crash, but for inaccurate media reports.

The statement reads: ”It explained that its determination to give the former Governor a

befitting state burial made it set up a burial committee, which met regularly with the family of the deceased to arrive at a burial programme agreeable to the family.

“At one of the meetings, the statement said,  the issue of the transportation of the body from Lagos to Akure was discussed.

“The committee deferred to the family’s insistence that the body be moved to Akure by air.

“The family thereafter introduced Mr. Tunji Okusanya (now deceased) of MIC Funerals as the official undertaker, who would make necessary arrangements regarding the movement of the body and the funeral.”

“Thereafter”, the statement further explained, the MIC boss forwarded the names of various airlines through an e-mail message to the Committee, namely, Aero Contractor; OAS Helicopters; Chachangi; Arik; Dana; and IRS as the Airline operators that have been contacted.

“It was indicated in his message that IRS was not available for conveying human remains; Dana aircraft had gone for maintenance; and Arik does not fly the Akure route.

“He, therefore, suggested Chachangi as “the best offer.”

The government further indicated that “it was neither the wish nor the prerogative of government to indicate any preference for a particular airline.

“The interface with MIC at the instance of the family, was necessary for facilitation of payment,” insisting that, “at no time was Associated Airline mentioned.

The statement  emphasised that “this is definitely not the time for this as we are still mourning, adding that, ït is pathetic losing any soul in the course of paying homage to our former Governor, particularly government officials and other bread winners of their families, including the Managing Director of MIC, his son, and other workers of his company.

“The government thanked the Federal Government for ordering a thorough investigation into the crash in order to prevent  recurrence of such tragedies, imploring  the team of investigators to leave no stone unturned in the course of their investigation.

Further, the government said it “wishes to place on record its appreciation of the active and timely involvement of the Lagos State Government through its emergency agency as well as federal emergency agencies.

“We thank the management and staff of the Lagos State Teaching Hospital LASUTH, and other medical facilities who came to the rescue of the survivors.”

The state government also “sincerely thanked those who have shared in our pain by identifying with us at this time.

“We implore you to pray for the repose of those who lost their lives in the ill-fated crash and also continue to pray for all the bereaved families.”

Meanwhile, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday, summed up the event of his son’s death last week by saying he has submitted to the will of God who cannot be questioned.

The former Secretary to the Federal Government said this in Akure when leaders of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere paid him a condolence visit over the death of Deji, his son.

Deji, who until his death in the plane crash that was conveying the remains of former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu to Akure from Lagos was the state Culture and Tourism Commissioner.

Chief Falae said: My wife and I have surrendered to the will of God who cannot be questioned.

“We pray that in due time the pain will go down, but it will definitely not disappear

“We will not because of this unfortunate incident renege in our service to this country, our church or any other place where our services would be needed.

“I as a person cannot but continue to serve; I have made up my mind to be of service to humanity no matter what comes my way.”

He said that few days ago he could not utter a word because of the tragic incident, but that “today, I can stand up on my feet to address you leaders of Afenifere because the Holy Spirit has comforted me and my wife.”

Speaking about his son, Chief Falae said he was proud of him because all the family values instilled in him from his youth were exhibited going by the testimonies from the governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, his fellow commissioners and friends.

According to him, “Deji lived a fulfilled life. He was transparent and responsible. He distinguished himself in all areas.

“He augmented his salary to take care of his supporters. What he collected as Commissioner’s salary was not up to what he collected in his former place of work, so he augmented it to empower his numerous supporters.

“He was humble, honest, transparent and exhibited integrity. He did not build a house of his own but he helped most of his supporters to build their own houses.

Earlier, the leader of the Afenifere, Chief Olanihun Ajayi, extolled the virtues of Deji. “He was one of us and we looked forward to him as one of the Yoruba future leaders, but God knows best.

“We know and understand the impact and the pains his death has caused the family, but we will urge you to remain strong in the service of God and humanity,”Ajayi said.

Agagu’s burial holds today

LATE AGAGU-OLUSEGUN

Late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, the immediate past governor of OndoState, will be buried today as planned after the ill fated air-crash.
Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Ebenezer Alabi, said: “We just consulted with the family and have decided to go ahead with the burial.

“More so, the son of the former governor survived and the son-in-law survived. There was no scratch on the casket. “So while the family sympathised with those that lost their lives and their loved ones, they have decided to go ahead with the burial as was initially planned.”

Former Ondo State Gov Agagu is dead

THE immediate past governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu is dead.

Dr. Agagu died yesterday afternoon,less than 24 hours after returning from a trip to United States. He was aged 65.

He reportedly slumped and died in his House in Ibadan, Oyo State while another source said that he died in his Ikoyi residence, in Lagos.

River State Govt House blockaded

The Abubakar Kawu Baraje led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday described the sack of nine  Ministers by President Goodluck Jonathan as that targeted at the ‘rebel’ governors and also designed to victimise those perceived to be supporting them, just as it warned that anarchy looms in the country if leaders of thought failed to intervene.

The Baraje led nPDP also said that the police barring Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his visitors Thursday night from accessing the Governor’s residence through the private gate of the State Government House was an indication of the return of the dark days of former Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, just as the group pleaded with Heads of State, religious leaders, traditional rulers, Civil Society Organisations, among others to  save the country from those it said were working towards plunging it into a state of anarchy.

Andy Uba, Tony Nwoye return to court today for PDP ticket

HEARING in the suit over who gets the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ticket between Tony Nwoye and Andy Uba for the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State continues today at the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Ejike Oguebego’s faction of the PDP in Anambra State, which elected Chief Andy Uba as the party’s candidate is in court to challenge the decision of the National Working Committee, NWC, to recognise Ken Emeakayi’s faction which produced Mr. Tony Nwoye as the flagbearer.

While Oguebego is the first plaintiff, Andy Uba is the second.

The presiding judge, Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, while adjourning sitting yesterday, affirmed that today’s hearing would settle on accelerated hearing towards dispensing with the motion on notice and interlocutory injunctions emanating from the case before the originating summon and substantive suit would be considered.

At yesterday’s hearing, Jude Nnodum, counsel to Ejike Oguebego, factional chairman of the Anambra PDP and Andy Uba, plaintiffs in the case, apologised to the judge and the defense team asking for extended time to update and file the necessary documents to reflect the co-joining of the interested party.

On Justice Nganjiwa’s decision to first dispense with the motion on notice and interlocutory objections today, B.C. Igwilo, who held brief for U.I Igweneme, counsel to 3rd and 4th defendants in tune with Mensha N. Kalu, counsel to 1st defendant, contended that it would be improper in view of existing question marks over the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Nganjiwa, while upholding his decision said: “In view of Order 29 Rule 1, it is not out of place to do away with the interlocutory objections and motion on notice first. After that we can determine and rule on the question of whether the court has jurisdiction or not.”

In a chat with Vanguard after yesterday’s hearing, plaintiffs’ counsel declined opening up on the nature and content of the injunctions to be determined.

“We all have to come tomorrow and hear the plaintiffs out and response from the other side. The matter is going on in court now. If we begin to talk outside of the court, we would be preempting the proceedings. Let’s just wait till tomorrow,” he explained.

Amaechi and six other governors throw new heavy party

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, took a turn for the worse, weekend, with the decision of seven of the party’s 23 governors to float a new party, the Voice of the People, VOP.

The application for registration by the new party, it was learnt at the weekend, has been filed with the Independent National Electoral Commission, which is processing it. A source in INEC contacted on the development, yesterday, said he was unable to confirm the veracity or the stage of the application.

The party, it was learnt, is receiving the patronage of several chieftains of the PDP.

The seven governors alleged to be behind the new party include all five Northern governors that have engaged in a series of consultation with eminent statesmen, including former heads of state. The five governors are Murtala Nyako of Adamawa ; Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano; Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto; Sule Lamido of Jigawa and Babangida Aliyu of Niger State. The five governors are being joined in the rebellion against the PDP by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.

Another governor is also sympathetic to the proposed VOP, but his identity could not be confirmed as at weekend. The inclinations of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal towards the new party have also not been confirmed though it was learnt that he has been approached.

The decision of the governors to move out of the PDP came ahead of the special national convention of the PDP this weekend. Governor Amaechi who has been suspended has not been invited to the convention but the decision of the other six to pull out of the PDP could come as a blow to the PDP given the electoral weight of the states involved.

With Sokoto, Kano and Jigawa states out of control of the PDP and the Southwest totally out of control of the ruling party, the PDP would be reduced to playing second fiddle in the Northwest and Southwest regions whose total voters’ population is more than 40% of the national voting population.

There were indications that last Friday’s private meeting between Governor Kwankwaso and President Goodluck Jonathan was a last minute bid to stop the governor and his colleagues from the rebellion.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole threatens to sign the death warrant of any convicts found guilty of murder

The Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshimole has threatened to sign the death warrants of any convict found guilty of murder. Oshiomole was attacked by the media on july 23 when a report revealed that he had ordered the execution of 4 convicts.

Oshiomole who spoke last thursday in Benin stated this;
''There are seven convicts whose cases are being reviewed. I will sign the death warrant of any of them, especially kidnappers, found to have killed any of their victims.

I believe that those who kill by the sword should also die by the sword''

The Governor further stated that the non-execution of convicted criminals in the last 15 to 20 years had not led to reduction in criminality in the state.

Nigeria League Seals ₦5.4Billion TV Rights Deal

Good news for Nigerian football fans, most especially those who have been itching to watch the Nigerian League matches regularly. You know it used to be once in a week, come year 2015, Nigerians would have the privilege of seeing six matches per week.

The Nigeria League has sealed a lucrative 4-year television rights deal believed to be worth ₦5.4 billion with sports television station, Super sports. Confirming the news, Chairman, League Management Company, Nduka Irabor says it would go a long way in changing the league.

"Happier days are ahead, this contract has also seen Supersport assuring that Nigerians who are working with them will have their jobs secured at least till 2019."

He also added that unlike before where sponsors have looked the other way, there would be more money in the league, beginning from the new season, Supersports would also be giving the league $2 million (₦323 million) per year.

Angry Birds, Sorry Youths Beat Up House Of Rep Member In Katsina, Accuse Him Of Neglect, cheaii

A member of the House of Representatives representing Malumfashi/Kafur constituency of Katsina state, Hon Ibrahim Babangida Mahuta, was attacked by a mob in his constituency.

 This is the third time the lawmaker has been attacked by youths from his constituency. The first being during the last public hearings on constitution amendments.Mahuta, who was elected on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was attacked at Masari village where he had gone to attend the wedding of the daughter of former House of Representatives speaker, Aminu Bello Masari.

The lawmaker had barely arrived at the venue of the event when some angry youths started raining invectives on him and before he could defend himself, he was beaten with his clothes torn.

Sources said that he had not visited his constituency for a very long time, claiming that he made overtures to the constituents, an action that did not pacify the youths.

According to an eyewitness, “some youths who had attended the wedding on sighting him began to rain insults on him. They also accused him of neglecting them and giving them pittance when he was supposed to have done more.

“Some youths first held him by his clothes, shouting “Karya ne”, meaning “it’s a lie” before they tore his dress, while others hit him with whatever they had on their hands. It took the intervention of the police who rushed to the scene and fired gunshots into the air to dispel the youths.

“Mahuta was later taken to the police station in Malumfashi for protection there for several hours,” the source said.

Akwa Ibom LG Chairman Arrested For Smuggling $82,000 Into USA

The Maryland State Police Department, USA, yesterday confirmed the arrest of the Executive Chairman of Udim Local Government in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nse Ntuen, for smuggling $82, 000 into the United States without declaring it with the Customs officials both in Nigeria and the US.

Nse  Ntuen, was arrested on Friday by operatives of the Maryland State Police Department at the BWI International Airport, Baltimore. According to the Police, he declared only $5,000 before the rest of the money was found in his bag.
He later admitted he truly smuggled the money into the country with the aim to use it as donations at the just-concluded Annual International Convention of the Akwa Ibom Indigenes in the United States and Canada which was held at the Marriot Hotel in Washington, DC on saturday. He was later released after 5 hours in custody and the money seized.

Ugonna Omeruo & Yvonne Nwosu Flaunt their Sexy Bikini Bodies

RIVERS STATE CRISES: PRESIDENCY’S DENY OPEN INSULT ON NIGERIANS

For the past few months now, Rivers State have been in a season of societal lunacy and political deadlock with a very embarrassing actions meted on the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, political office holders and other officials of government.
These actions are considered highly repressive and against the tenets of a true democracy.

Unless this present Political deadlock is broken, Rivers State may witness serious breakdown of law and order with a high probability of being another centre for violent crimes which may be worse than the present Boko Haram terrorist activities in some Northern states of Nigeria.

We are all witnesses to the events preceding the shameful acts at the Rivers State House of Assembly on July 9, 2013.