High Numbers Of Wounded Victims, As Task-force Raids Okorocha's Daughter's Shopping Complex

House of Freeda Shopping Complex (Owerri - Nigeria)

Owerri - On Thursday 27 June 2019, there was pandemonium in the Imo State capital Owerri, after armed youths attached to the Imo State Committee on Recovery of Government property, invaded a shopping mall (House of Freeda) owned by the daughter of the immediate past governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha, in search of government property.

Property and merchandise said to belong to the state government were carted away.

No fewer than six workers in the complex were severely wounded during the invasion that was supervised by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Jasper Ndubuaku.

Eye-witnesses accounts, says that the fierce looking youths aided by armed Policemen forced their way into the complex that houses several businesses owned by individuals not related to the former governor and started carting away electronic appliances and other expensive items that were displayed for sale.

One of the sales representatives who didn't want to be mentioned, alleged that the rampaging thugs also made away with 12.5 million cash.

One of the vehicles belonging to the Reach FM, a radio station suspected to be owned by a member of the Okorocha's family was impounded and the driver beaten to stupor.

It took the intervention of a detachment of Policemen and soldiers to disperse the youths but the vehicles loaded with the items were driven away.

The Committee had during a press conference on Wednesday alleged that the former governor and his family made away with 67 vehicles belonging to the state government.

However, in his reaction, the Media Adviser to the governor, Steve Osuji, said that the Committee acted on a tip-off from a whistle-blower who hinted them that government vehicles and other items were parked in the complex.

According to him, the Committee members who were on official duty were attacked by thugs hired by the owners of the complex, in an attempt to prevent them from carrying out their legitimate assignment.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Jasper Ndubuaku were not successful as his phone was not reachable as the time of filing this report.

Good News For Nigerian Students As Botswana University Reduces School Fees

The authorities of the University of Botswana on Friday said undergraduate and graduate students from Nigeria will pay low fees compared to other international students.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, made the pledge at a press conference on the university's forthcoming career fair exhibition between 24th and 25th June, 2019 in Abuja Nigeria.

He said the university aspires to be a leading center of academic excellence in Africa and the world through educating students from all over the continent for the global marked.

To this end, he said the university would admit more students from Nigeria and that prospective candidates would pay in-state tuition rates paid by the locals instead of exorbitant rates paid by international students. Also, all Nigerian students would have their accommodations on campus.

According to him, the institution would promote collaborative research among academic scholars in the Nigerian universities as well as staff and students exchange.

He said, "The university will promote dual programs and supervision of postgraduate students, cultural and other bilateral unions."

He said the university realizes that in the context of globalization, it is important to create a highly diversified student and staff population for effective training of graduates who would serve not only the needs of Africa, but capacity of 20,000 students, the university has 12,000 students from 34 countries presently.

Earlier, the Botswanan High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Pule Mphothwe, stated that Nigeria had played a significant role in the independence of most South African countries and indeed, in human resource development in his country.

Malaysia Govt Says It Spends Nearly RM3.5mil Monthly On Food For Detained Migrants

Director General Malaysia Immigration (Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud)

The Malaysia Immigration Department director general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud, says it spends nearly RM3.5 million monthly, or an average RM12 per day/detainee.

He said this was to ensure there was adequate food, which is basic human right, in the 14 Immigration Department detention depots across the country.

He added that many of the illegal immigrants remain there for one to two months while documents for their return to their respective countries are processed by their diplomatic missions.

"The cost can be reduced if their travel documents could be prepared quickly," he told reporters at a Home Affairs Ministry Hari Raya celebration recently.

He said that as of June 18, there were 9,654 illegal immigrants, 7,650 men, 1,664 women and the rest are children, at centers made up of those from Indonesia (3,767), Myanmar (2,105), Bangladesh (1,594), India (525), Vietnam (294), Pakistan (263), Thailand (226), Philippines (222), Nepal (193), Nigeria (150) and others (315).

He said that since the start of the year till June 18, his department conducted 8,277 enforcement exercises, with the documents of 103,224 foreigners checked.

"Four depots in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, KLIA, Sepang, Lenggeng, Negri Sembilan and Juru in Penang are congested. We are trying to speed up the process of sending them home as well as transferring some people to nearby depots to prevent overcrowding," he said.

Nigeria Immigration Says Identity Number Is Mandatory For New Passport

Nigeria Immigration

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said it will roll out the new passport in Lagos on Tuesday June 25, 2019.

The Controller General of the NIS, Muhammad Babandede, stated this on Saturday while addressing officers and men of the Lagos Command and formations.

He said the new passport would be linked and synchronized with individuals National Identification Number.

"Nigeria is headed for one identity for every individual, so everyone's identity has to be the same, from the bank to the NIN. It will be significant for our national security and development," he said.
Babandede stated that nobody would be issued the new passport without the NIN.

"If we had done this a long time ago, it would have been easy for us to do a whole lot of other things as a nation. So now, it will be no NIN, no passport," he added.

According to him, there are also plans for the new passport booklet, which will be in 32 and 65 pages, to be produced locally.

"President Muhammadu Buhari is looking for job security for Nigerians, so if produced locally, it will save the nation a lot of problems," he said.

He explained that the NIS would not stop the issuance of the old passport to those who had applied as both the old and the new would run concurrently until the former would be phased out completely.

The CG Immigration also warned personnel of the NIS against corruption and sharp practices. He said they should avoid aiding and abetting service seekers in the procurement of breeder documents for NIS facilities, noting that doing so would be culpable by the Immigration Act 2015.

US Immigration Begins Mass Raid On Illegal Immigrants As 7000 Ghanaians Face Deportation

Ghanaian Nationals being processed

Huge numbers of Ghanaians has been marked for deportation by the US immigration authorities, as they begins raiding within some cities to arrest and deport individuals illegally residing in the country.

The US government has not hidden its feelings about the presence of illegal immigrants since Donald Trump came into office as president.

The US has already imposed visa restriction on some categories of government officials for refusing to accept some 7000 individuals marked for deportation to Ghana.

Ghana's Ambassador to the US, Baffour Adjei Bawuah has argued that majority of those described as Ghanaians have failed to prove they indeed are Ghanaians.

But the US government did not buy that argument leading to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing the implementation of visa sanctions on Ghana in February.

In a release dated January 31, 2019, the DHS explained that the sanctions are as a result of Ghana's failure to accept its nationals that have been removed from the U.S.

"Ghana has failed to live up to its obligations under international law to accept the return of its nationals ordered removed from the United States," Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen was quoted in the release.

"The United States routinely cooperates with foreign governments in documenting and accepting U.S citizens when asked, as appropriate, as do the majority of countries in the world, but Ghana has failed to do so in this case. We hope that Ghanaian government will work with us to reconcile these deficiencies quickly," the Secretary of Homeland Security added.

However, speaking to journalists, Joseph Opoku Gakpo, the Foreign Affairs Minister said Ghana has been very compliant.

"It is not a situation where, in the last few years, we have not issued any documents at all. We have for a good number of them, I am told that 17 have already been processed. We are waiting for them to pick up what we have processed while we process the rest," she said.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, gave assurances that work is ongoing to prevent the current U.S visa restrictions on Ghana from escalating after the initial 120 day deadline.

Although, the U.S Embassy has hinted that it could intensify the restrictions unless Ghana shows commitment to address its concerns, Madam Ayorkor Botchway said negotiations are ongoing to resolve the issue.

"One of the key aspects of the negotiation is for them to also understand that we have a process to follow. That process is not an overnight process. Once they appreciate that, they will understand where we are coming from," she said.

A Singaporean Man Sues Malaysia Immigration RM2m For Detaining Him In Bad Conditions

Pius Gilbert Louis

According to a publication by the Malay Mail, a Singaporean national named Pius Gilbert Louis, 67 years old, is suing the Malaysian Immigration Department for RM2.67 million.

The lawsuit was filed after Louis and his friends were arrested by immigration officers at his Johor Bahru home on 9th October 2018 and subsequently spent 37 days at a detention center. This arrest was made despite Louis having a valid visa that only expired in November 2018, narrated by his lawyer.

Louis had a female friend from the Philippines over at his home, along with three other individuals invited by the friend. The Philippines nationals also had a valid visa.

The Singaporean stated that while he was unaware of the nationalities and immigration status of the other three individuals at his home, he was told that he was not arrested for allegedly harboring illegal immigrants.

Shortly after his arrest, Louis was taken to the Setia Tropika immigration office, where he was left in a cramped cell with about 100 other inmates. Louis claimed he had to sleep on a bare, dirty floor overnight before being transferred to the Pekan Nanas immigration camp the following morning.

He the spent the next 36 days in an overcrowded cell. he told the daily. "The condition was so horrifying and terrifying that ordinarily it would not be expected that any human being would be kept under that condition."

"The toilet was within the cell and was dirty and open. No clean water was available for drinking. Food was provided in an unhygienic condition."

Lawyer & Louis

"Many of the detainees did not take a bath for long, many of them were scratching their bodies badly and diseases including herpes were spreading."

He added that when he first arrived at the Pekan Nanas immigration camp, he informed officers that he had to take medication for his heart condition. While a government doctor did provide him medicine for a few days, he went most of his time without proper medication.

Louis also reportedly contracted diseases during his time at the detention center and lost a lot of weight. He was only able to seek treatment after he was released on 14th November 2018.

Now, the Singaporean claims he was unlawfully arrested and did not have any charges pressed against him and nothing was investigated. He was also not presented before a magistrate, which is reportedly in violation of Article 5 of the Federal Constitution.

A lawsuit against the Malaysian Immigration Department has since being filed on 28th May 2019, in which Louis is seeking RM840,000 in damages for the distress suffered during his detention, and the mental strain suffered after his release.

The Singaporean is also seeking RM1.83 million in damages, which includes the following;

• RM700,000 for not receiving his heart medication during his detention, putting his life at risk
• RM370,000 for not presenting him before a magistrate, infringing the Federal Constitution
• RM360,000 for being detained in terrible conditions
• RM100,000 each for 4 items (including unlawful arrest, failing to provide basic toiletries and violation of constitutional safeguards linked to his arrest)

The general public is hoping that this case is thoroughly investigated to ensure that an incident such as this never re-occurs. 

BREAKING - Morsi Egyptian Ex-President Dies After Fainting In Court

Mohamed Morsi (Ex-Egyptian President)

Mohamed Morsi, the ex-president of Egypt died on Monday in a Cairo hospital after fainting during court session inside the court, as stated by judicial and security sources.

"Morsi was speaking before the judge for 20 minutes then became very animated and fainted. He was quickly rushed to the hospital where he later died," judicial source stated.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish President who is a strong ally of the Islamist president during his brief tenure as Egypt's leader, paid tribute to Morsi and called him a "martyr".

The official Al-Ahram news website also reported the death of Morsi, 67 years old, who was Egypt's first democratically elected president but spent just one turbulent year in office after the 2011 uprising before the army toppled him in 2013.

The Islamist leader has been in prison since his ouster on trial for several cases including for spying for Iran, Qatar and militant groups such as Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He was also accused of plotting terror acts.

Since his overthrow on July 3, 2013, his former defense minister now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has waged an ongoing crackdown targeting his supporters from the Muslim Brotherhood with thousands jailed and hundreds facing death sentences.

The years following Morsi's overthrow have seen a surge in bombings and shootings targeting security forces, particularly in the restive northern Sinai Peninsula, a stronghold of the Islamic State group.

Morsi's turbulent rule was marked by deep divisions in Egyptian society, a crippling economic crisis and often deadly opposition protests.

Borno Death Toll Rises To 30 After Deadly Suicide Bomb Attack By Terrorist Group

Mandarari Community

The Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) currently has listed the death toll in the suicide attack to be 30 in Konduga local government area of the state.

On Sunday, news broke out that five persons were killed in the attack at Mandarari community in Konduga.

The head of SEMA, Bello Danbatta had confirmed the attack to newsmen but couldn't give any figure on casualty.

SEMA director of search and rescue operations, Usman Kachala on Monday, gave the casualty figure, saying 47 persons who sustained injuries in the attacks were in the hospital.

Kachala also said three suicide bombers, comprising two females and a male, detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at a local tea joint and film center in the community.

He said about 17 persons died instantly, adding that the death toll increased to 30 on Monday as a result of lack of immediate medical attention.

He further added that his staff could not reach the spot of the incident as the military had closed the road to traffic and the hospital in Konduga did not have enough facilities to handle the situation.

"When we arrived Konduga early this morning, the military prevented us from gaining access to the community to assist the victims," he said. "They told us they were given order from above not to open the road until 9am."

130 Foreigners Detained By Immigration Department For Various Offences

Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud (Director General Immigration)

The raid that took place on the 15th of June, a total of 130 foreigners were detained for various offences in an Integrated Operation by the Immigration Department in Kajang and Puchong area on Saturday night.

The Immigration Director General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said that in the raid on 53 units of condominiums in Kajang, the department detained 78 Nigerians, six Philippine nationals and an Indian and a Pakistani national each, as well as four children aged between one and three years old.

He said another 40 foreigners were detained in an operation in a residential area in Puchong namely from Nepal, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Tanzania and Kenya.

"They were all found to have committed various offences including not having personal travelling documents, overstaying, abuse of passes, expiry of validity of student and tourist passes as well as indulging in business.

"We also found some of these foreigners were suspected to be involving in online scamming activities following the discovery of laptops containing doubtful information.

"The matter would be handed over to the police for further action," he told reporters after the conclusion of the Integrated Operation.

The operation was participated by 96 immigration officers, 15 officers from National Registration Department and five members of the Civil Defense Force beginning at 10:30pm at night and ending at about four hours later.

Khairul Dzaimee said members of the raiding party had to break open the door of houses occupied by the foreigners as they refused to cooperate.

He said all the foreign nationals detained were aged between one and 66 years and were taken to the Immigration lock-up in Putrajaya before being sent to the Immigration Detention Depot in Bukit Jalil or Semenyih, Selangor.

Tension In Gulf Of Oman After Tanker Incident, As Saudi Arabia Strongly Backs Swift Response

Gulf of Oman

A Saudi minister is demanding a "swift and decisive response" to any threat to global oil supplies, calling the recent attacks on two tankers "a terrorist act." Riyadh has agreed with US claims that Iran was behind that incident.

A "swift and decisive response to the threat to energy supply" is needed to ensure "the stability of markets and the confidence of consumers," Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih was quoted in a tweet from his office. He also claimed "the recent terrorist acts" in Middle Eastern waters "must be directed against the global energy supply chain."

This week, two tankers, both carrying petroleum products to Asian ports were hit by mystery explosions in the Gulf of Oman, close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz. 44 crew members on board both ships were rescued and no casualties were reported.

Although many details of the incidents remain unclear, the US was quick to pin the blame on Iran, claiming the vessels were hit by naval mines. Those claims were supported by the UK, while other key allies, for instance, Germany, were far more cautious about naming names.

A Japanese company in charge of one of the damaged tankers, the Kokuka Courageous, dismissed American suspicions against Iran, saying it was unlikely that underwater weapons were used.

But Saudi Arabia seems to be siding with the US, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir telling CNN: "We have no reason to disagree with the Secretary of State." Al-Jubeir was referring to Mike Pompeo, who'd singled our Iran as the likely mastermind of the attack.

Meanwhile, Iran on its part has denies any involvement in the Gulf of Oman incident, with Foreign Minister Javad Zarif noting the curious timing and nature of the incident. It happened to ships carrying Japan related cargo and right at the time of Shinzo Abe's visit to Tehran.

Zarif also accused the US of moving to "Plan B: Sabotage diplomacy" in an attempt to "cover up its economic terrorism" against the Iranians.

Selangor CID Chief - 142 Foreigners Arrested In Raids Within Gombak And Subang Jaya

Senior Asst Comm Fadzil Ahmat (CID Chief Selangor)

The Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm Fadzil Ahmat said, a total of 142 foreigners, mostly Nigerians were detailed following several raids in Gombak and Subang Jaya.

He said, among those detained were 128 Nigerians along with 14 others of various nationalities, including from Pakistan and Indonesia.

"They were detained under Section 6(i)(c) of the Immigration Act 1953 for not having travel documents," he said when contacted on Sunday.

The Senior Asst Comm Fadzil said the operation was conducted as social ills and crimes among Africans in Selangor were increasing.

"Besides cheating syndicates, suspects from African countries are also involved in armed robberies and other crimes.

"We are deeply concerned, thus the operation is conducted to track down and gather information on the suspects," he said.

Among those detained were four men and a woman from Nigeria, who were suspected of operating a love scam syndicate at Apartment Desa Aman Puri. "We also seized three laptops and six mobile phones," he said.

A Nigerian man also jumped from the third floor of the same apartment attempting to evade being caught by the authorities, he added. "He broke his foot and he is currently being treated at Selayang Hospital, SAC Fadzil stated.

I Propose Renaming Abuja National Stadium After MKO Abiola, Says President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

Abuja national stadium has being named after late Chief MKO Abiola by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Nigeria's President made the declaration while giving a speech at the Democracy Day celebration which held at the Eagles Square on Wednesday, June 12.

The President said, "Today, I propose the renaming of the Abuja National Stadium henceforth, it will be called Moshood Abiola National stadium."

President Buhari also spoke about what must be done to atone for the wrongs done leading to the annulment of the June 12 election.

"As we all know, correcting injustice is a free requisite for peace and unity, as part of the processes of healing and reconciliation, I approved the recognition of June 12 as democracy day and invested the late chief Abiola and Babagana Kingibe with national honors as I did with late chief Gani Fawehinmi, the purpose was to partially atone for trivial damage done in annulling the presidential elections of that year," he said.

President Buhari arrived in the Eagle Square on Wednesday at some minutes past 10am to commemorate the Democracy Day which held at the main square for the first time.

The President received the state salute and joined in the general rendition of the National anthem. He also rode in a special inspection vehicle to inspect guards on parade and acknowledged cheers from guests present.

Before the President's arrival, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had arrived at the venue, he is to welcome some of the invited guests on behalf of the President.

Nigeria is marking the first celebration of Democracy Day on June 12 today, and the Federal Government is marking the day with a ceremony at the Eagles Square in the nations capital.

The ceremony, which featured a colorful parade, was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, leaders of the National Assembly, foreign leaders and diplomats.

Today's Democracy Day has the added significance of marking 20 years after the return to civil rule in Nigeria.

Undergraduate 33yrs Old Emerges Speaker Of Plateau House Of Assembly

Abok Ayuba, a 33 years old and a final year student of the University of Jos, on Monday emerged as speaker of the Plateau state house of assembly.

Ayuba, a law student, was elected unopposed at the assembly's inaugural sitting.

Hon. Abok Ayuba (Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly)

His emergence followed the passage of the "Not Too Young To Run" bill which reduced the age limit for members of state house of assembly from 30 years down to 25 years.

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Jos-east, Ayuba was nominated by Ibrahim Baba-Hassan, Jos North-north/APC and the nomination was seconded by Simi Dusu, Jos North-west/PDP.

In his acceptance speech, Ayuba thanked his colleagues for the support and promised not to fail them.

He assured them that his leadership would not discriminate against anyone either on the basis of tribe, religion, gender or political difference.

"As speaker of this noble assembly, I promise to serve with the fear of God, high sense of responsibility and humility," he said.

Meanwhile, Ayuba is not the only one in his early 30s who emerged house speaker.

Debo Ogundoyin, 32 years old lawmaker from Ibarapa east constituency, has also been elected speaker of the Oyo state house of assembly.

Ogundoyin is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He contested the position unopposed.

Hon. Debo Ogundoyin (Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly)

Justice Onnoghen's Voluntary Retirement Letter Accepted By President Buhari

President Buhari & Justice Onnoghen

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the voluntary retirement from service of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of the Federation.

The acceptance was confirmed to newsmen by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Sunday, adding that the retirement took effect from May 28, 2019.

According to Mr. Garba Shehu, the President thanked Justice Onnoghen for his service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wished him the best of retirement life.

President Buhari was also said to have written to the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Tanko Muhammad, on the appointment of five additional Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

PRESS RELEASE BY THE STATE HOUSE

President Buhari writes Acting CJN on appointment of five Justice of the Supreme Court.

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Tanko Muhammad, on the appointment of additional five Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The President wrote: Pursuant to the provisions of Section 230(2) A&B of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to request that you initiate in earnest the process of appointing additional five Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to make the full complement of 21 Justices as provided by the aforementioned provisions of the Constitution.

This is in line with the Governments Agenda of re-positioning the Judiciary in general and Supreme Court in particular for greater efficiency, with a view to reducing the backlogs of appeals pending at the Supreme Court.

Please accept, your Lordship, the assurances of my highest regards.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has accepted the voluntary retirement from service of Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria, effective from May 28, 2019.

The President thanked Justice Onnoghen for his service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wished him the best of retirement life.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

President Buhari Officially Signed June 12 Bill Into Law As Democracy Day

President Muhammadu Buhari

The Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has officially signed a bill on June 12 as the Democracy Day into law.

The President signing of the 2019 Appropriation Bill into law at the State House, Abuja Nigeria. President Buhari signed the bill 48 hours to what will become the first Democracy Day on June in the country's history.

The Act states that June 12 now replaces May 29 which was introduced in 1999 as the official Democracy Day. The date will also be recognized as national public holiday by the Federal Government from now onward.