45-year-old man walks from Maiduguri to Abuja to meet Buhari over Boko Haram

A 45-year old married indigene of Borno state, Mallam Adamu Abdullahi has commenced the 868 kilometre road walk from Maiduguri to Abuja to “meet and plead” with the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) end Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed many lives and property in the North East sub-region of country.

Abdullahi’s roads walk routes cut across five states of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Plateau and Nasarawa through the Maiduguri-Damatruru-Potiskum-Bauchi-Jos-Akwanga-Abuja roads of about 868 kilometres.
Addressing a news conference Wednesday in Maiduguri at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) press centre, Abdullahi disclosed that 21 days have been earmarked for the Maiduguri-Abuja trekking to join his colleague, Suleiman Hashimu, who has completed his Lagos-Abuja walk to
meet Gen. Buhari.

 

His words: “I’m a married man and blessed with four children before I left Kaduna by road after boarding Borno Express and arrived Maiduguri on Tuesday at about 4pm. My vows to embark on this 868-kilometre trekking from Maiduguri to Abuja will commence by 6am tomorrow (Thursday) to congratulate the president-elect for his victory at the March 28 presidential polls. When I reach Abuja safely on or before Wednesday, May 20, 2015; I will also appeal to him to address these Boko Haram crises that have destroyed the lives and property of many people in Borno and other affected states in the North East.”

On how to reach Abuja on foot, he said: “I will embark on this 868-kilometre journey by 6am from Maiduguri on Thursday, I will pass through Yobe, Bauchi, Jos, Keffi and then finally arrive Abuja to meet our President-elect to first congratulate him; and there after plead with the General to end this Boko Haram that has destroyed many lives and property in Borno state.”
He continued: “Inshallah (by God’s willing); I hope to reach Abuja to meet Gen. Buhari on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. I will use this opportunity to personally congratulate him for his victory as the president-elect of Nigeria, and to plead with him to accord much priority towards ending Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.
“Thousands of our people were killed, injured and displaced from their homes, property worth billions of naira destroyed since 2009 to date by Boko Haram sect, and I do believe that General Buhari will look into our plight after he is sworn in as President on May 29, 2015.”

 

Though Abdullahi’s 868-kilometre road walk may appear “incredible and challenging,” he insisted that he does not care about what people would say of him to take such risks, exhaustion and fatigues on the long distance journey from Maiduguri to Abuja, the federal capital territory.
What matters, according to him, was the fulfillment of his promise to God and himself on declaration of Gen. Buhari as the President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last month

He therefore; urged all and sundry to join his aged surviving mother, Mrs, Zulihat Abdullahi and his family in praying for his safety while passing through odds and other challenges on the roads.
Daily Post

N7b bribe: Borno Pastor threatens lawsuit against DSS, demands N300m compensation

A Borno State-born Pastor, , has threatened to file a suit against the Department of State Security (DSS) for alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.
This follows his revelation that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) received N7billion from President Goodluck Jonathan to support his re-election bid.

The Borno born Pastor, who had petitioned the DSS director general, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, through his lawyers from Right And Democracy Volunteers, reminded the Director General how his officers stripped him naked and asked him to make statement under duress.

 

“On the 16th March, 2015, Pastor Dikwa returned to the DSS headquarter with his lawyers in Abuja under their invitation through one Mr. Paul. The lawyer was denied being present during the chat. The interrogation officers, Felix and Tony strip the pastor naked and ordered him to make a statement under duress when they ordered him to copy verbatim a recanting statement scripted by the DSS,” the petition read.

The petition which was obtained by DAILY POST, informed the DSS that the constitution of Nigeria guaranteed Pastor Dikwa some inalienable right, including the right to freedom of expression, respect to the dignity of his person, and right to liberty which were conveniently violated by the DSS.
The lawyers, therefore, demand an apology and compensation as enshrined in Chapter 4 of the constitution, adding that “in this circumstances, we believe that Pastor Dikwa is entitled to N300 million compensation and a guarantee that he would no more be intimidated or harassed by operatives of the DSS without regard to the laws of this country.”

 

“Having regard to the exigency of the situation, we have instructed our legal team to proceed to file a court action to protect the fundamental rights of Pastor Dikwa if after 7 days hereof the DSS in its wisdom fails to remediate the matter in compliance with the petition. Pastor Dikwa may be a lone victim of circumstances, but he shall not be alone in fighting this violation of his rights,” said the petitioner.
Daily Post

Clampdown on AIT: You can’t stop us from covering your activities -Dokpesi blasts Buhari

Media guru and owner of African Independent Television, AIT, a division of Daar Communications PLC, Raymond Dokpesi, has fired back at president-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari over his recent clampdown on the TV station.
Dokpesi described Buhari’s action to bar AIT from covering his activities as an attempt to bring back the era of Decree 4.
Speaking with Premium Times, Dokpesi said Buhari lacks the power to stop the AIT from covering his activities, as doing so would amount to breaking the law.

 

“I am sure that the President-elect needs to be reminded of Decree 4, and he should be clearly reminded that section 32 of the constitution makes it mandatory for the media to hold public officials accountable to the people,” he said.
He also cited Section 39 of the constitution which grants Nigerians the freedom of expression and to hold opinion, insisting that the controversial documentary were factual.

“The president-elect said that he does not want to be covered by AIT, but AIT has a responsibility to the Nigerian public to report the things that are happening,” he said.
“There are three national networks available for national coverage in Nigeria, the NTA, AIT and Silverbirds. You cannot stop a foremost private station from reporting in Nigeria, it brings us back to Decree 4 era.”

 

Dokpesi also acknowledged that Gen. Buhari may have taken his decision based on the documentaries ran by the station during the electioneering campaign.
“If they had produced their own documentary to say this is what we want and AIT did not publish it, then that is another matter,” he said.
“What is obviously very clear is the fact that AIT believes that the historical information about the President elect that were ran, were factually correct. Nothing was done to defame him or impinge on his character or integrity.”
“We take responsibility for the running of these items and I as an individual is satisfied because due diligence was followed in ensuring that the things that are contained were factually right”.

 

Meanwhile, The All Progressives Congress had since upturned Buhari’s decision, saying that the TV station was free to cover the president-elect’s activities.
Daily Post

Yuguda moves to avert looting, sacks all political appointees

Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda has sacked all his political aides.
He, however, excluded few in charge of “essential services”.
The move may not be unconnected with the allegations that some appointees were carting away government properties.

 

Same allegations have also been made in some states.
A statement signed by Hashimu Yakubu, permanent secretary, Political Affairs yesterday, stated that the sacking of all special advisers, senior special assistants and personal assistants was with immediate effect.

It said, “The executive governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has approved the disengagement of all special advisers (with the exception of the special adviser, Due Process).
“Also, all senior special assistants, special assistants and personal assistants (with the exception of those who work directly under His Excellency, the executive governor or the deputy governor).”

 

According to the statement, affected officers are requested to hand over government properties in their possession to heads of organisations where they served

Yuguda expressed appreciation to the political aides who have been disengaged for their contributions to the development of Bauchi State in their various capacities and wished them the best in their future endeavours.
Daily Post

Customs nab 36 suspects, seize N228m goods

The Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, has said it has apprehended about 36 suspects and made a seizure of 482 contraband items worth N228, 906, 100.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested between January and April 2015 by the NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, Lagos State.

According to NCS, items seized include; 8,584 bags of 50 kilogrammes parboiled rice valued at N55m, 86 units of fairly used vehicles valued at N108m and 11,647 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products valued at N62m.

Others are 189 boxes of general goods such as textile materials, foot wears, vegetable oils, insecticides, wines, assorted soaps and noodles. They were valued at N67m.
While confirming the arrest and seizures, DSC Ejesieme Uche the FOU Public Relations Officer, urged the general public to always give useful information to customs officers that will help in rounding up alleged smugglers.

 

“The war against smuggling is a herculean task because of the natural tendency of a smuggler to fight back each time their goods are seized. We call on Nigerians to support the NCS through genuine information that will assist us in tracking smugglers and their routes,” Uche affirmed.
Daily Post

Ex-Niger Delta militants warn Buhari against scraping amnesty programme

The Niger Delta Salvation Group, Tuesday, advised President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, against scrapping any of the interventionist programmes as well as the amnesty scheme initiated by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
The national coordinator of the group, Victor Tamarapreye, gave this warning in response to the defeat of their kinsman, Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last presidential election.

Tamarapreye explained that members of the group, which is a new coalition of ex-agitators, had been watching events before, during and after the last general elections.

 

Tamarapreye said, “As for the ‘President-elect,’ we want him and his party, the APC to note that we are watching carefully their plans and mission for the Niger Delta.
“We want them to recall the recent history of the region when crises led to disruption of Nigeria’s oil production capacity and inevitably affected the income accrued to federal, state and local governments.
“That was because of decade-old marginalisation of the region and her people, who are the chicken that lays the golden eggs.

“In the past few years, some form of peace and stability has returned to the region largely because of the interventionist policies of the Yar’Adua-Jonathan Presidencies. The policies led to such laudable programmes and agencies such as the Niger-Delta Ministry, the Amnesty Programme and the likes”.
Daily Post

Xenophobic attacks: ICC to probe Zulu King

Following a petition from Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has decided to probe the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African citizens in South Africa.
This development was disclosed in a statement today by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni.

SERAP had in a petition, dated 23 April 2015 and sent to the Court requested the Prosecutor, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, to use her “good offices and position to investigate allegations of hate speech by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, which has resulted in killing, violence and discrimination against Nigerians and other African citizens living in South Africa, as well as the complicity/negligence of the country’s law enforcement agencies to prevent these crimes against civilian population.”

 

Responding, the ICC in a letter dated 28 April 2015, and signed by M.P. Dillon, Head of Information & Evidence Unit of the Office of the Prosecutor said, “The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court acknowledges receipt of your documents. This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office.
“We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you with reasons for this decision.”
SERAP in its petition had urged Mrs Bensouda to “bring to justice anyone who is responsible for these international crimes prohibited under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
SERAP also said that it “considers the use of speech by the Zulu King to promote hatred and/or incite violence against non-nationals such as Nigerians, particularly in the media as a clear violation of the provisions of the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court.

 

“Grave statements by political leaders/prominent people that express discrimination and cause violence against non-nationals cannot be justified under any law. This hate speech generated fear and hatred that created the conditions for violence and discrimination against Nigerians and other African citizens. SERAP believes that this has given rise to individual criminal responsibility under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,” the organization said.
The organization argued that, “the statement by the Zulu King amounts to a harmful form of expression which incites or otherwise promotes hatred, discrimination, violence and intolerance. We are seriously concerned that crimes against humanity are often accompanied or preceded by the kind of statement made by the Zulu King.”

“Once the climate of violence has been created, direct and public incitement to crimes builds on it, exacerbating the situation by further heating up passions and directing South Africans’ hatred towards non-nationals such as Nigerians. Hate speech by King Zulu is legally tied to contemporaneous, large-scale violence and inhumane and discriminatory treatment of Nigerians and other African citizens,” the organisation also argued.
It further said that, “The statement by the Zulu King has contributed to a climate of fear, demonization and dehumanization of Nigerians and other African citizens, thus violating their human dignity through humiliation and expulsion from the human community. SERAP is seriously concerned that hate speech by the Zulu King amounts to crime against humanity of persecution and has directly contributed to an infringement of the right to life, equality and non-discrimination of Nigerians and other African citizens.”
“SERAP considers the statement by the Zulu King and the apparent complicity/negligence by the country’s law enforcement agencies to prevent the violence and discrimination as amounting to active encouragement of South African citizens to develop feelings of contempt for Nigerians and other African citizens; as amounting to incitement to violence and discrimination against Nigerians and other African citizens, and to mistreat them; and as amounting to an appeal for South African citizens to separate themselves from Nigerians and other African citizens,” the organisation further stressed.

“The statement by the Zulu King and the apparent complicity/negligence by the country’s law enforcement agencies to prevent the violence and discrimination has contributed to the level of persecution against Nigerians and other African citizens.
According to Professor Bassiouni, persecution in this instance is “a state action leading to the infliction upon an individual of harassment, torment, oppression, or discriminatory measures, designed to or likely to produce physical or mental suffering or economic harm, because of the victims’ beliefs, views, or membership in a given identifiable group (such as non-nationals),” the organisation also said.

The petition further reads:
“In the Mugesera case, the Canadian Supreme Court held that hate speech may constitute persecution, even if it does not result in the commission of acts of violence. In arriving at this conclusion, the court considered that a link was demonstrated between the speech at issue and the widespread or systematic attack against the civilian population. Thus, the post-World War II jurisprudence generally establishes that hate speech not urging an audience to commit imminent violence can constitute persecution.”
“The government does not have the political will to bring those suspected to be responsible for crimes under international law to justice. Given the complicity/negligence by the country’s law enforcement agencies to prevent the violence, killing and discrimination, it is unlikely that the government will take any serious action to bring perpetrators to justice.”
“Without accountability for these serious human rights crimes, the victims will continue to be denied access to justice, and impunity of perpetrators will remain widespread and the result will continue to be a vicious cycle of violence and discrimination against Nigerians and other African citizens living in South Africa.”

“SERAP believes that substantial grounds exist to warrant the intervention of the Prosecutor in this case. Under Article 17 of the Rome Statute, the Court is a court of last resort, expected to exercise its jurisdiction only if states themselves are unwilling or unable genuinely to investigate and prosecute international crimes. Also, pursuant to the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor has power to intervene in a situation under the jurisdiction of the Court if the Security Council or states parties refer a situation or if information is provided from other sources such as the information SERAP is providing in this case.”
On the basis of the above, SERAP asks you to:
1. Urgently commence an investigation proprio motu on the allegations of hate speech and the accompanying killing, violence and discrimination against Nigerians and other African citizens living in South Africa, with a view to determining whether these amount to international crimes within the Court’s jurisdiction.

In this respect, we also urge you to invite representatives of the South African government to provide written or oral testimony at the seat of the Court, so that the Prosecutor is able to conclude on the basis of available information whether there is a reasonable basis for an investigation, and to submit a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authorization of an investigation.
2. Bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for serious human rights crimes in South Africa.
3. Urge the South African government to fulfil its obligations under the Rome Statute to cooperate with the ICC; including complying with your requests to arrest and surrender suspected perpetrators of international crimes, take testimony, and provide other support to the ICC.

It would be recalled that while addressing Pongolo community members during a moral regeneration event recently, Zwelithini reportedly said, “Most government leaders do not want to speak out on this matter because they are scared of losing votes. As the king of the Zulu nation, I cannot tolerate a situation where we are being led by leaders with no views whatsoever. We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries.
“The fact that there were countries that played a role in the country’s struggle for liberation should not be used as an excuse to create a situation where foreigners are allowed to inconvenience locals. I know you were in their countries during the struggle for liberation. But the fact of the matter is you did not set up businesses in their countries.”

 

Mr Mumuni, Also added that Zwelithini, who spoke from a prepared speech, made the remarks in the presence of Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko.
Daily Post

Jafaru begins bicycle ride from Kaduna to Lagos to thank Yorubas for voting Buhari

As the euphoria trailing the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s President-Elect assumes varied dimensions, a 35-year-old man, Mohammed Kabiru Jafaru, has embarked on a bicycle ride from Kaduna to Lagos to the effect.

The father of four, who began his journey at exactly 6.35am yesterday at the palace of Sarkin Hayin, Malam Bello in Kaduna State, said he is embarking on the trip to Lagos to thank the Yorubas for voting in Buhari during the presidential election.

Before beginning the journey, Jafaru told reporters: “I have decided to embark on this journey to Lagos because I want to go and thank Yoruba people for their immense support and contributions that led to the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari during the March 28 presidential election.

“The decision to undertake the journey came to my mind after analysing the votes cast for Buhari by the Yoruba people and after I discussed my intention with my immediate family and friends, they encouraged me to go on the journey.
“I have never been to Lagos before; this is my first time and only God knows how many days I will spend before reaching Lagos.
“I don’t have any fear because I believe in God that nothing will happen to me on the road; all I want is people’s prayers so that I will reach Lagos safely,” a determined Jafaru said.

 

Just last week, parts of Abuja were agog when Hashimu Suleima who had trekked from Lagos to Abuja to mark Buhari’s victory arrived at the Federal capital. Similarly, another Abubakar Duduwalie has begun trekking from Adamawa to Abuja still in honour of Buhari.
Daily Post

Xenophobic attacks: Jonathan suspends Foreign Affairs Perm Sec for recalling envoys from South Africa

President Goodluck Jonathan has suspended the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Danjuma Sheni, over the recent recall of Nigeria’s envoys to South Africa without due authorization.
Nigeria had on Saturday announced the recall of its acting High Commissioner in Pretoria, Martin Cobham, and the deputy High Commissioner in Johannesburg, Uche Ajulu-Okeke, on Saturday, in protest of the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the Southern African country.

A statement from the foreign affairs ministry, quoted the minister, Aminu Wali, as saying that the diplomats were “summoned for consultations” over the attacks.

 

South Africa condemned the decision, describing it as “unfortunate and regrettable”, and portraying Nigeria as opportunistic.
South Africa’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, said in a statement that his country was shocked that the Nigerian government would resort “to such an extraordinary diplomatic step to express outrage at actions or behaviour of another government”.
“We are not sure which actions or behaviour of the South African Government the Nigerian Government is protesting,” Mr. Monyela said.

 

“If this action is based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda”, he stated.
Daily post

I never apologised to Bode George – Tinubu

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has denied apologising to the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Chief Bode George.

George had said during an interview with the Sunday PUNCH that Tinubu was responsible for his imprisonment but had apologised to him at the burial of the Deputy President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, last year.

 

However, Tinubu in a statement by his media adviser, Mr. Sunday Dare, said he never apologised to George since he had nothing to do with George’s incarceration.

He said although they both met at Arisekola-Alao’s burial, their conversation had nothing to do with an apology.

 

He said, “Mr. George claims the alleged apology was made at the burial of Chief Alao-Arisekola. On that date, personalities such as Oba Otudeko and Governor Ajimobi approached me because I did not greet Mr. George initially. They pleaded that, in the memory of the man we were all gathered to honour, I should greet Mr. George. At their request, I turned back and came to greet him by saying’Good Afternoon Egbon (senior).’ That was all.”

 

Tinubu, who is a former Governor of Lagos State, said he could not have been involved in the incarceration of George since it was the Federal Government that instituted the case against him.

He said rather, it was people within George’s party that orchestrated his two-year jail term in Kirikiri prison.

He explained that George, who has since been exonerated by the Supreme Court, was convicted of ‘invoice splitting’ which had nothing to do with politics.

He said, “Mr. George seeks to imbue me with more power than I could possibly have. I am flattered but in all humility I must protest the false assessment. If he can remember, the government of the day was that of the PDP.”

 

“I have never had or sought much influence in those circles. He was charged by the government ruled by his own party for an offence concerning financial irregularities at the Nigeria Port Authority, an appointment he received from that same government.

“It is an incredible tale indeed to state that somehow I could direct a party that tried to dismantle the progressive political structure of my party to bring down one of its key members.

“The more plausible explanation for his legal tribulation was that a member of his own cabal blew the whistle on Mr. George’s antics for reasons that only he and that person truly know. The rest is now history.”

Punch

Indonesia executes four Nigerians, others for drug offences

Indonesian authorities on Tuesday executed four Nigerians and four others for drug-related offences despite pleas by the United Nations, the European Union, Amnesty International and the Federal Government.

The Nigerians were identified as Martin Anderson, 50; Silvester Nwolise, 47; Okwudili Oyatanze, 41, and Jamiu Abashin, 50.

The convicts were reportedly taken to the Nusakambangan Island where they were executed by firing squad on Tuesday evening.

 

According to a report by the UK Guardian, Abashin was said to be homeless in Bangkok when a new “friend” offered him $400 to take some clothes to Indonesia.

He was nabbed in Surabaya with 5.5kilogrammes of heroin and sentenced to death in 1999.

Abashin was said to have appealed for presidential clemency, claiming he never knew he was carrying the drugs. His plea was rejected.

Nwolise was sentenced to death in 2002 for smuggling a kilogramme of heroin into Indonesia.

 

Oyatanze was sentenced to death in 2002, after being found guilty of attempting to bring 2.5kg of heroin through Jakarta in capsules inside his stomach.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, had on Monday personally appealed to Indonesia to stop their execution.

The European Union had also berated Indonesia’s plans to execute the convicts.

The EU had noted that the death penalty was not a solution to the rise in drug-related crimes in the country.

The only woman among the convicted, Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso,   a Filipino, was spared in the last minute because a woman who reportedly tricked her into carrying drugs turned herself in.

The remains of the convicted would be taken to Jakarta, the Indonesia capital, on Tuesday according to reports.

Punch

Buhari may consider amnesty for corrupt politicians – Fayemi

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, may consider granting amnesty to corrupt politicians who are ready to return stolen funds.

 

He, however, said Buhari’s promise to extend hands of friendship across the political divide in his acceptance speech shortly after winning the poll, does not mean that he would not prosecute corrupt government officials who served in the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Fayemi said this during a programme on BBC titled, HardTalk, which was monitored by our correspondent on Monday.

 

He said although the All Progressives Congress government would bring all corrupt government officials to book, amnesty may be considered as “a form of incentive” for corrupt persons who voluntarily come out to return stolen funds.

He said the APC government would use all means to ensure that justice and fairness were established.

He said, “Corruption is not going to be dealt with by punishment alone. It is also going to be dealt with by incentives to those who are prepared to have a conversion. If you come voluntarily and say, look, I have stolen some money and I am prepared to return the money, Gen. Buhari would not say no to that.”

Asked whether granting amnesty to those who are willing to return stolen funds was not a breach of criminal laws and justice, Fayemi added another condition, “if our processes and procedure are dealt with, we will definitely look at that.”

 

The former governor added, “Returning the funds is a form of justice to Nigeria because those funds will now be available for the teeming population. There would be a range of options for dealing with corruption but that does not mean that justice will not take its full course.

“Buhari said he would not interfere with the judicial process and that if anyone is found guilty of malfeasance or corruption then that the law would take its course. Buhari didn’t mention any individual but anyone who is found guilty or who behaved badly in terms of corruption would be brought to face the law.”

Punch

Troops rescue 200 girls, 93 women from Sambisa Forest

In a daring and precise operation, the Nigerian troops have stormed the Sambisa Forest and rescued about 300 women and girls.

PRNigeria gathered that at least, three major terrorists camps have been destroyed in the well-coordinated attacks that included the destruction of the notorious Tokumbere camp in the Sambisa Forest.

While confirming the operation, the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said he could not confirm the identity of the freed victims and their origins and he could not state if any of them was from Chibok until after thorough screening and proper investigations

He said: “I can only confirm the rescued this afternoon of 200 girls and 93 women in different camps in the forest.

“We are yet to determine their origin as all the freed persons are now being screened and profiled. Please don’t misquote me on their origin. We will provide more details later.”
Daily Post

Who are the eight people executed by Indonesia?

Indonesia executed eight prisoners condemned to death for drugs offences. A ninth was given a last-minute reprieve

 Top row from left: Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, Filipina Mary Jane Veloso (given a last-minute temporary reprieve) and Nigerian Martin Anderson. Bottom row from left: Nigerians Raheem Agbaje Salami, Silvester Obiekwe Nwolise, Brazilian Rodrigo Gularte, and Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, who has been given a temporary reprieve. Photograph AFP

1. Andrew Chan
Chan was arrested in Denpasar in April 2005, on a flight bound for Australia. A 22-year-old still living with his parents in western Sydney, he was carrying no drugs, but was found guilty, along with Myuran Sukumaran, of masterminding a drug smuggling ring and recruiting seven other Australians – the so-called Bali Nine. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by firing squad.

In his time on Indonesia’s death row, those who have been in contact with him say he is an utterly changed man. Now 31, he has become a committed Christian and a pastor, and spends much of his day in prayer or religious study, and counselling other prisoners.

On the eve of his execution Chan married his Indonesian girlfriend, Febyanti Herewila, in a ceremony on Nusa Kambangan, the prison island where he awaits the firing squad. His brother, Michael Chan, described leaving him after a final visit on Tuesday as “torture”.

2. Myuran Sukumaran

Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran and her men are executed by firing squad, as Filipina Mary Jane Velosa wins a last-minute reprieve
Arrested with Chan in 2005, Sukumaran, then 24, had also been living with his parents in Sydney, working in a mailroom. In his time in prison, he has become an accomplished artist, and his final painting – a heart dripping with blood, signed by all nine condemned prisoners – was removed from Nusa Kambangan by Indonesian officials on Tuesday.

Chinthu Sukumaran, brother of Myuran, who spoke of behalf of his family after returning from Nusa Kambanang for what is expected to be the final time, said: “We did talk about the death penalty and he knows this is just a waste. He knows this is not going to solve anything with drugs.

“Drug trafficking will still be there. If these nine people die today, tomorrow, next week, next month, it is still not going to stop anything. I ask the president to please show mercy. Please don’t let my mum and my sister have to bury my brother. Please, I ask the Indonesian people to show mercy.”


3. Rodrigo Gularte,
who has twice been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is set to be the second Brazilian to be shot by firing squad in Indonesia this year.

The Brazilian foreign ministry has declared the death sentence “unacceptable” and “contrary to the common sense and basic standards of human rights protection” in a letter sent on Monday to the government in Jakarta.

Gularte, who is from a wealthy family in the state of Paraná , was arrested at Jakarta airport in 2004 with 6kgs of cocaine secreted in a surfboard.

His lawyers have argued unsuccessfully that his history of mental illness made him unfit to stand trial. Gularte was first diagnosed with a mental illness in 1982, according to medical documents obtained by his legal team. Last year, doctors confirmed the schizophrenia diagnosis. Indonesia’s attorney general ordered a second opinion from police doctors, but this has not been made public, prompting criticism of the lack of transparency.

His cousin Angelita Muxfeldt , who is in Indonesia, said Gularte has asked to be buried in Brazil. “I’ve been here for three months and never seen Rodrigo so calm,” she told the domestic media.

4. Martin Anderson

Anderson was sentenced to death in 2004 after being found guilty of possessing about 50g (1.8oz) of heroin. The 50-year-old travelled to Indonesia on a false passport and was thought to be Ghanian, but is in fact – like three of his fellow prisoners – from Nigeria.

He was reportedly shot in the leg during his arrest. His lawyer told the media that he has been in poor spirits since being moved to Nusa Kambangan to face execution.

5. Raheem Agbaje Salami  Jamiu Owolabi Abashin

Abashin, 50, has said he was homeless in Bangkok when a new “friend” offered him $400 to take some clothes to Indonesia. He was arrested in Surabaya with 5.5kg (12lb) of heroin and originally sentenced, in 1999, to life in prison.

The sentence was changed to one of death in 2006. In an appeal for presidential clemency, Abashin admitted he had known he was carrying the drugs. His appeal was unsuccessful.

6.  Silvester Obiekwe Nwolise

Nwolise, 47, was convicted in 2002 of smuggling just over a kilogram of heroin into Indonesia. He was sentenced to death.

His wife said he believed he was carrying tablets – which he swallowed – containing goat horn powder for some Nigerian friends in Pakistan. She also said he had no translator during his trial, and there are allegations that a bribe was sought to spare him a death sentence.

7. Okwuduli Oyatanze

Oyatanze, 41, was sentenced to death in 2002, found guilty of attempting to bring 2.5kg of heroin through Jakarta in capsules inside his stomach.

Charles Burrows, a Catholic priest who has counselled Oyatanze in prison, says that the Nigerian man, following the collapse of his clothing company, had thought being a drugs mule would be “easy money”.

8. Zainal Abidin

Abidin, 50, an Indonesian, was moved to Nusa Kambangan in preparation for execution despite still having an appeal due to be heard by the courts. He was convicted in 2001 of being the ringleader of a plan to sell marijuana, which he denies.

Two men convicted with Abidin, who he claims were the real masterminds of the ring, have served prison sentences and are now free.

Serge Atlaoui (temporary reprieve)

Atlaioui, from France, was due to be executed this week, but his sentence has been delayed pending a legal challenge. He was arrested for working in a factory used to produce ecstasy. He claims he was working as a welder and was unaware of the illegal activity.

" How Pastor In Enugu Duped Sales Girl Of N4m By Promising To Marry Her

A 32-year-old pastor has been nabbed by police detec­tives in Enugu for allegedly duping a 25-year-old lady, Ojiaku Chiamaka of N4 million.

The Pastor, Abel Benard Aniude of Trimphant Kings Assembly, Enugu, was said to have wooed Chia­maka on Facebook in December 2013 and promised her marriage, swindling the lady over N4 million in the process.

According to reports by Sun, the suspect and his younger brother, Tobias Aniude serving a jail term in Enugu prison, were apparently notorious for using Facebook woo desperate single women into marriage, eventually duping them.
The pastor’s younger brother, Tobias was said to have been arrested for kidnap­ping and armed robbery and later remanded in Enugu prison in March.
But that didn’t stop him. In the prison, Tobias was alleged to have continued using Facebook to scam more innocent Nigerians.

The victim, Chiamaka, who works as a sales girl with her brother, Emmanuel Mon­day Ojiaku at Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State, was said to have diverted proceeds from sales in her brother’s shop to meet the de­mands of Pastor Aniude.

Pastor Aniude narrated the ordeal saying: “I am an Assistant Pas­tor with Triumphant Kings Assembly. I have been in ministry for five years now. I am jobless. I met Chiamaka on Facebook in Decem­ber, 2013. I promised to marry her. Then, she started sending money to my bank account in Enugu. I visited her at Ibadan twice and collected the sum of N1million from her.”

“I have to send my wife away with my two kids from my house to Aba. When I told my wife that I wanted to marry a second wife but she refused, that prompted me to send her packing. “I used part of the money Chiamaka was sending to buy a car and built a bungalow in my village at Nochele Ndeaboli in Aliri Local Government Area, Enugu State. “I deceived her that I wanted to marry her on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014. I also lied to her that I had a motor accident. I rescheduled it for February 14, 2015. I lied to her again that armed robbers attacked me. I rescheduled it for Easter period, April 4, 2015 before the police anti-kidnappers squad arrested my wife, my Pastor Sam Ezenagu before I was arrested”.

Explaining how his younger brother in prison was involved, he said, “It was when I have duped her that I handed over her phone number to my younger brother, Tobias who is currently serving in Enugu prison yard. My younger brother called Chiamaka and told her that the wedding invitation cards were ready but that I am not serious and he is ready to marry her and so she should send him money.”

Chiamaka in defense said, “I met Pastor Abel Bernard Aniude on Facebook in December 2013 and we started chatting on Facebook. Pastor Abel deceived me that he wanted to marry me. I worked in the shop of my brother, Emmauel Ojiaku who sells electronics in Ibadan. I started to send N700,000 and N300,000 to Pastor Abel through his UBA and Diamond account numbers”.
“In July 2014, Pastor Abel came to Ibadan and lodged in a hotel and after hav­ing sex with me, I gave him N300,000. Also on September, 2014, Pastor Abel came to Ibadan and lodged again in same hotel and after having sex me, I gave him N700,000. I don’t known how I ended up sending N4 million into his bank accounts.” “My family should forgive me. I was deceived. I have learnt my lesson in a hard way”, she said.

Her brother who is still shocked at the turn out of events said, “Chiamaka is my blood sister. She was in the village in Nnewi, Anambra State where one guy impregnated her and later the guy denied the pregnancy, she de­livered the baby and after sometimes, the baby died. I went to the village in Nnewi and brought her to Ibadan to stay with me so that she will not suffer”.
“I deal in electrical appliances in Ibadan. I took my sister, Chiamaka to be like a sales girl. Sud­denly my wife took ill and had to take her to India for treatment.

“Chiamaka was in charge of my shop. I didn’t suspect her rather I handed over the shop to her. It was March 27, 2015 when Chiamaka came back from the shop and I discovered that she was having N1700, which led to searching of her room and I discovered N65,000 under her bed. I brought out cutlass and threatened her and collected her phone before she confessed to me that she has sent over N4 million to Pas­tor Abel.”

The General Overseer of Triumphant Kings Assembly, 47-year-old Pastor Sam Ezenagu where Pastor Abel works as Assis­tant Pastor had this to say, “I was doing counselling in my church, four years ago when Pastor Abel walked in and told me that he wanted to assist me in my ministry. We started working together. Every Sunday service we always give him N3,000.
“Suddenly, Pastor Abel brought a Honda Sport car and we celebrated it and asked him where he got the car. Pastor Abel told me that it was one of those he prays for that gave him the car. The church rejoiced with him. Also, in some months, I will not see Pastor Abel and if I call him, he would tell me he was doing some business some­where.”

“It was April 12, 2015, Pastor Abel called me that police­men has (sic) arrested his wife. I ran to Aba. I asked whether there is any problem, I took a lawyer along with Pastor Abel and that was how he was arrested. Pastor Abel had to confess that he always dupe (sic) some ladies on Facebook and how he got involved in the N4 million scam.”
CP Adamu assured that Pastor Abel will soon be charged to court for trial".
Nigerian Monitor