Baby dies in blaze after mom locks door

Abuja - A seven-month old baby has met her demise after she was burnt to death in a fire incident, Punch reports.

The blaze, which broke out at the Ikota Housing Estate in Lagos, started when the child's mother left her stove unattended while the child was locked in a room.
Although officials from the Lagos Fire Service were called to the scene, there is little they could do to contain the blaze, as the structure had already been gutted.

Rasak Fadipe, Director of the State fire service, confirmed the incident and said that although firefighters arrived on the scene with 10,000 litres of water, the property had already been extensively damaged.
Fadipe warned the public of the dangers of refuse burning, saying that community members should police each other in order to avoid disaster.

Dream Team set to boycott U23 AFCON final against Algeria

Dakar - Tension in the camp of the Nigerian U23 escalated shortly after beating Senegal to secure a place at next year’s Olympic Games with players threatening to boycott Saturday’s final against Algeria.
The Dream Team VI, as the Nigerian U23 are otherwise called, beat hosts Senegal in the semifinal to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics, but their celebrations were short-lived as players threatened not to honour the final match against Algeria if their outstanding match bonuses and allowances are not paid.

As previously reported the News24, the players are yet to be paid their match bonuses and allowances dating back to the All Africa Games in September, while coaches have also not been paid their salaries for the last four months.
In a bid to abate the players’ restiveness, Coach Samson Siasia had to dole out $100 each to the players out of his own pocket shortly after they drew with Algeria to qualify to the semifinal of the competition.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation have continued to maintain that the body is cash strapped, with some officials blaming the Treasury Single Account (TSA) as reason for them not being able to access their funds with ease.

Buhari advised to dump upcoming Kaduna festival

Abuja - The senator representing Kaduna North, Shehu Sani, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to decline an invitation to the eagerly-anticipated Kaduna Music Festival.



The legislator denounced the staging of the fete in the face of economic and security challenges besetting the city, region and rest of the country.
The music show is slated for Saturday and Sunday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium where RnB legend, Joe Thomas, from the United States is set to perform alongside top local acts.
While organisers have promised  a spectacle, Sani is not amused.
“The upcoming multi-million naira jamboree stands unreservedly condemned. The event is an indecent and immoral proposition and an affront to the people of Kaduna, the North and the whole of Nigeria struggling to survive economic hardships and pervasive insecurity,” Sani said.
He said it was “shameful, disgraceful, irresponsible and utterly insensitive” that such festivities could be held amid bloodshed and economic difficulties.
Sani cited the Boko Haram insurgency in the North as well as struggles by some state governments to pay workers.

“It’s callous and amounts to insouciance that at a time when thousands of civil servants and pensioners across the nation remained unpaid, multi million naira is about to be wasted in a musical event,” said the legislator.
“With over 25 000 innocent persons killed by insurgents, more thousands abducted and unaccounted for, over 2 million people displaced from their hamlets, homes, villages and towns in the north, and with soldiers on the frontline fighting and dying to restore peace and order in the north, the musical event is nothing other than playing the fiddle while Rome is on fire."
Sani said the musical jamboree was nothing but a complete waste of public and private resources that could have been channelled to address other social and economic needs and emergencies o
“It’s ironic that the very proposed venue of the event where millions of tax payers money will be wasted, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, remains an uncompleted arena for the past 50 years,” said Sani.
“The Kaduna musical festival is a spit on the face of abandoned orphans, neglected widows and widowers ‘generated’ by the violence in the North. I call on President Muhammadu Buhari to reject the invitation to attend the charade.”

An African leader doing the continent proud

Malawi’s new president, Joyce Banda has decided to sell the country’s £8.4m presidential jet and fleet of 60 Mercedes government cars.

Joyce Banda, who came to power in April after the death of Bingu wa Mutharika, recognised the importance of curtailing government exuberance, a problem that is endemic in so many nations across the African continent. By ridding the state of these liabilities which benefit so few and rinse the the state coffers by so much, Joyce Banda can now start to focus on bringing Malawi’s budget deficit into surplus.

Last month Banda was quoted in the local press saying that she had no problem “offloading it (the jet) as I can well use private airliners; I am already used to hitchhiking”.

Mutharika, the previous president bought the presidential jet in 2009, claiming it was less expensive than leasing an airplane every time he travelled. He subsequently came under fire for this claim and was also condemned for purchasing a 58-room mansion in his home district and granting his wife a salary.
This positive regime change has been welcomed by western countries such as Britain, whose high commissioner was expelled by Mutharika for branding him “autocratic and intolerant of criticism”. As a result, in May this year Britain pledged £23m to help stabilise a moribund Malawian economy and £10m will be given to boost the country’s health system.
Here at Naijaviral we say, keep up the good work Joyce, and may this altruistic style of state governance prevail across the continent in the future.

Former President Jonathan escapes death

Yenagoa - Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday escaped death by whiskers when some suspected militants allegedly working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State drove into his convoy, reports NewsDay. 
The militants intercepted and drove into a short motorcade conveying Jonathan from the Julius Berger bridge area of the state capital Yenagoa.
The men then trailed and chased the motorcade to the entrance of the Yenagoa private residence of the former President in the Kpansia area of the town.


They were, however, overpowered and arrested by a combined team of security operatives attached to the former President.
The men have been taken to the Bayelsa State Police Command for further investigation and interrogation.

Okonjo-Iweala rebuffs latest links to arms deal

Abuja - Former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has dismissed new accusations of corruption leveled against her.
According to her, Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and other powerful and corrupt interests, have initiated a baseless story in some online media linking her to graft.
“These evil elements have distorted the contents of a memo dated January 20, 2015 in which the former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala responded to a request by the former National Security Adviser, Col Ibrahim Dasuki (retired) for funds to prosecute the terror war against Boko Haram, her Spokesperson, Paul Nwabuikwu, said.
Also Read: Oshiomhole dares Okonjo-Iweala to sue him
Dasuki is under probe for the alleged theft of US$2 billion theft and awarding of phony contracts in the controversial arms deal.
“The attempt to link the former Minister’s name to any misuse of these funds for any purpose other than security as far as she understood it is totally false and cannot stand,” said the former minister’s spokesperson.

The 7 coolest dressed African presidents of all time

When we look at the variety of presidents that have spanned the African continent since the early days of independence in the 1950’s, we can confidently say that some of them rocked it when it came to fashion.

1. Jean Bedel Bokassa

This despot ruled The Central African Republic for over 10 years by coming into rule via a military coup. Although he did bring some positive changes to the country like banning genital mutilation and building a more robust public transport system, his ego ultimately hindered any real progress in the C.A.R. The photo below shows him at his presidential inauguration in 1966 lavishly adorned in gold, sitting on a gold throne, wearing a gold crown, with a gold eagle in the backdrop. This whole ceremony cost the state over $400 million!

2. Haile Selassie

The kings of kings, Jah Rastafari, and Emperor of Ethiopia, there is no doubting that the forefather of Rastafari had style. Below is a picture of him with his lion cubs at his palace in Addis Ababa.

3. Hastings Banda

This suave southern African ruled Malawi for over 30 years, but during that time always made sure he looked sharp.

4. Jerry Rawlings

This flight lieutenant became president of Ghana via a coup d’tat in 1979, but always stayed looking cool whether it was in military attire or national dress.

5. Olusegan Obasanjo

Arguably Nigeria’s most successful president, he served two terms in office, and in that time bolstered sustained growth in Nigeria’s economy via large-scale reform in both industry and education. Below we see him wearing Yoruba national dress when meeting US president, Jimmy Carter.

6. Nelson Mandela

One of the most influential figures of the 20th century, period. His flamboyant shirts only enhanced his global popularity even more.

7. Goodluck Jonathan

Perhaps not the most popular Nigerian president to have been in office, but certainly one of the coolest dressers around.

Groups call for the increase of minimum wage to N52 000

Lagos – Groups including the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have made an appeal that the minimum wage be increased to N52 000.
The current minimum is wage is N18 000 per month (which was set into law in 2010) and The Herald reported that Bobboi Kaigama, the TUC President Comrade, said the current amount is laughable compared to the amount that oil is sold for.
The groups warned that drastic action could take place such as the forced shut down of state governments, if governors refused the increase or retrenched workers.



Both groups noted that if governments reduced their own personal spending and salaries, dealt with corruption and harnessed their own natural resources, there would be more money to pay workers.
The ASCSN also noted that as the cost of living has increased so much that the current minimum wage can barely last workers a week let alone a month.
According to the African Heritage Institution in September 2015, in order for Nigeria to be able to afford an increase in the minimum wage they would have to make changes such as the weeding out of ghost workers, a reworking of the manufacturing sector, and the continued effort in blocking leakages from the federally collected revenue.
Read more at The Herald

Rivers deputy premier condemns women's abuse

Abuja - Rivers State Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has called for greater co-operation towards tackling the problem of violence against women.
She said cases of violence against women have been on the increase in the locally as well as the country and outside.
The deputy governor called on stakeholders to proffer solutions to the problem of domestic violence in the state.
She noted that violence against women remained an unsettled reality as women all over the world facing higher risk of violence than men.
Banigo lamented that about 60 million people forcibly displaced were women and many who flee war torn areas are often exploited by unscrupulous persons.



She stressed that past efforts made to raise awareness on the violence that many women suffered had not yielded the desired result.
“Verbal violence against women or the use of abusive languages against women, like calling women prostitutes must be checked,” Banigo said.
She stressed the prevalence of mental illness among women would be reduced by 50 percent if domestic violence was reduced.
The deputy governor urged women to always report cases of violence against them to ensure violators were brought to book.
She called for laws on violence against women to be reviewed and implemented while those responsible for implementing the law should carry out whatever penalty the convict deserves.
Banigo suggested more stringent and pragmatic approach to curb and discourage violence against women in the homes.

China trusts Nigeria military to eliminate insurgency

Abuja - China is confident Nigeria will eventually win the war against the Boko Haram terror.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie, maintained the belief when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, in his office at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The envoy said he has trust in the Nigerian military at restoring peace and security to every troubled area in the West African country.




He thus solicited for stronger ties in the exchanges between the two Armed Forces in intelligence gathering and sharing as well as training.
Olonisakin expressed his appreciation to the Chinese government for the hands of fellowship extended to Nigerian military at this crucial time at ensuring that the needful is done to counter insurgency faced by the nation.
The insurgency in the northeastern parts of the country has claimed the lives more than 20 000 and displaced over 2 million.

Ghana's Mahama calls Obasanjo 'stupid buffoon' – reports

Lagos – Ghanaian President John Mahama and former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo reportedly exchanged insults in London recently over Goodluck Jonathan, who lost in the last presidential elections.
According to The Whistle, the heated exchange denigrated into "open insults", with Mahama losing his temper and calling Obasanjo "an idiot" and a "stupid buffoon".



This was after Obasanjo allegedly accused Mahama and his government of financing Jonathan’s election campaign. Obasanjo also reportedly lashed out at Mahama for blackmailing and collecting bribes from Nigerian businessmen in Ghana, buying numerous properties in Nigeria and South Africa.
A report by abusidiqu.com said Mahama was so infuriated that he pointed his finger at Obasanjo before ministers present as well as Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni calmed the tempers and ushered him (Mahama) to a nearby room .

INEC still consulting on Bayelsa election

Yenagoa - Three days after the governorship election in Bayelsa State was declared inconclusive, the‎ Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not decided on a date for the supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. reports Leadership.
The commission said it was still consulting with relevant stakeholders over the matter.



INEC’s director, Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said the commission will fixed a date after it finishes with the consultation.
The Electoral Act gives INEC 14 days to conduct a supplementary election where there is an inconclusive poll.
It would be recalled that the Returning Officer for Bayelsa governorship election, Professor Zana Akpagu, Monday, declared the election inconclusive, saying it is premised on violence and lawlessness that took place in Southern Ijaw Local Government.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Seriake Dickson, was leading in six out of seven local government areas where the results were released.
But candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Timpre Sylva, rejected the cancellation of Souther Ijaw Local Government and is challenging the INEC’s decision in court. ‎He won in only one local government.

Benzema pleads ‘misunderstanding’ in sextape blackmail case

Paris - Karim Benzema says his go-between role in the Mathieu Valbuena sextape blackmail case has been misunderstood as the Real Madrid striker prepares to explain himself on French TV on Wednesday.
The pre-recorded interview comes in the wake of comments from French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Tuesday saying only players with exemplary records should represent France at Euro 2016.
"It's all a huge misunderstanding. All I was doing was trying to help. There's nothing to any of it, no blackmail or demands for money," Benzema told a judge in early November, according to a Le Monde article published on Wednesday.
The scandal is a serious distraction to France before they host Euro 2016 next year -- Benzema has been banned from meeting Valbuena and neither was called up for France's games against Germany and England recently.
In sporting terms Benzema is seen as France's top striker, but Les Blues have a wealth of other attacking options and a record of leaving trouble-makers out of squads for international tournaments.



The blackmail case began in June, when Valbuena lodged a complaint with police after being telephoned by a man who said he had the sex tape.
Four men, including a friend of Benzema, Karim Zenati, have been charged and detained over the blackmail using the stolen sex-tape.
Benzema is alleged to have approached Valbuena about the images at a France national training camp on October 5.
The former Lyon star says he had no need of money nor did one of the accused, Karim Zenati, as he was employed in one of Benzema's companies.
A police telephone tap however on Benzema and his calls to Zenati cast doubts on their attitude. "I'm mad with myself for having talked that way on the phone, we went too far," Benzema said of comments that appeared to mock Valbuena.
The victim of the affair, Valbuena, in his first public comments told Le Monde last week he was "very, very, very disappointed" by Benzema.
Benzema's lawyer Alain Jakubowicz told Wednesday's le Parisien daily newspaper that the player would use Wednesday's tv interview to apologise to Valbuena for those unfriendly remarks.
The lawyer also used the Le Parisien to hit out at the French prime minister's comments over his clients potential exclusion from the France squad asking : "Is this a prime minister's words or those of a Barcelona fan talking about a Real Madrid player."
Valls hails from the Catalonia region and was in hot water himself in June for using a French government jet to fly himself and his son to Berlin to the Champions League final featuring Barcelona.
Jakubowicz later told RTL radio he would sue Le Monde for contempt of court for having revealed details of Benzema's testimony, adding the revelations would aid the player's defence.

France suspends Benzema over sex-tape scandal

Paris - The French Football Federation (FFF) on Thursday indefinitely suspended star striker Karim Benzema because of criminal charges of involvement in a sex-tape blackmail attempt against teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Federation president Noel Le Graet said the suspension would include the 2016 European Championship to be held in France -- which get underway in exactly six months -- unless the case was settled.
"Karim Benzema will not be selected until the situation changes, until there is something new in the case. It is a decision I took as president of the federation," Le Graet told a press conference in Paris.
He added that either the charges had to be dropped or Benzema -- the leading scorer among all current France internationals with 27 goals in 81 caps -- and Valbuena had to reconcile.
"If there is no change in March (when the next internationals are held) he will not play, if there is no change for the Euro he will not play," Le Graet declared.
Le Graet's announcement came just two days before the draw for the Euro 2016 finals is held in Paris.
Le Graet said that the 27-year-old Real Madrid star was an "extraordinary" player but that the FFF had to take account of public opinion.
Valbuena was left out of France's last game because of the scandal, but he will be allowed to play again, the president added.
Also read: Benzema pleads ‘misunderstanding’ in sextape blackmail case



Benzema has been charged with complicity in the attempt to blackmail 31-year-old Lyon midfielder Valbuena.
Valbuena has said the sex images were on a mobile telephone that was stolen.
Three men have been detained for the cash demand to have the tape destroyed.
The federation had faced strong pressure over the case.
The scandal has brought chaos to France's preparations for the Euros, with even Prime Minister Manuel Valls calling for Benzema to be excluded from the national team.
French Football League (LFP) president Frederic Thiriez also said that "wearing the blue shirt is not something ordinary.
"An exemplary attitude must come before even performance, if we want to win over hearts."
"The French team is regularly shaken by scandals which feed a growing disillusionment among our compatriots," Thiriez complained.
French football's embarrassment has been increased because Benzema is alleged to have approached Valbuena at a national training camp on October 5 to encourage him to speak to the blackmailers, one of whom was a close childhood friend.
Valbuena has said that Benzema "indirectly" urged him to pay.
Benzema has replied that he is the target of "persecution" and says he has the support of French coach Didier Deschamps, while others have given him their backing.
"I hope for the French team and for the player, it (a suspension) is not the decision that is taken," French legend Zinedine Zidane this week.
"A player like Benzema is an important player for the team, he can bring so much to the team and I only watch the sporting aspect.
"I hope we will look at that aspect and his personal affair will settle quickly, which is the most important thing. In sporting terms, to cope without a player like that can be complicated."

West Ham lose Reid and Moses until new year

London - West Ham United pair Winston Reid and Victor Moses have been ruled out until the new year with hamstring injuries, manager Slaven Bilic revealed on Thursday.
New Zealand centre-back Reid is due to undergo a scan on Friday to determine how long he will be sidelined for after injuring himself in training.
Nigerian winger Moses, on loan from Chelsea, will be out for between four and six weeks after damaging his hamstring in last weekend's goalless draw at Manchester United.
"Reid got injured in training. It doesn't look good," Bilic told a press conference. "It's one of those they tell you is four to six weeks, but it doesn't look like a small one. He slipped and felt it rupture.
"Victor is out for four to six weeks. It's a blow."

 

Also read: West Ham's Lanzini risks six-week absence 
West Ham have already lost playmaker Dimitri Payet and striker Diafra Sakho until February, while attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini was ruled out for six weeks with a thigh injury earlier this week.
Striker Enner Valencia has been out for five weeks with an ankle complaint, but could return against Stoke City on Saturday.
Faced with the injury glut, Bilic has decided to bring forward the senior squad's move to the club's new Rush Green HQ training base, which had been scheduled for the start of next season.
The Croatian, whose side are seventh in the Premier League, feels the pitches at West Ham's current Chadwell Heath base may be responsible for the rash of injuries his players have suffered.
"We were planning to move next season, at the start, to Rush Green because of the quality of the pitches," Bilic said.
"I decided on Monday next week, we will go. We can't continue to risk this much on these kind of pitches."

- AFP

Former Super Eagles coach Keshi loses wife

Lagos - Former Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi’s wife is dead.
Kate Keshi died late on Wednesday in the United States after a brief illness.
The former Mali coach, while mourning her demise, said he never thought of losing the 54 year old so soon.
Also read: Keshi demands N1 billion







Meanwhile the Nigeria Football Federation has condoled with the 2013 AFCON winner over the tragic incidence.
Report on its website said NFF President Amaju Pinnick spoke at length with Keshi over the phone on Thursday afternoon, as news of the tragic incident filtered into the public space.
Keshi and his wife were last seen publicly in Nigeria in March when they gave their daughter Ifeyinwa’s hand in marriage in Benin.

BIAFRA: Finally Magistrate Gives Date To Rule On Nnamdi Kanu’s Charges[SEE WHEN]

The ruling on the charges levelled against a leader of Biafra agitation and Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, by the Department of State Services, has been fixed on December 16 by a Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2 of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

DAILY WATCH recalled that the ruling was earlier scheduled for December 1, 2015 but the presiding magistrate, Shuaibu Usman, could not sit because he was bereaved.
It  would also be recalled that the DSS through its lawyer, Mr. Moses Idakwo, had on November 22 applied for the discontinuance of the charges against Kanu in line with provisions of section 108(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 due to what he described as fresh facts in the case which could not be entertained under the court’s jurisdiction.
On December 1, when ruling was scheduled to be delivered on the application, the magistrate who was said to be bereaved did not sit.

Biafra: Bloodied Victims Of Police And Army Shootings At Pro-Biafra Protest In Onitsha

by Southeast Based Coalition Of Human Rights Organizations (SBCHROs)

 

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“I maintain that protest is an important democratic component of freedom of expression and freedom to assemble. Protest is an inalienable right of the human person. It starts from the womb. The Federal Government should prosecute all security personnel involved in the recent killing of protesters and reckless shooting of the protesters (in Onitsha). Let the protesters that come in conflict with the law, for example, if any loots, be dealt with under the due process (of) law; not killing. The criminal intention of the security personnel becomes obvious when the protesters are not armed and are non-violent. Some security personnel kill on ground of hate camouflaged as threat to security. You don’t kill a fellow citizen who is not armed for expressing himself or herself”. – Uche Wisdom Durueke, Esq., President Civil Liberties Organization, Nigeria (December 4th 2015).

 

Warning: The images in this story are of a graphic nature. Viewer discretion is advised. 

The leaderships of the Southeast based Coalition of Human Rights Organizations, under the coordination of Intersociety; comprising the International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety), Anambra State Branch of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), the Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy (CHRPA), Human Rights Club(HRC) (a project of LRRDC), Southeast Good Governance Forum (SGGF), Forum for Equity, Justice & Defense of Human Rights (FEJDHR), Society Advocacy Watch Project (SPAW), Anambra Human Rights Forum (AHRF), the International Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights Initiative (INTERSOLIDARITY), the Street Law Africa (LawAfrica)  and the Igbo Ekunie Initiative (IEI) (a regional rights campaigner) are in possession of more facts and pieces of pictorial evidence exposing the dastardly roles of the Nigeria Police Force and the military in the last Wednesday‘s mass shooting, maiming and killing of innocent and unarmed protesters/picketers in Onitsha during a peaceful protest/procession/picketing held by the leaderships of the IPOB and a splinter body of MASSOB for the purpose of peacefully pressurizing the Buhari administration to unconditionally free Citizen Nnamdi Kanu, who has been presidentially detained in solitary confinement since 14th of October 2015.

The official brains behind the mass shooting and killing are the trio of IGP Solomon Arase, COAS Tukur Buratai and Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State. Apart from being vicariously liable, they are also personally culpable by virtue of their orders for maximum or deadly force to be used to quell the pro Nnamdi Kanu and Southeast political self determination protests; as contained in the COAS order of November 12, 2015 and the IGP’s order of December 1, 2015. Governor Willie Obiano’s official and personal culpability stems from his roles as the creator and general overseer of the Joint Security Taskforce (the lead-perpetrator) as well as the Chief Security Officer of Anambra State. These were reinforced by his late night broadcast to the State on 2nd December 2015 following the murderous handling of the peaceful protest by the named official establishments. While the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) had in the course of issuance of his use of deadly force order; described the protesters asinsurrectionists (taking up arms against Nigeria);IGP Solomon Arase on his part ordered his sub commanders to maximally apply their coercive powers to quell the protests. He specifically directed AIGs in charge of Zone 5, Benin; Zone 6, Calabar and Zone 9 Umuahia as well as all Commissioners of Police in the affected States to henceforth “maximally exercise their statutory mandate in preventing any gathering that threatened public order and national cohesion”. It is therefore on the basis of these lethal orders and conducts of the three official entities that the mass shooting and killings of the unarmed and defenseless protesters were maximally carried out by their sub commanders and subordinates.

More Facts On How Police, Navy & Army Opened Fire On Unarmed Protesters: Contrary to erroneous impression created by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and the Government of Anambra State to the effect that what led to forceful and bloody dispersal of the protesters at the Onitsha Bridgehead end of the Ojukwu Gateway was total blockage of the Niger Bridgehead and its Onitsha-Asaba Expressway by the protesters; facts on the ground clearly showed that it was the soldiers that actually blocked the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge for the purpose of preventing the peaceful protesters from moving into Asaba, the capital of Delta State. Further facts also indicated that the protesters had carefully planned their protests and processions moving from Upper Iweka to the Niger Bridge, back and forth; forming elbow walls and occupying one lane, leaving the other lane for motorists and other road users. Their attempts to extend the peaceful processions to Asaba Old Toll Gate and returning to the Niger Bridgehead for picketing/vigil were denied by soldiers who completely blocked the Asaba end of the Bridge, causing long and excruciating traffic jams from the evening of Tuesday, 1st December 2015 to thenoon of Wednesday 2nd December 2015. The picketing/vigil was also carefully planned and organized to be held off the two main lanes of the Expressway and restricted to its service lanes and adjoining open spaces.

Shooting Of Onlookers & Passerby By Navy Personnel At Uga Junction: Further detailed disclosure of how Governor Obiano’sJoint Security Taskforce turned the picketing/procession arenas in Onitsha into a war field has emerged. That of Uga Junction involving personnel of the Ogbaru Post of the Nigerian Navy was an eyesore and shocking. The shoot-at-sight orders of the headships of Police and Military were maximally applied in the instant case when the Navy personnel opened fire on unarmed and innocent onlookers and passerby, hitting and critically injuring at least six persons. The shooting erupted when the Navy personnel opened fire on one of the protesters said to possess traditional anti bullet charms. Unable to shoot and kill him, the shooting attracted a crowd of passersby and onlookers who reportedly cheered the magical protester. In returning, the Navy personnel opened fire on them, shooting them at closed ranging leading to unfortunate ones being hit and critically injured by fired live bullets. One of the shot and critically injured victims was a female youth corps member.

Best Aluminum Industry’s Shooting & Vandalism: The incident took place in the evening of Wednesday, 2nd December 2015 along Anyika Street in Awada Layout near Onitsha. There, one of the Mobile Police Personnel attached to the Managing Director of the Firm, recklessly opened fire and shot indiscriminately leading to gunning down of one of the retreating protesters. On sighting the shot protester, the culprit police officer took to his heels, leading to mob invasion of the Firm and subsequent vandalization of the Firm’s premises. The Firm’s Managing Director was miraculously spared and escaped lynching by the retreating angry protesters.

From the three accounts above, in addition to those contained in our earlier joint statement of 3rd December 2015, it has been indisputably and empirically established that the organization and management of the protest/procession/picketing was totally non violent, peaceful and substantially hitch free and that elements of violence accompanying it leading to killing of over thirteen (13) unarmed protesters and critically injuring of over 24 others; was solely caused by the trio of IGP Solomon Arase, COAS Tukur Buratai and Governor Willie Obiano; who collectively and individually ordered violent disruption of the peaceful protest/procession and bloody dispersal of the protesters. That is to say that the procession, protest and picketing would have started and ended peacefully but for State highhandedness leading to commission of State murder and mutilation of the unarmed, non violent and innocent citizens.

Pictorial Evidence of the Murdered and the Injured Protesters: Contrary to brazen denial and spinning of the casualties associated with the killings by the authorities of the country’s security forces led by the Nigeria Police Forces, we are now in possession of more pieces of pictorial evidence of those killed and injured in the Onitsha protests of 2nd December 2015. There are at least 24 shot and critically injured victims of the protests as well as over thirteen (13) dead victims. The shot and critically injured victims who spoke in a video clip attached below over their lethal ordeal at the hands of the security forces; include Citizens Chidiebere Nnaji (Enugu State) and Felix Ndianefo and Ikechukwu Okafor (Anambra State). The names of some of the dead victims are Miss Anthonia Nkiruka Ikeanyionwu (Anambra State), Kenneth Ogadinma (Abia State), Chima Onoh (Enugu State), Angus Chikwado (Anambra State) and Miss Felicia Egwuatu (Anambra State). There are other killings in Idemili and Onitsha and their environs in late evening of the Black or Murderous Wednesday (December 2nd, 2015). The pictorial evidence and video clip are attached below.

Finally, the release of pieces of pictorial evidence under reference is not only to shame those making futile attempts to deny any official culpability and mangle the casualty figures in the callous and murderous act under reference but also to send a strong message to the duo of IGP Solomon Arase and COAS Tukur Buratai as well as Governor Willie Obiano that there is no hiding place for those who shed the blood of innocent citizens outside the law for the purpose of consolidating or furthering their political interests such as seeking and receiving presidential attention. The perpetrators of the Black Wednesday in Onitsha, Anambra State who spilled the blood of the unarmed and defenseless citizens to be presidentially recognized and compensated must be made to face the wrath of the law and morally nationally and internationally. It is extremely important to remind that President comes and goes; IGPship, COAShip and Governorship also come and go; but perpetrators and committers of State Murder will never go unpunished no matter how long it takes. They must be reminded firmly that State murder and torture are never statute barred and morally expiring.

Signed:

For: Coalition of Southeast Based Human Rights Organizations (CSBHROs):

1.       Emeka Umeagbalasi (+23474090052 (office)

For: International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety)

2.       Comrade Aloysius Attah (+2348035090548)

For: Anambra State Branch of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO)

3.       Comrade Peter Onyegiri (+2347036892777)

For: Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy (CHRPA)

4.       Comrade Samuel Njoku (+2348039444628)

For: Human Rights Club (a project of LRRDC)(HRC)

5.       Justus Uche Ijeoma, Esq.(+2348037114869)

For: Forum for Justice, Equity & Defense of Human Rights (FJEDHR)

6.       Comrade Chike Umeh ( +2348064869601)

For: Society Advocacy Watch Project (SPAW)

7.       Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Esq. (+2348034186332)

For: Anambra Human Rights Forum (AHRF)

8.       Comrade Alex Olisa(+2348034090410)

For: Southeast Good Governance Forum (SGGF)

9.       Jerry Chukwuokolo, PhD (+2348035372962)

For: International Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights Initiative (ITERSOLIDARITY)

10.   Evlyn Chinwe Eze, Esq. (+2347019646494)

For: Street Law Africa (LawAfrica)

11.   Tochukwu Ezeoke(+447748612933)

For: Igbo Ekunie Initiative (a regional rights campaigner)

All 51 Ooni’s Of Ile-Ife in history

All 51 Ooni’s Of Ile-Ife in history
1ST ODUDUWA
2ND OSANGANGAN OBAMAKIN
3RD OGUN
4TH OBALUFONO GBOGBODIRIN

Ooni designate, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi acknowledging cheers from the crowd on his arrival in Ile-Ife yesterday. Pix By Gbenga Olarinoye

5TH OBALUFON ALAYEMORE
6TH ORANMIYAN
7TH AYETISE
8TH LAJAMISAN
9TH LAJODOOGUN
10TH LAFOGIDO
11TH ODIDIMODE ROGBEESIN
12TH AWOROKOLOKIN
13TH EKUN
14TH AJIMUDA
15TH GBOONIJIO
16TH OKANLAJOSIN
17TH ADEGBALU
18TH OSINKOLA
19TH OGBORUU
20TH GIESI
21ST LUWOO (FEMALE)
22ND LUMOBI
23RD AGBEDEGBEDE
24TH OJELOKUNBIRIN
25TH LAGUNJA
26TH LARUNNKA
27TH ADEMILU
28TH OMOGBOGBO
29TH AJILA-OORUN
30TH ADEJINLE
31ST OLOJO
32ND OKITI

Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade Okunade

33RD LUGBADE
34TH ARIBIWOSO
35TH OSINLADE
36TH ADAGBA
37TH OJIGIDIRI
38TH AKINMOYERO 1770-1800
39TH GBANLARE 1800-1823
40TH GBEGBAAJE 1823-1835
41ST WUNMONIJE 1835-1839
42ND ADEGUNLE ADEWELA 1839-1849
43RD DEGBINSOKUN 1849-1878
44TH ORARIGBA 1878-1880
45TH DERIN OLOGBENLA- He was a powerful warrior! 1880-1894
46TH ADELEKAN (OLUBUSE I)- 1894-1910
47TH ADEKOLA 1910-1910
48TH ADEMILUYI (AJAGUN) . 1910-1930
49TH ADESOJI ADEREMI- (1930-1980)Minister without portfolio when he ruled from 1951 to 1955. He was the first indigenous governor of Western Nigeria.
50TH OKUNADE SIJUWADE- (1980-2015)
51st Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11 (2015-)