Pastor drugs, rapes woman seeking prayer solutions to her problems

An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered one Korede Olamide, 37, a pastor, to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly raping and robbing a woman who had met him for prayer solutions to her problems. Korede is also accused of unlawfully detaining the victim and putting a hard substance, known as ‘Vilium 5’ in her drink, making her to sleep till the next day.

“The accused told her some of her problems and the barriers she was facing in life, saying that he would help solve her problems with prayers. He was arraigned before Mrs O. Sule-Amzat on a six-count of unlawful detention, maliciously administering poison, rape, causing a person to engage in sexual intercourse, provoking breach of peace and stealing. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the accused committed the crime on Aug. 20 at Popoola Guest House, Alapere-Ketu, near Lagos. He explained that the victim met the accused some time ago and told her that he was a pastor, giving her some messages about herself. “The accused, after their meeting the first time, followed her up with phone calls and asking her the kind of dreams she has been having of late. “He asked her to buy items like Bible, coconut, honey, salt and then told her to meet him for a spiritual bath at an undisclosed address. “The last incident was when the accused told her to buy a sponge, drink ginger and water before coming to meet him at Popoola Guest House, Alapere- Ketu in Lagos State, where the incident happened. “He gave her a liquid substance in a cup to drink and she passed out and found herself alone the next day with her money gone.” Ihiehie said that during police investigation, a video of the illicit act was found on the phone of the accused with other previous videos of similar treatment of victims. He said that the offences contravened Sections 144(1) (2), 241, 258, 263(1) (2), 57(1) and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded guilty to unlawful detention, maliciously administering poison, rape and stealing but denied causing a person to engage in sexual intercourse, provoking breach of peace. Sule-Amzat adjourned the case till Oct. 6 for sentencing and for bail of the accused on the fourth and sixth counts. 

FIFA gives up Ballon D’Or

French publication France Football has parted ways with FIFA over the organisation of football’s prestigious award, the Ballon d’Or.

“The end of the partnership between France Football and FIFA will lead to a new look of Ballon d’Or. Discover it next Tuesday in FF,” read a news release of the French publication.

The Ballon d’Or was first introduced in 1956, when the European Cup (now known as the Champions League) came into existence, to reward players based on their performances in the previous 12 months on votes exclusively from journalist in Europe.

The FIFA World Player of the Year, on the other hand, was introduced in 1991 and awarded until 2009 with the winner decided by votes from national team coaches and captains from all of the association members.

In 2010, the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year were fused for the FIFA Ballon d’Or to select the world’s best player of the year, based on votes from media, team coaches and captains.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi won the award for record five times, while Cristiano Ronaldo went for three.

The contract previously signed by the FIFA and France Football has expired with neither organisation interested in extending it, and the most prestigious individual award will go back to its initial format.

RECESSION: Buhari’s way out – Presidency

THE Presidency has said that prior to the confirmation by the National Bureau of Statistics that Nigeria was now officially in recession critical measures were already ongoing to get the country out of the prevailing economic decline.
As a direct response to the fiscal crisis, it said the Federal Government   and its agencies were now focusing on agriculture, solid minerals, taxation, infrastructure, industrialisation, plugging leakages, anti-corruption and reducing the cost of governance among others. A functional framework, it said, had been put in place at all levels of government to ensure that current reforms at resuscitating the economy result in a more stable growth that would not be dependent on global oil prices. Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, who said these in a 2,176-page piece, dismissed insinuations that the government lacked a clear response to the cash crunch, adding that key sectors where the nation had comparative advantage were being developed. The statement which examined the current crisis within the context of insinuations that it was either caused or accentuated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, said the immediate past administration had postponed the current downturn by borrowing heavily to run the country in addition to the oil revenue it generated. Hence, the admonishment that the present administration should not be blamed for the prevailing hardship across the country, noting the government was only acting truthfully in accordance with the state of the economy. He, however, said that calls for the country to forget the past misgovernance and move ahead were inimical to efforts at reviving the economy, noting that the wrongs of the past must be corrected to avoid repeating the same mistakes. In that regard, Shehu pointed out that the quantum of funds stolen in the past, if not recovered, could likely be deployed in threatening well-intentioned efforts of the Buhari administration. However, he said the present circumstance demands patriotism and sacrifice from all Nigerians to ensure that the country returns to sustainable growth. His words:‘’ See what the current administration is doing to sanitize   the huge salary bill   by eliminating payroll fraud. So far, the federal payroll has been rid of about 40,000 ghost workers. More than eight billion Naira stolen monthly has been saved. ‘’We are also saving on wasteful expenses like First Class travels and use of private jets for official trips. The federal government is not limiting the reforms to the center but forcing state governments to reform their spending and build savings or investments. ‘’Government is also increasing spending on capital projects especially on infrastructure needed to make Nigerian businesses competitive and create jobs. The administration is at the same time blocking leakages that allowed government revenues to be siphoned into private hands. ‘’Currently, there is a focus on key sectors   apart from oil that can create jobs and or   generate revenue such as agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing. If these things had been done when the oil price was as high as $140 per barrel, Nigeria would not be in the current predicament. We would not be suffering now if we had cash reserves, regular supply of power, a good rail system, good roads and good housing. ‘’ From its records so far, this administration is trying to reset the Nigerian economy and ensure that it attains its potential. We are doing this at a time when the global economy is in crisis due to the oil price collapse. Even rich nations like Saudi Arabia are experiencing problems The government is people-focused and wants the economy to grow in a way that will create a more stable future which is not dictated by world oil prices. No more boom and bust. ‘’Nigeria wants to take responsibility for its own destiny. Therefore, our policies will ensure that Nigeria returns to growth in a sustainable manner. No more dependence on oil. Every part of Nigeria has a role to play in contributing to our growth. We will create an environment where people can thrive and where businesses can grow.”

Sultan announces Monday, Sept.12 as Eid el-Kabir Day

Sokoto – The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced Monday, Sept. 12 as the Eid-El-Kabir Day, 1437 AH. This followed the declaration of Saturday, Sept.3 as the 1st of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.
This is contained in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council of Sokoto . “The committee in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee had received reports from various Moon sighting committees across the country. ” The reports confirmed the sighting of the New Moon of Zulhijja,1437 AH, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, which was the 29th day of Zulka’ada, 1437 AH. ” The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, Sept. 3, as the first day of Zulhijja, 1437 AH. ” Therefore, Monday, Sept.12, which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, and will be marked as this year’s Eid el-Kabir, it added. The statement further quoted the Sultan as felicitating with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance, as well as blessings. The Sultan also urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country. He also wished all Muslims happy Eid el-Kabir, and prayed Allah (SWT) to accept our religious deeds.