ICPC TO PARTNER INEC AGAINST VOTE-BUYING

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has expressed its readiness to partner the Independent National Electoral Commission to tackle the menace of vote-buying in the electoral system.

Acting Chairman of ICPC, Musa Abubakar, made this known when he visited the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday in Abuja.

Abubakar said that ICPC identified with INEC and Nigerians on the issue of vote-buying and was willing to work with the election management body to curb the ugly trend.

He said the commission was empowered to deal with all cases of corruption, including those committed during elections.

“The ICPC is empowered to investigate and prosecute any person involved in any act of bribery and corruption under any laws that prohibit corruption.

“I believe the Electoral Act also has provisions that deal with corruption and all forms of malpractices during the election.

“So, vote-buying is one of the corrupt practices under both our law and Electoral Act.

“The main reason for this visit is to identify with the commission and the general public on the issue of vote-buying.

“We assure you that the ICPC is ever ready to partner INEC to ensure that this trend is totally eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.

Responding, Yakubu commended ICPC for its commitment to partner INEC to tackle “this new brand of electoral crime.”

He said that the commission was prepared to ensure that vote-buying did not determine the outcome of 2019 general elections.

“The votes cast by citizens will continue to determine who wins in our elections. We are focusing more on the processes leading to that outcome.

“The outcome of any election is in the hand of the voter, but we are responsible for ensuring that the process is free and credible,” he said.

(NAN)

KANO POLICE ARREST WHATSAPP GROUP ADMIN, MEMBERS FOR SHARING FAKE NEWS

The Kano State Police Command has arrested an administrator and members of a WhatsApp Group for circulating fake news and an image of a married woman whom they claimed was trafficking in children in the city.

The spokesperson of the Police in the state, Magaji Majiya, told PRNigeria that the suspects were arrested and paraded after the victim of the circulated image lodged a formal complaint to the Police Command.

Mr Majiya said: “We received a complaint from a married woman and a civil servant, Mrs Bushirat Madaki, that her picture is being shared on WhatsApp group with the intent to malign and incite the public against her.

“Upon receiving the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Rabiu Yusuf ordered an immediate investigation by a special team who were able to trace and arrest three married suspects a man and two women for circulating the fake and offensive information.

“When confronted over the petition against them, the suspects admitted that the image and material on the woman were shared and forwarded in their group.

“They also admitted that they didn’t know the woman in person and have never had interaction with her before distributing the image and the story. They, therefore, sought forgiveness.

“For now, the Police Command has granted the suspects bail because the offense is bailable while further investigation is ongoing.

“The police command is also currently providing security cover for the innocent woman for fear of mob attacks because her image and the false report on her have gone viral.”

The police spokesperson said it is an offence to share or circulate fake news that could undermine national security or incite the public against innocent people.

“We call on social media users to be wary of what they receive and share or forward on social media, especially WhatsApp. We should guard against the misuse of social media platforms by sharing and forwarding objectionable or fake messages,” he said.

Concerns have been raised about social media misuse as fake news, morphed photographs and disturbing videos with fabricated local narratives are being circulated that can trigger tension, political crisis and even communal conflict in sensitive communities.

TWO DEAD, 37 INJURED IN GAS EXPLOSION IN NASARAWA

File photo: Gas explosion

The Nasarawa State Government on Monday expressed shock and sadness over a gas explosion in Lafia in which two persons have been confirmed dead and 37 others injured.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara, said during on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the incident that the government would take the necessary steps to unravel the cause of the accident.

Agara, accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Yahaya Bello, and Chairman, Lafia Local Government, Malam Aminu Muazu, described the explosion which occurred at Monaco Gas plant within the premises of Natson Filling station on Jos Road, Lafia, as most unfortunate.

He expressed his condolences and sympathy to the victims on behalf of Governor Umaru Al-Makur and assured the people of the government’s readiness to respond to the emergency and ensure a thorough investigation of the incident.

Agara applauded the security and emergency response teams for their quick intervention and advised the public to stay away from the scene to allow relevant agencies to carry out their investigation into the matter.

He and his entourage later visited the 37 victims with various degrees of injuries at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

On the casualty figure, Mrs Faustina Alegbe, the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander in the State, told NANthat two persons died while 37 people were injured.

“So far, 37 people are receiving treatment in the hospital but two have been confirmed dead by the doctors.

“Tomorrow, we will go back to the hospital to do an update. But I can tell you that I was in the hospital myself to do a physical count and as at now, 37 are receiving treatment with two dead,” she said.

(NAN)

ABUJA-KADUNA BOUND TRAIN CRUSHES 52 COWS

The Kaduna state commissioner of police sunday confirmed that 52 cows were crushed to death by a Kaduna-Abuja bound train.  Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, police Commissioner Ahmad Abdurahaman said the incidence happened in Kasarami in Kagarko local government of the state. 

According to him, the command received a distress call of the accident and he personally led principal staff of the Command to the spot. “When we got to the spot we found out that contrary to earlier calls of insurgents attack, what actually happened was an accident involving cows. 

The Fulani Herdsmen who passed the night at kasarami asked if they could cross over with their cattles and were misinformed that there was no rail services on Sunday. “It was when they were half way that a fast moving train from Rigasa station on the way to Abuja approached. 

“The train was on a high speed and in the process crushed to death 52 Cattles while 27 that were still alive were ordered to be slaughter and sold out to reduce the lost on the Herdsmen “I want to assure the good people of Kaduna state that what happened was an accident and no life was lost only the cattles’ he said. 

The police commissioner explained that the Fulani Herdsmen were on their way back to katsina state when the unfortunate incidence happened. I had a meeting with their leaders and the farmers in the area in other to check future occurrence. 

I call on the people of kaduna state to go about with their lawful activities as the command is doing everything to ensure that lives and properties are protected in the state” he said.

PLANE CRASH: DEATH TOLL RISES TO 20 IN SOUTH SUDAN

Plane crash site.

A plane crash in South Sudan killed 20 people, including an Anglican bishop and four foreigners, a regional official said, updating the toll.

Regional spokesman Taban Abel Aguek said 20 people died and three survived when a small plane crashed into a lake close to Yirol in the centre of the country on Sunday morning.

“Among the dead, 16 are South Sudanese nationals while four are foreigners including the pilot and the co-pilot, who are Sudanese. One Ugandan and an Ethiopian… also died in the crash,” Abel said.

The Anglican Bishop of Yirol, Simon Adut, was among those killed as was a staff member of the South Sudanese Red Cross, while an Italian doctor and two children were among the survivors.

An official with the South Sudan Aviation Authority said investigations were underway but that overloading and bad weather may have led to the accident.

Abel said the regional governor had declared three days of mourning.

(AFP)

OSUN STATE EX-SPEAKER, BELLO DUMPS THE PDP FOR THE RULING APC

Hon. Adejare Bello

A former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. Adejare Bello, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

Bello, who is from Ede, the hometown of the governorship candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke, confirmed his resignation of membership to newsmen via the telephone on Monday.

Although the former speaker did not say he had joined the All Progressives Congress, sources close to him and those in the APC confirmed that he had joined the ruling party.

The Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the APC in Osun State, Mr Kunle Oyatomi,  also confirmed to our correspondent that Bello had joined the ruling party.

Bello was the running mate of Senator Iyiola Omisore, who was then the candidate of the PDP during the 2014 governorship election in the state.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE TO TAKE ANOTHER COACHING JOB SOON

Zinedine Zidane

zinedine Zidane has paved the way for a return to management by admitting he expects to take another coaching job soon.

Zidane made the surprise decision to leave Real Madrid at the end of last season, five days after leading the club to a third consecutive Champions League title.

The Frenchman said he believed change was needed for the team to “keep winning” but, despite a disappointing final La Liga campaign, he left with his reputation sky-high.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Zidane, with Jose Mourinho’s position at Old Trafford increasingly uncertain.

“Surely I am going to return to coaching soon,” Zidane told Spanish broadcaster RTVE on Sunday.

“Because I like it and (football) is what I have done my whole life.”

Zidane began coaching for Castilla, Real Madrid’s B team, in 2014 before taking charge of the first team in January 2016 after Rafael Benitez was sacked.

He led Madrid to the league title the following year but failed to replicate that success domestically last term, as Los Blancos finished third, 17 points behind Barcelona.

(AFP)

2019 ELECTION: GOVERNOR YARI SEEKS ZAMFARA WEST SENATORIAL SEAT

Gov. Abdul'aziz Yari

Governor Abdul’aziz Yari has declared his intention to contest for Zamfara West senatorial seat ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor will seek to upstage Senator Ahmad Sani-Yarima who is serving his third term as a Senator representing Zamfara West.

Yari, who announced this when he spoke to newsmen in Gusau on Monday, said he was contesting for the seat because of the interest he has in the legislative process, and to serve his people.

“You know, I was from the National Assembly before I become a governor, in fact, my colleagues from the National Assembly used to say I am here on sabbatical.

“So, my going to the Senate is like I am going home.

“In fact even some people in the Presidency are asking me why I want to go to senate, I told them is just an interest.

“You know National Assembly politics is different.

“I learned a lot from the National Assembly and what I learned there has really assisted me in my administration as governor in the last eight years, especially in the areas of budget process and resources management,” Yari said.

NAN reports that the leadership of the state All Progressives Congress had since purchased nomination forms for Yari and other preferred aspirants.

Yari was a member of the House of Representatives for Anka/Talata-Mafara Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2011.

(NAN)

PLATEAU FLOOD DISPLACES OVER 200 HOUSEHOLDS

Photo of a Flood Scene

About 200 households have been displaced by a flood in Rikkos community of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, following a heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Al’Amin Yakubu, Head, Emergency Response Team of the community disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Jos.

Yakubu said though no life was lost, the flood had destroyed properties and washed away valuables.

“The flood didn’t claim lives, but because it was huge, it displaced over 200 households.

“These households have lost all their properties and are left with nothing,” he said.

He said that the displaced persons were currently staying with neighbours, as no camp had been put in place for them.

Yakubu described the condition of the displaced persons as pathetic, adding that access to food, shelter and clothing is already becoming a serious challenge for them.

“As a community, we don’t have the capacity and resources to camp these people; we would have done that pending when the government will intervene.

“But we have contacted the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency, and both have promised to respond soon,” he said.

Efforts to reach Alhaji Alhassan Barde, SEMA Executive Director, proved abortive, but a senior staff of the agency who prefers anonymity confirmed the incident to NAN.

He said that the agency had already sent its personnel to the affected community to assess the level of damage.

(NAN)

DARIYE ALLEGEDLY BUYS APC NOMINATION FORM FROM JAIL

Sen. Joshua Dariye

Imprisoned Senator Joshua Dariye has allegedly bought his nomination and expression of interest forms to run for the Plateau Central Senatorial District seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

A supporter of the former Plateau State governor, Monday Shadrack Kopmut, shared the news on his Facebook page on Saturday.

He shared photos of the nomination and expressions of interest forms, which had already been filled.

He wrote: “Just to notify all teaming supporters of our amiable senator Chief Dr Joshua C. Dariye, that the people’s senator has purchase & filled the APC nominations & declaration of interest to contest in the forthcoming APC primary election & 2019 general election to represent the good people of plateau central in the ninth assembly."

Dariye, a serving Senator was sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of over N1.16bn belonging to the state while he was governor between 1999 and 2007.