NIGERIAN BOOTED OUT OF US AIRLINE AFTER PASSENGER COMPLAINED OF BODY ODOUR

A Nigerian woman is taking United Airlines to court, alleging that the carrier racially discriminated against her by removing her from her flight at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport after a fellow passenger complained that she had a “pungent” odour.

On May 11, Queen Obioma filed a federal discrimination suit in Texas, stating that she and her children were wrongfully kicked off a flight headed to San Francisco on March 4, 2016, the second leg of a three-flight trip from Lagos, Nigeria, to Ontario, Canada, where her kids attend school, the Houston Chronicle reports.

According to the lawsuit, Obioma boarded the plane and found a white male passenger sitting in her assigned business class seat, from which he refused to move. When a flight attendant failed to resolve the conflict as the man continued to refuse to move to his own assigned seat, Obioma agreed to take his spot.

Obioma went to the restroom before takeoff and returned to find the man blocking her from accessing the seat for several minutes. The mother then alleged that a United staffer, identified as Russel H., instructed her to step off the plane, where she was informed by another United agent that the pilot requested that she exit as the man causing trouble complained that she was “pungent” and did not feel comfortable flying with her.

Shaken, Obioma had her children removed from the flight as well, and the family made their connection five hours later. A frequent flyer member of United’s Star Alliance programme, Obioma said the airline discriminated against her because she was black, African and Nigerian.

United returned Fox News’ request for comment with the following statement:

“We have not yet been served with this suit and due to the pending litigation involved in this matter, we’re unable to provide further comment,” spokesman for the airline said, in an emailed statement.

Obioma is seeking punitive damages and legal fees.

NIGERIA INCREASES AIRPORT SCREENINGS AFTER EBOLA OUTBREAK IN DR CONGO

ABUJA : Report has it that Nigeria has increased screening tests at airports and other points of entry as a precautionary measure following an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the immigration service said on Thursday.     Health worker checking the temperature of         a traveler. 

 At least 17 people have died in an area of northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo, two years after the worst ever outbreak of the virus ended in West Africa after killing more than 11,300 people and infecting some 28,600, mainly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Nigeria was hailed as having contained the virus in 2014, with 8 deaths, following fears that it could spread through the commercial capital of some 20 million inhabitants and across Africa’s most populous country of around 180 million people.

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) said thermometers had been used to monitor some entrants into the country since the virus last hit the region. Screening had been stepped up since the latest outbreak in Congo.

“We are using all the facilities available to detect the virus. That means extra use of thermometers,” said NIS spokesman Sunday James, speaking via phone. “We must take extra measures to make sure people are screened at all the entry points into the country,” he said.

Recall that Ebola spread to Nigeria in 2014 when one Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian-American diplomat, flew into the country from Liberia and collapsed at the main international airport in Lagos.

Health Minister Isaac Adewale, late on Wednesday, said the cabinet had ordered his ministry to step up emergency surveillance at all land and airport borders, with a particular emphasis on screening people visiting from Congo.

“Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) will also consider sending some team to DRC as part of building capacity for managing  the outbreak,” he told reporters.

- Reuters 

LAGOS FEMALE LAWYER STABS HER LAWYER HUSBAND TO DEATH, CUTS OFF HIS GENITAL IN LAGOS STATE.

Photo of deceased stabbed to death

Report reaching our news desk has it that a female lawyer, in Lagos state, have allegedly stabbed her husband to death and also severed his genital. It was revealed that the said woman, after cutting off her husband's genitals, placed the cut off genital on the right hand of helpless dead man.

The tragic incidence occurred at about 7:30am on Thursday the 3rd day of May, 2018 took place in Diamond Estate, Sango-Tedo area of Lagos state, Southwest Nigeria.
The Lagos state police command  described by the tragedy as an eyesore.

The deceased, Otike Odibi, 50, from Kwale, Delta State, who is also a lawyer has been married to his wife, Udeme Odibi, 47, from Akwa Ibom State, for three years without a child.

SP Chike Oti, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State said the Divisional Police Officer, Ogombo, Ajah, Lagos, received a distress call at about 0730hrs, that one Mr. Otike Odibi, was allegedly murdered in cold blood in his home at Diamond Estate, Sango-Tedo Lagos, by his wife, one Mrs Udeme Odibi.

“Based on the information, the DPO mobilised a team of detectives to the scene where they found the man lying on the bed in the pool of his own blood, with his stomach ripped open exposing the intestine. As if that was not enough, the killer severed his genital and placed it on his right hand.

“However, before the arrival of the Police, Mrs Udeme who had unsuccessfully attempted to commit suicide after allegedly killing her husband, was rushed to the hospital for treatment by neighbours.

“Sequel to the above, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi, directed Crime Scene Detectives from the homicide section of the SCID Panti Yaba and Forensic experts to the scene to aid in the investigation,” he said.

According to Oti, eye witness account revealed that the couple, both whom are lawyers, were married three years ago after the deceased divorced his first wife.

The suspect

“The deceased first marriage produced a daughter currently schooling in the UK. However the current marriage is said to be without a child. Further information from a neighbour, revealed that the deceased called him on phone in the night before he was murdered, complaining that the wife was threatening to kill him with a knife.

“The said neighbour, however, warned him to be careful. The deceased also called his mother and his younger sister complaining of threat to his life that fateful night,” he said.

However, CP noted that not too long ago, a husband allegedly killed his wife and baby in Banana Island Lagos, as he therefore advised couples to learn to resolve their matrimonial disputes without resorting to violence.

COURT JAILS SAN 30 DAYS FOR ATTEMPTING TO PERVERT JUSTICE

Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on Monday sentenced Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN to 30 days imprisonment over attempt to pervert the cause of justice. 

Dr. Joseph Nwobike

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had alleged that Nwobike offered N750,000 and N300,000 gratifications to Justices Mohammed Yunusa and Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court respectively.

The commission in a 15-count amended charge claimed that Nwobike offered the two judges money to allegedly perverting the course of justice.

He was also alleged to have make false statement to the EFCC in the course of their investigation.

Delivering judge on the matter, Justice Adebiyi found Nwobike guilty of twelve count out of the 18 count allegations brought against him and sentenced him to 30 days imprisonment on the 18 counts.

The judge held that Nwobike deliberately attempt to pervert the cause of justice by sending text message to a judicial official with instruction to influence the assignment of several cases to Justice Yunusa.

The Justice noted that Nwobike conviction should send a signal about the seriousness of the government to fight corruption.

She observed that Nwobike was obviously motivated by the zeal for success and the will to succeed at all cost.

In considering the plea for leniency by Nwobike’s lawyer, Wale Akoni, SAN, Justice Adebiyi stated that Nwobike being a senior advocate has brought shame to the legal profession.

She, however, stated that in sentencing the defendant, the court considered his no previous criminal record, his comportment in court and other factors in reducing the 2 years prescribed jail term to 30 days in prison.

The EFCC had alleged that Nwobike at several occasions sent text messages to one Jide, a Federal High Court official with instruction to ensure certain case he filed should be assigned to a specific judge.

Although Justice Adebiyi held that there was no concrete evidence by the EFCC to prove the more serious offence of perversion of justice, she held the the fact the 6 out of the 10 cases which Nwobike requested to be assigned, were successfully assigned to the judge he wanted, showed a deliberate attempt to pervert the cause of justice.

” It is curious that 6 out of the 10 cases filed were assigned as suggested by the defendant to Jide inspite of the fact the he is not an assigning authority. In proving the ingredient of attempt to pervert justice, act must be immediately connected to an attempt. From the evidence before me, it is clear that the defendant attempted the cause of justice. He is accordingly convicted ,” she held

On the allegation of offering gratification to Justice Yunusa and other judges with the aim of influencing his the outcome of his cases, the judge held that EFCC failed to prove that the N750,000 given to Justice Yunusa actually influenced any case before the judge.

The judge also held that the EFCC failed to prove the allegation that the defendant gave false information to its official during the cause of their invesigation.

SOUTH AFRICANS PROTEST OVER NEW MINIMUM WAGE

Several thousand protesters marched through Johannesburg Wednesday to demonstrate against a proposed minimum wage, a new test for President Cyril Ramaphosa who took office in February.

South Africa, which is suffering record unemployment, is due to introduce the 20 rand ($1.60) hourly minimum wage, but it has been widely criticised as too low.

“It is a disgrace,” said Martin Kgaladi, a car industry worker wearing a T-shirt denouncing the pay level as “a salary of slaves”.

He accused Ramaphosa, a former trade union leader who supports the minimum wage, of being “captured by the capitalists and oppressing the workers he once defended.”

Ramaphosa has vowed to boost economic growth and tackle unemployment by attracting foreign investment and cracking down on government corruption.

He took over from scandal-tainted Jacob Zuma after nine years of weak growth, ballooning national debt and falling investor confidence.

SAFTU, the second biggest trade union, also held protests in Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, but the strike was not backed by COSATU, the biggest union group, which is a government ally.

Employment has hit a high of 28 percent in South Africa, with the youth unemployment levels often peaking at over 50 percent in some areas.

Last week, Ramaphosa left a summit in London early to hold talks over violent riots against alleged government corruption and poor public services.

-AFP

SENATOR DINO MELAYE DRIBBLES POLICE , ESCAPES ARREST , AS POLICE, DSS TAKE OVER HIS HOUSE

ABUJA-MEN of the Nigeria Police force have taken over the house of the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West.

Speaking with Vanguard some seconds ago in a very lone tune , Senator Melaye said, ” the Police have taken over my house.”

Melaye

It will be recalled that Senator Melaye was this morning arrested by the Police at the International wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

Senator Melaye was picked at the airport on his way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Government after checking in. 

Melaye wrote on his Facebook account, saying, ” I have just been arrested at the International wing of of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport on my way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Government after checking in.”

When Vanguard contacted his Senior Legislative Aide, Samuel Melaye, he said, ” Iam  on my way to the Airport now, I cannot say anything now, but I will get back to you.”

Meanwhile, Senator Melaye, who was arrested by immigration officials has escaped moves by the police to secure his arrest.

It was gathered that Melaye was picked up and detained by immigration officials at the airport, following a directive to that effect by the Nigeria Police Force.

Also gathered  that the immigration officials told Melaye that the Police Force had written the service requesting for his arrest as he was not allowed to travel out of the country since his name was on the watch list.

At this point, the lawmaker was said to have challenged the officials demanding to know at what point his name was published as a wanted person on INTERPOL’s watchlist.

Unable to provide answers to Melaye’s question, the immigration officials nevertheless kept Melaye  in detention awaiting the arrival of the police force that gave the directive for his arrest. 

But in between the time of Melaye’s arrest and detention by immigration officials, the attention of INTERPOL’s Commissioner of Police was sought in a bid to solicit his immediate intervention, just as  before the police chief could arrive at the international airport, a vehicle was already on standby and whisked the lawmaker away to an unknown destination.
We shall bring you details as they unfold.…
Recall that the federal government  dragged the senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, to court on a two-count charge for alleged false information. 

Mr. Melaye last April reported an alleged assassination attempt on his life while he was in his home state of Kogi.

The senator and the Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, are members of the same party, APC, but are sworn enemies.

79 2' Kogi State Governor, H. E. Yahaya BELLO                               Mr. Melaye had accused the Kogi governor and his aides of being responsible for the alleged assassination attempt. In the first count charge filed against him, Mr. Melaye was accused of deliberately giving false information to the police to frame the Chief of Staff to Mr. Bello, Edward David, as the mastermind of the assassination attempt on him at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State, last April. 

In the second count, Mr. Melaye was accused of making false statement of facts in a phone conversation with Mohammed Abubakar, a son to the late former Governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, with the intention of harming the reputation of Mr. David.

The case was filed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on January 31, Punch Newspaper reports.

According to the charges signed by Magaji Labaran, the police discovered the alleged falsehood in Mr. Melaye’s claim while investigating the senator’s assassination claim. 

The offences were said to be punishable under sections 140 and 393 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

Mr. Melaye could not be reached for comments as at the time of filing this report.

However, when the Senator was addressing women of his senatorial district, who embarked on a peaceful protest at Aiyetoro-Gbede days after the alleged assassination attempt, senator Melaye claimed that Governor Bello was planning to assassinate him for fighting for the state’s workers and pensioners.

The senator said workers and pensioners in Kogi were suffering and dying, following the non-payment of 15-month salaries and pensions by the state government.

“Yahaya Bello collected N20 billion from the federal government as bailout fund. Still, he refused to settle workers. He also collected N11 billion from the Paris Club fund. Still, he refused to pay workers and pensioners.

“Children can no longer go to school. Tenants can no longer pay their house rent. Enough is enough, the people of Kogi State are tired of this government.

“The advent of Yahaya Bello as governor and Taofiq Isa as local government administrator in the political history of Kogi State has brought this unfortunate socio-political paradigm shift,” Mr. Melaye said.

BAYELSA STATE GOVT SUSPENDS , STOPS SALARIES OF 3,403 STAFF

The Bayelsa State Government has suspended and stopped the salaries of 3,403 workers in the ongoing public service reforms.

The State’s Head of Service, Rev. Thomas Zidafomo, directed that salaries of 222 staff of Bayelsa State-owned media houses and 3,181 non-teaching staff of the State Universal Basis Education Board be suspended.

Zidafomo, in a letter dated April 6, 2018, directed that the withheld salaries of the affected workers listed as “excess workers” be remitted to the Accountant General of Bayelsa State.

But the unions have kicked against the action and urged the government to rescind its decision.

The protest of the unions was contained in a statement jointly issued by John Ndiomu, Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Tari Dounana.

The labour noted that withholding of salaries of workers listed for redeployment was strange and urged the government to carry out the reforms in compliance with Public Service Rules.

The statement said: “Labour wishes to draw government’s attention to the ongoing public service reforms. It is proper to note that redeployment of staff is a norm but stoppage of salaries is not in line with civil service rules.

“Labour therefore calls on government to review its directive on the stoppage of salaries as it is against the public service RULES. “We also wish to remind government of its pledge that the reforms would not lead to job losses and ask that it abides by it.”

The Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions of SUBEB on Monday also urged the government to reverse its decision.

NASU with 3,181 non-teaching staff affected in the reform issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to rescind its decision or face a strike.

The Bayelsa State chapter Chairman of the union, Geku Ebiwari, in a statement after an emergency congress of the union, noted that the workers were not under any trial to warrant the suspension of their salaries.

Ebiwari said noted that there was no need to stop the salaries of the workers if the exercise was a re-deployment as claimed.

However, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, said there was no going back in the reforms.

Iworiso-Markson said the government would pursue the policy to a logical conclusion.
He maintained that the reform was necessary to “rid the public service of an excess workforce and in the process deliver a leaner, smarter and productive workforce that is better equipped to serve the state”.

Iworiso-Markson allayed fears that they had been sacked and explained that the affected workers would be trained and deployed to other areas of need.
According to him, those found unsuitable in the public service will be eased out with financial assistance to start off their businesses.

He further said that Governor Seriake Dickson is scheduled to receive the report of the state Public Service Reforms Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd), on Tuesday.

The submission of the report is preparatory to meeting between the governor and leaders of the organised labour on Wednesday.