31st October: Today In History

Today is Monday, October 31st, the 302, day of 2016. There are 61 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History;

Events: 
1517   Martin Luther posts his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. 
1864   Nevada is admitted as the 36th U.S. state. 
1892   The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is first published. 
1922   Benito Mussolini becomes the youngest Premier in the history of Italy. 
1926   Magician Harry Houdini dies after his appendix ruptured.

Birthdays: 
1632   Jan Vermeer (Dutch Painter) 
1795   John Keats (English Poet) 
1860   Juliette Low (Girl Scout founder) 
1887   Chiang Kai-shek (Leader of Chinese Nationalist Government) 
1931   Dan Rather (News Anchor) 
1950   John Candy (Comedian) 
1961   Peter Jackson (Director of Lord of the Rings Movies) 
2000   Willow Smith (Actress and Singer)

4 Passengers Dead After Fata Accident Involving APC Bus In Oyo

A terrible accident occurred yesterday at Fiditi area in Oyo State. The fatal accident reportedly claimed nothing less than four persons including the driver who were on their way to Ibadan for a church program.

According to a witness, one of the passengers who got out of their vehicles to assist the injured victims was also killed by another bus whose break developed fault . May their souls rest in peace.

Serial Child Kidnapper Burnt Alive In Imo State (Photo)

A notorious kidnapper, Osundu, aka Galaxy, and his gang got more than they bargained for at Umu-Ode, on October 4, 2016, as he was not only caught, but burnt alive by members of the community, The Sun reports.

Galaxy had been a terror to the people as he specialized in the kidnapping of children for sale, an act he carried out for over five months.

Galaxy and members of his gang had a practice of visiting Umu-Ode Ezelu on the communities market day, when most people would have gone out, and particularly at such hours when there would probably be no adult person around to confront them.

They would then abduct any child they could see. But on that fateful day, they met their Waterloo, after they abducted the male child of a street trader, Mrs. Elesius Duru, and zoomed off.

The woman raised an alarm that caught the attention of youths in the area and members of the Imo Security Network, who pursued the gang and caught them.

The irate youths took custody of Galaxy and one of his members, and after questioning them, they instantly administered jungle justice by setting the duo ablaze, even before the police arrived at the scene.

An indigene of the community explained that the youths took the decision because of their conviction that the duo would have been set free if they had been handed over to the police. 

$2.2b Arms Deals: Sambo Dasuki To Call Goodluck Jonathan As Witness

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, who is on trial for alleged mismanagement of $2.1billion arms funds, would like former President Goodluck Jonathan to be his witness, it was learnt yesterday.

Dr. Jonathan has faulted the charges against Dasuki, claiming that the ex-NSA could not have stolen about $2.2billion votes for arms. “We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army,” he said in a recent interview at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom.

Speaking with The Nation correspondent, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), the ex-NSA’s counsel, said Dasuki wanted Jonathan to testify in court.Raji said: “It will be desirable for Jonathan to testify for the ex-NSA. It will throw greater light into grey areas. And it will serve the interest of Justice. It will be fantastic for him to go to court to testify. Dasuki is an agent of a disclosed and known principal.”

Another member of the legal team said: “With what Jonathan said in London, the only logical thing for him to do is to see it through.“We want Jonathan to follow-through. If he backs out, it will be bad.”But, in Raji’s view, a political solution will be better than trial because of the “characters involved”.

He said: “But, frankly speaking, I pray for a political solution to the problem because of the characters involved.“Both the accused and the government should embrace a political solution to the problem.”Asked if Dasuki is ready for political solution, he added: “Why not? He is.

”I believe the President is very sincere. He wants to reorganise Nigeria and he deserves the support of all.“With a political solution, Mr. President will be in good stead to overcome unnecessary distractions in order to succeed.“I pray that everybody will key into his vision and the economic challenges facing the nation.”

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Dasuki’s defence team was banking on Jonathan’s testimony. The source added: “So far, we have secured the consent of Jonathan to appear in court for Dasuki. This will make the trial worth it.”

Man Treks From Lagos To Zaria To Propose To Donald Duke's Daughter, But She Turns Him Down

26-year-Old, TundeAgbaje, cousin of Jimi Agbaje, went on the adventure to prove his love for Xerona Duke.

Agbaje whose trek lasted for 19 days narrates how he met her:

“I was with my friends sometime in 2010 and while we were discussing about ladies, I said I wished God would just show me my wife anytime soon, about five minutes later, I went to get food on Awolowo Road. It was my first day at that eatery. I was waiting to be served when she walked in. I observed that there was a love image at the back of the trousers she put on. She approached me and asked what she could buy and I advised her. We later exchanged contacts and became friends. That was how my love for her started growing. We met several times afterwards.”

“I chose to trek to Zaria because her parents dated for six years in ABU, Zaria, before they got married. I didn’t let my parents know and to ensure I was not disturbed, I changed my SIM card. I took a tracker along with me to monitor my movements. I never took a bus at any time. It was a tough task and I even collapsed.

I don't regret what I did. I have proved my love for her, even though she didn’t reciprocate my feeling. Even the man she marries can't do that.

Xerona says:

“Tunde has been harassing and stalking me for the past six years and as far as I am concerned, this is just a new escapade in a series of his harassment.

I met Tunde at a church when I was living in Lagos and we were both part of the youth ministry. He never had a friendship, let alone a relationship, with me. I was in a music group and some of the youths had my phone number, including him.

He later found out where I lived and came to my house. My mum warned him to leave me alone, but he refused. I changed my phone number and moved to the US, but I don’t know how he got my contact. I have stopped picking calls from Nigeria because of him.

He later called me and said he was going to trek to prove his love for me in a non-violent way and I told him not to do it because he could die. I said that out of Christian charity.

5 Soldiers, 4 Vigilantes Killed By Boko Haram In Borno State

Troops carrying out clearance operations on suspected Boko Haram terrorists hideouts in Talala and Ajigin, southern part of Borno State, were ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Ugundiri village, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State, while returning to base after clearance operations yesterday.

Unfortunately, 5 soldiers, 3 vigilantes and 1 Civilian JTF lost their lives during the ambush, while 19 soldiers and 1 Civilian JTF sustained various degrees of injuries. The bodies of the late soldiers and civilians have been evacuated to Maiduguri while the injured are receiving commensurate medical care and are in stable condition.

The troops destroyed the terrorists Gun truck and recovered 2 Anti-Aircraft guns, 2 spare Gun barrels, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade, 1 AK-47 Rifle and 320 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.Troops have been mobilized into blocking positions to further neutralize fleeing Boko Haram terrorists. Please recall that another set of troops had earlier cleared Zira, Abulam, Dusula, and Buk villages before returning to base in Bulabulin.

Gov Umahi Orders The Release Of Mother Of Two Held In Ebonyi Prisons Over N400 Cocoyam

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  A woman held at the Abakaliki Prisons for allegedly stealing N400 cocoayam has been released on the order of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.
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• Umahi ordered her freedom after being briefed on Friday by the National Human Right Commission, NHRC, on the outcome of its investigation into the alleged extra-judicial killings of some inmates of the Abakaliki Prisons, during the August 18 attempted jail break.
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  The Chairman of the NHRC, Professor Ben Angwe, while revealing the pathetic condition of inmates of the prisons, mentioned the case of the woman, who was in the prison with her two children, as she had no one to cater for them. Angwe said when the woman was arraigned in court, the judge granted her bail with two sureties, who must be civil servants on Grade Level 16.
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• According to him, “we saw very pathetic cases. We saw a woman with two children in the prison accused of stealing cocoyam worth N400. They gave her difficult bail conditions, which required two sureties, who are on Level 16 in the civil service. “You can imagine somebody, who was accused of stealing N400 worth of cocoyam; what access will she have to a Grade 16 official of government?”
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• A visibly displeased Umahi summoned the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Augustine Nwankwaegu, for a briefing and, thereafter, directed him to ensure that the woman was released same day.
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• According to him, the Governor said: “Holding that woman in prison is an unnecessary punishment. Attorney-General, you will have to follow the state Comptroller of Prisons and secure her release. Send your people to surety the woman and let her leave the place.
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• Get people on Level 16 to do so.” Angwe had, while reading the report of the investigative panel, also mentioned the case of an old man on awaiting trial for 11 years, saying his case was heart rending. Angwe said: “There is also a case of an old man, who has stayed 11 years in that prison without trial. If the man is discharged what amount of compensation will be adequate for someone who is kept without trial for 11 years?
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  In fact, the old man is not the only one awaiting trial; more than 80 percent of the inmates in that prison are awaiting trial.” He described the condition of the Abakaliki Prisons as very poor.

Wow! Martins Signs N4bn Shanghai Deal

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  Former Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has extended his contract with Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua, after initially penning a one-season deal with the club, but will now stay with the club until the end of the 2017 season based on the new agreement, Vanguardngr reports.

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• Martins has averaged 0.5 goals per game (15 goals from 30 appearances) this season, a feat that helped him get the new improved pay cheque. The 32-year-old will pocket $9m in wages (equivalent of N4.1bn) in the new deal that he signed, $2.4m more than his last deal.

Reuben Abati Still In EFCC Cell, Unable To Meet Bail Conditions

One week after he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly collecting N50m from the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, former presidential spokesman Reuben Abati is still in the gulaq.

Premium Times reports that Abati is still being detained by the EFCC because he has been unable to fulfil the conditions of the administrative bail granted him by the anti-graft body.

The conditions include depositing his passport with the EFCC and presenting a senior federal civil servant preferably a director with landed properties in Abuja.

When operatives questioned him about how he spent the funds, Mr. Abati reportedly said he disbursed it to media practitioners in his capacity as the spokesman for the Goodluck Jonathan administration. But he said he did not keep records of the disbursement when queried for evidence. “He will be released when he meets his bail conditions,” a source within the EFCC said.

Also in EFCC custody is Bala Mohammed, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who was taken into custody shortly after Mr. Abati’s arrest on Monday.
But Mr. Mohammed’s case is said to be more complicated, and he may not be released anytime soon.

Premium Times learnt that the EFCC has procured a remand order from a court to hold Mr. Mohammed for a while.
He faces allegations of land racketeering which EFCC said came in several petitions from citizens who dealt with Mr. Mohammed while he was a minister.

Mr. Mohammed was said to have sold government land to private individuals and received pay for the transaction in cash.

Zambian Doctor Who Was "Racially Abused" Goes Missing Mysteriously In USA (Photo)

A Zambian medical doctor, Dr Suwilanji Situmbeko, has mysteriously disappeared in the US capital, Washington DC forcing local police to issue an alert to establish his whereabouts.Dr Situmbeko, commonly known as Doc Stukie among peers, is attached to Global Health Corps.

His online presence may provide clues to his disappearance as investigators dig into the matter.

The 27-year-old Zambia had made Facebook posts and twitter comments suggesting he was being racially abused. He has been missing since October 21, 2016.

Drug Lord El Chapo's Wife Says He Will Die Or Go Crazy After Prison Cut His Love-Making Time

Convicted drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is depressed and suffering hallucinations and memory loss because of harsh conditions in the Mexican prison where he is jailed, according to his lawyers and a psychiatrist who recently visited him.

In the doctor’s report, Guzman who famously escaped two high-security Mexican prisons before being recaptured this year, described a prison cell where the lights are kept on 24 hours a day and his only human contact is with masked guards.

The drug lord who is fighting extradition to the U.S which Mexican officials hope to carry out as soon as January, complained of being awoken every four hours to appear on camera for an inmate roll call.

His attorney, José Refugio Rodríguez, said he received “a desperate message” from Guzman on Friday saying he was suffering hallucinations and “felt he was going to die.” The message prompted Guzman’s wife, Emma Coronel, to file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission.

She said the conditions could kill him or make him “go crazy” in a matter of months. She also said authorities have gone too far by cutting Guzman’s weekly lovemaking time with her from four hours to two. But authorities deny that his rights are being violated – suggesting that his is merely trying to slow down his extradition.

Six Siblings Reportedly Poisoned To Death, Set To Be Buried

They reportedly met a pot of food in their house, not knowing it was poisoned, ate it and all died instantly.......Really sad, May their soul rest in peace... 

Italy Rocked By Strongest Earthquake To Strike The Country In 36 Years (Photo)

Another powerful earthquake shook Central Italy on Sunday, sending panicked residents running into piazzas, raining boulders onto highways and toppling a Benedictine cathedral and other historic edifices that had withstood several recent quakes.

There were no immediate reports of deaths. The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.6 was the strongest to strike the country in nearly 36 years, hitting a mountainous region northeast of Rome where people were still unnerved after a pair of jolts last week and an August quake that killed nearly 300.

Some 20 people suffered minor injuries. That there were no reports of fatalities was largely due to the fact that thousands had left their homes after the earlier temblors.

Bride Runs Out Of Wedding Reception, Says She's No Longer Intrested (Photos)

There was confusion in Delta State on Saturday as a wedding reception ended half-way, following the bride’s pronouncement that she was no longer interested in the few-hours-old marriage.

DAILY POST reports that the bride, who ran away from the reception venue, was given hot chase by the husband.

The incident, which occurred at ‎Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, created serious scene in the area.

At the popular Orhunwhorhun road, the husband was seen begging the bride to reconsider her decision.

The incident attracted a large crowd, as well as members of their families, in a frantic effort to settle the matter. See more photos after the cut... 

Brain Cancer Survivor Shoots Self Dead After Being Bullied Over Her Uneven Grin (Photo)

A young girl got off a school bus last Wednesday and shot herself with a gun on the back porch of her Cable, Ohio, home.

Bethany Thompson's mother Wendy Feucht believes the 11-year-old, who earlier survived brain cancer, had been bullied, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Feucht said in an interview with the news outlet: 'I think that she was just done. She didn't feel like anybody could do anything to help her.

'People need to know that even the littlest things can break someone.' 

The day Bethany shot herself - October 19 - she spoke to a female friend, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Feucht recalled: 'She told her she loved her and that she was her best friend forever, but that she was going to kill herself when she got home.' The mother also said that her daughter's friend informed her several peers had frequently teased them.

It's unclear who the gun belongs to, the Dispatch reported.

Bethany's father and Feucht's ex-husband Paul Thompson told the newspaper in an interview that his daughter went through brain cancer in 2008.

He said that his daughter's uneven grin was caused by a tumor that was removed.

The father said fellow students noticed and several bullied Bethany, explaining: 'I think that's why she took [her life].'

I Made You A Billionaire, Olusegun Obasanjo Replies Folorunsho Alakija

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Saturday in Lagos that Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, Africa’s richest woman by Forbes reckoning, was among the 25 billionaires he made during his tenure as President.

Obasanjo stated this at the 2016 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum.

The former president was reacting to an allegation by Alakija at the event, that the Obasanjo administration frustrated her effort when she ventured into oil business.

Alakija, who spoke before Obasanjo, alleged that his administration illegally took an oil block allocated to her company after her family had invested all its savings to strike oil in commercial quantity.

“This oil block is in 5000 feet depth of water and was extremely difficult to explore.

“It took 15 years from the time that we were awarded the licence in 1993 till 2008 when we struck the first oil

“When this event happened, 60 per cent out of our 60 per cent equity in the business, was forcefully taken from us by the government of the day without due process.

“We had to fight back by going to court to seek redress and it took another 12 years for justice to be served in our favour.

“In all those years it was my trust in God, my perseverance and the support of my family that got me going,” she said.
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She used her experiences to charge the 2000 budding entrepreneurs at the event to be dogged, determined and not to give up in the face of challenges.

When Obasanjo spoke, the former president seized the opportunity to reply to the allegation by Alakija.

“There is a saying in my part of the world that when a proverb touches you and you failed to reply, then you are a coward,” he said.

Obasanjo explained that the action of the government then was in line with the Mining Act, which regulates oil prospection and exploration.

“For you to come here and say that, for no cause whatsoever, you were denied what was rightfully yours, is not fair.

“I do not know you from Adam and there is no reason I would have denied you what rightfully belonged to you.

“So, you have struggled, and you have struck oil. God bless your heart.

“My delight is to be able to create Nigerian billionaire and I always say it that my aim, when I was in government was to create 50 Nigerian billionaires.

“Unfortunately I failed. I created only 25 and Madam, you are one of them,” he said.