MAYEGBA'S BLOG ™ ̷̐ ̈́ ̈́ ̈́ ͂ ̷̐ ̈́ ̈́̈́ ͂ ̐

Photo,LATE Musa Yar'adua,Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo The International Criminal Court (ICC) is considering a petition sent by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), over the N11 trillion allegedly wasted on power by the administrations of ex-presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Musa Yar'Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan. SERAP had sent the petition, stating that the funds were squandered by the former presidents. Timothy Adewale, SERAP deputy director, confirmed this in a statement issued on Wednesday. He said it received a letter from the court, with regards to the petition. "SERAP can confirm that the ICC is now considering our petition. We have received communication from Mark P. Dillon, head of information and evidence unit of the ICC indicating that the court will give due consideration to our petition," the statement read. The letter reads in part: "This communication has been duly entered in the communications register of the office. ...

Members of Boko Haram Boko Haram insurgents have killed six men in a village in northeast Nigeria on Tuesday in what appeared to be a targeted reprisal attack. A militia fighting the group said nine Boko Haram fighters allegedly entered Kijimatari, a village in north-east Borno state, at around 2 am (0100 GMT), breaking into the homes of six men including the village chief before slitting their throats. "The attackers evaded a nearby military checkpoint by entering the village through bush paths," said Ibrahim Liman, the head of a local anti-jihadist militia force. "The chief of the village was among the victims and it was clear the victims were deliberately targeted." Local resident Kulo Musa said that while the attackers had carried guns, they "chose to use knives" to avoid alerting soldiers manning a nearby checkpoint. Musa said the killings were a reprisal for the arrest of two Boko Haram members who moved into the village claiming to have been displac...

The Nigerian music industry has set plans in motion to mark the annual 'No Music Day' across Nigeria on September 1. "No Music Day" is a day the music industry has dedicated to bringing the attention of the Nigerian nation to the widespread infringement of the rights of song writers, composers, performers, music publishers, record labels and other stakeholders in the music industry.   With the theme, ''Music for National Stability'', The "No Music Day" 2017 celebration is aimed at building significant public awareness and support for the new national fight against piracy of music, movies, literature, broadcast content, software, etc, which is undermining investments in the Nigerian creative industry. Speaking on the theme of this year's event, renowned Intellectual Property activist and Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji said "Every year, in marking 'No Music Day', our objective has been to eng...

A Los Angeles jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a record $417 million to a hospitalized woman who claimed that the talc in the company's iconic baby powder causes ovarian cancer when applied regularly for feminine hygiene. The jury's award included $68 million in compensatory damages and $340 million in punitive damages. The verdict in the lawsuit brought by the California woman, Eva Echeverria, marks the largest sum awarded in a series of talcum powder lawsuit verdicts against the brand courts around the U.S. Echeverria alleged Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn consumers about talcum powder's potential cancer risks. She developed ovarian cancer as a "proximate result of the unreasonably dangerous and defective nature of talcum powder," she said in her lawsuit. Echeverria's attorney, Mark Robinson, said his client is undergoing cancer treatment while hospitalized and told him she hoped the verdict would lead Johnson & Johnson to p...

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria , on Tuesday reminded Nigerians that it was no longer in the business of issuing them visas. The Embassy's Charge d ' Affaires, Mr Michel Deleen , told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) in Lagos that the Embassy had since 2013 swapped it's visa issuance processes in Nigeria. Deleen said that the Embassy had since 2013 swapped its visas issuance to Nigerians with the French Consulate General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja. "Let me remind Nigerians that since 2013 , the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria had signed agreements with the French Consulate -General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja . " What this means is that we have swapped our visa application processes in Nigeria with the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja. " Let me remind Nigerians that under these agreements, any Nigerian that wants to visit the Netherlands for ...

Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike, the ritualist The River State Police Command have begun a manhunt for a ritualist, Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike, who has escaped custody. Dike was arrested for the murder and organ harvesting of a minor, Chikamso Victoria Mazu. This was disclosed in a statement released by the Rivers State Police Command, Omoni Nnamdi. "The Rivers State Police Command with a heavy heart regrets the unfortunate incident of the escape of Mr Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike, the ritualist who killed, little Chikamso Victoria Mazu and removed her vital organs. "Consequently the CP has launched a serious manhunt and all hands are on deck to ensure that he is re-arrested in record time," the statement read.(I won't be surprised he bribed his way out like criminals usually do in Nigeria) Negligence Meanwhile, Sgt Johnbosco Okoroinze, whose alleged negligent act led to the escape is currently being investigated. "The CP wishes to assure the public that Justice wil...

On Sunday, August 21, around 9:35 pm , police visited Neal's Pen Road Extension, Belize City where they saw blood in some bushes next to a wooden house. Investigation revealed that about 9:33 p.m., Ryan Thompson, 24, arrived at his house and was about to open his door when a person fired several shots at him causing his injuries. Thompson succumbed to his injuries at 2:56 a.m. on Monday. Police have one person detained as investigation continues.

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested a suspected female fraudster, identified as Gladys who ran out of luck over the weekend after a complaint was filed against her by one Nkiruka Okon whom she defrauded of N7 million. According to SUN, Police investigation reveals that the suspect also used a network platform to swindle unsuspecting victims, including a Lagos society woman who was duped of mammoth sums. During interrogation, the suspect said: According to the victim, Okon, she decided to go into partnership with her after which she got duped. Okon said: The police are still investigating the matter ahead of possible prosecution. "I met Okon, a banker who reported me to the police in Port Harcourt, in 2008. I did not mean evil. We were just friends then. Later in 2015, I marketed a product, Healthy Halogen Oven, to her. The product was imported into Nigeria by a network marketing company, Avenues to Wealth," "As a network ...

PHOTO The Captain Cook statue in Hyde Park, Sydney I passed by Hyde Park this week in the heart of Sydney and looked again on the statue of Captain James Cook. It has pride of place, a monument to the man who in 1770 claimed this continent for the British crown. On the base of the statue is an inscription in bold letters: DISCOVERED THIS TERRITORY 1770 It has stood since 1879. When it was unveiled more than 60,000 people turned out. The procession at the time was the largest ever seen in Sydney. No-one present then questioned that this was the man who founded the nation. But think about that today. Think of those words: "Discovered this territory." My ancestors were here when Cook dropped anchor. We know now that the first peoples of this continent had been here for at least 65,000 years, for us the beginning of human time. Yet this statue speaks to emptiness, it speaks to our invisibility; it says that nothing truly mattered, nothing truly counted until a white sailor first ...

PHOTO Lawyer Farha Faiz speaks with the media after the ruling outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi. India's Supreme Court has ruled a controversial Muslim instant divorce law unconstitutional, a landmark victory for Muslim women who had long argued that it violated their right to equality. Key points: •The law allowed men to divorce their wives by saying "talaq" three times, even via text •Women celebrate outside the court saying "finally they feel free" •The ruling was delivered by a panel of five male judges from different faiths •Prime Minister hails the ruling as a "historic" and "powerful measure" The law allows Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering the word "talaq" three times — the phrase even applied if said over Skype or even via text message. For years, Muslim women said they had been left destitute by husbands divorcing them through the controversial practice. Under the new ruling, the Government will no...

Almost two years after a caring truckie introduced them, Edward the emu and Rocky the dog are still together. Edward was found abandoned on the side of the road near Nannup in WA's south-west and rushed to wildlife carer Dee Patterson's property for rehabilitation. There, she came to the attention of resident hound Rocky the Malteze Shih Tzu and they became fast friends, eating, walking and sleeping together. Though they remain friends, Ms Patterson says it can be tricky juggling the pair as they both grow up. "They still go for walks but I generally have to keep Rocky on a lead," she said. "But they're great fun to have around and I'd be lost without them." Despite living on an open bush block surrounded by native forest, Ms Patterson said other than her daily exploratory walks, Edward has shown no intention of leaving. "I'd like to think it's down to her friendship with Rocky," Ms Patterson said. "But I also think she's s...

In the middle of watching his Noosa North Shore home burn to the ground at the weekend, Mike Hancock received a hugely generous offer from an English knight. Mr Hancock was one of 10 residents who lost their home in the devastating blaze, and has been invited to stay on Sir Richard Branson's Makepeace Island off Noosa. Three homes were destroyed in the blaze on Saturday afternoon and two were structurally damaged, in a bad few days for fires in the region. Speaking from the luxury, private heart-shaped island, Mr Hancock told the ABC the offer and generosity was overwhelming. "In the middle of the fire [Makepeace manager] Jason Styles came over and said we could come stay at the island," he said. The offer came via Mr Styles from Virgin Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey, who owns Makepeace Island with Sir Richard. SURREAL AND SHELL-SHOCKED David Wright, a North Shore home owner whose home was narrowly saved from the blaze, was also staying on the island with wife Kym and...

American Navy divers have found human remains of some sailors inside the USS John McCain, a day after the warship's collision with an oil tanker in South-East Asian waters left 10 missing. Key points: •Human remains found in "sealed compartments" on damaged ship •Another body found by Malaysian officials yet to be identified •US Navy to review operations of fleet worldwide The impact tore a gaping hole in the warship's left rear hull, flooding compartments including a crew sleeping area. "The divers were able to locate some remains in those sealed compartments during their search today," US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift said at Singapore's Changi Naval Base, where the damaged vessel is docked. He said it was "premature to say how many and what the status of recovery of those bodies is". Admiral Swift said Malaysian officials had also found one body, but it would have to be identified to "determine whether it's one of the ...

An Islamist militant cell that used a van to kill 13 people in Barcelona had planned one or several major bomb attacks, possibly against churches or monuments, one suspect has told a court, according to sources close to the investigation. Key points: •Three suspects remanded, one released •Report says Sagrada Familia church could have been a target •Several tickets to Brussels found in ruined house They said the group was led by an imam who tutored its members, mainly young Moroccans, in jihad (holy war) and told them, "Martyrdom is a good thing, according to the Koran", suspect Mohamed Houli Chemlal told a Spanish High Court judge. After a day-long hearing of four suspects in the plot, judge Fernando Andreu ordered Chemlal and a second defendant, Driss Oukabir, be remanded on charges of membership of a terrorist group and murder. Chemlal was also charged with explosives possession. A third suspect, Salh El Karib, who ran an internet cafe in a north-eastern Spanish town where...

Danish police say the size of a headless female torso found on the sea's edge in Copenhagen suggests it could be that of a Swedish journalist who died after taking a submarine ride with the vessel's Danish inventor. Police said divers were still searching the area and they were investigating reports of other body parts that may have been spotted in Copenhagen harbour. Danish inventor Peter Madsen has been charged with killing Kim Wall , a Swedish journalist, in his home-made submarine. "We're dealing with a torso where arms, legs and head were cut off deliberately," Copenhagen police spokesman Jens Moller said in a video statement. "The length of the torso doesn't speak against it being Kim Wall, but we still don't know." Mr Madsen told a court she had died in an accident on board the submarine and that he had buried her at sea, changing his earlier statement that he dropped her off alive in Copenhagen. Police are conducting DNA tests to identify...

A Danish inventor charged with killing a Swedish journalist in his homemade submarine has told investigators she died in an accident on board the vessel — changing his earlier statement that he dropped her off alive before it sank, police say. Peter Madsen, 46, is charged over the suspected death of Kim Wall, who has been missing since he took her out to sea in his 17-metre-long submarine on August 10. Madsen has previously said he left her in Copenhagen before the UC3 Nautilus sank south of the city, but has now changed his story, police said. During preliminary questioning before a judge, Madsen said Wall died in an accident and he buried her at sea in the Bay of Koge, south of the city, police said.Madsen was rescued a day after his UC3 Nautilus sank. Police have said there are indications the vessel was deliberately sank. Police found no-one else in the wreck of the submarine when it was raised. Danish and Swedish maritime authorities are using divers, sonar and helicopters in the ...

The Danish inventor charged with manslaughter over the suspected death of a Swedish journalist wanted to fly into space and once said he was "a curse" on the submarine at the centre of the case. Peter Madsen, 46, was rescued after his DIY submarine, the UC3 Nautilus, sank off Copenhagen at about midnight last Thursday. Swedish journalist Kim Wall, 30, was on the submarine just before it sank and has not been seen since. Madsen said he dropped her off before the sinking, but he's facing a manslaughter charge as investigators search for her body. The story is a big deal in both affected countries: It has been the lead story, or featured prominently, on news websites including Denmark's main English-language newspaper the Copenhagen Post, and Sweden's largest newspaper, Helsingborgs Dagblad — not to mention the international coverage. WHO IS PETER MADSEN? Peter Madsen is a self-taught aerospace engineer who calls himself an "inventrepaneur". He "design...

- There is an ongoing crisis between Nigerians and Ghanaians in Sowutoum area of Ghana - The crisis started after a Nigerian man allegedly killed a Ghanaian during a fight - Five Nigerians have been allegedly killed in a reprisal attacks by Ghanaians A crisis has erupted in Sowutoum area of Ghana between Nigerians and Ghana indigenes after a Nigeria man was accused of killing a Ghanaian during a fight. It was learnt that the crisis started after Ghana police reportedly arrested a Nigerian man, 48-year-old Thompson Peter, who insisted he killed the Ghanaian man in self defence during the fight. Punch reported that the Ghanaian man's death has reportedly led to reprisal attacks against Nigerians living in Ghana, with five persons killed. A video has emerged of Ghanaians chasing away police officers who were called to settle the crisis. A  Facebook user, Ifeanyi Chukwuemeka, wrote that the crisis started after Thompson allegedly stabbed Ghanaian 27-year-old Misbau Amadu in the head wi...

A pastor and his wife have been brutally murdered right inside their home as their little daughter watched on quite helplessly. Proud Kanyungwe, a Zimbabwean pastor and his wife, Belinda Tarisai Mukucha have been killed. The pair were shot and killed by two armed robbers in South Africa while their two daughters, one of them aged three years, watched helplessly. According to The Chronicle, the armed robbers went away with two cellphones and a laptop. Alexandra Police Station spokesperson Captain Kholeka Mhlongo confirmed the incident, which occurred on Thursday shortly after 2AM at the couple's rented home in Scottsville Extension in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal province. Capt Kholeka Mhlongo said the suspects used a concrete brick to break the front door to gain entry into the house. He identified the deceased pastor as Proud Kanyungwe (32) and his wife, Belinda Tarisai Mukucha (28). Kanyungwe was a senior pastor at the Grace International Church. Capt Mhlongo said Kanyungwe wo...