Gov Fayose addresses herdsmen killings in Benue State, calls on Federal Govt to urgently tackle the menace.

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has raised the alarm over the ‎continued nefarious activity of the Fulani herdsmen across the country, especially in Benue state, calling on the Federal Government to use every means possible to rein in the killer herdsmen.

Fayose said, “what is going on in Benue State is more like an organised pogrom and those responsible for the killings in the State must be arrested and prosecuted.” The governor said Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo should be allowed to function as the president so as to be able to deploy instruments of the federal government to tackle the herdsmen menace, pointing out that; “As it is today, it appears that the Prof Osinbajo does not have the full powers of the president.” 

In a release issued on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose, who declared support for the new law prohibiting open grazing in Benue State, said “those opposed to the law are only doing so as part of their plot to undermine the land and people of Benue State and they must be made to face the law.” He sympathised with the government and people of Benue State, adding that the Federal Government must stop playing ostrich to the menace of the Fulani herdsmen. Governor Fayose said; “Like I have maintained, cattle farming is not different from fish farming, snake farming, poultry farming, snail farming, etc. Therefore, if fish farmers are providing their own ponds and poultry farmers building their own pens, while also buying feed for their animals, there is no reason cattle farmers should not also provide their own ranch and feed their cows without encroaching on other people’s farmlands.”

“How can Nigerians embrace farming when those already in the farms are losing billions of naira worth of crops to destruction of their farmlands by the Fulani Herdsmen and the Federal Government is not doing anything about it?” He described the Buhari-led government’s continuous silence on the alleged killing of harmless Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen as unacceptable. The governor said; “In May, 2016, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria boldly told Nigerians that herdsmen killed over 1,000 Agatu people of Benue State then because over 800 of their cows were killed by Tiv youths. The man who openly made that comment was never questioned by the security agent.

“The same Miyetti Allah is now against the Anti-Open Grazing Law in Benue State, vowing to mobilize its members to resist the law and claiming that pastoralists like other citizens of the country have the right to move freely and to reside in any part of the country. “Does pastoralists have rights to destroy other people’s farmlands, invade homes and rape people’s wives and daughters? Shouldn’t people who are into cattle farming be able to provide feeds for their animals?”

How sycophancy undermines governance in Nigeria – Onuesoke

Onuesoke

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Delta State gubernatorial aspirant in 2007 general elections, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has traced the problem of Nigeria politics to the activities of sycophants.

Onuesoke, who spoke in Kano to journalists on the sidelines of a climate change workshop, noted that Nigerian leaders are often times misadvised and misdirected because ninety nine per cent of those they rely on to govern are sycophants who hardly tell them the truth.

He explained that the extent to which sycophancy has taken over reality and stunted our political development can be gauged from the daily praising of failed politicians in the media, adding that they have been selling to innocent Nigerians falsehood and propaganda to the extent that the wrong people are appointed to head sensitive and important positions.

“There is no president or governor who would say that things should not move forward in the country. The problem is the people around them, who don’t advise them well. I have observed that ninety nine per cent of people who hover around our presidents and governors are sycophants and praise singers. Let us be frank with our leaders to get us out of where we are today,” Onuesoke stated.

He lamented that Nigerian politics is in trouble because the citizens have allowed deception, denial, disinformation, diversion, evasion, exaggeration, indoctrination, lying, media-manipulation, mind control, propaganda, scapegoating and smear campaign which are the signs of sycophancy in our politics and governance.

Lion King: Bob Marley’s son Damian adopts a Lion named ‘Mukoma Marley’ in Kenya (Photos)

Recently after becoming a co-owner of US famous marijuana publication, High Times, Damian Marley, the youngest son of late Jamaican legend, Bob Marley has adopted a Wild Lion named, ‘Mukoma Marley’ in Kenya

The award winning Jamaican singer, popularly known as Junior Gong arrived in Kenya for his concert on Monday and visited the Nairobi Animal Orphanage on Tuesday where he adopted the Wild Lion named ‘Mukoma Marley.

According to Nairobi Wire, he adopted the lion in support of the ongoing conservation efforts by Kenya Wildlife Service.

2019: Why Osinbajo must not contest if Buhari dies – Doyin Okupe

 

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Doyin Okupe has given reasons Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo must not attempt to run for the President’s office if anything happens to President Muhammad Buhari.

On why President Buhari will not resign, Okupe said the north are afraid of what played out during late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s time.

He noted that majority of people in the north felt they have been cheated when Jonathan was installed constitutionally after Yar’Adua’s death.

He said, “We do not tell each other the truth. The north is afraid; they have the deja vu feeling.
“Because of the situation of the health of President Buhari, they are afraid of the scenario of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua playing itself out again.
“They don’t want that. And nobody should, if they want peace for this country, envisage such.
“In this country, it may not be written in the constitution but once a southerner is president and completes his term, the next president will come from the north and vice versa.
It is an unwritten constitution that we politicians follow and we ought to honour and respect that arrangement.
“For instance, when you pick a Christian as president, automatically, his vice president would be a Muslim and vice versa.
“These are unwritten laws that we all have an abiding faith in but we had a situation whereby Yar’Adua had a promising eight-year tenure, which was the turn of the north, but he did two years and died and constitutionally, they installed Jonathan, a southerner.
“After completing Yar’Adua’s term, Jonathan, with the support of some of us, went ahead and contested an election, won and by so doing, deprived the north of their legitimate turn.
“All the problems that Jonathan had, including Boko haram and the kidnap of the Chibok girls, coupled with all the abuses he got that he was clueless, all the difficulties he had in governance were a result of that action.
“The majority of the people in the north felt that they were being cheated and didn’t say anything. It is the same thing that we are facing now.
“People in the north are afraid that such scenario will play out again but they don’t want to talk about it.
“Many people in the south are gloating and wishing that acting President Osinbajo assumes the office or run for presidency after completing the first term with President Buhari.
“No, it can’t work. We cannot punish the north because of an unexpected development in the polity.
“If we have an agreement that this is how we should run our country, neither sickness nor death should cause a violation of that agreement.
“That is where the elites err; rather than talk about it, they want to be deceptive about it.
“The south is being pretentious that they don’t know that such an agreement exists, while the north wants to be deceitful that they have a special answer.
 “This is a national problem that needs to be openly discussed by the leaders so as to move the country forward, instead of playing games. You don’t play games with the destiny of Nigerians.”

 

War against corruption: Presidential committee to support media–Sagay

Prof. Itse Sagay

Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption has expressed its readiness to cooperate with the media in the fight against corruption.

Prof. Itse Sagay, the chairman of the committee, gave the assurance at the 12th Annual Ramadan Symposium organised by the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja.

He advised the media to be more determined and focused in identifying and reporting corruption in the country.

He also urged journalists not to be deterred, scarred or frustrated in exposing corrupt practice.

Sagay also appealed to media outfits to give their employees a decent salary with a view to make them more ethical and professional.

He emphasised the need for journalists to evolve the strategy and use of investigating journalism effectively.

In his speech, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, said media practitioners had a great role to play in the ongoing fight to emancipate the country from corruption.

Ribadu, therefore, cautioned the media to continuously rise up and resist attempt to desecrate the country, insisting that the media should be up against corruption in all forms.

Alhaji Abdur-Rahaman Balogun, the chairman of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, said the aim of the symposium was to support the ongoing anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The theme of the symposium was “Anti-corruption: The Role of Media as a Change Agent.’’

BREAKING: NJC recalls Justice Ademola, five other judges accused of corruption

NJC

The National Judicial Council has recalled a Federal High Court judge, Adeniyi Ademola, who was suspended alongside seven other judges following allegations of corruption brought against them by the federal government.

In a statement Saturday, the council said Mr. Ademola was recalled alongside five other judges.

Mr. Ademola and seven other judges were suspended in November 2016.

Three of the affected judges were charged to court, but it is only Mr. Ademola’s case that has so far been concluded.

The judge was acquitted of the charge of corruption.

The other recalled judges are: John Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court, Uwani Aji of the Court of Appeal; Hydiazira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court; Musa H. Kurya of the Federal High Court; and Agbadu James Fishim of National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

Details later..

Benue Gov Votes, Sure Of APC Victory.PHOTOS

Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue has expressed optimism that the All Progressive Congress (APC) would win the ongoing local government elections in the state.

“I am very impressed with the organisation of the exercise and the massive turnout; I am happy that people are excited to vote. I am optimistic that the APC will sweep the polls,” Ortom said in Guma, shortly after casting his vote.

The governor, who voted at 10.35 am, at Ako polling unit, Ndzorov ward of Guma, urged Benue residents to vote credible and tested candidates so as to ensure the best for the state.

He said he insisted on holding the election “to install democracy and instill discipline, accountability and sanity in local government administration”.

Ortom said that the APC took its campaign to all parts of the state to sell its candidates to the voters, and expressed hope that the “change” message had taken roots in the state.

He urged the people to take advantage of the exercise to install democratic structures that would do their bidding, especially in the rural areas.

Ortom commended the peaceful conduct of the electorate, saying that adequate security arrangement had been put in place toward a peaceful exercise.

He also commended the Federal High Court, Makurdi over its June 2 judgement that gave the electoral body the nod to conduct the polls, declaring that it was wrong for the rival PDP to seek to use its internal crisis as an excuse to stop the elections.

The court had thrown out an appeal by the Makarfi-led faction of the PDP, seeking to stop the election following the rejection of its candidates by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).

A NAN correspondent, who monitored the election in Gwer East, Makurdi, Guma, Tarkaa, Gboko and Butruku Local Governments, however, observed that there was a low turnout of voters for the exercise.

Election materials arrived very late in many polling units, with some still waiting for the materials at 12 noon.

The last local government election was conducted in Benue was conducted in 2012.

Photo credit Terver Akase

Nasarawa First Lady Disburses N1.5m To 150 Widows

Nasarawa-first-lady

Mother and Child Care Enhancement Foundation (MCCEF), an NGO, has disbursed N1.5m to 150 widows and orphans in Nasarawa State.

Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Salamatu Al-Makura, is the founder of organisation.

Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, Coordinator of the NGO, gave out the money on Saturday to the widows in Agyaragu, Lafia. He urged them to use the money to start up petty businesses of their choice.

Adamu said the gesture was aimed at reducing the hardship being faced by widows, orphans and the vulnerable children in the society.

He said the NGO was partnering with the Institute of Human Virology in the area of education, health, skills acquisition and child protection to enable orphans and vulnerable children enjoy good life in the state.

The NGO coordinator called on the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the money to better their lives and of their children.

Adamu urged Muslims and other Nigerians to use the Ramadan period to pray for the unity and peace of the state and the country at large.

Chairman, Child Rights Protection in the area, Mr Yahaya Madaki, described the gesture as first of its kind in the area and called for its sustenance.

He appreciated the organisation for the gesture, adding that it would go a long way in improving the standard of living of the beneficiaries.

Messrs Oche John and Maisugar Murtala, beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of others, prayed God to bless the organisation and promised to make judicious use of the money.

LG Polls: Police Arrest Man With Pistol

Dr Samuel Ortom, Benue State Governor

The Benue Police Command on Saturday confirmed the arrest of one Kuma Tyosaar, who was found with a pistol, in Konshisha Local Government Area.

Mr Bashir Makama, the Commissioner of Police, who confirmed the arrest, however, said that the incident had nothing to do with the ongoing local government polls in the state.

“Tyosaar was arrested as a normal criminal, though on an election day,” he said.

He said that the arrest was “an isolated incident”, and assured voters that adequate security had been put in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

Makama commended the people of Benue for their peaceful conduct, and urged members of the public to report any security breach to the nearest police station.

Tyosaar was found with the gun at Clubhouse, Tseagerebga, where election materials were distributed.

He was alleged to be a member of one of the political parties taking part in the elections.

2 fighting governors settle their fight,embrace each other. PHOTOS

Gov Ortom and Gov Wike have finally settled their political differences.The two former ministers met at the Governors Forum meeting in Abuja and had to settle their acclaimed fight.

Recall that Wike and Ortom were PDP ministers during Jonathan's administration ,their strained relationship started when Gov Ortom accompanied other APC stalwarts to campaign in Rivers state ,thus asking the question "Which PDP does Wike belong to? This sparked crisis between the two friends prompting attacks and counter attacks in the Media especially the Social Media.see more pictures.



 

Photo credit Nath Ikyur

Susan Peters holds birthday party without her husband. (photos)

Actress Susan Peters who turned a year older a few days ago, has now hosted friends to a birthday dinner and interestingly her husband was absent at the event.  See more photos below:

Singer Dammy Krane reacts to news of his arrest in the US

 

Just hours after news of his arrest in the United States surfaced, singer Dammy Krane has taken to his Twitter account to react to the news.
His reaction isn’t a denial or confirmation, all he does is to promise to share the true details in a new song.
According to him, it’s in situations like this that people get to know who stands with them and those that stand against them.

See his tweets below.

Benue: PDP supporters in Ogbadibo urged to boycott LG polls

The Ogbadibo local government PDP chairmanship candidate, Hon. Sunday Onaji, has urged party faithful in the area to be calm in the wake of the court’s decision.

A statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of his Campaign Organization, Yemi Itodo, asked supporters to stay away from the election so as not to legitimize the exercise.

It urged the people to abide by the decision of the state secretariat of the party and stay away from the election as they await further directives, adding that, participating in today’s election in the face of court ruling could cause unpleasant reactions.

The statement urged party supporters, especially, councilorship candidates to remain calm and law abiding, as the State Chairman, Hon. John Ngbede had assured of appealing against the judgment given in Makurdi on Friday.

A Federal High Court in Makurdi, presided by Justice Oneke JHC had, on Friday struck out a suit seeking for the participation of PDP Chairmanship and Councilorship candidates in LG election slated for Saturday 3rd June, for lack of jurisdiction and merit.

With only APC candidates cleared for the poll, the state chairman of PDP, Ngbede, while urging the party candidates and supporters to remain calm and law abiding, also advised members to stay away from the election, as party appeals against the judgment.

Source DailyPost

Cultists invade Rivers, 14 feared killed, six abducted

About 14 persons have allegedly been killed in Sime-Tai Community, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, following an invasion of the area on Thursday night by gunmen suspected to be cultists.
It was gathered that unknown gunmen invaded the community, shooting sporadically; a development that left many dead while several others had bullet wounds.

A source within the area, who confirmed the incident to Southern City News on telephone stated that the remains of the victims had been deposited in the mortuary.

The development, according to the source, has caused uneasy calm in the area as some people were seen, Friday, leaving for the neighbouring communities.

It will be recalled that on Saturday, a gateman attached to a politician in Sime and his uncle were killed by unknown gunmen.

In a related development, over six persons have been allegedly kidnapped in a fishing settlement in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.

A source privy to the situation, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that the abductors came into Asaramatoru community in two gunboats and seven speedboats.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident in Tai to our correspondent, but added that the casualty figure had not been ascertained.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that the incident happened in Tai, but we are yet to confirm the casualty figure. Investigation is ongoing,” Omoni stressed.

But the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for House of Representatives, Oyigbo, Eleme-Tai Federal Constituency in the 2015 elections, Dr. Jacobson Nbina, who is a native of the affected community, described the killings as political.

Nbina insisted that over 20 members of the PDP were killed in the attack while some others were still missing.

He said, “My brothers and sisters, please help to pray for Sime community. The worst has just happened to me again! I earlier informed you of last weekend’s invasion of my home and the brutal killing of my security guard and my uncle with my driver escaping with bullet wounds at my gate.

“As I speak to you, over 20 PDP youths of my community, Sime-Tai, were brutally murdered and several others taken away alive as unknown gunmen invaded my community midnight of yesterday,” Nbina stated.

Dammy Krane: Tapjets vow to prosecute Nigerian singer “to the fullest extent”

US Private Jet Company, Tapjets, has alleged that Nigerian singer, Dammy Krane, used stolen credit card numbers to book one of its planes.

Krane was arrested by the police in Miami, US for grand theft and credit card forgery on Friday, alongside one Chukwuebuka Gabriel Ilochonwu.

His details have since been published on jailbase.com and a bond of $17,500 has been placed on his head.

The official Twitter account of Tapjets, have confirmed that the Nigerian pop star attempted to pay for services using stolen credit card. The company vowed to “prosecute to the fullest extent.”

Before his arrest, Krane posted pictures of himself in private jets.

See Photos Of Singer Dammy Krane Flexing On Instagram In A Private Jet

The singer has just been allegedly arrested.

Benue Lawmakers Seek Prosecution Of Miyyeti Allah Leader

The Benue State House of Assembly has called on the Federal Government to immediately arrest and charge the Secretary General of Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Mr Sale Alhassan for treason following the passage of the Open Grazing Prohibition Bill on May 4.

The leadership of the Miyetti Allah Association were said to have incited its members to rise against the law even after 12 people were killed by the opposition on May 7.

The call further renewed fears amongst Benue indigenes including the lawmakers who are now calling for stiff penalties.

The Deputy Majority Leader of the House who spoke to Channels TV, condemned the move, saying the House will do all it can to bring the perpetrators to book.

“As for now, this is not the time for anybody to rise up in any way and incite by saying we are going to mobilise against people; it is highly inciting and I think it is a treasonable felony.”

At the end of an emergency plenary session, the Speaker of the House read out the resolutions after various contributions.

“The Assembly calls on the Inspector General of Police to immediately effect the arrest of Sani Hassan and Abdulahi Bello for treasonable utterances capable of causing crisis in the state.”

Source ChannelsTv

Obaseki: Governor appoints 192 Special Assistants for grassroots governance

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has appointed 192 Special Assistants (SAs) to serve as representatives of the government at the grassroots.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Osarodion Ogie, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Friday.

According to the statement, the appointees were selected from the 192 electoral wards in the 18 local government areas in the state.

The SSG said that the special assistants would assist the government at the wards where offices would be set up with adequate communication facilities to enable them channel information to the government speedily.

He said the SAs were tasked with the duty of ensuring that every citizen of Edo had a say in the administration of the state under Gov Obaseki’s principle of inclusive governance.

He added that full details of names and wards of the SAs could be viewed at www.godwinobaseki.com and www.johnmayaki.com.

2nd Anniversary Celebration: Gov. Okowa commissions 12 roads in Asaba

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd right); Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (right); Chairman, Oshimili South Local Government Arae, Pastor Chuks Obusom (right) and Mr. Clement Ofuani, during the Commissioning of Rehabilitation of Isioma Onyeobi way in Asaba. PIX BRIPIN ENARUSAI

In continuation of activities to mark the second year anniversary of his administration, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday commissioned twelve internal roads in Asaba Metropolis to decongest traffic and boost economic activities in the town.

The roads commissioned  included Isioma Onyeobi Way, through the Ngozi Rapu street to Cable Point; Stadium and Capwire road;  Odiachi street, Ebenuwa Street, Obi Okolotu / Anthony Anonye Street, Governor Street, and Ojife Street, off Nnebisi road. Others are included Moloko Street, Nduka Illoba Street, and  Casloba Crescent, with drains and walk ways.

Speaking to journalists after the commissioning, Governor Okowa   explained that the road network would help up-lift the socio-economic activities in the Asaba, and given a facelift to the state capital.

He said that the construction of these roads was part of his administration’s efforts to enhance road infrastructure and improve the lives of the citizenry as part of his SMART agenda stating that the road contracts were awarded between November and December 2016.

“I believe that when these projects and others at various stages  of award and execution are completed, the people of Oshimili South Local Government Area and the entire state will have improved inter-city road transportation that enhances urban growth, communication and re-invigorate commerce and social life in the area”.

While stressing that his administration would fulfil every of its campaign promises despite paucity of funds, the governor commended the youths and people of Oshimili South for partnering with his government in providing an enabling environment for the contractors to work and deliver the projects within the stipulated time.

On the Central Hospital project which he inspected, he disclosed that operations would commence by the end of the year (2017) to provide quality and affordable health services to the people of the state.

According to him ” The contractor has just told us that the hospital project will be completed by November 30th , this project started since 2006 when l was Commissioner for Health, some additions have been added to the contract design and renovations made.” he said, adding that “it will help meet the health needs of the people when completed and would provide all round health services at a cheaper rate to the people.”

In an opening remark, The Director General of Delta State Capital Development Territory Agency, Chief Clement Ofuani  said that the Okowa administration has carried out massive urban renewal in major towns in the state in fulfillment of its electoral campaign promises to Deltans.

He commended the contractors for delivering quality job within the stipulated time and assured the people of more dividends of democracy from Governor Okowa’s administration.

At the Asagba of Asaba palace where Governor Okowa and  his entourage paid   a courtesy call,  the governor disclosed plans by government to rehabilitate Bonsac, Jesus Saves, and Direct Labour roads, as well as upgrade infrastructure at the Delta State University, Asaba Campus.

Brandy Falls Unconscious On Flight, Rushed To Hospital

Brandy  suffered a serious medical emergency before taking off on her flight take this morning.  Full details inside...

Brandy was on her way from L.A. to New York early this morning, but she became unconscious before the flight even took off.

After she boarded the plane and right before it took off, the singer lost consciousness.  It's unclear what caused the scary situation, but thankfully, she regained consciousness while paramedics attended to her on the jetway.  She was still taken to the hospital.

TMZ reports:

Brandy Norwood fell into unconsciousness on a Delta flight that was about to take off ... and paramedics rushed to the scene to administer help ...

Law enforcement sources tell us Brandy was on a Delta flight early Friday from LAX to JFK. Before the plane pulled out of the gate Brandy lost consciousness and passengers and flight attendants scrambled to help her.

We're told Delta contacted the L.A. City Fire Dept. and paramedics arrived quickly and removed Brandy from the plane. We're told she regained full consciousness while she was being treated on the jetway.

She seemed to be in great health yesterday, posting video of herself playing tennis:

#EarlierToday with Bestie/ Coach #Shabaz #Sanity

A post shared by b r a n d Y (@4everbrandy) on Jun 1, 2017 at 9:40pm PDT

Get well soon Brandy!

Kim And Kanye Jet To The Caribbean For The Rapper's Birthday

Kim and Kanye have jetted to the Caribbean with their kids and friends to celebrate the rapper's upcoming birthday on June 8, multiple outlets report.

"They rented out a huge luxurious amazing villa. They have had cases of Casamigos flown in and are drinking by their private pool. The kids all have their own play area and they all look like they are having a great time," a source dished to E! News.

"Kanye wanted to plan this vacation for their family as it's been awhile since they have taken a vacation together as a whole. Kim really needed time to relax and wants to spend quality time with Kanye and he is going out of his way to make it special," the source added.

The couple are doing better than ever after a serious rough patch following her Paris robbery and his mental breakdown last year.

"Kanye and Kim are on a good path. They have been really working on their marriage and their overall daily lifestyle with incorporating each other in it during crazy and busy times. Their kids have been the stick that has kept them together in hard times. Kanye and Kim both been through a lot but they have both got help and counseling on their own and with each other," an insider told the outlet.

Ex-wife of former Liberian president charged with torture

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor during his war crimes trial in 2011. His ex-wife Agnes has been charged with four torture offences. Photograph: Jerry Lampen/AFP/Getty Images

Agnes Reeves Taylor, the ex-wife of former Liberian president Charles Taylor, has been charged with four torture offences allegedly committed in the west African country, Scotland Yard said.

Agnes Taylor, 51, was arrested by the Met police’s war crimes team on Thursday and was accused on Friday of committing the offences between 1989 and 1991.

She was charged with two counts of being involved in torture in Gbarnga, in the north of the country, and one count of the same in Gborplay, in its north-east.

Each charge was brought under section 134(1) of Britain’s Criminal Justice Act 1988. She was also charged with planning to carry out torture between 23 December 1989 and 1 January 1991 under section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Gbarnga served as the headquarters of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front during the first Liberian civil war. A final peace agreement led to the election of Taylor as president of Liberia in 1997. A second civil war broke out in 1999 and Taylor was forced into exile in 2003.

Agnes Taylor, who lives in Dagenham, in east London, is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Saturday.

Charles Taylor was jailed for 50 years in 2012 for war crimes after a UN-backed tribunal in The Hague. A year later, the Ministry of Justice confirmed he would serve the sentence in a British prison.

6,000 security operatives in Benue State for LG polls.

At least 6000 security operatives drawn from security agencies in Benue state have been deployed to cover all 3,691 polling units in the 23 Local Government Areas for tomorrow's councils’ election in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, made this known on Friday at a joint security personnel briefing at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi.

Makama urged the personnel drafted for the local government elections to maintain high sense of decorum in the discharge of their duty, adding also that their role in the election include: to provide safety for electoral officers, election materials as well as voters throughout the duration of the exercise.

He urged the security operatives not to take sides in the election, warning that any of them found participating in rigging of election results would be sanctioned.

The security personnel were drawn from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Customs, Prisons, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police, Department of State Service (DSS), Fire Service and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

93-yrs-old Mugabe still eyes Presidency, begins interactive meetings with youths

Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Friday began  a series of interactive meetings with the ruling Zanu-PF’s youths ahead of the 2018 elections in which he has been endorsed as the party’s presidential candidate.

The first meeting to be held in the Mashonaland East provincial capital Marondera, about 80 km south of Harare, is expected to draw thousands of youths from the province and beyond as the party deals with factionalism that has gripped it over a possible successor to an ageing Mugabe.

Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa is alleged to be leading a faction angling for Mugabe’s position, an allegation he has vehemently denied over the years.

Another faction purportedly supported by Mugabe’s wife Grace has openly opposed Mnangagwa’s “successionist” agenda and says the matter of who should take over is still premature because Mugabe. 93, is still in office.

He may still have another five years in office after the 2018 elections.

The party’s secretary for youths, Kudzai Chipanga was quoted by The Herald newspaper on Friday warning people with agendas other than Mugabe’s interaction with the youths to stay away.

“We are not going to tolerate a situation whereby people try to settle personal scores at our meeting.

“If there is anyone who feels they have some scores to settle, they might create their own forum,” he said.

Mugabe will travel to all the country’s administrative provinces during his interaction with the youths, who are now seen as the party’s trump card in winning elections following a fallout between Mugabe and a section of the veterans of the war of independence.

 Vanguard

Threesome? Shirtless Scott Disick & His Friend Spotted Fondling A Topless Woman's Breast. PHOTOS

Self-proclaimed sex addict Scott Disick was spotted stripping off his shirt with a friend and fondling a woman's breasts on a balcony in South West London — see the photos exclusively on Radar.

Disick was seen leaving Toy Room nightclub in Mayfair at 3:30 a.m., along with a mystery woman.

After leaving the club, they joined their friends at an apartment after picking up some alcohol at the liquor store.

Around 5:00 a.m., on the balcony of the apartment, a visibly drunk Scott and his shirtless pal were spotted having a cigarette.

Then, a pretty brunette emerged on the balcony.

It didn't take long for her to take her shirt off as well!

Scott soon joined in the fun, removing his shirt.

Scott even appeared to cop a feel of the brunette beauty!

At 6:00 a.m., Scott left the apartment with the woman he was seen kissing at the club, returning to the Dorchester Hotel.

Interestingly, yet another unidentified woman was spotted hanging out with the reality star during his London stay — when will Scott stop?

Meanwhile, sources say Scott's wild partying has all been to get back at ex Kourtney Kardashian.

Source Radar online