October 2017

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Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

The British Government said its army trained no fewer than 22,000 Nigerian army personnel in 2016. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Minister of State for the United Nations, stated this at the Security Council briefing on the Group of five (G5) Sahel Joint Force.

He said: “The British Army trained 22,000 Nigerian troops in counter terrorism tactics last year alone. “We have invested over six million dollars in tackling modern slavery, and $2.5 million in a Joint Border task force with the Nigerian Army. “We also provide training for Nigerian anti trafficking officers”. He added that “we all have a role to play in addressing these challenges.

“The United Kingdom has supported projects across the Sahel and wider region, particularly in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin”. He said across the Sahel, the UK spent over 225 million dollars on humanitarian and development projects last year, and we are providing human rights training to Malian troops through the EU Training Mission in Mali.

“Our National Crime Agency recently dismantled two people-smuggling rings in Mali.  And we stand ready to do more to support the G5 countries, and their allies, to improve the security situation.”

He said the creation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force is a step forward in countering terrorism and illegal migration. “We were pleased that this Council offered its political support to the mission earlier this year.

“For our part the United Kingdom is currently undertaking a scoping mission to see what more we can do in the Sahel, including potential bilateral support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force,” he said.

He regretted that in the last 12 months, there had been a continuing stream of deadly terrorist attacks resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives.

He regretted an increase in attacks against the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali forces, and the ongoing corrosive influence of organised criminals trafficking weapons, drugs and people across the region.

He also pointed out the desperate journey of migrants, so often intercepted by people traffickers seeking to exploit them. “During the recent Security Council visit, all Council members saw the serious challenges facing the countries of the Sahel.

“Those challenges represent a serious danger to the people of the region, and to partners and allies who are working to support them. “I want to begin by offering my condolences to all of those so tragically killed, including most recently three UN peacekeepers from Chad in northern Mali on Thursday,” he said.

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The major opposition party in the country, The Peoples Democratic Party has described as unacceptable the sack of Babachir Lawal and Ayo One, until recently, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) respectively, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The party bemoaned the reaction of the President, saying relieving the duo of their jobs was a “Slap on the face of Nigerians.”

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the PDP condemned the manner the allegations of sleaze against the two government officials was handled by the President Buhari- led government.

“The statement on the sack of Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Ayo Oke, the former Director General of Nigerian Intelligent Agency (NIA) is a slap on the face of Nigerians. It is an insult on the collective intelligence of our people who have waited patiently for the President’s reaction on the humongous act of corruption by two of his principal aides and this is totally unacceptable.

“First and foremost, we had disagreed with the President last year when he decided to setup the panel headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to investigate the matter because we thought that was the wrong course of action to take.

Ordinarily, cases of corruption or alleged cases of misappropriation of funds are supposed to be referred to institutions that are saddled with the responsibility to investigate and prosecute such matters which is the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if there is any prima facie case against them. But it appears not all animals are equal under the Buhari All Progressives Congress (APC) administration,” the statement read in part.

The party also berated the APC administration for an allege bias in the fight against corruption, saying thus far, the opposition has been singled out for ” harrowing experiences.”

“Some people are treated with kid gloves while others particularly those in opposition are subjected to all manner of harrowing experiences.

“One of the Senators of the APC, Senator Shehu Sani of Kaduna State succinctly put the matter when he said that this administration uses deodorant to fight corruption when it comes to some APC members and President Buhari’s kitchen Cabinet and insecticides when it involves members of the opposition and those in the National Assembly.

Expressing worry over the length of time it took President Buhari to take action on the matter, the party said members of the PDP facing similar charges were being treated differently.

“It took the President almost one year to attend to this matter while the culprits were having a field day at home and enjoying themselves. Whereas, in the case of the opposition especially the PDP members, even when the evidence is flimsy they will be visited with multiple harassment and intimidation for months and weeks without proper trial.

“We cite the case of Sambo Dasuki who has been in detention for over two years and running even when many courts in Nigeria and the ECOWAS Court have ordered for his release, but the President has fragrantly disobeyed these court orders which again are a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is an impeachable offence. So the President cannot just sack Ayo Oke and Babachir Lawal and expects us to be clapping for him.

“We believe that we are operating under a democracy and a Constitution that governs our affairs. To have subjected these people to different sets of rule and treatment is totally unacceptable. Nigerians are the same under the law and Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke should not be tried by the Presidency while others are hounded by the EFCC and ICPC.

“These actions of Mr. President are therefore a breach of his oath of office which he swore to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to be fair and just to all Nigerians without any discrimination whatsoever.

“The action of the President is a gross violation of his constitutional oath and therefore constitutes a veritable ground for impeachment. Using and applying different laws to different people in the country is a direct assault on the constitution and the rule of law .

“Consequently, we call on the National Assembly to begin processes to impeach the President for breach of the Constitution and fragrance disobedient to the laws of Nigeria.

“The President has by his actions taken Nigeria to the level of a banana republic,” the party wrote adding that “Three successive governments of the PDP did not act in the manner President Buhari is acting.”

According to the party, “The sudden sack of the SGF and the DG of NIA is just a consequence of the backlash on the Abdulrasheed Maina saga. Up till now there’s no answer to the pertinent questions we have asked on the Maina saga.

“This kind of arrogance is unprecedented in the history of this county. We again call for the arrest and investigation of the two Ministers involved in the return of Maina into the Civil Service, that is, the Minister of Interior, Bello Dambazau and Abubakar Mallami , the Attorney General of the federation.”
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Police have arrested a man for alleged theft in the church. The accused, Wale David was said to have stolen phones of other church members during a church programme.

He was also said to have been employed by the church to clean up its premises before he committed the alleged crime.

The Rapid Response Squad police detectives have arrested one Wale David for stealing the phone of another church member in a popular camp in Ogun state.

LR News gathered through a statement on RRS Facebook page that the accused was not just a church member; he was also engaged by the church to help clean up its premises after a special church service.

The statement read: “Thief in the House of God. 

 The House of God is one of the unlikely places you expect to find a thief but today, it is this unlikely place that thieves visit to steal from people who have come to seek God’s divine favour. 

 “High on the target of these thieves are the visitors’ phones, bags and other valuables. Today, one Wale David, 24, was arrested for stealing the phone of another church member in a popular camp in Ogun State. 

 “David wasn't just a church member; he was also engaged by the church to help clean up its premises after a special church service. 

 “According to him, while cleaning up, he saw a bag, picked the phone inside, an i-tel android. Same day, he sold the phone to a friend. 

 “Few days later, RRS Police detectives traced the phone to his friend, who in turn assisted the police in his arrest this morning.

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APC national leader,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has dispelled the rumour of an existing cabal in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, saying it was both myth and fake news.
Tinubu spoke with State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with Buhari ahead of the party’s caucus meeting in Abuja.
He said the APC is a party for the people, by the people and for the people adding that “it is a democratic environment; each of us has our roles to play and that is how we are playing it.
“I don’t believe in the myth; I believe in the confidence building, the trust that we have in the President and in building that confidence in a journey of democracy you are going to have twists and turns.
“Conflict resolution mechanism is inbuilt in how you handle your party; the governance and the party are joined by the hips.’’
On whether the APC government  is still on course, Tinubu referred to the 16 years of the past PDP administration and what happened then and said that “APC government is on course.
“And we remain focused to those necessary things about the development, the welfare and progress of our people.’’
The former governor of Lagos and Senator stated that it was not easy to face the challenges and the problems that the party inherited.
Accordingly, he said that the citizens will find happiness and development in the future in the country.
On his meeting with the President, he said there was a confidential aspect that he would not say but added that “our discussion was fruitful, productive and was about the country and leadership as a whole.

“That brought me very excited and happy.’’
Tinubu also debunked insinuations that he was not in the good terms with the President and had been sidetracked by the cabals describing it as “fake news’’.
“I have confidence in this President; there is no doubt about it.
“We worked hard to bring a government about but there are certain things that are unpredictable and those are things that can lend itself to gossip, insinuations and all of that.
“But once you create leadership and it is functional you don’t have to baby-sit that leadership unless there is an old strain of confidence.
“They don’t have that; so you know me I am not known to shy away from talking my mind and rebelling if it is necessary and taking charge of things I believe are necessary,’’ he added.
The LR News reports that before his meeting with Tinubu, Buhari had earlier met with the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Dogara Yakubu. He also met party chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
The two separate meetings between the President and his visitors took place at the new Banquet hall.
President Buhari, had on Oct. 26, met with the leaders of the National Assembly after the cancellation of the planned dinner for lawmakers in the Presidential Villa.
The President was to host the lawmakers to dinner at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, by 8:30p.m. on Thursday.
He, however, met behind closed doors at his official residence with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara with the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and some presidential aides in attendance.
President Buhari had earlier met with President Alassane Ouattara of Cote D’ivoire, who was on official visit to Nigeria.
Ouattara had since returned to Yamoussoukro, the capital of Cote D’ivoire.
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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was conspicuously absent at the All Progressives Congress’ caucus meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the new Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja.
The Latest Reality News, however, gathered that the Turakin Adamawa might have travelled out of the country.
LR News reports that the meeting which started at about 8.45p.m. was being attended by the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
NAN also observed that some participants at the meeting were seen “struggling’’ for photo opportunity with the new SGF.
Others attending the meeting include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the APC national Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun, Sen. Bola Tinubu, cabinet ministers and presidential aides.
The meeting was also being attended by governors of Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Kebbi, Nasarawa as well as deputy governors of Kwara and Yobe states.
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Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu says President Muhammadu Buhari will not stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from its investigation against Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, who were relieved of their appointments.
Shehu, who stated on Monday in Abuja, said President Buhari had taken the necessary administrative action against the two officials.
President Buhari, had on Oct. 30, approved the appointment of Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and terminated the appointment of the suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal.
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also approved the termination of the appointment of the suspended Director-General National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ayo Oke.
The presidential aide said: “”The President has taken the administrative action. All other actions will be taken by relevant government agencies.
““The position of the President, therefore, is that investigative agencies, which have already commenced the investigation of the two officers removed from office, will go on with their work of investigation without any interference or hindrance.’’
According to Shehu, President Buhari is fully conversant with the provisions of the constitution and will not stop the investigation of anyone “because he has no such power under our laws, adding this is a decision of the Supreme Court.
“”The President under our laws can, through the Attorney General enter a nolle prosequi to stop an on-going trial. He may upon conviction, order a pardon.
“”Beyond these, the president cannot order investigation agencies to not investigate anyone and does not intend to do so in this, or any other circumstance.
”Based on his wish and desire for a strict observance of the law, the President expects the EFCC, ICPC and such agencies to proceed with ongoing investigations..
”When and where they have reasonable grounds to charge former or serving officers to court under our laws, they do not require the permission of the President to do so.’’(NAN/LR News)
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The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday ordered the redeployment of troops who participated in the special military exercise in the Niger Delta to Lake Chad region.
Buratai announced the redeployment at the closing of Exercise Crocodile Smile II in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said the redeployed to Lake Chad was to flush out remnant of Boko Haram insurgents, and also complement efforts of security outfits in the area.
According to him, the Nigerian Army is passionate and committed to flushing out remnant of Boko Haram insurgents within the nation’s territory.
“I want to assure that most of the troops that excelled in the operations across the (Niger Delta) region would be redeployed.
“The Troops would be redeployed especially within the Lake Chad waters to flush out remnant of Boko Haram terrorists that are within the Lake Chad islands and other areas.
“Boko Haram remnants which are virtually within the border areas of our neighboring countries would have to be properly identified and flushed out in a joint effort.
“This is a task that we must ensure is accomplished,” he said.
Buratai expressed optimism that the redeployment of troops would complement efforts of security outfits including the Multinational Joint Task Force to flush out insurgents from the area.
He attributed present successes recorded in the North East and military exercises in other parts of the country to the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Minister of Defence, Rtd. Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, said the exercise was held in the Niger Delta and some states in the South West to access army commanders and train troops.
Dan-Ali said that Muhammadu Buhari was desirous to building formidable, well equipped and trained armed forces that citizens would be proud of.
“The exercise was inaugurated as part of the Nigerian Army plans to effectively dominate all hostile areas, coordinate and consolidate on the gains of Exercise Crocodile Smile I,” he said.
Dan-Ali commended the army for its commitment to training, professionalism and efficiency to tackle contemporary security challenges facing the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise began on Oct. 7. (NAN)
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The police in Maiduguri have foiled a suicide bomb attack in Mafa/Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Police spokesperson, Isuku Victor, in a release on Monday said two female suicide bombers were sighted while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri township from Mafa /Dikwa LGA axis.

“They were sighted by vigilant security personnel deployed on patrol. Apparently startled by the presence of the security patrol team, and in order to avoid arrest, one of the bombers hurriedly detonated her IED vest.

“She killed herself and her partner in the process, in a nearby farmland close to NDLEA checkpoint along Maiduguri /Mafa highway, outskirt of Maiduguri township.


No other casualty was recorded but police patrol and EOD teams were mobilised to the scene and render the unexploded IED vest of the second bomber safe.
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Lagos CP, Edgal Emohimi

As part of the measures aimed at tackling of crime in Lagos State, the Acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Imohimi Edgal, has set up a 10-man Committee.

It is expected that the committee will come up with a strategy that will be used to end drug peddling and prevent bandits from gaining access to the establishments to plan crimes, while also strengthening security in the tourism sector, according to a statement by the Lagos Police Command’s spokesperson, Folarin Famous-Cole, on Sunday.

The committee chaired by the Managing Director of Farm City Lounge, Mr Lanre Carew, is to complement the efforts of the police in tackling the menace of criminal activities and to actualise the vision of the state Governor, Mr Akiwunmi Ambode, in ensuring a 24-hour business-friendly state.

The move, according to the CP, became necessary after he received intelligence on the rising number of young people peddling drugs.

Addressing stakeholders during a meeting in the hospitality industry at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, the state capital, he said, “Young men and women freely use narcotic substances at times in the seating areas, at times more hidden in the toilet areas of our clubs, lounges, hotels to the knowledge of the operators but they are doing nothing about it. This is wrong.

“Intelligence report at my disposal reveals that there is increased drug peddling, drug abuse in most of our nightclubs, lounges, beaches and so on across the state. The scourge of drugs and its attendant effect not only healthwise on the young population but also a very clear correlation between drug and crime is something that should make every responsible Lagosian worried.

“The ease with which our youths are getting access to drugs at clubs, lounges, beaches and so on is worrisome and our meeting here today is to send a very strong signal to operators that it is not going to be business as usual.”


The police boss had while chiding most tour operators in the state of partnering with criminals, lamented that such spots were used to promote prostitution which could breed criminal activities.

The CP said, “It has also been observed that some hotels in the state now give rooms to minors and also sell alcoholic drinks to them, while under-aged girls were also being allowed to use such establishments for prostitution.

“We also have the issue of criminals hibernating and having to save haven on all our beaches, hotels, clubs, lounges these days. The last intelligence report I received indicates that young men now move around these establishments armed.

“This is very dangerous for the security of the State. We have it on good authority that some of these establishments are used as meeting points to plan crimes before they execute.”

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President Muhammadu Buhari has been described as the leader Nigeria needs to overcome its challenges, with respect to the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign.

This was according to the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, who highlighted some of the successes the All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded during an exclusive interview with Channels Television.

“No matter what you will accuse Buhari of, nobody can accuse Buhari of corruption,” he said. “He’s a stabilising factor in this country, he’s a man of impeccable credentials.”

Amid speculations over the President’s decision to contest the presidential election in 2019, Shettima believes President Buhari is the only one who has a say on such decision.

He, however, said that nobody can force the President to contest in 2019, neither can anyone preventing for running for a second term in office.

“That decision should be made by the President; nobody should ask him not to contest, in the same vein nobody should push him to contest. He has his own health to take care of, he’s not a young man by any standard.

“The nation truly needs the wisdom, the integrity, the commitment of the likes of Buhari but believe me, whatever decision he takes, we are solidly behind him,” he said.
Governor, Kashim Shettima

On the call for restructuring, the governor said: “My own take on this restructuring debate is that we are treating the symptoms, not the disease.”

“Restructuring my foot; let’s restructure our minds, let’s restructure our quality of governance. When people are talking of artificial intelligence, when others are talking of robotics engineering, of nanotechnology, we are talking of restructuring the federation; our problem is not an issue of devolution of powers, let’s be very honest.

“Our problem, as Chinua Achebe rightly encapsulated, is largely that of leadership. Leadership that will put the nation first is much more important than restructuring the nation. Let’s restructure our minds. Let’s restructure our quality of leadership,” Shettima added.

He also touched on the war against terrorism in the North East and faulted a recent report from the United Nations which claimed the terrorists were in control of three local government areas in Borno State.

The governor said, “Honestly, I disagree with the UN report because we have been on ground for quite some time, we are the sitting administration and we should be in a better position to tell the world the ground realities in the state.

“Five or six Boko Haram (terrorists) will come and burn a village, kill as many people as they could and their prestige in the international jihadist community will rise. So these are nihilists, these are lunatics but otherwise, considerable progress has been made. They have been sufficiently decimated.”
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Professional dancers from Benin Republic have urged African countries to invest more in the industry to earn additional revenue and promote cultural integration and diplomacy.
The dancers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday that grooming the dance industry would also boost the countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The dancers were in Nigeria for the Trufesta International Dance Festival lasting for one week at the Society for Performing Arts (SPAN), Lagos organised by Ijodee Dance Company.
They noted that almost all African countries have abandoned the dance sector which could be a money spinner, if well developed.
Mr Adossou Richard said that the dance industry in Benin Republic was lagging behind compared to other industries and advised that more citizens should be involved when government showed reasonable interest.
He said government could finance the dance industry by creating avenue for dancers to be trained, adding that it was not enough for only the private investors to groom it.
“Government getting involved in the dance industry should start from creating an avenue for intending dancers to be trained and re-orientate citizens to stop viewing dancers as jobless individuals, “ he said.
Another Beninoise dancer, Mr Ahehehinnou Orpheer , urged each African country to set aside one week for annual dance festivals which would entice dance lovers from all over the world to visit such a country.
According to him, this will greatly improve the country’s inbound tourism and attract huge revenue.
“Each African country should have a week slated for dance festival, this will boost tourism,’’ he said.
Also, Mr Jacob Mache from Austria, and a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, said that African countries should realise that dance could be groomed to spin huge revenue like the Nollywood, Hollywood, Bollywood of if well harnessed.
He said governments establish dance studios where professional dancers could train intending ones who could go to other countries for purposes of cultural exchange and diplomacy.
According to him, there should be dance performances every weekend in each of the studios for dance lovers to relax for leisure and pay a token.
“Dance industry can be as big as our Bollywood, Nollywood and even bigger if government funds it.
“Government should build dance studios where dance performances can be showcased every weekend and the viewers will pay a token to watch.
Mr Chareigraphe Didier, also a Beninoise, said that the dance industry must be preserved as an important element of African cultural heritage.
“When dances peculiar to each ethnic group or tribe is developed and frequently performed, the people get to know more of their culture because dance conveys cultural traits just like our movies,’’ he said. (NAN)
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Saudi women have won another right from their conservative male overlords. From  next year,  they will be allowed  into three sports stadiums for the first time.
The landmark move announced by the authorities on Sunday,  would open up the previously male-only venues to families.
It was one of a raft of decisions announced by Turki Al-Asheikh, chairman of the General Sports Authority, aimed at supporting and stimulating the sports sector”, arabnews.com reported. It was also in line with powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious reform drive shaking up the ultra-conservative kingdom, including the decision to allow women to drive from next June
The authority “will start rehabilitating the main stadiums in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah to be ready to receive families starting in 2018,” Al-Asheikh said.
The move is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to engage women in society as an integral part of the development process.
The kingdom, which has some of the world’s tightest restrictions on women, has long barred women from sports arenas by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public.
This month Al-Asheikh, who is also president of the Saudi Olympic Committee, appointed Princess Reema bint Bandar president of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports.

Princess Reema has also opened the new Studio 5 gym in Jeddah.  She seeks to encourage women to take exercise in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Last month, women were invited with their families to a sports stadium for the first time to attend annual National Day celebrations. Such venues had previously been male only.
Under the country’s guardianship system, a male family member — normally the father, husband or brother — must grant permission for a woman’s study, travel and other activities.
But the kingdom appears to be relaxing some norms as part of its “Vision 2030” plan for economic and social reforms, which aims to boost female employment.
In July, rights campaigners welcomed an “overdue” reform by the education ministry to allow girls to take part in sports at state schools.
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The exiled brother of Burkina Faso’s ousted ex-president Blaise Compaore was arrested at a Paris airport Sunday over the 1998 murder of an investigative journalist that rocked his west African country.

Francois Compaore, 63, was detained at the French capital’s Charles de Gaulle airport off a flight arriving from Ivory Coast’s commercial capital Abidjan, his lawyer said. An airport source confirmed the arrest.

Compaore is wanted in Burkina Faso over the killing of journalist Norbert Zongo and three companions whose charred bodies were found in a burnt-out car in the south of the country in August 1988.

Zongo’s family have long accused Francois Compaore — former adviser to ex-president Blaise Compaore — of having a hand in the killings which triggered mass protests in Burkina Faso and drew international condemnation.

The crusading editor of L’independant newspaper had written several hard-hitting articles about the misrule of the Compaore regime.

At the time of his death he was looking into the murder of Francois Compaore’s chauffeur.

Burkina Faso’s new government this summer issued an international arrest warrant for Compaore, on charges of “inciting murders”.

The police have up to 48 hours to question him before bringing him before a prosecutor to face possible extradition proceedings.

Speaking by telephone, Benewendé Sankara, the Zongo family’s lawyer, said he was “relieved” by the arrest, saying the Zongo case symbolised “the search for truth and justice of the Burkinabe people”.

“He must be extradited to Burkina Faso to face justice,” Sankara said, expressing hopes that there would “no legal, diplomatic or political quibbling” in France about returning him to Ouagadougou.

A spokesman for the Balai Citoyen (Citizen Broom) movement which played a key role in the uprising against Compaore also expressed satisfaction over the arrest of the ex-president’s brother.

Compaore’s lawyer Pierre-Olivier Sur accused Burkina Faso’s new rulers of hounding his client out of frustration at not being able to get Blaise Compaore — who went into exile in Ivory Coast —  into the dock.

“The current government…is changing tack and now going after his brother,” he argued.

– ‘Little president’ –
Compaore was one of the most despised figures in the regime of Blaise Compaore, who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2014 after trying to change the constitution to extend his 27-year hold on power.

Nicknamed the “little president” for his influence over the government, army and business world, Francois Compaore had been seen as a likely successor to his brother.

During the uprising he and his brother fled to neighbouring Ivory Coast, where they were given sanctuary by President Alassane Ouattara.

The fall of the regime paved the way for the long-stalled investigation into Zongo’s killing to gain new impetus.

Three former members of the Compaore-era presidential guard were charged over the killings in December 2015 but Francois Compaore had avoided being investigated over the affair until now.

Burkinabe prosecutors had instead been focusing their attentions on Blaise Compaore.

In April, the former president went on trial in absentia over his crackdown on the protests that toppled him.

Thirty-three people were killed in the violence, according to official figures.
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Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze over the central states of the country on Monday with visibility range of three to five kilometres.
NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 27 to 34 and 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.
It added that localised visibility of less than or equal to 2000m would prevail over the region during the forecast period.

The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy to partly cloudy morning conditions with day and night temperatures in the range of 30 to 33 and 18 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.
It also predicted chances of localised thunderstorms over Ikom, Uyo, Umuahia, Enugu, Owerri, Calabar, Eket, PortHarcourt, Yenagoa, Warri, Benin, Akure and Ijebu-Ode during the afternoon and evening hours.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience dust haze conditions over most parts of the region with visibility range of two to three kilometres.
“ The region will also experience localised visibility of less than or equal to 2000m with day and night temperatures of 31 to 37 and 17 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.
“ Dust haze conditions are expected to prevail over northern cities down to the central state with visibility range of less than or equal to 2000 meters over most parts of the northern cities.
“However, localized thunderstorms are likely over some parts of the southern cities in the next 72 hours,’’ it added. (NAN)
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Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State chapter, has taken steps to clamp down on illegal medical centres and fake doctors.
The Association on Sunday signed a pact with the state government for introduction of accreditation of health facilities.
Dr Sunday Omoya, the NMA Chairman, said on Sunday at the end of the 2017 Physicians’ Week and Ordinary General Meeting of the medical body.
He said the medical body regretted the activities of some unregistered medical practitioners in the state.
He added that such activities had been affecting medical practice and denting the image of members, saying “this must stop in the overall interest of health security of residents of the state.”
He commended the Gov. Ayo Fayose-led state government for implementing Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) for all categories of doctors in the state, noting however that the policy had not been beneficial, owing to the six months salary owed doctors.
Omoya said a total of 300 people were offered free medical treatment by doctors at Ipole Iloro in Ekiti West Local Government Area during the 2017 Physicians’ Week.

He added that NMA held medical education for rural dwellers on dieting,
hypertension, HIV/AIDS and other ailments ravaging the people at the
grassroots.
He urged government to pay members’ salaries and fund health institutions, particularly the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital(EKSUTH), to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
He noted that “we have set up a committee to look into the issue of quackery’’.
We reached an agreement with state government on accreditation and re-registration of all health facilities in Ekiti.
“We are looking into the genuineness of health facilities to know if they go beyond the scope for which they are registered.“If a facility is registered as a maternity or clinic or hospital, it can’t go beyond that scope but in Ekiti, some maternity homes are performing surgeries and this is wrong and dangerous.
“Defaulting facilities will be shut and the owners prosecuted accordingly.”
He commended the state government for being among the five states
that met 70 per cent benchmark in immunisation coverage.
On the issue of non-payment of salaries, Omoya said: “We are pleading that even if all the arrears won’t be paid, government should bring us as per with our colleagues in civil service.
“As we speak now, we are owing government six months salary, while civil servants are owed five months and this is demoralising doctors in health institutions.” (NAN)
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