06/07/18

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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 Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chinyeaka Ohaa, has said that the coming into operation of the Abuja Light Rail service would accelerate FCT economy by boosting investments and creating job opportunities.
Ohaa gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when he led directors and management staff of the Administration on an inspection of the 78km Abuja Light Rail.
He reaffirmed FCT Administration’s commitment to ensuring that the Mass Transit service was inaugurated in a matter of weeks.
According to him, already the FCT Administration has written to the Presidency for a convenient date for its inauguration.
“The benefits of the project include the potential for over 20,000 jobs, aside boosting the economic fortunes of the Territory.’’
He said the Abuja Rail project which started in 2009 would help to curtail drastically traffic congestion in the nation’s capital city.
Ohaa added that all the necessary infrastructure and human personnel have been put in place for a successful event.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tour of the project from the Metro Station up to the Airport Terminal station up to Kubwa station showed that about 98 per cent of the work had been completed.
The permanent secretary, who described the project as a new experience in Africa, added that he wasimpressed with the level of work done so far.
He further revealed that the facility has ample escalators and lifts for physically challenged and adequate security devices for protection of passengers.
Ohaa said that both President Muhammadu Buhari and FCT Minister have shown tremendous commitment to ensure the Abuja Rail Mass Transit comes on stream while calling on residents to own the project. LR News
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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.

President Muhammadu Buhari has continued the trend of breaking the daily Ramadan fast with players from different sectors of the country.

On Thursday it was the turn of artistes and youths.

Among those who joined the President to break the day’s fast were popular musician, Temitope Adekunle (Small Doctor), Ali Jita, and Olanrewaju Fasasi (Sound Sultan).

The President had previously hosted the leadership and members of the National Assembly, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote and members of the business community, and traditional and religious leaders to break the Ramadan fast.

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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 helicopter that conveys Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had to make an emergency landing shortly after taking off on Thursday.

Professor Osinbajo was departing the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College In Gwagwalada where he attended the 2018 graduation ceremony of Senior Division Course 1 when his helicopter encountered problems.

Seconds after takeoff, the white coloured helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing for the first time after the aircraft began to emit thick smoke, losing one of its engines.

Upon landing, the Vice President was immediately escorted into a waiting vehicle and conveyed back to the State House by road.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, confirmed that his boss did not go back with the helicopter.

He, however, did not comment on the emergency landing, noting only that the VP did not fly back due to technical reasons.

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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.

Nigeria has dropped a point from its last month’s 47th position to 48 place in the world, and from sixth to seventh in the continent, in the latest FIFA rankings.
The statement on FIFA’s website on Thursday said the recent flurry of pre-FIFA World Cup friendlies left its mark on the latest rankings.
While the top three positions are unchanged as Germany, Brazil and Belguim sit respectively, Russia-bound duo of Poland and Uruguay have succeeded in making strides within the top 20.
Super Eagles World Cup Group D foes Argentina, Croatia and Iceland are on fifth, 20th and 22nd positions respectively.
In Africa, Tunisia moved seven places down from 14th in the previous rankings to 21 as the continent’s top ranked team.
Senegal follows in 27th place, while DR Congo stayed on 38 with Russia-bound Morocco on 41st place and Egypt in 45th position.
Ghana, a non-participant at the World Cup moved three places to 47th and sixth in the region.
The next rankings will be released on July 19.
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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 Federal High Court Abuja, has granted the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, judicial leave for a review of the order to quash the Senate’s resolution declaring him unfit to hold public office.
Latest Reality Metro reports that judicial review is a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness or otherwise of a decision or action made by a public body.
Justice John Tsoho, on Thursday granted the IGP’s prayers as contained in a motion ex parte argued by his counsel, Mr Alex Izinyon, (SAN).
The IGP prayed the court’s order granting him leave to apply for judicial review of a declaration that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the senate, who are the respondents in the suit, acted beyond their powers.
He is asking among others “a declaration that the respondents acted “ultra vires” in their powers under Section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.
“In the votes and proceedings leading to the resolution contained in the gazette dated May 9 imposing a penal sanction on the IGP.
“A declaration that the respondents acted ultra vires its powers under the 1999 Constitution in initiating the votes and proceedings leading to the resolution declaring the IGP an enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria.
“An order of court, quashing the same entire votes and proceedings and consequent resolution of the senate declaring the IGP an enemy of democracy and unfit to hold office any public office within and outside Nigeria.”
The IGP in addition, wants an order of court quashing the report of the ad hoc committee investigating the various allegations leveled against him that led to the said resolution in the gazette.
Idris further wants the court to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from acting on the said resolution contained in the gazette or causing same to be acted upon by any person or authority.
Izinyon said that his client was seeking the reliefs on the grounds that as the current holder of the office created by the constitution, he either could carry out the functions of the office by himself or through delegated officers.
“It is practically impossible for the IGP to be in all places at the same time and to answer to all summons at all times and this brought about the need of using subordinate officers when the need arises.
“The IGP could not appear before the senate on April 26 because he was directed by the president to be among the presidential entourage embarking on a two-day official trip to Bauchi.
“As a result of the above, the IGP directed and delegated the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations and other officers who had adequate knowledge of the subject matter to appear before the senate.
“The respondents refused to listen to and discountenanced the appearance of the subordinate and insisted that the IGP must appear in person.”
Izinyon also said that the reliefs were sought on the grounds that the respondents lacked the competence or jurisdiction to impose penal sanctions on the IGP under Section 88 and 89 of the constitution.
He finally said that the reliefs were sought on the grounds that the court had the supervisory powers to quash the said resolution contained in the gazette date May 9.
Justice Tsoho ordered that the processes be served on the respondents through the Clerk of the National Assembly and adjourned the matter until June 27, to hear the application on notice. LR News
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Chief MKO's daughter, Hafsat Abiola-Costello


Hafsat Abiola-Costello, a daughter of the late businessman and politician, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s new democracy day.

In an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, she said the honour was long overdue as it should have come since 1999 – a year after her father was murdered.

She, however, said she was excited and indeed grateful for the development adding that it is a recognition of the freedom and democracy for which he (Abiola) and the citizens had fought hard for.

“I cannot believe it, I’m still praying that somebody won’t wake me up and say I was sleeping or something.

“I just cannot believe it, it’s so long overdue. (25 years), it should have been done in 1999. June 12 should have been declared the day of transition in 1999 and it was not and that was already a sign that Nigerians were going to be cheated.

“We had fought, fought soldiers and the army who wanted to oppress and dictate to us and when it was now time for us to begin this new democratic transition, it was as if they pulled out someone that would continue to protect their interest and not recognize and validate the interests and needs and rights of the people of Nigeria.

“Furthermore, she said, “We saw with June 12 that even before an Army, journalists came out, wrote articles, people were on the streets, labour unions went on strike, market women went on strike and shut down a powerful military dictatorship”.


Hafsat also believes that for Nigeria and indeed the African continent to continue its quest for freedom and the practice of true democracy, Nigeria has to continue to push through its challenges.

“If we want this democracy to continue to deliver for us, we must be prepared to continually engage, challenge and demand because the whole freedom, not just of Nigeria but of Africa and indeed of the black world, is resting on Nigeria, so we cannot get Nigeria wrong,” she said.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday announced June 12 as the new date which Democracy Day will be celebrated in Nigeria.

He also conferred a posthumous GCFR title on the presumed winner of June 12, 1993, presidential election, Moshood Abiola.

The President in a tweet on his official handle explained why June 12 will replace May 29. He noted that June 12 is a more symbolic day.

“Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.

“We have also decided to award posthumously the highest Honour in the land, GCFR, to Chief MKO Abiola.

“In the view of Nigerians, as shared by this Administration, June 12, 1993, was and is far more symbolic of Democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29, or even October 1,” his tweet read. LR News
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A South African court on Thursday sentenced a 23-year-old man to three life sentences for murdering his parents, Martin and Teresa as well as brother, Rudi with an axe in 2015.
In a case that has gripped the country, Henri Van-Breda also received 15 years in prison for attempting to kill his younger sister, who was gravely injured but survived.
He also received an additional 12 months for defeating the ends of justice, a court in Cape Town ruled.
Van-Breda, who pleaded not guilty, claimed an intruder killed his family members at their luxury estate in the Cape Winelands area of Stellenbosch in 2015.
Judge Siraj Desai dismissed van-Breda’s version as “nonsensical.’’
His sister, who was 16 at the time of the attack and suffers from amnesia, did not testify during the lengthy court case.
She suffered severe head injuries in a bloody onslaught that Judge Siraj Desai described as “cold-blooded” murder.
“These attacks display a high level of innate cruelty,’’ Judge Desai said.
“The violence was excessive and gratuitous. It was intended to cause maximum harm.’’
Defence lawyer Pieter Botha, who plans to appeal against the conviction and sentencing, had suggested Van-Breda’s youth and status as a first-time offender should be mitigating factors in the sentencing.
He also said his client could not show remorse because he maintains he is innocent.
Van-Breda is set to appeal the judgment on June 27.
While Judge Desai recalled that a witness heard a loud argument in the Van-Breda home for several hours on the night of the killings.
He told Van-Breda that “we have no explanation for what you did’’ and that he had to be handed the “severest possible penalty”.
Van-Breda also received a one-year sentence for obstructing justice after the court concluded that he inflicted injuries on himself to try to mislead police.
The Van-Breda family lived in Australia for some years before returning to South Africa, and the judge said Van-Breda had enrolled at the University of Melbourne. dpa/LR News
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The Senate has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the results of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The lawmakers made the demand on Thursday during plenary at the upper chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The request comes one day after President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 to replace May 29 as Democracy Day, in honour of late MKO Abiola – the presumed winner of the election.

President Buhari had explained that June 12 was more symbolic than May 29 and also conferred a posthumous GCFR title on the late businessman.

Reacting to the declaration today, Senator Lanre Tejuoso told his colleagues that the development was commendable.

He added that it shows the spirit of reconciliation and stressed the need for the Executive and Legislative to reconcile their grievances, in the face of the recent faceoff between both arms of government.

Also speaking, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, informed the lawmakers that the constitution needs to be amended if June 12 is to be declared as Democracy Day.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, on his part, drew the attention of the Senate to the contributions and sacrifices of MKO Abiola to Nigeria’s democracy.

He, however, said the nation has yet to give the late businessman and his family the recognition they deserve, stressing that they have been long overdue.

The Senate consequently resolved to support the declaration of June 12 as a public holiday, although the implementation was not accurate.

They also asked the Federal Government to pay the entitlements due to Abiola’s family as president, and that of Professor Baba Gana Kingibe, his then running mate as vice president.

The lawmakers noted that while June 12 is a public holiday, May 29 should remain the day for the inauguration of newly elected officers – president and all government officials. LR News
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The U.S. has brought a group of diplomats home from Guangzhou, China, over concerns they were suffering from a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected U.S. personnel in Cuba, State Department spokesperson has said.
According to a statement by Heather Nauert, after confirming one government employee had “suffered a medical incident” in the southern Chinese city, the department deployed a team to screen employees and family members at its consulate there.
“As a result of the screening process so far, the department has sent a number of individuals for further evaluation and a comprehensive assessment of their symptoms and findings in the U.S.,” Nauert said.
“Medical professionals will continue to conduct full evaluations to determine the cause of the reported symptoms and whether the findings are consistent with those noted in previously affected government personnel or possibly completely unrelated,” she said
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the State Department had evacuated at least two Americans who fell ill after hearing strange noises in China.
According to the state department, in 2017, 24 U.S. government employees and family members in Cuba displayed the symptoms, which were similar to those related to concussions and mild traumatic brain injury.
The illnesses among the American diplomats stationed in Havana heightened tensions between the old cold war foes.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement on Tuesday saying the department established a task force last month “to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents.”
“The precise nature of the injuries suffered by the affected personnel, and whether a common cause exists for all cases, has not yet been established,” Pompeo said. Reuters/LR News
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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.
Collapsed bridge at the Children’s Amusement Park

The bridge at the Children’s Amusement Park located at the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre in Owerri, Imo, built by Gov. Rochas Okorocha’s administration has collapsed.

Witnesses at the scene told Latest Reality Metro in Owerri on Wednesday that nobody was killed or injured in the incident.

The incident which caused pandemonium in the area, gave room for criticism by some parents whose children visited the place on May 27 during the 2018 Children’s Day Celebration.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene, reports that the incident occurred after a heavy downpour on Tuesday night.

The bridge, being a major tourism site, has been used to generate funds for the state government.

When contacted, the State Commissioner for Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment, Mrs Ogechi Ololo, said that she had yet to be briefed on the cause of the incident.

Mr Collins Ibe, who witnessed the incident, told our correspondent that the windstorm that accompanied the downpour might be responsible for the collapsed of the bridge.

Another witness, Mrs Mary Nlemadim, said: “It is unfortunate that this is happening in the state, especially at a place that is supposed to be a recreation centre.

“I thank God that it happened in the night when people were not around; otherwise, there might have been casualties.

“I urge the state government and engineers working on construction projects in the state to be more dedicated and thorough,” she said.

Also, an Engineer, Mr Okechukwu Uba said: “There is need to critically look at all the construction projects going on in the state.

“This is necessary to avoid unnecessary waste of resources, time and human capacity.

“These projects need to get proper approval from professional hands or bodies; they also need to be properly supervised by qualified and experienced personnel.

“Again, they have to be done systematically and not many things at the same time.

“These projects need to be finished up in a tidy manner and subjected to stress tests where necessary, before being opened to the public,’’ he said.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Mr Emeka Ugoanyawu, had earlier warned against substandard engineering work in the state.

Also, the National President of Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) Mr Kashim Ali, had recently faulted the quality of a flyover constructed by the Okorocha administration, located at Orji.

Ali, as a matter of urgency, urged Gov. Okorocha, to stop work on the flyover.
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