WTF! Nigeria Senate Legalises Under Age Marriage For Girls – Females As Young As 3 Can Now Get Married?!

I keep saying that the Nigerian Senate has misplaced priorities. They are not focusing on the real issues plaguing our nation like corruption, providing adequate health care, resolving the long standing NEPA issue and much more. Instead they are using tax payers money to to pass ridiculous bills like anti gay marriage laws with harsh 14 year jail sentences (as if the few gay people in Nigeria are clamouring for marriage) & a few days ago they passed a law legalising under age marriage.

It all began a few days ago on the 17th July when the Senate voted to stipulate that a woman shall not be qualified for marriage until she is 18 years old. Former Governor of Zamfar State now Senator Ahmad Sani Yarima opposed this ruling claiming it violates Islamic law. You may recall that in 2009 this same Senator Yerima who is in his late 50s sparked outrage when he married a 13 year old girl. He justified his actions by citing that according to Islamic law he was doing nothing wrong.

And based on his opposition the Senate led by Senate president David Mark amended the age specification in the new constitution, changing it from 18 & leaving it open even to infants. The new law states “A woman is deemed to be “full of age” once she is married irrespective of the age she did so.”

Thus implying that even an infant shall be considered to be “of age” once married & thereby legalising paedophilia!

I can’t believe this! So now any man that has an attraction to young girls can marry said girls, especially girls from poor homes! I am so outraged, and so should you. Sign The Petition HERE, Let’s Help The United Nations Stop The Nigerian Senate Repeal This Law!

This is what your elected officials are doing over in Abuja, passing laws to legalise under age marriage!

Chido Onumah: So, Who Killed Kudirat Abiola?

This should be the question on the lips of every man and woman of conscience, considering the acquittal last week of Maj. Hamza al-Mustapha, Chief Security Officer of ex-military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha. Al-Mustapha, until his acquittal, had been in detention since 1999 for the murder of Kudirat Abiola, wife of M.KO. Abiola, winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election who himself died in detention in July 1998.

The state reception and effusive welcome party for al-Mustapha must be gut-wrenching for any Nigerian who lived through the horrors of the Abacha dictatorship. As Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, al-Mustapha was the point man of the murderous triumvirate that comprised Ismaila Gwarzo, National Security Adviser and Frank Omenka of the notorious Directorate of Military Intelligence. They had as their henchmen Barnabas Jabila (a.k.a Sgt. Rogers), Muhammed Abdul (a.k.a Katako), Alhaji Danbaba, and Rabo Lawal amongst others.

The High Court of Lagos State under Hon. Justice Mojisola Dada had on January 30, 2012, found both  al-Mustapha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, one of Kudirat’s aides, guilty of the offences of conspiracy to murder and murder of Kudirat, contrary to Sections 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State and accordingly had sentenced them to death by hanging. Justice Dada had based her judgment, amongst other things, on the strength of the testimony of two prosecution witnesses, Jabila and Abdul.

Both witnesses had testified that they were “directed to murder Alhaja Kudirat Abiola by Maj. Hamza al-Mustapha; that they were given information on her movements by Alhaji Lateef Sofolahan; and that they, respectively, shot and killed Alhaji Kudirat Abiola and drove the Peugeot 504 car, which they used in trailing her car and bolted away, after killing her at the Cargo Vision Area of the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway”.

Justice Dada’s guilty verdict was reversed last week by the Court of Appeal. While lashing out at the lower court, Hon. Justice Amina A. Augie (presiding justice of the Court of Appeal’s Panel), Hon. Justice Rita N. Pemu, and Hon. Justice Fatima O. Akinbami, based their ruling, amongst other things, on the “contradiction in the testimony of the prosecution witnesses” who had during cross examination and re-examination recanted, alleging that they were forced to implicate the accused persons.

It would be interesting to know why the learned justices of the Court of Appeal found it appealing (no pun intended) to believe the latter story of the prosecution witnesses. With the acquittal of al-Mustapha, it seems the Court of Appeal wants to erase our memory and close a chapter in the sordid history of the Abacha dictatorship. That also means that not a single person will be held responsible for the political assassinations that took place under that regime. So much for justice!

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State has described al-Mustapha as a “hero”. In a country where true heroes are in short supply, the governor may well be right. I would add that al-Mustapha is also a “hero” for justice because in Nigeria justice is for the highest bidder. Alhaji Maitama Sule has asked al-Mustapha to “forgive his detractors” who obviously were responsible for his “unjust” incarceration. The Nigerian Army should go ahead and promote al-Mustapha to a General, pay him his salaries and allowances for the past 14 years – if they were ever stopped – and assign him a command to put into good use his experiences in the service of the fatherland.

Today, al-Mustapha is a free man, free to run for governor of Kano State, senator or even the president of the Federal Republic. I hope he appreciates the value of life and liberty, things that he and his former boss denied Nigerians for five years.

If al-Mustapha didn’t kill Kudirat Abiola or order her assassination, it would be nice to know what al-Mustapha and the regime he served so faithfully did to find the killers of Kudirat, Pa Alfred Rewane and others murdered during the Abacha regime. It is the same question that Gen. Ibrahim Babangida must answer concerning the death of Dele Giwa.

Abacha’s Daughter Lash-Out At Wole Soyinka On Twitter

Taking to her twitter page, Late Nigerian Dictator’s Daughter Lash out on Prof Wole Soyinka.

Gumsu Sanni Abacha claims “Wole Soyinka is a “Mad Empty Professor that lives on bad mouthing his Motherland and continent for Dollar and euro!”

Fatima Gumsu Sanni Abacha is one of the daughters of the late General Sanni Abacha.

Pregnant former Olympian suddenly collapses and dies in restaurant

Heavily pregnant former Olympian, 26 year old Meskerem Legesse, suddenly collapsed and died while having lunch with her two year old son in a restaurant in Connecticut on Monday July 15th.

The Ethiopia runner, who was three weeks from her due date (pictured above minutes before collapsing) was given CPR at the restaurant before an ambulance rushed her to a hospital where she was declared dead. Fortunately the doctors were able to save her baby.

The cause of death was unclear but her friend told reporters that the professional runner had suffered heart problems in the past and that's why she retired early from sports. So sad! RIP, Meskerem! 

Manchester United Reject Chelsea’s Offer For Rooney

Manchester United have rejected Chelsea’s opening bid for disgruntled England striker Wayne Rooney.

United immediately rejected the bid on Tuesday night and insist Rooney is not for sale, despite the player’s desire to quit Old Trafford following the total breakdown of his relationship with the club.

The Stamford Bridge club will have to up their initial offer to land the disgruntled England striker and have denied Juan Mata or David Luiz formed part of their initial offerRooney is understood to have expressed a desire to join Chelsea and the Londoners are expected to return with an improved offer.

Initial reports suggested the west London club were willing to offer David Luiz and Juan Mata in part exchange, but the Europa League holders have strenuously denied either player formed part of their bid.

“Chelsea Football Club can confirm that it made a written offer to Manchester United for the transfer of Wayne Rooney. Terms of the offer are confidential, for avoidance of doubt and contrary to what is apparently being briefed to the press in Sydney.“The proposed purchase price does not include the transfer or loan of any players from Chelsea to Manchester United,” a club statement read.

Rooney is understood to be “angry and confused” following comments by United boss David Moyes suggesting the 27-year-old will be an understudy to Robin van Persie this season.

The England striker’s future has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he was left out of United’s Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid in March.Rooney has two years left on his deal at United but Ed Woodward, the vice-president of the Premier League champions, has claimed the club will not offer him a new contract, while they are prepared to let him run down his current deal.

My Marriage Is Still Intact, Says Funke Akindele

Star actress Funke Akindele, yesterday broke her silence on her failed marriage rumour. My marriage is intact, she said in an SMS message to The Nation.

The message reads: “I read in the newspaper yesterday that I am divorced. What proof do you have? And I am taking this to court because my marriage is intact. You guys are rumour mongers. Funke Akindele Oloyede.”

The Nation, along with other news media (NaijaObserver inclusive) had on Tuesday reported that the actress may have been separated from her husband, Alhaji Kehinde Oloyede, son of former Iyaloja of Oshodi market.

Oloyede on Monday announced a “separation” via his facebook page. He said: “It is with heavy heart that I am announcing the separation of me and my wife, Mrs Olufunke Akindele. We have both agreed to go our separate ways because of irreconcilable differences. We are still best of friends and we would forever remain good friends.”

The statement, which the actress’ husband has since deleted from his facebook wall, generated concerns among the star’s fans, who made the issue a major topic on social media platforms.Attempts to reach the actress on Monday failed. Her elder sister, who doubles as her spokesperson, Mrs Ayo-Ola Muhammed, failed to make an official statement she promised when contacted because, according to reports, the actress asked that no statement be made on the issue.

Mrs Muhammed debunked an online report claiming that she confirmed the separation to a notable blogger in Nigeria.Reports say her husband may have removed the “notice of separation,” including a more defiance follow-up post from his facebook wall, due to pressure from friends and family members.

The actress is said to have been crying inconsolably since the incident, fearing criticisms by her fans and her clients’ reactions.Funke, a film producer and ambassador of several brands, including telecommunications giant, Globacom, got married to Oloyede 14 months ago in a grand ceremony held in Lagos.

Funke’s decision to marry the real estate business man, was severely criticised by her fans who wondered why she should get involved in polygamy. She rebuffed critics on one occasion, saying: “I can tell you authoritatively that my husband is not married to anyone else. Yes, he has beautiful children, who are not mine and we have a cordial relationship, which dates back to even before we got married.”

On another occasion, she told her critics: “Will you be happier if I had married someone who didn’t have children, seems so perfect, put on my make-up and fake smile on the red carpet and start weeping when I get home? About my in-laws, they are very wonderful and supportive and my parents and siblings as well. ”

Funke and husband are known to be living separately since they got married. Oloyede is said to visit Funke occasionally. Story of Oloyede’s last child by another woman came about the same time that the rumour of Funke’s pregnancy went viral on social media. The actress was later said to have a miscarriage.

Meanwhile, apart from deleting the statement from his facebook wall, Oloyede is yet to refute the announcement in any way.

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Ex-Super Eagles Taiye Taiwo indicted in France on tax fraud

According to reports, former Super Eagles player Taiye Taiwo has been indicted in France on tax fraud charges. The French authority say the 28 year old player is owing them €1,025,000 in back takes after failing to pay his income taxes in 2008, 2009 and his property taxes in 2011.

Taiwo owns a €600,000 mansion in Allauch, Marseille and the French authority say they plan to seize the home and auction it. 

Taiwo, who currently plays for Turkish football club Bursaspor, played for French club, Olympique de Marseille from 2005 to 2011. He is yet to respond to the charges.

Tiwa Savage Signs MTN Endorsement Deal

Singer, Tiwa Savage has joined the league of MTN Ambassadors.

Tiwa shared the above photo on her Instagram page with the caption:

“MTN ambassador, I don port o. God you are so good to me #mtn #onceuponatime #powermoves #blessed”

This is following the release of her debut album, “Once Upon A Time” and with a Pepsi deal already in the bag, Tiwa Savage is certainly cashing in the big bucks

Happy 95th Birthday To Nelson Mandela!!!

Nelson Mandela is 95 today! Fans, admirers and well-wishers across the world honour their icon’s legacy through millions of acts of kindness. The social media is abuzz with glowing tributes to Africa's numero uno statesman. Happy Birthday, Neson Mandela!

Celestial Church Of God Pastor Arrested With 124 Bags Of Indian Hemp Inside His Church

The Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital has arrested a Pastor, Moses Edon, in possession of 124 bags of Indian hemp at the premises of a Celestial Church of Christ. Vanguard gathered that the church was abandoned last year, as its members fled due to the insecurity perpetrated by Boko Haram sect.

A statement by the JTF spokesman, Lt-Col. Sagir Musa, said: “Based on information and intelligence, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Restore Order at about 9.30am on July 10, 2013 raided the premises of a Celestial Church of Christ at House of Assembly Quarters, Pompomari area of Maiduguri metropolis.

“The raid led to the discovery and seizure of 124 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp packed in three rooms at the premises of the church.

“The suspect who is a pastor of the church, one Moses Edon, admitted knowledge of the content of the bags and confessed that the Indian hemp was brought to his church from Ondo State for safe keeping by a member of the church, one Mr Segun Oni.”

The JTF said preliminary investigation revealed that the church has not been active for some time now. It has been used for safe haven for Indian hemp business from where some unidentified “partners in business” distribute the product to their customers in Maiduguri and its environs.