Transgender woman who was denied hormone drugs in jail, gets released early, sues authorities

A transgender Georgia inmate who sued the state's prison system after being denied hormone therapy and a safe environment has been paroled for the remainder of her 11-year sentence.Ashley Diamond, 38, was released Monday after serving a little more than three years in a male prison during which she says she was sexually assaulted eight times.

"I'm overjoyed to be with my family again and out of harm's way," she said in a statement released by the Southern Poverty Law Center which filed the suit on her behalf in February.

"Although the systematic abuse and assaults I faced for more than three years have left me emotionally and physically scarred, I'll continue to fight for justice and to shine a light on the gross mistreatment of transgender inmates in Georgia and nationwide."

Diamond's early release on parole supervision while serving time for burglary is said to be in no way related to the SPLC's lawsuit which was later backed by the U.S. Justice Department.
A spokesman for the state's parole board, in an email to the Daily News, said she was deemed “rehabilitated” and stated that “the parole release is compatible with the welfare of society and public safety.”
Spokesman Steve Hayes acknowledged that Diamond was released earlier than her slated parole hearing this fall.

"The inmate served 46 months of the sentence, two months before being eligible according to the prison sentence," he said.

Hayes said the decision to release Diamond before her eligibility is "not unprecedented."

"The board has released inmates previously prior to their individual eligibility dates as it has the authority to do when the board deems the inmate's parole release is compatible with the welfare of society," he stated.

Ashley now back as a man

In Diamond's suit, which was backed by the DOJ in April, she claimed that she was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment which led to her attempting suicide and self-castration.
It included prison officials denying her hormone therapy treatment she had undergone since aged 17 and subjecting her to "unspeakable sexual assaults" by violent offenders.

Crass corrections personnel also referred to her with male pronouns as well as "faggot," "he/she" and "it," and sent to her solitary confinement for "pretending to be a woman," she claimed.

The conditions were declared "tantamount to torture" by one SPLC staff attorney.

"While we're thrilled that Ashley Diamond is out of prison, our lawsuit is far from over," said Attorney Chinyere Ezie in a statement Monday.

"Ashley has endured more than three years of systematic abuse based on the Georgia Department of Corrections' unconstitutional policies toward transgender inmates and woeful lack of care.

"Her release does not erase her barbaric treatment by GDC officials, which was tantamount to torture. Nor is her plight isolated. We will continue to advocate for an end to prison practices that unfairly punish and inflict pain on transgender inmates."

Source: NY Daily News

Buhari has sent a strong message that 'corruption is no longer fashionable' - Atiku

Press statement from former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, below...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari has reinforced his confidence, that despite the perceived slow pace, “Nigeria is on the path of progress and bright future.”

In a press statement released by his media office in Abuja on Friday, 4 September, 2015, the former Vice President noted that the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari clearly indicated that Nigeria is witnessing a marked departure from the culture of impunity, inertia and apathy in governance.

According to Atiku, even within the first 100 days, Nigerians could clearly see real proofs that the country is already moving in the right direction, which he attributed to President Buhari’s leadership by example style.

He said the President’s body language has sent strong and unmistakable message that the era of impunity was over, and that “corruption is no longer fashionable.”
The former Vice President explained that when leaders lead by example, they could automatically inspire public confidence, which he said is a condition for the success of any government policy.
According to Atiku, the Buhari administration has so far succeeded in blocking revenue leakages and diversions, which feed corruption.
The Turaki of Adamawa, who said he was proud to be part of the change movement, said there are enough examples that President Buhari is making a difference.
He said the Boko Haram terrorists are for the first time facing a fiercer response from newly motivated armed forces, adding that the terrorists are in disarray because of the new offensive strategy adopted by the government.
The former Vice President appealed to Nigerians to show more patience with President Buhari because some major reforms might take time, but the country would ultimately be a better place.
Atiku said the level of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria is inconsistent with its oil wealth, explaining that corruption is the biggest obstacle to development.
The former Vice President said President Buhari has boosted his optimism that Nigeria would rebound again.
Atiku Media Office
61 Ebitu Ukiwe Street
Jabi
Abuja
Nigeria.

Saudi king books entire DC Four Seasons hotel for 3 nights ahead of his first White House meeting with Obama

In anticipation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia’s stay, the Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown has done some redecorating, literally rolling out red carpets in order to accommodate the royal’s luxurious taste, Kate Bennetts' Politico reports.

Eyewitnesses at the property have seen crates of gilded furniture and accessories being wheeled into the posh hotel over the past several days, culminating in a home-away-from-home fit for the billionaire Saudi monarch, who is in Washington for his first White House meeting with President Barack Obama tomorrow.

"Everything is gold,” says one Four Seasons regular, who spied the deliveries arriving at the hotel. "Gold mirrors, gold end tables, gold lamps, even gold hat racks." Red carpets have been laid down in hallways and even in the lower parking garage, so the king and his family never have to touch asphalt when departing their custom Mercedes caravan.

Security is tight as well which is normal for such a visit, perhaps, but Saudi officials likely remember the bizarre 2011 bomb plot, linked to Iranian intelligence, that aimed to blow up then Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir, now the foreign minister, at a Georgetown restaurant.

The guests staying at the 222-room hotel for the next couple of days are all part of the 79-year-old king’s entourage of Saudi diplomats, family members and assistants, one source said; a full buyout of the entire property was reserved for the visit. Guests who had booked to stay at the Four Seasons during the royal visit have apparently been moved to other luxury hotels in town.

A call to the Four Seasons confirmed the hotel is sold out Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. King Salman, who ascended the throne in January, has a habit of displacing commoners for his own comforts; this summer, during a sojourn to the French Riviera, his eight-day stay forced the closure of a popular beach, enraging locals. Salman rolls deep, with a reported 1,000-person delegation joining him for his seaside August vacation. Wall St. Journal reporter Carol Lee snapped this photograph of Salman's entourage arriving at Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday: Saudis seem to have enough vehicles for King Salman's visit - the car fleet parked at Joint Base Andrews.

At the Four Seasons on Thursday morning, the Washington “power breakfast” crowd didn’t seem to mind being displaced from their regular dining spot at the hotel’s lower-level Seasons restaurant to the main floor’s Bourbon Steak, a move made to accommodate the king. Foreign dignitaries and royals often choose to stay at the Four Seasons, as much for the hotel’s proximity to the White House, State Department and Embassy Row as for its 4,000-square-foot Royal Suite, equipped with private elevator and bulletproof windows for privacy and security.

Last month, the hotel, which opened in 1979, embarked on a $13 million renovation, redecorating the rooms, adding more art and committing to a guest experience that focuses on the best night’s sleep.

A press release cited new options for maximizing the sleep experience, including a new sleep-aid menu with “scented pillow oils,” “calming bath melts,” pre-selected mattress toppers in firm or plush, and custom pillow choices, which include a water-filled option. A representative for the Four Seasons declined to comment for this story.

Source: Kate Bennett for POLITICO

Photo: Army seize dried fish worth over N60million from Boko Haram members in Borno

The 7 Division of the Nigerian Army today destroyed over 2,000 cartons of dried fish valued at N60 million seized from suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State. According to the spokesperson of the Division, Colonel Tukur Gusau, the suspected Boko Haram members had resorted to robbery and cattle rustling and are believed to also be engaged in some form of commercial activities with these stolen items to fund their activities.

“We have about 2,000 cartons of dried fish, suspected to have been taken away forcefully from fishermen, fish mongers and business men in Borno State. We decided to born them so that we can send a message to these people. What they wanted to do was to sell the items in an open market at a ridiculous amount of money and use the same proceed to sponsor their terror activities,” he said

Sen. Shehu Sani declares his asset, says he is worth N22m, several houses, vehicles

24 hours after President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo declared their assets, Sen. Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, has also declared his assets. According to a statement he released today September 4th, Senator Sani who has 2 wives and 6 children, says he has a total of N22 million in three bank accounts, owns two residential houses in Kaduna, two houses under lease in Kaduna, two uncompleted office apartments in Kaduna, one residential house in Abuja, one family inherited house in Kurfi, Katsina State, and one family inherited house in Minna, Niger State.

He also added that he owns several cars, and bought N5million worth of shares in 2007 but which crashed in 2008. According to him, declaration of assets is a moral challenge to all public office holders.

"In line with moral example set by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo, and in conformity to the standard of transparent and exemplary leadership, and in submission to the public and popular demand for integrity test to all public office holders, in a new Nigeria on a filtration process for a politically cleaner and decent future, I have decided to voluntarily make this public declaration. President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo public declaration of their assets is a moral challenge to all public holders. Their declaration challenges all men of conscience and docks all men who lay claim to self dignity and self worth. Their public declaration hangs a chain of guilt on the neck of all public office holders. To refuse to publicly declare assets is to continue to carry the burden of a moral thorn of guilt in a nation whose generation of leaders for so long stands in the dock of ethical court. There are no saints and angels in politics, but the citizenry deserve to know the moral truth behind the facade of uprightness. A clean broom is needed to clean a dirty space. I chose to publicly declare and be pelted than to walk with the stain of suspicion and mistrust splashed on all public office holders by a generation of curious citizenry"the statement read.

Two Nigerians arrested in Australia over importation of 40kg drugs concealed in DVD players

Two Nigerian men, Chibuike Anyasor, 33, and Joe Iwuchukwu Odemegwo, 51, were yesterday September 3rd arrested by the Australian police for allegedly importing more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine which they concealed inside bar fridges and Jackie Chan-branded DVD players.

The two Nigerians appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today. Ansayor, described by police as a key figure in the drug importation syndicate, was charged with importing and attempting to possess methamphetamine. Odemegwo was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of methamphetamine. If found guilty they face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

President Buhari pictured with his grandsons

President Buhari pictured above with two of his grandsons....

Arik flight makes u-turn after plane's engines suffer overheating midair this morning

Comedian Ime Bishop shared the experience this morning

BREAKING NEWS!!! Massive Explosion At Umungasi Road Aba; Scores Feared Dead (See Photos)

BREAKING NEWS!!! Massive Explosion At Umungasi Road Aba, Scores Feared dead (See Photos)


News just coming in to our newsroon is that there has been a massive explosion at the Aba Owerri road Umungasi Aba. A tanker loaded with gas exploded at Aba Owerri road Aba, The cause of the explosion is not clear at the moment, but some eyewitnesses said  the explosion was caused by a brake failure. According to them, a tanker driver was coming out from a fueling station and had a brake failure as he was trying to divert to the other lane and the tanker got exploded!Another Photo after the cut…

 

Nobody Can Investigate Me Yet — Rotimi Amaechi

The immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that no anti-corruption agency in the country can probe him at the moment.

Amaechi's former Chief of Staff, Tony Okocha, told Punch that the ex-governor was not afraid of ICPC or the EFCC as long as their probe was not a witch-hunt sponsored by the opposition.

But anybody who wants to probe Amaechi must first vacated a court order stopping the investigation or probe of any Rivers Stat Government official.

He stated that Governor Nyesom Wike was a beneficiary of such order from the court, adding that until the court injunction was vacated, it would be illegal for the ICPC to probe his boss.

“I have always said that Amaechi is not afraid of the EFCC or the ICPC as long as such probe is not a witch-hunt. Again, there is a court order that the EFCC or other agency like it cannot probe any government official in the state. Wike is a beneficiary of that court order.

“Until that court order is vacated, the ICPC or the EFCC have no right to investigate Amaechi. Since what they are going to investigate is his (Amaechi’s) activities while in government, the EFCC and the ICPC do not have such right to do so based on the standing court order,” Okocha said.