Saraki is our choice, no political trial will change our opinion- Senators declare

Members of the Senate have said no political, vindictive and mischievous trial will make them change their opinion about Senator Saraki being their president. The senators said this in a statement they released yesterday which was signed by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba

"We also want to state here, on behalf of our colleagues, that the Senate remains solidly behind Senator Saraki and we express our unalloyed support for his leadership. We reiterate the fact that he is our choice for the post of Senate President and no politically motivated, mischievous and vindictive trial will change our opinion of him."the statement read

Photos from Julius Agwu's Thanksgiving service

The Thanksgiving service held a TPH over the weekend. More photos after the cut...

Photo: Boko Haram suspect arrested in Lagos

A suspected member of the Boko Haram sect identified as Abdullahi Adamu has been arrested by Security operatives attached to Operation Mesa (OP Mesa) in Ijora area of Lagos State following a tip-off by residents of the community. 

The suspect, identified as Abdullahi Adamu, was apprehended during a raid carried out by operatives of the security outfit comprising the Army and the State Security Service (SSS).

According to The Nation, the raid, which took place at the Ijora 7-Up area of Lagos, came after a tip-off on the activities of a terror network allegedly co-ordinated by Iranians. 

The suspects was arrested after soldiers ransacked one of the buildings in the area. Adamu was said to have concealed some devices suspected to be explosives in boxes, which were stacked in the ceiling of the house.  Also recovered alongside the suspected explosives were two AK47 rifles. 

Commenting on the arrest, the paramount ruler of Ijora community, Oba Fatai Ojora said

"We have been calling on the state government to do something about this. This is the second time we will arrest Boko Haram suspects in this community and nothing has been done on that. The one we caught now had even admitted that he is a terrorist. You know that majority of the northerners in Lagos live in Ijora, Agege and Badia.’’he said

Another member of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity said “People came to me that they saw one man on the internet and that he is a member of Boko Haram, saying they know where he lives. They said they are going to his house and identify him. They arrested him and handed him to Oba of Ojora,” he said.

Photo: Violence mar APC Bayelsa primaries...ends in deadlock

APC governorship primaries in Bayelsa today ended in deadlock after it was marred by violence and fraud when thugs invaded the venue. Some aspirants as well as party officials including the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Edo state governor Adams Oshiomole was held hostage and was later smuggled out of the venue by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and soldiers. Read the full report sent in from Bayelsa after the cut...

The Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, was on Tuesday turned to a battle field as supporters of two leading governorship aspirants, Timi Alaibe and Timipre Sylva engaged themselves in violent clashes which left scores, including Alaibe, injured. "It was a pathetic sight to see a political event reduced to a combat", said an eye witness.

Trouble was said to have started when it was discovered by Alaibe and his supporters that accredited delegates from Brass, the LG of his arch-rival, Sylva, were far more than all delegates from the other LGs combined. It was in a bid to challenge what was seen as an anomaly by Alaibe and his supporters that a heated argument ensued resulting in a free- for- all between the opposing camps. In the process, Alaibe and many others sustained injuries.

To demonstrate his anger and disapproval of the electoral process, Alaibe was also said to have stormed out of the venue with his supporters in protest. Further investigation showed that many of those who participated in the fracas were ordinarily not supposed to attend the primary because they were not delegates but came as organised party thugs and militants on both sides to drum support for their respective choice of aspirants.

The bloody violence in which all manner of weapons were freely used, including broken bottles, cutlasses, knives and charms could have led to loss of lives except for the quick intervention of the police and other law enforcement agencies on ground. Even as the police used tear gas to repel elements seen as hired thugs and militants, a number of the victims loyal to Alaibe complained bitterly that they were stabbed by Sylva’s men.

All efforts by the Adams Oshiomhole committee responsible for the conduct of the primary election to save the day proved abortive as Alaibe, in company of his close associates, left the venue in obvious protest of the situation. Many of his supporters were also seen joining him in their mass exit from the Samson Siasia stadium venue.

Alaibe was said to be getting ready to address a press conference on the issue later today. Meanwhile, findings also indicated that some of the governorship aspirants have stepped down for the former governor, Timipre Sylva. As at the time of filing this report, Sylva was leading in the number of votes cast and likely to emerge winner.

Heartbroken Kourtney Kardashian breaks down in tears over Scott Disick cheating

 

Keeping Up With The Kardashians viewers will get to see how hurt Kourtney Kardashian was after she learned of Scott Disick's cheating rumours via Daily Mail.
In a preview clip from an upcoming episode of the E! series,Kourtney, the mum-of-three, who broke up with her boyfriend of nine years this summer, couldn’t hide her heartbreak as pictures emerged of Scott getting close to his rumoured ex-girlfriend Chloe Bartoli in Monaco.

Momager Kris could be seen sitting at the table with a tearful Kourtney and Kim and she got very angry when she read the story of Scott's romance online.
Her Mum Kris Jenner said: “What a piece of s**t!”

A devastated Kourtney then said to her sister Kim.

“I’ve worked so hard to keep this family together,” she tells her as she wipes away tears.

"Kourtney has always taken Scott back and been by his side, but now with three kids it has gotten old," a source said at the time.

"Kourtney has to do what's best for the kids."

But despite Scott, 32, missing his family, he is not prepared to change his partying ways.

A source said: "Scott misses his family, but it's not enough to motivate him to change. He doesn't have the constitution to cure himself of his issues."

Actress Funke Adesiyan thinks Omotola is too old to wear crop tops

Lol. Excuse you? In what part is crop tops meant for teenagers alone? I wear it all the time and I love it. Anyway, actress and politician Funke Adesiyan took to instagram to defend her friend actress Bimbo Thomas (pictured above) against those criticizing her for wearing a swimsuit. Funke thinks it's wrong that Bimbo is being called out for wearing a swimsuit to the beach while Omotola is being praised for wearing crop tops. Her rant ends with;

"I'm me and very original at it. Bimbo pls rock on and post more amazing pictures from your holiday. I know u sabi jaiye. *wink"

Female Newsreader Lands Role after Leaving Her Blouse Open

A 21-year-old student Enki Bracaj, was hoping for a reporting job on an Albanian TV station and it seems her weird interview approach worked because she landed an anchor role after performing a screen test for the Zjarr news channel in Albania by auditioning with her blouse undone and open boobs.

Reacting, Enki said the stunt is "a way to put myself ahead in a competitive industry." 

“It is not easy to enter the world of television. It was obvious that if I wanted to make it I had to be brave and offer something different."

Wearing a cream blouse, the lady sat with the whole front gaping open as she practised her news slot.
Funny enough, after her bizarre performance, she managed to walk away with the job.

A spokesperson for the channel said:
"Most agree that her presentation style is somewhat awkward, but we are working on that and to be honest it doesn't seem to be doing any harm to her viewing figures."

The lady said, "I checked first with my parents and when I found that they also supported me in my decision, it wasn't a problem for me to go ahead like this. There is not just a lot of competition to get on television, but also competition between the channels."

She added: "I simply found a way to put myself ahead and also to ensure that my channel gets the best ratings."

Sources say many viewers, especially men, seem to like watching her read the news. Lol!

Police raids brothel in Calabar, arrest 54 prostitutes

No fewer than 54 prostitutes alongside 58 men were on today arrested by police during a raid in a popular brothel called ‘Flour mill’ in the Calabar metropolis. The operation which was carried out by detectives from the Cross River State police command, was led by Governor Ben Ayade’s security adviser (SSA), Mr. Jude Ngaji.

Briefing newsmen after the operation, Ngaji said the brothel which used to be a hotel has now become a notorious place for commercial sex workers in Calabar.

He explained that the brothel poses a security threat in the State, adding that it now serves as a breeding ground for criminal activities. According to Ngaji, the brothel has become a hideout for criminals as well hard drug merchants in the State.

“Given the tourism status of Cross River, Gov. Ayade frowns on this despicable act where under aged girls are engaged in prostitution. He has therefore vowed to take drastic and decisive measures to stem the ugly trend. He has directed that the place be raided and shut down forthwith. Consequently, the governor has warned that other persons or groups involved in this unwholesome practice should in their own interest desist henceforth or face the wrath of the law”, he said.

The SSA, who advised teenage girls to always engage themselves in meaningful activities, said Nigeria does not have any law that legalizes prostitution. ``Each time you pass here at night, you find under-aged girls of about 13 and 14 years standing by and waiting for men.

This place has become an area of concern to the State and Cross Riverians. This place has become a Sodom and Gomorrah in Cross River and the raid was carried out to stop prostitution and criminality in the state. All the girls that were caught here are prostitutes and some of them were caught in a compromising position. No law legalizes prostitution in Nigeria. The girls would be tried in court and we will ensure that they are returned back to their respective states’’, he added.

Article written by Kanjal Godshield and sent in from Calabar

Here Are All the Details from Saraki's Trial at Code of Conduct

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, finally entered the dock on Tuesday at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja where he was arraigned on 13-counts for false assets declaration charges.

Saraki arrived at the tribunal at 9.20am in company with many senators, beating by 40 minutes the 10am deadline the judge had set for the Inspector General of Police to provide the Senate president.

From the dock Saraki claimed that he was hearing about the charges against him for the first time, saying he ought to have been invited and briefed by the CCB as the Senate President...

He pleaded not guilty to all the 13 charges slammed on him by the Code of Conduct Bureau and his trial has been scheduled to hold on October 21, 22 and 23.

Saraki appeared after two courts had refused his request that the proceedings at the CCT be stopped.

While speaking, he said, “I am the Senate President and I have respect for the rule of law. Mr. Chairman, I observed that they have made reference to the good work the Senate has done in the administration of criminal justice. If there is an allegation of false declaration of assets, the Code of Conduct Bureau shall refer the person involved to the tribunal after giving the person an opportunity to explain if the facts are true. But in this case, I was not given the opportunity.

“I thought the CCB should have called me and given me the right to fair hearing. I am hearing about the charges for the first time. We are all here and the whole world is watching when we said we are in new Nigeria. I want to state here that I am not guilty.”

After listening to arguments of all parties, Justice Danladi Umar held that the tribunal had the jurisdiction to compel the Senate President to not only appear in person but to also be moved to the dock.

He said, “It is in the view of the tribunal that the trial before it is criminal in nature and it has jurisdiction over criminal matters, the defendant should therefore proceed to the dock.”

Saraki was granted bail in self recognition and the full trial will now commence on October 21.

Getting serious...Serena Williams hangs out with Drake's Mum

Serena Williams hung out with Drake's Mom during his restaurant opening in Canada. Here's how TMZ is reporting it.

'Big step for Serena and Drake ... the tennis star jetted up to Canada for the opening of Drake's restaurant Monday night -- and hung out with the rapper's mother!! Drake was in Toronto to launch his new eatery Fring's ("I got onion rings, gotta lotta onion rings") ... along with the two ladies in his life. Serena looked smokin' hot -- high heels and a pencil skirt -- and according to people inside, there was the usual restaurant PDA with Drake.

Unclear how much time Serena spent with Drake's mom -- but we're told the music was so loud inside, it would have been tough to have that "So, you're dating my son" conversation anyway.

As for Drake, he posted a pic from inside the restaurant with his mom ... calling her his "one and only." No word if Drake's dad showed up -- after we spoke with him last time, seems he was also waiting for some quality time with his son's new boo.'