COVID-19 brings advanced and developing countries to the same level - Buhari

The President of Nigeria, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), said that he observed the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at his State House residence because of the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

He explained that his decision was in compliance with the measures put in place by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 which prohibited mass gatherings.

Buhari was joined at the prayers by family members, including his wife, Aisha, and son, Yusuf.

In a brief interview after the session, Buhari urged Muslims to reflect on the lessons of the period. He said,

“I held Eid prayers at home today with my family, in keeping with the protocol of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 against mass gatherings, as well as the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, suspending Eid congregational prayers across the country.”

Buhari noted that COVID-19 was so devastating that it had reduced developing and developed countries to be on the same level. He stated,

“Nigerians can see that COVID-19 has reduced us, both the developing and developed countries, to the same level. In fact, we have fewer casualties than they we have.”

He called on farmers to double their efforts in producing more food for the country by taking advantage of the rainy season.

“I hope the rainy season would be bountiful so that we get a lot of food.

I wish the farmers will go to farms and save lives so that we can produce what we need in sufficient quantity so that we don’t have to import food.

In any case, we don’t have any money to import food. So we must produce what we are going to eat,” he added.

$635 million estate : 130 people claim to be Jeffrey Epstein's children

Up to 130 people have come out to claim they could be a child of deceased financier, Jeffrey Epstein in a bid to inherit part of the late paedophile’s $635 million estate.

A website created by a DNA company to find any possible heirs to deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has heard from as many as 130 people claiming to be the convicted paedophile’s children.

If any are found to be the multimillionaire’s children, they could lay claim to a piece of his $635 million estate, which includes his Manhattan mansion and a luxury 75-acre estate, dubbed ‘paedophile island’.

Epstein, who took his life in a Manhattan jail cell in August while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, had never married and was not known to have had any children. He left his assets in a trust after his death.

“Jeffrey Epstein was sexually promiscuous for so long that there is a reasonable chance he may have fathered a child,” Harvey Morse, founder of Morse Genealogical Services tells the Sun.

The DNA firm set up the website Epsteinheirs.com shortly after Epstein’s death asking for people who thought they were heirs to his estate to come forward. Since then 386 people have contacted the website and up to 130 say they could be his children.

Earlier this year, Epstein’s estate was valued at $635 million, an increase from about $577 million after the sale of some of its assets.

Epstein still owned four properties, including his Manhattan mansion and Zorro Ranch in Stanley, New Mexico, as well as the so-called ‘paedophile island’, or Little Saint James.

Nigerians abroad urged to pressurise US government for Madueke's repatriation

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has urged Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) to pressurise the UK government to repatriate former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke to face trial over graft charges.

EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale disclosed that Magu made the call at a Virtual Town Hall Meeting, an interaction with Nigerians in The Diaspora, anchored in London by the Host/Moderator of the group, Ade Omole.

Magu also asked them to support the anti-graft war and expose foreign assets of corrupt politicians by taking advantage of government’s whistle-blowing policy.

“The EFCC needs collaborative engagements with you all,” he said, insisting that Nigerians abroad should assert more pressure on authorities and governments in their countries of residence to prosecute corrupt Nigerians taking refuge in their domains.

He expressed displeasure over the continued huddles being faced by the EFCC to try Allison-Madueke, stressing that Nigerians in the UK should form pressure groups to demand her trial without further delay.

“Nigerians in the United Kingdom need to collaborate with the EFCC more and pressure the UK authorities to assist the EFCC in bringing Diezani to trial. Does it not bother Nigerians in that country that Diezani has not been tried for allegations of corruption against her?

The public ownership of the fight against corruption should not be limited to Nigerians at home. We must all come forward, wherever we are, to insist that corruption must not continue,” he said.He gave accounts of the painstaking works of the EFCC in the conviction and recovery, assuring that the EFCC was on course in the pursuit of its assigned mandate.

“We are on course. In 2020 alone, in spite of the COVID- 19 pandemic, we have secured 213 convictions, which shows the commitment we are putting into the work,” he stressed.

Magu assured Nigerians in The Diaspora of protection of their businesses at home, stressing that local fraudsters frustrating them from investing in the country would henceforth be dealt with.

‘”The EFCC is aware of the frustrations, uncertainties and risks local fraudsters pose to credible businessmen and women abroad, who wish to invest in the Nigerian economy and the commission is ready to offer intelligence services to anyone seeking genuine business partners in Nigeria,” he added.

Responding, participants at the conference, numbering over 500, who were drawn from Europe, Asia, Africa, South and North America and other parts of the world, commended the EFCC for its fight against economic and financial crimes

Professor Adebisi Adewole of the University of Scotland commended the EFCC for it efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption, urging the commission to continue it its commitment to free the country of corruption and economic crimes.

Invictus Obi to plead guilty to $11 million fraud

Obinwanne Okeke also known as Invictus Obi has indicated wish to plead guilty for the $11 million fraud he is being tried for in the United States (US).

United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Okeke and at least six other persons were involved in the crimes.

“There is a probable cause to believe Okeke has conspired with several individuals to access computers without authorisation and using such access to cause the fraudulent wire transfer of funds,” FBI’s special agent Marshall Ward said in an affidavit he deposed to before Justice Lawrence Leonard, in Norfolk, Virginia, on August 2 2019.

The FBI agent said the investigations that nailed him began in July 2018 after Unatrac Holding Limited, an export sales office for Caterpillar heavy industry and farm equipment, in the United Kingdom was defrauded of $11 million through a phishing scheme.

Okeke, however, pleaded not guilty to the fraud charge against him. He has since then been in detention. Nine months after, American authorities said Okeke, a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree, was ready to enter a guilty plea in court.

Already, a Senior United State District Judge, Rebecca Smith, has given an order approving the plea bargain arrangement.

“The Court has been advised that the defendant wishes to enter a plea of guilty,” Judge Smith said in her Order of April 24.

“A United States Magistrate Judge is hereby authorised, with the consent of the defendant, to conduct the proceedings required by the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 incident to the making of the plea. See 28 U.S.C. Section (b) (1); United States v. Dees, 125 F.3d 261 (5th Cir.1997).

The defendant may consent to the United States Magistrate Judge conducting the proceedings on a form provided by the clerk.”

Smith disclosed that if after conducting such proceedings, the Magistrate Judge accepts the plea of guilty and the associated plea agreement, a presentence investigation shall be conducted and a report shall be prepared pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32, and a sentencing data shall be scheduled.

“If the plea of guilty is accepted, the District Judge will adjudicate guilt and will determine and impose a sentence.”

Magistrate Judge Robert Krask has been appointed to conduct the plea agreement hearing set for June 18 at the Norfolk Magistrate Courtroom 1.

Already Okeke had been made to forfeit at least $11 million in asset and an emerald shaped diamond engagement ring found on him when he was first arrested by federal agents as he was about leaving the U.S. on August 6 2019.

He had made previous appearances before separate judges for preliminary hearings in his bail applications but were declined.

SERAP takes Wike and FG to ECOWAS court

A human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has sued Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the Federal Government over the “brutal crackdown, repression and grave violation and abuse of human rights of Rivers State people.”

The suit, marked ECW/CCJ/APP/20/20, was filed last Friday on SERAP’s behalf by its solicitors, Kolawole Oluwadare, Atinuke Adejuyigbe and Opeyemi Owolabi, at the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja.

In the suit, SERAP contended that “Governor Wike is using COVID-19 as a pretext to step up repression and systematic abuses against the people of Rivers State, including mass arbitrary detention, mistreatment, forced evictions and imposition of pervasive controls on daily life.

Governor Wike is using executive orders 1 and 6, 2020 as instruments to violate and abuse the rights to liberty and freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention to a fair trial, and to property, contrary to Nigeria’s international human rights obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

This suit is primarily against Governor Wike and Rivers State government for failing to respect, protect and ensure the constitutionally and internationally-guaranteed human rights of the people of his state. The governor has used executive orders 1 and 6 to run roughshod over the human rights of Nigerians.

Ultimately, the Federal Government, being the signatory to ECOWAS treaties and protocols, cannot escape its responsibility to ensure that the human rights guaranteed under human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, are fully and effectively realised throughout Nigeria, including in Rivers State.

Suing the Federal Government alongside Governor Wike is entirely consistent with Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which provides that a state may not invoke the provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to perform a treaty”, SERAP stated.

The rights group, therefore, asked the court for an order of injunction to “restrain and stop Governor Wike from further using, applying and enforcing executive orders 1 and 6 or any other executive order to harass, arbitrarily arrest, detain and demolish property of the people of Rivers State.

It is also seeking, among other reliefs, an order directing “Governor Wike and the other defendants to pay adequate monetary compensation to the victims of human rights violations and abuses, and to provide other forms of reparation, which may take the form of restitution, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition, and other forms of reparation that the court may deem fit to grant.” No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

See the amount Bauchi State Government spends on a Covid-19 patient's meal daily

The Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has said that it spends a cumulative of N4,500 to feed COVID-19 patients per day in the state in order to quell agitations. 

Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the agency, made the disclosure while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.

Bauchi State has so far 232 confirmed cases of COVID-19; 164 had been discharged, five deaths and 63 active cases. He said, 

“It was the state governor that ordered us that we should put N1,500 per single meal in a day.

That is, N1,500 meal during breakfast, the same amount for lunch as well as dinner because he doesn’t want anybody in isolation to suffer or complain so that we won’t have any riot like in some other states.

This brings the total amount of money on meal per day to N4,500 on a single patient."

Residents of Dapchi flee over fears of Boko Haram attack

On Sunday, residents of Dapchi, headquarters of Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State, could not hold Eid prayers as majority of the people spent the night in the bush and nearby villages over fears that Boko Haram may attack the town again.

People from a nearby village hinted that Boko Haram militants in a convoy of 11 Hilux vehicles and heavily armed were approaching Dapchi but suddenly changed direction and took the road towards Gumsa.

A resident told reported that as at yes, Dapchi was almost empty as only a few people remained in the town, which was also attacked six days ago by Boko Haram.

“Town is empty now, all of the people have run yesterday into the bush. Some returned this morning but news of sighting Boko Haram in nearby village created fresh panic and people fled again.

Today is supposed to be Sallah (Eid) day of happiness but we are here running for our lives, fleeing danger. No one is even talking about Sallah celebrations,” a resident said.

Lagos BRT resumes full operations

In violation of the social distancing guideline put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Bus Rapid Transit in Lagos has been carrying full passengers.

The state government had on March 25, 2020, ordered that the BRT must not transport beyond 21 passengers per trip, adding that the drivers must not permit standing in their buses.

However, in total disregard for the guidelines, the BRT being operated by Primero Transport Services Ltd., has reversed to normal operations by carrying full passengers and allowing passengers to seat on the aisle of the buses.

A passenger, who spoke with our correspondent, said the BRT buses loading from Yaba to Ikorodu had begun full operations since Friday.

"I enter the BRT buses going from Yaba terminal to Ikorodu daily. On Friday when I went to board the bus, despite the existing inflation of fee by Primero, they have now reverted to carrying full passengers.

The drivers even carried passengers and told them to sit on the floor to avoid being seen by the police and operatives of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

The same thing happened on Saturday and people have no choice but to enter. They load two passengers per seat instead of one per seat after we have paid N300 and they also carry standing telling them to seat on the floor," the passenger said.

Another passenger condemned the act of the BRT management, saying the BRT buses were supposed to be at the frontline of enforcing the regulations in Lagos transport system.

"This is extortion of the highest order the Lagos state government. BRT buses that supposed to load 60% of the total capacity of the bus according to the Lagos state ministry of transportation, but the BRT loading Ikorodu from Oshodi and Yaba loaded 100 per cent and even over-load."

The passengers urge the government to ensure the BRT buses management comply with the safety regualtions for the benefit of all residents of the state.

Check out beautiful birthday photos of Precious Fani-Kayode

Ex-beauty queen and wife of Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, Precious and their triplet boys, celebrated their birthdays on 25th May with stunning new photos.

Precious turned 31 years old and their boys turned two.

COVID-19 volunteers yet to be paid three months allowance

COVID-19 volunteers for the Nigerian Government helping to tackle Coronavirus are yet to be paid their monthly allowances despite working for about three months.

With limited healthcare workers to battle the outbreak of the virus, government turned to volunteers to help provide essential services at the various isolation centres in the country.

However, after working for about three months, it was gathered that the volunteers were yet to receive any payment from government.

We gathered that the volunteers numbering over 200 were to be given a stipend to cover for their transportation and feeding while working.

Sources confirmed that the volunteers especially those working in Lagos State are currently considering downing tools in protest of the non-payment.

"No compensation or payment has been given to them (volunteers) since they started working for the government.

They have not received a dime and they are now considering downing tools to protest the non-payment," the source said.

A health official in Lagos said the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital is expecting payment from the Federal Government to pay the volunteers.

"We were told the Federal Government has not given the Chief Medical Doctor anything to pay the volunteers, so nothing has been paid to the volunteers.

That is where we are now and everybody is expecting the government to roll out funds to pay the volunteers as they are now in the third month of volunteering," the health worker said.

Recall that Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said retired doctors, nurses and laboratory scientists in the country have volunteered their services to the cause of fighting the novel Coronavirus pandemic spreading across the states.

“All retired medical doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists have volunteered to help us in this fight and we are grateful,” he said.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, declined to respond to calls and message sent to his mobile line as at the time of filing this report.

He however, tweeted that the volunteers were still working.

"Our healthcare workers are still on the frontlines giving care to #COVID19Lagos patients as we speak.

If you or your loved ones have any #COVID19 related concerns during this #EidAlFitr, just call 08000CORONA for care and support,” he tweeted.

The Nigerian Government has received a donation of N87bn as at April 24, 2020, to combat Coronavirus excluding testing kits and Personal Protective Equipment.