3 men sentenced to death for gang-raping woman then slit her throat (Photos)

 

Three men were sentenced to death on Saturday by an Indian court for the gang-rape and murder of a student, in a case that sparked outrage over women’s safety.

The court in Kolkata sentenced Saiful Ali, Ansar Ali and Amin Ali to the death penalty and a further three defendants, Sheikh Emanul Islam, Aminur Islam and Bhola Naskar, were given life sentences after being convicted of gang rape, criminal conspiracy and causing disappearance of evidence.

The 20-year-old woman was targeted as she walked home after an exam in 2013 in the village of Kamduni, in the eastern state of West Bengal. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was grabbed after getting off the bus before being dragged to a nearby abandoned farm.

The gang attacked her as she returned from the university to her home Kamduni on June 7, 2013.She was found gagged and lying in a pool of blood in a field the next morning.
Evidence showed she had been repeatedly raped.Two of the eight accused were acquitted for lack of evidence by the court.

‘Justice has failed us as two of the accused were acquitted and three were awarded life sentences,’ the victim’s brother said.

Daily Mail

Ogun pupils impress Buhari during state visit

              From left: Tinubu, Buhari, Amosun and Akande

The performance put up by pupils and children to mark the 40th anniversary of Ogun State left a positive impression on President Muhammadu Buhari, who visited the state on Monday.

Buhari is on a two-day visit to the state to commission 40 projects spread across the the state’s senatorial districts as part of the celebrations.

“I am congratulating you for this spectacular show, which marks your 40 years as a state within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I am even more impressed with the performance of the children, who despite the long delay, are so active… I enjoyed the spectacular show and I am eager to come here tomorrow and go through the rest of the celebration,” Buhari said in a short statement.

Activities scheduled for the day were delayed due to the late arrival of the President. Consequently, part of the ceremony had to be held at night, including the performance of the children.
The long wait was, however, not altogether boring as various artists entertained the children, including Olamide, whose performance caused the children to invade the pitch of the … Stadium where the event was held.

Buhari was received by Governor Ibikunle Amosun and All Progressives Congress chieftains, including Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Ogun State governors were also at the event.

PUNCH

Dell hits the market with UltraSharp monitor... just as pretty as its bezels are thin

Back at CES last month, Dell was attributed several Innovation Awards for its cutting-edge monitors. Included in the round-up was the U21717D, boasting InfinityEdge super-thin bezels and marketed to graphics professionals. Until now, however, the monitor’s design was kept concealed from the public.

Now, however, the UltraSharp U2717D is a secret no more. In fact, it’s showing up on the official Chinese variant of Dell’s website, complete with a list of specs that you can actually read in English with the aid of Google Translate.

 

 Measuring 27 inches, the PLS display itself bears an Ultra HD resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 with the classic 16:9 aspect ratio, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and a maximum brightness of 350 cdm/m². And, if the English translation is to be believed, the panel will cover 99 percent of the sRGB color palette. Monitors like these are calibrated by Dell in-factory and assures a delta-E under 2 out of the box, making for a nearly exactly accurate color space. 

As for the response time with Dell’s new UltraSharp, you can expect 8 ms gray-to-gray, or 6ms in “quick mode,” as well as a non-variable refresh rate of a mere 60Hz. For photo and video work, these specs should be seamless enough.

But, the most important question is, just how thin are these super-thin bezels. Well, on the top, left, and right sides, they’re about 7.3mm wide, while the bottom end totes a still-solid 8.4mm width.

 

 Every U2717D ships complete with DisplayPort 1.2, Mini DisplayPort 1.2, and HDMI 1.4 inputs, as well as DisplayPort output in the chance you want to daisy chain to any additional monitors. Impressively enough, all of this is accompanied by a four-port USB 3.0 hub and a headphone jack as an added bonus.

While pricing for the rest of the world has yet to be revealed, the Chinese product page for the U2717D suggests a 5,999-yuan price tag, a little more than $900. Every monitor from Dell ships with a three-year warranty as well as a zero-bright-dot guarantee, negating the need for concern over dead pixel mishaps. It’s presently unclear when we’ll be seeing this monitor pop up in the U.S., but it could be worth your consideration if you’re employed in a creative field.

(A Must Read) How We Rigged Ekiti Electon For Fayose – Ekiti PDP Secretary

Secretary of the Ekiti state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Temitope Aluko on Sunday opened a can of worms as he gave an insider account of how the military was used to rig the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election that Ayo Fayose won on the platform of the PDP.

Aluko, who was the Chief Returning Officer and signed the results for the election, also disclosed how former President Goodluck Jonathan, gave Fayose $37 million cash to prosecute the governorship election.

The embattled Secretary of the Ekiti state chapter of PDP, made the disclosure in Abuja, stressed that he was forced to come forward with the revelations because Fayose betrayed him and derailed from the original plan they had for the development of the state.

Aluko had also testified in camera before the military panel that investigated the role of the military in the Ekiti election.

According to Aluko, who said he was part Fayose’s inner cycle during the election, alleged that Jonathan initially gave the incumbent Ekiti governor a first tranche of $2 million in March 2014 for the primary election.
He noted that this cash was collected at the NNPC headquarters in Abuja and was taken to Fayose’s private house, in Abuja before it was moved to Ekiti.

“Immediately after the primary election, we collected. another $35 million from Jonathan on June 17, 2014. The money was brought to us by the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
“We all assembled at the front office of Spotless Hotel, Ado Ekiti, owned by Fayose. Thereafter, the cash was taken to a Bureau De Change in Onitsha where it was converted to N4.7 billion”, Aluko added.
Aluko, further alleged that Fayose received about N3 billion cash from Sen. Buruji Kashamu in 2013 for revive the PDP in Ekiti State.
The Ekiti PDP scribe, also gave account on how the military was used to win the election.
Aluko said “the former President agreed with Fayose and summoned a security meeting at the Presidential Villa for the purpose of the election.
“Those at the meeting were the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh; then Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Kenneth Minimmah; and former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.
“Others included Fayose, Senator Iyiola Omisore, then Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan and Obanikoro.
“At that meeting, the former President made it clear to the ex Chief of Defence Staff that Fayose would stand for him (as Commander-In-Chief) in terms of providing security for the election”.

Aluko alleged that Fayose, relying on Jonathan’s directive, approached the former Commander of the Army Brigade in Akure, Brig. Gen. Dikko to take charge of the election for the PDP, who refused to cooperate and was replaced after a petition was filed against him.

“But Gen. Dikko did not give us audience. He stated bluntly that he would not be available for such operation. So Fayose sponsored a petition against him which led to his replacement with Brig. Gen. Aliyu Momoh who was amenable to our plans”.
Aluko alleged that a total of 64 PDP stalwarts were picked, who had knowledge of their local governors were picked to help with information on opposition members.

“They gave detailed information regarding names and locations of opposition members in all the local governments, the various routes, areas of strength and weaknesses of the PDP in the 16 local governments.

“Today, most of these 64 hatchet men are members of the Senate, House of Representatives, state House of Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, special advisers and the rest”, Aluko said.

He continued, “We went into the election with 1040 recognised soldiers and another batch of 400 unrecognised soldiers brought from Enugu by Sen. Andy Uba.

“In addition, we raised 44 special strike teams brought in Toyota Hilux buses from Abuja and Onistah. We made special stickers for the vehicles that conveyed members of the strike team and black hand bands for each of them.
“Each strike team was made up of 10 members headed by a soldier and comprising soldiers, policemen, DSS operatives and Civil Defence corps. They were detailed to attack and arrest prominent APC chieftains in all the local governments.
“We set up anchorage, mainly residential houses, in every local government where the strike team members collected their welfare and other allowances.
“To encourage the strike team members, we gave them orders to share money and other valuables they could lay their hands on in the houses of APC chieftains they raided.
“Then we set up detention camps, mainly in primary schools where most of the APC chieftains were detained. Others were detained in police stations where the DPOs were friendly with us. We let them off after the election was over.
“A day to the election, we used the military to block all routes in the local governments and prevented APC chieftains, including former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi from coming into Ekiti.
“So we ensured that no APC chieftain was insight on election. We provided polling agents for the APC in most of the polling units so we had no problem getting them to sign election results in the units.
“All these local and foreign observers that described the election free and fair only witnessed the voting exercise on election day without knowing what transpired before the voting”.

Explains why he was coming up with the revelations, Aluko said “Before the election, Fayose, Femi Bamishile and I jointly swore with the Holy Bible on a sharing formula after we must have won the election. We agreed that Fayose would be governor, Bamishile his deputy and I Chief of Staff.

“But the moment he got into office, Fayose reneged on the agreement and left me in the lurch. More worrisome is the fact that Fayose has derailed from the original Ekiti project we envisaged”

President Buhari visits Awujale amidst tight security

 

Today President Muhammadu Buhari paid a courtesy visit to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as part of activities marking the 40 years anniversary of the state.

The president, who arrived at exactly 6:20 p.m. amidst tight security, was welcomed by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the Awujale and other notable indigenes of Ogun.

Buhari, who was in Ogun to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the state’s creation, is also expected to inaugurate 40 landmark projects embarked upon by Amosun.
The president was welcomed with a loud ovation by supporters who chanted ‘Sai Buhari’ as he emerged from his vehicle.

The president immediately proceeded into the inner chambers of the palace for a closed door meeting with the monarch and other dignitaries.

At a dinner attended by the president, Amosun thanked everyone for the honour given to the president.
“I want to thank everyone for the honour given to the president who is also eager to reciprocate the support given to him by Ogun people during the last elections,” Amosun said.

Buhari, in a response, said he was elated by the gesture and warm reception, saying he would always be willing to be associated with the Awujale for his remarkable support for him.
“ I sincerely apologise for coming later than expected; it was due to the visit of the Spanish Prime Minister earlier today.

According to Buhari, “The Kabiyesi is someone I will always honour and I’m very grateful for his support to me and this government.” 
The Awujale, in his remarks, thanked the president for honouring him with the visit, pledging his total support for the success of the administration.

“You coming here is not as a visitor but as the home owner. I thank you for making yourself available as promised to the service of all Nigerians.
“We want to assure you that we are with you in your fight to liberate Nigeria from corruption, insecurity and other vices.

“We know that under you, this nation will develop and attain its goals to the admiration of the world and comity of nations,” Adetona said.
The president subsequently asked to take his leave as he proceeded to the state capital, Abeokuta, to perform other state duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 51 traditional rulers and 41 high chiefs were present at the occasion.

Others present were Mr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture as well as former Ogun governors– Olusegun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel.
Business tycoons, Chief Mike Adenuga, Otunba Subomi Balogun and Mr Dapo Abiodun, were also present.

Lagos Boat Mishap: Police detain Chinese, others

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested some people said to be responsible for a boat accident which claimed seven lives in the Ijede, Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
It was learnt on Sunday that the Ijede Police Division detained some sand miners, which included a Chinese national, pending the conclusion of investigation.

It was reported that a commercial boat belonging to Aki Marine had capsized while conveying 17 passengers and two crew members from Ijede en route to Badore a few minutes after taking off.
It was also reported that the boat crashed into a hidden heap of sand that had been dredged along the waterways.

While four of the 17 passengers on board died immediately, three others were said to have given up the ghost shortly after they were rushed to the hospital.

It was learnt on Sunday that the families of the victims had started identifying them, while all the survivors at the Ikorodu General Hospital had been discharged.
The General Manger of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Michael Akindele, said the agency was still awaiting the boat manifest to aid its investigations.

He said, “All rescue operations have been concluded. I can also confirm to you that the survivors at the general hospital have been discharged and allowed to go home. Those who were responsible for this have been arrested and they are being detained by the police.”
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the police arrested some of the sand miners while working.

He said, “I was there five hours after the incident happened and watched everything. For those five hours, dredging activities were still ongoing. The reason is that the Chinese bosses pay the workers hourly and they were forced to continue working. The men of the Marine Police came there and arrested one of the Chinese men and a Nigerian.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest of the sand miners, adding that they would be charged to court at the end of investigations.
She also said the police had started releasing the corpses of victims to their families.

She said, “The corpses were actually handed over to the police at the Ijede division, and some of the sand miners have been arrested and would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.”

FFK and fiancee welcome son

FFK and fiancee welcome son

 

 

Former minister Femi Fani-Kayode and his fiancee, Precious Chikwendu welcomed their first child together today February 1st. Precious gave birth to a healthy baby boy at Diff hospital in Abuja. The boy is FFK's first son. He has 5 daughters from previous marriages.

According to a source close to the couple, FFK's first son was born in Nigeria, at one of the best hospitals in Abuja because the former minister insisted. All his other children were born abroad and he wanted his first born son to be born in Nigeria like he was! Congrats to the couple!

Amnesty International criticizes the reinstatement of Nigerian General accused of committing war crimes

Amnesty International criticizes the reinstatement of Nigerian General accused of committing war crimes

 

 

International Human Rights group, Amnesty International has criticized the reinstatement of a former commander of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ahmadu Mohammed, who collaborated with other top officers in the Nigerian military to commit war crimes against people in the North East.

In a statement released in June 2015, accused Major General Mohammed and eight other senior commanders of killing more than 8,000 people who they arrested over insurgency related offences.

According to Amnesty International, Mohammed was in charge of 7 Division of the army when the military allegedly executed more than 640 detainees after Boko Haram Islamists attacked the detention centre in Giwa barracks, Maiduguri, capital of the restive northeastern state of Borno on March 14th 2014.

In a statement signed by Salil Shetty, Amnesty's secretary general, today February 1st, the group said Mohammed was retired in 2014 for unrelated reasons but was surprisingly reinstatement on January 17th

"Major General Mohammed must be investigated for participating in, sanctioning or failing to prevent the deaths of hundreds of people. Young men and boys, rounded up by the military, were either shot, starved, suffocated or tortured to death and no one has yet been held to account. It is unthinkable that Major General Mohammed could resume command of troops before an investigation has even begun. Seven months after the publication of these horrific discoveries and the (Nigerian) President's pledge that they will be looked into, we continue to call for urgent independent investigations to begin,".