'We're racist and proud': Cheeky group stages counter-demonstration against 'Justice for Trayvon' marches

Dueling groups of protesters converged on a wealthy Houston neighborhood on Sunday in reaction to last weekend's not-guilty verdict for George Zimmerman in the death of teen Trayvon Martin.

Around 80 people gathered on a street in Houston's River Oaks area, some carrying American flags and shouting support for stand-your-ground self-defense laws.

Members of this group held signs that read: 'We're racist and proud,' 'Remove the Black Panthers from the U.S.A.' and 'If Zimmerman is a "White Hispanic" then President Obama is a "White Black."'



Opposition: A woman holds a sign up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X's group march in the River Oaks community in Houston on Sunday





Confrontation: Houston activist Quanell X, left, walks past a man who would not give his name, during a protest in the River Oaks community in Houston on Sunday





Kept apart: Police officers, many on horseback, kept the crowds moving and separated

Their presence was in response to several hundred people organized by Houston activist Quanell X, who led a march for more than an hour through the same neighborhood's streets in support of Martin.

Police officers, many on horseback, kept the crowds moving and separated. Except for some insults shouted, the marches and rallies appeared peaceful.

On Saturday, one week after Zimmerman was found not guilty, people gathered for nationwide rallies to press for federal civil rights charges against the former neighborhood watch leader.

Crowds rallied in dozens of U.S. cities, urging authorities to change self-defense laws and pressing federal civil rights charges against the former neighborhood watch leader who killed Martin.



Anger: Protestors shout at counter-protestors across the street on Del Monte Drive in the River Oaks community in Houston on Sunday





Pro-Trayvon: A protestor carries a sign in the River Oaks community in Houston on Sunday





Counter movement: A protestor holds a sign as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a demonstration against community activist Quanell X





Calm: Except for some insults shouted, the marches and rallies appeared peaceful


The case has become a flashpoint in separate but converging national debates over self-defense laws, guns, and race relations.


The Rev Al Sharpton's National Action Network organized Justice for Trayvon rallies and vigils outside federal buildings from noon in at least 101 cities, from New York and Los Angeles to Wichita in Kansas and Birmingham, Alabama.

On Saturday morning he told supporters in Manhattan he wanted a rollback of stand-your-ground self-defense laws.

Sc

High profile: Trayvon's mother Sybrina Fulton, third from left, was joined by Beyonce, Jay Z and the Rev Al Sharpton at New York's protest Saturday






Connection: Celebrity couple Beyonce and Jay Z say as parents they can understand the pain of the verdict



Trayvon Martin's mother leads rally in NYC



'We are trying to change laws so that this never, ever happens again,' he said.


'We have the strength to wipe our tears away. Last Saturday we cried. This Saturday we march.'

Trayvon's mother, Sybrina Fulton, also spoke at the New York rally, telling the crowd: 'Today it was my son. Tomorrow it might be yours.'

She added: 'Of course we are hurting. Of course we are shocked and disappointed, but that just means we have to roll up our sleeves and continue to fight.'

Ms Fulton, her son Jahvaris, and the Rev Al Sharpton joined the rally as it marched to One Police Plaza at noon, where they were joined by Jay Z and his wife Beyonce, according to the New York Post.






Emotional: Trayvon's mother Sybrina Fulton is joined by her son, Jahvaris, left, and the Rev Al Sharpton as she speaks in New York





Speech: Meanwhile, in Miami, Trayvon's father Tracy Martin told crowds there that he will continue to fight for his son


Although they did not speak at the rally, the Rev Al Sharpton told the crowd: 'Jay Z told me, "I'm a father. Beyonce is a mother". We all feel the pain and apprehension - the laws must protect everybody, or it doesn't protect anybody.'

He added: 'We do not come from hate, we come from love of children,' according to the Huffington Post.

Beyonce had shown her support for the case last week, asking for a moment of silence at a concert after the not guilty verdict was recorded.


While Trayvon's mother was in New York, the dead teenager's father took part in a Miami rally on Saturday morning, according to NBC News.



Support: People march through Oakland, California, as part of the Justice for Trayvon rally






Verdict: George Zimmmerman, right, was found not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, left





Wide spread: Philadelphia residents took part in the day of action




United: In Salt Lake City residents gathered outside the Wallace Bennett Federal Building for the rally


Tracy Martin told supporters outside Miami's federal courthouse: 'I vowed to Trayvon, when he was lying in his casket, that I would use every ounce of energy in my body to seek justice for him.'

He added: 'I will fight for Trayvon until the day I die. Not only will I fight for Trayvon, I will fight for your child as well.'

The Rev Sharpton and other supporters want the Justice Department to pursue federal civil rights charges against Mr Zimmerman.

He told the rally on Saturday: 'They will not say that was the young man killed in Sanford. They will say that was the young man who helped change the laws in the United States of America.'


Former Governor Eliot Spitzer, who attended the New York rally, said: 'Regardless of how you view the legality of the verdict in isolation, justice here was denied. An innocent young man was shot and killed and that is a tragedy.'




Protection: Eight-month-old Tyleigh Gould in Florida was one of many children taken to the rallies as parents voiced concern at the trial verdict





Presidential backing: At the New York rally a woman holds a sign of President Obama, who said he could have been like Trayvon Martin





Icon: Members of the crowd wore hoodies or held up packets of Skittles in reference to Trayvon being shot as he returned from buying the candy

Attorney General Eric Holder announced this week that the department would investigate whether the Hispanic neighborhood watch man could be charged under those federal civil rights laws, which would require evidence that he harbored racial animosity against Trayvon.

Most legal experts said it would be a difficult charge to bring.

Mr Holder added that the shooting demonstrated the need to re-examine stand-your-ground laws nationwide.

The Rev Jeffrey Johnson told about 200 people in Indianapolis that the rally was about making life safer for young black men.




Continuing protests: Posters announcing a future rally for Trayvon Martin in New York







United in cause: 8-year-old Anthony Simbler, left, and dentist Nicole Ray, right, wear similar suits that unite them in their cause for justice for Trayvon, though they protested today in separate cities (Simbler in Chicago and Ray in Miami)




Father and son supporters: Ulysses Diaz, holds his son, Armani Hinton, as they listen to a speech at a rally in Las Vegas.

The Rev Johnson said there were still endangered by racial profiling, and he compared Mr Zimmerman’s acquittal to that of four white officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King in 1992, according to the Boston Globe.

'‘The verdict freed George Zimmerman, but it condemned America more,' the pastor who is a member of the board of directors of the National Action Network, said.

On Friday President Obama said it was still common for black men to ‘'be followed in a department store' while shopping or to walk down the street and 'hear the car doors lock'.

He added that he had experienced both scenarios before he rose to social and political prominence.






Change: The trial has led to calls for renewed debates on Florida's stand your ground law



Protest: A young girl joins a protest outside a Philadelphia court house






#dailymail
#huffingtonpost
#NBC

Kidnapped Briton Rescued By Police In Okota, Lagos

The British national kidnapped by gunmen last Tuesday, July 16, few minutes after his arrival in the country via the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, has been rescued by policemen attached to the Lagos State Police Command.
According to Information Nigeria, the spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Ngozi Braide, had on Friday assured that the Briton would soon be rescued and declined providing further details as she said investigations were still ongoing.

It was learnt that a combined team of operatives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, and the Special Intelligence Bureau, SIB, yesterday, stormed an uncompleted two storey building at Okota Isolo suburb of Lagos State and rescued the Briton while a suspect was arrested in the process.

Details later…

Man Flying From London To Owerri Slumps and Dies In Lagos

An Arik Air passenger en route Lagos-Owerri from London, yesterday, slumped and died at the entrance of the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, Terminal 1, Lagos airport.

The passenger accompanied by his wife and his brother was confirmed dead at the Aviation Clinic where he was rushed to for medical attention.

According to sources, the passenger slumped at the front of the Departure Hall when he slipped off the ground and started bleeding from his nose and ears before he was rushed to FAAN’s hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Confirming the unfortunate incident, General Manager, Corporate Communications of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, said the passenger was accompanied by his wife andcbrother when the incident occurred, noting that they both proceeded to Owerri after the incident.

“At about 0600 hours, a transit passenger on Arik flight en route Lagos-Owerri from London, slumped at the entrance of the Departure Hall, Terminal 1.

“He was immediately rushed to the Aviation Clinic where he was confirmed dead. The passenger’s wife and brother who were with the deceased later proceeded to Owerri,” Dati said.


Arik Airline has however debunked the claim that it was one of its passengers that slumped and died at the airport, claiming that such incident never happened to any its passengers.

Mr. Adebanji Ola, spokesman of Arik Airline, said the airline was not aware of such incident, arguing that none of the airline’s passenger was said to have died at the airport yesterday morning.

“We are not aware of such a thing; none of our passengers died today (yesterday),” he said.

“Ask the vendor or people where you got your information from, let them tell you where the person was going to, and on which flight the passenger boarded.

“As far as I am concerned, such an incident did not happen today to any of our passengers.”





#informationnigeria

BREAKING NEWS....Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton is in labour - Buckingham Palace

Finally! The Duchess of Cambridge is in labour and has gone to give birth at St Mary's Hospital in London.

We pray for safe delivery of the much awaited royal baby.

More to follow.

Damning top-secret intelligence documents that expose Robert Mugabe’s plans to rig the forthcoming election in Zimbabwe...millions paid for systematic rigging and smuggling of blood diamonds - to ensure tyrant, 89, clings to power

• Election in ten days is Mugabe's last roll of the dice after 33 years in power
• Israeli firm is being paid £8.5 million to counter 'unfavourable' results
• Chinese government helping with ballot rigging and voter intimidation
• Police officers have been allowed to vote before citizens
• Opposition politician died last month in a suspicious car crash

Damning top-secret intelligence documents that expose Robert Mugabe’s plans to rig the forthcoming election in Zimbabwe and crush his political rivals have been handed to The Mail on Sunday.

The dossier reveals in astonishing detail how Mugabe is plotting to steal millions of votes with massive and systematic ballot-rigging combined with widespread intimidation by party thugs.

His tactics, along with details of massive funding from named British, Chinese and African backers, are disclosed in highly confidential papers written for his closest aides.

They were obtained from intelligence sources who risked their lives to expose the covert campaign to keep 89-year-old Mugabe and his brutal military cabal in power.

The documents explain how ‘unfavourable voting outcomes’ for the ruling Zanu-PF party will be ‘countered’ for a multi-million-pound fee to an Israeli company that has been helping the dictator for a decade.

They also show how Mugabe’s desperate bid to retain power in the nation he has ravaged during 33 years of repressive misrule is being aided by the Chinese government, fellow African dictators and secretive diamond mining firms.

Ominously, the leaked papers reveal the recruitment of armed militia and talk of the need for ‘disciplinary action to enemy leaders,’ saying the use of ‘absolute neutralisation of the enemy...is recommended when necessary.’

Peter Hain, the former Africa minister and campaigner against blood diamonds, said: ‘This confirms our worst fears about democracy being prostituted in Zimbabwe.’

The South African-raised MP added: The Government and EU cannot turn a blind eye to such abuses when democracy is being destroyed and the opposition muted in such a manner.’




Intimidation: Armed soldiers stand guard at President Robert Mugabe's campaign rally ahead of Presidential elections on July 31

The documents, prepared for the head of Zimbabwe’s highly feared Central Intelligence Organisation and the Joint Operational Command (JOC), the body that oversees state security, contain a number of alarming disclosures.

Nikuv International Projects, an Israeli firm, is being paid $13 million (£8.5 million) to manipulate voter registration, counter ‘unfavourable’ results and ‘neutralise’ opposition votes.
The Chinese government is helping with ballot rigging, advising on voter intimidation and providing jamming equipment to silence independent radio stations.
Already, 45,534 youths have been trained and deployed across the country in armed militia to ‘stem resistance’, with another 7,343 undergoing training and ‘mass reorientation classes’ to be ready three days before polling.
Security forces are adamant that six Zanu-PF moderates ‘must be STOPPED’ from standing. One of the named politicians, Edward Chindori-Chininga, died last month in a suspicious car crash. His family say it was an assassination.
Funding for the covert campaign is coming from controversial diamond companies, the presidents of two African countries and prominent business figures from Britain, China and Zimbabwe.
Millions of dollars are being directed towards leaders of southern African countries providing independent election monitors to ‘drum up support for poll credibility before, during and after elections’.


The Mail on Sunday was passed the dossier by intelligence figures frustrated with the barbarity and rigid discipline of Mugabe’s Marxist-influenced regime. ‘There are lots of us who hate the way things are done by the old guard,’ said one.

This source, a senior official among the estimated 300,000 spies in Zimbabwe, was clearly nervous when we met in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. Security forces are caught up in factional feuding among the generals and politicians plotting to succeed Mugabe.

The election in ten days’ time is Mugabe’s last roll of the dice after three decades in power during which time his regime has wrecked the economy, ruined key public services, helped halve life expectancy and driven about one in six Zimbabweans into exile.




Tyrant: Mugabe, left, pictured with his wife Grace, has ruled Zimbabwe for 33 years under a repressive and brutal regime

The previous poll in 2008 was held against an appalling backdrop of poverty and starvation caused by the second-worst case of hyper-inflation in history, peaking at 231 million per cent. Shops had no food, hospitals closed and Aids was rife.

The opposition Movement For Democratic Change won by 20 per cent. But after Mugabe’s goons started to slaughter their rivals, foreign diplomats forced the creation of an uncomfortable coalition with the despot back as president and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister.

After introducing the dollar as currency, the economy stabilised – yet close to nine in ten people remain unemployed.

The leaked papers show a clear strategy led by security forces in alliance with the Chinese communist party and Nikuv to ‘neutralise hostile votes in urban areas’ where MDC support is highest.

Among the tactics are under-registering voters aged under 35 and over-registering older people, who are more likely to vote for Mugabe. They also discuss ‘parallel registration through party offices with strict advice from Nikuv International for statistical manoeuvring’.

Reports released last week by independent monitors confirmed the scale of Zanu-PF’s electoral corruption. In a country with a population of fewer than 13 million people, and an average life expectancy of 51, there were found to be 900,000 duplicate entries on the register, including 109,000 people aged over 100. ‘There might be five centenarians at best,’ one doctor confided.

Two million young people remain unregistered. The leaked documents disclose the electoral commission has orders to register fewer than ten people per day in some areas.



The dossier underlines both the need for, and effectiveness of, such tactics. In one region, they reveal Zanu-PF membership has fallen ten per cent since the last election.

Another section, written at the start of last month, discusses Mugabe’s electoral prospects in different parts of the country. It says: ‘Records, reconnaissance and collaborated intelligence show that Midlands Province alone has the potential of producing 450,000 votes by July end.

Mashonaland Central and West can produce a total of 1.2 million votes over and above already recorded friendly votes.’

It adds: ‘Intelligence officers will take a lead role in party structures to set housing schemes, re-orient the beneficiaries and populate them on the voters roll through party offices and Nikuv International Projects.’

Nikuv did not return calls or emails about its activities in Zimbabwe. However, a spokesman was quoted by a South African paper earlier this month saying it was a legitimate and professional company: ‘We have never been involved in any politics, not now or ever.’

It also pointed out it had no control over the electoral roll.

The security files show the generals tightening their grip on Zanu-PF, helping security staff defeat civilian candidates ‘whose indiscipline cost the party’.

Yet they also reveal the regime meeting opposition from civilian supporters – although it’s said that ‘re-orientation through mass mobilisation and covert coercion has achieved results’.

One document chillingly headed ‘Operation Return To Zanu-PF’ says there is an urgent need for mass recruitment of youths under armed leaders to ‘stem resistance’.

The dossier lists the numbers already recruited in each region and the name of the top military officer in charge, saying deployments of trained gangs will ‘direct enemy neutralisation’.

South African intelligence and local human rights groups have observed a big rise in supplies of weapons and vehicles going into Zimbabwe in recent months amid fears hardline military chiefs will mount a coup if their plans to steal the election are thwarted.

‘Zanu is led by people who won a war of liberation and seem to think they are still fighting,’ said Jessie Majome, a lawyer and leading MDC figure. ‘They just keep on fighting and want to crush us. I am fearful.’

The leak also underlines the close links between China and Zimbabwe following previous reports of diamonds and gold being exchanged for arms by Chinese dealers.

There are reports on nine trips out of the country in just six weeks earlier this year by named individuals moving huge quantities of diamonds and money between Zimbabwe, Angola, Dubai and China.




Skewed democracy: Police officers have been allowed to cast their votes early

The papers show how much of the regime’s funding, security training and tactical advice comes from China. They reveal great anxiety over ‘enemy’ pirate radio stations adding that China has ‘donated and is installing new short-wave jammers and updating old equipment’.

Other funds were listed as coming from two controversial diamond mining firms with links to the Zimbabwean military.

Nicholas van Hoogstraten, the notorious British property mogul, is recorded as donating $3 million (£1.96 million). He has long been close to Mugabe. Van Hoogstraten confirmed to The Mail on Sunday that he had given money to Zanu-PF, but said it was not being used to rig election results.

The dossier also shows that military chiefs attending an election meeting at an airbase last month were told of payments of tens of millions of dollars from Joseph Kabila, the Congolese president, and Teodoro Obiang, corrupt ruler of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.

As the election gets closer, violence and intimidation are increasing, with opposition activists coming under attack from Mugabe supporters. Mugabe has stepped up the use of forced attendance at party rallies and state patronage.

There are plans to make villagers in rural areas attend pungwes – all-night indoctrination meetings used in the liberation war to incite supporters – three days before voting.

Security officials are also setting up hundreds of party bases – rooms used to torture Zimbabweans who refuse to give in to their pressure.

Yet the documents show a third of Mugabe’s election fund is being spent on ‘regional diplomacy’ to ensure a clean bill of health from the Southern African Development Community, the 14 nations whose observers are monitoring the election.
The crocodile, a £7 billion will, and a fast food war... the bizarre backdrop to vital vote

As the warm winter sun beat down, newspaper editors and businessmen dined on crispy chicken and fat steaks cooked on the barbecue.

The restaurant, opened just months ago in the gorgeous grounds of the old colonial bowling club, symbolises both the changes in Zimbabwe and hopes of a peaceful future after such a tumultuous past.



Tension: Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has ruled out staying in coalition with Mugabe

It was hard to envisage a more idyllic scene. Yet it is deceptive. For discussions at the tables centred on the crucial few days ahead in the life of this beautiful, battered nation. First comes the hastily called election in ten days’ time amid grotesque ballot-rigging and rising violence.

It is a short campaign, designed so it can be endured by a doddery dictator whose body is riddled with cancer, face is frozen with Botox and hair is coloured with dye.

Then comes the critical aftermath – and whatever the result, things could get nasty. If Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC wins despite losing some of its sheen in office, there are fears hardline elements in the security forces could unleash another reign of terror, torture and mass murder – or simply mount a military coup.

If Robert Mugabe retains his presidency, there will be jostling for succession between rival Zanu-PF camps that could turn violent.

Curiously, despite his dreadful record, Mugabe’s biggest weakness is that he cares deeply about his reputation, which is why he is desperate to appear to win the election and get the last Western sanctions lifted.

‘He wants to end his career with dignity and win back respect,’ said one well-placed observer. ‘But most of all, he does not want to end up in The Hague.’

After the blood-stained ballot in 2008, foreign diplomats threatened Mugabe and his circle with the International Criminal Court in order to force them into coalition with their enemies. It has been an uneasy union – one minister told me senior civil servants in her department were barred from speaking to her, let alone sharing policy – but it salvaged the country.

Some of those close to Mugabe suspect this cold and calculating man is so weary of party infighting he would privately prefer to lose; he is thought to have offered to step down after losing the 2008 vote until told to stay put by his generals.

‘He knows everyone is giving him fake smiles when they really want him to go,’ said a source. ‘And he also knows that if he wins the factions start fighting and there will be terrible bloodshed.’

The two key camps revolve around ‘The Crocodile’ – feared defence secretary Emmerson Mnangagwa, currently in the ascendancy – and his comparatively moderate rival, vice-president Joyce Mujuru.




Long reign of terror: Mugabe, right, celebrating an election win in 1980

Her husband, a former army chief said to be the only man to stand up to Mugabe in meetings, died in a suspicious fire two years ago. Gunfire was reported to have been heard beforehand.

It is rumoured Mujuru’s will was worth £7 billion, demonstrating obscene levels of corruption among the supposed communist comrades while most of the population struggles in poverty.

Such is the dislike between the two camps, their families even feud over rival fast-food outlets, with Mujuru’s nephew positioning his chain of chicken bars close to Mnangagwa’s Nando’s restaurant franchises.

The defence minister also has massive gold and diamond mining interests.



Casting a long shadow: Mugabe's years of misrule are being aided by the Chinese government, fellow dictators and secretive diamond mining firms

These are what make the election such a high-stakes affair. For after the last election the security forces began milking the world’s biggest diamond minefields in Marange, earning billions for the generals and funding a Chinese-fuelled arms build-up.

A government insider told me that in 2010 these mines alone should have earned the state £1.07 billion, yet only £23 million ended up in the exchequer.

One well-connected Harare businessman gave me an insight into Zanu’s tactics. He is having to dress in party regalia to attend rallies five times a week and lasting several hours at a time as the election looms, a legacy of Mugabe’s revolutionary past.

‘They call Tsvangirai every name going and then we must sing songs and shout slogans,’ he said. ‘They check names and if you don’t go or the next day don’t know the latest slogan you are in trouble.’

Yet after 33 years of Marxism, murder and mayhem, Mugabe might be undone by one of his few successes: the creation of perhaps Africa’s finest education system.

‘I can’t tell you how boring these rallies are,’ the source said. ‘Many of us there have degrees and these people shouting at us are not well educated. I sit there checking my Blackberry, trying to do business.’

#dailymail

PHOTOS: Nigerians and Human Right Organisations Protest Over ‘Child Marriage’ Law

Massive protests have continued to trail the Senate’s passage of a resolution to retain the provision of Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 Constitution. Under the section, a married underage girl is deemed to be an adult.



Prominent Nigerians and human right organisations took to the social media to protest what they described as legalisation of sexual abuse of underage girls.

The protests were held in parts of the country on Saturday such as Abuja and Lagos among others. Also, petitions were signed to protest the law.

The protesters might besiege all state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly on Tuesday to call on the Senate to reverse itself.

Those who protested queried why underage Nigerians could not exercise their franchise at the poll but were being subjected to marriage at tender age.

On Twitter, several petition handles were created on Saturday, where users condemned the Senate position.

Lagos-based pastor and motivational speaker, Sam Adeyemi, twitted, “If Islam permits something that the rest of the country and many parts of the world feel is detestable, then it’s a serious issue. We cannot take away from a Muslim the right to practice his/her religion.”

Former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nasir El-Rufai, also twitted, “We need your support. Please comment on #ChildNotBride. Criminals, from time, use religion to cloak perversion.”

Two of the many tweets by a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, read, “We kid ourselves to think that we can catch up and compete with the rest of the world, when the #GirlChild is constrained.

“I got married at 24, after my first post-graduate. Some think 24 is early but then, I was ready to make sound decisions.”

Nigerian actress, Omoni Oboli, also twitted, “I shudder to think I wouldn’t be who I am today, if some perverts had convinced my parents to marry me off before I turned 18.”

Nollywood actor, Nonso Diobi, stated, “If she can’t vote, then she can’t marry. A female child should be taken to the classroom, not labour room.”

Broadcaster, Mo Abudu, expressed her concerns, saying, “My heart is broken by the news from the Senate on #ChildBrides. This is not the Africa of 2013.”

Star reggae artiste, Majek Fashek, also said, “How can a man of 40, 50 or over marry a girl of 12, 13yrs? What kind of paedophilia is this?”

Eme Ewa of Change.org, an organisation described as the world’s biggest petition platform, has written an online petition to the United Nations, titled, ‘United Nations: Stop The Nigerian Senate From Making Under-Age Marriage The Law!’


#punch

VIDEO: Police Parades 32 Suspects including alleged kidnappers, cultists, robbers and deeper life pastor who defiled two eleven year-old girls

                

Click Below To Watch Video:

The Edo State Police Command has paraded 32 suspects for various offences including a pastor who defiled two young girls.

Parading the suspects before journalists, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Folusho Adebanjo disclosed that among the 32 suspected criminals were four men who were paraded for defilement of underage girls.

One of them is a 47 year old alleged Deeper Life Pastor, Eze Fidelis, who was arrested for having sexual relations with two eleven year-old girls.

Mr Adebanjo, who paraded the suspects before journalists, disclosed that some of the suspects were arrested for robbing passengers of their belongings in what is popularly referred to as “One Chance”.

Two of the suspects, who confessed to their crimes, Stephen, Stanley and Kabiru were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and cultism.

Mr Adebanjo said his command is ready to ensure the maintenance of law and order in the state.
He appealed to residents of the State to continue to provide the police with information that will aid in apprehending criminals.

 

 

 

#channelstv

Funke Akindele confirms crash of her one-year-old marriage in an official press statement

 
NOLLYWOOD actress, Funke Akindele, has finally confirmed what has in the past few days been generating controversy in the media and social network circles: she has called it quits with her husband, Mr. Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede.

An official press statement on the issue by her publicist and Principal Consultant, NEECEE Entertainment, Ayo Ola- Muhammed, made available to the Saturday Tribune reads “Dear friends, on behalf of our client, star actress, Funke Akindele, we want to formally inform you that after due consultation and consideration, she is now separated from Mr Kehinde Oloyede as his wife.

“She hereby urges her fans and all concerned to pray and wish her the best as she moves on in her career. Kindly note that this is the first and only official statement from Funke Akindele on the matter and will be glad if her wish is respected. Thank you.”

There had been counter-reports on the issue in the past few days, with the actress herself even denying the report, which first surfaced on Facebook, threatening to sue a newspaper company.

Meanwhile, the actress and Glo Ambassador, is now on a film location in Enugu.

Mrs. Ayo Mohammed, confirmed this to Saturday Tribune. She said Funke had moved on with her life despite all the negative reports about her marriage.

“She is presently in Enugu on a location,” she said.

Funke’s husband was earlier quoted in the media during the week as announcing on Facebook the end of her marriage to the actress amidst skepticism on the truth of the social media post: “It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the separation of me and ma wife, Mrs Olufunke Akindele. We’ve both agreed to go our separate ways coz of irreconcilable differences. We still best of friends and we (forever) 4ever remain gud (good) friends.”

He later added: “I am doing just fine, gettn (getting) along without u (you), don’t need u (you) anymore in ma life. u d greatest mistake av (I have) made in recent time.”




#tribune

Briton Kidnapped In Lagos, Nigeria

(Reuters) - A British national was kidnapped in Nigeria this week shortly after arriving at Lagos airport, the British High Commission said on Friday.

Gunmen attacked a four-wheel drive car at around 8.30 p.m. (1930 GMT/ 15:30 p.m. EDT) on Tuesday after it left the airport's international terminal, kidnapping a British man who was returning to a residential area of Lagos, two security sources told Reuters.

The Nigerian driver of the vehicle was shot but survived, the sources said.

"The BHM is working closely with others to secure the release of the hostage," the British High Commission said in a statement. "Because of the nature of this incident, the BHM is not going into further detail about it."

Major companies with British connections operating in Nigeria include oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, British Airways, Unilever and PricewaterhouseCoopers. There was no indication of where the kidnapped man was employed.

Kidnapping of expatriates by armed gangs seeking ransom has long been rife in Nigeria's oil producing southeast but is rarer in Lagos where most foreigners live.

A British businessman was kidnapped in March in an upmarket district of Nigeria's commercial capital but was released four days later. It was not clear if a ransom was paid.

In Nigeria's mainly Muslim north, kidnappings of foreigners for ideological motives by Islamist groups have taken a deadlier turn. Islamist group Ansaru killed seven foreign hostages in March, authorities from some of the affected countries said.

HOUSTON HOUSE OF HORRORS: 4 malnourished men rescued after up to TEN years in 'dungeon'

Officers found the malnourished men in the makeshift prison behind doors and windows secured with elaborate locks

Investigation: Police at the scene after the raid
REUTERS


Four frail men being held captive in a “dungeon” for up to a decade have been freed by police.

Cops today found the malnourished men, aged 79, 74, 65 and 54 – in the makeshift prison behind doors and windows secured with elaborate locks.

At least one is thought to be a military veteran.

Sgt JW McCoy said: “One of them thinks he was picked up off the street and brought here.

"In exchange for beer and cigarettes and a place to stay, he had to turn over his Social Security.”

Neighbour Monica Booker said a man living at the house where the captives were held admitted people stayed at the home and he collected their Social Security payments.

He has been arrested and was last night being quizzed by officers.

“It’s so upsetting,” Monica said, adding that had she known what was going on, she would have helped the men.

Prison: Officials at the purple house which has heavy security
REUTERS


She claimed the man, who lived with his mother, sister and niece, had also told people that he owned other homes where he offered rooms in exchange for Social Security cheques.

Police went to the house in Houston, Texas, acting on a tip-off.

Sgt Steve Murdock said conditions inside were “deplorable”, with three of the men sleeping on the floor in the garage.

A fourth man was found inside the house, which had an array of locks on the doors and windows.

Three of the men were taken for medical treatment and appeared to be underfed.

Police said one man held at the home told them it “was a dungeon” and did not want to be there.

One victim reportedly told police he had been there for 10 years.

Three of the men were unable to walk out of the property.

A neighbour, who saw them being led away, said: “They looked incredibly feeble. How anyone could do such a thing is beyond me.

"The people responsible for this are animals and deserve locking up for the rest of their lives.”

Neighbour Robert Paris said he had not noticed any elderly men coming and going in the three months he had lived across the street.

He added he sometimes heard loud music coming from the property.

“It’s pretty weird,” Mr Paris told reporters. “It’s really bad news.”

The rescue comes just two months after Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus were freed from a house in Cleveland, Ohio, after 10 years in captivity.

Former bus driver Ariel Castro is facing 977 charges including 512 counts of kidnapping, 446 counts of rape, and several counts of assault. If convicted he could face the death penalty.

 

#mirror.co.uk

Nigerian law paving the way for paedophiles? What kind of law states that ‘a woman is deemed to be “full of age” once she is married irrespective of the age she did so.’?

The Nigerian senate on Tuesday July 16th pegged the official marriage age in Nigeria as 18 years when they amended the constitution. Then Former Zamfara Governor, now Senator, Sani Yerima, who married a 13 year old Egyptian girl in 2010, opposed the age restrictions saying it was anti-islam. For some reason the Senate agreed with him and made an about turn, deleting the age specification from the new constitution and leaving marriage age for women open. They stated that ‘a woman is deemed to be “full of age” once she is married irrespective of the age she did so.’

In other words, this new law allows the marriage of under aged girls? Should this be allowed to happen? What about child protection? What kind of future are we preparing for the nigerian girl-child? Parents, what are your views concerning this? Mothers?

PHOTOS: Gbenro Ajibade hangs out with hollywood stars at Essence festival

Tinsel star Gbenro Ajibade pictured with Keyshia Cole, Morris Chestnut, Bobby Brown and Meagan Good at the just concluded annual Essence Festival which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

 

 

 

 

Woman and baby critically injured as policeman drives against traffic and knocks them down

Taskirat, Ammarah and The vehicle



A police corporal, identified simply as Friday, has been accused of knocking down a teacher, Mrs. Taskirat Anjolaiya, and her baby, Ammarah.

It was learnt that as a result of the incident, the mother and daughter sustained pelvic fracture, brain injury and a broken jaw among others.

According to eyewitness, the policeman, who is attached to FESTAC Police Division, was driving against traffic on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway when he knocked down the victims.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the graduate of Mathematics Education was alighting from a commercial bus with her child and had not noticed the police patrol van coming from the wrong direction.

The victim’s husband, Sulaiman, said the policeman claimed he was running an errand for the Divisional Police Officer, Ibrahim Zango.

The policeman was said to have told them that he was instructed by the DPO to drop off a woman at the airport in Ikeja and he drove against traffic to avoid traffic congestion on the appropriate route so that she would not miss her flight.

He said, “The accident occurred on June 23, 2013. My wife was on her way to a religious progamme when a police driver drove recklessly on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. He was driving against traffic and shouting at drivers on the right side of the road to clear out.

“He eventually knocked down my wife and baby while they were alighting from a bus.

“The policeman’s first concern at the scene of the accident was to immediately get a cab to convey the woman in his vehicle to her destination.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that the policeman rushed the victims to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, and deposited N70,000 for their treatment.

At LUTH however, doctors at the emergency ward discovered that the mother of three had sustained a pelvic fracture, facial bruises, and brain injury while the baby, Ammarah, also suffered deep facial cuts and a broken jaw.

Sulaiman lamented that since the incident, over N500, 000 had been spent on treatment.

He said the policeman had abandoned the victims at the hospital since depositing the N70, 000.

He expressed disappointment over how the DPO handled the matter when they went to report the matter at the station.

“A few days after the accident, when I could no longer bear the pressure alone, I went to see the DPO and I told him what happened. Zango lambasted me before offering us additional N10, 000,” he said.

Sulaiman lamented that this was too little given the fact that he was unemployed and had spent all his savings.

He expressed disappointment that the police, who had been charged with the duty of protecting lives, were the ones inflicting hardship on the family.

Our correspondent, who visited the victim at Ward E3 on Thursday, observed that she was recuperating.

However, some nurses, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said the head trauma she sustained was still affecting her.

One of them said, “She gets up from her bed and roams the hospital. Most of the time we have to strap her back to the bed to prevent her from going astray and I cannot say when she will be discharged,” she said.

Sulaiman said his wife was a teacher and he feared if she would recover completely.

Sulaiman said, “I have been unemployed for several months. My wife is a teacher at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School and she was the one supporting us until these injuries due to the behaviour of this police corporal who has now abandoned us.

“The accident could have been avoided if the police man obeyed simple traffic regulation. Now, the action of the policeman has resulted in serious brain injury to my wife.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident.

She said disciplinary action was being taken against the DPO, while the police driver had been detained.

“It is really a pathetic case and no one is happy about it. You were the one that just informed us of the incident. We have started taking disciplinary action against the DPO and the corporal. We will hold a meeting on the issue on Friday,” she said.

Braide however said she could not say if financial support would be given to the family until after the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

#punch

Funke Akindele breaks the silence on her alleged failed marriage

Star actress Funke Akindele, has broken the silence on her alleged failed marriage rumour; stating emphatically that her marriage to Alhaji Kehinde Oloyede is intact.

In a short SMS message Funke wrote: “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.”

Rumours of her separation materialised on blogs and Social media with blogger Linda Ikeji reporting she read a short statement posted on Kehinde’s Facebook wall stating that his marriage to the actress was over. Before he (Kehinde) deleted the post. Linda reported that she contacted Funke’s publicist who confirmed the breakup to her.

Kehinde is alleged to have written: “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 silence from Funke’s camp after the story went viral further fuelled the rumour with mixed reactions pouring in from her fans. Mrs Muhammed who is the actress’ elder sister and also doubles as her spokesperson has however denied ever confirming the alleged break-up to anybody.Funke is reported to have been crying inconsolably since the incident, fearing criticisms by her fans and her clients’ reactions.

But then everyone keeps wondering why Kehinde Oloyede is yet to refute the announcement in any way.



#vanguard

HOPE & SMILE 2013....Putting a smile on the faces of the less priviledged

The Perod Foundation in collaboration with Segus Ogun Foundation, presents HOPE AND SMILE 2013.

Through this project, the Miss Nigeria Ireland organization hopes to touch the lives of the less priviledged in Nigeria with a visit to some Orphanage homes.

Please feel free to donate used toys, clothes, books, shoes etc that are in good condition.

To make donations please contact:
Peter: 0871216135
Debbie: 0879384940
Cynthia: 0873600941
Vanessa: 0863968110
Gee Bee: 0872818650
Nike: 0871436839
George: 0876578921
Vire: 0877578538
Daniel: 0860596476

'Steadily improving' Mandela celebrates his 95th birthday

Nelson Mandela is spending his 95th birthday in hospital in Pretoria, as events take place around the world and in South Africa in his honour.

South Africans are being urged to mark the former president and anti-apartheid leader's 67 years of public service with 67 minutes of charitable acts.

Mr Mandela, who is in critical but stable condition with a recurring lung infection, entered hospital on 8 June.

President Jacob Zuma said his health was "steadily improving".

"We are proud to call this international icon our own as South Africans and wish him good health," said Mr Zuma in a statement.

"We thank all our people for supporting Madiba throughout the hospitalisation with undying love and compassion," he said, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name.

As Nelson Mandela spends his 95th birthday in a Pretoria hospital, South Africans are being urged to mark the former president and anti-apartheid leader's 67 years of
public service with 67 minutes of charitable acts.

 

The ANC paid homage to 95 years of "life well-lived", dedicated to the liberation of people all over the world.

The day kicked off with millions of schoolchildren across South Africa singing Happy Birthday to Mr Mandela.

Mr Mandela's birthday is also Nelson Mandela International Day, a day declared by the UN as a way to recognise the Nobel Prize winner's contribution to reconciliation.

 

Mr Mandela's daughter, Zindzi, said he was making "remarkable progress", and that she had found him watching television with headphones on and communicating with his eyes and hands when she visited him this week.

"We look forward to having him back at home soon," the South African Press Association quoted her as saying.

Mr Mandela's birthday is also Nelson Mandela International Day, a day declared by the UN as a way to recognise the Nobel Prize winner's contribution to reconciliation.

The former statesman is revered across the world for his role in ending apartheid in South Africa. He went on to become the first black president in the country's first multi-racial elections in 1994.

The governing African National Congress (ANC) said that on this Mandela Day homage was being paid to 95 years of "life well-lived", dedicated to the liberation of South Africans and people all over the world.

Activities throughout the day included:

• School-children across the country singing a synchronised Happy Birthday to the former president
• Mandela family members handing out gifts to Mamelodi township residents before holding a birthday lunch with Nelson Mandela. They have prepared 95 cupcakes in his honour
• President Zuma visiting Mr Mandela in hospital and overseeing the donation of houses to poor white families in the Pretoria area
• Volunteers spending 67 minutes each renovating schools and orphanages, cleaning hospitals and distributing food to the poor to mark the former statesman's 67 years as a lawyer, activist, prisoner and president
• Mr Mandela becoming the first recipient of South Africa's new Smart ID Card, introduced on Thursday. His card will be collected on his behalf by his daughter Zindzi
• The forming of a human chain from Johannesburg's Fashion District into the heart of the city

Events are also taking place internationally, with an image of a large Mandela painting by South African artist Paul Blomkamp featured in New York's Times Square.

British entrepreneur Richard Branson, speaking in a recorded message, has pledged 67 minutes of community service on Thursday to "make the world a better place, one small step at a time".

Meanwhile, concerts are planned later this week in the Australian city of Melbourne, featuring local and African artists.
'less anxious'

Mandela's key dates

• 1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape
• 1944 - Joined African National Congress
• 1956 - Charged with high treason, but charges dropped
• 1962 - Arrested, convicted of sabotage, sentenced to five years in prison
• 1964 - Charged again, sentenced to life
• 1990 - Freed from prison
• 1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize
• 1994 - Elected first black president
• 1999 - Steps down as leader
• 2001 - Diagnosed with prostate cancer
• 2004 - Retires from public life
• 2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness
• 2007 - Forms The Elders group
• 2010 - Appears at closing ceremony of World Cup

Mr Mandela's ill-health gives extra poignancy to this year's Mandela Day, correspondents say.

For South Africans, the best birthday present for Mandela would be for him to recover and be among the people who love him most, says the BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela told a local radio station her former husband's 95th birthday was "a gift not only to the family... but to the nation".

She rejected the "prophets of doom" who have warned of chaos in South Africa when Nelson Mandela dies.

"The country will solidify and come together," she told Radio 702.

Mr Mandela's third wife, Graca Machel, said last Friday that she was "less anxious" about his health than before and that he was continuing to respond well to treatment.

Thursday also is the 15th anniversary of the couple's marriage.

Ahead of the anniversary, Mr Mandela's close friend and lawyer George Bizos described them as "a loving couple", the AFP news agency reports.

Nigerian collapses and dies at JFK airport, New York

A Nigerian, identified as Gunseye Adekunle, 50, of New Jersey, collapsed and died on July 13 at the JFK International Airport in New York.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes local media as reporting that the man died after suffering a heart attack at Terminal 4 of the airport while preparing to board an Arik Air flight to Nigeria.The two teams of first responders failed to reach him because their electronic identity cards could not open the secure doors at the newly renovated Delta terminal.
“A call went out for help but what happened next was a massive mix-up. You had all the assets needed to keep this guy alive, but they never really had the chance to help him.“A Port Authority police emergency operator got the call at about 6:30 a.m. and was told Adekunle was “unresponsive” but breathing.“One minute later, a PAPD ambulance known as Medical One was dispatched but the crew reported being unable to enter the terminal from the street two minutes afterward because an officer’s security card wasn’t working.“The trouble delayed the Medical One team for two vital minutes, but then they were able to get into the building by another route and get to Adekunle,’’ the media quoted a law enforcement source as saying.

It stated that the second rescue squad also ran into frustrating issues with security doors.“At about 7:10, the Fire Department responders were denied entry when the security system refused to recognise an identity access card used by a PA cop escorting them.“The delay robbed the dying man of more precious seconds.“Seconds are critical when responding to a cardiac event and unfortunately, unnecessary obstacles take away those critical seconds and possibly a patient’s fighting chance,” the media also quoted a source familiar with the incident as saying.The North America Correspondent of NAN, however, learnt that no family member has come for the deceased. (NAN)