Category: Uncategorized

  • Girl Sets Boyfriend Ablaze In Makurdi

    Girl Sets Boyfriend Ablaze In Makurdi

    Culled From Igbere TV

    An eighteen (18) years old girl, Esther who hails from Ado Local Government Area of Benue state, in the early hours of Monday, 11th January, 2021, burnt her boy friend, Elvis Chidinma Omah from Nsuka local Government Area of Enugu State to death in Makurdi, Igbere TV reports.

    Chidinma, a patent medicine dealer who just returned from Christmas and new year holiday last Saturday had been in the village since on Wednesday, 23rd December, 2020.

    Trouble started shortly after Esther was told by her friends that Chidinma travelled to his village to pay a pride price of another girl he intended to marry, an allegation he vehemently denied when he was confronted by Esther but she was not satisfied with his answer.

    Consequently, Esther went to an unknown filling station with a gallon on Sunday evening and filled it with premium motor spirit (PMS) commonly known as petrol in line with her undisclosed plan to burn Chidinma.

    Esther came to his house in the early hours of Sunday, stayed with him and pretended as if all was well. They ate foods and played together throughout the night until both of them fell asleep.

    She then woke up few minutes after 2am and went straight to where she kept the fuel opposite Chidinma’s house, brought it to the room, poured the fuel round the room right inside while Chidinma was still sleeping. She ignited the room with matches and ran away immediately.

    Few minutes later, some tenants living in the compound came out, shouting and pouring water into the room in an attempt to extinguish the fire.

    As the inferno was subsiding, Chidinma who was burnt beyond recognition, managed to come out, shouting that Esther has killed him and was quickly rushed to Federal Medical Centre Apir, Makurdi.

    While giving details of the tragic event, an eyewitness and a neighbour to the deceased, Rose Stephen said, they were perceiving smell and sound of fire around 2am on Monday, they came out and discovered that it was Chidinma’s room that was burning. They did all they could but couldn’t stop the fire from burning him.

    She further said, both of them were having issues and were always going to police station in 2020, adding that Chidinma told Esther that he was fed up with her bad characters and was no longer interested in her before he travelled for Christmas and New year.

    Rose said she was surprised seeing them together shortly after Chidinma’s return from the village from Saturday till on Sunday.

    Corroborating the story, another eyewitness and one of the closest friends to the deceased, Abraham Ebute said, Chidinma clearly told Esther he was no longer interested in the relationship with her because of her unruly behaviour and criminal tendency, saying Chidinma was once arrested because she stole a handset belonging to an Air force officer and was traced to Chidinma’s house.

    Ebute added that, Esther also stole Chidi’s phone before he travelled home and promised returning it to him after his arrival, not knowing that her plan was to kill him.

    He said, he rushed to Chidinma’s house along with his other friends as smoke was going off and cry from neighborhoods only to discover that he was burnt to an unimaginable level, pray to God to receive him in His bosom.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relationship Officer, PPRO, Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene confirmed the tragic incident and the eventual arrest of the culprit, Esther, saying she was in their custody while investigation is still ongoing to unravel the ugly situation.

    Charred remains of mattresses, pillows, cloths and other materials belonging to the deceased were seen littered everywhere in his room at the time of a visit to his residence, Off Zaki Biam Street, Wadata Makurdi, this morning.

    Chidinma was confirmed dead yesterday, Tuesday, 12th January, 2021 and plans were on the way to convey his corpse to Nsuka by his parents who were already in Makurdi as at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Just In: Ayade’s Aides Meeting To Protest Supreme Court Judgement Ends In Brawl

    Just In: Ayade’s Aides Meeting To Protest Supreme Court Judgement Ends In Brawl

    Culled From CrossRiverWatch

    A meeting convened by commissioners in Cross River State to stage a protest over the ruling of the Supreme Court on the conduct of the Ward and Local Government congresses of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has ended in a brawl.

    A source at the meeting told CrossRiverWatch that the meeting which held at the residence of the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, George O’ben-Etchi was going on smoothly until an argument ensued between Sustainable Development Goals commissioner, Oliver Orok and two others.

    The source said, the former Attorney General, Joe Oshie-Abang and Information Commissioner, Asu Okang were also in the verbal argument and exchange of blows.

    Asides Messrs. Orok, Abang and Okang, the source said two female commissioners -Rita Ayim and Stella Odey-Inyang had their own brawl on the side.

    The aides had gathered to plan a protest for tomorrow with the venue slated for the 11-11 roundabout.

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    The Supreme Court had on January 6, 2021 in a judgement delivered by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, upheld the judgement of the PortHarcourt division of the Court of Appeal dated November 2, 2020 which had affirmed the decision of the same division of the Federal High Court on September 4, 2020.

    Justices Mary Odili, Ejembi Eko, Mohammed Garba and Samuel Oseji also sat on the panel.

    The first respondent and federal lawmaker, Jarigbe Agom had on August 24, 2020 approached the vacation court of the Federal High Court in PortHarcourt seeking at least four reliefs.

    The reliefs sought included the utilization of authentic list of ward and chapter executives of the PDP who emerged in congresses held between March 7 – 21, 2020; an order preventing the modification of the list; an order restraining any party in the suit from modifying the list and an order mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct primaries for the senatorial by-election in the constituency designated.

    These reliefs were granted and affirmed by all appellate courts.

    And, that is said to have dealt a blow to Governor Ben Ayade’s attempt to control fully, the structure of the PDP in Cross River.

  • Ayade’s Commissioners To Protest Supreme Court Judgement On PDP Ward And Chapter Executives Tomorrow But Asu Okang Denies The Allegation

    Ayade’s Commissioners To Protest Supreme Court Judgement On PDP Ward And Chapter Executives Tomorrow But Asu Okang Denies The Allegation

    By Admin

    There seemed to be a different strategy adopted by Governor Ben Ayade’s camp after the supreme court judgment on ward and chapter exco of PDP in Cross River State.

    The supreme had struck out the appeal brought before it challenging the verdict of the Federal Harcourt and the Court of Appeal which authenticated the list that favoured National Assembly Members.

    A development that  some of Governor Ayade’s Aides have continue to argue that it is in their favor. Some of the aides had even announced the dissolution of the ward and chapter exco by the National Working Committee NWC of PDP.

    It was however learnt this evening that Commissioners serving in the Ayade government are currently meeting in one of their colleagues house making finishing touches in preparation of the planned protest.

    According to Agba Jalingo on his Facebook page “Ayade’s commissioners brawling in George O’ben-etchie’s house right now, where they are planning a protest against the supreme court judgement tomorrow”

    When contacted, the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Asu Okang denied the allegation completely and said that “there is no protest, I’m only aware that some junior appointees wants to pay the Governor a solidarity visit to pledge their commitment to the Governor despite the supreme court judgment. To stage a protest will be counter productive”

  • Bekwarra Council Chairman, Dr Josephat Emeka Mourns Late Chief Linus Okom

    Bekwarra Council Chairman, Dr Josephat Emeka Mourns Late Chief Linus Okom

     

    The Executive Chairman of Bekwarra Council, Hon (Dr) Josephat Emeka Owan has expressed  shock at the demise of Ada Bekwarra, Chief Linus Okom, OON, KSM, KSGG, JPII.

    In a release signed by the Chairman, and sighted by The Lumine News, he maintained that it is with a heavy heart to say how deeply grieved he was to hear of the death of Ada Bekwarra.

    The release reads in parts “On behalf of Bekwarra Council, and my family, I wish to commiserate with the entire members of his family, and the good people of Bekwarra LGA over the passing of this humble, patriotic, amiable and notable leader.

    “I would like to express my deep respect for the achievements of Chief Okom in the course of his long life as one of the principal actors in Nigeria’s pre-independence and post-independence politics.

    “An octogenarian, he held various positions as Chairman, CR-North Political Caucus of the PDP, former Board Chairman, Federal College of Education, Obudu, and past Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) amongst others.

    “He was a mentor and an inspiration to many, a pious Christian, a seasoned administrator, a wordsmith, an elder statesman so humorous, and the political leader of Modern Bekwarra who was highly thorough.

    “Adah Bekwarra was a man of honour and an achiever. In all his assignments, he was exceptional, forthright, dedicated and showed great commitment in the discharge of his duties. He was a unifying force and his contribution to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria cannot easily be forgotten”

    Dr. Emeka noted that in all situations, the late Chief Okom lived nobly and he died in nobility.

    “Let us bear in mind that we all have the opportunity to act nobly in whatever position we find ourselves. He died at a time the country and its leadership is in dire need of such leadership, experience and wisdom to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the nation.

    “I pray God to grant his immediate family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

    “May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace..Amen!”

  • Just In: Court Dismisses APC’s Certificate Forgery Suit Against Obaseki

    Just In: Court Dismisses APC’s Certificate Forgery Suit Against Obaseki

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the alleged certificate forgery suit filed against the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed delivered the judgment on Saturday in a suit filed by the All Progressives Party (APC) and a chieftain of the party, Williams Edobor, against the governor.

    The APC and Edobor had filed the suit alleging that Governor Obaseki presented a forged certificate to seek re-election in the Edo State governorship election held on September 19, 2020.

    According to the plaintiffs, the said document was purportedly issued by the University of Ibadan, while the governor presented same to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which conducted the poll.

    Before Justice Mohammed delivered the judgement in the suit, counsels to both parties in the matter had closed their cases after they presented witnesses and evidence to the court.

    During proceedings on Thursday, lawyer to the Plaintiffs, Akin Olujimi, adopted his final written address.

    He urged the court to affirm their position that the governor presented a forged certificate to the electoral umpire and was unfit to occupy the office.

    This was, however, rejected by Governor Obaseki’s counsel, Ken Mozia, who asked the court to dismiss the suit over what he described as the plaintiff’s failure to prove their case.

    A Dramatic Switch, Yet Same Result
    Governor Obaseki contested and won the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a bid to extend his stay in office by another four years.

    Although he was elected into office for the first term on the APC platform, the governor later defected from the party after he was screened out from the party’s primary which saw Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu emerging as the APC flagbearer for the election.

    This came in the middle of a lingered dispute between the governor and his predecessor and immediate past APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

    After defecting from the APC, he got the PDP’s ticket and went ahead to defeat Ize-Iyamu for the second time to claim the governorship seat in what can be described as a dramatic switch of political parties.

    Governor Obaseki had defeated Ize-Iyamu as the APC candidate in the 2016 governorship election while the latter was the PDP candidate.

    Four years later, he secured 307,955 of the total votes, 84,336 more votes than Ize-Iyamu who got 223, 619 votes.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court Strikes Out PDP’s Appeal On Ward And Chapter Exco List

    BREAKING: Supreme Court Strikes Out PDP’s Appeal On Ward And Chapter Exco List

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Supreme struck out the appeal filed by the PDP challenging the judgement of the High Court and the Court of Appeal on the ward and chapter exco list.

    In a unanimous judgement, the court orders parties to bear their respective cost in the matter.

    The apex court has today January 6th, 2021 laid to rest the squabbles orchestrated by the ward and chapter congresses that produced parallel Exco.

    The National Working Committee NWC, had ratified the list that favoured National Assembly members and the exco sworn in virtually.

    The faction of the governor had insisted that the governor being the leader of the party in the state must be the one to produce the ward and chapter exco list.

    This however led to litigation. The matter was however decided in favour of the National Assembly members at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Dissatisfied with both the judgment of the two courts, the governor’s faction approached the supreme court.

    The Lumine News can authoritative report that there seemed to be tension in both camps with many insinuating that the governor may decamp should he lost the ward and chapter exco list to the National Assembly members.

    With this judgment, normalcy will return to the party as the authentic exco will settle to begin work.

    Speaking to The Lumine News, Mr. Peter Akpanke congratulated all the exco that were sworn in and said “indeed democracy has come to stay. This victory is for all of us, irrespective of our differences, and it will sure solidify our party”

  • Rovers FC Resume Preparations For 2020/2021 NNL Season With High Hopes

    Rovers FC Resume Preparations For 2020/2021 NNL Season With High Hopes

    By Kelvin Obambon

    With the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL) season sets to kick off on 16 January, 2021, the Calabar based Rovers Football Club has begun preparations amid high expectations for the season.

    Speaking during the resumption of training at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on Tuesday 5th January, 2020, Technical Director of the club, Mr Etta Egbe, said the team is advancing preparations for the opening season, while expressing optimism that Rovers would finish top on the table and possibly gain promotion for the country’s top flight league, which is the NPFL.

    “We have an ambition like every other club in the division. We want to see how we can get to the top and then gain promotion to the premier league where we rightfully belonged. This is what we are working towards. As you can see the players are having adequate training. We are preparing them for the opposition ahead. In ten days time the league will start and we hope to have a good representation.”

    Egbe further stated that with the quality of players, coaching and technical staff in the team, Rovers Football Club would put up performance that Cross Riverians will be proud of.

    He said “Cross River State Government has been very supportive to the team. We want to use this opportunity to thank Governor Ben Ayade, who has never said no to issues concerning Rovers Football Club. He has always been there for us. We need to reciprocate by getting the club good results that will take us to the premiership.”

    However, the resumption which comes amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic would have little or no visible impact on the team’s level of preparedness, as the Technical Director assured that Rovers Football Club has put in place adequate COVID-19 prevention protocols in line with directives from the national league body.

    He added that currently the squad is made up of 11 old players who will be complemented by additional 20 players for the season.

    The Nigeria National League has been out of action after it went for the 2019/2020 break in December, and never returned due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

  • Tension Heightens As Supreme Court Delivers Judgement On PDP C’River Ward and Chapter Exco List Tomorrow

    Tension Heightens As Supreme Court Delivers Judgement On PDP C’River Ward and Chapter Exco List Tomorrow

    Supreme Court To Deliver Judgement On PDP C’River Ward and Chapter Exco List Tomorrow

    All is set for the apex court (Supreme Court) to deliver judgment on the ward and chapter exco list of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, tomorrow Wednesday, January 6th 2021.

    Recall that the PDP in the state has been fractionalized after two lists emanated from the party congresses held to elect ward and chapter exco.

    The two factions had the governor, Sen. Ben Ayade as leader while the other faction is led by National Assembly members from the state.

    The National Working Committee NWC, had ratified the list that favoured National Assembly members and the exco sworn in virtually.

    The faction of the governor had insisted that the governor being the leader of the party in the state must be the one to produce the ward and chapter exco list.

    This however led to litigation. The matter was however decided in favour of the National Assembly members at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Dissatisfied with both the judgment of the two courts, the governor’s faction approached the supreme court.

    The Lumine News can authoritative report that there seemed to be tension in both camps with many insinuating that the governor may decamp should he lost the ward and chapter exco list to the National Assembly members.

    As the supreme delivers judgment tomorrow, it lay to rest which faction will handle the affairs of the party in the state.

  • 30 Women Detected With Breast Cancer In October 2020 – Linda Ayade

    30 Women Detected With Breast Cancer In October 2020 – Linda Ayade

    Simon Ushie

    The wife of the Cross River State Governor and the President/Founder of Mediatrix Development Foundation, Dr. Linda Ayade has disclosed that her organization in collaboration with the Cross River State Government have identified 30 women across the three Senatorial districts of the State with various stages of breast cancer in the past one month.

    Dr. Ayade made the declaration at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital during the annual flag of the the 2020 breast cancer awareness month and service provision organized by the Breast Imaging Society of Nigeria( BISON) aimed at reaching out to to women and men in the state to create cancer management and prevention strategies to beat the growing incidences of breast cancer in Cross River State.

    Dr Ayade said, her organization and her office having identified the essence of early detection, partnered with the state government through the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency to move into Communities working side by side with local media agents to draw people into checking for lumps in their breasts which was successful, and 30 patients have been identified and referrals made for advanced procedures on the patients.

    She pledged to be more committed in 2021 to sensitize more women “We hope to work closely with you all in 2021 and get more women sensitized, screened and treated on the various stages of breast cancer”.

    On her part, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr Janet Ekpenyong said, the month has offered her Agency the opportunity to improve upon some services especially breast cancer check through various trainings and workshops organized by partners like BISON with visible results been recorded.

    She said henceforth, every woman who visit any of the primary health care centres across the state will be subjected to compulsory breast check to halt the increasing figures of new cases and deaths.

    Head of the Breast Imaging Society of Nigeria (BISON), Cross River State Chapter, Dr Ofonime Ukweh, maintained that “though, all through the phase of Covid19, breast cancer remains the leading cause of death globally with over 600,000 deaths in 2018 alone”

    Dr Ukweh further called for a shift of attention from the consideration or believe that Breast Cancer is peculiar to the female gender alone, she calls on men at all ages and profession to present themselves for regular breast check in teaching hospitals across the country, with BISON ready to support patients who are diagnosed of cancer.

    She used the opportunity to call on all people to have an improved lifestyle through proper diating and regular exercise as well self and frequent check.

    She averred that the group in the past five years have seen them offer services including world class breast imaging, image guided intervention and research following best global practices.

  • 43rd Birth Anniversary: Publisher Of The Lumine News Eulogizes Agba Jalingo

    43rd Birth Anniversary: Publisher Of The Lumine News Eulogizes Agba Jalingo

    Dear Agba Jalingo,

    As I reminisce on your birth, upbringing and existence, I’m yet to come to terms with the tact, uniqueness and exceptional consideration God displayed in your creation.

    Each time I reflect on your intelligence which spans through all human endeavors, I’m tempted to think that God exhibited a sense of bias during your creation.

    However, what is very amazing and interesting about this intelligence is the fact that you deploy same for the services of humanity.

    Each time I’m privileged to have a conversation with you, I learn a lot, for every discussion you initiate, you definitely espouse our thought process to emerging realities within the context.

    The rapid and steady growth of social media advocacy in Cross River State, to demand for effective leadership at all strata of our human endeavors is solely your initiative. This however has placed the state as the second most social media active state in the country with Lagos state being the first.

    Your resilience and dogged disposition to holding leaders accountable has been very rewarding. Majority of those who come to social media to attack you, celebrate you secretly for fear of the unknown.

    I have been privileged to watch a video that you joined a protest in 1998 during the military era, demanding for good governance and the return to democracy. Your activism has come a long way.

    I celebrate you because of your resolve to deploy your God given intelligence and wisdom as well as your talents to advocate for good leadership and to the services of humanity.

    You’ve been locked up severally, but at no time have you committed any crime but on account of speaking truth to authorities.

    You were declared prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. You won so many Awards and got multiple recognition.

    I don’t expect you to be a perfect person, for there is none of us on account of our existence was created to be perfect, you also have your short comings due to your human frailty.

    I want you to note that even Jesus who died for our salvation was never liked and celebrated by all and sundry, in fact he was accused of blasphemy.
    The same people that Jesus healed, performed different miracles for, were the same people who shouted “crucify him”

    The path you’re toeing has a price tag. But I know you’re prepared for whatever the outcome could be.

    You’re humble but very bold, you’re a happy even at your worst moments.
    Your smiles edifies the soul and reassures victory.
    You bear no grudge, you seemed not to have any enemy. What remains my dilemma is the fact that you know no brother or friend when the person does what you perceived to be the wrong thing.

    The many things that you do that I consider inappropriate or wrong, I have and will continue to excuse you because I have my own flows too, and I have learnt not to be judgemental or condemn anyone.

    Your respect for me when I hold a contrary view from yours and the tact with which you communicate your decisions without hurting me or outrightly dismissing me remains a mystery to me.

    You gave me the approval to start ‘The Lumine News’ and today we are growing by the day. The skills you taught us have rightly deployed here and we hope to get better by the day.

    On this auspicious day of your birth anniversary, let me charge you to reflect, retrospect and adopt the best form approach in your advocacy for good governance, while I wish you God unending grace, support, forbearance, patient, love and protection as you toe the path you’ve chosen.

    Be rest rest assured of my goodwill and that of the management of ‘The Lumine News’ as our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

    Once Again, happy birth anniversary to you!

    By Elijah Ugani