Police arrest Redeemed pastor involved in burial of murdered boy

The police have arrested a cleric, Pastor Timothy Adigun, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Shere Koro, Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory for allegedly assisting a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Olaoye, to bury a boy that died in their home.

The couple had reportedly fled with the body of Ayomide Samuel, who died at their residence in the Zone B area of the community on December 25 last year.

The primary four pupil was said to have given up the ghost after he was allegedly hit on the head with an object by the housewife on Christmas Day.

The police had embarked on a manhunt for the couple for fleeing with Samuel’s corpse after they were directed to report the incident at the Bwari Divisional Police Station.

A source who was familiar with the investigation told Northern City News on Friday that Adigun was arrested by the police for assisting the wanted couple to bury the deceased in an unmarked grave in Shere Koro at night.

It was gathered that the couple had earlier taken the corpse of the boy to a clinic, but the workers reportedly asked them to bring a police report before they would admit the body.

The source said, “The workers at the clinic refused to admit the body when they saw blood all over the vehicle. Mr. Olaoye then approached the Chief of Shere Koro community to purchase a piece of land for the burial of the boy, but the chief refused, so he contacted Pastor Adigun, one Kayode and two police officers who are members of the church to assist with the burial.”

But following rigorous investigation by the police, all the people that participated in the internment of the deceased were identified, leading to the arrest and detention of the cleric for allegedly leading the burial team.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Manzah Anjuguri, confirmed that investigators had arrested Adigun for involvement in the illegal burial of Samuel.

He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the Olaoyes, who,  he said, were the prime suspects in the homicide case.

“We have a suspect in custody in respect of the case; he assisted the couple to bury the deceased. The police are on the trail of the prime suspects, we are working hard to get them,” Anjuguri said.

FG aims to attack church leaders with FRC law —Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Sunday cautioned the Federal Government against the continuous implementation of the Financial Regulation Council Act, which, he said, had tampered with the administration of churches in Nigeria.

Based on the new law, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Saturday stepped down as the  General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria.

The FRC Act could soon force other clergymen like Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide International a.k.a. Winners Chapel, Pastor William Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry and Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, among others to retire as the heads of their churches in the country.

Criticising the law, Fayose said the government must tread softly on this path to avoid tragedy of monumental proportion befalling the nation.

Fayose spoke during the 53rd birthday thanksgiving service of his wife, Feyisetan, held at the governor office chapel, in Ado Ekiti, the state chapter on Sunday.

He said, “There is one thing every government must not do, the moment you face the church of God, you will fail. The God of Adeboye, Kumuyi will bring down all the enemies in this government. Somebody must tell them, there are certain things you don’t do. They are going from frying pan to fire.

“This government wants to subdue the church, God will subdue them. They are ridiculing leaders of the church, God will rubbish them. The same church they had deceived to get power, they are saying that we now have the ring, who will remove it from our hand, the Lord will cut off the hand that wears the ring.

“The APC is behaving in this way, but God is the creator of the ring and the hand, God will amputate the hand. Ayo Fayose is anointed of God.

“I have warned and I’m still warning, take your hands away from the administration of churches, you are killing Christians, The Lord will rise against you. By rising against the church, this government has failed as anyone that rises against God will fail. By using laws against the church, they have started to crumble.

“Christians are being slaughtered in Southern Kaduna and noble men cannot talk because of fear of incarceration. Remember you are here today, tomorrow you would not be here again. We must condemn what is happening here today, “ he said.

Federal High Court redeploys Justices Liman, Abang, nine others

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has redeployed 11 judges in different divisions of the court.

Two prominent judges of the court, Justice Mohammed Liman of Port Harcourt Division and Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Division, are affected by the posting.

The Chief Judge, in a circular dated December 21, 2016 and addressed to “All Judges of Federal High Court,” redeployed Justice Liman from Port Harcourt to Enugu Division, and Justice Abang redeployed from Abuja to Asaba Division, Delta State.

The circular obtained from a lawyer close to the Chief Judge’s office directed the affected judges to resume at their new stations by January 30.

The Chief Judge gave “the recent developments in the court” as the reason for the posting.

Details of the said “recent developments” were not stated in the circular.

According to the circular, the posting would not affect the criminal cases the affected judges are currently handling.

It read in part, “In view of the fact some divisions are currently short of judges following the recent developments in the court, it has become necessary to take urgent steps to fill in existing vacancies.

“Affected judges are expected to resume in their new divisions by January 30, 2017.

“The judges shall continue with the hearing of criminal cases currently before them, as well as at least two witnesses have testified.”

Others affected include Justice S. Saidu (moved from Lagos to Port Harcourt); Justice A.O. Faji (from Asaba to Lagos); Justice R. M. Aikawa (from Sokoto to Lagos); Justice B.O. Quadri (from Port Harcourt to Abuja); and Justice Mallong Hoommuk (from Port Harcourt to Lafia).

Others are, Justice K.K. Dagat (from Lagos to Kano); Justice Saleh Idrissa (Kano to Sokoto); Justice H.I.O. Oshomah (from Lafia to Port Harcourt) and Justice J.K. Omotosho) from Kano to Port Harcourt.

NUPENG begins 3-day warning strike, Wednesday

NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, is set to begin a three-day nationwide warning strike on Wednesday, over disputes with International Oil Companies, IOCs, especially indiscriminate sack of workers without benefits and refusal to allow their workers to join union

The union has been having running battles with some of the IOCs, including Exxon/Mobil and Chevron Nigeria Limited, over unfair labour practices, especially perceived unprocedural sack of workers without benefits, breach of Nigerian extant labour laws in their divestment exercises. Chevron was alleged to have sacked over 300 NUPENG members without benefits late last year and efforts by the union for them to be recalled proved abortive. It was also gathered that the directive by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, that  all parties return to status quo was not heeded to by the Chevron after the union called off its action against the  company in obedience to the ministry’s directive. Similarly, Mobil in December 14, 2016, sacked over 100 workers without following laid down procedure, according to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN. The union accused the management of Mobil of flagrant violation of Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development, NOGICD, Act of 2010, by deploying expatriates to take over jobs for which there is local capacity. Already members of the National Executive Council, NEC, of NUPENG, with gave the strike directive at their earlier meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when they issued a 21-day ultimatum to government to address pending issues with IOCs, will be holding an emergency NEC  in Abuja tomorrow, ahead of commencement of the strike.

Edo to introduce POS for revenue collection

Edo State governor, Mr.  Godwin Obaseki, has perfected the modality for the employment of the first set of 10,000 unemployed persons in the state in fulfillment of his electioneering promise to create 200,000 jobs.
The governor, who made the disclosure in Benin, said government would introduce the Point of Service, POS, electronic platform for revenue collection via scratch cards for those who do not have ATM cards. Consequently, Governor Obaseki has directed Heads of Local Government administrations in the state to forward names of contractors initially contracted as revenue collectors to Government House to jumpstart the job scheme. A statement, weekend, by the Interim Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. John Mayaki, said the submission of the contractors’ names was in furtherance of government’s avowed commitment to streamline tax collection in the state. The statement said government’s decision followed Governor Obaseki’s meeting with stakeholders in Government House on Friday. Speaking after the meeting, Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief Oseni Elamah, said the concerned contractors are those previously selected to collect revenue on behalf of the local governments. He disclosed that the concerned contractors were also required to supply the names of their staff, phone numbers and passport photographs respectively, adding that, “this is with a view to capturing their details in our employment database.”

Chibok girls: 1,000 days after, our tears never dry but hope remains constant —Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the country was still in tears following the abduction of the over 200 Government Secondary School students, in Chibok, Borno State. The girls were kidnapped from their dormitory on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram insurgents. The president, who regretted the unfortunate incident, spoke in commemoration of 10,000th day of the disappearance of the girls. He lauded the Nigerian military for rescuing three of the girls as well the release of 21 of them via a negotiation with the insurgents, expressing hope that the remaining ones would soon be found and reunited with their families.

Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said: “We are grateful to God that on this landmark day, we are not completely in the depths of despair, but buoyed with hope that our daughters will yet rejoin their families and loved ones. “Three of them have been recovered by our diligent military, while the freedom of 21 others was secured through engagement with their captors. We are hopeful that many more will still return as soon as practicable. “I salute the fortitude of the distraught parents. As a parent also, I identify with their plight. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, months turned to years, and today, it is 1,000 days. The tears never dry, the ache is in our hearts. But hope remains constant, eternal and we believe our pains will be assuaged. “Our hopes will not be shattered and our hearts will leap for joy, as more and more of our daughters return. It is a goal we remain steadfastly committed to.” Buhari also commended all who have been in the vanguard for the recovery of the girls, both nationally and internationally, adding:“Someday soon, we will all rejoice together. Our intelligence and security forces are unrelenting and whatever it takes, we remain resolute. “Chibok community, Nigeria and indeed, the world, will yet rise in brotherhood, to welcome our remaining girls back home. We trust God for that eventuality.”

Awkward! Pharrell looks VERY unimpressed after Jenna Bush Hager mixes up name of his movie with Denzel Washington's during cringe-worthy Golden Globes interview

• Jenna called Pharrell's movie 'Hidden Fences', having clearly mixed up the name of his movie, Hidden Figures, with Denzel Washington's film, Fences 
• The 35-year-old mother-of-two was quickly called out for her blunder online, and was even accused of racism by some on Twitter 
• Mother-of-two Jenna didn't let the mistake slow her down however, and simply kept going with the interview
• It is the first time that Jenna, who arrived at the event solo, has interviewed stars for NBC on the Golden Globes red carpet
• Jenna recently returned from a family vacation in Boca Grande, Florida, with her husband Henry Hager and her daughters Mila and Poppy
• The family spent Christmas with Jenna's parents, former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura, and her twin sister Barbara Bush at their family's ranch 

Jenna Bush Hager suffered an awkward blunder while interviewing singer and actor Pharrell on the red carpet at the Golden Globes when -she mixed up the name of his movie with another film starring Oscar winner Denzel Washington. 

While speaking with Pharrell on the red carpet at the event, the 35-year-old mentioned his nomination for Hidden Figures, but awkwardly referred to the movie as 'Hidden Fences' having clearly mixed it up with Denzel's hit drama Fences. 

'So you're nominated for Hidden Fences,' Jenna said, prompting Pharrell to physically grimace, while she carried on with her question.

Clearly unaware of her mistake at the time, Jenna asked the chart-topper about his plans for celebration later on in the evening, saying: 'How cool is it, you said that this party is known for a little drinking, are you thinking you're going to partake?'

But while Jenna seemingly remained clueless about the blunder, her error was quickly picked up by viewers at home - many of whom chimed in on Twitter to share their horror at the mistake.

'Jenna Bush Hager’s "Hidden Fences" mistake could be the most awkward Golden Globes moment,' one Twitter user commented, while another joked: 'Hidden Fences might go more viral than Pharrell’s Grammy's hat.'

Many people also shared video footage of the awkward moment, drawing attention to the obviously less-than-impressed expression Pharrell made when Jenna made the error.

But while some reacted with humor, others went as far as to accuse Jenna's mistake of being slightly racist, because she confused two movies that have black actors in the leading roles. 

'She essentially collapsed two movies about black people (Hidden Figures and Fences) into one,' one user said.  

'The apple doesn't fall far from the bush,' another person said, suggestively referring to Jenna's father, former President George Bush. 

Earlier in the evening, Jenna looked happy and relaxed as she strutted her stuff on the carpet at the glittering award ceremony in Los Angeles.  

Looking healthy and tanned - no doubt thanks to her recent family vacation in Boca Grande, Florida - the Today show presenter flashed a wide smile at the waiting cameras. 

Jenna wore a strapless forest green gown for the occasion, accessorizing her chic ensemble with a pair of turquoise drop earrings and a few gold bracelets. 

Modeling a subtle smoky eye, she had her hair styled in lose waves and parted to one side. 

And while Jenna chose to walk the red carpet by herself, she took some time before the ceremony to snap a quick selfie with her Today co-host Natalie Morales, who also attended the event. 

'Reunited with my love @nmoralesnbc!!' Jenna captioned the sweet snap, which sees both women happily beaming in joy at the camera

Terrifying moment a blonde woman attacks two innocent 7-Eleven customers with an AXE in savage assault - before calmly walking away

• She can be seen chatting with man for a minute before swinging it into his face
• Attacker then hits second victim in the back of the head before strolling away
• Police have arrested Evie Amati, 24, who is charged with two counts of GBH
• Sharon Hacker, 43, suffered fractured skull while  Benjamin Rimmer, 32, has a serious head injury and is still in hospital

It could be any night in a suburban 7-Eleven store - as CCTV shows customers queuing for milk and wandering though the aisles.

But this is Enmore, in Sydney's inner west, on Saturday night - and two customers are about to be hacked in the head in a brutal and seemingly random attack.

The first indication that anything is amiss is when a young blonde woman strolls in at around 2.20am holding a long-handled axe in her left hand.

She appears calm as she approaches a man waiting in line and chats to him for around a minute before swinging the axe into his face.

As he collapses on the ground in shock, she brings the weapon up a second time before crashing it down on the back of another woman's head as she tries to leave.

The attacker then takes a second swing at the woman as she is sprawled on the floor, before strolling away as if nothing has happened.

As she leaves she can be seen taking a kitchen knife from the back pocket of her jeans and tossing it on the ground, footage obtained by News.com.au shows.

The man is Benjamin Rimmer, 32, who sustained major head injuries and is now in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The second victim is 43-year-old Sharon Hacker, who was told by paramedics that only her thick dreadlocks saved her from having her head taken clean off.

And police allege that the attacker is Evie Amati, 24, a union organiser who is now in custody charged with two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Amati did not apply for bail during her first court appearance, and was remanded in custody until her next hearing on Thursday.

However, she did request medication to treat depression as well as two hormone pills typically taken by transgender individuals transitioning from male to female.

She asked the court to supply her with Progynova and Spiractin, which boost oestrogen production and reduce testosterone, respectively, and Zoloft - an antidepressant, according to The Daily Telegraph. 

Police say they were called to reports of an attack inside a 7-Eleven store at roughly 2.25am on Saturday morning.

Officers say they arrested Amati on a nearby street with the axe in her possession, and later recovered a kitchen knife from the scene.

Nathan Wood, who watched the attack unfold and followed the assailant while calling police, said she also swung the axe at another man on the street but only nicked his clothes. 

Man, 25, found dead on the side of a crocodile-infested Outback river after going for a 5am swim following a night out

• John Young, 25, was swimming with a friend at 5am after a night out on Sunday
• He was swept away by currents in the crocodile infested water near Kununurra
• Emergency services were armed with rifles as they searched Kimberley banks
• Mr Young's family and friends watched the desperate police search on Sunday
• Just after 1pm on Monday a body was found and police believe it is Mr Young   

A body has been found during a desperate search for a 25-year-old man who was swept away by a strong current in crocodile infested waters.

John Young, from Kununurra, went for an early swim with a friend after a night out at 4.45am on Sunday and did not surface after being sucked underwater at Ivanhoe Crossing.

His friend raised the alarm at 5am and police have been searching the river banks armed with rifles for more than 30 hours.

Just after 1pm on Monday, police revealed they had found the body of a deceased male five kilometres from where Mr Young vanished.

They believe the body is Mr Young. 

On Monday morning, Mr Young's friend desperately searched for any signs he had returned to shore, but was forced to call police, The West reported. 

Emergency services decided against using divers to look for the young man due to the likelihood of an attack by a salt water crocodile. 

A helicopter, and SES vessel were used during the search and locals were asked to avoid the area until Mr Young had been found.

On Sunday, family and friends sat on the bank to watch police search for the missing man.

Mr Young was originally from Kununurra, but had recently moved to Darwin. 

After hearing the news a body had been discovered in the search for Mr Young, friends started posting tributes on social media.

'It still doesn't quite feel real. Knowing that you're not gonna be there at the pub for a cheeky beer fuelled laugh. You were truly one of a kind brother,' one man wrote.

'Rest in peace John, you were taken far too soon,' another friend said. 

A report will be prepared for the coroner. 

Brad Pitt gets his groove back! Angelina Jolie's handsome ex receives huge cheer of support from Hollywood pals at Golden Globes

Brad Pitt has looked tired and drawn in recent months while in the throes of a nightmare divorce from Angelina Jolie.

But the 53-year-old appears to be getting his groove back. 

The actor looked incredibly handsome as he made a surprise appearance at the Golden Globes on Sunday night. 

His Hollywood pals, including Matt Damon, let out a huge cheer of support as he made his way to the podium. 

Mr Damon, who co-stars with him the Ocean's 11 franchise, seemed particularly heartened to see his pal come back into the spotlight. 

Pitt went on to introduce a clip from Moonlight, which went on to win the Best Motion Picture - Drama category.

He said of the film: 'It’s born of the courage of a group of actors willing to strip to their souls and express their humanism inside mistake and misstep and misdeed.'

'It is Barry Jenkins profound belief that we all stand at the threshold of change and forgiveness where we only grant acceptance and love to ourselves,' he concluded. 

Brad has meanwhile been locked in custody and divorce proceedings from his estranged wife Angelina Jolie.

The actress filed for divorce from Brad on September 19.

The Inglourious Basterds star was exonerated in November by officials with the FBI and Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, amid accusations he was physically abusive to Maddox during a Europe-bound flight in September.

I'd stab my teddy bear with a very sharp knife': Boy, 12, reveals he started practising self-defence at just THREE to defend himself from his abusive father

• Since he was a toddler Kobe Bennett, 12, had to deal the rages of a violent father  
• Kobe suffered vicious assaults and verbal abuse on a daily basis
• When he was just three years of age his father threw him against a wall 
• To cope he wrote the book The Only House in the Desert which won an award 

A 12-year-old boy from Tasmania has spoken of how he overcame the daily terror of dealing with a violent and abusive father. 

Since Kobe Bennett was a toddler his violent father made his life a misery through vicious assaults and verbal abuse from one day to the next, the New Zealand Herald reports.

When he was just three years of age his father threw him against a wall. Soon he was practising self-defence in case he had to fight him off or protect his mother, Maree, from being attacked too.    

'He hit me and my siblings, and made me feel like c***. 'He yelled at me and bashed me. I remember it, but I just don't like to tell people,' the 12-year-old Tasmanian said.

'To be honest, I thought about stabbing him and I used to practise,' Kobe said.

'When my dad hurt my mum, my heart felt like popping. If you don't tell someone and get rid of your dad when he hurts your mum, your mum will be in a coffin and your dad will be off hurting someone else.'

Following the violence that he and his three older brothers had to endure, to help him and others in the same situation cope with it all, he wrote the book The Only House in the Desert.

In it he shares his thoughts on family violence, describing it in the audio book of the publication as 'like Alice in Wonderland only it's like a desert and your house is the only one left in the middle of it'. 

He wanted the book to give a voice to children who have suffered in the same way as he and his brothers have, and a way of processing what they've had to experience.

It details the sickening fear he had of his abusive father, and advises other children how they can protect themselves if they are in the same brutal circumstances. 

Kobe's literary work was also given the seal of approval in January when received a Human Rights of Tasmania award for his efforts.

He was given the award for 'taking action to ensure the promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights'.