Crime Facts

Facebook Twitter Youtube
Post Date : March 15, 2021

Catholic Church can’t bless gay marriages, Vatican decrees

The Vatican has decreed that the Catholic Church will not bless gay marriages since God “cannot bless sin.” According to Associated Press (AP), the Vatican’s orthodoxy office broke the news in a statement on Monday. The statement comes as a formal response to questions bordering on whether Catholic clerics have the authority to bless gay unions. In the two-page response signed by Pope Francis and published in seven languages, the Vatican gave “negative” as an answer to those making such inquiries. It said the church’s decision to welcome and also bless gay people should not be mistaken to mean approval of unions between them. Buttressing its point, the Vatican argued that same-sex unions contradict God’s plan, adding that any such sacramental recognition could be confused with marriage. It also maintained that while people who belong to the LGBT community should be accorded dignity and respect, gay sex is “intrinsically disordered.” It added that the Catholic Church upholds its teaching which sees marriage as a union between a man and woman for procreation as planned by God. The statement comes as a setback for those advocating acceptance of couples belonging to the LGBT community into the Catholic Church. However, Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, which advocates for greater acceptance of gays in the church, said there’s the possibility that the Vatican’s directive will be ignored by many Catholic clerics. “Catholic people recognize the holiness of the love between committed same-sex couples and recognize this love as divinely inspired and divinely supported and thus meets the standard to be blessed,” he said. Ever since he became pope in March 2013, Francis has pushed to adopt a more inclusive tone towards LGBT people in his public statements. In October last year, TheCable Lifestyle had reported how Francis gave his endorsement to same-sex civil unions despite the Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality.

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

Gunmen kidnap two OOU female students in Ogun

Suspected gunmen, on Sunday night, kidnapped two female students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ayetoro campus. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the incident occurred at about 9 pm. on Sunday when the suspected bandits stormed the Igbole Aibo quarter in Ayetoro, shooting sporadically. It was further gathered that the suspected bandits had targeted a female bulk call card dealer living in the area. However, due to their failure to break through the gate to her house, they resorted to abducting the two female students who were returning home from an outing. The Deputy Registrar, Corporate Affairs Unit of the institution, Mr Niyi Oduwole, confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate. Oduwole said that the university management was on top of the situation, assuring of safe return of the two students. He said,”The incident is most unfortunate. The university is beefing up security around all our campuses and hostels. “We sympathise with the parents of the victims and we want to assure them that their wards will be rescued unhurt. We are on top of the situation,” he said. The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, also confirmed the incident on Monday. He explained that the Area Commander in Ayetoro and the command’s anti-kidnapping team were already on a rescue mission to bring back the victims. “It is true that two students of Olabisi Onabanjo University were kidnapped on Sunday night at Ayetoro at about 9.30 pm. “The Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, has directed the Area Commander, Ayetoro and the Anti-kidnapping team of the command to ensure that the students are rescued unhurt from their abductors. “We are on top of the situation and we will ensure their safety, while security in the locality is being beefed up,” he said. (NAN)

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

Governors to receive DfID’s audit report on NNPC, fuel subsidy, COVID-19 vaccines Wednesday

The 36 state governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) will on Wednesday receive reports from Department for International Development (DFID) and update on the subsidy of premium motor spirit (PMS). The meeting which is expected to commence at 2 pm, will be chaired by the NGF Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi. According to the statement issued by the NGF Media office, the “DFID will be making a presentation on the NNPC Audit reports and what the states should know while the last presentation, which is by no means the least will be speaking to trade facilitation in Nigeria through e-customs and a PPP structure in partnership with the British High Commission.” The governors are also expected to deliberate on “various issues revolving around the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine will feature prominently in the 28th teleconference meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (5th in 2021) on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. “Governor Ifeanyichukwu Okowa who leads the Governors’ Committee that interfaces with the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 will brief his colleagues on the situation with the vaccines roll out and their attendant encumbrances, since the rollout,” the statement read in part. According to the invitation issued by the Director-General of the Forum, Asishana Bayo Okauru, Governors of the 36 states will also be briefed by the Governor Nasir el-Rufai Committee on Subsidy on PMS before any decisions on the supply and or retailing of the product is taken,” the statement issued by NGF’s Head, Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo stated. On his part, Governor Fayemi is also expected to give an update on the outcome of his meeting with the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of States’ Universities. “The educationists met the Forum’s chairman last week and presented a number of requests which they believed would improve education at the subnational level. “The governors will also listen to the activities of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum to hear how their wives fared last week when they engaged the country attending several activities that marked the International Women’s Day on March 8th. “The meeting will also play host to three external presentations top of which will be made by the newly minted National Drug Law Enforcement Boss, General Buba Marwa, whose presentation is entitled ‘Managing the Drug crisis’,” the statement stated.

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

SHOCKING: Pregnant woman hacks husband to death in Delta

A 27-year old man identified as Edafe, was yesterday, allegedly macheted to death at Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, by his pregnant wife for infidelity. It was gathered that the incident took place at the Ekrejebor area of the metropolis. Sources said the 22-year-old woman identified as Okiemute was angry that her husband did not spend the night at home and had on his return attacked him with a machete. Saying that she inflicted machete injuries on one of his hands and abdomen, a source who sought anonymity said she then “ran to Ughelli ‘A’ division to report herself. “Friends of her husband rushed him to Central Hospital Ughelli where he was confirmed dead. Angered by his death, the friends wheeled and dumped his corpse at the entrance of Ughelli ‘A’ division.” Disclosing that the woman is a mother of a two-year-old child, the source said Edafe had only recently bought a new car for his wife. Confirming the incident, Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Bright Edafe said the matter had been transferred to the state command headquarters for further investigation.

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

France Suspends Use Of AstraZeneca COVID Vaccine

President Emmanuel Macron of France has suspended the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the country, pending a review of its safety by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). “The decision has been made to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution, hoping that we can resume it quickly if the judgement of the EMA allows it,” Macron told a press conference, adding that an announcement by the EMA was expected on Tuesday afternoon. “We have a simple guide, to be informed by science and the competent health authorities and to do it as part of a European strategy,” he said. He said the suspension will be effective “until tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon” when the EMA will make its position known. Several European countries, including Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, suspended usage of the shot after reported blood clotting incidents. The decision, which reverses previous guidance from French health authorities to continue using the jab, came just a day after French Prime Minister Jean Castex had defended the vaccine. “At this stage, we must have confidence in this vaccine,” Castex said on Sunday. “If not, we’ll have delays with our vaccinations and French people will be less protected and the health crisis will last longer.” Speaking alongside Macron at the press conference in southwest France, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced no change for Spain, but said it was important “to give a message of guarantee and safety to the whole of the European population regarding the vaccination process.” Macron also said the French government would have “decisions to take” in the next few days in order to control the spread of COVID-19 cases after an uptick in cases and a rise in hospitalisation. “We will probably have new decisions to take in the coming days,” Macron said. He said the government needed to look at “the reality of the epidemic, town by town, region by region: it’s what we are doing.” Hospitals in the Paris region are close to capacity, with patients being transferred out of the capital region to other parts of France, while other hotspots of infection are in the north around Calais and the Cote d’Azur. Macron decided against a third national lockdown at the end of January, saying instead a policy of 6pm nation-wide curfew and a partial shutdown of bars, restaurants and other social and entertainment meeting places should continue.

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

School Attack: Three Teachers Abducted, No Pupil Missing – Kaduna Govt

Bandits have abducted three teachers from a primary school in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in the state, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this on Monday while giving an update on the incident. He, however, noted that no pupil was kidnapped or declared missing after a headcount was conducted. As of the time when the news of the attack broke, it was reported that an unknown number of pupils and teachers were feared missing. The latest attack followed the attempts by bandits to attack three schools in the state – at the secondary and tertiary levels. While the military successfully thwarted the attacks on the Turkish International Secondary School and Government Science Secondary School in Ikara, bandits kidnapped some students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Afaka. The school came under attack very early on Friday, not long after bandits attempted to attack the Turkish school. However, military operatives promptly arrived at the scene, leading to the rescue of 180 people comprising 132 male students, 40 female students, and eight civilian staff members of the school. Thereafter, the authorities in Kaduna said 39 students, comprising 23 female and 16 male students were still missing. A day after the attack, soldiers brought the rescued students to the school to pick their belongings while the school authorities asked all students to vacate the premises. But a disturbing video surfaced on Saturday, in which the abducted college students called for help. In the clip published by Channels Television, the students were seen being beaten by their captors, as they pleaded with the government to rescue them. They were seen huddled together and sitting on tree leaves, with gun-wielding men, some of them dressed in military uniform, keeping watch over them.

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

CAN drags FG to court over CAMA

The Christian Association of Nigeria has dragged the Federal Government to court to challenge some provisions in the just gazetted controversial Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 popularly called CAMA. In a statement on Monday by its General Secretary , Joseph Daramola, the Christian body said it is not comfortable with some provisions of CAMA 2020, hence, its decision to challenge the matter in court . The suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/244/2021 between the Incorporated Trustees of Christian Association of Nigeria ; and the Corporate Affairs Commission as well as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was filed before the Federal High Court , Abuja , the statement said . The case was mentioned at the Federal High Court , Abuja , on Monday , it added . “ The Association resolved to go to court after all attempts to convince the Federal government why it should not intervene or interfere with the management of the Church in the country through any of its agencies failed, ” the statement partly read . The PUNCH had earlier reported that the President Muhammadu Buhari on August 7, 2020, signed into law, the Companies and Allied Matters Bill , 2020. The bill , which has also been passed by the National Assembly, replaced the 1990 CAMA. But top clerics in the country like the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners’ Chapel , David Oyedepo ; as well as the CAN and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria , amongst others , have rejected the law , especially the section 839 ( 1) and ( 2) of the law which empowers the supervising minister “ to suspend trustees of an association ( in this case , the church ) and appoint the interim managers to manage the affairs of the association for some given reasons. ” Human rights lawyer , Femi Falana ( SAN) and a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission , Chidi Odinkalu , among others , have also said CAMA 2020 would allow for gross violation of fundamental human rights , especially the right of association. Falana and Odinkalu argued that the new law gave too much power to the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, which can easily be used to arbitrarily clamp down on civil society organisations.

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

WTO won’t harm Nigeria’s economic diversification ― Okonjo-Iweala

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has allayed fears that embracing the free trade policy of the world body would harm Nigeria’s economic diversification drive. Fielding questions after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja on Monday, she affirmed that special and differential treatment could be applied to prevent vulnerable countries from collapsing under completion. However, she added that the special treatment would not be forever as such countries would have to eventually open up for competition. The former Nigerian Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy also said duties could be applied on imports to prevent the country from being a dumping ground. Okonjo-Iweala conceded that despite lifting millions out of poverty, free trade has not been beneficial to all especially women, saying that in recognition of this, the WTO has a deliberate policy to support women. She said she had discussions in many areas with President Buhari on how the WTO could do not improve the Nigerian economy. According to her, there is a unique opportunity for the country to improve its standing in trade and add value to its products especially agriculture. While noting that Nigeria’s shea butter was denied access to the United States and European markets because of poor quality, she said the country could “trade more, export more and add value to its products.” The DG noted that Nigeria must out-market others, stressing that there is a high demand for the country’s fashion in other African countries but it has not been able to leverage on it. On COVID-19, the former minister advised the country to set up local vaccine manufacturing as she noted that coronavirus would not be the last pandemic.

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

Over 23 million Nigerians jobless as unemployment rate hits 33.3%

Nigeria ’ s unemployment rate rose from 27. 1 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 to 33. 3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020, the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed on Monday . The NBS stated in its report on ‘ Labour force Statistics : Unemployment and underemployment report – Abridged labour force survey under COVID – 19 ( Q 4, 2020) that this translates to 23. 19 million unemployed people. Part of the report read , “ During the reference period , the computed national unemployment rate rose from 27. 1 per cent in Q 2, 2020 to 33. 3 per cent in Q 4, 2020, while the underemployment rate decreased from 28. 6 per cent to 22. 8 per cent . “ A combination of both the unemployment and underemployment rate for the reference period gave a figure of 56. 1 per cent . “ This means that 33. 3 per cent of the labour force in Nigeria or 23, 187, 389 persons either did nothing or worked for less than 20 hours a week, making them unemployed by our definition in Nigeria . “ This is an additional 1, 422, 772 persons from the number in that category in Q 2, 2020. “ Using the international definition of unemployment , the rate was computed to be 17. 5 per cent . ”

Read more
Post Date : March 15, 2021

Alleged fraud: EFCC detained only clerk, lawmaker -Ondo Assembly

The Ondo State House of Assembly, on Monday , said only two people in the Assembly are in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission over the allegation of fraud and not four as earlier reported in the media. It was earlier reported that the Clerk of the House , Mr Bode Aladeyelu ; a lawmaker , Mr Bankole Felemugudu, representing Akoko South West Constituency, and two other civil servants , were detained by the anti – graft agency but the Assembly said only the Clerk and the lawmaker were detained . Speaking on the development , the spokesman of the House , Gbenga Omole , said the two civil servants were not in the custody of the anti – graft agency. Omole noted that the N 2. 4 million that was allegedly mismanaged, which led to the detention of the duo, was not missing , saying it was in the coffer of the state Assembly . He said , ” two people in the custody of the EFCC are the Clerk of the Assembly and Honorable Bankole Felemugudu. They are being interrogated and before the end of the day ( Monday ) they would be bailed and released from custody. “ No fund is missing , the money they are talking about is in the account of the House . ” He noted that the EFCC acted on a petition written by one of the members of the Assembly.

Read more
Search

Account

Cart

  • Main menu