Crime Facts

“They Riddled My Husband With Bullets’: Widow Of Assassinated Haitian President Speaks

The widow of slain Haitian leader Jovenel Moise, who was critically wounded in the attack that claimed his life, on Saturday issued her first public remarks since the assault, calling on the nation not to “lose its way.” Martine Moise’s comments came three days after she was airlifted to a Miami hospital for treatment of grave wounds suffered early Wednesday when gunmen stormed the family home in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. They also come as the impoverished Caribbean nation reels from the slaying of its leader, with no clear succession plan on the horizon. “I am alive, thanks to God,” Martine Moise said in an audio message in Creole that was posted on her official Twitter account, and verified as authentic to AFP by Haiti’s minister of culture and communications, Pradel Henriquez. “In the blink of an eye, the mercenaries entered my home and riddled my husband with bullets … without even giving him a chance to say a word,” she said. According to Haitian authorities, a hit squad of 28 men — 26 Colombians, many of them retired soldiers, and two Haitian-Americans — burst in and opened fire on the couple in their home. So far, 17 have been arrested, and at least three were killed. A handful remain at large, police say. But no motive has been made public, and questions are swirling about who might have masterminded the audacious assassination. Martine Moise pointed at a variety of possible reasons: saying the killers could have been sent by people who might have been displeased with her husband’s plans to provide “roads, water and electricity, a (constitutional) referendum and elections set for the end of the year.” She suggested that perhaps those behind the killing “do not want to see a transition in the country.” “I am crying, it is true, but we cannot let the country lose its way,” she said. “We cannot let his blood… have been spilled in vain.” No clear path forward Moise’s assassination has plunged already troubled Haiti — the poorest country in the Americas — into chaos. Amid deep uncertainty over its political future, the international community has called on the impoverished Caribbean country to go ahead with presidential and legislative elections slated for later this year. As for a transition of power, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph says he is still in charge. But a group of senators, with the backing of several opposition groups, have endorsed a plan to install Senate leader Joseph Lambert as the provisional president, with Ariel Henry — who had been appointed by Moise earlier this week — as the new prime minister. It is not clear how Lambert could move ahead with his plan. And for now, Joseph seems to have the police and other security forces on his side. “The constitution is clear: I have to organize elections and actually pass the power to someone else who is elected,” Joseph said in an interview broadcast Saturday on CNN. US officials say Port-au-Prince has asked Washington for “security and investigative assistance,” and FBI agents have already been dispatched but a Haitian minister said troops were also requested. A senior US administration official has told US media that troops are off the table. In Port-au-Prince, businesses slowly reopened and people returned to the streets of the capital on Saturday. But at the US embassy in the suburbs, more than 200 people worried about the country’s uncertain future gathered in hopes of asking for political asylum, their passports and other documents in hand, though generally, people must be on US soil to make such a request. “If the president can be assassinated here, I — a simple citizen — won’t be spared. I have to ask for asylum, to seek a better life elsewhere,” Louis Limage told AFP outside the guarded building. As for Martine Moise, she promised to engage with Haitians via Facebook “in the near future.” “I will not abandon you,” she said. AFP

Why I told my pastors God would kill them – Oyedepo

Presiding Bishop, Living Faith Worldwide, David Oyedepo said he once told his pastors that God would kill anyone of them who went around saying they built Faith Tabernacle, because he did not want them to take the glory of God. Oyedepo was speaking at the dedication of the Great Dome and Day four of Recharge Conference 2021 on Saturday. According to Oyedepo, “When we concluded His agenda of building The Faith Tabernacle in one year, I told our pastors that if anyone went round this building to say we built it, God will kill him. “God will kill him because we had no capacity; we had no practical resources. We didn’t have the speed or the time in our hands. He just stepped in and took it all over. “To now assume that we did it, you provoke His wrath. Don’t let God catch you saying we have done something. What moves people forward is acknowledging God genuinely, heartily not for people to hear you. I still know till tomorrow that if I were not here, if I had gone to heaven, nothing happening in that ministry will drop. “The One at work resides there permanently. I am only privileged to be around while He is doing it. I am not the one in charge; He is.” “>Oyedepo said the moment one threw oneself in acknowledging Him, “there is no limit to where He will take you. Just connect with that genuinely and tirelessly. Don’t ever at any time get somewhere where you will say we did. No! It is not safe.” He added that “We are here today to give all the glory to the builder of His church, His name is Jesus Christ. As this sanctuary is being dedicated today, God’s presence shall ever abide here. His eyes shall ever be upon this sanctuary day and night. And His glory shall continually fill this house. “Everyone that steps in here week after week will have an encounter with the Living Christ. Every unsaved soul that steps in here will find salvation. Every child of God that steps in here will have their needs met. Every member of this church will start going forward. As God is changing the story of this church, so will He be changing your own story in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Violence erupts over jailing of former South Africa leader Zuma

South African police have arrested 28 people and one of the country’s biggest highways remained closed over violent protests against the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. Protests erupted this week in parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Zuma’s home province, after the ex-leader handed himself over to police to serve a 15-month jail term for contempt of court. On Friday, the high court dismissed Zuma’s application to have his arrest overturned in a case that has been seen as a test of the rule of law in the post-apartheid nation. Zuma’s imprisonment has laid bare deep divisions in the governing African National Congress (ANC), as a party faction remains loyal to the former president and has been a potent source of opposition to his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa. KZN police spokesman Jay Naicker said the 28 arrests had happened since Friday on charges including public violence, burglary, malicious damage to property, and contravention of COVID-19 lockdown regulations. He said protesters had set alight some trucks near Mooi River, a town on the N3 highway that leads from Durban to Johannesburg, and shops had been looted in Mooi River and eThekwini, the municipality that includes Durban. Law enforcement officers had been deployed to all districts in the province but there had been no deaths or injuries so far, he added. The N3 was closed at Mooi River in the early afternoon on Saturday. Ramaphosa, whose allies engineered Zuma’s removal in 2018, said in a statement that “criminal elements must be met with the full might of the law.” Asked about the protests by public broadcaster SABC, a spokesman for Zuma’s charitable foundation said: “The righteous anger of the people is because of the injustices that they see being dispensed to President Zuma.” Zuma was given the jail term for defying an order from the constitutional court to give evidence at an inquiry investigating high-level corruption during his nine years in power. He denies there was widespread corruption under his leadership but has refused to cooperate with the inquiry that was set up in his final weeks in office. Zuma has challenged his sentence in the constitutional court, partly on the grounds of his alleged frail health and the risk of catching COVID-19. That challenge will be heard on Monday. KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said in a video message the provincial government understood the “extreme anger” of those protesting. “We find ourselves in a … unique situation wherein we are dealing with the arrest of the former president,” he said. “Unfortunately violence and destruction often attack and affect even people who are not involved.”

Lai vs Abdulrazaq: Buni meets Kwara Senators for resolution

Yobe state Governor and National Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, on Saturday received three Senators representing Kwara state. The development is part of efforts to resolve the differences between the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. Receiving Senators Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South) and Sadiq Suleiman Umar (Kwara North), Governor Buni, said the meeting centered on promotion of unity in the party in Kwara state. Mamman Mohammed, Director General, Press and Media Affairs to Governor Buni who confirmed this in a statement issued Saturday night in Abuja quotes the party leader as saying the national leadership of the party will continue to support unity and progress of APC in the state. “As you are aware, the Caretaker committee is repositioning the party, reconciling differing opinions to build strong and united membership that will improve the fortunes of the party” he said. He assured that, the party leadership has great respect for due process, discipline and all programmes that will contribute to making the party strong. The senators on their part also assured that, they will continue to promote unity in the party. They commended Governor Buni for giving the party the desired leadership with a sense of direction. “We will use our positions to help build a strong APC in kwara state and to contribute meaningfully in the assembly to support the APC-led government to improve the lives of Nigerians” Sen. Ashiru said.

Imo PDP chieftain joins APC

Mr Hillary Ugochukwu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ugochukwu, a former senatorial aspirant of the party, announced his defection at a reception organised in his honour by the state leaders of the APC in Owerri on Saturday. Ugochukwu lauded Gov. Hope Uzodimma on his achievements in office and expressed willingness to work with him towards taking the state to greater height. The former aspirant, an agriculturist and estate developer, called on his supporters to join him in his struggle to make the a better place. He said he registered with the APC in his home ward in Ogwa in Mbaitoli Local Government Area (LGA) of the state before his advancement to the state level. ”After careful thought and due consultation, I have decided to join the ruling party so as to have the right platform to fully support the development milestones of Gov. Hope Uzodimma,“ he said. Speaking at the reception in APC secretariat in Owerri, Mr Lemmy Akakem, a chieftain of the party, described Ugochukwu’s choice of working with the state governor as an indication that the administration was one to beat. He called on other politicians in the state to toe the same path for progress.(NAN)

Senator Bent dumps PDP, joins APC

•Says I want a new chapter in political career Senator Grace Jackson Bent, a member of the BoT of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) barely two weeks after the Party lost Zamfara State Governor and a few others to the APC. On Saturday, Yola the capital of Adamawa State that was thrown into a carnival of a sort as three All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors stormed the city to formally receive her as she formally defected to the APC. Governors Abubakar Badaru, Simon Bako Lalong of Jigawa and Plateau states respectively as well as Yahaya Bello of Kogi State who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Lawrence Onoja were all on the ground alongside APC big wigs to receive what was described as a big catch from the PDP. ‌ In an elaborate ceremony attended by many party bigwigs within and outside Adamawa State, the National Chairman Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CCECC) Mai Mala-Buni welcomed the new entrant saying that her decision to join the ruling party at this critical time was apt. Mai Mala-Buni who was represented by former Senate President, Ken Nnamani noted that in recent times, the party has been poaching on the opposition political parties crippling their support base. He added that “the massive defection into APC was an indication of the ever-increasing popularity of the party build on principles of equity and fair play noting that the massive infrastructure and solid democratic credentials being rooted by the party was its major selling point”. Ken Nnamani assured the new entrants that as a party that treats everybody fairly, they will be given the same opportunities alongside those they met in the party calling on all party members to work in harmony with them so as to move the party forward and reclaim its lost mandate in the state. The National Vice Chairman Caretaker Committee North East, Professor Mamman Tahir, welcomed Senator Bent and promised her a fair and equal opportunity with those already in the party. While commending her decision to come to the party, he said it was a wise decision stressing that it was timely as APC has become the party to beat in Nigeria considering its massive attraction to all Nigerians. State chairman of APC, Alh. Ibrahim Bilal said that Senator Bent is now in safe hands adding that she will not regret leaving her former party calling on all party members to extend the hand of fellowship and give her the maximum cooperation to contribute optimally to the development of the party. In her speech, Sen Folashade Jackson Bent said that ” I have worked for PDP for 21 years now, I left the party because I believe that it is only changed that is constant. It is a new chapter in my political career and I want to move on, I feel my interest is paramount to me.”

Many Countries Are Rejecting Nigerian Exports – Foreign Minister

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama on Saturday lamented the rejection of Nigerian exports by other countries. Mr Onyeama was speaking at a meeting in Abuja with the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Olusegun Awolowo. According to the Minister, the quality of products, especially agricultural products, do not meet the export standards of many countries. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a comparative and unique advantage to be physically present in over a 100 countries in the world,” he said. “Now this represents truly a unique opportunity to leverage on that presence to export and trade our goods. “There are a number of countries around the world not blessed with the natural resources that we have but yet, through trade, have transformed their societies and have become major economic powers. “In engaging with a number of countries, we have seen that, especially in the agriculture sector, the phytosanitary aspect is very important. “We are being denied market access into a lot of countries because of the quality of the products. And this is costing us huge resources. So I think that your agency (NEPC) also has a lot of work to do.” Mr Onyeama added the Federal Government will focus on strengthening economic diplomacy in ensuring Nigeria benefits from countries it has formal relationships with. On his part, NEPC chief Mr Awolowo expressed confidence that the Federal Government’s efforts will lead to the agency’s realisation of $30 billion from non-oil export by 2025.

Buhari goes to bed thinking about Nigerians -Jigawa Gov

Governor Muhammadu Badaru of Jigawa State says President Muhammadu Buhari is honest, transparent, and “sleeps with Nigerians at heart.” He said that Buhari has done well for Nigerians in ensuring infrastructural development to fast track sustainable social and economic development in the country. Badaru also lauded Buhari over the implementation of the agriculture transformation and National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP), among others. The governor made the commendation at the grand reception of Senator Grace Bent (PDP – Adamawa South), who decamped to the All Progressives Congress on Saturday in Yola. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Bent was a member of the PDP Board of Trustees before joining the APC and represented Adamawa South Senatorial District at the National Assembly between 2007 and 2011. Badaru said the Buhari administration had made giant strides towards improving road, rail, aviation and power infrastructure, as well as various interventions designed to address social, economic and security challenges in the country “Buhari is honest, transparent and sleep with Nigerians at heart. “Nigerians begin to see the effort of Buhari in all sectors and people are now joining the APC in thousands,” he said. Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Chairman, APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, congratulated Senator Bent for joining the party. Buni, represented by the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, assured that she would be carried along and treated like other members of the party. In his remarks, Prof. Tahir Mamman, an APC stalwart, urged members of the party to unite and support its leadership to enable it to win subsequent elections. “Without unity all the struggle will go to nothin,” he warned. (NAN)

Kanu was arrested without his documents -Brother

A brother to the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has revealed how they spoke while he was in Kenya shortly before “he went missing.” The brother, Kingsley Kanu, disclosed that the detainee had taken a walk when he was arrested and that he was without his documents. “His UK passport remains in Kenya,” The UK Guardian declared. According to The Guardian, Kanu’s brother, Kingsley, said he had spoken with him while he was in Kenya, “days before he went missing in June.” “I spoke to him on the phone, he was well, in Nairobi. His associates said he went out, he didn’t take his documents with him; so he wasn’t planning on going anywhere. Then, all of a sudden, we see him paraded in handcuffs in Abuja,” Kingsley said. “It is an extraordinary rendition, aided by Kenyan authorities,” he said. “It is an outrage that cannot be allowed to happen. “We are holding the Nigerian government and Kenyan government responsible. The British government, they know what is happening,” he said, adding that UK officials had made contact with Kanu’s family and legal team and that there were concerns he would be abused in detention. “I am concerned for his wellbeing because you know how they will treat him,” Kingsley said. Lawyers for the Kanu family accused the Nigerian government of “state kidnapping” and said he was abducted by Nigerian officials in Kenya and taken to Nigeria against his will. The Guardian stated that evidence at its disposal shows that Kanu entered Kenya this year on his British passport on a visa expiring in June, adding “His UK passport remains in Kenya.” Kanu was not in possession of a Nigerian passport, his family said, and he has verbally renounced Nigerian citizenship in broadcasts. “The abduction of a person from a foreign country with the aim of rendition to justice is illegal under international law” the medium stated. Nigerian and Kenyan authorities have denied that Kenya was involved in the arrest, while the UK consulate in Nigeria has said it contacted Nigeria’s government concerning the case. UK officials did not immediately respond to requests from The Guardian for information.

Another civil war may spell permanent doom for Nigeria – Gowon

Yakubu Gowon an elder statesman and a past military Head of State has cautioned youths in the country against agitating for another civil war in Nigeria. Gowon says it may spell permanent doom for Nigerians. The former military Head of State warned that a new civil war will also take Nigeria backward in unimaginable dimensions. He made the comment on Saturday in Abuja during a public lecture on “Rejigging the Security Architecture of Nigeria.” Gowon who was represented by former Governor of Bauchi State, Major General Chris Abutu Garuba described war as an unpleasant situation. He noted that those who have fallen victims to it would not wish that Nigeria goes into another one outside of the one fought between 1967 and 1970. The elder statesman expressed concerns over the growing tension among the youths and appealed to the federal government to take up the challenge. A professor of African History, Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Isaac Olawale Albert who spoke at the event said war would only escalate the problems confronting the nation. “If you see war, you will run. It is only those who have never seen war that can call for it. It does not pay anyone.” He cautioned those beating the drums of war, stating that Nigerians would gain nothing from it in the end.