Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Fuel scarcity looms as oil workers plan to go on strike

Abuja Fuel Scarcity

Fuel scarcity looms as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENSASSAN, yesterday insisted on going on strike tomorrow to protest the proposed sale of the nation's four refineries by the Federal Government next year.

Already, most petrol stations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, remained shut to customers in anticipation of the strike.

The two unions had on December 17, 2013, threatened to go on nationwide strike from this week if the Federal Government did not withdraw its plan to privatise the refineries.

Some filling stations were locked up, though they had fuel in stock, apparently hoping to cash in on the anticipated scarcity.

Black marketers were ready to reap from the intended scarcity as they were seen displaying fuel in gallons in some streets, particularly near the filling stations that shut down.

Army kills 63 Boko Haram terrorists in Borno, Lake Chad area

Nigerian Army

Defence headquarters disclosed, yesterday, that the Special Force of the Nigerian Army killed 56 Boko Haram terrorists that have been making life unbearable for citizens living in the North-East of Nigeria, while seven other terrorists were killed in the Lake Chad islands.

According to a statement by Major-General Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information, the operations were carried out at Alafa in Borno State and the Lake Chad islands, respectively.

It said: "Nigerian security forces have launched ground and air operations on terrorists' locations in the forest at Alafa, about 21 kilometers from Bama, Borno State.

"Over 56 terrorists died in the ensuing intensive fight over the weekend. Two soldiers were wounded in the operation, which is meant to track fleeing terrorists.

"Acting on intelligence reports, which indicated renewed efforts by the terrorists to establish a new camp in the forest locations, the land and air operations has inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents as indicated by the high level of their loss of men and materials.

"Air and land bombardments are continuing in different locations, where terrorists have been reportedly sighted.

"The Multi-National Joint Task Force foiled an attempt by terrorists that were massing up on an island on Lake Chad with a view to carrying out an attack on some Nigerian communities.

"Seven of the terrorists died, while others fleeing in different direction towards Niger and Chad Republic are being trailed by troops.

"Intelligence reports have confirmed that some of the wounded terrorists were seen in a canoe, paddling towards Tumbun Telkandam in Chad Republic."

Monday, December 30, 2013

Fathia Balogun finally drops ex-husband’s surname

Actress Fathia Balogun has finally dropped ex-husband Saide Balogun's surname to revert to her maiden name 'Williams'.

The actress on her instagram page now bears Fathia Williams, although her Facebook and Twitter pages remain Balogun.

She didn't give up the name so easily. It took her ex-hubby, six years, countless interviews on all forms of media and finally a legal action.

Fathia only a few weeks ago reportedly vowed to retain the name at all cost but it seems her resolve has weakened. Close sources say she wants to test the waters with this first change, to see how the industry will react and gauge her potency as a sought after actress before finally removing Balogun forever!.

OJB says some celebs turned his donation into competition, Calls out D'bang

OJB Jezreel after the kidney transplant

Veteran music producer OJB Jezreel during an interview with Inspiration FM's Gloria Maduka addressed controversy surrounding donations given to him to carry out his kidney transplant. OJB said some celebs turned it to a competition.

OJB also said he is not happy with D'bang because during his fund raiser many months back, there were rumours that D'banj gave his former music producer N7m, a report that D'banj didn't deny. OJB says D'banj didn't give him a dime and was upset that he didn't try to set the record straight.

"The most disappointing one for me is D'banj because he passed through my hands, he was trained under my tutelage. That is offensive. I don't care if you're with Kanye West, you can't forget your root. I won't call anybody else's name but I will call his because it hurts. His own hurts very deep. And he never tried to reach out to me. It's not like we parted on fighting terms. He told me he had to go to London and he went. And when he came back it was Don Jazzy, and I said OK, that's fine. And what he did worked and I'm very proud of him, the love, that's why it hurts more. He should have come out to say 'no, I don't know why you people are saying all this, I didn't give OJB N7million,' maybe a part of him felt embarrassed because at the end of the day, really, are you not supposed to do something?" OJB says during the interview

He also talked about how people used his fund raiser as competition and once again addresses the bounced cheques. Read Below;

"When P-Square gave me N5million cheque, everybody started treating as a competition. They were like, they brought N5m, I want to show that I can do more, or equal it. So they will come to my house, some will drop N2m, N1m, you say thank you, they take pictures and go away. Then you drop the cheque in your account and you see that almost N4/5million is being returned back to you that it didn't clear. You call them and tell them and they tell you they are coming but they haven't picked the cheques till now.

"The shocking ones are not even the bounced cheques. It's the ones that when they are coming to meet you in the house to give you money, they come with a whole camera crew. Then they will say I'm donating one million naira to you and the cameras start recording and maybe the guy's tape stops, and he says let's take that again (Laughs).

"There were people in my dialysis that I gave N100k each to pay for their dialysis, we didn't publicise it, we didn't take photos with them, because I felt that was unnecessary."

Photos: Maheeda without make up

Maheeda without make up

Maheeda without make up

Maheeda without make up. You like?

OBJ’s letter: I was a victim of persecution — Al-Mustapha, says Jonathan didn't help secure his release

Al-mustapha - Obasanjo

Former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said that he was a victim of persecution in his about 15 years ordeal of trial and detention in Nigerian prisons. He said all allegations raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as contained in his controversial letter to President Goodluck Jonathan were false.

Al-Mustapha spoke with newsmen in Abuja while leading Mohammed Abacha and others on a visit to Kuje Maximum Prison, Abuja, where he presented food items and other relief materials to the inmates as part of Christmas celebration.

He stated that the Appeal Court released him on merit after the case was unnecessarily prolonged and suffered several adjournments with false scripts and witnesses induced against him.

He said the case which was tried by 14 judges after being moved around in 32 detention centres across the country was unprecedented, adding that his eventual release was as a result of the realisation that he was only a victim of persecution.

When asked on what he could say about Obasanjo's letter to Jonathan that Jonathan assisted him to evade justice, Al-Mustapha said: "Nobody assisted me in my case. My matter was tried on its own merit; I was released on merit. As the case was from the beginning, scripts were written, witnesses were induced and contracted for and it dragged on and on with so many judges and series of adjournments, 14 judges, like I used to say, is unprecedented."

"At the end of the day, the Court of Appeal looked at the case where there was glaring persecution and arrived at what the law has provided. Nobody can say I was helped. I was not helped. My matter was treated on its own merit.

"All allegations in that letter as far as I can concerned, have their own meanings because of the time, the content and person and the person they are targeted to. It is left for Nigerians to look deeply and decipher.

"Mandela was convicted for murder, for treason, but at the end of the day, those who actually celebrated his conviction were the same people that came 27 years after to say that it was a wrongful action done against him. Similar things we have experienced even in our own cases, which have driven us to do what we have taken and God willing, we will continue to do much more," he said.

Wole Soyinka's second daughter, Iyetade dies at 48

Wole Soyinka

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka's second daughter Iyetade Soyinka has died. Iyetade died at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital where she was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.

The late Iyetade Soyinka was a student at the Staff School and Queens School, Ibadan before she studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan. She leaves behind two children, both parents, numerous siblings, nieces and nephews. May her soul rest in peace, Amen.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

El-rufai, 99 others escape death as Aero Contractor plane loses tyre

El-rufai

Aero Contractor plane

Tragedy was averted, Sunday, when a Boeing 737 plane with over 100 passengers belonging to Aero Contractors had a bust tyre at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos.

The aircraft, which departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, NAA, Abuja around 9am had a burst tyre on landing at the Lagos Airport.

One of the over 100 passengers onboard the plane was the former Minister, federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mal. Nasir el-Rufai who tweeted "Upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt. My phones flew under seats."

Reacting to the incident, Mr Yakubu Dati, Coordinating Spokesman, Aviation Parastatals said "A aircraft Boeing 737-500 with Registration No 5N-BLC, operated by Aero contractors landed safely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, following loss of pressure in one of the tyres, today December 29, 2013".

"The aircraft which landed at 10.50am had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board.

"The aircraft has since been towed to the apron and Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB has commenced investigation into the incident."

Photo: Kate Henshaw gets a bottle of expensive champagne from Rita Dominic for purchasing her movie 'The Meeting’

Rita Dominic & Kate Henshaw

Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw got a bottle of expensive champagne, Dom Perignon from her fellow actress Rita Dominic for buying over 10 copies of her movie, 'The Meeting'.

According to Rita, Kate was the first of to officially buy several copies of the limited edition movie and in fulfilling her promise to pop a champagne, she decided to send Kate a bottle of the expensive wine.

Kate Henshaw's Don Perignon


Kate Henshaw showed off her champagne and captioned the photo "Bought my Special Limited Edition copies of 'The Meeting'"

Burna Boy jealously exited The Headies 2013 after losing out to Sean Tizzle in the “Next Rated” category

Burna Boy

Music star Burna Boy exited The Headies 2013 on Thursday night when rising Afro pop star Sean Tizzle was announced winner of the Next Rated category.

The category has been chosen to honour the most promising musician during the period of nomination. The award comes with a brand new ride.

Sean Tizzle picked the award and got the keys to a Hyundai Tucson SUV.

As soon as Sean Tizzle was announced as the winner, Burna Boy left the venue, telling photographers not to take his photos.

Some industry insiders at the event were overheard saying Burna Boy deserved the award more than his fellow nominees including Sean Tizzle, Dammy Krane, Seyi Shay and Phyno.

They went on to speculate that Burna Boy didn't win the award because he is a GLO ambassador and the awards show is sponsored by a fellow telecommunications company MTN Nigeria.

Photo: Check out Cossy Orjiakor in traditional attire

Cossy Orjiakor says this is her first time of wearing traditional attire.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Governor Adams Oshiomhole escapes death in auto crash

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on saturday escaped death in a ghastly motor accident involving the governor's convoy around Ewu village, Auchi-Benin road, the incident occurred at about 9.45am on his way to Benin City from his Iyamho Village.

It was gathered that the incident occurred when a Peugeot J5 Bus with registration number XB 355 Fugar, loaded with tomatoes and plantains lost control while trying to overtake a trailer and rammed into the Governor's Flag Car, a BMW bullet proof car, from the opposite direction before swerving into a road side ditch.

Below is a press statement from Edo State government;

Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole survived a motor accident at Ewu Village along the ever-busy Benin-Auchi road in Edo State at about 9.45am Saturday, 28th December 2013 on his way back to Benin City from his Iyamho Village. The incident occurred at about 9.45am at Ewu, in Edo Central Senatorial District, when a Peugeot J5 Bus filled with tomatoes and plantains apparently lost control and rammed into the Governor's Flag Car from the opposite direction before swerving into a roadside ditch.

Three vehicles in the Governor's convoy were in front of the Governor's Flag Car and had passed the Peugeot J5 Bus before it [J5 Bus] had direct impact with the Governor's car, which had the Governor, his Aide-De-Camp [ADC] and his Driver as occupants. The Governor's Car was badly affected but both occupants of the Peugeot J5 Bus and that of the Governor's sustained no injuries.

The Peugeot J5 Bus was following a truck that was descending the Ewu Slope when it suddenly veered off into the Governor's lane from the opposite direction and directly impacted on the Governor's vehicle, apparently because of brake failure. The good story is that nobody sustained injuries in both vehicles. The Comrade Governor is hale and hearty, his ADC and other occupants of the Peugeot J5 are also in good condition.

The incident has been reported to the Divisional Police Station at Ewu for further investigation. This is to assure all good people of Edo State that there is no cause for alarm. Their loving Comrade Governor is fine & hale and hearty as well as other occupants of the other affected vehicle. The Comrade Governor is wishing everyone a prosperous new year ahead.

Signed
Prince Kassim Afegbua
Special Adviser, Media & Public Affairs.

Download New Music: Sarkodie ft Vector - Rap Attack

Sarkology

New Music: Sarkodie ft Vector - Rap Attack

Rap Attack is a track off Sarkodie's new album 'Sarkology'. Sarkodie features Vector on this one. Download Rap Attack - Tell us what you think about the song.

Download New Music: Sarkodie ft. Burna Boy & AKA - Special Someone

Sarkology

New Music: Sarkodie ft. Burna Boy & AKA - Special Someone

Special Someone is a track off Sarkodie's new album Sarkology. Sarkodie features Burna Boy and South African rapper AKA. Download Special Someone - Tell us what you think about the song.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Comedienne Princess Dammy & husband split after 7 months of marriage

Comedienne Princess Dammy & husband

One of Nigeria's leading comedians Princess Dammy and her Yoruba movie producer/ director husband Adeshola Jeremiah have separated.

Princess Dammy confirmed to The Net NG's correspondent that they have indeed gone their separate ways; citing "irreconcilable differences".

"Yes my marriage has ended due to irreconcilable differences". she says.

She further explains; "We have been having issues since the wedding but we still remained together hoping that we would be able to work it out. But apparently, we couldn't work it out, hence the reason for our separation.

"We actually ended it several months ago, but we didn't want to make it public. I'm sure God knows best".

The NET NG goes on to report that they started having issues two weeks after their nuptials.

Obasanjo is evil and the reason for insecurity in Nigeria - Eedris Abdulkareem

Obasanjo - Eedris-Abdulkareem

Eedris Abdulkareem took to twitter to lash former president Olusegun Obasanjo calling him a fraud, adding that Obasanjo is evil and the reason for insecurity in Nigeria. Read more tweets below;

Olamide bags 3 awards at Headies 2013, Photos + Full list of winners

Davido

Nigeria's most premium awards show, The Headies, held last night, Thursday, December 26, 2013 at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. The show was hosted by Dr Sid and Tiwa Savage, this year's nomination had the tightest competition with a selection of some of the hottest names in the Nigerian music scene.

Olamide emerged the biggest winner of the night with three awards, KCee won Best song of the year with Limpopo, Davido also bagged the Hip Hop World Revelation of the year award and Best R&B/Pop Album.

Full List of Winners

Best R&B Single:
Good Good Loving – Banky W

Banky W


Best Rap Single:
Man of the Year – Phyno

Best Street-Hop Artiste:
Durosoke – Olamide

Best Recording Of The Year: This Year - Jaywon

Best Collabo:
Ghost Mode – Phyno FT Olamide

Phyno


Best Rap Album:
YBNL – Olamide

Hip Hop World Revelation:
Omo Baba Olowo – Davido

Lyricist On The Roll:
Let It Go - Mode 9

Producer Of The Year:
Sho Lee – Dee Tunes

Best Alternative Song:
Repete - BlackMagic

Best Pop Single:
Ihe Ne Me – 2Face

Best Vocal Performance Female:
Only You – Nikki Laoye


Best Vocal Performance Male: Rich And Famous – Praiz

Next Rated:
Sean Tizzle

Best Reggae/DanceHall Single:
I Wish – Waje

Song Of The Year:
Limpopo – KCee

Album Of The Year:
YBNL - Olamide

Artiste Of The Year:
Iyanya

Best Music Video:
Alingo - Jude Okoye & Clarence Peters

Best R&B/Pop Album:
O.B.O – Davido

Hall Of Fame:
Wasiu Ayinde The 1st

Most Downloaded Callertune:
Mandela - Harrysong

Sammie Okposo renounce COSON membership

Sammy Okposo

Gospel singer Sammie Okposo has renounced his membership of the Copyright Society of Nigeria barely two weeks after he criticized the National Broadcasting Commission for its failure to reach an agreement with the collecting society.

A public statement made available to the media on Thursday indicates that the award winning artiste requested COSON to stop collecting royalties and acting on his behalf with immediate effect.

"I, Sammie Okposo, a proud Nigerian artiste wishes to notify the general public and all stakeholders alike that I have stopped being a member of COSON," the statement quoted the singer as saying.

The statement reads, "The registration of COSON is commendable and may have set the Industry on the path to growth and consolidation but accountability and transparency is very important. My facts reveal that there is nothing in COSON's constitution that limits the number of terms the Chairman of the Board could serve and this is extremely dangerous. I read Onyeka Onwenu's interview and she cited it as one of the reasons she left the board of COSON. All effort must be made to ensure COSON does not end up the property of one man. COSON is now delving into awards and competitive activities that are not related to its core responsibilities and this is a distraction".

According to the statement, Okposo chose to part ways with the organization because of what he described as the "selfish interests" of some of its members.

"Our artistes must get their due respect and recognition. The organization needs to imbibe the art of transparency in the disbursement of funds. How do you disburse royalty payments without showing the artistes the logs? It's unacceptable. This issue must also be looked into with a view to ensuring that monies collected actually go to deserving artistes," he was quoted as saying.

Okposo finally called on the Federal Government to beam its search lights on the activities of such organisations through the enactment and implementation of laws and oversight function.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

LET'S TALK: Xmas is satanic - Dunamis Pastor Enenche

Dr. Paul Enenche

Senior Pastor Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche in his Christmas message yesterday said it is satanic to call Christmas "Xmas" according to him its devil's plan to remove Christ from the Mass.

Dr Enenche wrote of Facebook "Merry Christmas and a very Merry New Year in advance. Please do not refer to Christmas as Xmas; it is a satanic agenda to remove CHRIST from the Mass"

Whats your take on this? Share your thoughts.

I fasted for 10 months to become governor – Rotimi Amaechi

Rotimi Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi said God, and not man, installed him as the state governor because he fasted and prayed for 10 months before he became governor.

Amechi who spoke at Saint Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said insecurity in the state was growing because the police had failed to do their job in an unbiased manner.

He said, "As a government led by me, a government installed by Christ, if anybody tells you he installed me, tell him it is a lie. Tell him that I said I prayed for 10 months and I fasted from 6am to 6pm, calling on Christ to come down and Christ came down mightily and installed me as governor.

"That is why you can see that in the face of human effontery, I have been able to stand face to face with them and I say I have Christ in me.

"You must rise in that same spirit of having Christ in you and confront those who are confronting you. You must stand up for Christ because the Bible says 'faith without work is dead.'

"We must not die. We must live and the way to live is to celebrate Christ and the way to celebrate Christ is to confront Satan and Satan is in different forms and shapes.

"If the police shoot at you, they are satanic. If government denies you your right to live, that government is satanic," Amaechi added.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Justin Bieber announces his retirement on Twitter

Justin Bieber took to twitter to again announce that he will retire after his album drops. Bieber earlier announced his upcoming retirement while appearing on an L.A. radio station.

Bieber tweeted "My beloved beliebers I'm officially retiring." He added, "The media talks a lot about me. They make a up a lot of lies and want me to fail but I'm never leaving you, being a belieber is a lifestyle."

Download New Music: Phenom – Hold Me Down

Phenom

Phenom – Hold Me Down. Here is a new song from Phenom. Download Hold Me Down by Phenom - Tell us what you think about the song.

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Phenom ft Wizkid – Your Way

Kano state Governor Kwankwaso declares free education in Kano

Kano state governor Rabiu Kwankwaso

Kano state Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has declared free and compulsory education at level in the state to address educational backwardness of the state.

Kwankwaso who made the declaration during the presentation of 2014 appropriation bill to the House of Assembly revealed that the gesture would commenced from 2014 academic year.

Kwankwaso stated that "in our collective resolve to drive a knowledge base economy, government has already concluded arrangement to adopt a free education for all indigene at all levels: primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state."

The Governor added that "this is in addition to sponsoring of Kano indigenes to pursue their various degree programmes locally and internationally", pointing out that the commencement of the free education for all Kano state indigenes from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions starting from the new academic session in 2014."

In order to ensure effective implementation of the new programme, the Education sector got the largest share of the sectoral allocation with over N20billion with Ministry of Education N15.22billion; while its ministry for Higher Education counterpart got N5.61billion.

Other policy programmes in 2014 fiscal year under education include, N6.5 billion for the continuation work at Schools for Islamic Studies in each of the 44 LGAs.

Kwankwaso revealed that N2 billion has been set aside for the continuation of 44 Technical Schools one in each LGAs; adding that N241 million has equally been earmarked for the procurement of 15 mobile computing solar powered container box.

He said that N250 million was also earmarked for the establishment of another boarding primary school in the state, adding that N1.3 billion has been allocated for the Construction and furnishing of 268 additional classrooms in the state.

The Governor further stated that Northwest University got N3billion for the continuation of construction of Faculty building, senate building and other infrastructure, adding under the 2014 approriation bill N586 million was earmarked for the continuation work at former Magwan Water Restaurant to First Lady College.

16-year-old boy flogged in public for stealing

A 16–year-old boy was publicly given 12 strokes of the cane on Tuesday on the orders of an Abuja Senior Magistrates' Court which found him guilty of theft, News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The Senior Magistrate, Aliyu Shafa, ordered the police to cane the convict in public after he pleaded guilty to stealing 17 pieces of scaffold clips valued at N150,000.

Shafa directed that the police should hand him over to the traditional ruler of Abaji, where he came from because he was still a minor.

He added that the ruler should make arrangements to meet with the boy's parents and hand him over to them because he confessed that his parents did not know his whereabouts since he left home.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Mr. Abdullahi Alhassan, had told the court that Mr Kunle Adebayo, of suite B 19, AdemolaAdetokunbo Valley Mall, Wuse II, Abuja, reported the case to the Mabushi police Station.

Alhassan said the convict went to Adebayo's building's site at Jabi II, Abuja, and stole 17 pieces of scaffold clips valued N150,000.

He said during investigation, the scaffold clips were recovered from the convict's at Mpape area.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provision of Section 287 of Penal Code.

Section 287 stipulates that "whoever commits theft shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to five years or with fine or with both."

The convict pleaded guilty saying, "My lord, forgive me. I will not do that again and I am ready to go back home."

President Jonathan drags Obasanjo to rights commission over criminal allegations

Jonathan-Obasanjo

President Jonathan Goodluck yesterday submitted himself to the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, for probe over criminal allegations against him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Former President Obasanjo had written an 18-page open letter to Jonathan, accusing him of incompetence, engaging in anti-party activities, ethnicism and training about 1,000 snipers ahead of the 2015 polls.

Jonathan, who denied the allegations in his response, is specifically inviting the rights commission to unravel the truth in the allegation that his government had begun training over 1,000 snipers to terminate his political opponents.

In a letter to the commission, President Jonathan is seeking for a thorough investigation of the allegations against him, touching on alleged human rights abuses.

The letter, signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, on the directive of Jonathan, had already been submitted to NHRC.

The letter dated December 23, 2013 was submitted yesterday. Sources close to the Presidency told National Mirror that similar letters had been written to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The two anti-graft agencies are to probe allegations of economic crimes and official corruption against the Jonathan's administration as contained in Obasanjo's letter.

Wishing You All A Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone

Joy to the World: the Lord has come! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year ahead.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Maheeda tells Santa she hasn’t found her clothes yet (photos +18)

Maheeda

Lol Maheeda is crazy!! See full photos below...

Woman strangles baby to death, say its because she can't afford a babysitter

20-year-old woman, Titilayo Odedele, has told an Ebute Meta Magistrate's Court that she strangled her two year old child, Opeyemi, because she could not afford a babysitter for him.

The incident was said to have happened at Ajagunro, Imota Ikorodu area of Lagos.

The defendant, who was arraigned on one count of murder, said she had no one to help her take care of the child after she was impregnated and thrown out of her parent's home.

Addressing the court in tears, she said, "I only finished Primary six, and I did not attend secondary school before I was impregnated.

"On that Friday night, I attended a vigil and wanted to drop the child there and run away, but didn't know what to do.

"On Saturday morning, I left the place and wrapped him up in a cloth. When I saw that nobody was with us, I put my hand on his neck and started to squeeze it till he died."

The magistrate, O.O Olatunji, who was obviously shocked by the defendant's action, said she could have left the baby in the church for people to take, instead of killing him.

He said, "How did you kill him? Was he not crying each time you pressed his neck?"

She replied, "Each time I squeezed his neck, he cried, but I just kept pressing till he died. I don't know what entered into me."

It was learnt that Oladele lost her mother at an early age, and her father got married to another woman. The accused was said to have been sent out of the house soon afterwards.

The investigating police officer, Fatai Popoola, in a remand request, indicated that Odedele was arrested the day after the incident on the road.

He said she had also made confessional statements to the police.

The murder charge read, "That you, Titilayo Oladele, on November 16, 2013 at Ajagunro, Imota Ikorodu, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Opeyemi Ibrahim, aged two years, by strangulating him to death with your hands and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2011."

The defendant's plea was not taken, as she also did not have any legal representation or family member in court.

The police prosecutor, Cyriacus Osuji, applied for her remand pursuant to Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Lagos State 2011.

The magistrate granted the remand request and ordered her to be put in prison pending the Directorate of Public Prosecution advice. The case was adjourned till February 3, 2014 for mention.
Culled From: PUNCH