Ghana Election: Accra erupts in wild jubilation as Mahama wins

The tension soaked Ghanaian Capital of Accra erupted in wild jubilation last night as Presidential Candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress, NDC, President John Dramani Mahama was declared the winner of the 2012 presidential election.

According to the Electoral Commission, EC Chairman, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, he polled 5,574,761 or 50.70 per cent of the valid votes to win the hotly and tightly contested election.

His closest challenger, Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, NPP polled 5,248,898 votes (47.74 per cent).

The other presidential flagbearers scored as follows: Papa Kwesi Nduom, PPP, 64.362 (0.59 per cent); Dr Henry Lartey, GCPP, 38,223 (0.35 per cent); Ayariga Hassan, PNC, 24,617 (0.22 per cent); Michael Abu Sakara Foster, CPP, 20,323 (0.18 per cent); Jacob Osei Yeboah, independent candidate, 15,201 (0.14 per cent) and Akwasi Addai Odike, UFP, 8,877 (0.08 per cent).

Leaders of the NDC, who thronged the packed EC conference hall where the results were declared at 9.54 p.m (10.54 p.m Nigerian time) said from next year, Ghana would witness massive infrastructural development.

Leaders of the NPP shunned the event.

Jubilant supporters of the NDC poured into the streets in wild celebration as the results were announced. They had early built platforms and stands across the city where bands played interrupted music till this morning.

A total of 11,246,982 voters out of the registered 14,158,890 voters (79.43 per cent) took part in the elections. While valid votes were 10,995,262, a significant 251,720 voters could not cast their votes correctly.

Source: Vanguard Newspaper

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Strikes Loom in our Universities again as FG’s Meeting with SSANU, NASU, NAAT Ends in Deadlock

Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i

A move by stakeholders to avoid another strike by staff of the nation’s tertiary institutions has once again hit the rocks. A meeting between the Federal Government and the non-teaching staff unions in the universities to resolve the pending crisis and planned strike over the Earned Allowance and the report of the committee on NEEDS Assessment in universities ended without any meaningful agreement.

The meeting was held at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation late Friday night. The unions — Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) — have, therefore, resolved to commence a seven-day warning strike on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, president of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, President of NAAT, Comrade Sani Suleiman and the General-Secretary of NASU, Comrade Peter Adeyemi, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, said the meeting, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, with the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqquatu Rufai, in attendance, could not reach any meaningful conclusion hence the warning strike would go ahead as planned.

On his own part, NASU general secretary said his union had invited its members to a meeting at the University of Ibadan on Tuesday to deliberate on the outcome of the meeting with the government and decide on the way forward; SSANU President declared that the union would use Monday (today) to mobilise members across the country for the commencement of strike on Tuesday. However, the NAAT President said the decision to go on strike remains, and that the union had directed its branches to hold congress meeting and embark on the strike.

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Unbelivable : 3 Policemen Run For Dear Life As R*pist Allegedly Turns Into A Baboon in Zimbabwe

A man who was wanted for allegedly defiling a juvenile in Zimbabwe and escaping twice from police custody reportedly turned into a baboon when he was arrested by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee.

The man has been on the run for the past two months. It is alleged that on 2 December he returned to the area pretending to have forgotten his ‘sins’. The fuming villagers reportedly teamed up and proceeded to his place baying for his blood.

A reliable source said: “When people arrived at his homestead, he locked up himself in one of the bedroom huts. Villagers wanted to teach him a lifetime lesson and set him as an example to other would-be rapists therefore they broke down the door to get him. Ndlovu, realising that villagers were baying for his blood, confessed his sins, asking for forgiveness and promised to hand himself over to the police.”

Some fuming villagers did not tolerate or listen to his pleas and started meting instant justice on him. Fortunately, members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee came to his rescue and stopped the mob from taking the law into their own hands.

“When the villagers were busy beating up Ndlovu, police officers arrived and stopped them saying they were arresting him. The villagers tried to convince them that it was high time they disciplined the man since police had failed, but they took him away,” said the source.

On their way to the Police Station, it is alleged that the man turned into a baboon sending three Neighbourhood Watch Committee members scurrying for cover.

“You know the villagers were surprised to see the three policemen running as if someone was chasing after them. They even failed to stop and we followed them to their homesteads to ask what had happened on the way. What we heard was unbelievably, despite talking to them separately, their story was the same,” said the source.

One of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee members Nkosilathi Dube confirmed the incident saying: “I have never seen a person turning into a baboon but he did when we were taking him to the police station as he was being accused of rape. As we were walking, we realised that it was only the three of us and a baboon, that’s when we ran away without saying a word.”

We all know that weird things happen in Africa generally, but a man turning into a baboon have never been heard of before. Do you believe this story? Is it possible or impossible for a human being to turn into a baboon even if he is using jazz?

Please share your views and let us know what you think.

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London hospital denies 2Day FM called before prank was aired

Radio hosts hope family is okay

Speaking in emotional interviews on two commercial networks, 2Day FM's royal pranksters say they're sorry for "the worst call" of their liv...

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ACMA working 'swiftly' on prank call investigation

Stephen Conroy says ACMA is speaking in detail with 2Day FM about the royal prank call after a nurse involved committed suicide.

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Shattered DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig offer their sympathy on A Current Affair. Picture: Channel 9 Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE London hospital that treated Prince William's pregnant wife Catherine says the Australian radio station behind a prank call did not check with them before the hoax was broadcast.

Sydney station 2Day FM said it had tried to contact King Edward VII's Hospital five times to discuss the prank call conducted with two nurses, one of whom, Jacintha Saldanha, was found dead on Friday in a suspected suicide.

But a hospital spokesman said: "Following the hoax call, the station did not talk to anyone in hospital senior management or anyone at the company that handles our media inquiries."

Australian radio guidelines say that the subject of a prank should give their permission for material recorded during a hoax call to be aired.

Keith Vaz, a British Labour MP who visited Saldanha's family in Bristol, southwest England, said the hospital must investigate the events that led to the nurse's death.

"What is needed, clearly, is an inquiry by the hospital into what has happened," he told BBC radio.

Mr Vaz, whose family comes from India, added that the family were in "terrible distress" and said they needed more support from the hospital.

"The hospital has sent them a letter, which I have seen, but I'm a little surprised that nobody has made the journey to Bristol to sit with them and offer them the counselling that I think they need," he said.

He added: "More support, in my view, needs to be given."

The 2Day FM hosts who made the call last week, in which they obtained private details of Kate's acute morning sickness by pretending to be the Queen and William's father Prince Charles, spoke last night of their grief at the nurse's death.

Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who have been in hiding and undergoing counselling since their hoax sparked global outrage, said they were devastated.

Saldanha, a mother-of-two originally from southern India, was found dead in nurses' accommodation near the hospital on Friday.

She had picked up the prank call and put it through to another nurse, who revealed details of Kate's condition.

Results of the post-mortem could be published later today, although the timing has yet to be confirmed, a police spokeswoman said.

Kate, who is thought to be around nine weeks pregnant, spent three days being treated at the hospital.

2Day FM's owner, Southern Cross Austereo, reacted to growing alarm over the story by pulling the two hosts off air until further notice, axing their show, suspending all advertising on 2Day FM until further notice and forbidding any prank calls across its network.

The company, which faced a diving share price and threats of a cyber attack, expressed its "deep and sincere condolences" to the nurse's family.

"We are very sorry for what has happened," said CEO Rhys Holleran.

"We are also providing support to our people who are deeply saddened by this tragic and unforeseen event."

Greig said she was prepared to attend any inquest in London and see the nurse's family face to face.

"If that's something that they want to do, to get some closure, then I'll do that," she said.

"It was meant to be a silly little prank that so many people have done before. This wasn't meant to happen."

"I haven't stopped thinking about it since it happened. I remember my first question was, 'Was she a mother?' I can't imagine what they (the family) would be going through."

Saldanha had two children. Her husband, Ben Barboza, expressed his sadness on his Facebook page with a short note "Obituary Jacintha."

"I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances," he wrote.

He said she will be laid to rest in Shirva, India.

Meanwhile, there were indications that the Duchess of Cambridge was still struggling with acute morning sickness, with her husband, Prince William, cancelling a Sunday night engagement.

Palace officials said her illness means she will probably not attend the UK premiere of The Hobbit film on Wednesday, where she and William are scheduled to be the guests of honour.

AAP/PA/DPA/AFP

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4 Killed In Potiskum Attack

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe has confirmed the death of the Divisional Police Officer in Potiskum and three gunmen in an attack on the police station on Monday.

Lt. Eli Lazarus, JTF spokesman in the state, said the gunmen attacked Potiskum Police Station in the early hours of Monday.

He said that during the attack three gunmen were killed, while the Divisional Police Officer also died later in hospital from injuries sustained in the clash.

The statement said that bodies of some gunmen suspected to have been killed in the attack were carried away by surviving members of the group, who fled.

The task force gave the assurance that they were hunting for the gunmen and would provide security in the area.

It also solicited for useful information from the public to restore peace and security in the troubled area.

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We Seized Over N14 Billion At Airports This Year – EFCC

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde on Monday said that no less than N15.5 billion was intercepted at the nation’s airports since January.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde

Mr Lamorde, who was speaking at the 2012 International Anti-Corruption Day celebrations with the theme, ACT….Help Detect Corruption Risks Today, organised by the Inter – Agency Task Team, IATT, comprising of Anti –Corruption Agencies, said the amount represented physical cash and not legitimate cash transfer through the financial institutions, taken out through the nation’s airports.

He said N14 billion being couriered outside the country was intercepted at the nation’s airports between January and August while the operation of a Special Task Team which is a joint patrol of the airport by the EFCC operatives and Nigerian Customs officers which commenced in September 2012, had yielded the arrest of illegal cash courier with over $9 million.

While linking the illegal transfer and corruption to greed, callousness and meanness of the people involved, Mr Lamorde gave example of an individual, who was arrested for laundering money in cash to the tune of $7 million in brief case and flying out of the country through the airport.

He said “corruption is one of the reasons Nigeria has not been able to make progress, socially, politically and economically and we have all agreed that corruption cannot be sustained in Nigeria, all of us must come together to fight corruption.”

The EFCC chairman, who said the funding of the anti-corruption agencies and their operating legislations have to be reviewed, explained that between January and December 2012, the Commission had filed about 353 cases at various courts across the country and had recorded about 53 convictions so far.

“Criminal procedure rather than judiciary should be blamed for the problem of slow pace of trial of corruption cases. Somebody cannot steal from you and expect that the law should protect him against you the victim of his crime. Something has to be done. I pray that the new leadership of the judiciary will be able to do something”, he said.

He also reiterated the need for a special court to take on corruption cases in Nigeria.

“Judges are either transferred or the witnesses dead. It is not fair on the anti-corruption agencies to say they are delaying cases. Let cases not last forever. If you think there is no case, please discharge the person but where the person has a case to answer, the case should be concluded in good time”, Mr Lamorde said.

The IATT Chairman, Ledum Mitee said some very possible reasons why the problem of corruption had remained stagnant were: weak anti-corruption institutions in terms of capacity, funding and coordination; failure of leadership at all levels to genuinely talk the talk and walk the walk and the need for a more concerted effort in ensuring synergy in the operations of Anti-Corruption Agencies.

He said that performance in fighting corruption had been very poor.

“However, we cannot continue on this path. We must steer the ship aright. With the establishment of the Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT), synergy is being built amongst the anti-corruption agencies; the era of individual turf is waning giving room for possible joint investigations and prosecutions which in turn is expected to result in effective sanctions and prevention of corruption”, he said.

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Unidentified Man Falls From Sky

Police believe he was from Africa, probably from Angola, but they don’t know his identity.

The mystery began in September when residents of a suburban street in the Mortlake neighborhood of West London woke up on a quiet Sunday morning to find the crumpled body of a black man on the sidewalk of Portman Avenue, near a convenience store, an upscale lingerie shop and a storefront offering Chinese medical cures.

Detectives believed at first the man was a murder victim and cordoned off the area. Within a day, however, police concluded the man – probably already dead – had fallen to the ground when a jet passing overhead lowered its landing gear as it neared the runway at nearby Heathrow Airport.

The apparent stowaway had no identification papers – just some currency from Angola, leading police to surmise that he was from that African nation, especially as inquiries showed that a plane from Angola was beginning its descent into Heathrow at about that time.

The macabre explanation made perfect sense to residents, who are familiar not only with the roar of the jets descending, but are also able to see the planes lower their landing gears as they pass overhead, said Catherine Lambert, who lives a few doors down from the spot where the man landed.

“You could see him, his body was contorted,” she said. “It was a beautiful blue day, really sunny, but we had to keep the children inside. I didn’t want the children to see, and to have to explain to them and put fear into them every time a plane goes over.”

A post mortem conducted two days after the body landed listed the cause of death as “multiple injuries.”

In the days afterward, some neighbors put flowers on the spot where the stowaway was found, and a small group of Angolans who live in the London area came to place more flowers and to pray. Lambert, 41, said there is lingering sadness, since the man has not been identified and there has been no way to tell his family he is gone.

“I felt, what was he running away from? What made him think he could he could? And how will his family ever know? He’s a lost soul now; his father and mother are probably waiting for him to make contact,” she said.

A London police spokesman, who wasn’t authorized to speak on the record because of force policy, said Sunday that police are appealing to the public for help identifying the man based on a composite image of his face and a photo of a tattoo on his left arm. The tattoo showed the letters “Z” and “G” inked on his upper arm, with a horizontal line through the “Z”.

Police also said attempts to identify the man with the help of Angolan authorities had been unsuccessful. They stressed there is only “circumstantial” evidence linking the stowaway to that country.

In a statement, police said the man is believed to be an African of slight build between the ages of 20 and 30. He was wearing jeans, white sneakers and a gray sweatshirt when he was found on Sept. 9, police said.

Although firm figures are not available, in recent years there has been a rise in the number of stowaways trying to get to Western Europe by hiding in the undercarriages of passenger planes.

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Finally: N100 ATM Service Charge Gets Dec. 17th Termination Date

CBN Governor: Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Following the outcome of the Bankers Committee meeting where it was agreed that N100 ATM service charge would be stopped, the Central Bank of Nigeria has announced that starting from next week Monday, December 17, 2012, customers of deposit money banks will no longer pay N100 on withdrawals from Automated Teller Machines whenever they use banks other than theirs.

Mr. Lamido Sanusi, the governor of the CBN, gave the good news on Sunday at the fourth Annual Retreat of the Bankers Committee in Calabar. He said that the  bank would begin the effective implementation of the removal of bank charges associated with the use of other banks’ ATMs by customers from next Monday.

In his words, “We have agreed on a final date of Monday 17, December, 2012 for the kick-off, when every bank will remove the charges. We allowed some time for banks that have not configured their IT to do so and stop charging, and hopefully by 17th of December, you are not going to have any customer pay additional charges.”

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HUSBAND OF SUICIDE NURSE WRITES ABOUT LOSS

Husband of  Jacintha Saldanha ,nurse who committed suicide in London who answered the prank call by the Australian DJ's have finally spoken up on the tragic loss of his wife,he spoke through his Facebook page
              
        "I am devastated with the tragic loss of my  beloved Jacintha in tragic circumstances
          she would be laid  to rest in Shirva,India.
The hospital where she worked King Edward VII would establish  the Jacintha Saldanha  memorial fund in her memory.Donations may be sent to :Finance .King Edward VII's Hospital,10 Beaumont,St. London W1G,6AA,U.K.
   May her soul rest in peace :-(
 As for the Australian DJ's their program has been terminated and they have been suspended

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Rita Dominic Clinches Actress Of The Year Award In Kenya

The awards just keep pouring in for sultry nollywood diva, Rita Dominic as she added another award to her trophies cabinet yesterday in far away Kenya. Miss Dominic was announced the winner of the best actress of the year category at the Kalasha Film and Television Awards held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The gap-toothed talented thespian won the award which is organized by the Kenyan Film Commission, at the expense of two Kenyans; Patricia Kihoro and Joan Amara. Again, her role in the Kenyan movie, ‘Shattered’ earned her the highly coveted award. Other actresses nominated in the same award category were Patricia Kihoro for her role in the film ‘Miss Nobody’ and Joan Amara for her role in the movie ‘Miss Pathetic’.

The UniPort Theatre Arts graduate will look back on a successful year where she won the best actress in a leading role at the 2012 AMAA awards for her role in the movie ‘Shattered’ and FAB awards’ most stylish actress of the year – with smiles.

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SICK!!; Mentally Deranged Woman Holds Up Traffic In Surulere

There was mild drama on Sunday around 7:45pm at Ogunlana Drive in Surulere, Lagos, when a middle-aged woman suspected to be mentally deranged stepped on the road and held traffic for a long time.

There was a traffic build-up with motorists wondering what the problem might be and not knowing exactly how to get her off the road.

The driver, who was in an Honda Civic car, waited patiently for the woman, who spoke good English, to be persuaded to leave the road.

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Manchester Derby: Ferdinand Pays Respect To Hart For Stepping In City Fan Attempts Attack

Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United, Joe Hart & Carlos Tevez of Manchester City Apprehend A Pitch Invader

Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has paid tribute to Manchester City keeper, Joe Hart for shielding him from a fan who attempted to attack him.

Good sportsmanship is about playing the game square and fair and accepting the outcome in good faith. This is especially so in the game of soccer which has been riddled with racism allegations among players, fans to players and most recently, match officials to players. The ability of sportsmen and women to rise above pettiness and unhealthy rivalry is an added asset and this is what Joe Hart, Man City’s keeper displayed on Sunday when he intervened as a fan ran towards Ferdinand, moments after the United defender had been cut on the forehead by a coin thrown from the crowd.

To show his heartfelt appreciation for the unexpected display of good sportsmanship he got from his national team-mate who was at the receiving end of a painful 2-3 lose to Man Utd., Ferdinand tweeted: “Respect to Joe Hart for protecting that idiot who ran on!! Love the banter between fans but there is a point when it goes too far…calm it!”

Ferdinand suffered the cut when he was struck as United’s players celebrated Robin van Persie’s 92nd-minute winner.

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BREAKING NEWS: Kidnappers Of Okonjo-Iweala’s Mother Demand 1Billion Dollars Ransom

The Kidnappers that Abducted 82 Years Old Mother Of Finance Minister Prof. Kanene Okonjo at their family home in Ogwashi uku, Delta state, are demanding for a whopping $1 billion ransom.

Majesty, Professor Chukwuka Aninshi Okonjo Agbogidi, the reigning Obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom was kidnapped Sunday at about 1:30 pm from the husband’s palace at Ogbe-Ofu quarters in Ogwahi-Uku by eight gunmen who stormed the palace in two Audi cars.
The demand for a $1billion ransom according to source was relayed to the family of the woman this morning.

Its yet to be seen how the family will react to this development, but in a statement made available to elombah.com yesterday, the minister’s spokesman Paul Nwabuikwu said; “at this point, it is difficult to say whether those behind this action are the same people who have made threats against the Coordinating Minister in the recent past or other elements with hostile motives. No possibility can be ruled out at this point

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Why did Jacintha Saldanha commit suicide over a prank?

Jacintha Saldanha (pictured above left) is the 46 year old nurse who killed herself after being duped by a hoaxer pretending to be the Queen. Three days before her death, Mrs Saldanha was manning the hospital switchboard where Kate Middleton was taken to for acute morning sickness when she took a call from two Australian radio presenters – Mel Greig and Michael Christian – (pictured above right) impersonating the Queen and Prince Charles. They were transferred to the Duchess’s ward and broadcast confidential information given to them by a second nurse. Although she wasn’t blamed in any way for what happened, friends said Mrs Saldanha ‘took it very badly’ when prank was broadcast.
She was found dead on Friday morning in the nurses’ accommodation at the hospital.

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Man brutally Beats Mother-In-Law For Teaching His Wife Prostitution

A Nkayi man has been arraigned before the court of law for ruthlessly thumping his mother-in-law accusing her of teaching his wife prostitution.

Steven Tshuma beat up his mother-in-law, only identified as Gogo Simangaphi (74). The incident took place on 20 November.

State prosecutor, Maxwell Hapanyengwi, told the court that on the day in question, the accused went to Simangaphi’s homestead and accused her of teaching his wife prostitution. When he got to the homestead, the son-in-law entered into his mother-in-law’s bedroom hut and dragged her by the hand.

Tshuma is said to have pushed the elderly woman out of the hut before descending on her several times with a lof. As a result of the beating, Gogo Simangaphi sustained serious injuries. Having completed ‘dealing’ with her, Tshuma proceeded to his grandmother, Sonny Tshuma’s homestead, where he demanded to see his wife.

He accused his grandmother (84) of hiding his wife in the bedroom. A misunderstanding between gogo Sonny and Tshuma ensued as a result of the accusations. To prove he meant ‘business’, Tshuma whipped his grandmother with a log and the old woman sustained serious injuries too as a result of the assault.

For his savage behaviour, Tshuma appeared before magistrate Ndumo Masuku where he pleaded guilty to charged that were levelled against him. He was convicted but sentence will be passed on 12 December.

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Rihanna blasts Chris Brown as he parties with Karrueche in Paris

Rihanna was very angry after she found out Karrueche Tran joined Chris Brown in Paris and partied with him on Friday night after his concert.

She took to twitter and sent out a series of angry tweets that seemingly were aimed at Chris. She tweeted -Examine what you tolerate, Claps for the basic b**ches. See more below...

 

 

 

Chris Brown must have reached out to her to explain what Karrueche was doing with him in Paris because Yesterday night, Rihanna Tweeted a photo of herself lying in his arms with the caption, 
'Damn....... I miss my nigga #thuglife #BFFlif. See it after the cut...

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Okada Rider Electrocuted To Death In Lagos

A man suspected to be an okada rider was on Saturday evening electrocuted to death in Ejigbo, Lagos State.

 The deceased, identified as Oche Samuel, was said to have met his death at the shop of a motorcycle mechanic in the area. It was learnt that the deceased had taken his bike for repairs before the sad incident. An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Kayode, said as Samuel entered into the shop, a Power Holding Company of Nigeria high tension cable sparked and fell on Ailegun Road, off Ronik College. Kayode said when the incident happened, tension was heightened in the area, resulting in residents running helter-skelter. He said in the ensuing confusion, Samuel marched on some of the fallen cables and he was electrocuted. The eyewitness said fear of being electrocuted prevented sympathisers from giving Samuel first aid. He said by the time an official of the PHCN arrived the scene for on-the-spot assessment, Samuel had died. Kayode said it was through the deceased’s mobile phone they were able to get his brother. He said when the deceased’s brother came, he took the corpse to the mortuary. As of 8.30pm on Saturday, the fire on the pole was still not put out. Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident, told our correspondent on the phone on Sunday that the deceased was an okada rider, who went to repair his motorcycle when the incident occurred. “The man, an okada rider went to a mechanic workshop to repair his motorcycle. It was during the time that the electric pole started to spark. In the process, he was electrocuted. His corpse has been deposited at the morgue of General Hospital, Isolo,” she said. The spokesperson said investigation on the matter was ongoing.

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Okonjo-Iweala’s Mum’s Kidnap: Suspect Arrested

Security agents were battling all yesterday to find the unknown gunmen who kidnapped Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother.

Prof. Kamene Okonjo, 82, was kidnapped by eight gunmen who stormed the Ogbe-Ofu palace of the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State in two cars shortly before 2pm.

The octogenarian Professor of Medicine is the wife of the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof Chukwuka Aninshi Okonjo, who was not in town at the time of the incident.

Delta State police spokesman Charles Muka said: “Yes, we have got the information on the kidnap. We also have information that will lead to the arrest of the hoodlums.”

The minister confirmed the kidnapping of her mother. A statement last night by her Special Adviser Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, entitled: “Abduction of Prof. (Mrs) Okonjo” said: “Earlier today, Professor (Mrs) Kamene Okonjo, wife of Professor Chukuka Okonjo, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was abducted from her home in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.

“At this point, it is difficult to say whether those behind this action are the same people who have made threats against the Coordinating Minister in the recent past or other elements with hostile motives.

“No possibility can be ruled out at this point.

“This is obviously a very difficult time for the entire Okonjo family. But the family is hopeful of a positive outcome as it fervently prays for the quick and safe return of the matriarch.”

The police said it had arrested a man who allegedly left the compound a few minutes before the incident took place.

The man was said to have informed the housemaid that he was in the palace to take the queen mother somewhere in the town.

It was gathered that the kidnappers, numbering about 10, were lurking around the palace, until the woman and her maid came down to serve workers at the gate soft drinks.

An eye witness account said as soon as she came down from the main building towards the gate, the criminals moved in from the gate, grabbed her and pushed her into a waiting Golf Volkswagen car.

“The abductors were heavily armed. They were about 10. They held up the men fixing the interlocking tiles and asked them to lie face down. Immediately they saw her, they bundled her into the waiting Golf car. Another car was parked outside,” the witness said.

One of them went upstairs to collect the octogenarian’s handbag. The eyewitness said another maid, who saw the kidnappers upstairs, hid herself in the Kitchen.

The suspected kidnapper informed his accomplices that there was no one else in the house. They zoomed off with Mrs Okonjo.

At the palace yesterday, the atmosphere was gloomy. Sympathisers, including members of the community’s vigilance group, were discussing the development.

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