3.1m households will benefit from school feeding scheme during lockdown ―FG

The federal government has said a total of 3.1 million households in Nigeria will benefit from its Homegrown School Feeding programme during the lockdown period.

The revelation came as 520 people living with disabilities in Abuja village, Saturday, benefited from its ongoing palliatives following the lockdown declared to control the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, speaking at the Disabled Colony, a settlement in Abuja for the PLWD and located at Karmajiji Village, along Musa Yar’Adua Expressway, said the government was going through state governments to reach the beneficiaries.

Handing over the palliatives to the 520 beneficiaries, the minister explained that the government’s gesture was aimed at cushioning the hardship they were facing as a result of the lockdown.

She said the government was also reaching out with palliatives to other vulnerable groups across the country through their respective state governments.

She said her ministry had convened a technical working group that would come up with actionable plans and strategies how to relate with PLWD, promising that “we will take the appropriate action as soon as the technical working group submits its report.” (Vanguard Newspaper)

COVID-19: FG To Probe Kogi, Cross River Zero Case Claims

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said on Friday at the daily rundown of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja that the Federal Government would bulletin its technical teams to validate the claims by Kogi and Cross River states that they did not have COVID-19 cases.

He said the initial team conclude to Kogi had a failed mission because of “some differences” with the state authorities but that a fresh engagement would be carried out.

Ehanire said, “Kogi State is one of the two states that have said that they do not have COVID-19 patients. They seem to be sure of this. So, the agreement we have had with them after discussion with the governor is that we shall send a team in just to validate that fact and engage the authorities.

“Of course, we do that for national records and to be able to report to the world the situation in our country. We tried to send a team into Kogi on Thursday but there were some differences there. So, we need to engage the state governor again and state some conditions within which the ministry and NCDC can complete their jobs. We are going to send a team to Cross River next week also.”

The minister in his address also noted that a technical team deployed to Kano State by the ministry had trained 100 ambulance drivers and patient handlers as part of efforts in tackling the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister said the government was also making efforts to build the “prowess of critical care doctors and nurses to make use of ventilators and other appliances being allocated to rigorous care hospitals nationwide.”

He added, “A ministerial technical team comprising of various specialists was set up and deployed to Katsina State to assess the situation and report on needed support. Also, calm has been reinstate in the Gombe State isolation centres.”

The minister also said government’s team was in Jigawa State on a fact-finding mission as the state resist with repatriated Almajirai, “of whom many have tested positive for COVID-19.”

Ehanire said, “On Friday morning, we deployed a multi-sectoral technical team on a fact-finding mission to Jigawa State at the request of the state governor. The challenges in Jigawa revolve around repatriated Almajiris, of whom many have tested positive for COVID-19.

“The team includes doctors and nurses, who will support the state Ministry of Health in setting up and authorize their isolation and treatment centres.”

Contractors are making progress on State Projects- Fayemi

Despite the lockdown order in Ekiti State as part of measures to contain Covid-19, construction works are ongoing at the projects initiated by the State Government as contractors are working hard to meet set deadlines.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi  stated this on Friday when he inspected some of the on going projects in several parts of the State.

Governor  Fayemi, who inspected projects at the College of Agriculture and Technology, Isan Ekiti, Ikupeju- Ire- Ilumoba and Ado- Iyin road projects as well as the ongoing water project, described construction work as essential duty that must be allowed during the lockdown in order for the contractors to meet up with the deadline given to them.

He added that the contractors working on the state projects were working within the precinct of safety and security.

The Governor said: "we allowed them to work because for us construction is an essential duty. In order to meet the deadline they have been given, of course within the limit of safety and security."

Dr Fayemi who was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner for works and Transport, Mr Sola Adebayo, Special Adviser on Road infrastructure and Transport, Mr Sunday Adunmo, Senior Special Assistant on Public buildings and infrastructure, Arch Wale Ajayi and other government functionaries, also inspected  on going drainage work at Ilupeju-Ire-Iluomoba road where asphalt laying has commenced.

 

Expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work done in the places visited, Dr Fayemi said; "As you can see for yourself, they (the Contractors) were making progress on the projects we visited.

The Governor said infrastructure  development of the State would not be impeded by the war against the coronavirus.

N426m Found In Army General’s Bank Accounts -EFCC

The sum of N426.7m belonging to Brig Gen John Onimisi Ozigi (retd), suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities has been forfeited to the federal government.

The order for its final forfeiture was given by Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, May 8, 2020.

The Judge had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of the money following an exparte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A statement issued on Saturday by Spokesman of the anti-graft, Dele Oyewale, said other respondents are Diamond Head Ventures and Dev. Company Ltd.

According to the statement, the judge, in granting the interim forfeiture order, directed interested parties to show cause why the sum of money should not be permanently forfeited to the government.

Furthermore, the statement said, the commission, in an affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Clever Ibrahim, stated that the first respondent, Ozigi, was an officer of the Nigerian Army, while the second respondent, Diamond Head Venture, was a business name owned and incorporated by the first respondent.

EFCC, in the application, also stated that the first respondent, was a salary earner and a public officer with an estimated monthly salary of about N750. 000.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

“The EFCC, through its lawyer, Nkereuwem Anana, further stated that the money was found in an account opened in the name of the first and second respondents,” the statement briefly reads.

Anana, while moving the application for final forfeiture of the money, stated that the first respondent, in his statement to the Commission, indicated willingness to refund the money to the Federal Government, adding that the said statement was attached as exhibit 3.

The EFCC counsel, therefore, urged the court to grant the final forfeiture of the money, saying that “ if made, it will serve the course of justice, as same is sought in good faith and in accordance with the Oaths Act.”

Delivering his judgement on Friday,  Justice Hassan granted the motion for final forefeiture as prayed by the Commission.

“The Judge held that the respondent failed to satisfy the court with concrete evidence why the money suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities should not be forfeited to the Federal Government,” the statement added.

“The application has met the conditions stipulated in Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Related Offences Act.

“The application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.” (The Whistle)

Why I Poisoned My Husband Of 8 Years- Angry Wife Narrates Her Ordeal

A 33-year-old wife in Nasarawa state has recounted how she poisoned her husband of eight years to death because he was deliberately sex-starving her while cheating on her with her best friend.

The angry wife identified as Janet Ekpe who has two children with her husband, Sunday Ekpe, confessed that she killed him after she found out he was having an affair with her best friend, Helen, who is a widow in Zumbagwe community in Karu local government area of the state.

According to The Nation, Janet and Sunday seemed to be living a happy life until she noticed that his sexual desire for her started to decline after they welcomed their second child.

In her confessional statement, Janet said

“We were married for eight years with two children. It was three years ago I discovered that my husband had fallen in love with my best friend, a widow, and had been dating her. Since then, he stopped sleeping with me; he began to starve me sexually while satisfying my best friend.

“When we got married eight years ago, sex seemed to be the only thing on my husband’s mind. He was always in the mood. We would make love three or four times before morning, and when he woke up, he would be ready to continue. There were days he skipped work and we would spend the whole day making love.

“We had sex in the bathroom, in the kitchen, and anywhere it caught our fancy in the house. I became used to constant sex through him and also became the envy of my close friends, including my best friend who he later fell in love with.

“Whenever we shared stories of our exploits in bed, my friends felt I had the best man and jokingly begged me to allow them to have my husband just for a day because their husbands could not satisfy them in bed. But shortly after we had our two kids, I began to notice his disinterest in sex with me and his performance level began to drop.

“While we were having sex on a regular basis before, it came down to two times in a week and later became so bad that we could stay for three or four months without making love. Initially, I was not bothered because I felt that he would come around it after the babies were weaned. But I was wrong. He began to starve me of sex for months on end. It got to the point that I would be begging him to sleep with me but he would rebuff my requests.

“At times, he would tell me I should relive the moments we had sex every day and wallow in that fantasy. When I pestered him further, he told me he was no more interested in sex as he had had enough to last him a lifetime. He even told me that sex is not food and that if I felt so sex-starved, I should get a man to satisfy me.

“I reported the matter to our church and the pastor summoned him, but he could not convince our pastor. I reported the matter to his parents in the village and some of his relations around, but he ignored their invitation. Within this period, my husband started keeping late night, which was very unusual of him.

“Unknown to me, my best friend, Helen, who is a widow, started keeping distance with me, while some of my friends started hinting that she and my husband were dating. I watched the way they acted and how happy he always seemed in her presence. I monitored them closely and caught them five times in a drinking joint in new Nyanyan. When I confronted him about it, he said I was being silly; so I decided to believe the whole story. The worst was the day I saw a text message from Helen in my husband’s phone, thanking him for giving her the best sexual satisfaction ever in her life the previous day. I was devastated. I felt sick and angry. I was hurt that my own husband could do this to me. I went back to our pastor but my husband turned down the pastor’s invitation and even stopped attending church.

“At this point, he stopped coming back home most times and resorted to sleeping in hotels with Helen. I felt like a single mum and it upset me. I confronted Helen and told her she was hurting me and that their relationship was getting stronger while they were not taking my feelings into consideration. I could not stand the thought of them being so close.

“I used to love and trust my husband but he turned me into something I never knew I could become: a murderer. I killed him. I poisoned him and watched him die in our bedroom, painfully. I mixed a deadly, colorless, tasteless, and odorless substance in his meal and drinking water which destroyed his intestines immediately. He cried and struggled uncontrollably after taking the meal. He gave up after an hour and I used a sharp blade and knife to chop off his penis, place it on his chest as evidence of what killed him.

“If your penis is the one that is giving you the audacity to have feelings for my best friend and refusing to listen to the advice of your parents and even your pastor, it is better to cut it off. Mr Sunday (Ekpe), a cheating, filthy, lying bastard, ought to die for me to live. I deserve to live because I am human and have blood flowing in my veins. These foolish men, you give them everything, yet they choose to fool around and play with your intelligence. I had monitored him closely and tolerated him for long and his end has come.”

An uncle of the deceased, Adakole Onoja, who was also interviewed, said he called the late Sunday several times, warning him not to sexually starve his wife.

“When his wife reported the matter to me, I invited him to my house and told him the implications of his actions. You cannot completely starve your young wife of sex and resort to dating her best friend. Many people, including his parents in the village, his pastor, and his close friends, interfered in the issue but he turned a deaf ear to them.

“Maybe that was how he was destined to end his life. His wife’s action may not be right, but she is a human being too.” Onoja said

We’re lured into Ansaru terror group with trip to Libya, better life –Suspects

Nine suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis - Sudan (aka Ansaru) have said they were lured into joining the terror group with promises of a trip to Libya and a better life.

The suspected terrorists were recently arrested by operatives of the Inspector- General of Police Intelligence Response Team.

They were Mustapha Aminu (23), Saidu Aminu (26), Aminu Shuaibu (33), Yusuf Abubakar (24 ), all from Kaduna State .

Others were Ishak Khalid (30 ), Awal Tela (34 ), and Abubakar Mustafa (32) from Plateau State , Abubakar Muhammad (25 ) from Kano State , and Shuaibu Ahmadu (25 ) from Katsina State.

The IRT said the terror group was responsible for the kidnapping of two expatriates, a Jordanian and Syrian working with Triacta Nigeria Limited at Shiroro , Niger State on December 9 , 2019 .

The group was said to have collected a ransom of N120m before releasing the captives. Gang members were reportedly given between N200, 000 and N 300, 000 each.

Gang leaders , one Aliyu Sokoto and Mus ’ab , also reportedly sent a threat email to the company’s managing director seeking a yearly payment of N50 m to stop kidnapping the company’s expatriates.

The police also said the group was responsible for the kidnapping of the Magajin Garin Daura in Katsina State and the attack on Mothercat Construction Company.

Speaking to City Round during the week, Mustapha recounted that his father handed him over to one Mamoud , who taught him how to shoot and drive their operational vehicles.

He said, “ My job was to run errands until I was able to travel to Libya for training. I normally assisted them to buy food and sometimes watch over the people that were kidnapped.

“ When I was converted , they told us we were fighting against the Nigerian government. They made us believe that when we took over Nigeria, our families would become millionaires and own houses in Abuja. I was placed on N 100, 000 monthly allowance.”

Mustapha ’s elder brother , Saidu, said he was 17 years old and in his final year in secondary school when his father , a member of the group who was arrested by the police last year , asked him to withdraw from school and join the terror gang .

“ As soon as I was converted in 2015 , I was sent to Libya for training. I was supposed to be in the field , so my training was more of how to survive during a war. They told us that if we were trained there, we would experience real fighting between the government and our members. I was there for just six months before I had an accident and they had to cut two of my fingers.

“ I was driving our operational jeep when I unknowingly fell into a ditch. They said I could not continue with my training, so I was sent back home . Back in Nigeria, I was told to go and learn how to sew clothes and that I would assist them when the need arose . By this , no one would suspect that I belong to the group. They would send money to my account and I would help them buy items that they needed to survive in the bush,” he said.

Shuaibu , 29, said he was enticed to the group by one Mamoud sometime in 2015 while they prayed at the mosque.

He said, “ After prayers , we would hang out and discuss life . I was a member of the Izala Muslim Movement and we normally gathered for prayers and to listen to lectures from the imam. Mamoud was the one that told me about Ansaru and that I would make more money if I became a member . He explained to me that we were fighting the cause of Allah and I would also have the opportunity to travel to Libya .

“ Three years ago , I was one of the members who were drafted to go to Libya to assist in fighting against their government. On getting to Libya, I was drafted to work at their clinic.”

Meanwhile , the IRT has said investigations were ongoing and that efforts were in progress to arrest the remaining members of the terror group.

The team said the suspects had confessed to the crimes while 204 rounds of AK- 47 live ammunition , military uniforms , vehicles , drugs , foodstuffs, and charms were recovered from them.

(The Punch)

Protect Ekiti, Fayemi orders Amotekun

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has told    the Ekiti State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) Board  to protect residents  of  the state.

Fayemi  spoke during a meeting with the  board in Ado Ekiti on Friday.

He urged the security outfit  to ensure that every part of the state was safe for residents.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode,  the governor said his administration would continue to collaborate with the police and other security agencies towards  protecting all communities in the state.

He also said the state would  collaborate  with other South-West  states  to share intelligence and ideas to prevent  bandits and other criminals from wreaking havoc on the state.

Fayemi said, “This was what led to our   (South-West governors) decision to set up the security network agency on a state-by-state basis, but coordinating and collaborating with one another because crimes don’t recognise boundaries.

“Because of that, we need to share intelligence, ideas and work together  to ensure that whatever we do at state level is effective and efficient.

“The idea, of course, is that security is about people and it should be driven by people. The citizens themselves are the best providers of security because they have information about what is going on in their environment and if they are alive and attentive to it, they would be able to respond effectively to whatever challenges that may arise.”

According to him, the board comprise people who have wide experience in security matters  representing critical stakeholders like the police,  Department of  State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and others.

He said  the meeting was  aimed at interacting  with stakeholders ahead of  the  formalisation of the outfit  with the endorsement and clearance of the state House of Assembly.

There Is No Resumption Date Yet For Schools- FG

Disregard any information stating schools to resume on 1st of June.
Here is a letter from the ministry of education concerning the fake news. 

Below:-

We’re Preparing For Life After Coronavirus –Fayemi

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State says his administration is preparing for life after the COVID-19 pandemic while acknowledging the troubling impact of the disease on economic and social activities.

Dr Fayemi, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, spoke on Friday night during Public Eye Live interaction with Funmi Iyanda on Instagram.

According to him, nobody saw the coronavirus and its devastating effect on the health sector coming when they were preparing for 2020.

“We are having to review the budget of states just as the Federal Government is also reviewing its budget.

“This is the number one challenge for government in the world, and at the local level that’s also our number one challenge.

“We are diverting a lot of our resources to the health sector,” he said.

With nine active cases of COVID-19, two discharges and one death in Ekiti as of Friday, May 8, the governor praised his state’s response to the disease.

“Even though we don’t have the resources of Lagos, we set about this work almost immediately as soon as we had the first case (of coronavirus) in Lagos.

“We set up a local training arrangement. By the time we eventually got the first case around the 15th of March, we were read.

“Our infectious disease centre was ready; we had everything we needed to have in place,” he said.

Governor Fayemi declared that Ekiti is learning from the challenges of COVID-19.

“This virus will go. What if another virus will come?

“We should use this as a chance to focus on building our economy to be ready for this kind of thing.

“Our first priority is to ensure that livelihood isn’t threatened.

“Yes, we want to save lives but people should also be able to eke out a living. We also have a commitment to our small and medium scale enterprises were the bulk of our business people are.

“One of the critical things we are using is agriculture.

We feel this is an opportunity for us to break out of our seeming attachment to subsistence farming to commercial agribusiness,” he added.

Speaking earlier on Public Eye, Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, described policemen as frontline workers in the fight against coronavirus.

He called on Nigerians to cooperate with the police to make the gradual easing of lockdown imposed in most parts of the country easier.

“As police officers, we are also struggling with the challenges of COVID 19. But we suffer quietly and bear our pain silently.

“Police officers just like other Nigerians have also become casualties and victims.

“A lot of police officers that work in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and other big cities in Nigeria particularly in the lower rank live outside of the city centre because of rent.

“With COVID 19 most of these people don’t own private vehicles, but they are expected to turn up to work. Lots of these police officers are spending four or five times the amount of money coming to work than they would usually spend along with the health hazards,” Mr. Mba said.

He confirmed that at least one police officer has died of COVID-19 and an unspecified number has tested positive.

“These deaths and the increasing number of police officers contracting this disease point to the fact that we are indeed in danger just as our brothers and sisters working in core medical fields are also in danger,” Mba said.

Also speaking, Professor Oyewale Tomori warned that Nigeria is headed for a calamity if the right thing is not done to fix the healthcare system.

“Unfortunately, we are a country that lives by lessons forgotten. We did very well with Ebola and soon after that, we forgot all of those things.

“Nobody is talking about Lassa fever. More people have died of Lassa fever this year than COVID.

“It’s unfortunate that we never learn from the past,” the renowned virologist lamented.

Public Eye is produced by Oya Media with support from McArthur Foundation.

President Buhari reveals total amount in COVID-19 donation accounts

As the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 continues to roll out measures on how to curtial the spread of the pandemic in the country and manage its health and economic implications, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended public-spirited Nigerians and organisations for their financial and material support.

President Buhari also revealed the total amount in the five bank accounts designated for the COVID-19 contribution.

In a statement signed by his Spokesman, Garba Shehu and made available to DAILY POST on Friday, Buhari cited the provision of isolation, treatment and laboratory centres/facilities by individuals and companies such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Guaranty Trust Bank and ThisDay Newspapers and Partners among others in several states and Federal Capital Territory.

The President called on other privileged Nigerians and bodies to emulate these laudable gestures.

According to President Buhari, “We are facing a national challenge and all hands must be on deck to navigate this difficult course. In this respect, all types of assistance are welcome, big or small. The spirit behind the contributions is salutary.”

Records obtained from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation about lodgements from 111 individuals and organisations into the FGN Covid-19 Eradication Support Accounts in the five designated banks between April 1-30, 2020, indicated the total sum of Six Hundred and Ninety Seven million, Five Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Eight Naira only (N697, 538, 108.00).

The above consists small payments of N5, N10, N14, N20 by individuals to huge deposits of N200 million by Dantata Property Development; N100 million by Ocean Trust Ltd; N25 million by NSITF; N20 million by Ebele and Anyichuks Foundation; N15 million by Nizamiya Hospital Abuja; and N10 million each by Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship and Association of Bureau De Change (BDC) respectively, among others. (DAILY POST)

Farmer Rapes 13yr Old Girl in Ekiti

A 52year old farmer has allegedly have  a carnal knowledge of a 13year old girl in Ekiti state. 

It was  gathered that the teenager who resides with her grandmother was sent on an errand when she met the farmer who offered her some corn.

On getting home, the little girl went to the man’s house to appreciate the gesture but it turned out the other way round as the man took the advantage to lure the teenager into the criminal act.

The grandmother of the survivor raised an alarm after the girl could not walk properly.

A community chief in the area was later notified from where the security agents were informed.

(Roundoffnews) 

Lagos Government Predicts 120,000 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases By July

The Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says the state may record between 90,000 and 120,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) by July.

Abayomi, who made this known during a media briefing on COVID-19 update on Friday in Lagos, said it was estimated that the state would reach its peak period by July or August.

The commissioner said the state recorded its highest number of infections on May 7 with 183 new cases confirmed.

He disclosed that Alimosho, Oshodi and Isolo Local Government Areas of the state were beginning to record increased cases of COVID-19.

According to him, 97 per cent of patients at the state’s isolation centres are mild and moderate cases, with only three per cent being severe cases.

Abayomi said mortality rate from the infection was more among males, adding that those with underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, were at higher risk.

The commissioner noted that the state had upscaled its testing capacity to reach more people toward flattening the curve of the virus spread.

He disclosed that the 256 Nigerian returnees from the United Arab Emirate that arrived Lagos on May 6 were lodged at hotels in Ikeja and Lekki.

According to him, they will be isolated for 14 days, before being allowed back into society.

On 10 people associated with the Government House, Marina, who tested positive to COVID-19, Abayomi said the patients were currently receiving treatment at the isolation centres.

According to him, 80 members of staff of the State House, Marina, including the governor and his family were tested, and only 10 people were confirmed positive to the virus.

Abayomi said he had not been tested recently, adding there was no need since he wasn’t showing any symptom.

“If there are reasons, I will definitely present myself for testing,” the commissioner said.

He disclosed that the state would commence Hydroxychloroquine clinical trial from next week, in a strategic three arms plan of treatment, prevention and for people at high risk of COVID-19.

The commissioner, however, complained that the state was faced with the challenge of confirmed cases of COVID-19, fleeing their homes before the ambulance got there to pick them.

He advised people to desist from such practices, adding that the earlier they commenced treatment, the higher their chances of survival.

Abayomi also advised citizens to continue to maintain social distancing, good respiratory hygiene and the wearing of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Coronavirus: Treatment Centers Running Out Of Bed Spaces- FG

The Federal Government says coronavirus isolation and treatment centres in the country are running out of bed spaces.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, revealed this on Friday during a briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.

While delivering his address, Mustapha said efforts were being intensified to monitor the level of compliance of the Federal Government advisories and guidelines regarding the phased ease of lockdown in the country.

He said the PTF met with heads of security agencies and asked them to ensure strict enforcement of the inter-state travel restrictions as part of efforts to curb the community transmission of the pandemic.

Mustapha said, “The outcome of our surveillance still points to the fact that violations are still rampant and as I have always pointed out, portends a very dangerous trend.

“Nigeria is presently at the community transmission phase and yesterday – Thursday 7th May, 2020, we witnessed the highest single-day number of 381 confirmed cases. This could be considered worrisome but for the fact that this rise is associated with our increased testing capacity, which has provided an opportunity to detect hitherto hidden cases.

“However, this increased testing does not translate to higher fatality rates as in the last few days, we have witnessed a good number of discharges and a continually reducing daily fatality rate.

“We have also received reports from the states, which suggests that the treatment centres are running out of bed spaces. As we assess the situation, the PTF shall also begin to examine our peculiar circumstances, modify the strategies for care management, and consider viable alternatives, where necessary. At the appropriate time, the guidelines and protocols shall be unfolded.” (The PUNCH)

Court Fines Man Forty Thousand Naira In Ekiti Over Failure To Wear Face Mask

An Ado Ekiti Magistrate Court has imposed a fine of forty thousand naira on one Vincent Ikechukwu for failure to use a face mask which has become mandatory in the state since the wake of COVID 19 Pandemic.

The offender who is the first to face such penalty will also engage in community labour for three days in addition to the fine.

Magistrate B.A Oluwasanmi in the judgement highlights the threat to existence, caused by the COVID 19 Pandemic, and why it is a serious crime to flout the law put in place to ensure safety for all.

Over a hundred violators including clergymen have been given various punishments in Ekiti State for violation of government orders meant to check the spread of COVID 19.

The State government had last week released a fresh guideline to regulate movement and activities during the pandemic season as Governor, Kayode Fayemi warned that violators will be arrested and prosecuted according to the framework developed by the State Ministry of Justice.

Below is the charge as read to Okechukwu:

“That You Vincent Ikechuckwu at about 11am on the 8th day of May, 2020 at Fajuyi,Ado-Ekiti Magisterial district, did without lawful excuse, move without wearing a cloth face mask, thereby violating the provisions of Regulations 4 (2) (a) of Regulation 4 Punishable under Regulation 12 of the Ekiti State Coronavirus (Prevention of infection) Regulations 1-4 ,2020 made pursuant to section 8 of the Quarantine act, Cap Q2, LFN, 2004″

Nigeria Records 386 New COVID-19 Cases As Total Hits 3912

Nigeria has recorded 386 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 3,912.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known via its verified Twitter handle on Friday.

The 386 new cases are the highest Nigeria has ever recorded in 24 hours since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

It tweeted: “386 new cases of #COVID19; 176-Lagos, 65-Kano, 31-Katsina, 20-FCT 17-Borno 15-Bauchi 14-Nasarawa 13-Ogun 10-Plateau 4-Oyo 4-Sokoto 4-Rivers 3-Kaduna 2-Edo 2-Ebonyi 2-Ondo 1-Enugu 1-Imo 1-Gombe 1-Osun.”

Nigeria Latest News

Ekiti set to establish own COVID -19 laboratory

The Ekiti State Government on Friday expressed its desire to set up a COVID-19 laboratory facility, in order to increase its capacity for more tests for residents of the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, made the disclosure during a COVID-19 update press briefing held by the pandemic task force at the Governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti.

She said the facility would be provided by Governor Kayode Fayemi, in partnership with well-meaning Ekiti indigenes and other private sponsors.

According to Yaya-Kokade, “The Federal government promised to provide a facility but it has not been forthcoming. The Governor, Dr. Fayemi now used his own initiative to reach out to well-meaning Ekiti Indigenes and friends to provide a facility that will boost our testing capacity.

“We are very optimistic that the testing kits, reagents, and other materials to be used will arrive Ekiti next week”, she said.

Yaya-Kolade, who said the state presently has seven patients on admission, hinted that some of them have turned negative but still awaiting second tests before they can be discharged.

“All of them are also stable. We are still tracing about eleven contacts who had contacts with the patients in isolation”.

On the number of results being awaited, Yaya-Kolade stated that blood samples were being taken continuously , especially for those who entered the state through illegal means.

Some people who came into Ekiti and those who are manifesting signs are being quarantined and their blood samples were being taken on a daily basis.

“We are determined to ensure that Ekiti records no death again and our testing capability is still going to be increased with the test laboratory we are planning for Ekiti”.

Yaya-Kolade clarified that Ekiti has not absolutely banned burial ceremony, saying such can be done with proper approval from the state government.

“Burial can be done in Ekiti upon getting approval and it has to be done in compliance with social distancing directive and with such gathering not more than 20 people”.

The commissioner added that Governor Fayemi had ordered compulsory COVID 19 tests for those entering the state through the borders before being discharged from the quarantine centre.

Also speaking, the Director-General, Office of Transformation and Strategic Delivery, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, added that the government had enlisted the services of driver and community associations for increased vigilance on those entering the state illicitly.

“Apart from security agencies, we are getting information from communities, so that we can arrest those sneaking into Ekiti.  Those caught are being profiled and made to face the Magistrate”.

Aluko appealed to whoever wants to help the people with palliatives to distribute it in a manner that is dignifying and in tandem with the laid down rules.

“We don’t want a situation whereby our citizens will be milling rounds and scampering for food, because they can further spread the disease through this action”.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Gbenga Agbeyo applauded the level of enforcement of compulsory use of face masks by the citizens and compliance with other directives. (Vanguard)

FG to NAFDAC: Assess Herbal Option For COVID-19 Treatment

The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to carry out necessary procedures for the assessment of a plant-based cough mixture as a possible alternative treatment for coronavirus.

This directive was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mashi Abdullahi, in a memo addressed to the director-general of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye.

The memo, titled ‘Formulation of a Phyto-Medicine-Based Cough Mixture/Syrup for the Management of COVID-19 Patients by Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Department of the Ministry said Nigeria is blessed with medicinal plants which could be exploited.

The Permanent Secretary stated that the formulation is a Cov-herbal cough mixture whose ingredients are medicinal plants, widely used as food materials and medicines.

According to him ‘these medicinal plants have documented scientific evidence of long use for the management of cough and other respiratory infections, with medicinal properties of mucolytic, antitussive, expectorant, soothing, demulcent, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects.

“It is heartwarming to note that the Department of TCAM has taken the pains to research into scientific materials to come up with a formulation intended for the management of cough in COVID-19 and other cough-related infections.”

“The ministry is determined to walk the talk in the promotion and integration of herbal medicine into the health care delivery system.

“In view of the foregoing and the desire of the ministry to showcase to the public a product that is 100 per cent sourced locally, you are requested to carry out the necessary procedures for listing.

“The ministerry will contract the packaging of the product to some identified pharmaceutical companies.”

NCDC officials return to Abuja because they refused isolation, COVID-19 test – Kogi Govt

Officials of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, sent to Kogi State have returned to Abuja after they refused to be isolated or tested for COVID-19.

The state government has insisted that the NCDC officials sent to boost their capacity will be isolated for fourteen days and be tested in line with the protocols of the center.

Commissioner for information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo said the delegation decided to leave after a dramatic scene at the Kogi State Government House on Thursday

He said why the officials refused to be tested was a matter of concern to the government of Kogi, calling on the centre to investigate the issue.

It was drama today at the Kogi State Government House as officials of the National Center for Disease Control sent to ascertain the COVID-19 status flee the state ” Fanwo said.

“The Officials said they were not ready to be tested for COVID-19 and went back to Abuja. Today, the Governor showed the statesmanship in him once again by appreciating the support of the NCDC and defending the health interests of his people.

“NCDC quarantined the Chinese professionals that came to give them technical support and also took their samples for test. It is a normal practice and protocol set by NCDC.

“So NCDC will have a lot to explain as to why its officials refused to test for COVID-19. How can we be sure of their status? What are their fears? Why did NCDC send people who are afraid of test to our State? What was their intention? The officials that came have done an integrity blow to the works of the NCDC. Is there something they are hiding? It is time NCDC opened up and apologize to the good people of Kogi State. How will they encourage people to test when its own officials are afraid of test? This is sad.”

Expulsion Of Almajiris Now Aiding Spread Of COVID-19- MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized the current trend of the expulsion of almajiris from various Northern states to their states of origin. This is because this mass expulsion has inadvertently aided the spread of, and increased the caseload of COVID-19 in the receiving states.

This was the position of MURIC in a press release issued by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, 8^th May, 2020.

 The statement reads: “Many states of the North have been expelling large numbers of almajiris back to their states of origin in recent times. For example, on April 21^st, 2020, Kano expelled 432 almajiris to Katsina, 63 to Yobe, 198 to Kaduna, etc. Expectedly, the Northern states are beginning to take responsibility and there is every reason to believe that plans are already on ground to take good care of those almajiris on arrival in their home states. The motive behind it is commendable.

 “However, the expulsions have coincided with the COVID-19 outbreak and this is our first concern. The children are being exposed to great danger. To make matters worse, significant numbers of these almajiris are testing positive to Corona virus thereby swelling the COVID-19 caseloads of their receiving states and making the management of this global pandemic more difficult for Nigerian authorities. Unfortunately, some of these almajiris are also escaping to southern states, potentially spreading COVID-19 to every nook and crany of Nigeria.  

 “It is clear that the concerned Northern states appeared to have acted without consulting Islamic scholars who are at their beck and call. Islam opposes the idea of leaving a city under plague attack. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned that, ‘If a plague breaks out in a city and you are living there, do not leave it. And if you are about to enter a city and there is a plague there, do not enter there’

 “The reported expulsions and arrangement of caravan-like trips for the expulsion of almajiris from some Northern states is therefore ill-advised and badly timed. The exercise is already being abused as some of the almajiris are allegedly escaping southwards. Worse still is the fact that some of them have already tested positive for COVID-19.

 “Nigeria would have fared better if we had strictly followed the Islamic teaching on remaining in one place during a plague. Even the world would have been safer today but the phobia for anything Islamic did not allow world powers to take advantage of the wisdom in Islamdom for managing pandemics.

 “We appeal to the security agencies to strictly enforce the ban on interstate travels, including stemming the tide of interstate almajiri ‘exports’. Many of the index cases in some states have been traced to people who came in from outside such states. The police have a case to answer, particularly concerning trailers caught with human and animal cargoes in the south during the week. How did they ply the roads that lead to the south with several roadblocks along the line?

 “As we round off, we enjoin Northern governors to postpone the expulsion of almajiris until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Instead, the Federal Government, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the NCDC should collaborate with the concerned Northern states to gather all those almajiris in a few central locations, test them for the Corona virus, isolate the infected and treat them promptly. That way, this scourge will be nipped in the bud among them and we would have prevented the spread of COVID-19 via infected almajiris to the whole of the country.

 “Those in charge of the repatriation of almajiris must also ensure that the latter do not successfully escape down south where nobody understands their culture. We charge Nigerians to exercise patience by refraining from travels around this period and, better still, by staying at home, maintaining social distancing, using facemasks and washing their hands regularly or using sanitisers.”

Supreme Court Nullifies Orji Uzor Kalu’s Conviction

The Supreme Court has nullified the judgment which convicted the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu.

A seven-man panel of the apex court also set aside the judgment which convicted Ude Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account at the Abia State Government House.

The Supreme Court gave the judgement on Friday, more than one year after both men were convicted of corruption allegations levelled against them by the Federal Government.

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos had sentenced Senator Kalu to 12 years imprisonment in his judgement delivered on April 24, 2019.

He had also sentenced Mr Udeogu to 10 years imprisonment on the same day.

Displeased with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Kalu and Udeogu filed an appeal to challenge their sentencing at the Supreme Court.

The apex court, in a unanimous verdict on the appeal delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko, declared that the conviction of the appellants was null and void.

Justice Eko explained that the declaration was on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal, as at the time he delivered the judgment sentencing the appellants.

He held that a Justice of the Court of Appeal cannot operate as a judge of the Federal High Court.

The apex court, therefore, ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the canse for trial.

Channels Television 

NFF Places Okwaraji, Yekini’s Mothers On 30, 000 Monthly Stipend

The Nigeria Football Federation has placed the mothers of late ex-internationals, Samuel Okwaraji and Rashidi Yekini on a monthly stipend of N30, 000, each.

Sports minister, Sunday Dare announced on Thursday that the ministry has placed the two matriachs, on a monthly stipend of N10,000 each.

The NFF in appreciation of Dare’s gesture has now decided to support the noble initiative and also review the situation of surviving mothers of ex-internationals that died in active service for the country.

“In furtherance to, and in appreciation of, the recent pronouncement of the HM Sports @SundayDareSD to put the mothers of late ex-internationals Sam Okwaraji and Rashidi Yekini on a monthly stipend, the NFF has decided to support this noble initiative with a further monthly stipend of N30k to each of the matriachs,”reads a tweet on the NFF’s Twitter handle on Thursday.

 In addition, the NFF will henceforth review the situation of surviving mothers of our ex-internationals that died in active service for the country and resolve what to do for them on monthly basis.” (Complete Sport)

Mask Alone Cannot Protect You – NCDC Issues Advisory On Use Of Cloth Mask

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued an advisory on the use of cloth face masks.

The disease control agency in a tweet via its official handle said on Wednesday that physical distancing remains vital in protecting oneself from COVID-19.

The agency added that face mask alone is not the form of protection because the virus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

“Remember, cloth face masks are to be used as an additional layer of physical distancing; a mask alone cannot protect you from #COVID19

“Please continue to maintain a distance of 2 metres between yourself and others at all times to stay safe,” the NCDC tweeted

The use of cloth face mask ranging from Ankara fabric to other fabrics has been on the rise in Nigeria.

The NCDC in its full advisory urged Nigerians to continue to wash their hands frequently, avoid large gatherings and adhere to other guidelines which are listed below;

1. Avoiding large gatherings.

2. Physical distancing by maintaining a distance of 2 metres between yourself and others.

3. Regular handwashing with soap under running water.

3. Frequent cleaning of surfaces with soap and water or disinfectants.

Who should not wear a cloth mask?

According to the NCDC, cloth face masks, which are a convenient substitute to medical face masks for COVID-19, should NOT be worn by individuals who are at high risk for complications due to the disease.

The following groups are advised to wear MEDICAL face masks instead of cloth face masks.

1. Health care workers and those caring for the ill.

2. Those experiencing respiratory symptoms like coughing and sneezing.

3. The elderly and those with chronic medical conditions.

Dos and Don’ts of cloths face masks

1. DO wash your hands frequently with soap under running water to avoid contamination.

2. DO adhere to social distancing measures and stay at home as much as possible.

3. DO wear a mask before leaving your home for essential services.

4. DO wear masks made with at least 3 layers of fabric.

5. DON’T use a cloth face mask on children under the age of 2 years.

6. DON’T try on new masks from vendors or wear immediately after purchasing; Wash before first use.

7. DON’T reuse a cloth face mask before it has been washed and dried.

8. DON’T leave a used face mask on uncleaned surfaces or in the reach of small children while not in use.

9. DON’T pull down your mask to cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your bent elbow over the mask until you can safely remove the mask for washing.

Handling and care of cloth face masks

Since cloth face masks are reusable, it is very important to handle properly to avoid the further spread of infectious agents.

1. Make sure the mask has been washed and is unused before first wear.

2. Wash your hands with soap under running water before touching the mask.

3. If water is not available, use a hand sanitiser.

4. Cover your nose and mouth completely with the mask making sure it fits snuggly with no open gaps.

5. Avoid touching or adjusting the mask while it is on.

6. Wash or sanitise your hands before removing the mask by the straps.

7. Wash the mask immediately with soap or detergent.

8. Before reuse, iron the mask.

Channels Television 

COVID-19 Patient Dies In Commercial Bus Travelling From Lagos

Badeggi in the Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State was thrown into confusion when one of the passengers that infringe the interstate night travel ban died in a commercial vehicle.

It was learnt that a commercial bus with registration number, JJJ 349 XN, was travelling from Lagos to a northern state through the Bida- Badeggi-Lambata high way when the vehicle broke down at Badeggi.

Our correspondent assemble that one George Udom, alerted the Niger State Task Force on COVID-19 to the presence of the bus at Badeggi in the early hours of Thursday.

The Bida zonal unit of the task force upon getting there come across that one of the passengers suspected to be a COVID -19 patient had died.

The Chairman of the state COVID-19 task force, who is also the Secretary to Niger State Government, Ibrahim Matane, briefed Governor Abubakar Bello about the development.

Director General of ICT and Public Enlightenment in the Governor’s Office, Abdul Bergki, who also confirmed this in his official Twitter handle, said, 

 “To avoid infection, the chairman has been directed to call mechanics, fix the vehicle and escort the bus out of Niger State with security personnel back to where they are coming from and hand them over to the authorities there.

“All those to be involved must wear face mask, hand gloves, eyeglasses before touching the vehicle for repairs.”

Go On 14-Day Isolation Or Leave Kogi Immediately — Bello Tells NCDC Delegation

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, on Thursday asked a delegation of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the ministry of health to go on 14-day isolation or leave the state immediately. 

The federal government had sent a delegation to Kogi to assist the state which has not recorded any COVID-19 case to boost its testing capacity. Kogi and Cross River are the only states which have not recorded in Nigeria.

Last week, Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the NCDC, had expressed dissatisfaction with the samples collected from the states, saying more tests need to be done. 

But the Kogi and Cross River governments had indirectly accused the agency of plotting to infect residents of their states with the disease.

When the team visited him at government house, Lokoja, the state capital, on Thursday night, Bello said the rules laid by the World Health Organisation (WHO) would be strictly followed. 

WHO had recommended a 14-day quarantine for travellers after which tests would be conducted. 

Noah Andrew, leader of the delegation from Abuja, had presented a letter titled: “Deployment of Rapid Response Squad to help in fighting Covid-19”, to the governor, explaining the mission of the health officials in the state. 

He said they were there to provide logistics just like they had done in other states of the federation. He said two members of the team would be left behind to help the state and support her efforts of the state government already in place.

“We are here to support the state in shipping swabs and samples and ascertian the preparedness of the state in fighting Covid-19,” he said. 

Speaking shortly after receiving the letter, Bello outlined steps taken so far by the state to fight the pandemic. He said that the state is highly experienced in fighting infectious diseases such as Lassa fever and malaria, adding that the experience has been brought to bear in fighting COVID-19. 

He consequently asked that the NCDC officials be subjected to testing and isolated in the state quarantine center or should leave the state immediately. 

The Cable

Read more at: Nigeria Latest News Blog

We won’t bow to pressure to declare COVID-19 case in Kogi – Yahaya Bello govt

Kogi State Government has reiterated its earlier resolve not to be pressured to announce a case of COVID-19.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, in a statement on Thursday, described as fake the news making the round that the state government is covering up an index case of the virus.

Dr Audu described the report as mischievous and politically inclined.

The statement reads “First and foremost, it is imperative that the public realise that there is no State Government that can deliberately put her people in harms way for whatever political reason, and the current administration has been scored high by local and international observers on Health. We have and will continue to put the health of our people as first priority.

“We are not new to Public Health Emergencies even if the COVID-19 pandemic is unarguably the most trying the world has ever witnessed. We have been in an annual fight against Lassa fever as the State is located in the Lassa fever belt, recording several cases with regrettable loses. We were first to establish a Biosafety Laboratory For Lassa fever in Nigeria and this year alone we have confirmed 30 cases of Lassa Fever that was duly announced. To accuse the state of a cover up of Covid-19 cases is mischievous and at best politically inclined.

"Is it not curious that I am the State Commissioner for Health, a member of the Governing board of FMC Lokoja, and also the incident manager for Covid-19 in the State, yet I have never been informed of the claimed cases in the report. There is also a representative of FMC Lokoja in the State’s Squadron against Covid-19 / Lassa fever and never for once was any such case raised in our meetings.

“Since the beginning of this pandemic we have held series of meetings with FMC Lokoja, and in this week alone we have had about 4 of such meetings. Such claims were never raised by the management of FMC. One then wonders the source and intent of the mischievous report. We are more inclined to believe that such fictitious claims being bandied about on the media are just meant to pressure the State into playing to the gallery of a narrative that ensures all States of Nigeria have Covid-19!

“We reiterate our earlier resolve not to be pressured to announce a case of Covid-19 where we have none, irrespective of Media propaganda from any quarters. We also remain resolute that getting a Covid-19 test result will not be a criterion for Kogites to access quality health care. We have learnt from previous experience in the management of Lassa fever that delay in giving appropriate Health care service under the guise of ‘waiting for test result’ can lead to fatal consequences!

"Hesitation by Health workers to give adequate Health care service resulted in the State having 40-50% Case Fatality Rate (CFR) in the management of Lassa fever, whereas cases managed at the State’s Specialist Hospital Lokoja received 100% recovery, hence our insistence that since it takes between 7 -10 days for suspected patients to get their Covid-19 test result, every patient must continue to receive adequate and health care services, while Health Care workers take all protective measures and patients that meet testing criteria will be tested.

“We remain committed to the WHO, Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC guidelines of who qualifies to be tested, and as at this moment, no case has been officially reported to the Kogi State, and media propaganda or devious intents from certain quarters will not push us to announce that we have a confirmed case in Kogi State.

“The lame notion that all the States surrounding Kogi State already have Covid-19 will not cause us to bat an eye lid, but rather increase us in conviction that if some other States gave in to pressure, we wouldn’t . We will continue to take samples from appropriate patients and members of the public in line with the laid down principles.

“Our Isolation centers are open for inspection from appropriate quarters and the insinuation by the said report needs not be given any attention. Kogi state had activated a rapid response team since 2017 long before any epidemic was suspected to occur.

Our success in investigating and curtailing alleged strange deaths in Okoloke Yagba west L.G.A in Kogi state in 2017 was well commended and applauded by National and international stakeholders. The so called strange disease which was later confirmed to be Yellow Fever was appropriately annihilated with collaboration from our ever dependable Health Development Partners.

“So much fake news has been peddled about Kogi State and we are no strangers to it. Recently it was said that 7 billion naira was expended in setting up a Marquee isolation center, an amount that is greater than the State’s monthly allocation, how ridiculous!

“KOGI STATE WILL NOT GIVE IN TO PRESSURE TO ANNOUNCE FICTITIOUS CASE OF COVID-19. We will only announce a real case of confirmed Covid-19 where it exists, and we advise our people to follow strictly the State Governments guidelines in the prevention of the disease, for as it stands, KOGI STATE IS OFFICIALLY COVID-19 FREE”.

Kemi Olunloyo To Bishop David Oyedepo: Go Sit Down “Church Is Not Necessary”

Contentious journalist, Kemi Olunloyo has respond Bishop David Oyedepo over his comment querying why markets are allowed to operate for six hours daily whereas churches are not allowed to operate at all.

Speaking via her official Twitter handle, the self-acclaimed investigative journalist stated that church is not necessary, God is the crucial entity.

She further added that markets are not stationary in contrast to churches.

She wrote:

“Oyedepo go sit down. We have learned from South Korea. A pastor and mega-church spread #COVID19 to one single country. Pastor bowing begging journalists. Markets are not stationary, everyone’s moving.

Church everyone is stationary, anyone could cough or sneeze.”

Church is NOT essential, God is necessary. I have worshipped online for three years. People can pay tithe online. We ain’t opening no damn church!”

Jealous Nasarawa pregnant woman kills husband

A 22 - year - old pregnant woman, Mrs Veronica Boniface, has reportedly stabbed her husband , Mohammed , to death over suspicion that he was making a phone call to his girlfriend.

The Commandant of the Nasarawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps , Mr Mahmud Fari , said in Lafia that the woman was arrested in the Obene area of the Keana Local Government Area of the state following an intelligence report.

According to him, medical examination conducted on the suspect indicated that she is in a good condition.

Fari said as soon as the command complete its findings, the suspect would be prosecuted in a competent court in the state.

He stated , “ The husband was rushed to hospital after she stabbed him with a knife after they quarrelled over a phone call that she suspected was with a lady.

“ We found out that she has a two- and- a - half - year - old baby , who is now in the custody of the relations of the husband .”

The suspect told PUNCH Metro that she regretted her action and pleaded for mercy.

Veronica , who was apprehended on Tuesday , noted that she was two months pregnant for her late husband.

The suspect blamed the devil for her action , adding that her intention was to frighten Mohammed to enable her retrieve the phone from him. (Punch)