Police operatives from the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a man, Femi Adebowale, for allegedly beating his wife, Kuburat Adebowale, 37, to death over suspicion that she was sleeping with their neighbour.

According to P.M.EXPRESS, the incident happened at No. 15 Campbell Street, Agbado in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, where they reside.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, for the Commissioner of Police, who said that the suspect was in Police custody undergoing interrogation.
He stated that the arrest of the suspect was as a result of a complaint from the younger brother of the deceased, Shakiru Alao, who reported at Agbado Division that his elder sister had been beaten to death by her husband over allegation of adultery.
“Upon his complaint, the DPO Agbado, CSP Sunday Omonijo, led his men to the scene where the suspect was promptly arrested and detained at the Station for murder.”
The alleged offence attracts life imprisonment or death sentence if he is tried and found guilty before the Court.
DSP Oyeyemi stated that the suspect, in his statement, alleged that the deceased had been involved in acts of infidelity for quite some time to the extent that she was dating their next door neighbour.
The suspect explained that on the fateful day, the deceased asked him for money to spend on her younger brother’s naming ceremony and he gave her the sum of N10,000 but the deceased insisted that the money was not enough. Adebowale added that it was her adulterous practice that made him refuse to give her more money which was the genesis of the fight that resulted to her death.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the case to be transferred to Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and possible prosecution of the suspect.
The body of the deceased has also been deposited at Ifo General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
The CP warned that the Command would not tolerate any form of domestic violence. He also advised couples to desist from resulting to violence whenever they have disagreement in their homes.

A 39-year old man, Waisu Adedokun, has been arrested in Lagos for allegedly molesting his 16-year old daughter sexually.

According to P.M.EXPRESS, the incident happened at Majiyagbe Street, Ipaja area of Lagos, where they reside.

It was gathered that the victim gets traumatised in the house whenever her mother was not around as she begins to entertain thoughts of having to struggle with her father, who desires to have sex with her.
She was said to have kept the traumatic experience away from her mother because she did not know how to say her own father always wants to sleep with her due to shame.
However, when she was unable to bear it any longer, she revealed to her School Counselor what she had been passing through and her fear of returning to their house after school each day.
The matter was then reported to the Police at Ipaja Division led by CSP Tokumbo Aboniwonda, who ordered the arrest of the father, Adedokun, and subsequently transferred the matter to the Gender Section of the Police Command for further investigation.
After investigation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence but he pleaded not guilty before the Court.
The prosecutor, Supol Benson Emerhi, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O Sule-Amzat, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail conditions and the matter was adjourned till 21st May, 2020.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the victim has absconded from home with her mother to an unknown place and she did not appear in Court when her father was arraigned.

The Tijaniyya Movement in Nigeria has suspended its planned world annual Maulud scheduled to hold in Abuja and Sokoto state as a precaution against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The National Secretary of the group Sheikh Alkassim Yauri confirmed this development on Thursday in Abuja.

Yauri said, the annual event always attracted visitors from within and outside the country.

He said the suspension became necessary to prevent people from the covid19 pandemic.

“The decision to put off this annual Maulud was taken by our leaders from Senegal and Morocco in collaboration with our leaders in Nigeria.

“Because we have members who are going to participate in this event across West and Northern part of Africa.

“But, due to the spread of coronavirus, our group decided to suspend the event indefinitely,” he said.

The National Secretary of the group said the decision was aimed at allowing authorities to take control of the situation.

The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed five new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to eight.

An American has died of Coronavirus in Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria, the Ekti State Government disclosed on Wednesday.

Ekiti Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, said the driver, who contracted Coronavirus in the state was suspected to have been infected by the 27-year-old American Caucasian who died in the state.

The commissioner, in a statement said the Ekiti State Taskforce on COVID-19, headed by Governor Kayode Fayemi, could confirm that “we have recorded an incidence of a Nigerian male, 38 years old, of Ekiti origin, who has tested positive to Covid-19.

“The confirmed case is suspected to have been infected while driving an American Caucasian, male, 27 years old, who was visiting Nigeria from Richmond, Virginia, USA in the company of his caregiver, a Nigerian female Age 31, of Ekiti Origin.

“The American male and his Nigerian female caregiver, arrived Nigeria on 3rd March 2020 through the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Lagos. Preliminary investigations revealed that the pair were driven by our confirmed case to Ibadan, where they stayed for two weeks, and arrived Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on 13th March, 2020,” she explained.

According to the commissioner, “a day after their arrival, the American male fell ill and he was taken to a private hospital where he was referred to a tertiary hospital. Unfortunately, he died from complications of his illness.

“The hospital authorities alerted the State Taskforce and samples were taken from the American male as well as his two companions. The test for the male driver came back positive; the test for the female caregiver came back negative while the test for the American male was inconclusive.”

Yaya-Kolade said in line with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols, the Ekiti State Taskforce on COVID-19 had already quarantined the confirmed case on admission in the State Isolation Centre, while the caregiver who tested negative, was presently under observation in self isolation.

“We have commenced the process of contact tracing, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) following the team’s itinerary since they landed in Nigeria on the 3rd of March 2020. We have also contacted the Oyo State Government since it was recorded that they stayed in Ibadan for two weeks before arriving Ekiti State.

“The confirmed case is very stable and not showing any symptoms while NCDC will repeat the test for the caregiver who is also in self isolation. The Ekiti State Task Force on COVID-19 is following the NCDC Case Management Protocols with diligence. We want to urge Ekiti residents to stay calm and ensure they observe the prevention steps that are being publicized on all credible media.

“It is important to state that this likely index case was on a short visit and had not been in Ekiti State for up to 72 hours before his death. The Ekiti State Taskforce on COVID-19 advises residents to continue to take self-preventive measures by washing their hands with soap and water, covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing, observing social distancing and to alert the authorities of any suspected case by calling the 112 Emergency Number or 09062970434, 09062970435, 09062970436.

“The Government of Ekiti State will continue to update the public on new developments as necessary in our commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of all Ekiti residents,” she stated.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo has fired back at Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, describing Wike as garrulous and a Mr, Know All.

The two neighbouring governors began throwing mud at each other over the sponsor of the aborted plot to remove Adams Oshiomhole as chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

Uzodinma first pointed fingers at Wike.

“Many of us, leaders of the party, are aware that those clamouring for the chairman’s removal are working with the PDP to destabilise the party,” Uzodinma told reporters on Saturday.

But in an interview at the Government House Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Wike said the comments credited to Senator Hope Uzodinma were baseless, untrue and unfortunate.

“It is unfortunate that people of questionable character are in Government. Hope Uzodinma cannot talk about the attempted removal of APC National Chairman and mention the PDP. What is our business in the attempted removal of Oshiomhole? “

“If Senator Uzodinma dares to make such false comments again about the PDP, we will tell the world about him.That he fraudulently took the mandate of PDP does not mean that PDP is weak. Hope Uzodinma lacks the capacity to discuss the PDP,” Wike said.

On Wednesday night, Uzodinma fired back, through his press secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, calling Wike ‘garrulous and Mr. Know All”.

Uzodinma said he has no regret in linking Oshiomhole’s predicament to Wike.

Uzodinma also advised the Rivers State Governor to be mindful of his unguarded utterances, claiming the way he talks depicts who he really is.

“Governor Wike arrogates to himself the strength he does not have going by the way he talks.

“There is no better way to pin Governor Wike down to the recent crisis rocking the APC and its national chairman than the careless way he spoke against Governor Uzodinma who obviously was echoeing what many already know about Wike and his type of politics,” Uzodinma stated.

Uzodinma also accused Wike of destroying PDP with his utterances.

“Is it not unfortunate that Governor Wike pretends to have a court injunction on how to speak carelessly, the reason many erstwhile members of the PDP, including the founding members, abandoned the party which is about to collapse on Wike’s head.

“Rather than engage in some kind of introspection on what went wrong with his party, Governor Wike thinks that trivialising serious issues of national and international importance will bring accolades his way.

“If Governor Wike did not have a hand in the Oshiomhole saga, why insult innocent Governor Uzodinma whose only crime was that he brought Wike’s mischievious tendencies to the fore for everyone to see.

“Governor Wike pretends to love the judiciary more than anyone else, but the truth is that every opportunity he gets to stand the judiciary on its head he does so with relish.

“Mr. Governor, your interest in the attempted removal of the national Chairman of the APC is legion and you know it. Unlike most of you, Governor Uzodinma does not talk much and when he does it is not frivolous. Stop pretending because that has been the lot of characters like you that did the PDP in and ready to bury it finally.

“Governor Uzodinma has an idea why you are badly hurt. You have the right to be hurt anyway. However, because you are ‘Mr. Know All’ you still cannot imagine how Governor Uzodinma has reduced yourself acclaimed political “wisdom” to ignorance.

In contrast to what Wike said about Uzodinma on the Supreme Court judgement, the Imo governor said he believes strongly in the judiciary.

“Governor Uzodinma believes in the rule of law like the APC, and has not hidden his respect for the judiciary as a critical organ for national development and survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

“If Governor Uzodinma were to be you, he would not have followed through all the processes he painstakingly adopted to emerge the governor of Imo State on 14 January 2020, and reaffirmed governor on March 3, 2020 after you worked so hard to truncate the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“But unfortunately, you have continued to denigrate the Supreme Court that adjudicated over Governor Uzodinma’s case by carelessly and arrogantly describing the ruling of the apex court as synonymous with fraud. I do hope you know the implications?

“By saying that Governor Uzodinma’s APC is not a political party, and that it is an assemblage of strange bed fellows, you have not said anything new from what you have been saying since 2015 the PDP lost power, but one would have thought that the narrative would have changed in 2019, yet, your party lost. Is it not time you changed strategy on what you have been saying for nearly five years now.

“Make no mistake about it, there is nothing in your kitty you are threatening to tell the world about Governor Uzodinma for stating the obvious about your party that can be worse than what they know about you and your party,” Uzodinma claimed.

The Ogun State Government on Wednesday banned all high-density gatherings that would bring together 50 or more people in the same place.

A statement issued by Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ogun State, said further to measures so far taken to ramp up its efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the Ogun State Government has found it expedient to announce an immediate ban of all high-density gatherings that would bring together 50 or more persons in the same place, such as social clubs, halls, cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes, and sport arenas.

“This measure will be in effect for the next 30 days in the first instance,” the statement said.

The government said this restriction had to be enforced without prejudice to people’s fundamental rights to association and movement, because safety of “our people and their welfare are priorities that cannot be toyed with. The Government will continue to engage all the stakeholders, including our religious leaders to sensitise the populace on the need to maintain social distancing and collective effort to combat this pandemic.

“The Government will continue the surveillance initiatives and intensify sensitisation on COVID-19. This is more so given the peculiarity of its location as the Nation’s Gateway State and its industrial capital. Our epidemiologists and other health workers are working round the clock with Federal agencies and international development agencies to stop the spread of corona virus,” it stated.

The statement said Governor Dapo Abiodun reassured the populace that nothing would be left to chance in ensuring that the state was prepared at all times to respond appropriately.

Tonye Cole, Former Executive Director of Sahara Group, has self-isolated after being on the same flight with Nigeria’s third index case.

The 30-year-old female patient was confirmed to have returned on March 13 after a 10-day stay in London.

She arrived on BA 75 flight with Cole, who confirmed the development on in a tweet on Wednesday.

Cole noted that he has heeded Lagos State Government’s instruction to self-isolate.

“#workfromhome I was on the BA75 flight of the 13th from London on which a lady tested positive for #COVID19Lagos. We’ve been asked by LSMOH to #selfisolate. I’m grateful to

@NCDCgov for measures taken at airports to document all passengers coming into NIGERIA so we’re all safer,” he tweeted.

Some private schools in Lagos have taken the bull by the horns by announcing closure from Thursday without any instruction from the Ministry of Education.

This is coming as the Federal Government announced five new cases of coronavirus, bringing the national total to eight.

Schools still have two weeks to end the current term and this is a period many of them conduct the second term examination.

However, Head of Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Kayode Abayomi, noted that the government had not announced school closure.

But some of the high-profile schools are suspending examinations to close immediately.

The schools include Greensprings School, which has branches in Anthony, Ikoyi and Awoyaya; and Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School, Ikoyi.

While Greensprings is closing March 18, LPSS shut down on Wednesday.

Both schools have opted for e-learning for pupils while they are at home.

Greensprings School’s Head of Admissions, Mrs. Oluranti Bankole said: “Learning will now be done online using the virtual learning platform and video conferencing. She added that the school had adopted the WHO crisis management grid for COVID-19.

In a notice to parents, LPSS said the closure was a result of the spread of the Coronavirus and the school’s international makeup.

“Due to the global spread of the Coronavirus and the international makeup of the LPSS family, we have decided to close the school to children today, 18 March 2020. Whilst formal lessons have ended for the term, we are unable to predict how these events may affect Trinity (third) term and so, primary and secondary students will come home today with their notebooks.”

Other schools like Berkely and Juilliard Schools and Chessington Montessori School, Agege, announced closures for Wednesday and Friday.

Chessington informed parents that bills and report cards “will be sent electronically”, while Berkley and Juilliard Schools promised to offer “skeletal services” to stranded parents.

Northwest governors met on Wednesday and took a decision to shutdown all schools in the region for 30 days to halt the spread of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.

The governors were joined by those from Kwara and Niger States. They met to review the security situation in their areas and to agree joint responses to the coronavirus pandemic.

Present at the meeting were Governors Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger). Deputy Governor Nasiru Gawuna represented Kano State. The Governor of Kwara State joined the meeting by telephone.

The meeting, chaired by the Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum, Aminu Bello Masari, was also attended by the SSGs of the states, their Special Advisers and commissioners responsible for security matters.

The governors received briefings from heads of security agencies, at the meeting which had in attendance Major-General A. Agundu (Commander, Operation Safe Haven), Major-Gen. F.I. Yahaya, GOC 1 Division, AVM, M.I. Mukhtar (AOC Air Training Command), Rear Admiral T. Pani (Commandant, Nigerian Navy School of Armaments) and other senior military officers. Commissioners of Police and State Directors of the DSS from the concerned states also attended the meeting.

After briefings and discussions, the governors of the nine states agreed on extraordinary measures to tackle the menace of banditry.

A communique issued after the meeting disclosed that the state governors resolved to jointly fund security operations aimed at conclusively addressing the challenge from the criminal elements.

The governors also agreed joint measures to protect citizens from the likely impact of Covid-19, which included school closures

According to the communique “measures shall be taken by each of the states, in consultation with the national examination bodies, to close schools for a period of 30 days, starting from Monday, 23rd March 2020. Sensitisation campaigns to discourage large gatherings until further notice.

“Public health awareness campaigns: States will continue to wage aggressive campaigns to encourage citizens to uphold personal hygiene, including hand washing and environmental sanitation.”

Petrol price has been slashed from N145 to N125 per litre, the Nigerian government has announced.

Minister of state for petroleum resources, Timipre Sylva, who made the announcement on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, said the NNPC will be ordered to adjust the pump price of the fuel immediately.

The decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, against the backdrop of the crash in crude price, now trading below $30 a barrel.

Sylva said compliance to the new price regime by petroleum marketers will be enforced by the NNPC and the PPPRA.

He said the price slash will affect all other products.He also said that henceforth prices will be “modulated” in line with rise or fall in oil prices.

The NNPC Group managing director, Mele Kyari, promptly issued a statement, saying the new price regime will begin 19 March.

“In compliance with the directives of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on PMS pricing, the Corporation has reviewed its Ex-coastal, Ex-depot and NNPC Retail pump prices accordingly.

“Effective 19th March 2020, NNPC Ex-Coastal price for PMS has been reviewed downwards from N117.6/litre to N99.44/litre while Ex-Depot price is reduced from N133.28/litre to N113.28/litre.

“These reductions will therefore translate to N125/litre retail pump price.

“Despite the obvious cost implication of this immediate adjustment to the Corporation, NNPC is delighted to effect this massive reduction of N20/litre for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“Accordingly, all NNPC Retail stations nationwide have been directed to change the retail pump price to N125/litre.”