PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Two men have been arrested after their wild plot to "launch methamphetamine with a cannon" (and other contraband) into a federal prison, was discovered.  Officials in Grant Parish, Louisiana have arrested two teenage men in an insane plot to smuggle contraband into a federal prison. The Grant Parish Sheriff's Department say an investigation led them to 18-year-old Jose Munoz and 19-year-old Angel Gutierrez. During the investigation they uncovered these two ambitious entrepreneurs plot to launch $112,000 worth of tobacco and $89,500 worth of methamphetamine into a federal penal institution.  The two planned to use an air propelled cannon that is capable of launching items approximately 350 feet. The two men reckoned this would be the best plan to get their goods over the prisons security fencing and into the prison yard. Both Munoz and Gutierrez are being charged with attempting to introduce contraband into a penal institution and attempting to distribute methamphetamine....

 Philippine Town Offers Bounty For Mosquitoes As Dengue Rises Authorities in one of the Philippines' most densely-populated urban centres are offering a cash reward for mosquitoes in an attempt to stop the spread of dengue. Carlito Cernal, village chief of Barangay Addition Hills, announced the bounty of one peso (less than 2 US cents) for every five mosquitoes after two students in his neighbourhood died from the disease. Cernal said the bounty was meant to supplement existing measures such as cleaning the streets and preventing the build-up of water where dengue-carrying mosquitoes lay their eggs. The reward applies to live and dead mosquitoes and their larvae, Cernal added. Live mosquitoes will be exterminated using ultraviolet light. The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) told the BBC that it "appreciates the good intentions of local government executives to fight dengue". It declined further comment, however, when asked if catching mosquitoes in exchange for...

  PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS DANJUMA ISMAILA TO HEAD THE NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY 19th February, 2025     President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Dr Danjuma Adamu Ismaila as Rector and Chief Executive of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.   Dr. Ismaila, an expert in air transportation management, transport economic policy, and aviation security, graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a degree in Physics in 1989.   He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Transportation and has attended many courses, workshops, and seminars on civil aviation management and transportation.   He is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the UK, and the Air Transport Research Society, among others.   Before the appointment, Dr Ismaila was a lecturer at the Federal University of Transportation, Daura.   By Bayo Onanuga

 Court Jails 30 Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of 30 internet fraudsters before Justices Ladiran Akintola, Adebisi Adetujoye and K.B. Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan. The convicts are: Gbadega Ayomide, Ojo Oluwapelumi Oluwatomiwa, John Odey Ade, Ezekiel Oluwatobi Damilare, Usman Olamilekan Hammed, Ogunjobi Oluwafemi Oluwadunsin, Abdulrauf Taiwo Adekunmi, Ariyo Adejuwon Iyanu, Ahmed Ridwan Tajudeen, Ayomide Adedara, Oyewale Opeyemi Kayode, Charles Nneji, Obaoye Testimony Isaac, Olisemeka Tochukwu Anakweze, Ojo Opeyemi Makanjuola and Taiwo Kayode Goodness. Others are: Bolarinwa Usman Gbolahan, Olawuni Gbenga Samuel, Segun Michael Balogun, Charles Ifeoluwa Olayode, Sule Taofeek Rotimi, Sodade Oludotun Tolulope, Adeyemo Waris Olabode, Akinnawonu Bidemi Raphel, Ayanda Samuel Oluwaseyi, Adeniyi Oluwasola Oluwatosin, Olorunosebi Toyyib Alabi, O...

 A Florida woman's heartbreaking last moments are captured on video as she fled for her life from an abusive ex who abducted their precious 4-year-old daughter. 34-year-old Mary Gingles sadly lost her life alongside her father and an uninvolved good samaritan trying to intervene and save her. Mary had been a victim of documented  domestic violence twice within the last year. (Mary is the beautiful woman pictured last.) In fact, as police descended onto the scene of the shooting, they found a domestic violence injunction order against her estranged husband 43-year-old Nathan Gingles, laying on the counter. (Nathan is pictured second.) Police uncovered this absolutely diabolic crime on Sunday, Febuary 16th while responding to shots fired in Tamarac, Florida. When authorities arrived on scene they quickly discovered 64-year-old David Ponzer (Mary's beloved father) deceased in his backyard.He passed away from a fatal gunshot wound fired by Nathan. There was a shattered coffee mug ...

 Rwanda suspends development cooperation with Belgium Rwanda has suspended development cooperation with Belgium, accusing Brussels of leading “an aggressive campaign aimed to sabotage” Kigali’s access to development finance from multilateral financial institutions amid the ongoing conflict in neighboring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. "Belgium has made a political decision to choose a side in this conflict, which is right, but politicising development is plainly wrong," a statement issued by the foreign ministry said, Anadolu Agency reported. “These efforts demonstrate that there is no longer a sound basis for development cooperation with Belgium. Accordingly, Rwanda is suspending the remainder of the 2024-2029 bilateral aid program with Belgium,” it said on Tuesday. “No country in the region should have its development finance jeopardized as a tool of leverage.” Aid program In February last year, Rwanda and Belgium signed a financing aid program covering the years 202...

 Kenyan MP charged with forging university certificates A Kenyan lawmaker has been charged with forging university certificates, according to the public prosecutor. George Koimburi, was charged on Wednesday with three counts of forging academic certificates and three more for uttering false documents. Koimburi is a member of parliament representing Juja constituency that is located in the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi. He denied that charges and was released on a cash bail. The prosecution said the lawmaker allegedly forged his high school certificate and two certificates of participation for courses he took at a university located in his constituency. Kenyan law stipulates that candidates for parliamentary seats must be high school leavers. Cases against Kenyan lawmakers accused of forging academic certificates are common, although they are rarely prosecuted successfully.

 Sudan warns against parallel government as Kenya hosts RSF Sudan will “fight anyone who seeks to establish a parallel government,” a member of the country’s Sovereign Council has said, Anadolu Agency reported. The assistant commander-in-chief of the Sudanese army, Yasser Al-Atta, made the comments while addressing members of the armed forces and their supporting units in the town of Al Dabba in northern Sudan, according to the official Sudanese News Agency (SUNA). His remarks on Tuesday came hours after the opening session of a conference titled “The Founding Alliance of Sudan” held in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference was organized by opposition forces and armed groups fighting the Sudanese army, with the goal of forming a parallel government. RSF deputy commander According to an Anadolu reporter, the opening session was attended by the leaders of several armed groups and political figures, including National Umma Party leader Fadlallah Burma Nasir, Abdelrahim Dagalo, deputy command...

 LATE MABOKUNRINJE: LAGOS HOLDS VALEDICTORY COURT The Lagos State Judiciary recently held a solemn Valedictory Court Session in honour of the late Mufutau Mabokunrinje Adewale Sanni, Esq., at the Ikeja High Court, Lagos. While presiding over the event, the  Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba described the late Mufutau Mabokunrinje Adewale Sanni as a respected legal luminary, whose legacy continues to resonate within the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). Hon. Justice Alogba remarked, "Mufutau Mabokunrinje Adewale was a quiet, gentle, and courageous man who left indelible marks in the Nigerian Bar Association. His legacy of excellence and integrity will continue to inspire the legal community." Born on November 7, 1970, in Okun Mopo Community, Eti-Osa Local Government, Lagos State, MMA, as he was fondly called, pursued an illustrious academic journey. He earned his B.Sc in Political Science and LL.B from the University of Ibadan, before being called ...

 Edo Assembly Dismisses All Political Appointees The Edo State House of Assembly has terminated the appointments of all political aides attached to its members, effective immediately. Speaker Blessing Agbebaku announced the decision during Wednesday’s plenary session in Benin, stating that the resolution was unanimously agreed upon by all 24 lawmakers. The affected appointees include special advisers, senior special advisers, and other political aides. Agbebaku clarified that while their appointments had been revoked, they would still receive their February salaries. He explained that the appointees were initially appointed upon the inauguration of the Eighth Assembly in June 2023 and noted that the House would reconvene to determine further steps regarding the matter.

 Court Jails Internet Fraudster in Port Harcourt    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate has secured the conviction and sentence of one Chinedu Ukpai Kalu, an internet fraudster before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.   He was prosecuted on a two-count charge, bordering on fraudulent impersonation, and advance fee fraud.   One of the charges reads: “That you Chinedu Ukpai Kalu on or about the 9th day of May, 2024 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with the intent to defraud, obtained a total sum of £1200 (One Thousand Two Hundred Pounds Only) from one Muhammad Zabhar from the UK under the pretence that you are a legitimate miner, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(...

 Alleged N33.8bn: ``I Received N777m on Mamman`s Behalf, Spent it on his Instructions`` - Witness The Tenth Prosecution Witness , PW10,  Mifbahu Idris in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 told a Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho how he received the sum of N777,538 (Seven Hundred and Seventy-seven Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-eight Thousand Naira) in cash and transfers from bureau de change operators between 2019 and 2021 on the instructions of the defendant who also directed how they were spent. Idris,  nephew and special assistant to Mamman, while been cross- examined by defence counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, disclosed while reading his extra-judicial statement to the EFCC on April 17, 2023 that the sum were wired from different accounts owned and operated by Maina Goje and Abdulahi  Suleiman who are bureau de change  operators,  which  he allegedly disbursed to friends,...

  Kaduna Court Orders 10 Strokes of Cane for Trader Who Assaulted Friend Over Debt A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced a 34-year-old trader, Jibrin Yusuf, to 10 strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his friend, Abubakar Haruna, over a N3,000 debt. Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel delivered the ruling, citing Yusuf’s cooperation and swift admission of guilt as reasons for the court’s leniency. He also warned Yusuf that future offenses would attract harsher penalties. Additionally, the court ordered Yusuf to pay N230,000 in restitution for damages and theft. According to Prosecutor Inspector Chidi Leo, Haruna, who lives in the same compound as Yusuf, had borrowed N3,000 but was unable to repay it when Yusuf demanded the money. This led to a heated argument, after which Yusuf, along with four accomplices (currently at large), allegedly broke into Haruna’s room, assaulted him, destroyed property worth N50,000, and stole his brother’s N180,000 phone. Leo st...

 Napoli Owner De Laurentiis Accused of False Accounting in Osimhen Transfer The Rome public prosecutor's office has requested the indictment of Napoli owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, over allegations of false accounting spanning three years, including deals involving Victor Osimhen and Kostas Manolas. Reports from Italian media, including Sky Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport, claim that De Laurentiis is accused of artificially inflating player values to record fictitious capital gains in Napoli’s 2020 purchase of Osimhen from Lille and 2019 signing of Manolas from AS Roma. Investigators allege that these transactions resulted in millions in fabricated profits by overstating player market values. Prosecutors Lorenzo Del Giudice and Giorgio Orano have also called for Napoli, the club, and De Laurentiis’ close associate, Andrea Chiavelli, to stand trial.

 Olukoyede to Local Government Chairmen: “Be Accountable, You Have no Immunity from Investigation”    The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  Mr. Ola Oluoyede has charged local government Chairmen across the country to take the issue of accountability seriously as they do not have immunity from investigation and prosecution for fraud.   He gave the charge in Gombe, Gombe state on Wednesday, February 19, 2025  while speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit. He pointedly told the local council Chairs to be prudent in the management of huge resources at their disposal stressing that  “Local government chairmen do not have immunity and we are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you”.    The EFCC’s boss decried the stagnation, poverty and deprivation rampant in rural areas across the country in spite of enormous resources that have been deployed to those places over t...

 Ugandan opposition figure Besigye appears in court again Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared briefly in a civilian court on Wednesday as attorneys tried to secure his freedom, but a judge said he was too unwell to follow proceedings, AP reported. A visibly frail Besigye, who has been detained since November, was driven back to a maximum-security prison in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. Besigye’s continued detention is attracting more attention as his supporters, activists and others warn that he needs medical care and should be removed from prison conditions. They say any harm to him while in custody could trigger deadly unrest in this east African country. His family says he has begun a hunger strike to protest his continued detention after Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled last month that military tribunals cannot try civilians. Besigye’s attorneys say he and others who faced charges before the court-martial should have been released immediately. Justice officials say the...

  Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman has responded to manager Gian Piero Gasperini's criticism following his penalty miss in the Champions League play-off against Club Brugge. Gasperini had said Lookman was "one of the worst penalty takers" he had ever seen and that he had a "frankly terrible record" in training. However, Lookman has released a statement saying he feels "deeply disrespected" by Gasperini's comments. Lookman explained that the designated penalty taker had instructed him to take the penalty, and he took responsibility to support the team. He emphasized his commitment to the team and the fans, saying he has always put in hard work to bring success to the club. The Nigerian winger also expressed disappointment that he was singled out after the team's Champions League exit. He stated that he has dealt with difficult moments during his time at Atalanta but has never spoken about them to protect the team. The controversy has sparked deba...

 Wanted Portable surrenders to Police in Lagos Controversial Nigerian street-hop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, has finally turned himself into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), barely 48 hours after being declared wanted. Portable, who had previously made excuses, including referring to himself as a “mad man” in an Instagram video after being declared wanted, surrendered at the  Lagos State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) on Wednesday morning. “I’m not a thief, I don’t make trouble; people look for my trouble. Please, Nigerians, this is the moment when I need every one of you to help me. If I have done anything wrong to any of you, please forgive me,” the singer pleaded in the video. Confirming the development, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the singer turned himself in at SCID and the Ogun State Command has been contacted to pick him up. “Portable just turned himself in at the SCID Yaba. We ...

 Illegal dissolution of LG Council a treasonable offence – AGF The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has described the illegal dissolution and taking over of local government administration by state governors as a treasonable offence.  Fagbemi stated this on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of an event organised by the Nigeria Bar Association in Abuja.  Represented by the Director of Civil Appeals in the ministry, Tijani Gazali, the AGF noted that despite the judgment of the Supreme Court and the provision of the constitution guarding against the interference of state governors in the running of local government councils, some governors and their state assemblies continue dissolving elected local government council without following the provisions of the constitution. He also accused the Attorney General and Commissioners for Justice at the state level for not giving legal advice to their governors and called for a stiff penalty against any g...

 Senate Summons Intelligence Chiefs Over Alleged USAID Terrorism Funding The Nigerian Senate has summoned top security intelligence chiefs to investigate allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding terrorism in Nigeria. The move follows claims made by Perry Scott of the U.S. Parliament. The decision came after a motion on urgent national security, raised under Order 41, by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume of Borno South Senatorial District. Ndume emphasized the severity of the allegations, noting that a thorough investigation is necessary to address concerns about how terrorist groups, particularly Boko Haram, have continued to operate. The summoned security intelligence heads include officials from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Directorate of Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Security Adviser (NSA). Senate President Godswill Akpabio, upholding the resolution, stated that securi...

 N54tn Budget: National Assembly Increases Recurrent Expenditure, Cuts N500bn from Capital Spending The National Assembly on Tuesday reviewed the recently passed 2025 budget, making adjustments that increased recurrent expenditure while reducing capital spending. Despite maintaining the total budget size at N54.99 trillion, lawmakers reduced capital expenditure by over N500 billion and allocated the same amount to recurrent expenses. The review was deemed necessary after errors were identified in the earlier version of the budget. During plenary sessions, both the Senate and House of Representatives corrected figures for various ministries, departments, and agencies, with some allocations revised upward while others were reduced. Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive (APC, Delta), explained that the amendments were made after the Joint Appropriation Committee detected discrepancies in the previously approved figures. Among the ministries and agencies ...

 33 Illegal Miners Arrested in Niger During Raid on Mining Site Authorities in Niger State have apprehended 33 suspected illegal miners during a raid at a mining site in Gbakuchi-Kontongba, Paikoro Local Government Area. The operation was carried out by the State Ministry of Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the Niger State Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Forest Hunters Association. The raid, led by Alhaji Yunusa Nahauni, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, resulted in the seizure of mining tools, including a water pumping machine. The crackdown is part of the government’s broader efforts to curb illegal mining activities across the state. Addressing the media after the operation, Nahauni urged community members to report unauthorized mining and criticized local leaders for failing to expose the illegal activities sooner. He also raised concerns about miners found sleeping during odd hours, suggesting possible nighttime illegal operations. Reaffirming the state governmen...

 US Court Rejects Request by 14 States to Limit DOGE’s Powers A Federal Court in Washington, D.C., has dismissed a request by 14 states seeking to impose restrictions on the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), The Hill reported on Wednesday. The lawsuit, filed on February 13, 2024, targeted President Donald Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk, alleging that the agency wielded excessive power in violation of the U.S. Constitution. The states argued that Musk was not formally appointed by the president nor confirmed by the Senate, thereby breaching Article 2 of the Constitution. However, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, in her ruling, acknowledged concerns over DOGE’s broad authority and lack of Senate oversight but stated that the court could not impose restrictions without “clear evidence of imminent, irreparable harm” caused by the agency. The ruling follows DOGE’s claim that it has saved American taxpayers $55 billion in less than a month. Meanwhile, in February, New Yor...

 LAGOS FIRST LADY ADVOCATES HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT FOR BOYS AT 2025 RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP ... Encourages Boys To Acquire Vocational Skills In Addition To Their Career The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has called for greater investment in the development of young boys, emphasising the need for mentorship, skills acquisition, and character building to prepare them for future leadership. Speaking today at the ongoing three-day 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) Residential Workshop at Lagos State Model College, Agbowa-Ikosi, in Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, the First Lady underscored the importance of equipping boys with the right values, mindset, and resilience to navigate societal challenges such as peer pressure, cultism, substance abuse, and mental health struggles. She highlighted that trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work are just as lucrative as professional careers, stressing that a well-trained artisan is just as important as a doct...

  ASAP Rocky Found Not Guilty in Gun Assault Trial A Los Angeles jury acquitted A$AP Rocky Tuesday of his two firearm assault charges stemming from a curbside altercation with former friend A$AP Relli that ended with the sound of gunfire crackling through the heart of Hollywood. Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, stood in a tailored pinstriped suit, looking calm with his hands in his pockets as jurors filed into the courtroom for the verdict after only three hours of deliberation. Rihanna sat in the front row next to Rocky’s sister, Erika B. She bowed her head as the clerk started to read the unanimous decision. As soon as the first of the two “not guilty” decisions was announced, Rocky dove over the gallery wall and fell into Rihanna’s lap, hugging her as she embraced him with her eyes closed. Many in the courtroom erupted in applause. The rapper addressed the jurors as they left, telling them, “Thank you all for saving my life. Thank you, thank you.” Standing near the courthouse steps nex...