High court judge breaks down as DNA confirms he's not biological father of three kids

Anthony Okorodas

 A Delta State High Court judge, Anthony Okorodas, has disclosed that DNA tests have recently revealed that he is not the biological father of three children from his marriage with his former wife.

 

Mr Okorodas, who was appointed a judge in 2018, disclosed this in a statement which he issued on Thursday, January 28.

The judge in the statement which only circulated online on Monday, said his former wife, Celia, walked away from the marriage when the youngest child, now 17 years old, was just six.

Mr Okorodas described the development as traumatic, especially as he and his current wife had been wholly responsible for the well-being and the education of the three children, two of whom are university undergraduates, since their mother walked away 11 years ago.

Mr Okorodas, who noted that he had had four children with his current wife, said he first got information from an anonymous source indicating that the three children were not his during the COVID-19 lockdown in April 2020.

He, however, said he was only able to confirm the claim to be true through the DNA test in August 2020.

He stated, “I have taken the decision to address the press in respect of certain traumatic developments that have arisen between me and my ex-wife, Barrister Celia Juliet Ototo of the Ototo Family of Ovom in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“It is now nearly 11 years since our separation and divorce. This press statement is important in order to prevent damaging speculations, half-truths and outright lies from persons who may want to cash in on the tragedy that has befallen my home.

Sunday Igboho trends on Twitter

Sunday Igboho on arrival in Ogun with supporters 

Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo better known as Sunday Igboho is currently trending on Twitter following his appearance in Ogun State reportedly to flush out criminal herders.

 

The activist had promised to visit Ogun State following reports that many of the herders who fled Oyo State landed in Ogun State to take up residence there. It was also in the news that some soldiers were escorting herders to grace their cattle in Ogun State.

Ogun State government earlier today issued a statement that they did not invite the activist. Read that here .

On Monday, Igboho made good his promise as he showed up in Ogun State.

 

Twitter is aglow with over 12,000 tweets over the issue, most of them neutral or complimentary to Sunday Igboho. Some just saw the fun in it all.

Some of the tweets:

One Prince Prince Aniyikaye @PrinceAniyikaye tweeted:

@YemieFASH

Finally E be like say na Cow go cause Nigeria to break up ..

@hay2zed50

Cows doing the Lord's work.

Even Sunday did not take chances , he made sure he wore his vest . Guess too much watching of abija and lalude war films is giving them the impression that ak 47 na play play toy

@YemieFASH

baba dey wear vest. Fear of naija is the beginning of wisdom

 @YemieFASH

It’s his traditional bullet roof that gets me all the time. But what are those two bodyguards for?

@VantagePee

 

It's bullet proof not kumọ proof

 @OfficialAremo_O

 

@YemieFASH

Please who is this man? Guess is the Governor of Ogun state!

 

FG extends deadline for NIN-SIM linkage to April 6

 

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami

 

The Federal Government has extended the deadline for the linking of National Identification Number (NIN) with the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) by 8 weeks. The new deadline for the completion of the exercise is April 6, 2021.

 

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) disclosed this during the meeting of the Ministerial Taskforce on NIN-SIM registration on the 1st of February, 2021.

The minister said the extension became necessary to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to integrate their NIN with the SIM.

 

A joint press statement signed by Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Kayode Adegoke, Head Corporate Communications of the Nigeria Identity Management Commission (NIMC) disclosed that the meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), DG/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

 

Others include the MD/CEOs of MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, Ntel, Spectranet and SMILE, as well as the COO of Globacom.

It was reported at the meeting that the mobile network operators had collected a total of 56.18 million NINs. Each NIN is usually tied to an average of 3 to 4 SIMs and this infers that the current figure accounts for a significant portion of the existing SIMs.

This number of NINs collected represents a significant increase when compared with the 47.8 million reported by the Technical Committee on January 18, 2021.

Furthermore, over 1060 registration centres for NIN have been activated and made operational by NIMC across the country, while Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have opened hundreds of centres and are rapidly deploying resources to open thousands of other NIN enrolment centres across states of the country.

Pantami reiterated the need for Nigerians and legal residents who are yet to register for the NIN to be diligent and take advantage of the extension to enrol for their NIN and link it with their SIMs.

It would be recalled that the 4th of February, 2020 was the initial date of the commencement of the National NIN-SIM Registration Policy.

Pantami implored applicants to follow the safety guidelines at all the NIN enrolment centres and ensure compliance with the booking system in place.

“This protocol is in line with the Executive Order on COVID-19 2020 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 27th of January 2021, in keeping with the provisions of the Quarantine Act 2004,” the statement further disclosed.

It is noteworthy that Sections 27 and 29 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007 provides for the mandatory use of National Identity Number for transactions, including application and issuance of a passport, the opening of personal bank accounts, purchase of insurance policies, voter registration, and obtaining credit, among others.

 

We did not invite Sunday Igboho - Ogun govt

 

Waheed Odusile,

Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy

 

The Ogun government has debunked reports indicating that it invited Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Sunday Igboho, to assist in curbing crimes in the state.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abdulwaheed Odusile, said the report was a miscontruance of an interview granted by the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to his special adviser on public communication, Remmy Hazzan.

 

“The interview was twisted to achieve sensational effects.

 

“In the interview, Hazzan had said that the state government, in its usual inclusive approach to governance, would continue to work with all the stakeholders, both within and outside the state to ensure security of lives and property.

 

“Sadly, however, this statement was disingenuously twisted to mean that the state had invited Mr. Adeyemo (Igboho) to help curb insecurity.

 

“This is regrettable and totally misleading.

 

“The Dapo Abiodun-led Administration, since inception, has been known to be inclusive in its approach, collaborating and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including security issues.

 

“This has resulted in the achievement of the enviable status and recognition we enjoy as the most secured state in the country.

Ex-Minister of Information, Tony Momoh is dead

 

Chief Tony Momoh

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Chief Tony Momoh, 81, is dead.

He died on Monday, February 1, 2021 at his residence in Abuja.

Tony Momoh served as the information minister between 1986 and 1990 during the Ibrahim Babangida military dictatorship.

This was confirmed by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, via his Twitter handle.

Atiku described late Momoh as a good man and an avowed apostle of politics without bitterness.

He tweeted, “A good man, Prince Tony Momoh, has gone home. The veteran journalist, politician, and former minister was an avowed apostle of politics without bitterness. And like the prince he was, carried himself with dignity and respect. He will be sorely missed.

“My family and I, condole with his family; the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh (Ikelebe III) and his Council; the government and people of Edo State, his friends, and associates. May his soul rest in peace.”

DJ Cuppy sues Davido's aide for defamation

 

DJ Cuppy

Billionaire Femi Otedola’s daughter, Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, better known as DJ Cuppy, has sued Afeare Israel also known as Israel DMW, logistics manager to Davido for “libel and defamation.”

 

Recall that Israel DMW had in a post on Instagram revealed why popular singer, Zlatan Ibile, blocked DJ Cuppy on social media, describing the disc jockey as a ‘full fake friend.’

 

According to Davido’s aide who just got married, despite the commercial success of their 2019 song, Gelato, DJ Cuppy did not compensate Zlatan.

 

He further revealed that the disc jockey took Zlatan for her fundraiser in Abuja where she made billions of naira, but she never paid Zlatan neither did she provide for his accommodation.

 

Reacting to the development, Cuppy denied owing Zlatan any money regarding their collaboration #Gelato.

 

She further threatened Davido’s driver with a lawsuit for ‘libel and defamation’.

 

She tweeted, “For the record… There have been no breaches of my contractual agreement regarding the song #Gelato as confirmed by lawyers… However, as @IsrealDMW publicly inaccurately declared I owe an artist money, I am suing him for libel and defamation!

 

“See you in court Isreal,” her tweet read.

Messi scores 650th Barcelona goal with brilliant free-kick against Athletic Bilbao

 

Lionel Messi scored his 650th goal for Barcelona with a wonderful free-kick as they beat Athletic Bilbao to move up to second in La Liga.

 

Athletic had a five-man wall, a player lying behind the wall and another on the line but Messi still managed to curl the ball into the top corner – his 49th free-kick goal for the club.

 

Athletic were level when Jordi Alba turned a cross into his own net.

 

But Antoine Griezmann slammed in the winner from Oscar Mingueza’s pass.

 

Barcelona move above Real Madrid on goal difference, but the rivals both sit 10 points behind Atletico Madrid – who have a game in hand on both sides and who defeated Cadiz earlier in the day.

 

Ronald Koeman’s side seem to be over their dreadful start to the season with eight wins and two draws in their past 10 La Liga games.

 

Barcelona’s day ended better than it started, with the club denying leaking details of Messi’s contract to El Mundo.

 

The club plan legal action after the Spanish newspaper published details of his £492m contract.

Henry, UI’s longest-serving lecturer dies

 

Nigel Henry

University of Ibadan’s longest-serving lecturer, Nigel Henry, has passed away.

 

Until his passage, Henry was a lecturer in the Department of Classics.

 

News of his death was announced on Sunday in a statement by the Department of Classics in the University.

 

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Olatunji Oladejo, also confirmed Henry’s death.

 

The statement read in part, “With a deep sense of sorrow the Department of Classics announces the passing of Mr. Nigel Henry, which regrettable event occurred on the night of 30 January, 2021, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

 

“Mr. Henry, our longest-serving academic member of staff, who spent over four decades nurturing students in the various sub-disciplines of Classics, especially in Greek and Latin languages and literature, was an outstanding student of the highest order.

 

“He took the M.A. (Classics) with First Class Honours (1969 – 73) from the University of St. Andrews, and the B. Phil in Classics (1973 – 75) from the University of Oxford.

 

“Mr. Henry brought to Ibadan the best traditions of Classical scholarship, having been taught by such eminently acclaimed scholars like Sir Kenneth Dover and Prof. Hugh Lloyd- Jones. Every current member of staff of the Department is a former student of Mr. Henry.”

Faithful dog refuses to leave owner’s work site five years after his death

 For the past five years, a loyal pet named Da Huang has been patiently waiting for the return of its owner, Mr Shen, who died of cancer.

Come rain or shine, the faithful dog has refused to leave the man's former work site, determined that it would see its beloved owner once again.

Da Huang, a former stray, was adopted in 2012 by Mr Shen who worked as a parking lot attendant at a residential complex in the city of Shenyang, northeastern China's Liaoning Province.

The man decided to keep the poor animal after finding it stealing a bite of his dinner in his office one day, reported local media Liaoshen Evening News.

 

Mr Shen gave Da Huang a new home by letting it live in his office while feeding and bathing the pooch regularly.

For the next three years, the pooch became the man's four-legged assistant as the pair spent their days together.

Every morning, Da Huang would wait at the car park to welcome Mr Shen, eagerly wagging its tail when it saw him appearing in distance.

It would also help the man guard the area, barking to alert him when it saw an unfamiliar vehicle. 

Although its search always ended with disappointment, the loyal pet would reappear at the parking lot at 3pm every day, the time when Mr Shen used to start his shift.

'We are all very curious,' the resident added. 'Da Huang has determinedly waited for five years. How long could it carry on?'

Da Huang's loyalty touched many locals who joined forces to look after the pooch after Mr Shen's death.

They built a doghouse in the complex for Da Huang to sleep in while bringing food to feed the animal every day.

Some neighbours also tried to adopt the dog, but the faithful pet refused to leave the parking lot where Mr Shen worked.

'We don't look at it as a dog anymore, it is our neighbour,' said the residents, who are determined, just as Da Huang, to take care of the pooch for its owner.

To keep Da Huang warm in the winter, they are planning to build a new home for it near Mr Shen's former work site.

Watch the video here.

Zoom catches lawyer having sex during a court hearing

 

A lawyer is facing stiff penalties in Peru after he was caught having sex during a Zoom court hearing last week.

 

The lawyer, Hector Paredes Robles, had forgotten he left his computer camera on.

 

The embarrassed presiding judge in the virtual hearing, John Chahua Torres, sent a police officer to remedy the situation by alerting the horny lawyer, but not before he had stripped off and sat on a chair for a naked brunette to climb on his lap.

 

The incident happened on Tuesday during a virtual remand hearing organised by a court in Pichanaki in the central Peruvian region of Junin. 

 

While the lewd act lasted, judge Torres said: 'We are witnessing obscene acts which represent a violation of public decency and are aggravated by the fact they are being recorded nationally.' 

 

He ordered the State Prosecution Service to probe the lawyer.

  

The lawyer has been barred from any more involvement in the ongoing land trafficking, fraud and extortion case. 

He will also told face two separate probes from state prosecutors and his local bar association respectively.

 

Some local reports have the described lady he had sex with as his client, whose exact identity is yet to be ascertained.  

 

Watch the clip here

I thought Buhari was strong in military strategy- Obasanjo

Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo

 

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has admitted that he misjudged President Mohammadu Buhari’s capacity to run Nigeria well at least in one critical area: security.

The former president said he knew all along President Buhari was weak in some critical areas, such as economics and foreign affairs, but thought he was strong in military strategy.

 

President Obasanjo spoke in a virtual interview with historian, Toyin Falola, on Sunday.

 

He said that developments since President Buhari assumed power had put a lie to his supposed strength.

 

He lamented that insecurity had overtaken the North West of the country, where the President hails from.

He said, “I thought I knew President Buhari because he worked with me. But I used to ask people, is it that I have not read him well or read him adequately or is it that he has changed from the Buhari that I used to know? I am not subscribing to the people who say we have a new Buhari from Sudan and all that nonsense.

 

“I know what I believed was his limitations and I have written about it – he wasn’t strong in economics, not all of us are strong in anything but you need to have sufficient knowledge of it for you to direct the affairs. He wasn’t particularly too strong in foreign affairs but I thought he was strong enough in (the) military (strategy).

 

“But with what I have seen now, I believe that maybe he will be thinking of a legacy. Maybe he will also learn from what has happened in recent times. If you are the commander-in-chief and banditry is taking place in your backyard, then you have to wake up.”

Lagos now consumes 400 oxygen cylinders per day

Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State

 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that the demand for oxygen by coronavirus patients has increased to 400 cylinders per day.

Meanwhile, the state recorded 355 new COVID-19 infections, the highest in the country on Sunday. This brings the total number of confirmed infections in the state to 49,274, while 314 deaths have so far been recorded.

Briefing Lagosians on Sunday on the management of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state, Sanwo-Olu said  that oxygen was free in all Lagos State-owned COVID-19 treatment centres.

He added that the state was under pressure to ensure availability, leading to the commencement of the construction of a second oxygen plant at the Gbagada General Hospital. It is expected to come on-stream within the next seven days.

The new plant will boost the in-house capacity and availability of oxygen across all state government-managed treatment centres.

The governor further disclosed that plans were afoot to make the state-owned isolation centre in Gbagada a fee-paying facility that Lagos residents who were willing to pay could go to for treatment.

The facility, he said, would provide covid-19 treatment at a far cheaper cost than private facilities.

“This means that the COVID treatment facility in Yaba will continue to offer free and high-quality treatment to all persons.

“Gbagada centre will offer treatment at a moderated and affordable cost to those who wish to take advantage of extra offerings like private treatment rooms and more personalised levels of care," Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu said that the government established a toll-free telemedicine service, EKOTELEMED, for patients who were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms that did not require admission and could, therefore, be managed in the comfort of their homes.

The service can be accessed free of charge on 08000EKOMED (08000356633).

The governor urged Lagos residents to avail themselves of the facility.

Five cases of deadlier COVID-19 strain discovered in Osun, CJ shuts courts

 

Funke Egbemode, Commissioner for Information

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode,  has disclosed that five cases of the new COVID-19 strain have been discovered in the state.

Recall that the presidential task force on COVID-19 announced last week that the virus strain first reported in the UK had been found in Nigeria.

 

Egbemode expressed anxiety over this development because of what she called the deadly nature of the strain.

According to her, it was particularly worrisome because residents of the state were not strictly adhering to the laid down COVID-19 protocol.

“The Govt of Osun regrets to announce that the State has in the past few days recorded five cases of the violent and deadly B117 strain of COVID-19, which was first reported in the United Kingdom,” she said.

Egbemode expressed fears that more people could be vulnerable if the variant spread because it was more contagious and deadlier.

 

The commissioner urged Osun State residents to comply with all established COVID-19 protocol in order to nip the pandemic in the bud.

 

In a related development, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo has ordered that the state’s courtrooms be shut with immediate effect, while court staff below level 12 should work from home till further notice.

The Chief Judge, in a release signed by the Chief Registrar, M. A Lasisi, authorised all Osun State judiciary staff to undergo COVID-19 test immediately.

Osun State Government currently conducts the test free.

Multichoice reduces decoder prices for a month

Martin Mabutho

MultiChoice Nigeria, owners of the Digital Satellite Television (DStv) and Gotv, has reduced the prices of its DStv and GOtv decoders with effect from February I, 2021 and will last for a month.

With the reduction, subscription to the DStv high definition (HD) decoder, dish kit with Compact package drop to N9,900 from N18,600 on Confam package, while GOtv decoder, GOtennae with GOtv Jolli package subscription will go to N6,900 from N8,400.

DStv Confam is one of the two recently improved DStv packages specially designed for the Nigerian subscribers. 

With over 120 channels, DStv Confam offers subscribers international entertainment, kids, news and sports boasting of a range of channels including SuperSport La Liga, CBS Reality, Fox, BET and Cartoon Network.

GOtv Jolli, also a recently improved package on the Direct to Home (DTT) offering, offers a broad selection of over 68 local and international channels. Some of the channels available include SuperSport Football, ROK 2, Telemundo, Fox, Davinci Learning and Africa News.

Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, in a virtual press conference in Lagos said that the price slash is part of MultiChoice’s long line of efforts to lessen the economic impact of COVID-19 on customers and a reflection of its commitment to making quality entertainment more accessible to Nigerians.

Mabutho said: “With this discount, we are lowering the entry barrier for new customers to get a DStv or GOtv decoder as staying connected to credible information and other quality programming can be comforting for many families during these trying times.

“In addition to the discount we are currently running our DStv Step Up offer which gives our customers on lower packages an opportunity to experience programming on higher packages, and a GOtv Max offer which sees customers on Jolli and Jinja enjoy a special discount of N2,999 instead of N3,600 per month.”