Naija Gist : 2015

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Flogging of jailed Saudi blogger who nearly died from his first round of lashes for insulting Islam will resume soon

The Saudi government is planning to resume the flogging of a blogger who they said insulted Islam. The blogger, Raif Badawi nearly died when he was flogged the last time. Raif, who is in prison, was sentenced to 1,000 lashes & 10 years in prison for insulting Islam in a post he shared on social media.

His wife, Ensaf Haidar, who lives in Canada, told reporters yesterday that the Saudi authority was planning to resume the flogging soon at the prison where he is being held. She said Raif is in 'a poor condition', and was suffering from high blood pressure and was mentally very stressed.

We will vigorously pursue the recovery of stolen funds- Buhari

President Buhari says his administration will vigorously pursue stolen funds so as to deter others from coming into government for personal gains. Addressing members of the Nigerian community in India today October 28th, Buhari said the recovery of stolen funds and prosecution of persons who have been indicted for corrupt practices will continue to be vigorously pursued so that it will serve as a deterrent to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain.

"The anti-corruption campaign will be on-going for many years. We are committed to the enthronement of good governance that plugs the loopholes in public sector accounting, and the use of scarce resources for public good. We are determined to demonstrate exemplary leadership that will make our citizens to change their ways in a manner that lays a solid foundation for reconstruction and development. I am confident that our approach to fighting corruption through value re-orientation, improved internal processes and systems and the rule of law, as well as enhancing the capacity of the various anti-corruption agencies and institutions will prove more enduring in addressing this evil. In the meantime, we will continue to prosecute those who have been indicted for corrupt practices and ensure that stolen funds are recovered, to serve as deterrence to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain,"he said.

The police today arraigned a 16 year old boy in a charge of gross indecency at Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly sexually abusing a toddler. The prosecutor, Adama Musa, said Samuel Zakka of Pegi village, Kuje, Abuja reported the matter at the FCT command, Abuja on September 22.

Some people's reality! Quite sad! Photo Credit: Reuters

Geraldine Iheme shows of her beautiful engagement ring

The ex BBA Housemate and author who got engaged two days ago took to her Instagram page to show off her glistering engagement ring. She captioned the photo: "Still so surreal! thank you guys for all the love! #bless!! Xx #happy #blessed #soon2beMrs!"

Danny Beardmore suffered a fractured cheekbone, eye socket and a broken nose after he became involved in an argument. The 19-year-old was out with his girlfriend when he became involved in an altercation with some men and was assaulted close to the Cross Axes pub, in Great Harwood.

Photos: Man admits to the manslaughter of a Nigerian in London

On Tuesday October 28, Evan Edwards (left) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Babafemi Junaid, 22, (right) following a retrial at the Old Bailey.

Police were called at around 17:40hrs on Friday, 7 February 2014 to reports of a man stabbed. Upon arrival they found Babafemi suffering from a stab wound to the chest. He was taken by London Ambulance Service to hospital but he later died that evening. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a single stab wound to the heart.

Babafemi became the inadvertent focus of an attack by a group after a disturbance on a 155 bus spilled out onto the street.

He was not on the bus but was waiting at the bus stop when the disturbance spilled out onto the pavement at Stockwell station. As he attempted to get away from the fracas he was targeted, chased and attacked by the group.

The Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jalingo today nullified the election of the Speaker of the Taraba state House of Assembly, Abel Diah, of PDP. According to the tribunal, elections in eight out of the nine polling units, challenged by the petitioner, were conducted against the provision of the 2010 Electoral Act. Thus the elections are inconclusive and INEC is to conduct fresh polls within 90 days in the affected polling units.

Photos: African leaders at Indian Africa Summit, all wearing Indian attires...except Robert Mugabe

Trust Mugabe not to comply...lol. Even President Buhari wore their Indian attire. The heads of government are in India for the 3rd Summit of the India-Africa Forum.

Kirk Franklin's title for his 11th studio album "Losing My Religion" sparked a mixed reaction. Last month, the 45-year-old took to Instagram to reveal the title of the album, writing:

"In the beginning religion created a mask ... for generations church was where we went to go hide .... rules without relationship is empty inside. ... There's room at the cross for everyone even me ... religion is a prison, but truth sets us free. The preacher isn't God, religion's first mistake ... I'm losing my religion, Thank God ... Helping you lose yours is my job."

On "Tom Joyner Morning Show", the Gospel singer explains why he believes people should focus on their relationship with Christ more than anything else.

"Religion, throughout the years, has become a very oppressive thing that doesn't allow people to get to know the God it was created to try to lead them to. So basically, it's just like marriage cannot guarantee intimacy, religion doesn't guarantee relationship," the recording artist and songwriter said.