Efforts to get Kenyans out of Juba prison fails

Efforts to get Kenyans out of Juba prisons fails

Four Kenyans are still languishing in jail in South Sudan after diplomatic efforts to have them released failed.

The families of the four, who were jailed for life for fraud and money laundering, are now appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene politically, saying they have exhausted all legal and diplomatic channels.

Boniface Chuma, Ravi Ghaghda, Anthony Keya and Anthony Wazome — together with 12 South Sudanese all former employees of Click Technologies in Juba — were in June jailed for fraudulently acquiring $14 million belonging to the office of President Salva Kiir.

They had been enjoined in a case in which their boss, John Agou, who used to work as a senior security officer in President Kiir’s office, was accused of forging documents bearing the president’s signature to secure financial approvals from the country’s central bank.

The Kenyans’ families say that the legal appeal against the life sentence handed down in June has not been acted upon five months down the line yet a decision was supposed to be delivered in 45 days.

However, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has done its best through diplomatic engagement with the South Sudan authorities to have the Kenyans released without being seen to interfere with the jurisdiction of another country.

“We know the limits of jurisdiction and the fact that the case is still in court. However, our first responsibility is to ensure that our people are taken care of and that they are safe,” said Tom Amolo, the Political and Diplomatic Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tejal Ghaghda, sister of one of the Kenyans, speaking on behalf of the four families, said that they have tried all diplomatic channels without success and that the case has now become political, so it is only the president who can intervene on their behalf.

“Our appeal is to the Government of Kenya because we believe that with the intervention of the state, we can have these citizens returned home. They have already been through severe violations of their fundamental rights and freedoms. They have become collateral victims of a fight between brothers and business rivalry,” said Ms Ghaghda.

She maintained that the Kenyans were not given a fair trial because the reason for their arrest was not explained to them, they were not mentioned during the whole trial, their witnesses threatened, and their lawyer, Kiir Chol, was not allowed to communicate with them before ultimately being forced to abandon the case midway following threats to his life.

Initially, the accused numbered five but Peter Muriuki Nkonge was released in January. Prior to the sentencing, the bail was set at $14 million per person. The Kenyans are currently being held at the National Security Service facility at Juba Main Prison.

Despite earlier maintaining that Kenya could not interfere in the judicial process of another country, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Amina Mohamed in July told parliament — through Majority Leader, Adel Duale — that the Kenya government had protested to South Sudan about the “unjustified sentences” imposed on the Kenyans.

“The Kenyans have been condemned when there is no evidence adduced in court linking them to the alleged crime. The government is considering a range of diplomatic measures to ensure these Kenyans are freed and come back home,” said Ms Mohamed in her statement to parliament.

The 16 were jailed under the Financial Management and Accountability Act, 2011 and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Act, 2012

Bayelsea students in Ghana varsity barred from writing exams

Bayelsea students in Ghana varsity barred from writing exams 

Bayelsa State students studying at King’s University College, Accra, Ghana, have been prevented from writing their examinations as well as being chased out of the institution’s hostels, according to report.
The revelation is coming more than three weeks after the Bayelsa State Government said that it had approved the payment of sundry fees for its stranded students studying abroad.
The government had on November 24, 2016, indicated that Governor Seriake Dickson released £300,000 and $450,000 for the payment of tuition for students of the state on scholarship abroad.
The Commissioner for Education, Mr. Markson Fefegha, was quoted then as saying that the release of the funds, despite the sharp decline in the revenue accruing to the state, was a show of the government’s commitment to the education of its people.
The commissioner had said the release of £250,000 was made to offset tuition and other fees of Bayelsa students studying for their PhD degrees in the United Kingdom.
He had also said the sum of $150,000 was approved for Bayelsa students studying at the Lincoln University in the United States, as well as the payment if $40,000 to some Bayelsa students studying in Ghana.

But it was learnt on Saturday that students of KUC in Ghana were still stranded.
A final year student of Human Resources Management of the institution said their school fees had not been paid.
The student, who did not want her name mentioned because of fear of victimisation, said because of the development, they (students) were not allowed to participate in the ongoing examinations in the school.
Besides, she said Bayelsa students in Accra had been expelled from hostels by the university authorities more than a month ago.
The distraught student, who confirmed the development on the telephone, stated, “They have not yet paid our school fees. However, we learnt government representatives are on their way to our school. So, we are hoping that the government team will arrive in our school by Monday or Tuesday this week.
“We are still waiting. If by Monday or Tuesday, we do not see them, we will assume they are not coming.
“We have not been going to school since October. Another disturbing trend is that Bayelsa students are scattered since we were chased out of the hostels. For me, I live with a friend. Every other student on scholarship is scattered.”

Game of thrones Star actor Peter Vaughan passed away "dies age 93"

Game of thrones Star actor Peter Vaughan dies 93

British actor Peter Vaughan, best known for his role as Maester Aemon in hit television series “Game of Thrones”, died Tuesday at the age of 93.
The character actor had been a recognisable figure on British television screens since the 1950s, but his appearance in the fantasy epic over five years from 2011 won him global fans.
“Very sadly Peter Vaughan passed away at approximately 10.30 this morning. He died peacefully with his family around him,” his agent Sally Long-Innes said.

Partially sighted in real life, in “Game of Thrones” he played the blind maester of Castle Black, one of the lord commander’s closest advisors in the Night’s Watch.
Vaughan also appeared as a villain in prison sitcom “Porridge” in the 1970s, and starred in “Our Friends in the North” in the 1990s, for which he was nominated for a BAFTA television award.
Born on April 4, 1923, he was married to actress Billie Whitelaw for 12 years. He is survived by his second wife, actress Lillias Walker.

Shiites: Breaking Kaduna government declares war on Shiites labels group as Insurgent

BREAKING: Kaduna Government declares war on Shiite IMN, officially labels group ‘insurgent’

December 5, 2016Sani Tukur

The Kaduna State Government has officially labelled the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, an insurgent group.
This is contained in a White Paper released by the state government on Monday in Kaduna.
“For all intent and purpose, the IMN is an insurgent group and ought to be treated as such,” the government said n the white paper.
The government also said the detained Shiite leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, will be held responsible for all acts carried out by the group’s members.
“Members of the IMN owe absolute loyalty to Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky,” the white paper states. “He therefore bears responsibility for all the acts of lawlessness committed by the organisation and should therefore be held responsible, fully investigated and prosecuted.”
In the white paper, the state government also indicated it may not prosecute the soldiers involved in the killing of over 300 members of the IMN in December last year, but may leave their prosecution to the federal government.

Source : Premium times Nigeria

President-Elect Donald Trump intends to nominate Dr Ben Carson as Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

President-Elect Donald J. Trump Intends to Nominate Dr. Ben Carson as Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

(New York, NY) - President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to nominate Dr. Ben Carson to serve as Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Dr. Carson is a distinguished national leader who overcame his troubled youth in the inner city of Detroit to become a renowned neurosurgeon who served as the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland.
“I am thrilled to nominate Dr. Ben Carson as our next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities. We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities. Ben shares my optimism about the future of our country and is part of ensuring that this is a Presidency representing all Americans. He is a tough competitor and never gives up.”
“I am honored to accept the opportunity to serve our country in the Trump administration,” said Dr. Carson. “I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need. We have much work to do in enhancing every aspect of our nation and ensuring that our nation’s housing needs are met.”
Ben Carson was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 18, 1951. While his mother lacked access to a quality education, she encouraged her sons in their scholastic pursuits and instilled the value of hard work. Carson graduated with honors from Southwestern High School, where he also became a senior commander in the school's ROTC program. He earned a full scholarship to Yale University and graduated in 1973 with a B.A. degree in psychology.
Carson then enrolled in the School of Medicine at the University of Michigan, choosing to become a neurosurgeon. Dr. Carson became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital at age 33 and earned fame for his groundbreaking work separating conjoined twins.
Twenty years ago, Carson and his wife Candy started the Carson Scholars Fund, which is now active in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It has provided more than 7,300 scholarships since 1994 to students from all backgrounds that achieve at the highest academic levels and community service. It also encompasses the Reading Room program and reading rooms have been placed throughout the country to stimulate a love for reading, especially in those who are underserved.
In 2000, the Library of Congress selected Dr. Carson as one of its "Living Legends." The following year, CNN and Time magazine named Dr. Carson as one of the nation's 20 foremost physicians and scientists. In 2006, he received the Spingarn Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP. In February 2008, President George W. Bush awarded Dr. Carson the Ford's Theatre Lincoln Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Biafra: We have no leaders in the East, our leaders have all joined the enemies to oppress their own people - Rev Ukpai

BIAFRA: We have no leaders in the East, our leaders have all joined enemies to oppress their own people--Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai

By Onyedikachi Chimaobim
For Family Writers

Rev Uma Upkai the most revered man of God in Nigeria and Africa at large who is known for miracles at any of his spoken words has on the 4th of December confirmed the laments of the people of the Eastern Nigeria for decades that they have no leaders.

He said this during a meeting venue at the Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt tagged "MEGA WORSHIP" organized by the Northern Rivers District of the Assemblies of God Church (AGC) Nigeria in which he was the guest speaker. The meeting which was also graced with the presence of the executive governor of Rivers State Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and wife started on Friday 2nd December and ran through 4th.

Rev Uma Ukpai after his Holy Ghost filled message cum blessing to the whooping crowd urged the people of the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria to see themselves as one and put aside their differences.He also urged them to pay deft ears to those working hard to make sure the defunct Eastern Nigeria is divided amongst herself. "Those things dividing us in real sense does not exist" he pleaded in his words. He said, when a people don't have a leader, they become a mob, he said that the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria is now like a mob because all her leaders has taken side in the enemy's camp to join in oppression of their own people.

The manner and seriousness at which he kept calling for the unification of the defunct Eastern Nigeria signifies that of a truth something of real value is missing within her as they have allowed the enemy access to come in and plant hatred amongst them. Making the point that while two brothers fights, a stranger inherits their fathers wealth. Finally he urged the executive governor of Rivers State Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyeso Wike to be an outstanding leader of the Eastern people in other words making the point that there is not such word as South South but all eastern Nigeria.



With his words the crowd seemed very pleasing as there were shouts of agreement across the stadium showing their endorsement to the soothing words of the clergy man. Rev Uma Ukpai who prophesied to the governor one on one in one of his ministration ground before the 2015 governorship election that he is the next governor of Rivers State because heaven has already voted for him also thanked the governor for the numerous good works he has been able to achieve within a short period in office and urge him to continue because God is with him.He also reiterated that the governor should never forget to stand and represent the people of the east well.

At this juncture the executive governor of Rivers State Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike was called to address the people of God present at the stadium. As he matched to the stage alongside his ADs the people screamed on top of their voices as he waved at them.The governor expressed gratitude to the man of God who he addressed as Our Father for being a friend of the state.He further confirmed that the clergy man had in 2015 before the governorship election told him to his face that he is the next governor of Rivers State. I owe no body apology to say this that Rivers State is 100% Christian state and as such will give 100% support to any Christian activities in the state, the governor affirmed. For this reason he said on no account would the church be charged for using any government facilities. He said he doesn't care if the EFCC was present or not that he is making it open that his government will support the church of God with funds because God has restored peace to the state.

On this note he pledged to take care of all expenses incurred in the program that particular day. Following the appeal earlier made by Rev Joseph Kalu the district Superintendent of the Northern Rivers District Assemblies Of God Church (AGC) in his opening speech to the governor to support her in her project to build a state secretariat, the governor pledged to give maximum support in this regard. This is the only way to repay a Mighty God who has restored peace to our state he affirmed. He also said he has a similar agenda to build a place where Christians in the state can be meeting irrespective of their denomination as this would help them understand they serve one God. This was applauded by crowd as some echoed "Wike is working". Lastly he also express his worries on how the state which is a major player in providing the country's wealth has been without federal representatives for almost two years.So he urged the people to come out in mass and cast their votes on the 10th of December 2016 which is the day for the senatorial election.
The program was brought to a close with a prophetic prayer both for the state, the governor and his administration by the spiritual father of the day Rev Uma Ukpai.He also reiterated in his prayer that God should give the governor what it takes to represent the East well.

Finally the Nigeria national anthem was taken to mark the end of the event but people were seen walking out of the stadium as some were heard saying the right anthem to be sang here is the Biafra anthem.