Photos from the funeral of 25-year-old Nigerian graduate who committed suicide in Italy after residence permit denial

A 25-year-old Nigerian man identified as Prince Jerry killed himself in Italy after authorities denied him a residence permit. Read here

Jerry's funeral was held Friday morning, at the Chiesa dell'Annunziata in Genoa.

Prince Jerry was a chemistry graduate and was continuing his studies at a University having arrived from Libya on a boat two and a half years ago.�

In mid-January his appeal to stay in the country was rejected and he ?fell into a deep depression?, according to sources close to Jerry, who was staying in Tortona in Piedmont at the time of his death.

Italian authorities have been denying residence permits in their hundreds and have started removing migrants from centres as the government?s hardline immigration measures kick in.Approved in December, the Salvini decree ? named after Matteo Salvini, the interior minister and leader of the far-right League ? abolishes humanitarian protection for those not eligible for refugee status.

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?After discovering he couldn?t even count on the humanitarian permission that was cancelled by the recent decree, one of our boys took his own life,? said Fr Giacomo Di Martino of the charity Migrantes.

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Fr Alex Zanotelli, a member of the Comboni missionaries in Verona, described Jerry?s death as ?a state murder, the bitter fruit of the Salvini decree, which besides insecurity produces deaths?.

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?Many of the migrants and refugees we treat in our projects have already passed through traumatic experiences in their journey, in many cases with episodes of violence and torture in Libya,? Lilian Pizzi, a psychologist with M�decins Sans Fronti�res in Rome, told the Guardian.

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?When they arrive in Europe they are often retraumatised by arbitrary policies that reduce their rights and by an atmosphere of hate and racism amplified by the media. And all this exacerbates a sense of powerlessness and exclusion.?More photos below...

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Rowan Atkinson "Mr Bean" to take a year off work to look after his young daughter

Rowan Atkinson, popularly known as Mr Bean, is taking a year off work to become a stay-at-home dad.

The 64-year-old actor who welcomed a daughter with his partner Louise Ford, 35, in December 2017, shocked friends when he told them that he is ‘going to take care of Baby Bean while Louise has the chance to concentrate on acting’.

Reacting to Mr Bean's decision, a source close together actor said:

Rowan has a habit of surprising people – and he has done it again with this announcement.

He has said he will take a back seat from work to be with Isla, and this will obviously allow Louise to focus on her career which is going well.

Rowan already has a son Ben, 23, and a daughter, 21, from former wife Sunetra Sastry. He split from Sunetra in 2014, who cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ in the divorce papers the following year.

Rowan and Louise began dating in 2014 after meeting on West End production Quartermaine’s Terms in 2012.

Photos: Young girl declares interest in man with down syndrome who married 15-year-old girl in Ozubulu, says people should stop insulting him

A 19-year-old lady has declared interest in the man with down syndrome,  who married a minor in Ozubulu, Anambra state.

In a post on a Facebook group, Onuh Chisom Maryjane, slammed those insulting the man. She didn't spared the young nursing mother, Chinwe, either.

She also stated that she'll marry the man on the condition that his 'rich' family members, open up a business for her, buy her a car and credit her account.

Read her post below:

"Since u people doesn't want him to marry a 15 year old girl,fine

Bring him to me let him marry a 19 yrs old girl
If u people doesn't want him,i want me
Somepeople are wicked,they don't want him to enjoy what other s are enjoying,people should stop insulting him,any ways that girl no fine at all and am finer than her,
I also heard that his brother Is rich,that good to know, but before i marry him, their must buy me a car,credit my account and open up a business for me
Pls am interested in him"

Photos: Six suspected internet fraudsters including two females arrested by EFCC operatives in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Office have arrested six suspected internet fraudsters at their hotel hideout in Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

A statement from the antigraft agency says they were arrested on Friday, February 1, 2019 in a sting operation.

 The suspects, comprising four men and two ladies are: Oghenekewe Innocent Akinnawo, Kemka Godseat Amadi, Revelation Macaulay, Damilola Adedoyin Oyinloye, Mary Ndubuisi and Jennifer Vandi.

Their arrest followed series of intelligence report linking them with alleged fraudulent activities ranging from love scam on numerous dating sites, obtaining money by false pretences and other fraud still being investigated. 

Several items were recovered from them at the point of arrest. Some of them are three exotic cars: Benz- E350-4Matic; Toyota Camry XLE and Benz- GLE 450. Others are four iPhones, four laptops; one iPad, one iron sealed stamp; cheque books, car number plates and two un-used bullets. 

They will soon be charged to court.

Lagos State records 134% rise in sexual abuse and domestic violence - New Report

The 2018 report of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team of the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State, has shown a 134 per cent increase in cases of rape, defilement and domestic violence handled by the agency compared to the previous year.

The report indicated that DSVRT handled 2,356 cases in 2018 – 1,312 higher than 1,044 cases treated in the preceding year. In the year under review, the agency recorded 1,750 domestic violence cases, 279 child abuse cases, 78 defilement cases, 44 cases of rape, 51 attempted rape cases and 154 other cases.

While the number of domestic violence cases increased by 817, the incidence of child abuse and defilement rose by 251 and 37 respectively. Rape cases was 24 higher compared to the 2017 report.

According to the 2018 statistics, the office on the average received 166 new cases monthly and got 840 genuine reports via the 6820 emergency short  code.The report stated, “The team recorded a major increase in the number of cases handled in 2018. A total number of 2,356 cases, including 1,750 domestic violence cases, 279 child abuse cases, 78 defilement cases, 44 rape cases, 51 attempted rape cases and 154 other cases were handled. It was discovered that the number of cases increased by 134 per cent in the year 2018.

“DSVRT has responded to 439 reports of domestic violence, 215 reports of sexual abuse and 186 reports of child abuse – all reported via the 6820 platform. What is most exciting about the platform is that it breaks the initial barrier of people not wanting to make formal reports at an office or police station. We are now able to interact directly with survivors and concerned witnesses and take vital steps in dealing with a case.”

The report  added  that DSVRT focused on children who experienced violence  at  the hands of close relations, noting that a total number of 2,646 children were exposed to domestic violence within the home. Some of the children were said to have been taken through counselling programmes to ensure  that their experiences  did not have permanent and negative impacts on them.

The report said, “From January 2018 to December 2018, the attention of DSVRT was drawn to incidents of child abuse in 19 schools. All the erring schools are under investigation by the Office of Education Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education. All the defilement cases have been taken to court.”

Photos: EFCC arrests 13 suspected fraudsters in Enugu, Toyota and Mercedes benz cars recovered from them

The Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Office, has arrested 13 suspects for allegedly engaging in cyber crime and internet fraud.

Three of the suspects were arrested on January 17, 2019 at Awka, Anambra State, following intelligence reports and surveillance carried out on them. Six were arrested at Ngwo in Enugu State, while four were arrested at an estate in Abakpa area of Enugu State.

Items recovered from them include nine exotic cars ranging from Toyota Avenza, Toyota Lexus, Toyota Hillux, Toyota avalon,Mercedez Benz among others. Others include laptops, printers, cameras, phones, expensive drinks and other personal effects.

The Zonal Head of the South East Zone of the commission, Ahmed Imam Usman, while addressing the Press on February 1, 2019 said the raid was consequent upon the resolve ofthe acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu to intensify the Commission’s fight against internet and cyber fraudsters across the country.

He said:

“We have resolved as part of carrying out the commission’s mandate to stamp out internet scams, advance fee fraud and other related crimes and help in rebuilding the image of the country.

“Apart from public corruption which affects us locally, and denies us access to basic social amenities, Nigerians are treated badly because of the activities of cyber criminalsand this gives us a bad name internationally. We are determined to stamp that out.”

Charges have been drawn against the suspects and have been filed in court; they will soon be arraigned.

Kenyan designer splits from her Nigerian lover months after advising women to bathe their men and be submissive if they want to keep them

Kenyan fashion blogger cum designer, Lisa Gaitho who made headlines after advising women to bathe their men if they want to keep them, has split from her Nigerian lover.

Recall that Lisa caused an uproar online last July after she advised women to bathe their men, dry them well, clean their ears if they want to keep them and get whatever they want from them.

In the video that went viral, the young lady admitted to doing the same to her man which was one of the many reasons that kept him. See previous report here

 She also explains that it took her time to realize that she was actually treating the “man” in her life as an “idol”.

“When I was reading the Bible, the story of Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, God showed me that bowing down is not just to the king. It’s compromising…And I said if I have sex and ignore what God is saying I would be bowing down to my idol and at this time, this man had become my idol,” said Gaitho.

The breakup caught many Kenyans by surprise as countless thought she was a relationship guru who could fix hers.

Following reports that she was single, Kenyans took to social media to troll her to hell and back, reminding her of her days as a relationship adviser. Read some below.

Photos from the birthday party of FFK's first son, Aragorn

On Saturday, first son of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, turned 3.

The former Minister and his pretty wife, Precious, threw him a birthday party at their home in Abuja. See more photos below.

Uncollected PVCs set ablaze as hoodlums attack INEC office in Abia

Several uncollected permanent voter cards have been set ablaze by unknown persons who broke into the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abia State in the early hours of today February 3rd.

Over 15,000 uncollected PVCs were burnt as well as the register containing the number of registered voters.

The state police say investigations have commenced and the culprits will be apprehended soon.

Photos: UNICAL fresh graduate who died few days to her wedding has been buried in her wedding dress and on her wedding day

Mary Owan, a fresh graduate of History and International Studies, University of Calabar who died in a fatal motor accident on Monday, January 28th, just few days to her wedding, has been buried. She was on her way for her traditional wedding when she died in an accident.

Mary was buried yesterday February 2nd which was meant to be her wedding day. 

Late Owan was a niece to University of Calabar Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu.

So sad! May her soul rest in peace, Amen. See photos from her burial below.

ASUU may call off strike today – FG

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has revealed that the 4-month old strike by lecturers under the umbrella of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may be called off today February 3rd.

Recall that on November 5th 2018, aggrieved ASUU lecturers embarked on the strike action over the failure of the Federal government to meet their demands of better funding for tertiary institutions.

At a media conference in Abuja, yesterday, the Minister told newsmen that an agreement has been reached and that the strike will not enter into next week.

''The strike will be called off from today (yesterday) or tomorrow (today) and certainly, there won’t be strike next week.” he said

Update: 15-year-old nursing mother married off to man with down syndrome in Anambra has been returned to her parents

15-year-old girl, Miss Chinwe, that was recently married off to an older man, Izuchukwu Igwilo, from Anambra state, has been rescued.

Last week, there was a public outcry on all media platforms after photos from the introduction ceremony of Chinwe and Izuchukwu surfaced online.

Activist, Prince Harrison Gwamnishu, who championed the course for Chinwe to be rescued, gave an update on Saturday. According to the Gwamnishu, Chinwe who is 15 going on 16, has a six-month old baby and she has been taken back to her parents' house. He also stated that on Monday February 4th, she will be officially handed over to the Anambra state Ministry of Women Affairs.

''I promise to #RetrieveChinwe and I kept to my promise.

#Correction: Her baby is six months old and not one year. Igwilo's family married a nursing mother.

#Handed over to Ministry of Women and Child Welfare Anambra State.

Thanks to Commissioner Ministry of Women and Child Welfare Anambra State, Barr. Ajuebor Favour Kene Ezika Efficient Grace Ume Anwulika E. Udanoh Young Boss and Nigeria Police Anambra command for their quick response.

They alleged Izuchukwu Igwilo is 25yrs old and a Business man base in Lagos

The mantle has been handed over to the ministry. They are trained and strongly believe they will deliver.

Thank you great family for your prayers. The struggle continues to end CHILD MARRIAGE and abuse of the girl child '' he wrote

Angry mum attacks military teacher with a matchete for flogging her child in Port Harcourt

A military teacher escaped being butchered to death in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as the wife of Air Commodore Irobuisi (NAF2042) attacked him with a machete.

According to reports, the victim had taken disciplinary action against Mrs Irobuisi’s daughter by flogging her. However, when the lady was informed, she drove down to the Air force Secondary School with a hidden cutlass which she used to attack the teacher’s face while discussing with him.

The injured soldier has since been rushed to the NAF Reference hospital, Port Harcourt, while Mrs Irobuisi is currently being held at provost squadron of 115 sog. According to reports, Mrs Irobuisi isn’t a stranger to assaulting military officers and was once suspended from the Nigerian Air force Officers Wife Association for the same reason.

Breaking: VP Osinbajo survives as his helicopter crash-lands In Kogi State

Moments ago, a helicopter conveying the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, crash-landed in Kabba, Kogi State.

Confirming the incident, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande via his verified twitter handle said, 'VP Osinbajo's Chopper crash lands in Kabba, but he and the entire crew safe. He is continuing with his engagements and plans for the day in Kogi State.'.

He added that, 'we give all the glory to God, our able protector and commend all the Flight Crew officials for their service. We are marching on for indeed we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us'.

Burglar who had sex with a corpse after breaking into a funeral parlour has been jailed for six years

A burglar who had sex with a corpse after breaking into a funeral parlour has been jailed for six years. Kasim Khuram, 23, had sex with a woman's body after lifting the lids of coffins at the Co-Operative undertakers in Walsall Road, Great Barr, Birmingham back in November.  

Sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Melbourne Inman QC said the crimes "offend all human sensitivity. I am not aware of and nor have I been able to find any similar case. It would be difficult to think of a greater depravation of the dignity of the dead," he said.

Khuram had forced his way into the parlour at about 03:00 GMT while high on Mamba and PCP and after drinking vodka.  He disturbed "multiple coffins" and desecrated the bodies of two women.

Khuram, who previously admitted sexual penetration of a body and burglary, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.