LAST PICTURE OF THE NOTORIOUS BRITISH TRAIN ROBBER RONNIE BIGGS

Wrapped in a football scarf and blanket in his north London care home, train robber Ronnie Biggs is pictured just days before he died. The sad image shows the decline of the notorious figure, who died in the early hours of Wednesday. 

Biggs had suffered with ill-health for years, which led to his return to Britain in May 2001 after decades on the run in Brazil after playing his part in the infamous Great Train Robbery of 1963. He had suffered three strokes while abroad, leaving him in need of medical care which he could not afford. He contacted Scotland Yard to arrange handing himself in, and struck a deal with The Sun newspaper, which flew him back to England, where he was arrested on arrival.

After serving eight years on his jail sentence, he was released in 2009 by Jack Straw, then the Justice Secretary, on 'compassionate grounds'. He was seen again in public this year giving a defiant gesture to the cameras at a funeral for his friend and fellow train robber Bruce Reynolds, who was said to be the mastermind of the heist.

RAPISTS TO SERVE LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN KATSINA STATE

 

The Katsina State House of Assembly, on Tuesday passed a law that prescribed life imprisonment for those found guilty of rape. The assembly, which amended Section 283 of Katsina State Penal Code Law, Cap 96 of 1991, also provided 14-year jail term and a N50,000 fine for those with lesser offence.

The sponsor of the bill, Alhaji Rabiu Idris from Funtua Local Government, had earlier said that the amendment was to ensure that rapists received severe punishment to serve as deterrent to others. Idris said the measure became necessary in view of rampant cases of rape in the state.He observed that judges were constrained in handing over severe sentences as the offence was not specified in law.

The new amendment now reads: ``Whoever commits rape, shall serve life imprisonment or lesser charge of not less than 14 years in jail together with N50,000 fine.'' The law also requires the offender to pay compensation to the victim.

The Speaker, Alhaji Ya’u Gwajogwajo, directed the legal department of the house to prepare a clean copy of the law and forward it to the state governor for assent.

It would be recalled that the house had recently passed another law, which was signed by the governor, prohibiting homosexuality, lesbianism and sexual harassment in the state.

The law prescribed 14 years imprisonment on conviction and N10,000 liable for offenders.

Credits: NAN

NIGERIA RANKS 37TH BEST IN THE WORLD BEHIND THE LIKES OF IRAN & ALGERIA

African champions, Nigeria have dropped one place in the latest rankings released by World Football governing body, Fifa.

The Super Eagles notched up 730 ranking points but are now ranked 37th in the World and fourth in Africa in the latest rankings released on Thursday. The Ivory Coast, Ghana and Algeria who were all unmoved from the rankings for November are the three African countries higher placed than Nigeria in December’s rankings.

Nigeria’s highest position in the rankings is fifth, a feat which was achieved in 1994.

Spain remains at the summit of the World rankings for December with 1507 points while Germany, Argentina, Colombia and Portugal complete the top five places in the latest

See the best ranked 30 teams after the cut........................

THE NEW LOOK OF THE NIGERIA HOUSE OF REPS TROUBLES JONATHAN & OLD PDP

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was last night locked in a meeting with the remnants of the party caucus in the House of Representatives in Transcorp Hotel, Abuja. Last night's meeting was one of several carrot and stick options initiated by the party hierarchy to hold other fidgety legislators contemplating leaving the party. The day before the meeting 37 members of the PDP caucus in the House defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC turning the once dominant majority into a minority.

One of the responses from the presidency was the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to absent himself from the presentation of the 2014 budget proposals to the National Assembly. In his stead, the coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala presented the proposals to the two houses of the National Assembly. It was the first time that a sitting and fit president would present the country's financial projections to the legislature in absentia.

Stakeholders were, however, divided whether the president was right to absent himself from the presentation or not.

The absence of the president some alleged, was out of apprehension that the APC members and especially the new ones just decamped from the PDP would embarrass the president by booing him.

SACK STELLA ODUAH NOW - HOUSE OF REPS RECOMMENDS

The House of Representatives on Thursday agreed that the Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, breached the 2013 Appropriation Act.

It therefore asked Jonathan to review her appointment for approving expenditure of over N643m for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to procure 54 vehicles this year. The spokesman for the House, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, when contacted, explained that the lawmakers wanted the minister sacked. He said, “The review here means a change in status. It is a mild way of saying that Mr. President should sack the minister.”

The House noted that her approval limit as a minister was N100m. It  added that in the process, the agency purchased two bulletproof BMW cars at the cost of N255m without the approval of the National Assembly.

The House  took the decision at Thursday’s plenary after  endorsing  the report of its  Committee on Aviation, which investigated the purchase of the bulletproof cars. A major recommendation of the committee, which was adopted, reads, “The House urges  the President to review the continued engagement of the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for having contravened the Appropriation Act, 2013 and the approved, revised threseholds by exceeding the Ministry of Aviation’s approval limit of N100m by the purchase of 54 vehicles valued at N643m.”

MANDELAS AT WAR OVER WHO SHOULD HEAD THE FAMILY AFTER MADIBA'S DEMISE

  Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has stepped into the reported family feud following the death of Nelson Mandela, saying that the oldest child will head the clan – not his oldest living male relative. The ex-wife of the human rights icon said Makaziwe Mandela, 60, the only living child from Mandela’s first marriage to Evelyn Mase, will take charge.

It has previously been reported that Nelson Mandela’s oldest male heir, grandson Mandla Mandela, would take over as head of the family. Ms Madikizela-Mandela denied that the family is engaged in a ‘succession or dynasty’ battle, refuting claims in media of a feud.

‘In accordance with customary law and tradition the eldest daughter, being Ms. Makaziwe Mandela, will head the family and will make decisions with the support of her two sisters. 'To this end there is no misunderstanding, or debate. Mr. Mandla Mandela is respected as one of Nelson Mandela's grandchildren, the next generation of the Mandela family,’ she said.

HOW TWO NIGERIANS FROM DECENT CHRISTIAN FAMILIES BECAME KILLERS IN THE NAME OF ISLAM

In the end, Michael Adebolajo still showed absolutely no remorse at the killing of Lee Rigby.

As the verdict of murder was delivered, Michael Adebolajo smirked and kissed his copy of the Koran – the teachings of which he had twisted to justify his savagery. He then looked to the heavens as if obeying Allah’s command before being led away to the cells. It was a final act of defiance from the 29-year-old convert who used the trial to peddle his hatred of Britain and his love of Al Qaeda.

Again and again he told Lee Rigby’s family how he will never regret killing the fusilier because he is a ‘soldier of Allah’. It is an image completely at odds with his Christian upbringing in a loving lower middle class family in a London suburb where he once dreamed of becoming a policeman.

I AM NOT AN ARM-ROBBER, I ONLY GIVE THEM INFORMATION - SUSPECT DECLARES

A 28-year-old man, Nonso Egbuzobi, who was recently arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad during a robbery operation in Lagos State, has pleaded with the police to release him, saying he was just an informant and not a member of any robbery gang.

Police authorities had said Egbuzobi and three others were part of a gang that killed three policemen during an ATM robbery at an Access Bank branch in Ayobo, Ipaja area of the state on November 20, 2013.

It was learnt that after the Ipaja robbery, SARS men led by the officer in charge, SP Abba Kyari, commenced investigations. The suspect was arrested with one Ak-47 rifle while attempting to rob a house at the Ilasamaja area of the state. He said, “Some weeks ago, I was at a snooker joint around Lagos State University when a man approached me saying he had a target that we could rob at Ilasamaja. I told him I was not a robber, but I knew people who were capable.

FAKE INTERPRETER AT MANDELA'S MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

Thamsanqa Jantjie, the "fake" sign language interpreter who stood feet away from world leaders including President Barack Obama at Nelson Mandela's memorial has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital, South African media reported Thursday.

He caused uproar at the ceremony in Johannesburg on Dec. 10 when he used sign-language interpretations that deaf groups say were little more than nonsensical gesticulations.The 34-year-old later claimed he may have suffered a schizophrenic attack in which he saw "angels" flying into the stadium.

There were even media reports last week that he had once been charged with involvement in a vigilante mob that had burned a man to death in 2003, but had never faced trial.

He was admitted to Sterkfontein Hospital, in Krugersdorp, on Tuesday, his wife Siziwe told Johannesburg-based newspaper The Star. She said he had visited the hospital for a check-up but when he got there it was suggested he be admitted immediately. The past few days have been hard. We have been supportive because he might have had a breakdown," Siziwe told the newspaper.

TWO NIGERIAN BORN MUSLIM EXTREMISTS TURNED KILLERS FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER IN LONDON

 

Two Muslim extremists were found guilty Thursday of hacking to death a British soldier in broad daylight on a London street. Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, ran over Lee Rigby with a car before attacking him with knives outside his barracks in May. Adebolajo tried to behead Rigby with a meat cleaver in front of horrified passers-by.

The pair had argued they attacked the 25-year-old soldier to avenge the deaths of Muslims at the hands of British troops.

Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain was united in condemnation of the killing, which state prosecutors described as "one of the most savage offences ever prosecuted by our counter-terrorism lawyers".

LATE LEE RIGBY

Rigby's relatives, who had walked out of the trial several times during harrowing evidence about his death, broke down in tears as the guilty verdicts were given. Adebolajo kissed his copy of the Koran as he was taken down to the cells at the Old Bailey court in London. Jurors cleared Adebolajo and Adebowale of the attempted murder of a police officer. The pair were shot by armed police at the murder scene in Woolwich, southeast London, after Adebolajo charged at them waving the meat cleaver, while Adebowale raised a rusty, unloaded gun.

KHLOE KARDASHIAN WILL BE $7M RICHER IN LAMAR ODOM'S DIVORCE

What exactly are the Kardashians famous for? XXX tapes? Expensive Divorce? TV Reality Show?

Marriage pays. That is if you're Khloé Kardashian. The December 30 issue of UsWeekly revealed the reality star will gain a fortune when she divorces her husband of four years Lamar Odom.

In addition to keeping their $4m Tarzana mansion and her $1m diamond engagement ring, the 29-year-old will be awarded a $2m cash payout. That means the daughter of Kris Jenner - who filed for divorced on December 13 - is lined up to get a $2m cash payout after her lawyer Laura Wasser (who also represented sister Kim Kardashian when she parted ways with husband Kris Humphries) ties up all the details.

This mansion will belong to Khloe

DENNIS RODMAN VISITS NORTH KOREA AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dennis Rodman's latest round of controversial "basketball diplomacy" in a country ruled by one of the world's most repressive regimes is about to begin. The former NBA star and a documentary crew are due to fly Thursday afternoon from China to North Korea, where he is to spend four days helping train a team of North Korean basketball players for a January exhibition in Pyongyang.

That January 8 exhibition said to be against a yet-unannounced team of former NBA players will celebrate the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom Rodman has called a friend and a "very good guy" despite international condemnation of the country's human rights records.

Rodman's trip sponsored by the UK-based online betting company Paddy Power is the 52-year-old's third to North Korea. Rodman said he struck a friendship with Kim, a basketball fan, during Rodman's first trip in February. After the two men sat next to each other watching a basketball exhibition in North Korea's capital, Rodman told Kim that "you have a friend for life."

JONATHAN'S PDP IS BLEEDING AS 37 LAWMAKERS DEFECT TO OPPOSITION PARTY

Thirty-seven out of the 208 PDP members in the House of Representatives on Wednesday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection was contained in a letter read by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, on the floor of the House.With the addition of the defected members, the APC now has 107 members in the lower chamber.

The defecting members in their letter, cited faction and division in the ruling PDP as reason for their action.They said that their action was in line with the provisions of Section 68 (1g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

It would be recalled that five governors elected on the PDP platform had earlier defected to the APC.They are, Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto, Musa Kwankwanso of Kano, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described Wednesday’s defection of 37 of its members in the House of Representatives, as ‘betrayal,’ warning that those members should know the implication of their actions. The declaration is contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, at the end of a meeting of the National Woking Committee of the party in Abuja.

WHEN DOCTORS DOWNED TOOLS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS WHO SUFFERS?????

The NMA (Nigerian Medical Association) did commence the 5-day warning strike action yesterday with doctors refusing to attend to patients in public hospitals throughout the federation.

Read more below as reported by Punch...

The ongoing strike by doctors in public health institutions nationwide has paralysed health care services in the nation’s government’s hospitals. Medical doctors in public hospitals complied with the directive of its national body, the Nigerian Medical Association, to embark on a five-day warning strike, which commenced on Wednesday. Consequently, patients were not treated by medical doctors while those on admission were being taken to private hospitals by their relatives.

 For instance, at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex on Wednesday, doctors who belong to the various affiliates of the NMA were not at their duty posts. A reporter who visited the hospital in Ile –Ife, Osun State, observed that only nurses, pharmacists and other health workers were attending to the patients. Few doctors were seen attending to patients at the Virology Research Clinic where people living with HIV/AIDS receive their anti-retroviral drugs.

MIXED REACTIONS OVER IYABO OBASANJO'S CRUEL LETTER TO HER FATHER

The damning 11-page letter allegedly written by Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, first daughter of former President Olusegun Obsanjo, topped the list of trending topics on social media on Wednesday.

In the letter entitled “Open Letter to my Father”, which has since gone viral online, Iyabo purportedly scathingly attacked his father. While issuing a disclaimer that the controversial letter “is not in support of President Jonathan or APC or any other group or person, but an outpouring from my soul to God”, Iyabo purportedly described his father as self-serving liar and cruel man.

The former senator’s controversial letter came barely nine days after her father slammed the President also in a letter . But this new development has since stirred a debate online as Nigerians are divided over the authenticity or otherwise of the said letter, moreso that the alleged author of the letter is said to be away abroad.

SUSPECTED CULTISTS MURDER OOU (OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY) LECTURER

A lecturer in the department of Sociology at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Dr Segun Onabanjo, was  shot dead by suspected cultists, yesterday in his home.

Onabanjo was said to have been killed by the assailants who stormed his residence in Odomolasa area of Ilese-Ijebu and broke into his home at about 1:00 a.m. Reports indicated that while  his assailants were attempting to break into his house, he was reportedly shouting “e bami gbe ibon mi (kindly bring me my gun)” to his kids and relatives in an attempt to scare away the armed men.

The gunmen eventually, in the wee hours, shot the lecturer dead and carted away some personal items.

It was learnt that the body of the deceased had been desposited at the mortuary.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the killing, saying the command was on the trail of the suspected killers who escaped through a nearby bush and would do everything possible to bring them to justice.

The police spokesman said some of the suspects sustained injuries in the gun duel and urged members of the public to promptly report anybody found with bullet wounds to security agents. “The incident was quite unfortunate. The police command is seriously investigating this case and the suspects would be brought to justice. We are already working on some leads; the police combed the area and found blood stains at the back of the house of the lecturer. 

The police traced the blood and hopefully, it will help in this case,” he said. Adejobi appealed to residents to be careful in handling such crime situation, saying they should be wary of showing off even if they have firearms.

He called on medical doctors in the state to alert the command in case they notice anyone with gun wounds in their hospitals.

JUSTIN BIEBER HINTS ON RETIREMENT FROM MUSIC

DailyMail reports that music star, Justin Bieber has claimed he is retiring. 

In an announcement that no doubt caused rivers of teenage girls' tears across the world, the 19-year-old star has revealed he is taking a step back from the music industry when his new album, Journals, is released next week, and it could be permanent.

The Heartbreaker hitmaker told radio station Power 106 in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday: 'After the new album, I'm actually retiring man. I'm retiring.'

Radio host Kurt Alexander, better known as Big Boy, reacted by exclaiming 'What?' and an audible gasp could be heard from the radio program's cast of characters moments after Justin announced the news.

However while the star seemed somewhat sure at first, following their reaction, he backtracked slightly suggesting he has not quite made up his mind: 'I want to grow as an artist and I'm taking a step out, I want my music to mature.' The singer, who has caused controversy in recent months for antics including partying underage in nightclubs and spray-painting public property in Australia, said the main issue is that he is no longer attracted to the idea of fame.

The Baby star said: 'I'm here solely for my fans and for the music.' But before Beliebers everywhere despair, a source close to Justin told TMZ the 19-year-old was just joking and has no plans to permanently hang up his microphone.

The insider said: 'The kid's got ambition.'

During the radio interview, Justin also hit back at his critics and denied he is becoming increasingly arrogant. 

He said: 'People think I'm arrogant, I'm not, I've always been a caring and giving person. 'I'm 19 I'm gonna make mistakes it's inevitable.' The teenager has been in the news a lot lately.

The star is currently preparing to testify in a case bought against him by photographer, Jeffery Binion, who claims that one of the hitmaker's bodyguards choked him and stole his camera equipment in June.

Justin is expected to be questioned by the paparazzo's lawyer next week in a videotaped session, however according to TMZ, the Believe singer's lawyers want the footage under lock and key fearing that the deposition might be published to the public. Also, over the weekend, emergency services were called to the pop star's Calabasas mansion because of a young woman was found unconscious during a party in the early hours of Saturday morning. She later came to and declined medical treatment before it arrived.

Talk of retirement comes a day before Justin's documentary Believe is premiered in Los Angeles.

Due out Christmas day, the film is a on and off stage look at the singer's rise to fame and stardom. Heralded by the star as a chance to tell his story, in the trailer he implores people to 'not believe the hype'. Breaking down in tears at one point, Justin says he feels he is a target but he wants to focus on the fans and not the fame.

He says: 'It all started with the fans, so it's got to end with the fans. It's back to being the underdog.' Since being discovered at the age of 13, Justin has become one of the most successful solo acts of all time and has an estimated net worth of in excess $130 million.

DEAR FATHER, YOU ARE A LIAR - IYABO OBASANJO'S LETTER TO HER DAD, EX-PRESIDENT OBASANJO

“The great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.” 

“It brings me no joy to have to write this but since you started this trend of open letters I thought I would follow suit since you don’t listen to anyone anyway. The only way to reach you may be to make the public aware of some things. As a child well brought up by my long-suffering mother in Yoruba tradition, I have been reluctant to tell the truth about you but as it seems you still continue to delude yourself about the kind of person you are and I think for posterity’s sake it is time to set the records straight.

“I will return to the issue of my long-suffering mother later in this letter.

“Like most Nigerians, I believe there are very enormous issues currently plaguing the country but I was surely surprised that you will be the one to publish such a treatise. I remember clearly as if it was yesterday the day I came over to Abuja from Abeokuta when I was Commissioner of Health in OgunState, specifically to ask you not to continue to pursue the third term issue.

ASSISTANT HEADMASTER RAPES 9-YR-OLD PUPIL IN BAUCHI

Our girls are still not safe from the rod of the wicked males who take advantage of them forcefully.

The Bauchi State Police command has commenced investigation into the case of a 42-year-old man, Mr James Dantayi, who is an assistant headmaster of Jibril Aminu Primary School, Bauchi for allegedly raping a nine-year-old pupil of  the school.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, yesterday, in Bauchi,  said when the police received the complaint of a rape incident in the school, it investigated the matter by visiting the school and the suspect arrested.

KNOCKS KNOCKS KNOCKS FOR DINO MELAYE OVER FAILED MARRIAGE

Mr. Dino Melaye, a former member of the House of Representatives and Anti-corruption crusader, has come under heavy criticisms from Nigerians for expressing joy and relief over his alleged failed marriage.

The social media had in the last few days been awash with reports, as well as divorce papers and sundry petitions allegedly written by his wife, Tokunbo, seeking to end their 10-year-old union. Tokunbo had in the petitions cited domestic violence as the cause of the frosty relationship between her and his husband.

But as some Nigerians reached out to the former lawmaker who represented Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, to hear his side of the story, he tweeted that he had “long awaited” the end of their union.

Melaye who just signified interest to run for the senatorial seat of Kogi West District wrote on both Twitter and Facebook that he was “grateful to God” for making their separation a reality.  “I am grateful to God that a turbulent phase in my life has finally come to a long awaited end,” Melaye, the Executive Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Network, wrote on his social media pages.

But Nigerians, especially, his social media followers, have expressed disappointment over the response of the politician turned activist, saying he was not laying a good example for the younger generation. His social media followers argued that it was regrettable that a man who brandishes himself as a beacon of good governance could not put his nuclear family in order, but rather rejoice over a failed union.