University of Agriculture, Abia, announces discovery of HIV/AIDS cure by its Professor, Ezeibe

Prof. Francis Otunta, the Vice Chancellor (VC), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, in Abia, has confirmed the discovery of a new drug for the treatment and cure of HIV/AIDS.
Otunta said the finding followed years of scientific research by the institution. He said that the breakthrough was made by Prof. Maduike Ezeibe, a researcher in the university.
According to him, Ezeibe had presented the drug to the University management, Senate and Council, where he explained the processes he went through to arrive at his finding.

The VC also said that Ezeibe had equally presented the drug to his colleagues in the medical field and nobody had contradicted his finding. “Prof. Ezeibe is a researcher in Veterinary Medicine and one may wonder how he discovered a drug to cure a human ailment,” he said.
Otunta said that the university was in the process of mass producing the drug for further clinical trials on persons living with HIV/AIDS in the country.
Ezeibe, who is a professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Virology, said that the drug was produced with Aluminum Silicate and Magnesium Silicate (Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate).
He said the medicine could be a major foreign exchange earner for Nigeria, if approved by relevant authorities. Ezeibe said that he presented the research findings to the World Virology Conference in Atlanta in 2015, and Antonio (Texas) in 2016.
He said that he was also about to sign a memorandum of understanding with a U.S.-based Scientific Research Publishing, publishers of World Journal of AIDS, for the publication of his book “How I came about the cure for HIV/AIDS”.
Ezeibe, who said that the medicine was patented in August 2014 in Nigeria, called on the FG to help him to secure international patency for the drug. He said: “If commercialised, the Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate would become an alternative for petroleum to the Nigerian economy.”

Zimbabwean pastor live streams himself committing suicide over his girlfriend

Richard Nhika, a 38-year old Zimbabwean gospel musician and church pastor took his life while filming himself. According to him, he was prompted to commit suicide as a result of a conflict he had with his girlfriend, Nomatter.

In the video, he said: “This is where I am seated, just close to the road… I think it’s about 15 to 20 metres so take care.” In the video Richard says: I will always love you Nomatter, which is why when I saw you I never insulted you or said anything bad.
I have decided to die next to this tree so that everyone can see, this is real poison you can even see for yourself.”
Chronicle and H-Metro newspapers reported earlier this week that Nhika later died in Harare’s Parirenyatwa hospital.

Dasuki Gate: Obanikoro returns another N30m, promises to pay a balance of N417m

A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has returned a fresh sum of N30m to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, with a promise to pay a balance of N417m, Punchng reports.
He has now returned N167m to the FG. A reliable source was quoted as saying, “I can confirm that Senator Obanikoro has been meeting up his part of the agreement. You will recall that last year, he promised to return a certain amount of money every quarter.

He has made a payment of N30m, his first instalment in 2017. He is also reporting at the EFCC as he should." The ex-minister was accused of receiving N4.7bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).
Obanikoro had said in his statement of oath at the EFCC that after receiving the money in 2014, he gave N1.219bn to the then governorship candidate of PDP in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, while N1.3bn was given to the PDP governorship candidate in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
He also confessed to giving Fayose a separate $5.377m at Spotless Hotel in Ekiti State in the presence of party stalwarts, including the then PDP state secretary, Mr. Tope Aluko.
Obanikoro was said to have kept about N785m for himself, which he allegedly spent while campaigning ahead of the PDP governorship primary in Lagos State. However, the EFCC asked him to return about N584m, out of which he has returned N167m.

Soldier beats father of a 6-month-old child to death after his car hits his motorcycle

The motorcyclist, Abu Alhaji, a 25-year-old father of a 6-month-old child, was said to have taken a woman, who wanted to buy snacks, to an eatery in the Morroco, Shomolu area, while the soldier parked his Toyota Camry on the premises.
Abu was waiting to take the passenger back to her destination when the soldier, Taiwo, who had gone to a beer parlor opposite the eatery, came back to pick his car. It was gathered that while Taiwo reversed his car to exit the premises, the vehicle hit the back of the victim’s motorcycle.

As Abu struggled with the motorcycle, the woman arrived at the scene. An eyewitness, Bolaji Oke, said the woman quickly hit the body of the car to alert the soldier not to run over Abu, who was still battling with the motorcycle.
“The soldier came out of his car and slapped the motorcycle rider repeatedly. As the rider tried to explain to him what actually happened, he descended on him with blows and beat him up.
The soldier beat the rider until he could not stand on his feet; and he left in his car. He said nothing would happen if he died. The case was reported at the barracks and the victim was taken to the Military Hospital in Yaba, where he died,” Oke said.
It was said that the incident was also reported at the Alade Police Station. Taiwo, is reportedly now in detention in the barracks. The acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Njoka Irabor, said investigations were ongoing into the incident.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the story, said the command was working with the Nigerian Army to ensure the prosecution of the killer soldier. Crdt: Punchng

FG to increase VAT on champagne, other luxury items

The FG plans to raise the value-added tax (VAT) on luxury times — subject to the approval of the national assembly.
Finance minister Kemi Adeosun said the cabinet, presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, has approved the revised national tax policy to address low taxation in the country.

Nigerians currently pay 5% VAT, one of the lowest in the world, introduced in 1994 by the military government. According to Adeosun, “What the (review) committee report has shown is that we should look at actually increasing VAT on some luxury items.
At 5% we have lowest VAT. And while we don’t think VAT should be increased on basic items, if you are going to drink champagne, for instance, in the UK you drink champagne the VAT is 20%, so why should it be 5% in Nigeria.
So they have made recommendations that we should pull out some luxury items and increase VAT on those items immediately. And I think that is a very valid and sensible suggestion which we are going to take to the national assembly to see how we can implement it.
But as far as basic goods are concerned, there will be no tax increase. I believe it is only fair that when you consume luxury goods you should pay a little bit more. The National Assembly will decide the percentage.”
In the UK, 20% VAT is imposed on all the affected goods and services and is completely different from luxury tax. In November 2014, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, then finance minister, announced that private jets, yachts, champagne and a host of other the luxury goods would be specially taxed.

Police arrest fake lawyer who practised for 10 years, appeared in Supreme Court, won cases

Police command in Kwara state has arraigned a land speculator, Peter Itopa Adogun, for allegedly practising as a legal practitioner in Ilorin, Kwara state for about 10 years, even appeared before justices up to the Supreme Court.
He allegedly practised under the name of an Abuja based lawyer, Inufin David Taiwo. He was arrested by the police following a petition by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch.

He was arraigned on a five-count charge of false personation, resistance or obstruction be a person of his lawful arrest or escape, using as genuine, forged documents, fabricating false evidence and wearing or carrying token used by public servant.
Adogun was practising with photocopies of a Certificate issued by the Council of Legal Education, dated March 27, 2007, a certificate of Call to the Bar, dated May 8, 2007 and a Bachelor of Laws Certificate of the University of Maiduguri, dated February 21, 2005 as well as an NYSC certificate dated March 5, 2008, all in the name of Inufin David Taiwo.
He was accused of collecting the said certificates from its original owner under the pretence of helping him to secure a job in a popular oil company based in Ilorin, Kwara state.
It was further revealed that the suspect has practised as a legal practitioner and appeared in several matters in all levels of Nigerian Courts up to Supreme Court. He was eventually arrested while hiding inside the roof of his house.

Lagos Police vows to stop Tuface’s planned protest

The Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni on Wednesday said he will not allow the planned protest against the Federal Government slated for February 5 to hold in the state, The Nation reports.
Popular musician, TuFace Idibia, who joined the call for protest by some concerned Nigerians over the state of the nation, had used his social media platforms to appeal to his supporters to join the movement.
But Owoseni, who had earlier stated that there was no official request from the protesters notifying security agencies of their plan, said Wednesday that intelligence report indicates that criminals might hijack the process.

According to the police chief, the command wasn’t ready for that kind of demonstration and as such would not allow it to hold. He said no matter how good an intention is, hoodlums would always find a way to harass, rob and attack innocent members of the public, who may wish to go about their Lawful duty.
Owoseni said: “Information reaching us revealed that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the peaceful protest. And as such, we won’t allow it to hold in Lagos. We know that Tuface do not have the capacity to contain such a crowd and we will not fold our hands and watch while things go out of hand."