American nurse sues Lagos police commissioner over ‘unlawful and indefinite’ detention

 

An American nurse, Kari-Ann R’ouke has filed a lawsuit against the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Adegoke Fayoade over her ‘unlawful and indefinite’ detention. 

 

Kari-Ann in the lawsuit filed before the federal high court in Lagos through her counsel Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, disclosed that she was arrested on February 9 and has been detained indefinitely over the death of her partner.

 

The American nurse who is seeking her release from police custody and an award of N100 million as “general, aggravated, special and exceptional damages against the police", said she has been detained for more than one month over a murder case without being charged to court for the alleged crime.

 

In the court affidavit, Kari-Ann disclosed that she met her partner online and came to Nigeria on January 21, 2021 with the aim of establishing a humanitarian outfit.

 

It read; 

 

“Upon completing her assignment in Nigeria, she departed for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport on February 8, 2021, enroute America.

“She was, however, stopped by the Immigration Department on the ground that her COVID 19 Test result had expired, whereupon she was made to sleep at the airport purportedly for a new COVID 19 test.

“It was later the following day that she was informed that she was being arrested because her friend had passed on, unknown to her. She has been in police custody ever since."

 

Her counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Adegboruwa in the lawsuit noted that the CCTV footage of the hotel showed clearly that “Kari Ann left her friend in the hotel room in good health in the company of his friends and relatives, all of whom were initially arrested but have now been released."

 

The lady who has allegedly been a victim of extortion since her detention, stated that she is entitled to bail and only being persecuted because of her status as a foreign citizen.

 

Mr Adegboruwa also said the autopsy report showed that the deceased died of cardiac arrest, without any foul play.

 

He added; 

 

“Kari Ann has been a subject of extortion ever since, even though no prima facie case has been established against her. Since her incarceration, Kari Ann has lost about 23 pounds in weight, she has emaciated tremendously, she has suffered bouts of malaria, dysentery and she is going through extreme emotional and mental stress, without any link to her family or relatives."

 

Asides seeking to be released and a compensation of N100m, Kari-Ann also seeks an order directing that she is entitled to move freely in any part of Nigeria, without let or hindrance from the police. 

 

The nurse also asked the court to order the respondents to fortwith cease and abstain from applying for a remand order against her over matters pertaining to financial crimes to which she has been in detention since the February 9, 2021.

"It is unacceptable in this day and age' -Lewis Hamilton slams Catholic church for refusing to endorse same-sex marriage

 

Formula One car raci

ng champion, Lewis Hamilton has criticized the Catholic church after the Vatican refused to bless same-sex marriages.

Hamilton, a self professed Catholic, shared his opinion after Elton John's condemnation of the church's decision, which was announced this week.

Grammy award winning singer, Elton John wrote: "How can the Vatican refuse to bless gay marriages because they 'are sin', yet happily make a profit from investing millions in 'Rocketman' - a film which celebrates my finding happiness from my marriage to David?? #hypocrisy."

 Hamilton reposted Elton's post and said their refusal to accept same-sex marriages was "unacceptable".

 

He wrote: "Standing in solidarity with Elton John and the whole LGBTQ+ community on this issue.

"It is unacceptable that in this day and age, anyone should face prejudice or discrimination based on the person they love, especially in the name of God who we are told loves us all equally.

"It is incredibly sad that many will now feel they have to choose between their faith and being their true self, and I want my followers to know that I stand with you and I support you, and you deserve happiness.

"Love is love, don't let anyone tell you differently."

 

 

Hamilton begins the defence of his seventh world title in Bahrain on March 28.

 

DJ Cuppy gives update on her legal case with Davido's logistics manager, Israel Afeare

 

DJ Cuppy has taken to Twitter to update her followers after threatening to sue Israel Afeare for defamation.

 

The DJ said she has decided not to proceed with the case since he has apologized.

 

She tweeted: "Update: Following the public apology of Isreal Afeare, I have decided to no longer proceed with the lawsuit and have instructed my lawyers accordingly.

 

"As social media users, I hope we can all learn from this, and ensure that we have valid facts before we speak on matters."

 

 

Recall that following DJ Cuppy and Zlatan's fallout, Israel had gone online to claim that Zlatan is ignoring Cuppy because he didn't make "one kobo" from their Gelato collaboration.

 

Cuppy responded, saying she did not breach her contractual agreement regarding the song Gelato and added that she will be suing Israel.

 

In turn, Israel released a video apologising for his statement. 

Our country is on life support but the managers of our affairs are worsening the situation by their financial rascality - Peter Obi

 

Former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, has described the recent approval by the Federal Executive Council FEC to spend $1.5 billion to carry out repairs on the Port Harcourt refinery as a huge waste.

 

According to the former governor, Nigeria is currently on life support but those managing the country's affairs are ''worsening it by their financial rascality.''

 

''The news of the planned expenditure of a whopping $1.5 billion for Port Harcourt refinery repairs is worrisome to well-meaning Nigerians. In light of our precarious economic situation, it is a huge waste.

Our country on life support, but sadly the managers of our affairs are worsening the situation by their financial rascality. -PO

FG congratulates Burna Boy for winning Grammy award

 

The Federal government has congratulated Burna Boy who won the Best Global Album award at 2021 Grammy Awards which held on Sunday, March 14.

 

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Adeyemi, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the award represent a global endorsement for the Afrobeat genre of music that has propelled Nigeria's increasing dominance of the music world.

 

The statement reads

''The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has congratulated music stars Burna Boy and Whizkid over their Grammy Award victories.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday, the Minister described the much-deserved awards as fitting rewards for the persistent hardwork of the duo.

He said the awards also represented a global endorsement for the Afrobeat genre of music that has propelled Nigeria's increasing dominance of the music world.

Alhaji Mohammed expressed the hope that the clinching of the prestigious awards by the two music stars would not only spur them to greater heights, but would also serve as a source of inspiration for others.''

 Burna Boy clinched his first Grammy Award after winning the ‘Best Global Music Album’ category for ‘Twice As Tall‘, his 2020 project.

Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions - Vatican

 

The Vatican on Monday, March 15, stated that priests and other Catholic Church ministers cannot bless same-sex unions and that such blessings are "not licit" if carried out.

 

The Vatican's doctrinal office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), issued the ruling in response to questions and moves in some parishes to impart such blessings as a sign of welcome to gay Catholics since the Church does not permit homosexual marriage.

 

Pope Francis approved the response, the CDF said, adding that it was "not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination, but rather a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite".

 

It said such blessings were not permissible even though they were "motivated by a sincere desire to welcome and accompany homosexual persons" and help them grow in the faith.

 

The CDF note said that since marriage between a man and a woman was a sacrament and blessings are related to the sacrament of marriage, they could not be extended to same-sex couples.

 

"For this reason, it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage (i.e., outside the indissoluble union of a man and a woman open in itself to the transmission of life), as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex," it said.

"Nigeria is a pro domestic violence country," Victoria Inyama writes as she defends FFK's estranged wife, Precious Chikwendu

 

Former Nollywood actress, Victoria Inyama took to Instagram to defend Precious Chikwendu from allegations made by her ex-husband, Femi Fani-Kayode.

 

FFK's camp accused Precious Chikwendu of infidelity and trying to kill FFK and their 4 young sons.

 

Precious hit back by alleging FFK abused her during their marriage. She also denied the allegations of infidelity and murder attempt.

 

Now, Victoria Inyama, who says she was a victim of domestic violence herself, has revealed she's standing with Precious.

 

She wrote:

 

Domestic Abuse is a Pattern of Incidents of Controlling, Coercive, Threatening, Degrading & Violent Behaviour including Sexual Violence........

Precious @snowhiteey has been through Psychological/Emotional Abuse & all through it, She played her part, hoping he would change for the better, I can add that I have watched her Ex husband publicly verbally attack 2 Notable journalists, VERBALLY ABUSING & DEGRADING THEM.( Proof his Violence in my opinion)...

Precious has been denied access to her children in the most humiliating/Degrading form.

She's now Enduring Financial/Economic Abuse, Harrassment & Bullying whilst still refused access to her children... Ohhh this in Nigeria by one of Nigeria's politicians. ...Sadly she has to fight for herself, legal fees, Not seeing her kids etc..

U are one strong woman & soon, By God's Grace, U will see your Children
Nigeria to a large extent IS A PRO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNTRY...NO FUNCTIONING LAWS AGAINST IT... IF ONLY PRECIOUS LIVED IN D UK ...PRECIOUS BY GOD ALMIGHTY, U WILL GET YOUR CHILDREN BACK.. SOME DAY SOON...

 

 

Precious responded by resharing Victoria Inyama's post and posts from two other women, defending her.