Magistrate orders arrest of journalists

No fewer than 13 journalists, who were in court to report a coroner’s inquest were harassed by policemen attached to the Area F Command on Wednesday afternoon after Magistrate A. A. Oshoniyi of an Ikeja Magistrate Court ordered their arrest for disturbing the court.

Their arrest was ordered after a female prosecutor, identified as Rose raised her voice and asked journalists who were along the court corridor to vacate the place.

An argument subsequently ensued between the prosecutor and the journalists as the latter urged the prosecutor to be civil in her approach.

Oshoniyi, whose attention was drawn by the argument, ordered the immediate arrest of the journalists.

“Do you know where you are at all? Oya, arrest them all. Go and lock up all of them!” the Magistrate said.

Following the magistrate’s order, a female police officer, Mariam Joseph, swooped on Wale Busari, a judiciary correspondent with Silverbird Television, grabbed him by the clothes, and attempted to drag him away.

His resistance from arrest led other judiciary workers in the area to clamp down on other journalists, which included Francis Iwuchukwu of Peoples Daily, Henry Ojeluh of PM News/The News, Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare of the Nigerian Tribune, Solomon Asowata of the News Agency of Nigeria and Akinwale Akintunde of Thisday.

Others were Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo of The Guardian, Nurudeen Oyewole of Daily Trust, Shola Shoyele, Channels Television; Gbenga Shoyele, Nigerian Compass; Ranti Thomas, Moment Newspapers; Bisi Onanuga, The Nation; and Yemi Adebanjo, News Star newspapers.

The camera of the Channels Television camera man, who was recording the incident got was seized.

The female prosecutor, who shouted at the journalists, later arrived at the scene in company with four armed police officers.

Without asking any question, the police officers swooped on the journalists, hitting them with gun butts and dragging them on the floor.

One of the police officers, Olakekan Ajayi, allegedly punched Wahab Abdullah of Vanguard newspapers after which some other policemen followed suit and assaulted other journalists.

Later, about 10 of the journalists were forced into a police bus with number plate Lagos XJ 812 Epe.

“Because you are journalists does not make you above the law.

“I will deal with you mercilessly,” Ajayi shouted, while punching Busari.

The police officers later took the journalists to Area ‘F’ Police Command where they were detained.

Meanwhile, following the intervention of the Court Registrar, Mr. Ganiu Safari, and officials of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja branch, Police Area Commander, Mr. Noah Adesoyin, later released them.

The spokesperson for State Police Command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, denied any police harassment.

He said, “If a magistrate gives an order, the police are bound by law to obey. What happens most times is that when people resist police arrest, a struggle can ensue and it may seem as if the person is being harassed. Policemen cannot just beat up innocent people.

“The Area Commander confirmed to me that he had intervened and all of them had been released.”

Maryland Mega Millions 'winner' appears, but mystery deepens

The Maryland Mega Millions mystery only got more confusing after a woman who claimed to be one of three winners of a record prize appeared with her lawyer -- and without the ticket.

"I have not seen the ticket, nor do I want to see the ticket," said attorney Edward Smith, as Marlinde Wilson, who was an hour late for the news conference, stood behind him. She did not speak.

"We believe it to be a legitimate claim," Smith continued. "When it is time to present the ticket or whatever it is that needs to be presented to the lottery commissioner, I am sure that we will be there."
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Meanwhile, Maryland State Lottery Director Stephen Martino announced a 2 p.m. press conference on Thursday at which officials said he would discuss the "status of the winning ticket," among other things. Although scant information was given, that event will likely be more illuminating than the news conference Smith gave on Wednesday.

Smith lectured the media gathered in his cramped office and told them not to pester his client, who bought tickets for a pool of workers at a Baltimore-area McDonald's but claimed the winning ticket she holds was bought separately.

"God knows, by next week or next month, this will all be over and we will still be friends," Smith said.

Wilson, 37, earlier told the New York Post the winning ticket was stashed somewhere in the McDonald's restaurant where she works.

“I left my ticket there, and it’s somewhere safe that only I know about,” she told the newspaper through a Creole-speaking translator.

"I don't think she wants her 15 minutes of fame," Smith said. "We just want y'all to go home."

A Maryland Lottery spokeswoman told FoxNews.com that no one has claimed the record-setting prize as of Wednesday afternoon. Three winning tickets were sold in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois. Of those states, only the winner in Illinois must be identified.

Man sues after being restricted from passing out Bibles at gay pride parade

A man who has passed out Bibles at a Minnesota gay pride parade for years is suing after city officials restricted him from giving out the book at this year's event.

Brian Johnson, of Hayward, Wis., started handing out Bibles at the Twin Cities Pride Festival in 1995, and three years later, gave out the books in Minneapolis' Loring Park from a booth approved by parade organizers. But in recent years, the people behind the event, which draws as many as 300,000 people, have tried to oust him, first nixing his bid for a booth and then having him arrested in 2009.


Johnson, a taxidermist by trade and an evangelical by calling, sat out last year's event for fear of arrest, according to his attorney. But the legal wrangling has continued behind the scenes, and this year parade organizers, at the suggestion of a federal judge, designated "free-speech zones" on the Pride Festival grounds, where people like Johnson could distribute literature the organizers wouldn't otherwise approve.

Johnson and his attorney reject the policy, which is backed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Johnson believes he not only has God on his side, but the Constitution, too.

A spokesperson for the city board said officials don't comment on pending litigation.

"Johnson believes that the Bible is God's word and sets out a plan of salvation for all people," his attorney wrote in a 26-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court of Minnesota. "Johnson believes the Bible teaches that all people are sinners and therefore deserve God's wrath, but anyone can receive salvation by believing and trusting in Jesus Christ."

Johnson was arrested for trespassing at the event in 2009, the first year he was denied a booth. The charges were later dropped. In 2010, the board, which enforces regulations at the 42-acre public park, granted Johnson permission to hand out Bibles. The parade organizers went to federal court to seek an injunction, which was denied by District Judge John Tunheim.

Although Johnson and his family went to the 2010 event and handed out Bibles without incident, the city agency and parade organizers were focused on a suggestion Tunheim had offered in a footnote of his denial of the injunction. For 2011, they set up the "free speech zones" that Tunheim thought would be a reasonable suggestion and a "drop box" where people could place literature.

Johnson skipped last year's event, but went to federal court on Friday to file a suit he hopes will give him unrestricted access to this year's event.

Dot Belstler, executive director of Twin Cities Pride, said Johnson is free to attend the festival and "tell everyone that Jesus loves them." But she said Johnson will not be allowed to hand out Bibles outside of the designated zones during this year's event on June 23-24.

"He has said his goal is to get everyone to know Jesus [and] he is allowed to do that," Belstler said. "[But] it's really kind of a nuisance.

Evicted 101-year-old Detroiter gets her home back

DETROIT – Baking cookies never seemed as sweet for 101-year-old Texana Hollis as it did on Wednesday, when she tearfully was allowed back into the home her husband bought after World War II following her eviction seven months ago.

Foreclosure initially forced Hollis from the home where she'd spent six decades of her life, then federal officials wouldn't let her move back in because of its dilapidated condition. That's when Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom and his charity stepped in, and convinced volunteers and businesses to do the same.


"God bless everyone who had a hand in this," Hollis said, tears swelling in her eyes, after she reentered the home.

One of her first tasks: Trying out the new stove to bake sugar and chocolate chip cookies, which she lifted off a tinfoil-covered baking sheet using a new spatula and carefully placed into a tin.

Albom and his charities helped renovate Hollis' house after buying it from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Albom spent $30,000 — much of it out of his own pocket — on the project, and more than 100 volunteers spent months putting in new flooring, drywall, appliances and even a portion of the roof.

"I promised Texana that all she has to do is just stay alive and give us another 101 years," he said after pushing Hollis up a newly constructed wheelchair ramp and into the gleaming home. "She will never lose this house again."

When asked about the changes inside the house, where rooms were painted in soft shades of blue, green and yellow and decorated with welcoming bouquets of flowers, he jokingly answered: "It would probably be easier to tell you what's old."

Hollis was evicted Sept. 12 and her belongings placed outside after her son failed to pay property taxes linked to a reverse mortgage. HUD foreclosed on the home. Two days later, the federal agency said she could return — but then blocked her from moving in after an assessment determined the house was unsanitary and unsafe.

Hollis' son took out the reverse mortgage for the $32,000 assessed value of the property, an option that HUD permits for the elderly. HUD took control of the mortgage after the amount paid to the family exceeded the value of the house in 2006.

Nedal Tamer, whose construction business did much of the work, said the structure was in "terrible" condition but underwent a successful remodeling thanks to many businesses and individuals who stepped up. Guardian Alarm, for example, installed security and medical monitoring systems for free that typically cost around $750.

The result was emotional for everyone who watched as the happy centenarian returned to her home.

"God is so good," said Hollis, who is now looking forward to her next big day: Her 102nd birthday next month.

Zimbabwe: Nigerian Pays Woman U.S.$10 for Marriage of Convenience

A HARARE woman was paid US$10 to enter into a marriage of convenience with a Nigerian who wanted to secure a residence permit, a senior immigration official said yesterday.

Assistant Regional Immigration officer Mr Francis Mabika said another Nigerian put a local woman on a US$80 monthly salary for entering into a marriage of convenience.

A third Nigerian man married two local women.

Mr Mabika said the trio had since been arrested and still assisting police with investigations.

Silvester Nwaozuzu allegedly paid Erina Matindike, a Harare vendor-based at the courts, US$10 to enter into a marriage of convenience.

It is alleged that sometime in 2006, Matindike was approached by Barbara Mwanakanda who informed her that someone wanted to pay for a marriage of convenience.

Mr Mabika said Mwanakanda persuaded Matindike to wed Nwaozuzu at the Harare Magistrates' Courts.

In her affidavit, Matindike stated that she committed the crime out of desperation.

"I needed money so I agreed to sign the marriage certificate," she stated.

Two days later, Matindike stated, Nwaozuzu approached her asking for her life history in the event he was quizzed by immigration officials.

Matindike further stated that a few months later Nwaozuzu opened a bank account for her after promising to deposit money for her but later deposited Z$40 000 which lost value.

Matindike only managed to buy sweets for resale from her fee.

"Since 2006 Silvester (Nwaozuzu) would give me groceries and bus fare to travel to Chiweshe every Christmas," Matindike said.

She said Nwaozuzu later bought her a refrigerator.

"I confirm that my marriage to Silvester Nwaozuzu was fake and I no longer want to go against the law," Matindike stated in her affidavit.

The facilitator Mwanakanda was, in May last year, arrested for allegedly entering into a marriage of convenience with a Nigerian man while she was already married to a Zimbabwean soldier.

Mwanakanda married the Nigerian in 2006 to help him get a Zimbabwe residence permit.

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In the second case, Jude Amaechi Eze married Felistas Dune (29) in March 2006 after the two agreed on US$30 fee.

After the "wedding" Eze reportedly started giving Dune a monthly salary of US$80 and the two were not staying together.

Eze is alleged to have even promised to buy Dune a house in Harare.

The woman was yesterday picked up for questioning at the immigration department.

Dune was reportedly influenced by her brother-in-law Lovemore Machuma to enter into the marriage of convenience with Eze.

On Tuesday, police arrested another Nigerian Hilary Uwaoma Ajaero for entering into marriages of convenience with two women - Fadzai Charity Mazuru and Greater Tariro Gwekwerere.

"Ajaero entered the country in September 2004 and wedded Fadzai Charity Mazuru (marriage certificate number 2256/04) before wedding again Greater Tariro Gwekwerere (marriage certificate number 2683/04) on October 20, 2004," he said.

According to Gwekwerere the two met in Belvedere in April 2004 and were in a relationship up until August 2008.

She said late in 2008, Ajaero phoned her while she was in Bulawayo saying he wanted her assistance with immigration issues.

"We went to his brother's shop along Robert Mugabe Road where I was made to sign some documents but I didn't know what they were for until last year in September," Gwekwerere said.

In September she heard rumours circulating that she was married and that is when she discovered that she had been duped into signing marriage certificates.

"I would like the marriage certificates to be terminated because I want to move on with my life. I never stayed with him or did anything married people do since I signed those papers," Gwekwerere said in her affidavit.

Gwekwerere said Mazuru; who is now married to another Nigerian, Gozie Nwudoh; met Ajaero along Cameroon Street in 2004.

At the time the two were attending the same church.

Mazuru said Ajaero asked her to marry him so that he would continue staying in the country.

The same year, Mazuru got married to Nwudoh and she went back to Ajaero to cancel the marriage certificate

Gunmen In Hummer Jeeps Kill 4 Policemen, Burn 2 Patrol Vehicles

Unidentified gunmen in two Hummer Jeeps have shot and killed four policemen in Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.

The four policemen were on routine patrol in the area on Monday night when the incident happened.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that an inspector and eight other policemen had gone on routine duty at Emeka Offor Junction in the area at night when the gunmen opened fire on them.

An eye witness account said that some unidentified bandits operating in two Hummer Jeeps opened fire and killed four the policemen.

The witness said that the bandits later set fire on the two police patrol vehicles before taking the guns belonging to the dead and others, who ran away.

Confirming the incident, Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka, the Anambra Police Command spokesman, said three policemen were killed by the robbers.

He said that men of the command had swung into action to track down the fleeing hoodlums, adding that “we are making progress in catching up with the robbers.

“It is possible that the robbers sustained injuries because there was a serious gun battle between our men and the robbers but because nobody was seen from their side, people concluded that the police did not challenge the robbers,” Chukwuemeka said.

Yahoo to lay off 2,000 workers

Yahoo is laying off 2,000 employees as new chief executive Scott Thompson sweeps out jobs that do not fit into his plans for turning around the beleaguered internet company.

The cuts announced on Wednesday represent 14 per cent of the 14,100 workers employed by Yahoo, which is based in Sunnyvale, California.

The company estimated it will save about $375m annually after the layoffs are completed later this year.

"We are intensifying our efforts on our core businesses and redeploying resources to our most urgent priorities. Our goal is to get back to our core purpose - putting our users and advertisers first - and we are moving aggressively to achieve that goal," Thompson said in a statement.

The company declined to comment on severance details, but the layoffs had been expected. The move marks Yahoo's sixth mass layoff in the past four years under three different chief executives.

This one will inflict the deepest cuts yet, eclipsing a cost-cutting spree that laid off 1,500 workers in late 2008 as Yahoo tried to cope with the economic crisis.

The layoffs come as Yahoo's revenue declines amid competition from Web rivals Google and Facebook, and as the company fights a proxy battle with hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb.

Loeb, who runs Third Point, is seeking to appoint four new directors to Yahoo's board. Third Point, with a 5.8 per cent stake in Yahoo, is the company's largest shareholder.

Thompson, the new CEO, is making his move three months after Yahoo lured him away from his previous job running eBay's online payment service, PayPal.

Meanwhile, Facebook is stepping up its patent dispute with Yahoo by filing its own lawsuit against the struggling Internet icon. Facebook's lawsuit Tuesday came just weeks after Yahoo Inc claimed that Facebook violated 10 patents covering advertising, privacy controls and social networking.

Facebook denied Yahoo's allegations and accused Yahoo of violating 10 of its patents covering photo tagging, advertising, online recommendations and more.

The spat is escalating as Facebook prepares for an initial public offering of stock in the coming weeks. If all goes expected, Facebook could fetch as much as $10bn in the IPO, for a total market value of $100bn.

Yahoo, which has struggled amid competition from Google and Facebook, has a market value of about $18.3bn.