Bus plunges off mountain, kills 11

A bus plunged off a steep road in a mountainous area north of Costa Rica’s capital on Thursday, killing 11 people on board and injuring 12, rescue officials said. The passengers were retired staff members of Costa Rica’s National University on their way to an indigenous reserve to carry out social work, the institution’s rector said. “It looks like the bus’s brakes failed,” Esteban Gonzalez, the son of one of the survivors, told a Costa Rican television network. The accident occurred near Cinchona, a village around 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of the capital San Jose, on a road winding between two volcanos. Hector Chavez, director of the fire service, confirmed the accident toll. TV images showed the pancaked blue and white bus lying on a lower stretch of road where it had come to rest. Stunned survivors sat by the side of the road, some with bandages. Helicopters were used to transport the more seriously injured to hospitals in San Jose.

ENDLESS BATTLE: Fury at debate as Trump refuses pledge to respect a Clinton win

Turning his final presidential debate appearance into an unprecedented assault on US political convention, Donald Trump refused Wednesday to say that he would respect a Hillary Clinton victory in November. As the last head-to-head encounter of the toxic 2016 campaign descended into mud-slinging, the Republican mogul doubled down on claims that his Democratic rival’s supporters plan to rig the vote. And when asked whether he would commit to recognizing the result of the November 8 vote no matter what, the reality television star said: “I’ll tell you at the time. I’ll keep you in suspense, OK?” Clinton declared herself “appalled” by what she said was an attack on 240 years of US democracy. And, quoting her former rival Bernie Sanders, she called Trump the “most dangerous person to run for president in the modern history of America.” Trump had come into the third televised debate of the 2016 campaign in Las Vegas looking to restore hope to his campaign just 20 days before Election Day. Dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct, trailing in the polls and losing ground in key swing states, the 70-year-old was looking to capitalize on his last major chance to woo wavering voters. “The media is so dishonest and so corrupt and the pile-on is so amazing,” Trump said, referring to reports citing women accusing him of sexual assault, which he said were “fiction” and drummed up by Team Clinton. He alleged that millions of fake voters had been registered and that the 68-year-old Clinton should not even have been allowed to run because she mishandled classified State Department emails. Even some Republican lawmakers were outraged. Senator Jeff Flake said Trump was “beyond the pale” and onetime presidential candidate Senator Lindsey Graham said if Trump loses, it will be “because he failed as a candidate.” The extraordinary exchange was only one of a series of ferocious clashes, as two stony-faced candidates faced off from behind podiums with little stagecraft on everything from immigration to Syria. At one point, Trump broke into one of Clinton’s responses to call her “such a nasty woman.” The candidates took and left the stage without shaking hands. *– Ripped from womb –* The Democratic former secretary of state scored an early hit against the Republican property mogul, alleging that Russian President Vladimir Putin was backing his run for office. Clinton cited reports from US intelligence agencies that Russian cyber attacks had targeted her party and campaign and demanded that Trump condemn the interference. “They have hacked American websites, American accounts of private people, of institutions,” she declared. “Then they have given that information to WikiLeaks for the purpose of putting it on the internet.” The Manhattan billionaire appeared not to mind giving credence to the charge that he sides with Moscow rather than Washington’s own intelligence agencies, declaring: “Our country has no idea.” Trump argued that he might negotiate better relations with Moscow than Clinton would, declaring: “Putin, from everything I see, has no respect for this person.” Clinton’s response was sharp: “Well, that’s because he would rather have a puppet as president of the United States.” Trump blustered back: “No puppet. You’re the puppet.” In what has been a bitter campaign, the two White House hopefuls got off to a subdued but oddly substantive start to the debate, compared to previous brawls. They were asked about their vision for the Supreme Court, prompting Clinton to argue the election was about “what kind of country are we going to be.” She insisted gay rights and women’s rights must not be rolled back. Trump echoed conservatives who believe “the Supreme Court is what it’s all about,” vowing to appoint anti- abortion justices who would also protect gun rights. “If you go with what Hillary is saying, you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb of the mother just prior to the birth of the baby,” he said. “Using that kind of scare rhetoric is just terribly unfortunate,” Clinton responded. *– ‘New Brexit’ –* Pundits have declared the presidential race all but over after the provocative billionaire attacked leaders of his own party and obliterated the normal rules of political decorum. In response to Trump’s attacks on the legitimacy of the vote, President Barack Obama has implored him to “stop whining.” Trump’s debate stance did nothing to quell fears that he and his most passionate fans might not recognize the election’s outcome, thereby plunging the country into a political crisis. Trump predicts an electoral surprise — what he calls a “new Brexit” — when Americans vote. But it remains an open question whether his stunts will have a positive impact with voters. Clinton leads by more than six points in an average of national polls compiled by RealClearPolitics. Women especially have thrown their support to the former secretary of state, senator and first lady, who is poised to become the first female president in American history. A Quinnipiac University poll showed she is winning with female voters by 52 percent to Trump’s 37 percent SOURCE: AFP

We spent N785m on anti-B’Haram campaign in Lagos – Obanikoro ... confirms giving N1.7bn to Omisore before 2014 Osun gov poll

The ongoing interrogation of the former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, entered its third day on Wednesday with the ex-minister saying that N785m out of the N4.68bn, allegedly collected by him, was spent on souvenirs and other items to promote anti-Boko Haram campaign in Lagos. Obanikoro is being grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with disbursement of N4.68bn, the anti-graft commission claimed was collected by the ex-minister in the run-up to the governorship election in Ekiti State in June 2014 and Osun State in August 2014. The ex-minister, who flew in from his United States base on Monday and reported to the EFCC, admitted on Wednesday that he transferred N1.7bn of the money to the 2014 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore. “He told the panel that the N785m was spent on procurement of souvenirs for the campaign against Boko Haram in Lagos out of which N200m was spent on surveillance activities and N200m out of other remaining funds for operations was managed by the supposed owner of the company, Taiwo Kareem,” a source in the commission added. It was stated that Obanikoro told the panel that Dasuki was worried when a bomb blast supposedly rocked Lagos, adding that he was committed to ensuring that there was no recurrence. He told the operatives that Dasuki told him that a recurrence would have grave implications not only on Lagos but also on the entire economy of the country and should be stopped. Obanikoro was said to have explained that it was at that point that Silva McNamara was introduced to the former NSA. A top operative of the commission, who spoke to our correspondent on Wednesday, stated that Obanikoro said the money was paid into the personal account of Omisore and accounts of companies nominated by the former Osun State deputy governor. The former minister was said to have asked the EFCC to get the details of the transactions from the banks already identified. The source did not, however, mention the names of the banks involved in the transactions involving Omisore. He alleged that out of a total of N4.685bn paid into the account of Sylva Mcnamara, a company linked to Obanikoro’s sons, Babajide and Gbolahan, a total of N3.880bn was paid to the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and Omisore for the 2014 polls in the two states. It was stated that the funds were paid through cash and bank transfers. The operative quoted Obanikoro as having told the EFCC interrogators that he handed over the dollar equivalent of the funds to Fayose in the presence of some PDP leaders. The source said, “The former minister, Obanikoro, is still with the commission. The investigation is still ongoing and he cooperated and answered the questions put to him. “He admitted that he transferred N1.7bn to Senator Iyiola Omisire out of the N4.685bn paid into the Silva Mcnamara’s account on the instructions of Col. Sambo Dasuki, the former NSA. “He said a total of N3.880bn was transferred to Fayose and Omisore from the N4.685bn that was transferred to the company account of Sylva McNamara. “The former minister told the commission that Tope Aluko (the then Ekti State Secretary of the PDP) and other PDP leaders were present when the dollars were handed over to Fayose, who took them to a room next to where they met.” The ex-minister also stated that the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), did not tell him what the funds were meant for.

Gunmen attack Benue beer parlour, kill five

There was confusion on Tuesday in Tor Donga community, in the Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, after some gunmen opened fire on a group of revellers in a pub. While no fewer than five people were reportedly shot dead, scores were said to have sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to a public hospital in the area. A witness, who did not want to be identified, said the gunmen rode on motorcycles, adding that they arrived at the area around 9pm. He said, “The incident happened around 9pm while people were drinking at the beer parlour. The gunmen entered the town on motorcycles and headed straight for the popular drinking joint. Suddenly, we heard sporadic gunshots. People scampered for safety, but by the time the dust settled, I saw many people on the floor. I saw at least five persons who were dead; the sight triggered cries from people around. Some youths helped the injured ones to a hospital in Katsina Ala.” The sole administrator of Katsina Ala, Vera Akwua, condemned the attack, which he described as unwarranted. The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, while confirming the incident, said three persons were killed.

US DRAMA: No handshake as last Trump-Clinton White House debate begins

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump began the third and final debate of the 2016 US presidential campaign Wednesday, with the stakes high for the Republican challenger, who has faltered in the polls. The Democratic and Republican nominees took the stage in Las Vegas without shaking hands for a 90-minute televised clash before tens of millions of viewers, with just 20 days to go before Americans vote on November 8. Both candidates were somber and unsmiling as they tackled the first question pitched at them by moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News, about the US Supreme Court and how they would choose justices to serve on it. Trump sought to reassure the Republican Party’s conservative base, stressing he would appoint judges who are opposed to both abortion rights and imposing additional controls on gun ownership. Clinton criticized the current Republican-controlled Congress for impeding President Barack Obama’s attempts to fill a vacant Supreme Court seat, and said she supports abortion rights. “I will defend women’s rights to make their own health care decisions,” she stressed. “We have come too far to have that turned back now.” SOURCE: AFP

Onazi to report Lazio to FIFA – Report

Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is reportedly planning to report his former club Lazio to FIFA over unpaid wages. According to AfricanFootball.com on Wednesday, the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who dumped Italian Serie side Lazio for Turkish outfit Trabzonspor during the summer, is not happy that he is being owed two months’ salary by his former employers. “Onazi is taking Lazio to FIFA over unpaid wages,” a source told AfricanFootball.com. “He is not happy with them and has contacted the club over the issue but it seems they are not ready to pay. He has served them a letter already.” He is being owed May and June wages. The 23-year-old player, who represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, featured for the Eagles in their 2-1 defeat of Zambia in their opening Russia 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on October 9. He spent four seasons at Lazio, helping them win the 2012-13 Coppa Italia. Onazi had claimed he swapped Lazio for Trabzonspor to clear his head and be happy playing football again. The player said, “I needed to make this move to clear my head and be happy playing football again.”

NDLEA seizes N175m from suspected drug traffickers

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested two suspected drug traffickers for allegedly laundering hard currencies estimated at about N175m from Greece and Austria. It was learnt that the suspects – Edos Nicholas and Hallowell Lovely – were arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport during the screening of passengers onboard a Turkish flight. PUNCH Metro gathered that Nicholas was found in possession of €279,190, while $30,000 and £46,450 were recovered from Lovely. They reportedly concealed the sums inside envelopes and shoes. Nicholas, who claimed to be working in a bakery in Austria, told investigators that several people had given him the money abroad for onward delivery to their relatives in Nigeria. The suspect said, “The money does not belong to me. It was given to me by different people in Europe to give to their relatives. I have been living in Vienna, Austria, for over 15 years.” The second suspect, Lovely, said, “I live in Athens and I work in an African shop. I have lived there for 12 years. The money belongs to many people and some of them are my friends.” The NDLEA commander at the MMIA, Ahmadu Garba, said the money was found during routine search of passengers. “We discovered €325,640 and $30,000 during the inward screening of passengers on a Turkish flight. Edos Nicholas was found in possession of €279,190 and Hallowell Lovely was found in possession of £46,450 and $30,000 – about N175m (parallel market) in all,” he said. However, the NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), said the sums were illicitly laundered, adding that the director of Assets and Financial Investigation of the agency, Mrs. Victoria Egbase, had taken over the investigation. He said, “This is a suspected case of money laundering. Criminal groups seek to conceal the origin of illegally obtained money. It is pertinent therefore for us to trace the origin of the money and prevent the introduction of criminal funds into the economy. Consequently, I have directed that the case be meticulously investigated. “Preliminary investigation revealed that both suspects are frequent travellers who are working with international drug trafficking organisations. Besides, their sources of income must be verified. The cases shall be properly investigated and necessary action taken as laundered funds could be used to finance terrorism and distort the economy, among others.” SOURCE: PUNCH

Clinton says Trump would be Putin’s ‘puppet’

Democrat Hillary Clinton warned Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is rooting for Donald Trump in the race for the White House because the Republican would be his “puppet.” In a ferocious debate exchange, Clinton cited reports from US intelligence agencies that Russian cyber attacks had targeted her party and campaign, and demanded that Trump condemn it. “They have hacked American websites, American accounts of private people, of institutions,” she declared. “Then they have given that information to WikiLeaks for the purpose of putting it on the internet,” she said. Trump dismissed the intelligence reports, declaring: “Our country has no idea.” The property mogul said he might have better relations with Moscow than Clinton would, declaring: “Putin, from everything I see, has no respect for this person.” Clinton’s response was sharp: “Well, that’s because he would rather have a puppet as president of the United States.” Trump blustered back: “No puppet. You’re the puppet.” But Clinton was on a roll: “It is pretty clear you won’t admit the Russians have engaged in cyber attacks against the United States of America. “That you encouraged espionage against our people. That you are willing to spout the Putin line, sign up for his wish list, break up NATO, do whatever he wants to do.” SOURCE: AFP

N23bn Diezani bribe: EFCC arrests Enugu commissioners, investigates Chime

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two Enugu State commissioners in connection with an investigation into the $115m (N23bn) allegedly disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the buildup to the 2015 presidential election. The two commissioners arrested on Wednesday were Charles Egumgbe and Rita Mba. Egumgbe, who is the Commissioner for Water Resources, was the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Office in the state during the countdown to the presidential election in 2015, while the Commissioner for Tourism, Mba, was the secretary. Apart from Egumgbe and Mba, the Chairman of the PDP in the state during the 2015 general election, Ikeje Asogwa, was also arrested by the anti-graft agency over the matter. Asogwa is currently the chairman of the board of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board. EFCC zonal head, South-East zone, Johnson Babalola, confirmed the arrests while addressing journalists in Enugu on Wednesday. Babalola revealed that Egumgbe, Mba and Asogwa were detained and later released on bail. Responding to questions from journalists, Babalola said, “They were detained, they made statements and they were later released on bail.” He added that the EFCC was still investigating a former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, who was alleged to have received N450m out of the N23bn allegedly disbursed by Alison-Madueke. It will be recalled that when he was initially quizzed by the EFCC over the campaign funds, Chime reportedly told detectives that he handed over the money to the secretary of the campaign office, Mba, who was also the state’s Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs at the time. Reportedly, Chime further explained that the money was brought by two of his former commissioners, Joe Nmamnel, and Mba, in company with Asogwa and a PDP chieftain, Prof. Osita Ogbu. The former governor was said to have stated that he gave the money to his orderly for safekeeping — with instructions that only Mba should have access to it to facilitate her work as the secretary of the campaign office. But some officials of the state government declined to comment on the issue when our correspondent sought their views over the matter. But a source close to the state government told our correspondent that since the EFCC was already investigating the matter, it should conclude its investigations first before going public with its findings. The source added that the commissioners, in their statements to the EFCC, denied Chime’s claims that they were the ones who handled the campaign funds. The source said the funds in question were not spent during the administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Babalola added that the anti-graft agency was also investigating how about N450m of the N23bn was disbursed in Abia State. Giving a summary of the commission’s activities in the South-East, Babalola said some companies linked to serving governors in the zone were under investigation — in connection with money laundering cases. He disclosed that a total of 522 cases were currently under investigation in the zone, out of which 36 cases had been concluded and charged to court for prosecution. The EFCC had secured 14 convictions in the zone since January 2016, he added. Within the period, the EFCC had recovered about N244.5m, $955,465 and 10,000 euros in the South-East, while the sum of $130,750 was forfeited and paid into the coffers of the Federal Government. In the same vein, Babalola revealed that a popular ‘wonder bank’ operator in Enugu, Chief Patrick Nwokike, who is the Chief Executive Officer of ‘Lets Partner With You,’ was in the custody of the commission in Enugu, alongside his wife. Nwokike allegedly collected over N4bn from unsuspecting members of the public in a Ponzi scheme, collecting monthly percentages on the invested sum. Babalola explained that the N4bn was found in two out of the 20 bank accounts identified and traced to the ‘wonder bank’ operator. “It is suspected that a larger percentage of the funds was stashed in an offshore account,” he said, adding that efforts were ongoing to trace the said funds. It was also discovered that the ‘wonder bank’ has branches across the country. Explaining further, Babalola said, “The South-East zonal office of the EFCC has received over 150 petitions on the illegal financial dealings of the ‘wonder bank’ CEO and has swung into work, arresting the key suspect and the wife who is a co-signatory to the accounts. “In the course of investigation, the zone identified three mansions and a multi-million naira warehouse which have been sealed and placed under investigation. “Efforts are being intensified to trace other properties. Additionally, two exotic SUVs have also been recovered as the proceeds of crime.”

Baale shoots resident dead during fight

A traditional ruler in the Magboro community in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Sanni Shofolarin, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly killing a resident of the town. PUNCH Metro learnt that Shofolarin, who is the baale of Shofolarin town in Magboro, shot dead the victim, whose name had yet to be ascertained, during an affray in the area on Monday. It was learnt that some people had organised a party in the community, which resulted in a fight. The matter was reportedly taken to Shofolarin’s palace for mediation. It was learnt that in the course of the settlement, the parties disagreed and the fight escalated in front of the palace. The baale was reported to have brought out his gun and in a bid to stop the fight, fired a shot into the crowd, killing the victim. When our correspondent visited the area on Wednesday, residents refused to talk about the killing, saying they were not around when it happened. However, a man, who did not want to be identified, described the incident as unfortunate, saying the monarch only wanted to stop the fight. He said, “There was a party in the neighbourhood on Monday. At the end of the party, some of the people had a disagreement. The people were brought to the baale so he could settle the matter for them. After the baale listened to them, he tried to mediate. But they did not heed his advice and the fight continued after they left the palace. The baale, who was angry, brought out his gun and while trying to stop them, fired a shot which hit the victim. He was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.” PUNCH Metro gathered that the victim, an indigene of Sokoto State, was far from the scene of the fight. His corpse was said to have been deposited in a morgue in the area. It was learnt that the baale was arrested by policemen from the Ibafo division, who transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing. He said, “We gathered that some people were fighting opposite the baale’s house and the place became rowdy. He then brought out his gun, and while trying to scare the people away, fired a shot, which hit the victim who died. “The case was reported at the Ibafo Police Division and the baale was arrested. The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, ordered that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section, SCIID, Eleweran, for discreet investigation.” SOURCE: PUNCH