Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has announced the suspension of the Emir of Misau, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman, following the crisis that occurred in Hardawa ward in Misau Local Government Area of the state which led to the death of nine people.

Several other people sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crisis.

Also suspended alongside the Emir are the District Head of Chiromah and Village Head of Zadawa or his representative.

The PUNCH had reported that nine people were killed and several others injured on Monday following the crisis that erupted between herders and Fulani farmers in Zadawa village in Misau LGA of Bauchi State.

Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The governor had, on Tuesday, suspended the Caretaker Chairman of Misau LGA, Yaro Gwaram.

Suspended along with him are his deputy, Baidu Kafin-Misau and his Secretary, Usman Abdu.

The clash was over ownership of land in the surrounding settlement where herders are located and have been grazing for several years although the land belongs to the government.

The land was to be converted to farming land by the local government, a development that did not go down well with the herders.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 19 election in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has obtained a new discharge certificate from the National Youth Service Corps with number A 004280695.

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Edo State had late Thursday displayed the forms of the 14 governorship candidates that will contest for the election at the commission’s secretariat in Benin City.

Our correspondent, who visited the office on Friday, observed that Obaseki’s new discharge certificate was issued on June 19, attached with a memo entitled, ‘Re-correction of name and re-issuance of my certificate of national service’, and signed on behalf of the Director-General by Mrs K.N Okonofua.

The memo read, “We refer to your letter referenced OEG/ABJ/99/VOL.IV/172 dated 18th June 202, on the above subject matter

“I am directed to inform you that after the investigation, the management of the National Youth Service has approved a new certificate of National Service reflecting the surname OBASEKI be produced as earlier certificate number 063107 dated 6th August 1980 has been cancelled due to an error in the surname OBASEK

“Accept the assurances of the Director-General’s regard.”

Obaseki was, among other matters including credential discrepancy, disqualified by the All Progressives Congress screening committee from contesting the party’s primary.

On INEC’s notice board, Obaseki filled West African School Leaving Certificate, 1973, and Bachelor of Arts, 1979, as his qualifications.

His major contender in the election and candidate of the APC, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has his highest qualification as LLB from the University of Benin.

The credentials of the other governorship candidates for the election were also displayed.

They include that of Obhafuoso Paul, Action Alliance; Akhigbe Ehiabhi, African Democratic Congress; Ibio Emmanuel, African Democratic Party; Lucky Idehen, All Progressives Grand Alliance; Igbineweka Osamuede, Allied Peoples Movement; Amos Areloegbe, All Peoples Party; and Osifo Isaiah, Labour Party.

Others are Agolebun Tracy, New Nigeria Peoples Party; Stevie Ozono, National Rescue Movement; Felix Obayangbon, Social Democratic Party; Jones Osagiobare, Young Progressive Party; and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena, Zenith Labour Party.

I just ended a very violent verbal altercation with SARS officers @PoliceNG who accused me of harassing them. It was a 45 min SHOWDOWN in front of @ecobank_nigeria in Badore, Ajah. I asked everyone to film it. Send me footage kemitalksmedia@yahoo.com

Pls Unroll your @threader_app as this is going to be a long one #ENDSARS @rrslagos767

@PoliceNG. This situation was diffused 95% with the leader of the SARS team apologizing profusely to me along with 4 cops EXCEPT one who was still abusing me. A mopol officer nearby ended it��‍♂️Angry face

#EndSars It all started as my artist told me at a certain junction in Badore, Ajah he is always profiled because of his nice car and outfits as a "Yahoo Boy". He is not a criminal Angry face My artist @iamwealth9ja and my son @Richkjtmusic went to a studio this morning.
#Kemitalkslaw

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has tested negative for coronavirus. (COVID-19).
It will be recalled that the governor who tested positive for the virus penultimate week has been in self isolation where he has equally been receiving treatment.

However, a repeat test of the virus on his samples carried out by the officials of the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC Friday night has returned negative.

A brief statement by the State Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu on Saturday morning stated that by the new development, the governor is now free of the virus.

The statement read thus: “To God the glory of God, repeat COVID-19 test conducted by Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on samples submitted by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Thursday, 2nd July, 2020, returned negative result on Friday, 3rd July, 2020.

“Governor Ikpeazu is therefore deemed free of the virus according to the extant guidelines of NCDC and the World Health Organization (WHO). Thank you.”

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue said the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Tony Ijohor and Chief of Staff, Mr Terwase Orbunde have tested positive to COVID-19.

The governor disclosed this on Saturday while briefing newsmen in Makurdi.

He further said that the State Head of Service, Mrs Veronica Onyeke also tested positive to the virus, alongside the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Benue State University, Makurdi, Prof. Godwin Achinge.

“It is no longer news that my wife, one of my sons and staff tested positive to the virus too.

“The test was carried out about a week ago. When the result came out 35 persons in the state tested positive to the virus.

“My test result came out negative. But the medical officers said that another test will be carried out on me after three days.

“So, after this interaction I will isolate myself. I will be in isolation until I have clearance from the medical officers.

“COVID-19 is real and I enjoin my people to take the preventive measures seriously. I want my people to be alive and free from the disease.

“We have to stop the spread of the disease by maintaining all the COVID-19 protocols,” he said.

The governor also urged Benue people to avail themselves for testing, stressing that the earlier the disease is detected the better.

“Even if one who tests positive to the disease has underlining ailments and the virus is detected early enough it will not kill the person.

“I want to repeat what my wife said in her statement that COVID-19 is not a death sentence. A lot of persons that tested positive have been treated and discharged.”

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

BUA Cement, One of West Africa’s largest Cement companies has announced that it is set to establish a three million metric tonnes cement plant and 50 megawatts power plant in Guyuk and Lamurde local governments of Adamawa state in the North Easter region of Nigeria. This was revealed when the Chairman of BUA, Abdul Samad Rabiu led the BUA Cement Management team on a courtesy call to the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in the Government House, Yola.

Speaking during the visit, Abdul Samad Rabiu said preliminary findings show that the two local governments of Guyuk and Lamurde are reputed to have good quality of limestone deposits and BUA Cement is ready to begin the investment in the state. He added that the BUA will use new technologies to supply power to the proposed cement plant and communities of Guyuk and Lamurde in addition to providing three thousand direct and five thousand indirect jobs.

The Chairman stressed that the Guyuk Cement Plant will be the major investment in the North East by BUA and solicited for support of Governor Umaru Fintiri to set up the factory in Guyuk. Rabiu said the company made a decision to source its raw materials locally and it has invested billions of dollars in various sectors across Nigeria and therefore urged the state government to support BUA to actualize the Guyuk Cement project. In addition, he praised the commitment of the governor within one year in office in many sectors of development despite the economic challenges in Adamawa.

Responding, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said his administration's effort in exploring local contents has started yielding results and thanked BUA for showing interest in establishing the cement plant in Guyuk. He further assured the management team of BUA that government will make whatever is needed and provide the necessary support which will create enabling environment so that the BUA Cement company in Guyuk will become a reality.

He also expressed readiness of the government to protect the investment once it is established and told them that his administration will maintain the good relationship with the company for the benefit of the state.
BUA is Nigeria’s second largest Cement Producer by volume with cement plants in Sokoto and Edo States. The Company’s newest plant in Sokoto is expected to be operational in 2021. When completed, the Guyuk Cement Plant will bring BUA’s total capacity to 14million metric tonnes per annum.

-Buni-led caretaker to pacify more party leaders after meeting Tinubu

-Panel to review Banire committee report on constitution amendments

-Party may okay indirect primary for Ondo, vows to win Edo gov election

Barring any last-minute changes, the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress may hold the party’s national convention in November, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

The national convention, it was also learnt, would witness the emergence of a new national chairman and other members of the National Working Committee, while ward, local government and state congresses would hold before the convention.

The National Executive Committee of the party had at a June 25 meeting presided over by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa dissolved the NWC.

Others in attendance at the meeting were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, many state governors elected on the platform of the party and other stakeholders.

Prior to the NEC meeting, the party had been enmeshed in leadership crisis, including several court cases and different persons laying claim to the leadership of the party after the Court of Appeal ratified the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman.

The National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had in his statement after the NEC meeting sacked the NWC said one would need a spreadsheet to keep tab of the many court cases concerning the party. The leadership crisis had led to the dissolution of the NWC by the NEC.

But to resolve the leadership crisis and start the process of rebuilding the party, the NEC set up the caretaker committee, with members drawn from the different geopolitical zones, to manage the affairs of the party and conduct a national convention. The committee is headed by the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, who once served as the national secretary of the party.

Other members are the Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola; Governor Sani Bello of Niger State; Prof Tahir Mamman; Ken Nnamani; Dr James Lalu; David Lyon; Akinyemi Olaide; Stella Okorete; James Lalu; Ismail Ahmed; Abba Ari, Senator Abubakar Yusuf and Senator Akpan Udoedehe, who is the secretary.

Meanwhile, in a fresh development, the caretaker committee, which had members from the six geopolitical zones, is said to have settled for November, after the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, to hold the convention so the substantive leaders of the party could be elected.

A highly-placed member of NEC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said, “Unless something changes, a new national chairman and members of the National Working Committee will emerge in November. Right now, what is paramount is the need for our party to secure Edo and Ondo states and stop the haemorrhage within.”

Buni-led caretaker to pacify more party leaders after meeting Tinubu

The source also noted that after the visits to Tinubu and the pioneer interim chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, who is also a former governor of Osun State, the committee members would visit other party leaders.

He added, “The reconciliation process, which as you know started with yesterday’s (Thursday) visits to our leaders, Bisi Akande and Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is just the first step. Others will be contacted in the coming weeks.”

Another top NEC member, who also spoke on condition of anonymity for what he described as personal reasons, said the committee would be guided by the provisions of the party’s constitution.”

While responding to enquiries as to whether the forthcoming convention would be to elect persons to complete the truncated tenure of the Oshimohole NWC or they would begin a fresh term of four years, the party chieftain said only a four-year tenure is known to the constitution.

He added, “Our party constitution as we have it today does not make provisions for a two-year tenure; it says national officers are elected for a four-year tenure in the first instance and can be renewed for another four years if party members agree.

“For the election of national officers, which normally holds during conventions, ward, local government and state congresses to elect delegates who will participate in the national convention would first hold.”

Other reliable sources in the party NEC noted that the panel was considering holding congresses over a period of three to four weeks as consultations over the exact date were still ongoing.

Panel to review Banire-committee report on constitution amendments

Saturday PUNCH also learnt that the Buni-led committee would also be reviewing proposals made by the party’s Constitution Review Committee headed by the then National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire, which submitted its report in 2017.

Part of the proposal, it was learnt, include the stoppage of what some consider an abuse of waivers.

Under the proposed changes, fresh members will no longer be eligible to stand for elections, while they will be required to be financially up-to-date members of the party for a minimum of 12 months.

Also, members who leave the party for another platform and return will be required to automatically lose seniority on their return while the party’s Board of Trustees is to be replaced by an Elders Council with a substantial reduction in the number of party members qualified to be in the council.

Party may okay indirect primary for Ondo

It was equally learnt that the caretaker committee would uphold the decision by the ousted Oshimohole-led NWC to use the indirect mode of primary for the Ondo State Governorship election. The election is scheduled for October 10.

When one of our correspondents asked the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, if the party had taken a decision on the issue and if it had communicated its decision to the Independent National Electoral Commission, he said, “When that happens, it will not be a secret.”

In response to a question on the fate of the Chief Bisi Akande-led APC National Reconciliation Committee in the light of the setting up of a separate reconciliation committee for Edo and Ondo states, Nabena said, “The work of the bigger committee will continue. These new committees have a specific assignment to concentrate on Edo and Ondo where we have elections.”

Founder and Senior Pastor of Father’s House Bible Church in Effurun, Delta State, Pastor (Dr.) Richmond Leigh, is dead.

The popular cleric reportedly died on Friday.

He was said to have been ill briefly before passing on at an undisclosed hospital in Warri.

Pastor Leigh had few years ago, won a 26-year old land dispute with Ubeji Community in Warri when the Supreme Court affirmed that he was the rightful owner of a seven-acre piece of land.

The church, also known as Richmond Susan Leigh Ministries, has satellite branches in Rivers and Lagos states.

The church is one of the first churches in the twin cities of Warri and Effurun to begin a yearly Christmas programme, The Nativity of Jesus Christ, which members of other denominations attend.

Five(5) aides to the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki have resigned following their Principal’s defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a letter seen by POLITICS NIGERIA, Five senior special assistants(SSAs) namely; Hon. Honest Unuagbon Imina(SSA, LGA), Goodluck A. Uyigue(SA, Ward 2), Hon. Razak Rotimi(SA, Ward 7), Olajide Victor Oloruyomi(SA, Ward , Smart bank(SA, Ward 10).

Their reason for resigning is because they ‘were not ready to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) along with the governor’. They added that they still believe more in the APC.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN STUDENTS AT THE FINAL BAR EXAMINATIONS OF THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL

The Nigerian Law School has just released the results of its Final Bar Examinations. Three out of the total of five First Class candidates came from the University of Ibadan. We equally recorded outstanding performance generally from the other UI graduates who sat for the Bar Examinations.

The three first class students from the University of Ibadan are:

Olalere Yusuf
Adebayo Deborah
Madu Kelechie

We wish to congratulate all the UI students for their superlative performance once again. You have proved to be worthy ambassadors of this premier University.

We congratulate Dean Professor Adeniyi Olatunbosun, former Dean Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN, Prof Simisola Akintola, and through the trio to all members of the Faculty of Law.

You have given us one more reason to celebrate during this lockdown and New Normal.
As we are wont to state, 'If it is from Ibadan it must be of outstanding quality'. A million thanks for once again vindicating us.
We are always proud of you.

Idowu Olayinka
Vice-Chancellor
University of Ibadan
Saturday, 4th July 2020

Tears As Calabar Second Largest Market, Marian Market Is Gutted By Fire

The Watermelon Park and its surrounding shops at a popular and second largest market in Calabar, Eka Eka Oqua Market aka Marian Market was on Friday night, July 3, 2020 gutted by fire.

Grassroot Reporters' correspondent who was at the scene of the incident at about 9:15pm said men of the state or federal fire service were not on ground to put off the fire. The traders who were in tears and some youths in the area made frantic effort to put off the fire to no avail.

When Grassroot Reporters visited the scene of the incident on Saturday morning, the traders who looked devastated were seen picking the remains of their caravans.

An eyewitness said the fire started at about 8:10pm on Friday. He said the cause of the fire is believed to an electrical fault from one of the shops.

Speaking with Grassroot Reporters, one of the traders whose son's shop was completely razed, Mrs. Obot Jack wept uncontrollably, recounting the loses his son has incurred as a result of the fire incident.

She said: "This shop belongs to my son. Yesterday he was not around. It was around 8:30pm that one of my cousins that lives around there called me and asked me where my son is and I told her my son is not around. She shouted and told me to rush to my son's shop, that all the shops around Watermelon Park have been gutted by fire.

" I rushed there with one of my sons but when we got there, the flames of the fire could not allow us to enter there.

"We called the State Fire Service but they refused to come, saying they're waiting for orders from higher authority. But the Nigeria Air Force came with their fire fighting van but it was already late as at the time they arrived as all the shops had been razed down. The boys around tried to use water to quench the raging fire but it was fruitless.

She called on government to come to their aid:

" I am calling on the government to come to our aid because we do not have other means of livelihood especially at this period of Covid-19. My son was using this shop to train himself in school; now that the shop has been gutted by fire, his education is at stake". She lamented.

Just like Mrs. Jack, Tom Ability, a shop owner whose shop and goods has been razed to ashes could not control his tears as he watched his shop in flames.

He said: "This is the only shop I have. I couldn't get anything out of the shop, everything razed down. I am calling on the federal and state government to come to our rescue. Right now, I'm confused because I don't have any other means of survival".

A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described as irresponsible and cheap politics, a statement credited to the All Progressives Congress, which tried to link him with a cyber-crime suspect, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi, who was recently arrested in the United Arab Emirates and extradited to the United States.

This is contained in a statement titled, “Cyber Criminals: APC ‘s Statement Irresponsible, Says Saraki,” issued on Saturday by the media aide to the ex-Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

The APC’s statement, signed by its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, had demanded the probe of some Peoples Democratic Party leaders, including Saraki, over their alleged romance with Abbas.

But Saraki in his statement explained that he had no form of association with the said suspect, otherwise known as Hushpuppi and neither did he know him in any way.

It read, “The statement credited to the APC, the ruling party in our country, is one of the ways by which our anti-graft agencies are weakened and why the fight against corruption in the country is often viewed with suspicion by the international community.

“This is because when these cyber-crime suspects were operating freely and openly displaying wealth, the APC saw nothing bad in their activities.

“Also, the party at that time did not deem it necessary to call on the anti-graft agencies to investigate their activities.

“Also, since the arrest of those cybercrime suspects and the subsequent damage to the image and the economy of Nigeria as well as the crisis it created for Nigerians engaged in lawful businesses across the world, the ruling party had been muted (sic).

“The only time the APC deemed it necessary to make a statement was when it thought it should play dirty, cheap and irresponsible politics.

“Dr. Saraki was the only political leader who has publicly made a statement through an Op-Ed article published in the Daily Trust newspaper of July 1, 2020 titled ‘Cyber Criminals: Confronting The Few Who Dent Many.’

“At this point, we call on the APC leadership to rein in the so-called Yekini Nabena and compel him to desist from making and circulating such malicious, odious and offensive claims.”

FLASH: Nigeria Bar Association Election Voters Register contains bizarre name like 'Opening Balance'.
See No. 5495 - 5496, 5500, & 5502 - 5503

Baby factory in the church
• Police arrest General Overseer who keeps pregnant teenagers, sells their babies • Over 18 babies sold in a year; boys N1.5m, girls N1.1m each

It was initially a case of a missing seven-month-old pregnant teenager, Patience Edet Okon, who was tracked to a church compound, Great Mercy Deliverance Ministry located at No 5 Giwa Street, Rumuolumeni in Obi-Akpor Local Government area of Rivers State by detectives attached to the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The church premises turned out to be a lucrative baby factory.

Patience who has since been delivered of a baby boy sold to a childless couple was rescued on June 17, 2020 along with six other teenagers in the church founded by one Maureen Martins who uses part of the premises as private maternity home.

According to investigations, Patience’s parents who are based in Akwa Ibom had, in a petition to the IGP, alleged that their 19-year-old daughter whom they suspected was heavily pregnant was missing and could have gone to sell the baby.

Shocking discovery

During the raid by the detectives, three pregnant teenagers were rescued. They are Loveth Emmanuel, 19, who is five months pregnant and hails from Ngor Okpalla in Imo State; the second is Chisom Emmanuel, 18, from Ohaji Egbema in Imo State and is presently seven months pregnant. The third is Chioma Ifeanyi from Ukwa East and five months pregnant.

Also found in the church compound was Patience Edet Okon who was reported missing by her parents. She had delivered and the baby sold to a couple from Delta State. Also found in the church was another teenager who identified herself as Favour Friday. She was caught waiting to sell her newborn twin baby girls. She gave birth on June 14, 2020. The third teenager, Chizaram Chukwudi from Ibeku in Abia State also had a baby boy same day and the nurses had concluded arrangement to sell the child before the police raid.

According to the teenagers, a woman known as IB convinced them to come to the church and deliver their babies. They were all found with unwanted pregnancies with no man, laying claim to the babies.

The detectives discovered that IB who is currently on the run normally goes to ghettos in Rivers and neigbouring states to scout for pregnant girls. She would lure them to the church where they would give birth. Most of the girls who are not aware of the plan would be told that their babies died at birth while some who voluntarily came there would be paid a paltry sum as cost of buying their babies. They would be advised to get pregnant and come back if they need more money.

Maureen during interrogation told the police that she has lost count of the number of babies delivered in her church since 2019 that IB started bringing pregnant girls. “She would simply take care of the girls and when the babies are born, they would be sold to the highest bidder”, she stated.

According to a police source, the detectives also discovered about seven rooms in the church premises, used for the baby factory business. Baby boys are sold N1.5 million while the girls go for N1.1 million.

Police also traced and arrested a couple, Henry and Ifeyinwa Otugbara who confessed that they paid N3.5 million for the twins who were born by different mothers.

Over 18 babies sold since 2019

Begging for mercy, Maureen Martins confessed to the police that she knew that most of the women brought to her by IB were not pregnant but they were given drugs that made their tummy to swell. “ I am the General Overseer of Great Mercy Deliverance Ministry and mother of two. I established this church in 2014 and it’s mainly for pregnant and expectant mothers. They come here to pray for the fruit of the womb and successful delivery. I am a trained nurse/midwife, so I also encourage them to attend antenatal in my clinic which in the same compound. The name of my clinic is Corner Stone maternity. I met IB through one Miriam who is my customer. Miriam used to help me find children for my members who want to adopt. It was Miriam who brought the idea of deceiving some of these women that they are pregnant. If couples are made to believe that the child is theirs, they will pay more. I have delivered about 15 children for IB and two of them were given to Ifeyinwa.”

On how she managed to deceive Ifeyinwa and her husband, Maureen claimed that she does not know the type of drug that IB gave her. “When she came to my clinic, her stomach was already swollen as if she was 9 months pregnant. IB had already alerted me, so I took her through the process of checking a woman that is pregnant. After few hours, IB put a tablet in her vagina to induce her. Naturally, she would be having cramps like she is in labour. It was then that I inserted my hands inside her vagina and gave her a cut. She was not conscious so it was easy to fool her that the bleeding was as a result of the baby. We already had a standby babies from Favour and the Akwa Ibom girl, Patience.” The female church General Overseer said she regrets her action and is ready to repent. She confessed that she had been arrested before but let off the hook due to lack of evidence. “I was arrested in the past by NAPTIP but they later released me on bail when they couldn’t find Miriam.”

Desperate to be a dad

One of the suspects, Henry Otugbara from Delta State lamented that it was his desire to become a father that landed him and his wife in trouble. “I got married in 2014 and after two years there was no sign that my wife could conceive. We visited several hospitals and prayer houses in search of solution. It was in our quest that my wife met one woman who promised to take us to the final place where we will get solution. The name of the woman is IB, that is what they call her.

“She started giving my wife drugs and also advised me to have constant sex with her. In less than six months, her stomach started growing big and her leg swelling. Madam IB told us that she is pregnant and we should be attending antenatal in her maternity home. During check up, she kept assuring us that the pregnancy was progressing and very soon my wife would give birth.

“They gave us a date to come that they want to induce her into labour as the baby was ready to come out. IB gave her something inside a bottle and she started feeling dizzy. They told me to wait outside that the midwife would attend to her, that I should just pray for a safe delivery.

“About two hours later, a nurse ran out shouting that my wife has given birth to twins. I was so excited that God decided to give me double portion of blessing.

They showed me two newborn babies with placenta and I also noticed that my wife was bleeding. While I was celebrating, she told me that although she was very dizzy that she only felt pain when they spread her leg and gave her a cut. I told her to stop arguing that God has given us twins that she might be confused because she was unconscious. I promised her that we will do DNA in the future and she agreed and we went home with our babies.

“I paid N3.5 million for delivery and all medication given. All was well till police came to our house and arrested us after three days. They accused us of buying stolen babies. It was when we got to the police station that we saw two young girls who admitted that the babies were taken from them. Heaven knows that we were deceived. I cannot deliberately spend money to buy a child that I do not know the source. They could be the seed of notorious criminals. I was only desperate to be called a father, that was why I fell into their trap,” he stated.

His wife, Ifeyinwa claimed that she met IB’s agent in a bus. “I am 36 and from Delta State. I have been married for six years without a child. The pressure was already much on me and my husband’s people were making mockery of him that he married an old woman. I was in a bus going to Asaba when I heard an advert by a woman that anyone that is barren will get solution from them through the use of herbal drug. I collected their number and when I called, one woman who introduced herself as IB told me that she will help change my story. She gave me some herbal drugs and said that it will build my immune system and I will definitely conceive. Just like a joke, in less than a month, I started vomiting and having all the symptoms of a pregnant woman. I told her and she asked me to continue taking the drug as the pregnancy progresses. They told me that there was no need to go for antenatal, as the scan will deceive me into believing that I am not pregnant.

“After about seven months, IB called me that the baby was ready to be born. My whole body was swollen and I actually looked like a pregnant woman.

“I travelled to Port Harcourt to their clinic for the delivery. They gave me a tablet and in less than 30 minutes, my whole waist was on fire. The midwife said that I was in labour, that I should come and lie down and push. I suddenly became unconscious, by the time I became conscious, I saw two newborn babies by my side. I was shocked but happy because they were two of them.”

When asked if she ever suspected fraud, Ifeyinwa said that she did but in her own case everything was real. “During the years that I was waiting on the lord to bless me with children, one of the prayer ministries that I attended told me that someone from my village was behind my problem. This was why I believed them and refused to go for scan. I am sorry; I never meant to take any child that does not belong to me. They deceived me.”

We thought our babies died

In an attempt to convince the police that they knew nothing about the sale of their babies, some of the teenagers alleged that they were deceived into believing that Mrs. Maureen Martins and IB were operating a home where homeless pregnant girls can run to.

According to Favour Friday, she had no choice but to travel down to Port Harcourt with one Precious when she realized that she was pregnant. “I am 18 and from Abia State and I live in Aba. My boyfriend is also 18 and still lives with his elder sister. When I discovered that I was pregnant, the pregnancy was already five months. I managed to hide it till I was seven months; it when I was trying to find a way out, I met Precious at a motor park. She was the one who told me that there is a place that I can give birth and I will be taken care of.

“As soon as I was eight months, they told me that my baby was weak and that they needed to bring him out early. I was induced and gave birth to a baby boy. He was alive and they told me that it was not necessary to breastfeed him as he was weak. 24 hours later, they told me that my baby has died. It was after police arrested us that I was told that my child was sold for N2.5 million.”

Loveth Emmanuel on her part claimed that she decided to seek for help when her mother threw her out of the house. “I am from Imo State and when my boyfriend got me pregnant, my mother was so angry and threw me out of the house. My boyfriend who is also a student in my school agreed to marry me but his parents refused to accept me.

“They insisted that I should go back to my mother. I was frustrated and trying to abort the baby when one woman gave me IB’s number. They promised to take care of me till the baby is born. I took the offer since it came free of charge. They only said that when I deliver the family of my boyfriend would pay the hospital bill. There are so many of us there and some have delivered and left. I relaxed and even started attending the church; I was heartbroken when they told me that my baby died at birth. I was waiting to fully recover and travel back to my state when police raided the church.”