 Madam Maria Taiwo Abati, the mother of Dr. Rueben Abati, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan, is dead, the Abati family announced Thursday.
“With a heavy heart and gratitude to God Almighty, the Abati family of Kemta-Okebode, Abeokuta announces the passing away of their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Madam Maria Taiwo Abati who passed into glory today, aged 81,” an emailed statement by Reuben Abati said.
The statement further described “Mama Abati” as a “devout Christian, a very kind and loving person was born on 7th August 1931. She was born into the family of late Pa Samuel Jobo Arowotadina and Late Madam Elizabeth Efundunke Arowotadina of Ijemo, Abeokuta. She was a trader at Kuto Market for many years. She was popularly known and addressed as Mama Adunni or Mama Sunday.
“She is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren including Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to President Goodluck Jonathan; Mr Robert Abati, a Geologist with Dangote Cement; Mr Ralph Abati, a banker with Fidelity Bank Plc; and Mr Lanre Abati, an Economist & Chartered Accountant.
“She is also survived by her twin sister, Madam Victoria Kehinde Olude.”??
The family said funeral arrangements would be announced later, the family said.
Source: The Will
 The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division Thursday fixed October 2 2013 for the adoption of addresses in the appeal brought before it by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume asking it to stay proceedings in his trial for terrorism charges.
The trial is being conducted by the federal government at the Federal High Court in Abuja following the indictment of the senator on alleged involvement of sponsorship of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.
The senator had approached the court of appeal to overturn the ruling of the Federal High Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who admitted as evidence against the senator alleged call logs from GSM providers which indicated that the lawmaker had telephone conversation with one of the Boko Haram commanders, Ali Konduga.
He asked the appellate court to invalidate the admitted evidence on the ground that the judge erred in law when he admitted non admissible documents which the senator described as radical and fundamental against him.
However, his motion for stay of proceedings could not be entertained by the Justice Dauda Yahaya-led three man panel following the sudden objection to the motion brought by the federal government to the court by its counsel Mr. Thompson Olatigbe
The court ordered both parties to file their written addresses and exchange same between now and October 2, 2013 when they will be formally adopted.
Justice Kolawole had on December 11 and 14, 2012 admitted in evidence certain DVDs containing call-data records, including findings based on investigations carried out by a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) of the State Security Service (SSS).
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 For Nigeria to police her 84 legal and 1497 illegal borders, she would require about $244 billion, Minister of Interior Mr. Abba Moro announced on Thursday, in Abuja.
Mr. Moro who briefed members of the National Working Committee of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of the activities of his ministry however admitted that Nigeria borders are porous but said that with the efforts of the ministry, the borders would be made secured.
He disclosed that the Department of US Home Security has agreed to assist in supplying surveillance equipment and noted that some of the components were captured in a proposal by a Chinese company.
"We are making efforts to procure appropriate modern technology to be installed along our borders and we are collaborating with the US State Department and a private Chinese company for which we had initially received a cost of $244 million.
He said "with the assistance of the US State Department, we realised that some components of the offer we got from the private firm was contained in what the State Department would be offering us. When we have done this, the temptation of illegal entry into Nigeria will be reduced,"
The minister disclosed that his ministry has set up a machinery to monitor expatriate quota saying "only the minister has the power to approve expatriate quota. We are going to ensure that approval would be granted in areas where Nigerians are not able to occupy".
He however lamented that because of the huge investments foreigners bring into the country "we are sometimes constrained to grant quotas beyond what we expect".
 By Enahoro Iyemefokhan, Benin City
Alleged kidnappers of Mr. Peter Obi, Anambra State Governor’s nephew, were on Thursday paraded in Benin City, Edo State by the authorities of 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
The suspects who were nine in numbers were however said to have killed their victim in their custody.
Captain Roselyn Managbe the brigade's image maker who supervised the parade exercise did not however give the name of the governor’s nephew.
Managbe also paraded Mathew Ochini (67) and his wife, Josephine Ochini (63) for alleged possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
She said the kidnapped suspects and others were arrested for various criminal activities across Edo and Delta States.
The brigade's spokesman listed other offences of the suspects to include the kidnapped of the director of Hotel Ese in Warri as well as the killing of the chairman of Orhuwhoru community vigilante group in Udu local government area of Delta State.
She noted that the kidnapped suspects were cohorts to one Kelvin Duku, an alleged notorious kidnapped kingpin who had been in brigade’s wanted list.
The captain gave the names of the suspects to include, Kennedy Itoje, Atibaka Tega, Ebruke Oghenekohwor, David Ogaga, John Olutu, Alex Omorere Oghenekaro, Futu Equonor Shedrack, Junior Okpako and Ogole Lele Tala.
Managbe who added that the suspects have confessed to the crimes said they were rounded up by Quick Response Group from 222 Battalion in Ughelli last Wednesday after they successfully raided their hideout.
She posited that the syndicates have been terrorizing the people of Usiefrum and Oruvwaru communities in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state.
Others paraded included Osarumese Osamuyi who allegedly defrauded one Chukwuma Igwe of the sum of N400.000.
She added that the achievements was in line with the vision of the army to rid the states of oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, armed robbery, kidnapping, drug peddling and other criminal vices.
The Bridage however appealed to the people of the states to give credible information that would lead to the arrest of unscrupulous elements just as he added that the security is a collective business which the people should strive to partake.
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