Dantata donates N1.5b to Maiduguri flood victims

Elder statesman and business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, has made a generous donation of N1.5 billion to support victims of the devastating flood that recently affected parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

The 96-year-old philanthropist led a delegation from Kano to the Government House in Maiduguri on Tuesday to personally extend his condolences.

During the visit, Dantata expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives and properties caused by the flood and offered his heartfelt sympathies to Governor Babagana Zulum, the government, and the people of Borno State.

He also called on Nigeria’s elites and political leaders to reflect on their actions and urged them to fear Allah in their dealings, lamenting the worsening state of the economy.

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In response, Governor Zulum expressed deep gratitude for the compassionate gesture. He acknowledged the donation as a powerful symbol of hope and solidarity during a challenging time.

“The people of Borno deeply appreciate this show of humanity by a 96-year-old to visit us. Let me say it, our Baba has donated the sum of N1.5 billion to support the flood victims. May Allah bless and reward you with Aljannah. Mu gode, Baba,” Zulum said.

This comes shortly after Dantata’s nephew, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, also donated N1 billion to assist the flood victims. The contributions from these prominent figures have been a source of relief and encouragement for those affected by the disaster.

Dantata donates N1.5b to Maiduguri flood victims

Tension in Kano, Ganduje reportedly plots to dethrone Emir Sanusi again

There is a fresh plot to dethrone Muhammad Sanusi II as the emir of Kano State, POLITICS NIGERIA has learnt.

According to sources within the Kofar Kudu Palace, powerful individuals in Kano, allegedly led by All Progressive Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are orchestrating the removal of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor as the 16th Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano Council of Chiefs.

A well-placed source revealed that Ganduje’s primary objective is to secure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s backing to oust Emir Sanusi, while also pressuring former Emir Aminu Ado Bayero to step down. This move is disguised as an attempt to resolve the state’s leadership disputes.

Ganduje, who previously clashed with Emir Sanusi, is said to have assembled a loyal coalition of Kano APC members, comprising influential politicians, business moguls, traders, and key stakeholders. Their ultimate goal is to persuade President Tinubu to intervene, allowing Ganduje to complete his long-standing mission to unseat Emir Sanusi.

This development is the latest in a series of attempts by Ganduje to undermine Emir Sanusi, dating back to 2020 when he played a pivotal role in the emir’s contentious deposition.

Ganduje’s strategy now involves leveraging presidential power to ensure Sanusi’s permanent removal and, surprisingly, urging Aminu Ado Bayero to step down as well, purportedly to pave the way for peace.

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The Kano State Government has consistently recognized Emir Sanusi as the legitimate Emir, while powerful politicians and businessmen loyal to the APC and presidency have continued to acknowledge Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir.

The source alleged that “Ganduje, alongside a coalition of Kano APC loyalists, has orchestrated this plan to assert full control over the emirate, a traditional institution that has long resisted his influence.

“The delegation, carefully selected for their loyalty to Ganduje, includes a prominent Kano business mogul, influential politicians, traders, and key stakeholders in the state’s political and business landscape.

“These individuals, all closely aligned with Ganduje, have rallied around his cause, advocating for the removal of both emirs under the guise of settling leadership tensions within the Kano Emirate.

“Their objective is bold and clear: to persuade President Tinubu to intervene, enabling Ganduje to complete his long-standing mission to unseat Emir Sanusi.

“While cloaked in the rhetoric of “restoring peace,” Ganduje’s true agenda is becoming increasingly evident—he seeks to leverage presidential power to oust Emir Sanusi, a figure he has repeatedly clashed with.

“This latest move is a continuation of Ganduje’s efforts to undermine Emir Sanusi, dating back to 2020 when he played a central role in the emir’s controversial deposition.

“Now, Ganduje is intent on using his political influence to finish what he started. His strategy involves seeking President Tinubu’s support to ensure Sanusi’s permanent removal and, in a surprising twist, urging the more compliant Aminu Ado Bayero to step down as well, supposedly to pave the way for peace.”

Tension in Kano, Ganduje reportedly plots to dethrone Emir Sanusi again

I’m a rapist, admits husband who drugged, abused wife for 10 years 

Dominique Pelicot, the 71-year-old man accused of drugging his wife to sleep and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her for over 10 years, has admitted to all the charges against him in his first testimony since the trial opened on 2 September.

Referring to the 50 co-defendants who are accused of raping his now ex-wife Gisèle, Mr Pelicot said: “I am a rapist like the others in this room.”

“They all knew, they cannot say the contrary,” he said. Only 15 of the 50 defendants admit rape, with most saying they only took part in sexual acts.

Of his ex-wife, Mr Pelicot said: “She did not deserve this.”

“I was very happy with her,” he told the court.

Gisèle, who was given the chance to respond shortly after, said: “It is difficult for me to listen to this. For 50 years, I lived with a man who I would’ve never imagined could be capable of this. I trusted him completely.”

Although no cameras are allowed in court, the trial is open to the public at the request of Gisèle Pelicot, who waived her right to anonymity at the beginning of the proceedings. Her legal team said opening up the trial would shift the “shame” back on to the accused.

As she stepped out of the courtroom during a pause in the hearing on Tuesday, Gisèle was met by applause from onlookers, and she smiled as she accepted a bouquet of flowers.

Since the trial began, Gisèle has become a symbol of resilience and courage.

Last weekend, thousands of people gathered in cities across France to show their support to her and other victims of rape, and the trial has ignited a national conversation on marital rape, consent and chemical submission.

Mr Pelicot, who is a father and grandfather, began his testimony by telling the court of traumatic childhood experiences and said he was abused by a male nurse when he was nine years old.

When asked about his marriage to Gisèle, Mr Pelicot said he considered suicide when he found out she was having an affair.

Throughout his testimony on Tuesday morning, Mr Pelicot repeatedly assured the court that he never “hated” his wife and was in fact “crazy about [her]… I loved her immensely and I still do.”

“I loved her well for 40 years and badly for 10,” he added, apparently referring to the decade during which he drugged her and abused her.

Mr Pelicot was then questioned by Stéphane Babonneau, one of Gisèle’s lawyers, who asked him why he had been unable to find the will to stop abusing her, even when she started presenting medical problems.