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EFCC operatives disperse pro-Yahaya Bello protesters in Abuja
A protest by some Kogi youths at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission headquarters in Abuja, was on Monday disrupted by EFCC operatives who chased away the protesters.
The youths had gathered at the EFCC office in Jabi, Abuja, to protest the alleged persecution of ex-Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, but the EFCC officials dispersed them.
Bello had been declared wanted by the anti-graft agency for allegedly laundering N80.2 billion while in office.
Footage of the incident revealed that the protesters led by the Kogi Youth Coalition were addressing the media when the EFCC operatives chased them away from their headquarters.
Addressing journalists, the youths asserted Bello’s right to obtain restraining orders against alleged EFCC harassment.
The Head of the Kogi Youth Coalition, Otitoleke Richard, condemned the violence, affirming the right to express opinions in a democratic society.
Richard said, “We are here this morning at the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja, addressing a topical national issue that has to do with the rule of law, the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.
“We have been intimidated, we have been harassed. The EFCC is saying we do not have the right to express our opinion on national issues. We have been shot at. They have used their sticks to beat ordinary Nigerians that are harmless.
“We shall continue to air our opinion for democracy to thrive in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. We are saying the rule of law must be applied in all corruption files. You cannot fight corruption with lawlessness. EFCC must obey the court order.”
In another video acquired by our correspondent, a large bus was extensively damaged, with the videographer lamenting, “It is unfortunate. The windscreen of this vehicle was broken. People were seriously beaten. The EFCC has taken away the driver of the car.”
On Friday, the Kogi State High Court in Lokoja ordered the EFCC chairperson, Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it on May 13 to show why he should not be jailed for allegedly disobeying its order.
The judge, I.A. Jamil, gave the order in a ruling in a suit marked, HCL/68M/2024, brought before him by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Bello’s application initiating a contempt charge against the EFCC chair is part of the ex-governor’s efforts to stop his arraignment and trial on N80.2 billion money laundering charges instituted against him after he left office as governor in January.
In his application, Bello accused Olukoyede of committing contempt by allegedly violating the court’s order barring the EFCC from arresting him.
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See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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