Saturday 29 March 2014
Movie Director Tchidi Chikere And Nuella Njubigbo Wed
We Won’t Probe Diezani – Presidency
The Presidency has said that it will not probe the allegations of misappropriation of public funds levelled against the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, told Saturday PUNCH on Friday, that the Federal Government would not set up a probe panel to investigate the minister because the House of Representatives was currently probing her.
Alison-Madueke was alleged to have spent N10bn on a chartered Challenger 850 aircraft in two years for which the House of Representatives is currently probing her.
Okupe said that the Federal Government could not institute a probe panel on matters that had not been substantiated.
Okupe, who spoke to one of our correspondents in a telephone interview in Abuja, on Friday, said since the House of Representatives had started investigating the matter, the right thing to do was to wait for the outcome of such a probe before any further step could be taken.
He said, "The Federal Government cannot set up a probe panel just on things that have not been substantiated as such. The information I have is that the House of Representatives is looking into the matter and they want to invite the honourable minister. Definitely, the right thing is to wait for the outcome of such an interaction before anybody can decide to do anything."
Though the House of Representatives had assured Nigerians that it would investigate the allegations against the petroleum minister, it is yet to start the probe one week after it gave the promise. The House Committee on Public Accounts was given three weeks to conduct the investigation and produce a report.
But as at Thursday, there was no formal action on the probe and no invitation had been sent out to any government official to appear before the committee.
This confirmed an earlier report by The PUNCH that the probe committee, chaired by Mr. Solomon Olamilekan, had only held preliminary meetings on the probe, but had yet to swing into full action.
There were also indications that members of the committee had come under pressure to soft-pedal on the matter. But the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Victor Ogene, said the investigation was being delayed because the committee had not yet received an official notification from the House to proceed with it.
He explained that the normal procedure was for the committee to get the gazetted copy of the resolution and wait to be notified officially by the Clerk of the House.
He had also implied that the allegation might not be substantiated at the end of the day as he clarified that nobody had been found guilty. He said," Nobody is guilty and we don't have to be judgemental until the investigation is concluded.''
However, criticisms have trailed the decision of the Presidency not to probe the petroleum minister.
Lagos lawyer and activist, Bamidele Aturu, told Saturday PUNCH in a telephone interview that he would have been shocked if the Presidency had said it would conduct a probe.
He said, "This government does not probe anyone in the first place. Anything goes under this government. Nigerians would have been surprised if the Presidency was willing to take the Allison-Madueke matter any further.
"It has become a stock in trade for the government not to probe any matter. Nobody should be shocked about the government's stand.
"It is clear that there are sacred cows in this government when you consider what is happening at the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Financial Reporting Council; an organisation which nobody knew anything about and which had been inactive, was suddenly resuscitated to do all sorts of things against the sacked CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi."
Aturu said that calls for probe were the same as saying she was guilty. He, however, insisted that the Federal Government owed Nigerians the investigation to shed light on the issue.
Another lawyer and activist, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, described the development as "very unfortunate and unexpected of any responsible government."
He said it was unfortunate that the Presidency which was smaller than the entire Federal Government of Nigeria had decided to conduct itself in a way that militated against the interest of Nigerians.
According to him, by the Federal Government's pronouncement on the issue, it has permanently demobilised anti-corruption agencies and the Code of Conduct Bureau from taking action even when they receive petitions against the minister.
Ogunye said, "By giving this careless statement, the presidency has granted a ministerial immunity to the minister and combined that with impunity.
"The legislature is investigating but what this statement implies is that the House of Representatives could do whatever it likes but that the Federal Government would never take an action on whatever its findings will be since the legislature do not have the power of implementation.
"The Presidency is telling the legislature to its face that, just like it did with Arunma Oteh and other reports, even if Allison-Madueke is found culpable, nothing would happen. This is an invitation to anarchy because we can easily slip into a dictatorship this way."
Also, the National Coordinator, Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People, Alhaji Amitolu Shittu, said President Goodluck Jonathan should simply resign as a result of this.
He said that the decision not to probe Allison-Madueke showed the level of corruption and waste by Jonathan's government.
"Why should Allison-Madueke not be probed? Is it because she is helping the President to stash away money for his coming re-election? This is why the controversial letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo should be revisited," Shittu said.
Founder, Justice Now Foundation, Alhaji Lawal, who also reacted to the issue in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, said the Presidency had come out in the open to encourage corruption.
He said the government should be courageous to conduct a probe since she has yet to be indicted.
The President, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, Debo Adesina, also stated that the presidency's decision was a way of telling the world that the President Jonathan condones corruption.
"It accentuates the belief that there are sacred cows within the President's cabinet. It seems to be confirming the belief among the public that the President has some people on whose ministry he is relying on to amass fund for his campaign," he said.
Via: Punch
A Relative Once Advised Me To Be A Motorcycle Repairer –Yaw
I overheard you telling your friend that you would still get another power bike after you had an accident with the last one you had. Why this craze for power bikes?
I love them. I have a scar on my hand which I got when I was involved in an accident with my power bike on the Third Mainland Bridge. I was shocked when I heard of the death of Yeni Kuti's ex-husband. I learnt he had an accident with his power bike. He showed me the bike before his death, I have forgotten the brand but it runs very fast. When he showed me, I told him that I would soon buy the same type of bike; it was a new bike. It happens but one has to be very careful when riding a power bike. I prefer cruisers to speed bikes. Speed bikes are too fast and Nigerian roads don't encourage the speed they are built for and also, people do not respect bikers on the road. I just prefer cruiser bikes.
Reflecting on the days of Twilight Zone to Flatmate, now Yaw is a household name; how has the journey to stardom been for you?
It has not been rosy and I am sure it has not been for anyone. I am still growing and would definitely get there someday but when that would be, I don't know. I just believe that one day we would get there. But I have learnt that there are no difficulties in life; neither are there challenges but opportunities to get better. I have been struggling all this while and would continue till I can finally say that I have made it.
I am sure there were some trying moments you faced while building your brand.
I started in 1995 with home video films. Then I used to trek from Alaka Bus Stop to Kilo at Surulere because I was trying to manage the money that I had. Sometimes I would trek from 23 Road in FESTAC Town to a place we call Uziz's Garden. Then from there, I trekked to Mile 2 just to manage my transport fare. Aside those challenges, there were people who were always there to laugh at me, asking if I was sure of what I wanted to do with my life. But I was determined that I was going to make something out of life.
I had a relative who looked at me when I was much younger and told me he felt my destiny was to be a mechanic. He took me to a welder's workshop and told me to learn the craft but I told him I was not interested. Then, motorcycle was not a mode of transportation but he promised to take me to where I could learn how to repair motorcycles. He predicted that with the way Lagos was going, people would soon begin to use it as a form of transportation. He advised that if I could learn how to fix motorcycles, I would be a force to reckon with. I remember his word clearly; he told me that he was just trying to help out but that I was just being useless. I told him I knew where I was going; I had the big picture in my head. I had no encouragement from my parents to study arts but we thank God, the rest is history now.
You once said that when you accepted to study Theatre Arts in the university, your mother was against it. What did she have against the course?
I had an uncle, Ralph Onu; he is dead now. He was an actor and did not make anything from it. I am talking about the era where they used to do Behind the Clouds; he used to act with KK Shanana and Chris Elabotubo. My mother would always say I should look at him and asked if that was the life I wanted to live. She used to ask if I wanted to end up like my uncle who she said could not feed himself. I kept telling her that because Ralph did not make it did not mean I would not. I told her she kept telling me about Ralph, how about Richard Mofe Damijo? I asked why she didn't compare me with him. She went to the extent of telling her sister to go to school and tell the authorities to deny me admission. All that is in the past because now she wants everybody to know that she is my mother.
At what point in your life did you meet RMD because I learnt he was the one that advised you to study Theatre Arts?
I met RMD in 1994 at an audition. He told me that he loved the way I talked and asked if I studied English or Theatre Arts. I told him that I had not even gained admission into the university. He then advised me to study Theatre Arts.
How did you react after you met him again?
I saw him after a very long while and when I told him that he was the one that made me study Theatre Arts, he had forgotten that we had met before. That was before I did his movie where I was assistant director. He said he could not remember but that he was happy that I took his advice. Every event I organise, he comes to support me. Sometimes you hear a word once and you do not take it seriously but when he spoke to me, I grabbed it and did not let it go.
How much were you paid for your first movie appearance?
I think it was N500. I can't remember the name of the movie but I was cast as an extra. I thought it was big money and I believed I was made when I was paid the money. I had told everybody that I would be featuring in a big movie and they would see my face in it but unfortunately, my part was cut off in the movie. I was so unhappy when that happened because I had bragged a lot about it. I also featured in a film by Francis Agwu but the film never came out. It was called Devil's Disciples. Eventually I did one with Tade Ogidan and I was paid N3,000.
How did you get involved in doing comedy?
I found out that I was playing mostly humorous roles. There is a difference between stand-up comedians and comic actors; they are not the same thing. Most people believe that once you are a comic actor, then you are a stand-up comedian; I try to blend both. I started by acting comic roles and the response I got was really encouraging, so I decided to stick to it. Nkem Owoh would always say during the Masquarade series that he used to seek serious roles but was never given any until he discovered he was made for comedy. I found that out too and I toed that line and it is working for me.
Kidnappers recently released one of your presenters, Akas, does that make you afraid that you might suffer a similar fate?
To start with, I think Lagosians are lucky. It is only God that can provide absolute protection. Lagos is a bit safe and also I don't talk much in public. Except you know me very well, you would not know who I am. Of what use would I be to anyone who wants to kidnap me? I don't have money, what would you gain from kidnapping me?
You are the seventh child of ten children. What was growing up like for you?
Growing up was fun and my mother was a disciplinarian. She slapped you once you misbehaved. She detested absentmindedness and would slap you endlessly for that. Then I used to be the black sheep of the family, very troublesome. I was so rebellious that I was sent away from my secondary school. I was always on my own but whatever I set my mind to do, I would do it no matter what it would cost me. It might take time but I would get it done. My elder brother was also stubborn. I think we got this trait from my father.
You often speak of your mother but hardly about your father. What kind of man is your father?
My father used to be on the quiet side. He is the kind of person that when you do something, he would wait for his wife to come back before he speaks about the matter. For example, I could go and meet him that we didn't have palm oil. If I told him it cost N30, he would give me N100 without bothering to ask for the change. But when his wife arrived in the evening, he would call me and raise the issue. He would want his wife to know that I collected money for palm oil from him even though there was palm oil in the house. He would also not forget to say that I had not returned his change. That was when I would be in trouble. My mother was the active one while he was passive. I talk less of my father because he is a reserved man.
Via: Punch Nigeria
Fire outbreak in Garki Market, Abuja
An early morning fire has destroyed property worth millions of naira at the Garki model market in Abuja.
The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained though people were seen trying to salvage whatever they can.
More details soon...
Via: Daily Sun
The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained though people were seen trying to salvage whatever they can.
More details soon...
Via: Daily Sun
Mother Kills 4 Year Old Son Because She Thought He Was Gay
As the Associated Press is reporting, Jessica Dutro, 25, has been charged with murder, murder by abuse and second-degree assault in connection with the 2012 death of her son, Zachary Dutro-Boggess.
Prosecutors say Zachary died on Aug. 16, 2012 of blunt-force trauma to his abdomen and a delay in medical treatment, according to reports.
Dutro, who is on trial in Washington County Circuit Court, allegedly pointed to her perception of her young son's sexuality in a Facebook message addressed to her boyfriend, Brian Canady, at the time.
Using a slur, she wrote that she believed Zachary was going to be gay, and suggested Canady, 24, "work on" her son: "He walks and talks like it. Ugh."
Earlier this month, Canady pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and second-degree assault, in connection with Zachary's death, The Oregonian previously reported. At the time of his arrest in 2012, Canady admitted to kicking Zachary in the abdomen while wearing shoes, according to The Portland Tribune.
Dutro's 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son are also said to have shown signs of physical abuse, according to The Oregonian. Still, her attorney Chris Colburn has argued that while his client was an "unusual" parent, she is not guilty of murder.
The case follows that of James Larry Cosby, a Texas father who has been charged with two counts of tampering with evidence in connection with the death of his daughter, Britney Cosby, and her girlfriend Crystal Jackson, both 24, according to KHOU. He is currently being held in the Galveston County Jail on a total of $500,000.00 bonds.
Via: Huffington Post
Ekiti 2014: Fayose says he brought Fayemi and will remove him
Fayose also disclosed that he had told President Goodluck Jonathan never to consider him or any member of his family for federal appointment should he fail to wrest power from the incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the June 21 guber poll and remove him.
The PDP candidate for the Ekiti State election who stormed the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat to collect the certificate from PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu also boasted that with his emergence, the incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi will shed tears, adding he brought him and he would remove him as governor come June 21, adding that as a political lion, who has lived all his life in the trenches,his emergence was a threat to Governor Fayemi.
Fayose, who defeated thirteen other aspirants last Saturday to emerge the PDP flag-bearer, noted that he is optimstic he would defeat Fayemi because he knew how he became the state governor in the first place, adding, "I won't look for government appointment because if they appoint you today, you may be removed tomorrow.
I won't ask the Federal Government for appointment if I fail to win this election. Let the Federal Government not consider me or any member of my family if I fail to send Fayemi packing. I'm sending Fayemi back to where he came from and we shall take over the Government House."
Fayose also appealed to all he might have wronged in the past to find a place in their hearts to forgive him even as he assured them that he had learnt his lessons having gone into political hibernation for 12 years.
He pleaded with the other 13 aspirants who contested with him for the governorship ticket to put whatever grievance they have behind and join hands with him to ensure that PDP wins the state.
According to him, there was the need for reconciliation, even as he promised that he will do their bidding and that he only needed the governorship and will not contend for other positions.
"The way forward is that other aspirants should support me and work with me. It is their right to be angry and if I had lost, I will also be angry because is not easy to lose N11 million," he said.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mua'zu, while handing over the Certificate of Return to Fayose, reminded him of the need to share positions among loyal party members to ensure equity and justice and cautioned aspirants on the platform of the party to work with the people at the grass root for their electoral victories instead of putting their hopes in their political god-fathers.
Mu'azu assured that his leadership would ensure reconciliation of the aggrieved members just as he expressed optimism that the PDP would take over Ekiti Government House after the June 12 governorship election, adding that there was no godfatherism in PDP.
Via: Vanguard
Friday 28 March 2014
Actress Genevieve Nnaji shares before and after make-over pic
FG accuses ASUP, COEASU striking lecturers of being adamant
Simeon Nwakaudu, the spokesperson to the Education Minister, Nyesom Wike, made this statement in an interview to Premium Times on March 27, 2014, Thursday.
He described the previous meeting with the striking lecturers as "productive".
Mr Nwakaudu said that during one of its meetings with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) both parties had agreed that the Federal Government would attend to four key issues out of the 13 demands the union had tabled.
Wike's spokesperson confirmed that that out of the four issues the Federal Government had done everything possible to attend to three of them.
He explained that if ASUP had accepted the offer of two instalments, the first payment would have been made in March, while the second would be in November. He disclosed that the arrears for both ASUP and Colleges of Educations Academic Staff Union (COEASU) were over N40 billion.
"Such an amount cannot be paid at once. That's why we offered it in two instalments to the unions, but they insisted on getting it in one go.
"However, the economy shows that the funds are not there. Too many issues are being tackled: basic education, tertiary education and all sub sectors of education are also involved," the spokesperson added.
COEASU has recently frowned at a new government order to implement the 'no work, no pay' principle; that would ensure non-payment of salaries to the striking lecturers.
However, Mr Nwakaudu, said his ministry is not involved in that directive and has never issued such, saying if it exists, it would have come from the Labour Ministry.
It would be recalled that striking lecturers have insisted that they would not resume work until all their demands were met. The unions say their demands, when met, will lead improved standards for Nigeria's polytechnics and colleges of education.
Polytechnic lecturers, ASUP, have been on strike since October 2013, while colleges of education lecturers, COEASU, have been on strike since December 2013.
Via; Premium Times
Drama between Femi Kuti and Pastor Adefarasin at House on the rock
While give a sermon, Pastor Adefarasin indicated that the deceased was in paradise as he gave his life to Christ and became born again before his demise.
He therefore urged all present to give their lives to Christ and as he was saying this, the camera focused on Femi Kuti who doesn't believe in Christianity.
Femi Kuti later engaged some people in discussion about the sermon, saying that it was even those who claim to be religious that ordered the death of Jesus and that they preferred for Him to die, than to exchange him for Barnabas.
He was later approached by Pastor Adefarasin, and both talked at length and at the end, they both maintained their positions while parting ways amicably.
Via: Encomium Magazine
Photos: Supermodel Joan Smalls Licked Beyonce's Skin, Says She Tastes Sweet (Video)
The truth is, it was totally unplanned for Bey's skin to get licked but Smalls confesses to fans via media that the pop icon tasted 'sweet!'
Did Queen Bey agree to get tasted? Well, the model puts the answer like this (referring to the song's lyrics):
"Yoncé all on his mouth like liquor'-I'm like, 'Can we actually see what Yoncé would taste like? Can I lick her?' And they're like, 'Go for it.' I'm like, 'Are you sure?' And I asked her, and she's like, Absolutely!" Smalls said.
Feeling great about tasting Queen Bey's body, Smalls added:
"I mean, I did what very few people in this world would ever do. So Jay Z is a very lucky man," laughing. "It was basically us being ourselves, and just in the moment. It was only a certain vibe, and a certain energy that was required in the video. It was up for interpretation; you could laugh, you could do whatever you want. You just had to be yourself."
Via: Hollywood Reporer
Female lawyer buys baby for N1.5 million
She claims she was delivered of the baby by a herbalist at Okitikputa, Ondo State.
Mrs Ngala who was accompanied by another Cameroonian lady, Mrs Mende Cecila Fru said she heard about Ayodele Herbal Medicine Home which is assisting women to deliver children supernaturally and so, she had to borrow money and come to Nigeria to consult the woman and she was given herbal medicine which she took and got pregnant.
She said she paid N277.000 was for the herbs to enable her become pregnant while N1 .2 mliion was for the delivery of the baby, making a total of N1.5 million.
She was told not to visit any orthodox hospital during delivery but to go to Okitipupa. So when it was time for delivery she went there. She was asked to lie on the floor while somebody exerted pressure on her stomach and she was asked to push and the baby came out and fell on the floor.
"The woman then beat the child three times on the back and the child began to cry and I was asked to stand up," she said.
"She told me the delivery was supernatural and so, I should not visit any when I am about to deliver, that I should go to and truly when I got there, after nine days, she took me to a room and delivered me of the baby".
Mrs Fru who accompanied Mrs Ngala said she did not go inside the room where the baby was delivered but that she sat in the parlour She was taken in after the delivery and she claims to have seen the child still covered in blood.
According to Mr Samuel Igochi, the Comptroller of Immigration, Cross River State Command, a team was constituted to examine Ngala but after due examination, there were no signs in her that she actually delivered the baby.
He said the child would be handed over to NAPTIP for preservation till the determination of the case since the Nigerian Immigration Service is not a baby factory.
Via: Vanguard
Kogi Protesters Storm INEC' HQ, Require Fresh Governorship Election
Under the aegis of Association for Justice and Good Governance of Kogi State, the protesters said it was wrong for INEC to continue disregarding the Supreme Court order which voided the continued stay in office of the governors of Sokoto, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River and Kogi states and which also ordered the commission to conduct fresh elections in the affected states.
Chairman of the group, Umar Goodman Akwu, led the protesters who carried placards with inscriptions: "INEC must conduct fresh election as ordered by Supreme Court", "We demand justice and good governance in Kogi", "Kogi must be free from illegal hands", and "On Supreme Court judgement of 27/01/12 we stand; Wada must go" among others.
Akwu who addressed the protesters after submitting a protest letter to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, recalled that in order to avoid a vacuum in the administration of the states affected by the judgement, the Supreme Court ordered that the Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly be sworn-in pending the conduct of fresh governorship election.
He said the five speakers of the states were sworn-into office as acting governors on the same day of the judgment, including that of Kogi State, who was sworn-in by the State Chief Justice, Justice Nasir Ajanah.
Adviser to the Kogi State governor on media and strategy, Jacob Edi stated the decision of Supreme Court on who is governor of Kogi is supreme and that the state government will abide by that decision.
He said even if there was any iota of doubt on the matter, the last judgment of the Supreme Court on the matter has cleared the doubt on who is the elected governor of Kogi State. Edi advised the group to look for something better to do as he said the Kogi government will not be distracted by such antics.
Via: Naij
Veteran actress Clarion Chukwurah is a household name among Nollywood stars.
Clarion who played the role of Yepayeye, during the movie premiere said most challenging role that she has ever played, as she had to live the character of a woman who died less than six months to her production and was still fresh in people's minds.
Apaye is a true life story on the life of a spectacular woman, (Dame Patience Jonathan's late foster mother), who against all odds, fearlessly and uncompromisingly battled her way to success.
According to report, Apaye is the most expensive and highest budget film in Nollywood so far. As gathered, the star Akwa-Ibom born filmmaker, Ms Isong was commissioned with the sum of N55million to produce the movie. This is because, Apaye is an outstanding film that tells the story of a woman who touched many people's lives, despite making wrong choices at the initial stage of her life by marrying a man who already has a wife. Still as a result of her doggedness she scaled through and made huge living. Therefore, it merited more than the said production capital.
Chris Brown verbally Abused in jail for beating Rihanna
From Hollywood Life
"One inmate said in passing 'you a b***h for hitting Rihanna,'" a source close to the situation exclusively reveals to HollywoodLife.com. Chris is doing his best not to listen to the banter, however, it does make him "extremely upset" when he hears such sentiments.
"They be saying other stuff too, like 'you ain't no rapper, you're a whack R&B singer,'" the source continues. "They're in there trying to break him down."
Photos: Nollywood Actress Patience Ozokwor builds multi-million Naira plaza in Enugu
Via: Lindaikeji
Check Out Pre-wedding photos of President Jonathan’s Daughter
The traditional wedding would hold at president Jonathan's compound in Bayelsa, while the church wedding and grand reception will hold at the International Conference Center, Herbert Macaulay Way, Abuja.
Faith is an adopted child of the Jonathan's and she is the first child.
Faith read law at University of Calabar and that's where she met Godswill.
Up are some of the couple's pre-wedding photos courtesy of celebrity photographer, TY Bello
Congrats to the couple!
Via: Bellanaija
Singer Solidstar Signed As Super Eagles Ambassador For Brazil 2014
We at Achievas Music are too proud to announce that
Solidstar has just signed an ambassador deal with the
Nigerian Football Association in-conjunction with the
Nigerian Football Supporters Club.
The deal will have Solidstar record the official Super
Eagles theme song which will be used to unite and inspire the players on and off the pitch and also our country.
Dr. Rafiu Oladipo who represented the NFA and who also is the president of the supporters club in a statement said - We needed someone one who was passionate about Nigeria football and who has that gyration in his voice and who the new and old generation can relate to and it was just Solidstar that came to mind"
The "Negotiate" crooner with joy appreciated the football association and the supporters club and said he is humbled by Dr. Oladipo's kind words and he won't disappoint in the new project.
Expect something gyrating, something that will lift the
spirit of the whole players, coaching staff, the supporters and the whole country. - Solidstar assured.
I Will Probe Sanusi – New CBN Governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele
President Goodluck Jonathan had forwarded Emefiele's nomination to the Senate on February 20, same day he suspended Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from his post. Emefiele was answering questions from senators during his screening on Wednesday. He said he would look into the expenditure profiles of the CBN to examine why the institution run a budget deficit of N266bn in 2013. Emefiele said he would probe into the various expenditure components of the bank to know how exactly the deficit became inevitable. He noted that some of the deficit would have come from areas that pertain to operational expenditure.
'Why not wait for Sanusi's court case to be over?'
Before the session started, and also, prior to his admission into the chamber, chairman of the committee on states and local governments, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, tried to stop the process He moved a motion through Order 53(5) of the Senate Standing Orders (2011, as amended), in which he reminded the chamber and the Senate President David Mark that "the matter is in court. When the CBN governor was suspended, he went to court and Order 53(5) bars us from moving ahead on this matter. Why not wait for the court case to be over? That's my submission, sir."
Mark, however, ruled Gaya's order out, saying that "what's before the court has nothing to do with what we are going to do now"
Photos: Actress Laide Bakare’s Husband Wanted By EFCC
According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, he is wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.
Here is a statement from EFCC in a notice to the public;
"The public is hereby notified that Alhaji Muttairu
Babatunde Babaegbe Orilowo, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Obtaining Money under False Pretences and Stealing. Dark complexioned Orilowo is 47 years old, 5.7
Feet tall and has brown eyes. He speaks English and
Yoruba fluently. His last known address is No. 1 Otunba Adeniyi Street, Papa-Epe, Lagos'', the statement read.
Miley Cyrus spits on fans during tour
The singer drank from a bottle of water while talking to the crowd, and then spat it all over fans near the front of the stage.
There have been claims that her Bangerz tour is under
threat of being axed due to the singer's controversial
behaviour but the organisers, Live Nation, have denied the rumour and said that fans are having a swell time.
'There is no truth whatsoever to any stories or rumours of axing or pulling out of the Bangerz Tour,' Live Nation said. 'Miley has created a tour that's big, spectacular, entertaining and everything you would expect from Miley Cyrus.'
Miley's action is similar to what fellow controversial
singer, Justin Beiber, did after spitting off a balcony with fans below which he later denied .
Miley will be at Boston MA on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 for her next tour.
Via: Thenet
Photo: Man Gets A Fork Stuck In His Throat After Swallowing It For A Bet
Radu Calincescu, 25, complained to doctors of pain and an uncomfortable feeling when he swallowed, but neglected to mention that he had also swallowed a fork earlier in the day.
It was only when the doctors in Bacau County carried out an X-ray that they found the metal fork lodged inside his esophagus.
Doctors have refused to operate on a man who has a fork stuck in his throat after swallowing it for a bet It was only when questioned by doctors and he was confronted with the X-ray
images that the embarrassed man admitted he had taken part in a bet with friends to prove how tough he was.
And incredibly, doctors who had little tolerance for the foolish prank told the man they did not have time to remove it, and ordered him to wait and see if it came out the natural way.
Marriage Is Good For Your Health - Scientists Say
According to a new study, married people experience lower morbidity and mortality across such diverse health threats as cancer, heart attacks, and surgery.
That seems unbelievable but a study of more than 3.5 million people finds that married people are less likely than singles, divorced or widowed to suffer any type of heart or blood vessel problem.
According to the cardiologists who led the search, the study is the largest look at marriage and heart health, and was presented at the American College of Cardiology conference.
Previous studies mostly compared married to single people and lacked information on divorced and widowed ones.
Or they just looked at heart attacks, whereas this one included a full range from clogged arteries and abdominal aneurysms to stroke risks and circulation problems in the legs.
"These findings certainly shouldn't drive people to get married, but it's important to know that decisions regarding who one is with, why, and why not may have important implications for vascular health," said lead author Carlos Alviar, cardiology fellow at New York University Langone Medical Center.
The study found:
People who were divorced had a higher likelihood of any vascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease when compared to single people.
Widowers showed slightly higher odds of any vascular disease and coronary artery disease, also when compared to people who had never been married.
Risk factors, such as smoking and obesity, hypertension, diabetes and being sedentary also increases with being divorced or widowed.
Marriage seemed to do the most good for those under age 50; they had a 12 percent lower risk of heart-related disease than single people their age.
Smoking, a major heart risk, was highest among divorced people and lowest in widowed ones.
Obesity was most common in those single and divorced.
Widowed people had the highest rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and inadequate exercise.
As married people are more likely to help each other stay healthy, by making sure their spouse eats well, exercises, takes medications and helps in attending doctors appointments, married people tend to have less risk for heart disease.
Via: Huffington Post / Naij
Karen Igho Back To School, Now A Student Of UK University
Then on course for Masters in Arts for one year. Great stuff. Wish her the very best
Via: Lindaikeji
Expose: Nigerian Embassy Staff who Uses Diplomatic Bags To Smuggle Gold, Money
Posing as a criminal gang, ITV Exposure team, led by
reporter Mark Williams-Thomas, met Mr Alfa Abutu in a London hotel. Abutu, a Nigeria Embassy senior staff told them he could transport their stolen art to Paris.
Mr Alfa Abutu, who didn't know he was being recorded secretly, told the men:
"Give me your suitcase, this suitcase usually has to be
wrapped with the national flag before we can move it
anywhere. And we use diplomatic vehicle whereby the police authorities will not stop us."
Exposure told Abutu the art was worth near £1million, to which he suggested a commission of £250,000. In a series of meetings with undercover reporters, Abutu also claimed he could help transfer money, and smuggle diamonds and gold out of the country using an embassy car and its associated privileges.
"The easiest way is that, let's say this box is loaded with $1 million and they are going out with it or gold, or diamond.
With my link, we use a diplomatic vehicle from here
straight to Heathrow or Gatwick," he said."They will not open the box they are bringing out. It's not a problem."
After Mr.Abutu later found out it was a fake deal, and was asked to comment on Exposure's findings, Abutu denied any wrongdoing and said he had never been involved in criminal activities. He said he is local staff, not a diplomat, doesn't have diplomatic immunity and couldn't have assisted the Exposure team to move an item.
He turned around to claim that he just played along as he believed the Exposure's team was not genuine.
But following the revelations, the Nigeria High
Commission immediately suspended Abutu from his
position in the accounts department, where he had worked for 6years, saying it "utterly condemns Mr Abutu's conduct".
Spokesman Ahmed Inusa said: We supports the press and the media in their good work to expose embassy workers…who either pose as diplomats with a view to committing criminal acts for financial gains or diplomats who abuse their diplomatic privileges for any reason. The Mission thanks ITV staff in particular, for the good work they have done.
Naija Babe Caught In Dirty Runs: Her Nudé Photos Leak Online
nonsense all because of money these days:
"I do runs to earn a living", this lady is a victim of
BBM Runs, she actually sent her pix to an unknown
man on bbm and they both chatted for a while, and
also start making arrangement on how to meet each
other.
The lady never had the thought that these pictures
could be leak made a demand to the guy in question.
She demanded that since the man like what he saw in
her pix he should wire some money into her account
for flight ticket and in 24hrs she will be with the man
for private business in Abuja.
Unfortunately for her, the guy started sending her
private photos to his friends and now the photos have
leaked online.
Ladies, why not look for something to do rather than
selling your body to men cheaply ?
"18 Years, Still Like We Dating" - Omotola
Popular star Omotola and husband Captain Mathew Ekeinde recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary. The star actress gave a shout out to her husband on instagram yesterday evening with a special message. See the message below...
18 years , still like we dating babe... Nice and easy... My best friend ... Funny, annoying, caring, workaholic... We still here babe, you're still the one! #happymarriageanniversary......
18 years , still like we dating babe... Nice and easy... My best friend ... Funny, annoying, caring, workaholic... We still here babe, you're still the one! #happymarriageanniversary......
N1.2 BN FRAUD CASE: FAYOSE SEEKS ADJOURNMENT TO CAMPAIGN FOR ELECTIONS
Fayose is standing trial over alleged misappropriation of state's funds for a poultry project when he was in office.
The argument arose when Justice Adamu Hobon asked both counsel to pick a date for adjournment, after listening to the two witnesses called by the EFCC to testify in the case.
Counsel to the former governor, Mr. Raji, asked the court to pick any date in the first week of July as the next adjourned date. He said this was to enable his client have enough time to prepare for the June 21 governorship election in which he is standing as candidate of the PDP.
Raji said: " My client has taken a new status. And as we all know, campaign is not an easy thing and it is time consuming. There will be a lot of pre-election activities including screening officially and unofficially by INEC. My Lord, we shall be pleading that we come back on the first week in July so that the accused person will give the maximum attention to the call by the people of Ekiti."
He warned that any attempt to muscle his client into "a very hasty case" when he is supposed to be campaigning will be pre-judicial.
But Jacobs, who was not satisfied with Raji's argument, urged the court to allow accelerated hearing to enable quick dispensation of the case so that the accused will go with clean hands to face the electorate at the next election.
Jacobs added: "It is in the interest of the accused to know his fate before the election. It is in his interest that the matter be heard so that his character can be cleared before he faces the electorate. We want the court to take its jurisdiction on the case, immediately after the election and if elected, the court will not have jurisdiction again on the case. My Lord do not allow my learned friend's plea by adjourning till July."
It was at this stage that the judge cautioned the counsel not to take the matter too far and advised both parties to agree on an acceptable date since both have responsibilities to their clients.
For several minutes, both counsels could not agree on a date.
Intermittently, counsel to Fayose was seen consulting with him while in the dock on a possible date.
After a while, both counsels agreed on May 6 as the next adjourned date for the continuation of the case. Earlier, the EFCC called two witnesses to testify in the case.
The first witness, Mr Emmanuel Alejo, a Relationship Officer with the Skye Bank Plc, had explained to the court while being led in evidence by Jacobs, all he knew about the case.
He tendered five documents- certificate of identification, two statements of account, one for Avian Specialties and the second for Biological Concepts Nig Ltd, opening of account form for each company.
While being cross examined by Raji, the witness submitted that there was no where in all the documents where the accused was linked with the transactions.
Before the documents were admitted as exhibits, Raji argued against the admissibility of the documents saying that some of the documents were not in proof of evidence earlier "front loaded to the court."
Thursday 27 March 2014
PDP Upholds Fayose’s Election As Party Candidate For Ekiti Election
A statement yesterday by National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said, "The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received the report of the Ekiti State Governorship Primary Electoral Committee.
"After thorough consideration of the report, the NWC approved the result and upheld the nomination of Ayo Fayose as the candidate of the PDP for the June 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.
"The NWC commended the committee for the conduct of a peaceful and transparent exercise and urged all PDP members in the state, including the other aspirants to support the candidate of the party to ensure a successful outing at the guber election".
It would be recalled that 13 out of the 14 aspirants contesting for the sole ticket of PDP were clamouring for consensus but Fayose insisted that there must be primary election to test popularity of the aspirants and he eventually won.
However, the aspirants have faulted the process that threw up the ex-governor as PDP flag-bearer, with most of them alleging that it was manipulated in his favor, therefore, they called for the cancelation of the primary election and the adoption of a consensus candidate.
Reacting to the party's position, Fayose, who spoke through his aide, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, once more pleaded with those who lost out to put behind them issues before the primary and bury the hatchet, just as he urged them to join hands with him for the success of the party.
He said, "I wish to thank the PDP leadership and Mr. President for providing we the aspirants a level playground. I thank the party leadership for upholding my nomination. I promised with God helping me, I will deliver Ekiti State to PDP.
"To those who lost, am appealing to them to bury the hatchet and put the primary behind and lets work together for the party to win. The PDP umbrella is very wide and accomodating. I can assure them that nobody will lose and I will not victimise anybody. The interest of the party is far above any personal interest".
Wednesday 26 March 2014
Student In Prison Custody Over Underage Teen Rape
Ojor is charged with the attempted rape of a minor as he lured a three-year-old girl into his house where he attempted to defy her.
The case was reported to the police on Jan. 21 by Mr Chibueze Okereke, the girl's father.
The man further alleged that the accused forcefully inserted his finger into the girl's private part, leaving her with bruises and severe pains.
The offence contravened section 285 of the Penal Code, which prescribed a seven-year jail term for attempted rape if found guilty.
The defender, Egbaji, asked for bail, stating that "the accused is a promising young man, who has unfortunately become a victim of this allegation''.
For its part the prosecutor, Sgt. Bulus Samuel, objected to the application saying that offences bordering on rape were not ordinarily bailable.
He also highlighted that the case was under investigation as the police were still waiting for victim's medical test results.
Sgt. Bulus Samuel assumed that granting the accused bail could affect the investigation.
He said, "We are not magicians to fabricate facts."
However, Ojor, who lives behind Gowon Barracks, Abuja, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor re-arrested the accused, who was in police custody for more than 2 weeks, before he was brought to this court on Wednesday.
It's became known that the accused had earlier been arraigned on the same matter at the Upper Area Court in Karu and the prosecutor applied for withdrawal of the case which was granted.
Via: Vanguard
Music: Ewa – Crazy Love ft. 2Face
Ewa is a young talented artist who debuts her first single titled “Crazy Love”. This song features Award winning African superstar, 2Face Idibia. The song has a mixed blend of R&B, Soul and House music.
Ewa is currently working on her album and has been highly rated by top Nigerian music stars even without a song release. Expect the video for this tune to drop pretty soon.
Thoughts?!
Court Declares FRSC’s New Number Plates Illegal
The judge said; that it was unlawful for the commission to impose the new number plates on Nigerians, where no existing law permitted it.
The suit was filed by Emmanuel Ofoegbu, a lawyer, against FRSC after they insisted every Nigerian must get the plate number, or have their vehicles impounded as from the 1st of October, 2014.
One month old Baby burnt to death
A baby girl of one month old has been burnt to death in a fire outbreak that occurred in Rafin Zurfi area of Bauchi metropolis.
It was learnt that mother of the infant left the baby named Mirabel in custody of her sister in their house in Arewa House.
Edmond Chukwu a trader and his wife went to church that fateful day leaving the infant and three of their children in the care of one Suzan, a relative.
In his own account of the incident, Edmond, a father of six, said that at the time of rescuing the children, the neighbours did not know the baby was in the room sleeping.
The fire started at about 7: 45 pm on Monday in Edmond's apartment where three little children were playing with a candle.
According to a tenant, the children were playing with a candle and one of them bumped into it without realising the damage.
The witness said , "unknown to Suzan who was outside cooking, the candle became an object for the kids to play with. She called out to one of them and he left the younger ones inside not knowing that he had knocked down the candle from its stand unto the pillow. This resulted to the fire incident that consumed the whole building."
According to a neighbour, Aminu Micah, Edmond's children were rescued, but nobody told the team of rescuers that there was a baby in the room.
"It was a painful to discover that a baby was burnt to death in the room. The baby could have been saved. I brought out two children alive and one woman assisted me to bring the third child out, but I did not know there was a baby inside"
Edmond said the baby Mirable was brougth to his wife by her sister who he said went to get travelled in search of job.
"She has been crying since the incident. It is sad"
Efforts to get the parents of Mirable to talk failed as the father of the dead baby refused to comment on telephone. He said his wife was too traumatised by the death of their baby and would not want to talk.
However, a tenant who pleaded anonymity said Mirable's mother was negligent.
"How could a mother leave a one month old baby to another woman? To me it is gross negligence and she needs to be arrested. There is a lot of information we are not getting on this whole drama yet. We even understand that she left the baby with her sister and travelled to look for a job. So there is something fishing"
According to a tenant, "Suzan opened the door and saw that half of the room was already engulfed with fire with her siblings trapped inside the room.
She raised an alarm that brought the neighbours running with buckets of water and sand in other to put out the fire but the fire spread to other rooms.
Via: Vanguard
Senate Confirms Emefiele's Appointment As New CBN Governor
Emefiele will replace Lamido Sanusi, who was suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan on charges of "financial recklessness and misconduct", while some are sure the case was politicized.
The appointment was approved unanimously, after which the Senate president David Mark said:
"Emefiele will ensure the prerequisite responsibilities of the central bank governor without fear or favour."
It would be recalled that Sanusi was suspended soon after he had accused the state-owned oil company of corruption, which statement contained in the leaked letter.
His suspension came just several months before the legal end of his 5-year-term (June).
Zenith Bank boss Emefiele's emergence as a candidate became surprising for the market watchers who said he was a low-profile, conservative figure who was unlikely to rock the boat.
Via: Vanguard
Tuesday 25 March 2014
Former Minister Dora Akunyili Is Seriously Sick Yet Doctors Can't Find Anything
Former minister of Information, Dora Akunyili, is seriously sick and under close medical supervision. Early in the year, it was reported that Madam Akunyili was suffering severe health challenges and was flown abroad for treatment. There were also reports that her husband, Chike Akunyili, had confirmed she was ill.
Her husband, Mr Akunyili, tried to downplay the issue. He had said:
"Yes, she suffered some minor health challenges but she is now okay. She is in the United States. I spoke with her today. What happened was that our son said she should come over and rest. You know all our children are abroad. She will soon return to the country and we will show up in a public gathering.
There is a couple that wants us to sponsor their wedding. Both of us will appear in public. She is now okay."
But members of their family are saying her situation is now getting critical...
Madam Akunyili, who did a good job in NAFADAC, fighting her Igbo brothers who are into fake drugs biz, has not been seen in any public event since November 16, 2013. Some of them threatened her openly then.
According to a relative of Mrs Akunyili, who spoke on condition of anonymity, she is currently having serious health challenges. The source said she has been flown to India for treatment but after series of medical tests, the doctors couldn't diagnose the ailment.
"We are deeply concerned about our sister (Prof. Akunyili), her illness defies medical intervention," the family source said. "She has been to India, the doctors could not diagnose her illness. She has visited Pastor Adeboye and yet her illness persists. This is worrisome, and distressing."
Another source who visited her in her home in Abuja confirmed that Dora Akunyili's health is deteriorating.
Her husband, Mr Akunyili, tried to downplay the issue. He had said:
"Yes, she suffered some minor health challenges but she is now okay. She is in the United States. I spoke with her today. What happened was that our son said she should come over and rest. You know all our children are abroad. She will soon return to the country and we will show up in a public gathering.
There is a couple that wants us to sponsor their wedding. Both of us will appear in public. She is now okay."
But members of their family are saying her situation is now getting critical...
Madam Akunyili, who did a good job in NAFADAC, fighting her Igbo brothers who are into fake drugs biz, has not been seen in any public event since November 16, 2013. Some of them threatened her openly then.
According to a relative of Mrs Akunyili, who spoke on condition of anonymity, she is currently having serious health challenges. The source said she has been flown to India for treatment but after series of medical tests, the doctors couldn't diagnose the ailment.
"We are deeply concerned about our sister (Prof. Akunyili), her illness defies medical intervention," the family source said. "She has been to India, the doctors could not diagnose her illness. She has visited Pastor Adeboye and yet her illness persists. This is worrisome, and distressing."
Another source who visited her in her home in Abuja confirmed that Dora Akunyili's health is deteriorating.
Photos: Cossy's Breaks Her Séx Toy and Posted It Online
Company Offers James Bond Fans “007 Holiday” for a Whopping $800,000
The premium action-packed vacation for two starts off in London. Subsequent destinations include Monte Carlo, Venice, Istanbul and special attractions in India and Thailand – locations that have all been featured in previous Bond movies. "The privileged purchasers will be staying at the finest hotels seen in the Bond films, often staying in the same hotel rooms," said Leija Graf from Select Collection, one of the organizers of the trip.
In London, the tour will begin at the Dorchester Hotel, which is where the opening scene of the new James Bond book, Solo, is set. Guests will be served a Martini masterclass, before being whisked away on a London 'Bond' tour in a Rolls-Royce. A private jet will then transport them to Nice, and from there a helicopter will transfer them to Monaco. A short limousine ride later, they will spend the night at Mertopole Hotel, one of the finest in the principality.
VIP passes are provided to the guests at Le Casino de Monte Carlo, which includes access to the Salons Privés where the game of Chemin de Fer, the original version of card game baccarat, is exclusively played. An Aston Martin will take guests to Alpes Maritimes, after which they'll be switching to a Ferrari to recreate the car chase in the Golden Eye movie. A yacht tour of Venice is also on the itinerary, just like in Casino Royale.
In Turkey, guests will be put up at the Four Seasons in Istanbul. Walking tours of the rooftops of the Istanbul Bazaar are organized – reminiscent of Skyfall. In Thailand, a speedboat will transfer them to Pang Nga Bay, where a private 40-foot traditional Hong Kong boat named Sealion awaits. Koh Phing Kan, also known as James Bond Island, is also one of the destinations; it was featured in the film The Man with the Golden Gun. Here, guests will actually get to take part in a reenactment of the famous duel scene on the beach.
The last stop is the Goldeneye estate in Jamaica, where author Ian Fleming is known to have written the 14 Bond novels, on which the films are based. The estate is now a luxury hotel. According to Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Outpost that runs the estate, "They will have access to a vintage Bond car and be taken by helicopter and speedboat to all the spots featured in Dr No, including Crab Key and of course the setting of arguably the most famous Bond girl scene – Ursula Andress rising from the sea."
"Whichever couple purchases the trip will be living the Bond life for 21 exhilarating days in 7 countries that have hosted many of the iconic films," VeryFirstTo representatives announced, in a press release. "They will be traveling by private jet across the globe as well as playing in casinos, sipping martinis, experiencing the transportation made famous by Bond including speedboats, yachts, tuk-tuks and of course, cars including Ferrari and Aston Martin."
It's surprising that the company isn't expecting any legal trouble from the actual Bond franchise. But, since similar tours have been organized in the past, they believe that 'it won't be a problem.'
Man Impregnates Elder Sister In Ajegunle
Their father popularly known as Papa Akpan is a steward in Ikoyi area while his wife, Mama Akpan is a staff of a private company in Apapa where she works as a cleaner.
Sources said the parents usually leave their children, Akpan and Ime alone in their one-room apartment when going to work and the siblings are said to be fond of each other but nobody suspected an amorous relationship between them.
LEADERSHIP gathered that when their mother suspected that Ime was pregnant, she asked her but she denied one month later, it became obvious that Ime was pregnant and the woman had to tell her husband about the situation.
Last Friday, at about 4am, Papa Akpan was said to have woken Ime, her mother and Akpan up to discuss the issue and had pulled out a machete and threatened to cut Ime down if she failed to say who was responsible for her pregnancy.
A neighbour said as the atmosphere in the room became charged, Akpan ran out and it was at this point that Ime who was by this time weeping profusely, told her parents that her younger brother was responsible for the pregnancy.
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