Court orders police to pay N12m as damages to a salesboy

 Abuja – An Abuja High Court on Wednesday ordered the Nigeria Police to pay N12 million to a 34-year-old man, Mr Odu Johnson, as damages for unlawful detention and violation of his fundamental rights.
Justice Mudashiru Oniyanyi gave the order, while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Johnson, asking for N150 million from the police as damages for unlawful detention.
Johnson had dragged the Inspector-General of Police and FCT Commissioner of Police to court, claiming that he was detained for allegedly stealing 12 tyres belonging to one Mrs Suzy Micheal.
Johnson said that he worked for Micheal as a sales boy and left without receiving his one month outstanding salary.
He said that after two weeks, Micheal called him to come over to collect his salary, adding that when he went he was arrested by the police and detained for 13 days.
Oniyangi said that evidence before him proved that Johnson was held in solitary confinement for 13 days, without being arraigned before any court of law.
“There is unchallenged evidence before me from which I believe the applicant was in detention for 13 days in 2007 and was subjected to untold hardship.
“I also have evidence to show that the police subjected him to degrading and inhuman treatment. He was in solitary confinement and held hostage for 13 days.
“The conduct of the police in detaining the applicant beyond one day, as it is mandated in our Constitution, unless his case is charged to court, was aggravated in nature.
“I hold the view that the action of the  police was reckless, vindictive, high-handed and oppressive.
“It also depicts an abuse of official powers and gross indiscipline by our men in uniform. It is reprehensive to the extreme and showed a gross disregard for the rule of law.”
He also condemned  the attitude of the police in the suit, as the police failed to file counter motion though served with court papers.
“It is on record that the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police were served with court papers, 13 times for them to enter appearance and say their side of the story.
“But they refused to do so since the case was filed in 2008. They never deemed it fit to appear in court even once.
“This  means that they are not challenging their acts.” (NAN)

Terrorism is biggest threat to Nigeria after civil war – Omeri

Abuja- Mr Mike Omeri, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has described the current bombing in some parts of the country as the biggest threat to the nation’s security after the civil war, which ended in 1970.
He made observation on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference organised by the Homeland Secure, a non-governmental organisation, on the strategy to combat and prevent terrorism in the country.
Omeri, who was represented by an official of the agency, Mr John Tagwai, said that since 1999 the country had passed through many crises, adding that no democracy could thrive in crises.
He, however, said that the Federal Government was committed to protecting the people and warned those behind the current crises to desist, as perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Omeri said dialogue was the best option to resolve contending issues, and described as timely, the proposed conference on how to combat and prevent terrorism scheduled to take place between May 28 and May 30.
Earlier, Retired Brig.-Gen. Soyemi Sofoluwe, the Chairman of Homeland Secure, had said that the conference was aimed at fashioning out strategies to combat and prevent terrorism in the country.
Sofoluwe explained that Homeland Secure was a private sector collaboration of retired senior public servants, diplomats and security officials that brainstorm on matters of national interest.
He said the organisation would host the conference in conjunction with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and some security organisations.
Sofoluwe said the outcome of the conference would be used to sensitise policy makers on how to create policies that would control the scourge of terrorism and create awareness in the populace through the media and NOA.
He called for the establishment of a “National Centre for Terrorism’’ to handle terrorism and terrorism-related issues.
“We at the Homeland Secure having deliberated on happenings in the recent past, decided to approach the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for permission to organise the conference to develop a holistic approach to combating the challenges. (NAN)

Breaking News Deadly Bomb found in Seme

                         The Lagos police has detonated a time bomb found near the border with Benin

Members of the anti-bomb squad of the Lagos State Police Command have announced the discovery of a time bomb at Seme, the border between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
The bomb was discovered at about 6am on Monday morning at an area dominated by residents from Niger, Mali and Hausa settlers from the northern part of the country.
The police anti-bomb squad has detonated the bomb and have commenced a vigorous search on people passing through the Seme Border. Each person was ordered to raise his hands in the air before being allowed to pass.
"The part of Seme Border where the time bomb was found is occupied mainly by Hausa, Niger and Mali Republic nationals popularly known as 'Zongo'," said a police officer in the area who did not want his name published. "It is suspected the planting of the time bomb might have been done by them.”
When contacted, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Joseph Jaiyeoba, said he was yet to get any briefing on the report. "I have not heard of anything from Seme Border; give me time to confirm and I will get back to you," he said.

The Federal Govt on Tuesday inform the Petroleum Special Task force 60 working days within which to probe and clean up the oil industry

The Federal Govt on Tuesday gave the Petroleum Special Task force 60 working days within which to probe and clean up the oil industry. The task force is headed by the pioneer chairman of EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who handed the deadline at the inauguration of the task force in Abuja, said several attempts to reform the oil and gas industry had failed because of vested interests. Alison-Madueke said the time had come to break entrenched interests.

Gunmen attack police post

The Demsa Divisional Police Office in Adamawa state was last night attacked by unidentified gunmen. This was revealed by the state's Public Relations Officer (PRO),  ASP Altine Daniel .
Daniel said that two people - a corporal and one of the attackers - were killed in the incident, adding that no explosive was used.
The attack on Demsa came after a similar attack on Sunday in Shuwa Village of Madagali Local Government Area of the state. That incident had three policemen as casualties.

FLICK OF THE DAY. Goldie Again

Singer, Goldie like to get them talking..,....Here She is Checking the Temperature of a Dude's Er....

LATEST FLICK OF THE DAY.

This Pic of Nigeria's Big Brother Africa 6 rep has been all over the Internet with claims of her stripping in a London Club.....This however looks untrue to us as it seems like her just enjoying a normal Club outing.

FLICK OF THE DAY. Celebration Cake shaped as Private Part.

The new Crase amongst ladies now is to bake Sexually explicit images of  Celebration cakes, The World is sex-crazed!

Poverty, ill-health killed Giringori Akabogu

LAGOS — The dwindling ranks of the original cast of the iconic sit-com of the 80s, New Masquerade, shrank further, yesterday, when James Iroha a.k.a Giringori Akabogu succumbed to the vice grip of ill-health and poverty.
His son  confirmed his  death, yesterday, bringing to three the original members of the cast that have died recently.

The late James Iroha a.k.a Giringori Akabogu

Iroha was the  creator of the now rested  television drama, The New Masquerade, which ruled the screen in the early 80s, on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network.
He died yesterday at the age of  70. The New Masquerade  started as a radio programme in then East Central State Broadcasting Corporation radio, Enugu  which, at its prime, was the “King of Primetime” on the NTA Network. It ran as a 15-minute radio programme, known as The Masquerade.
The audio format was adapted for an audiovisual recording and was adopted by the NTA Network service in the early 70s. For almost two decades, the half-hour slapstick programme captivated a national audience.
His  son, Uche Iroha, confirmed the death of  his father to Vanguard on phone yesterday.
According to him, the legendary comedian died in the early hours of yesterday in an hospital in Onitsha, Anambra State, where  he was being treated for glaucoma.
Uche said Giringori developed high blood pressure and other  undisclosed ailments in the course of treating the eye problem.  He spent four days in the hospital before giving up the ghost.
Uche said: “His death was totally unexpected. On the day he was admitted into the hospital, he was his usual humourous self. He never gave any indication that he won’t  come back home. So, it was a rude shock  to us, when we arrived in the morning to be told by the doctor that our dad had passed on.”

Giringori‘s death another big blow —AGN

Meanwhile, the outgoing President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Mr Segun Arinze, has described the death of  Giringori as another big blow to the industry, adding: “Giringori was a fine actor with a high sense of professionalism. He will surely be missed.”

Zebrudaya expresses shock
 Also contacted on phone, a former colleague and one of the main characters of New Masquerade, Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo alias 4:30 (Chika Okpala), expressed shock although he claimed that he had not been informed.
“I’m not aware of his death. About two people have called me already on phone to confirm his death. But I’m not aware. Though I have called his GSM line severally, it was switched off. I leave everything to God, I don’t know what to say at this moment until I confirm from the son,” Zebrudaya said.
Before his death, Giringori  cried out for rehabilitation, saying he was broke.
A retired Director of Programmes at the Abia State Broadcasting Service, Giringori recently retired from active public life at an elaborate traditional ceremony known as “Igboto Mma” in home town of Amokwe Item, Abia State, in December 2011.
  Giringori gave 40 years of his life to acting. But at 70, he died a pauper. Recently, he was compelled to make a desperate appeal to Nigerians in a national daily: “I am almost begging for food…I need money to pay my rent, buy my medicine. Now there is nothing between poverty and me. I am just nose-to-nose with poverty.”
He was afflicted in both eyes by the deadly glaucoma and cataract, for which he had undergone several operations both at home and abroad with no success. His family and friends  rallied round him to look for a permanent solution to his predicament.
The 1966 graduate of University of Ibadan  battled  with  illness  for over a decade. At one point, he was stranded for 16 days in India where he went for medical treatment.
Other members of the New Masquerade cast who have since passed on were Christy Essien-Igbokwe (Apena) and Claude Ake (Jegede Sokoya).

Nigeria FG Jonathan, Mark, Army Chief, others pay tribute as Ojukwu’s body arrives

Given a full military funeral parade, President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika and Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, were among eminent Nigerians, who showered tributes on the revered Igbo leader, yesterday.
Economic activities came to a halt in Owerri, Imo State capital, which stood still as the corpse of Ikemba Nnewi arrived the state.
Ojukwu was flown out of the country in a military ambulance on December 23, 2010. He battled for life for almost a year and died on November 26, 2011.
While Jonathan described Ojukwu as an advocate of a united Nigeria, Ihejirika said he was one of the architects of modern Nigerian Army and Aliyu said Ojukwu could have been made the Nigerian Head of State in 1966 after the second military coup, if intellect, qualification and finesse were the yardsticks.
Triumphantly, Ojukwu’s corpse arrived aboard a British Airways plane at exactly 5.09am accompanied by members of his family, including his wife Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and some of his children. It was taken to the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja where a colourful military parade, the type reserved for heads of state, was held in his honour.
The casket was draped in the Nigerian flag complete with a green army cap. The ceremony was nearly turned into a political event as politicians from across the political divide thronged the arena to pay their last respects.

The long wait
Before the arrival of the corpse, many journalists had kept vigil at the airport to capture events as they unfolded. Representatives of different groups had also trooped to the airport early in the morning to participate in the military funeral. But only a handful of them gained entry into the highly restricted Presidential wing of the airport as security was very tight.
Proceedings at the military funeral began at about 11.20am when an ambulance brought the corpse of the late Ikemba to the tarmac after which it was taken over by senior army officers, made up of two Brigadier-Generals, four Colonels, two Lt.-Colonels and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army who acted as pall bearers.

Children of Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu –Ojukwu at Abuja International Airport . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

They carried the corpse out of a military ambulance amidst military music to a spot close to the military guard of honour after which a Christian prayer session, led by the Catholic Bishop of Abuja Diocese, John Onaiyekan, followed.
In his remarks during the service, Onaiyekan described late Ojukwu as a hero, adding that most of those who were present at the occasion attended because they identified with the values he lived for.
Roll call
After the ceremonial parade, witnessed by Vice President Namadi Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; Dame Patience Jonathan; Senate President David Mark; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Deputy House of Representatives Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; Justice Chukwudifu Oputa (rtd); Governor Peter Obi; Chief Tom Ikimi; Chief Jim Nwobodo; Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; Lt. General Chris Obiakor (rtd); and FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, the corpse was carried into Nigeria Airforce C-130 aircraft registered NAF 917 and flown to Owerri.
Other eminent Nigerians at the funeral parade were Senators Uche Chukwumerije, Chris Ngige and Andy Uba; Labour Minister, Chief Nwogu; Comptroller-General of Customs, Mrs. Uzoma; Prof. ABC Nwosu; Senator Authur Nzeribe; Chief Ojo Maduekwe; APGA Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh; Mrs. Josephine Anenih; Chief Ben Obi, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu and Bishop Hilary Okeke of Nnewi Diocese.
‘He fought until the last plane left Biafra’
Speaking at the ceremony, President Jonathan, who was represented Vice President Sambo, described Odumegwu-Ojukwu as an advocate of a united Nigeria.
He said: “In all his life he displayed strong leadership traits, epitome of service and sacrifice, and a vibrant advocate of good governance.
“No word can adequately describe the nature, character, legacy and lessons left behind by this soldier and gentleman. I believe the outpouring of encomium cannot stop coming the way of this gentleman because everything said about Ojukwu is due to his contribution— both personal and professional— to our great nation.
“Let it be said that Ojukwu died when the country needed his service most; let it be said that he lived and served with all his might when Ibo and Nigerians needed him most. He stood up and fought for what he believed in. He stood up for justice and refused to compromise. He challenged man’s inhumanity to man and faced issues affecting his kit and kin. He stood his ground and fought until the last plane left Biafra.”
Describing Ojukwu as a man, who was born ‘with a silver spoon’ but chose to drop the spoon for the cause he believed in, the President said: “He lived a humble live despite being the son of one of the wealthiest men in Nigeria and had his education in United Kingdom as well as his Masters degree in history. On his return he was at the civil service and later joined the Nigerian Army where he began his rise in the military. As the first Quarter Master General of the Army, he instituted some policies, which are the hallmark of the Army and are still being used.”
Recalling that Ojukwu made the front cover of Times Magazine of August 23, 1968, Jonathan said this was a rear achievement by any black or African for that matter at the time, adding, “after the Biafra war, he was in exile for 13 years until former President Shehu Shagari granted him official pardon and opened the road for his return in 1982 when the people of Nnewi gave him the popular title of Ikemba.
“On his return to Nigeria, he joined politics and was instrumental to the creation of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. His bravery, courage and sacrifice lived after him and whatever contribution he has made or people think he has made will for ever be interred with his bones. He has over the years displayed physical and moral courage throughout his life with excellent intellectual and inter-personal communications skills. One would not be wrong to say that he was an advocate of united Nigeria.”
Ojukwu was founding father of modern Nigerian Army— Ihejirika
Speaking after the parade, Lt. General Ihejirika declared that the late Eze Igbo Gburugburu was a founding father of modern Nigeria Army as he was one of the few that enlisted into the Army as a graduate, while other colleagues of his were enlisting with primary and secondary school certificates.
He said: “The death of Ojukwu is a big loss not only to the nation, but also to the army. Ojukwu happened to be one of the first few Nigerian officers to enlist with a university degree into the army. His love for service to the fatherland, exemplified by his enlistment into the army is unparalleled, considering that he elected to start his career even as a recruit at the Depot. As at then, Depot was open to primary school certificate but Ojukwu joined with a university degree from Oxford and he endured the type of training and hardship that is part and parcel of recruits training like using bare feet to run.
“When the Army had just five battalions, he was one of the Commanding Officers at his time. So his entry helped to shore up the image of the Army at the time. So you can say he is one of the founding fathers of the modern day Nigeria army.”
Ikimi, Tambuwal, Anyim pay tributes
Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, said Ojukwu lived ahead of his time, adding that it was the Almighty God who chose to take him away at this period in the nation’s history.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, stated that Ojukwu’s death marked the end of an era in Nigeria’s political history.
He said: “He fought injustice; he would be remembered for his fearlessness. Africa has lost a statesman of uncommon ability. My wish is that Nigeria as a nation should correct the wrongs which he fought against.”
Senator Anyim, who thanked all who attended the occasion, said Ojukwu had left his footprints on the sands of time.
He could ‘ve been Head  of State— Aliyu
Delivering a lecture on Governance, Social Conflict and the Imperatives of Communal Harmony, organised by the Business Hallmark newspaper, yesterday, at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Lagos, Governor Aliyu of Niger State said given his intellect, qualifications, qualities, Ojukwu was supposed to have been appointed the Nigerian Head of State after the second coup of 1966.
Aliyu absolved Ojukwu of blames in the 1967-70 Civil War, saying, “if I were in Ojukwu’s shoes, I would have picked arms to defend my people. When the first coup took place, Ojukwu was in Kano. He joined the Army as an Oxford trained graduate and made a lot of contributions. When soldiers carry out coups they share the posts among themselves. They don’t go out to look for the most qualified. Otherwise, Ojukwu should have probably been appointed the Head of State.”
Owerri stands still for Ojukwu
In Owerri, the day was ushered in by a strong but non-violent wind. This gradually snowballed into an early morning rain that started at about 3.05am, became heavier and poured till about 4am, a sure proof that even the heavens wept for the late Ikemba Nnewi.
The preparation for Ojukwu’s lying in state was elaborate. Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was on top of it all, although he appointed a Local Organising Committee headed by the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Benjamin Uwajimogu.
Schools were closed. Market and government offices were similarly shut. Civil servants were ordered to head to the Heroes’ Square, Owerri, where the corpse was scheduled to arrive at 12noon. But this was delayed.
People got tired of waiting. Some went home, while the diehards, including scores of the members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, remained at the two major points— Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport and the Heroes’ Square. The early morning rain made the weather very clement throughout the day.
Eagle-eyed security personnel were everywhere. Vehicular movement into the arena was restricted but people defied all odds in their attempt to be part of the funeral ceremony of their departed leader.
They did not wait in vain. Signs of Ikemba’s arrival became evident, following the touch-down of an aircraft with registration number 5N-BCR at about 2.45pm. Dignitaries like the Governor Peter Obi, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Imo leader of APGA, Chief Martin Agbaso, alighted from the aircraft.
Welcome home
At 3pm a Nigeria Air Force jet, NAF 917, touched down at the airport. Governor Okorocha and some senior army officers alighted. Many wept like babies when no fewer than 10 army generals, who were fully clad in their ceremonial attire, lifted the casket bearing Ikemba Nnewi’s remains, accompanied by his widow, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, and some of his children.
President Jonathan had directed that the late Igbo leader be given full military burial.
The casket-bearing generals moved in consonance with the military music supplied by soldiers, who were on ground to add flavour to the event. The casket was moved to a waiting military ambulance, NA 459 EO.

Ojukwu goes Home: From left, First Lady Patience Jonathan paying tribute to Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu –Ojukwu at Abuja International Airport . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

The convoy then took off from the airport to Owerri town. The entire stretch from Imo Airport to Owerri was lined up by people, who wanted to catch a glimpse of the great man. The atmosphere was serene. The corpse made a brief stop-over at the Government House, Owerri, before being moved to the Ikemba Ojukwu Convention Centre

PREVIEW PICTURE OF LATE OJUKWU'S CORPS @ EAGLE SQUARE ABUJA

ADIEU EMEKA ODUMEGWU  OJUKWU THE KING OF ALL  IGBO LAND YOUR U HAVE LEFT UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES IN NIGERIA

Nine suspected Christian bombers apprehended

Nine people believed to be Christians were on Sunday apprehended in Bauchi while trying to bomb a Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) parish.
The suspects, who were said to be members of the church located at Unguwar Rimi along Jos- Bauchi road, were seriously beaten by a mob before they were rescued by a team of policemen from the Toro Divisional Police Division where they were detained before being transferred to the state police command in Bauchi.
A COCIN church in Jos was rocked by an explosion which claimed 3 lives (including that of the bomber) and injured 38 others on Sunday morning. Jos has witnessed several ethnic/religious clashes that have claimed hundreds of lives.

BOKO HARAM: JONATHAN, GOVERNORS MEET U.S OFFICIALS NEXT MONTH

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, United State Senate Chairman on Foreign Relations, Senator John Kerry, former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice and some selected Governors from Nigeria will meet in Washington DC to brainstorm on the scourge of Boko Haram and other security situations in Nigeria.

The two day event scheduled to hold from March 29 and March 30, 2012 at the Capital Hilton Hotel, DC will also discuss issues bordering on Maritime security and investments.

The event tagged: Enhancing Security in Nigeria Through the Partnership of the U.S Senate and House of Representatives is aimed at drawing up a more realistic road map in solving the security challenges in Nigeria.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Minister of Police Affairs and Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolada are all billed to participate at the conference.

Others includes: Minister for State, Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the president, Maritime Security, Hon. Leke Oyewole Olugbenga.

While Governor Uduaghan is billed to speak on Investment in the Niger Delta Region, Governor Aliyu will speak on Investment in Northern Nigeria; Governor Lamido will do an Overview.

Organizers of the event include: Izzi Faafa, Dr. Ljubica M. Buba, Miss. Julia Johnson and Dr. Maureen N. Eke.

BREAKING NEWS PHOTO D'BAN & NUDE DANCER HIT INTERNET, WHO IS AFTER D'BANJ???

These raunchy Photos hit the Internet after D'banj Interviewed President Goodluck Jonathan briefly on Silverbird Television, The President opted to face D'banj than submit to a Presidential Debate Organised by News Channel 
D'banj has been widely criticized for his role in the Interview

Sanusi: CBN won’t submit budget to N/Assembly

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said the apex bank will not submit its budget to the National Assembly for appropriation, saying the lawmakers had “donated” its appropriation powers to the bank.

This was disclosed in a letter signed by CBN’s Director Legal Services S. M. Onekutu on behalf of the governor, dated February10, 2012 and addressed to the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency.

Sanusi said that “by section 6 (3) of the CBN Act 2007, the National Assembly is deemed to have donated its authorisation powers under section 80 (3) of the constitution as it relates to the budget of the CBN to the board of the CBN.”

The letter further reads: “The budget of the CBN is not subject to the yearly appropriation process. This position is borne out by precedence and convention as never before in the annals of the history of the federal budgeting has the CBN budget been subject to the annual appropriation process. It is indubitable that the spending of the CBN is not from the consolidated revenue fund of the federation; the bank recognises that same may be deemed to be spending from “other public fund of the federation” within the meaning and intendment of section 80 (3) of the constitution and thus be subject to the spending authorisation regime prescribed there under that is authorisation via an Act of the National Assembly.”

The apex bank governor said that the authorisation spending by the CBN was prescribed by the CBN Act 2007 in section 6 (3) which provides that board of the CBN shall be responsible for the consideration and approval of the budget of the CBN.

The apex bank’s letter to the committee was in response to an earlier letter by the committee requesting it to forward its 2012 budget estimates to the House for appropriation.

The lawmakers had threatened not to pass the budget unless 31 revenue generating agencies including the CBN and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) forward their budgets to the National Assembly for appropriation.

Sources in the National Assembly told Daily Trust that the apex bank’s 2012 budget was over N300 billion.

Recently, while testifying before the House of Representatives Joint committee on Finance, Petroleum Up and Down Stream, investigating the non-remittance of N450 billion into the federation account by the NNPC, Petroleum Minister Diazeni Allison-Madueke said the NNPC was being run like a limited liability company and as such could cannot be subjected to processes of appropriation by the National Assembly.

Other revenue generating agencies include the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Nigeria Ports Authority, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Security Agency, Nigeria Gas Company among others.

When contacted, Chairman House Committee on Banking and Currency, Rep. Chukwu Jones Oyereri (PDP, Imo), said he will not discuss the letter with journalists because it was not meant for “public consumption” and “the way you got the letter is even questionable because it was not addressed to

3 killed as suicide bomber attacks church in Jos

(AFP) – A suicide bomber drove an explosives packed car into a church in the volatile central city of Jos on Sunday and killed three people, church leaders told AFP.

The attack is the latest in a country grappling with what have become almost daily assaults, most of them blamed on the Islamist sect Boko Haram.

Church workers said a car forced its way through the gate during an early morning service.

“We were in the church during the time of worship and a suicide bomber forced himself into through the gate, into the church and the bomb exploded,” John Haruna, the reverend of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), told AFP.

Another church member who is also an activist with the Christian human rights organisation Stefanos Foundation gave a similar account.

“It was suicide bomber, he drove his car into the church, approaching the pulpit and it exploded. Three members of the church died and 10 are injured,” Mark Lipdo, said.

He said pieces of human flesh littered the church premises.

Boko Haram has been blamed for a wave of increasingly bloody gun and bomb attacks in several parts of Africa’s most populous country in recent months, mostly in the Muslim-dominated north.

Incidents of attacks are also growing in the central region, the so-called middle belt which divides the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south.

Last Sunday several people were wounded in an explosion near a church outside the capital, Abujba.

Boko Haram has targeted Christians on several previous occasions, notably with a series of coordinated blasts on Christmas Day

Flavour & Nabania engaged and expecting a baby

So I got a scoop and I asked the girl in question and she confirmed it. One of Naija's finest artist, Flavour N'abania is engaged and expecting his first baby with US-based singer Beverly Heels. See hotness! Congrats to them.

BREAKING NEWS Nelson Mandela, 93, Admitted to Hospital

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Former South African leader Nelson Mandela, 93, was admitted to hospital on Saturday after doctors advised specialist medical attention for a long-standing abdominal complaint.
“President Jacob Zuma wishes to advise that former president Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital today, the 25th February 2012,” a statement from the presidency said.
“Madiba has had a long-standing abdominal complaint and doctors feel it needs proper specialist medical attention.”
The health of the increasingly frail anti-apartheid icon, who is affectionately known as Madiba, sparked national fears after he was hospitalised early last year for an acute respiratory infection.
“We wish him a speedy recovery and assure him of the love and good wishes of all South Africans and people throughout the world,” the statement from the presidency said.
“We request that all respect the privacy of Madiba and that of his family during this period.”
Mandela returned to his Johannesburg home last month from his rural home village in the Eastern Cape. He last appeared in public at the final of the football World Cup hosted by South Africa in July 2010.
He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, a year before he was elected the country’s first black president in South Africa’s first all-race vote and served one term before stepping down in 1999.

P Square Ft Akon & May D - Chop My Money [Official video]

click this link 2 watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17vC8qZILJE

Groupie leaks bedroom photos with David O

 

You all have seen the photos, now let's talk about it. The fast rising singer went to Ghana yesterday to perform at a pageant. While in the country, he met 18 year Port Harcourt based Sonia Jumbo, who is studying in Ghana, they had sex and she took photos of him while he was sleeping and put them on the net.

Another Bad Explosions Rock Gombe, Five Die In Kano

The peace and tranquility that has hitherto been enjoyed by the residents of Gombe, Gombe State capital  seems to have become history as the city became a target of a few attacks on Friday.

According to reports gathered before going to press, there were multiple explosions in different parts of the city and the bombs kept going off one after the other. More than 20 bombs reportedly exploded in the centre of the crowded capital.

A gun battle was also reported at a Police station opposite Bubayero Primary School. People were seen running for cover as the gunmen opened fire, shooting indiscriminately.

The attack was similar to the one carried out in Kano earlier in the year by the Boko Haram sect. The number of casualties could not readily be ascertained.

A resident of the town, who sent a message through twitter said, "we were inside total darkness, amid heavy shootings."

Saturday Tribune also learnt that civil servants and bankers were all trapped in their offices and could not go home amid the exchange of gunfire.

A government official , who craved anonymity,  confirmed the incident, but could not provide details as the gun battle was still raging.

Security reports had indicated that the dreaded sect had successfully established sleeper cells across the north, leading to sporadic but sustained attacks the security operatives are battling to contain.

There was also stampede on Friday evening at Tundun Malikh area on the outskirt of Kano when suspected gunmen killed no fewer than five persons.

According to a source, the gunmen came on a motorcycle and shot at the five persons who died immediately.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Musa confirmed the incident.

FRANK EDOHO FINALLY OPENS UP ON HIS SEPARATION FROM HIS WIFE

The news in town has it that Frank Edoho had gone to court to file for a divorce, a process which will end his marriage to Katherine, who originated from neighbouring Cameroun Republic.
Further checks indicated that the two are still far from ending the bitter quarrel that has plaqued their marriage for some months now.
Source maintained they still live apart.
Frank was said to have moved to Lekki area of Lagos and katherine hibernating with their three kids on Victoria Island, Lagos, abandoning their Chevron Estate, Lagos home.
Frank Edoho finally opens up on his separation from his wife on Social Network, Twitter
Here are some of his Tweets;
we've been separated for over a year now and I want to say Kathy is a great mum & a good person But it wasn't working. Forget press stories.
Hey ppl! just want u to know that I wld never do anything to hurt my family. But sadly, I am separated from wife & it's irreconcilable!
When I talk about what really went down, jaws will drop and then u'll learn that if u want to get hitched, make sure it's your soul mate!pls!
Hi Tweeps! Thanks for all your support.There's no reconciliation for me on this matter.
No more ball-and chain 4 me.I've had it! I'M out!

Man kills wife over food

A middle aged man, Peter Odion, has become a guest of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly killing his wife, Ifeoma Ohalele Odion, for eating his food.
The incident occurred at their residence at 2, Olushola Close, Abule Taylor, Abule Egba, Lagos State.
Chiweiko Ohalele, a sister of the deceased who was living with the couple but was not at home when the tragedy occurred, said: “I was in my village meeting on Sunday afternoon when one of our neighbours called me on phone to meet them at a hospital at Abule Egba over my sister’s condition. When I got there, I met my sister in an unconscious state with blood dripping from her head and face. In fact, she could not neither talk nor recognise me.
I begged the doctor on duty to transfer her to the General Hospital at Ilepo because her condition was very bad. And he obliged; but before she could be attended to at the General Hospital, my sister died. When I confronted her husband who was also in the hospital on what transpired between him and my sister, he said he fought my sister for trying to eat the eba (garri) he made for himself.”
According to her, the suspect claimed that when they returned from church, he told his wife to prepare eba for him and her daughter, but she refused, claiming she had headache. Peter allegedly went ahead and prepared the eba; only for the wife to get up to eat the food.
A fight then broke out between the couple when Peter insisted his wife must not eat the food.
In the course of the fight, Peter pushed her and she hit her head on a hard object inside the room and fainted. He raised an alarm and neighbours assisted him to rush the unconscious woman to the hospital.
“I did not intend to kill her because we have not had any disagreement before the tragic incident happened,” he said.  “I pray that God would forgive me.”
He suspect was arrested in the hospital after doctors confirmed the wife dead and taken to the Oke Odo Police Division, Ilepo, Abule Egba. After preliminary investigation, he was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, for further interrogation.

Abia Intensifies Search for U-17 Players

In an effort to catch footballers young, Abia state Ministry of Sports has organized a football tournament in the 17 Local Government of the state which will culminate in the finals in Umuahia, the state capital.

The tournament known as Ochendo Unity competition,being sponsored by a philanthropist, Chief C.Y. Nwankwo is aimed at sourcing for talented young footballers from the rural areas.

The tournament will also have the input of the state director of sport, Mr. Ejikeme Ikwunze, who will coordinate the tournament at the state level. Already, Chief Nwankwo has donated footballs, jerseys, banners and N1.7 million to the 17 Local Government Areas to enable the Local Government Sports secretaries to kick-start the tournament.

According to him, winners of the tournament will get N2 million, runners-up will get N1 million while the third place winner gets N.5 million.

Nwankwo said in addition to fishing out young talents from the rural areas, the tournament will also forester peace and love which he said is what the present government represents.

Addressing the secretaries Tuesday, shortly before the materials were handed over to them, the state commissioner for sport, Mr. Matthew Ochiobi charged them to take the competition serious, saying that Governor Theodore Orji has interest in it.

According to him, he would motivate the secretaries by instituting some awards for the best of them.

He warned them against using mercenaries, saying that tournament is meant amateurs only.

Pension arrears: Time bomb waiting to explode – Senate

By HENRY UMORU & INALEGWU SHIBU
STRONG indications emerged yesterday that heads may roll at the office of the Head of Service following allegations that part of the funds earmarked for the payment of pension funds in the country may have been diverted into private hands.
The Senate has also warned that if urgent solution was not found in the management of the pension scheme, it was capable of throwing the country into a serious crisis as it has become a time bomb.
This was made known to Journalists yesterday in Abuja by the Chairman, Senate joint Committee investigating the management of N700 billion pension fund, Senator Aloysius Etok while speaking on the Journey so far on the comprehensive Investigation of Pension payment, management and Administration of Pension Funds in Nigeria.
According to him, at the end of the Committee’s tour of all the geo-political zones of the country, the Committee would have to question the office of Head of Service to ascertain what happened to the funds.
Senator Etok who disclosed that the entire pension funds in the country has been put at N4.23 trillion, said that in the course of the Committee’s investigation in some of the states, it was discovered that many states owed their retirees billions of naira in pension arrears, thereby causing pains on them and their immediate families while many have died, adding that one state alone in the country was indebted to pensioners to the tune of about N10-15 billion.
Senator Etok, PDP Akwa Ibom North West and Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services noted that out of the N24 billion for the Police Pension fund, only N3 billion was paid, even as he said that N21 billion Pension fund was traced to a Commercial Bank.
Flanked by Chairman, Senate Committee on States and Local Government, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Senator Etok said, “What we discovered on ground in respect to pension payment and management is a time bomb that we must address immediately or else when it explodes, it will be disastrous because we have had some states owing N8 to N10 billion for only state pension.
“If you include the local government pension, you realize some of the states are owing N14 to N15 billion. Therefore it is impossible that such states will be able to pay considering the fact that people are retiring every month and they are adding to that number. We have discovered that and we will look for a way to make sure that such arrears are cleared and to make sure we have a clean slate to commence the next phase of pension administration.”
‘’In Benue state we were told how they traced some amount especially funds which were to be paid to retired police officers as pension about N21 billion. Again we also discovered that a lot of more money have been traced to commercial banks which are meant to be paid as pension to retired officers while the retirees are roaming the street.
‘’We also realized that there are so many pensioners who have not been captured. They said the task force added more insults to injury by excluding more people.”

Gunmen kill four policemen at IG’s house

GUNMEN suspected to be members of the terrorist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, on Thursday killed four policemen and injured another two near the house of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.
In Minna, Niger State, some gunmen suspected to be members of the sect similarly killed two policemen.
Also, a bomb suspected to have been planted by the sect was discovered at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, located on Church Road, Minna, by members who attended the Ash Wednesday mass.
On Christmas Day last year, Boko Haram bombs killed 44 parishioners at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, also in Niger State.
The incidents coincided with a comment by a senior United States diplomat that the country would not provide military assistance to Nigeria in its battle against Boko Haram.
The US ambassador, Terence McCulley, who spoke to the Associated Press, said he would rather encourage the Federal Government to reach out to residents in the affected northern states while using security forces to target and apprehend terrorists.
The Kano attack took place during the morning rush hours along BUK Road.
Eyewitnesses’ accounts indicated that the gunmen, riding on four motorcycles, opened fire on the policemen said to be guarding the residence of the IG and killed four of them.
A statement by the spokesman for the Kano State police command, Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident but said only two policemen were killed in the attack.
Majiya said 15 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.
The statement reads, “Today Thursday 23rd February, 2012 at about 0830hrs along BUK Road by Island after Gidan Murtala, unknown gunmen on four motorcycles attacked our policemen on foot patrol.
“As a result of the attack two died on the spot while two were injured and are now receiving treatment at the hospital.”
The statement adds that the area of the attack has been ‘thoroughly combed” and that investigation into the incident has commenced.
Our correspondent in Kano reports that shortly after the attack, surveillance helicopters hovered above the area.
In the Minna incident, THE PUNCH learnt that the gunmen, also riding on motorcycles, opened fire at two policemen at a point near a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation mega station.
Two of the policemen reportedly died on the spot while another sustained injury and was rushed to an undisclosed nearby hospital.
The injured officer, eyewitnesses said, only escaped death by a whisker because he had gone to buy sachet water when the attack occurred.
“Two men who were on a motorbike on sighting the policemen shot directly at them and killed two of them instantly. They carted away their rifles but other policemen ran to safety. One policeman who was coming back from where he went to buy sachet water was injured,” an eyewitness told our correspondent on Thursday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Richard Oguche, confirmed the attack and said the police were on the trail of the killers. He added that the attackers were not members of Boko Haram but members of an aggrieved group out to avenge the detention of their members arrested after the prison break in Kogi State.
The explosives found at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Suleja were reportedly kept inside a Ghana-Must-Go bag and hidden in a corner of the church premises. The bag was said to have been discovered by a member of the church who then raised the alarm.
Residents of Church Road told our correspondent on Thursday that the discovery of the explosives caused a stir in the area and it took the police anti-bomb squad searching the area to douse the fear of the residents.
Meanwhile, Terrence said the US was also considering opening a consulate in Kano to improve the country’s image among a people still suspicious about Western influence. Boko Haram means ‘Western education is evil.’
However, he was unequivocal when asked in the interview with the Associated Press whether U.S. troops should be deployed in Nigeria.
“That’s not on the table. No, absolutely not,” McCulley said.
The ambassador said the issue of Boko Haram was of great concern to the US.
“It’s of a great concern to us. We’ve seen an increase in sophistication, we’ve seen increased lethality. We saw at least a part of the group has decided it’s in their interest to attack the international community” he said.
McCulley said the U.S. was already working with the Nigerian police to help them learn how to carry out forensic investigations, while a bomb expert from the FBI has been working with authorities on how to detect explosives planted by the group before they detonate.
He said, “The U.S. also would be open to training Nigeria’s military in counter-terror techniques, though the country hasn’t asked for that assistance.
“It’s not going to be solved exclusively by treating it as a security issue. It needs a holistic solution.
“Government needs clearly to have a targeted approach on security that targets the bad guys, that targets perpetuators of these horrible attacks and doesn’t injure innocent civilians or damage property.”

Halliburton: US CEO gets 30 months jail for bribing Nigerians

NEW YORK  (AFP) – The former head of US construction company KBR was sentenced to 30 months in prison over the bribing of Nigerian officials to win contracts, the US Justice Department said Thursday.
Albert Stanley, the former chief executive officer of the engineering giant, also must pay his former company $10.8 million in restitution under the judgment handed down in a Houston federal court.
Stanley, 69, pleaded guilty to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
KBR and its parent company, Halliburton, have also agreed to pay a $579 million fine after pleading guilty to corruption charges in Nigeria.
Stanley was accused of participating in a bribery scheme between 1995 and 2004 to obtain construction contracts worth more than $6 billion, according to a US Justice Department statement.
KBR was part of joint venture TSKJ — which also included French firm Technip SA, Dutch and Italian firm Snamprogetti Netherlands BV and Japanese firm JGC Corporation — to build a liquefied natural gas facility on Bonny Island in the Niger Delta.
The joint venture allegedly paid $183 million in bribes to a variety of Nigerian government officials, according to the Justice Department.
Stanley, who was fired by Halliburton in 2004, cooperated in the investigation in exchange for a lighter sentence.
The case sparked criminal investigations in France, Switzerland, Nigeria and Britain.
Two British men, attorney Jeffrey Tesler and businessman Wojciech Chodan, also were sentenced on criminal charges by a Houston judge. Tesler is getting 21 months in prison while Chodan is sentenced to one year of probation.
Last month, Japanese trading house Marubeni, which the TSKJ joint venture hired to help get the engineering contracts, agreed to pay a $54.6 million fine in the United States, the Justice Department said.
In 2010, Technip and Snamprogetti each agreed to pay $240 million fines while JGC settled for a nearly $219 million fine.

World Bank assisted Nigeria with $500m loan to combat global financial crisis’

By Omoh Gabriel
The World Bank extended a loan of $500 million for support to Nigeria during the global financial crisis.
This fact is contained in the just released Independent Evaluation Group report of the World Bank. According to the Bank “Nigeria faced serious fiscal issues at the onset of the crisis and the funds were given to Nigeria in the form of budgetary support to the government, for undertaking policy reforms, both in the areas of fiscal management and financial sector reform.
In terms of the content of policy reforms, there were some positive areas, however some other longer term opportunities for reform may not have been seized and overall, the programme was moderately satisfactory in terms of its achievements.”

World shouldn't stay silent in face of Syrian regime's brutality

Editor's note: Nader Hashemi is an Assistant Professor of Middle East and Islamic Politics at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. His most recent book is "The People Reloaded: The Green Movement and the Struggle for Iran's Future" (Melville House, 2011).

(CNN) -- Syria, we are told, is not like Libya. The factors that coalesced to allow for international intervention in the latter do not apply in the former. There are clear differences -- in geography, topography, the role of neighboring states, the existence of liberated territory and the posture of the U.N. Security Council -- that mitigate against external intervention.
The problem with this narrative is that it ignores the most salient factor that should guide our thinking and the international community's response to events in Syria today. That's the ongoing crimes against humanity visited upon the people of Syria by the Bashar al-Assad regime and the human rights catastrophe that is unfolding before our eyes.
While many governments repress their populations and respond with violence to public demands for change, what distinguishes the Syrian case is that all the leading human rights organizations -- Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the U.N. Human Rights Council -- have unanimously characterized the policies of the Syrian regime as "crimes against humanity."

Nader Hashemi

This means the mafia state the Assad family has been running for 42 years belongs in the same moral category as Serbia's Slobodan Milosevic and Rwanda's Hutu generals.
Speaking last week in New York, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay affirmed that the "nature and scale of abuses committed by Syrian forces indicate that crimes against humanity are likely to have been committed since March 2011. Independent, credible and corroborated accounts indicate that these abuses have taken place as part of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians.
"Furthermore, the breadth and patterns of attacks by military and security forces on civilians and the widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure indicate approval or complicity of the authorities at the highest level."
The merciless brutality of the Syrian regime comes as no surprise. A comparison of the human rights records of member states of the Arab League places Syria at the extreme end of a spectrum of repression. Arguably, only Saddam Hussein's Iraq was worse.
While the 1982 massacre in Hama is frequently mentioned to highlight the viciousness of the Assad regime, less well-known are the horrors of Syria's prison system. Tens of thousands have passed through its doors. Untold numbers never made it out.
A Human Rights Watch report on the notorious Tadmor prison describes "deaths under torture" and "summary executions on a massive scale." One former inmate described the place as a "kingdom of death and madness" and emaciated prisoners were compared to "survivors of Nazi concentration camps."
But this was just one jail in a veritable archipelago. One day the full story of Syria's prison system and internal human rights nightmare under the Assad family will be told. When the truth emerges, it might rival the horrors chronicled in Alexander Solzhenitsyn's "Gulag Archipelago."
In thinking about how to respond to events in Syria today, the colossal scale of human suffering -- past and present -- should be foremost in our minds.
Any discussion of external intervention should be guided by what the Syrian people actually want from the outside world. This requires listening to the Syrian democratic opposition.
The opposition is divided on the issue of foreign military intervention, a chasm that is diminishing daily as the atrocities increase. Until there is a broad consensus, the following nonmilitary steps can be pursued immediately. They would be a huge boon of support for the opposition and would be endorsed by all Syrian democrats:
-- Officially recognize the Syrian National Council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
-- Establish a special U.N. Commission of Inquiry along the lines of Darfur.
-- Refer the senior leadership of the al-Assad regime to the International Criminal Court.
-- Provide humanitarian air drops of food and medicine to besieged communities.
-- Keep the global spotlight on the Assad regime and its atrocities.
There is a historic struggle for democracy under way in Syria today. It represents the aspirations of a people to free themselves from the tyranny of one the most brutal regimes the developing world has ever seen. Claims that the conflict has now turned violent ignore the overarching reality that for most of the past 11 months the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, and notwithstanding the emergence of the Free Syrian Army, most of the protests continue to be nonviolent today.
What is truly amazing about the spread of the Arab Spring to Syria is not that some people have taken up arms in the face of a brutal crackdown but that is it didn't happen sooner, given Assad's crimes against humanity and that violent tactics haven't been adopted by more people.
The very fact that an indigenous internal struggle for democracy could emerge in one of the worst police states in the Arab world and be sustained for so long is both mind-boggling and inspiring.
The heroic struggle in Syria today represents the best of the human spirit. It is fundamentally about the most basic political value we take for granted in the West, the right of a people to self-determination. It deserves our full support.

Omotola clears up pregnancy rumours

There were rumours recently that the screen goddess is expecting her 5th child with her pilot husband, Matthew Ekeinde, but Omotola says it ain't true.