MIDE MARTINS, HUBBY REUNITE

MY ORIGINAL SIN - Saraki Replies Dele Momodu

My dear brother Dele, let me thank you most sincerely for your article last weekend, “My Candid Letter to Saraki.” I take everything you said in that article to heart and I must commend you for your candidness indeed and the sincerity of your intentions.
As you said in your article, you are someone I have known more by reputation than by any personal relationship, until recently when we struck up some personal acquaintance based on our shared political interests, especially during the last presidential election. However, I understand why you had to sound so defensive for knowing me at all and had to publicly map the boundaries of our relationship. We have got to that point in our country when we no longer believe that anyone could stand for anything based on principles and convictions alone. Moreover, in the growing culture of media crucifixion and presumed guilt; it is rare to find a voice like yours that calls for fairness and justice.

I would have simply sent you a text message or call you up for your candid advice to me, which I take seriously. But I feel the need to make some clarifications on some of the issues you raised. One of them was that in seeking to be Senate President, I struck a deal with the PDP and made it possible for one of them to be the Deputy Senate President. I know this is the dominant narrative out there, but it is far from the truth.

I did not do any deal with the PDP. I did not have to because even before the PDP Senators as a group took the decision to support my candidature on the eve of the inauguration of the 8th Senate, 22 PDP Senators had already written a letter supporting me. What I did not envisage was a situation where some members of my party would not be in the chambers that day, especially when the clerk had already received a proclamation from the President authorizing the inauguration of the Senate. Pray, if a team refused to turn up for a scheduled match and was consequently walked over, would it be fair to blame the team that turned up and claimed victory? I believe those that made it possible for PDP to claim the DSP position were those who decided to hold a meeting with APC senators elsewhere at the time they ought to be in the chambers. What the PDP Senators did was to take advantage of their numerical strength at the material time. They simply lined up behind Senator Ike Ikweremadu while those of us from APC voted for Senator Ali Ndume. It was a game of numbers, and we were hopelessly outnumbered. If the PDP had nominated their own candidate for the Senate Presidency position that day, they would have won. It was as simple as that.

Secondly, I don’t know if you were aware that in the build up to Senate inauguration, the National Working Committee of the APC sent two signals. The first signal specified how leadership positions in the National Assembly have been zoned. While we were trying to give effect to this decision, the second signal came, which contained names of people to which these zoned position had been allocated. What was not acknowledged was that the President of the Senate is not an executive president. He is primarily one of 109 senators. Therefore, I cannot decide by myself who gets what in the Senate. Therefore, when they said I defied party directive in the choice of principal officers, they are invariably ascribing to me the power that I did not have.

My dear brother, most people talk about the Senate Presidency position, but this was not my only offence. I have also been accused of helping to frustrate some people’s opportunity to emerge as President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate. But I have no problem with anybody. My concern was that it would not be politically smart of us to run with a Muslim-Muslim ticket. I doubt if we would have won the election if we had done this, especially after the PDP had successfully framed us a Muslim party. I felt we were no longer in 1993. Perhaps, more than ever before, Nigerians are more sensitive to issues of religious balancing. This, my brother, was my original sin. What they say to themselves, among other things, was that if he could conspire against our ambition, then he must not realize his own ambition as well. For me however, I have no regrets about this. I only stood for what I believed was in the best interest of the party and in the best interest of Nigeria.

Now to the substantive issue of my trial. As you rightly noted, this trial is not about corruption. And I am happy that since my trial started, people who have followed the proceedings have now understood better what the whole thing is about. I have had opportunity to declare my assets four times since 2003. Over those years, the Code of Conduct Bureau had examined my claims. There was no time that they raised any issues with me on any item contained in my declarations over those twelve years. This is why you should be surprised that while I am being tried by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the witness and the evidence supplied against me were all from EFCC.

Like you, I have an abiding faith in the judiciary. May God forbid the day that we would give up on our judicial system. However, the onus is not on me to prove that I have confidence in the judiciary; the burden is on my prosecutors to prove to the world that justice is done in my case. If the process of fighting corruption is itself corrupt, then whatever victory is recorded would remain tainted and puerile!

Some people have wondered, why has Saraki been “jumping” from one court to another instead of facing his trial? To those people, I would say that I have only gone to those courts in search of justice. Strange things have happened, and they are still happening. For example, Section 3(d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act states that the Bureau shall refer any breach or non-compliance to the Tribunal. However, where the person concerned makes a written admission of the breach, no reference to the Tribunal shall be necessary. It was on this basis that the case against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was dismissed in 2011, by this same judge in this same Tribunal on the grounds that he was not given an opportunity to deny or admit to any breach before he was brought before the tribunal. This was the ruling that I relied on in making my case. But what did the judge say? That he had judged in error in 2011 and he had since realized his error and departed from it. My question is whether a Tribunal of first instance has the power to reverse itself. I should expect that everyone would be worried if justice is applied differently to different people. However, in spite of my fears, I remain hopeful. Why? Because the judiciary does not end with this Tribunal.

Do you know the genesis of my real problems with President Goodluck Jonathan? I have had a touchy relationship with him, but the turning point was in September 2011 when I moved a motion on the floor of the Senate that exposed the N2.3 trillion fuel subsidy racket. I remain proud that I was the Senator that blew the lid on the most elaborate corruption scheme ever in this country. But after that I became a marked man. My security was withdrawn. I was invited and re-invited by the EFCC and the Special Fraud Unit. I was even declared wanted at a point. I believe I am still one of the most investigated former governors in this country. I have no doubt that if the Jonathan government was able to find anything against me, they would not have allowed me to go unpunished.

Let me make this point clearly. I do not expect to be shielded from prosecution because of my contribution to APC, if there was genuine basis for such action to be taken against me. But I have every reason to expect not to be persecuted by the party that I contributed so much to build. The New PDP may not have given APC victory in 2015, but it was an important factor in the dynamics that produced that victory. And with all sense of modesty, I was an important factor in the formation of New PDP; in leading that group to the APC; in ensuring our group’s support for the candidate during the primaries and in mobilizing substantial resources for the election. For these, I have not expected any special compensation. Rather, I only expect to be treated like every loyal party member and accorded the right to freely aspire!

Some people have complained that I have been taken Senators with me to my trial. But I did not force them to follow me. The Senators have freely accompanied me to the Tribunal not because they are loyal to me as Abubakar Bukola Saraki, but because they are committed to the principle that produced me as the President of the Senate. The same principle that produced Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President and produced Ali Ndume as Majority Leader. They see all of us in the Senate leadership as manifestation of their jealously guarded right to freely choose their own leaders. Because they know they made us their leaders without any external interference; they are confident that they retain the power to remove us whenever they so wish. They also know what this trial is all about. They believe I am being victimized because they have expressed their right to choose their own leadership. This is why I am not in any way perturbed by my absence in the chambers during this trial. Because I was not imposed on the Senate, I feel confident that the Senate will protect its own choice whether I am present or not. It is never about me. It is about the independence of the legislature. It has always been so since 1999. It is so today and it would be so in 2019, it would be so in 2023, and as long as we practice a democracy that operates on the principle of separation of powers.

My dear brother, let me end by observing that I am not alone in this trial. On trial with me in this process is the entire judicial system. On trial with me are our entire anti-corruption institutions and our avowed commitment to honestly fight corruption. On trial with me is our party’s promise to depart from the ways of the past, a promise that Nigerians voted for. And I dare say, on trial with me is our media; and their ethical commitment to report fairly and objectively. In the end, it is my earnest hope that whatever we do will ultimately ennoble our country.

CLARION CHUKWURAH MARRIES AMERICAN LOVER

Beautiful ACTRESS, Clarion Chukwurah was all smiles today as she exchanged vows with her new husband Anthony Boyd today April 21, 2016 in United States of America.

Congratulations!

Forex Policy: Iberia Withdraws Services From Nigeria

THE refusal of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to exempt foreign carriers from its forex policy has claimed its first casualty, with Iberia Airline pulling out of Nigeria.
According to information gathered late Tuesday, Iberia, the Spanish national carrier, was said to have taken the decision, in view of the financial predicaments brought upon it by the CBN forex policy, which prevented it from repatriating its proceeds made in Nigeria for many months now.
Since the introduction of the policy, the foreign airlines have over $500 million trapped in the various banks which they ought to have repatriated to their various home countries.
Prior to the decision of Iberia, many of the foreign carriers had expressed their displeasure at the CBN policy, with many threatening to withdraw their services from Nigeria if nothing was urgently done to reverse it.
We gathered that apart from Iberia, other foreign airlines had concluded plans to equally pull out of the country.
In view of the latest development, the foreign carriers are expected to meet with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja, today.

I HAVE NOT RESIGNED AS RCCG PASTOR - VP Osinbajo

Read the press statement from the office of the Vice President below...

Our attention has been drawn to a false publication by a certain online medium, to the effect that Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has resigned as a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The report is misleading and completely baseless.
Prof. Osinbajo continues to serve as a Pastor in the RCCG, honoring the call of God on his life. He is in fact the Pastor-in-Charge of RCCG Lagos Province 48, a position he has held in the past three years and in which he continues to serve. This completely fabricated report should be ignored and disregarded in its entirety.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity In the Office of the Vice President April 20, 2016

NAVY SET TO ENFORCE RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF 200 HORSE POWER OUTBOARD ENGINES ON NIGERIAN WATERWAYS

The Nigerian Navy recently issued a press statement  signed by Director of Information, Commodore Christian Odogwu Ezekogbe,. Below is the  statement

.As part of measures put in place to checkmate crimes in the nation’s coastal waters, especially the menace of piracy and smuggling, the Nigerian Navy wishes to remind all seafarers and companies operating within the coastal waters that there will soon be a restriction on the use of 200 horse power (HP) Outboard Engines on our waterways. 

The measure which is part of strategic efforts by the Service to ensure that the nation’s coastal waterways are secure for legitimate activities, became necessary due to the fact that pirates and other criminals use this high powered caliber engines to proceed into international waters within the Gulf of Guinea. It has also been observed that the criminals carry out their nefarious activities at sea with the aid of this class of engines which are mounted on boats stowed on mother ships. 

In recent times, the Nigerian Navy and its maritime security partners especially Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta have confiscated many boats with 200 horse power outboard engines. Some of the confiscated engines have been released to their owners after strict profiling exercises. However investigation has proven that people of questionable characters whose interest are in breach of security in the waterways use this class of high powered engines to perpetuate crimes. 

.Consequently, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas is working with various state governments of the coastal states to ensure that individuals and corporate organisations who are in possession of, or wishing to acquire outboard engines in the capacity    of 200 and above horse powers should register with the Nigerian Navy. The registration and profiling which would be free, is a step towards ensuring that only authorized persons and corporate organisations are allowed to use this class of engines on Nigeria’s coastal waters. Besides, this step will establish a credible data base of users of the boats fitted with these high caliber engines. 

In this regard, the Nigerian Navy solicits the cooperation of State Governments in the coastal areas on the restriction and profiling of this class of outboard engines. Currently, the Government of Delta and Bayelsa States have provided necessary support to the Nigerian Navy and its maritime Security partners. 

The Nigerian Navy further assures that more proactive strategies have been launched by the Service and its maritime security partners to curb all forms of crimes and unwholesome activities in the maritime domain. In view of the importance of the information for the security of our nation’s economic assets and the safety of her people, you are kindly requested to disseminate this for the awareness of all. 

BullionVan’sN5m : Ambode Rewards Police Officers With N250,000 Each

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has compensated two police officers with commendation letters and N250, 000 cash each, for the recovery of N5 million which fell-off a bullion van around Alausa, Ikeja.
A statement by Mr Adebayo Taofiq, Lagos State Taskforce Public Affairs Officer, said the two policemen were attached to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit ( Taskforce ).
”These two police officers, Insp. Abiona Hezekiah and Sgt. Ogunbiyi Agbabu recently recovered N5 million that fell-off a bullion van around Alausa, Ikeja.
”The money was discovered, after due investigation, to belong to Skye Bank Plc.”.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Fatai Owoseni, made the presentation of the commendation letters and cash to the duo.
The statement said that the CP commended the duo for their high sense of patriotism, honesty and integrity in the line of duty.
“This heroic act and professional conduct, is in line with the ‘Change Mantra’ of the present administration which will ensure a renewed confidence in the Nigerian Police Force by the populace.
”I want to appreciate these officers for their honesty and commitment while discharging their duties at the Lagos State Taskforce,” it quoted the governor as saying.
The statement said that the officers thanked the governor and promised to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties at the Lagos State Taskforce.

CCB Didn't Interrogate Saraki Before Filing Charges Against Him. EFCC Detective.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) did not interrogate Senate President Bukola Saraki before filling charges of false declaration of assets against him, Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said. 

However, Wetkas, who was being cross-examined by Paul Usoro (SAN), said that the EFCC had interrogated the senate president on the charges that were filed against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

“On the face of those telexes, can use please confirm the card account number,” Usoro asked the witness regarding the documents of international bank transactions tendered as evidence against Saraki by the prosecution at the tribunal.

“It is not there,” Wetkas said.

Wetkas: “The bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), is more competent to talk about international transfers.

Wetkas: “Every transaction in these telexes is specialised and that is why the head of international fund transfer of GTB is listed as a witness in this case, that is Mr Amanzu Nwachukwu. Our investigation was more on the statement of account which shows clear narration of the transactions in respect of transfers to American Express bank.”

Usoro: “Was the defendant interrogated in respect of the telexes?

Wetkas: “Not to my knowledge.”

Wetkas: “I know other members of my team asked him questions relating to his properties, about asset declaration at CCB, whether they were declared appropriately, also about the companies he has interest in locally and internationally. He made statements that I am referring to before other team members, including the petitions; he was confronted with questions on them.”

Usoro: “That statement you said the defendant made, has it been tendered before the tribunal?”

Wetkas: “Not to the best of my knowledge.”

Usoro: “You were told about it. Who is your colleague that gave you this information?”

Wetkas: “Usman Imam, Musa Sunday. These were the members that briefed me.”

Usoro: “Was an enlarged team of CCB and EFCC involved?”

Wetkas: “My own team stumbled on assets and loans. And the other team was involved in investigating companies and properties.

Wetkas: “It was when we delved into assets that CCB was involved.

Usoro: “Was the defendant interrogated when the CCB was involved?”

Wetkas: “No.”

At this point, Danladi Umar, chairman of the CCT, interjected: “We don’t take instructions from anybody. We are autonomous. Nobody is controlling us here.”

His interjection was after he had helped Usoro convey his question to the witness in simple terms.

He added he was out to deliver justice on the matter.

Kanu Agabi, Saraki’s lead counsel, asked for a week’s adjournment to enable him to prepare well for the case, but the judge adjourned the matter to April 27 instead.

HOW I STEAL IN BANKS WITHOUT GUN- Robbery Suspect

A 34-year-old suspect, Ibrahim Abudulamdi, paraded, yesterday, by the Lagos State Police Command, said he is not a robber, but goes to bank to steal after studying the environment.

“I am not a robber, I go into banks to steal, not to rob. When I get there I pretend that I want to lodge some money. For instance, when I went into FCMB to withdraw money, I went straight to the bulk room after monitoring the environment carefully, I saw some money and I collected it.

“I collected N1.2 million, it was this year that I went there. I didn’t go there with a pistol. I succeeded in stealing from the bank because the bank operatives were careless. I went into the bulk room and picked the money, I am not a robber. There was nobody there, I am telling you exactly what happened.

But, it was gathered that Ibrahim went to the bank with a Ghana-must-go bag pretending he wanted to deposit money. Later he allegedly took a gun from the bag and attacked the cashier. Demonstrating how he usually swapped his polythene bag containing cut-to-size papers with the victim’s own containing money while pretending to be asking the cashier questions, Ibrahim said he used different methods for different operations.

“Sometimes, I simply swap the victim’s bag containing money with a similar one containing cut-to-size papers.

Legendary 'Purple Rain' Singer, Prince Dies at 57

Prince has died at the age of 57. The legendary singer-songwriter passed away at his Paisley Park studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on Thursday, April 21, 2016

"It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57," his UK rep, Anna Meacham, confirms to Us Weekly in a statement. "There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time." His publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, also confirmed the news

TMZ reports that authorities responded to Prince's home at 9:43 a.m. The site obtained the emergency dispatch call. During the exchange, someone reportedly said: "Male down, not breathing."

Earlier this month, Prince was rushed to the hospital via ambulance on Friday, April 15, after his private plane had to make an emergency landing in Illinois at the Quad City International Airport in Rock Island County. Prince was expected to perform a concert in Atlanta at the time. He was reportedly battling the flu for several weeks and returned home shortly after

Prince broke out in the music industry in the late '70s and '80s when he released the self-titled album, Prince, in October 1979. He's also best known for his 1984 hit "Purple Rain," which was released on his sixth studio album of the same name.Purple Rain become his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200.

Prince's extensive career includes 39 solo studio albums. He's known for songs such as "Little Red Corvette," "Kiss," "Thunder" "Adore," "Pop Life" and "When Doves Cry."

The pop icon, who went on to become one of the best-selling artists of all time, won multiple accolades throughout his lifetime. He earned seven Grammys, a 2007 Golden Globe for "The Song of the Heart" in the Best Original Song category, which was featured in Happy Feet, and has been recognized at the BET Awards, Brit Awards and Image Awards

Additionally, Prince won an Academy Award in 1985 for Best Original Song for the Albert Magnol-directed movie Purple Rain. He was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, where he performed a cover of The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and performed at the Super Bowl halftime

In September 2014, Prince opened up about his career during an interview withBillboard. "I don't need another gold record. You don't quantify success by numbers," he said at the time.

He also spoke about his music being available on both iTunes and Spotify. "It's about the deal. Anything I'm doing now it's equitable. I'm happy," he said. "I just thank God that I'm here now."

As previously reported, Prince's former protege Vanity 6 died at the age of 57 in February from kidney failure. Prince paid tribute to her in concert following the news.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEGA 2016

SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES FOR MEGA 2016 STARTS MAY 1

Music & Entertainment Gospel Awards (aka MEGA), wasi launched to recognize and celebrate outstanding performances and exemplary talents in Nigerian gospel music community, within the country and outside. The fourth annual event takes place in November, 2016.

WHO CAN ENTER?: Artistes, Producers, Video Directors, Songwriters, Music Ministers Of Gospel Music.

SUBMISSION OPENS:  Sunday, May 1, 2016.

SUBMISSION CLOSES:  Thursday, June 30, 2016.

PERIOD UNDER REVIEW: For works released or published between May 1, 2015 and April 30, 2016.

WHAT CAN BE ENTERED?: Full Albums (6 Tracks & Above), Singles (Not Extracted From Album), Medleys Or Video Recordings Produced By Nigerian Citizens Who Principally Focus On Christian Gospel Music.

MODE OF SUBMISSION: Download Free Entry Forms, Available ONLINE:  www.megawards.org ;
EMAILS: Send "Request" to:-megasubmit2016@gmail.com;
BY HAND: See Downloaded Form For Full Details Of All Submission Centres.

AWARD CATEGORIES:
ALBUM CATEGORIES: Worship Song Of The Year; Praise Song; Inspirational Song; Contemporary Traditional Song.
MEDLEY CATEGORIES: Best Praise Medley; Best Worship Medley; Best Traditional Medley.
SINGLES CATEGORIES: Best Single Urban; Best Single Traditional.
TECHNICAL  CATEGORIES: Amaka Igwe Music Video; Cover Art Design; Spoken Word

FOR MORE DETAILS:  www.megawards.org orwww.facebook.com/MEGAwards

FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES: megawards2013@gmail.com or call 08182223348.

SUBMISSION CENTRES:
HAPPY FAMILY MEDIA/TOTAL IMPACT: (17, Adeboye Solanke Street, By First Bank Bus Stop, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos). 
SPOOT LINK: (3, Ijaiye Road, Ogba, Lagos).
HOPE STUDIOS: (25, Kofoworola Street, Off Balogun B/Stop, Via Lagoon Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.

MEGA OFFICE (Northern Zone): Shield Media International, Baytower Suite, No. 1 Rayfield Road, (Little Transit Plaza), By Yelwa Club Junction, Bukuru, Plateau State.- 08037171049).
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MEGA OFFICE (Southern Zone): Arkmuzik International, 85, Ekewan Road (Top floor), God's Care Hospital Building, Opp. GT Bank, Benin City, Edo State. - 08023324071).
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- Arkmuzik International,  55, Olu Obasanjo Road, (W2W Complex) Opp UBA by KIA Motors, By Roundabout Police Station, PH, Rivers State.

IBB RECOVERING FROM LEG SURGERY

The recent news that Ex President  Ibrahim Babangida is down with a major ailment and that he could not walk unaided has been described as untrue by a family source who should know.

The family source said IBB underwent routine corrective surgery on his troubled leg and is recovering fast

"It is common knowledge that he's been battling this ailment since ages and had even undergone surgery in Germany. 

We learnt that a relapse necessitated it to be corrected and at this time of his advance age you don't expect him to be as agile as before,it takes time to heal. The man is over 70.

The spirit is high and he's functioning well, it is only a matter of time. 

Justice Fati Abubakar, wife of Ex-General Abdulsalam Abubakar's valedictory party as a judge was his first outing since the rehabilitation began.

The family source said the concern of all Nigerians and the goodwill messages  are greatly appreciated.

(Graphic Pictures) PHONE THIEF'S HAND CHOPPED!

A young man who was trying to steal a phone by passing his hand through someone's window in Sapele, Delta State had his right hand cut off.

According to reports "The owner of the house on sighting the man’s hand fiddling for the phone, quickly went for a cutlass and cut  the intruder’s hand off. Mr. Burglar ran away into the night crying with his amputated hand.

Pictured is the burglar at the hospital . and his dismembered hand.

HUSBAND OF LATE GOSPEL SINGER INSISTS ON PRESSING CHARGES AGAINST PASTOR WHO TOOK HIS WIFE TO HOTEL

Pastor Psalm Okpe of Fresh Oil Ministry,Benin may be in more trouble than he bargained for. .
Few days back, he had lodged  with  gospel singer, Pastor (Mrs) Yvonne who died in the hotel after their sex romp. The news of the death of the singer went viral but the identity of randy Pastor Okpe  was shielded until now.
Sources say the pastor is in detention but some big pastors are asking the husband to drop the case but he is  threatening to go  ahead.
Pictured above is  Pastor Okpe who took Yvonne to a hotel in Benin where she passed a night with him without her husband's knowledge and died under controversial circumstances.
Her husband said"from the CCTV footage he and his people watched, his wife lodged in the same room with the pastor, but he had claimed that they were not together. "
The husband also alleged that the way the pastor was moving as captured by the CCTV showed he knew what led to his wife's death.

Arik Air Shuts Down As Unions Protest N12.4bn Debt It Owed FAAN

Arik Air’s business activities were on Wednesday disrupted by members of several aviation unions over an alleged N12.4 billion debts owed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
According to report, several passengers were left stranded at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport as placard-carrying unionists frustrated the operation of the airline as early as 6.30am.

Some stranded passengers were seen demanding a refund from the airline staff while others were making alternative arrangements on how to be able to depart for their destinations.

The Nigerian Travel Flight Deck reports that the union members said they resorted to blocking the airline from operating this morning after years of negotiation with the airline over the debt failed to yield any result.

Some of the placards had inscriptions such as: ‘Arik pay your 12.4bn debt’, ‘FAAN can no longer pay salaries, pension, staff claims due to your debt.’ “Debtors pay all you owe FAAN now.’ ‘Arik if you can’t pay don’t fly’, “Arik pay your debt, 12.4bn is too much.’

The General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) Olayinka Abioye, said in a statement that: “We are engaged in picketing exercise against Arik Air over its indebtedness to FAAN in the sum of N12.5b”.

FAAN’s spokesperson, Yakubu Datti, confirmed the picketing of the airline but could not provide further details.

The spokesperson of Arik Air, Ola Banji, said it was spurious for FAAN to claim it’s been owed N12.4 billion.

EFCC CLEARS CHAIRMAN CODE OF CONDUCT TRIBUNAL ON ALLEGED ₦10MN BRIBE

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has today conveyed a letter to the Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Hon Danladi Yakubu Umar, exonerating him on the alleged ten million naira (N10million) bribed by one AbdulRashid Owolabi, in his petition to the Commission.

The letter was addressed to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, captioned "RE: Investigation Report RE: N10million  Bribery Allegation against the Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja" with reference NO: EFCC/P/NHRU/688/V.30/99, dated 20th April, 2016.

The letter which was signed by Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, Secretary to the Commission reads:, ‘‘kindly recall our correspondence of 5th March, 2015, (reference EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56) with the above subject, please."

It added: ‘‘We would like to reiterate the Commission’s position in regard to this matter as earlier communicated to you and stated that the allegations leveled against Justice Umar were mere suspicious and consequently insufficient to successfully prosecute the offence."

Today’s clearance letter was second to the previous one sent on the 5th March,2015 during last of administration of President Goodluck Jonathan through the office of the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Pius Anyim.

CCT:EFCC Detective Fumbles with GTB Evidence Against Saraki

ANTI-ROBBERY POLICEMAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING SPARE PARTS FILLED CONTAINER

Meet the criminal in uniform who allegedly led his men to rob a trailer at gunpoint in Sagamu Ogun State on Saturday.
The 4 policemen led by Inspector Durojaiye Taiwo stopped a trailer around midnight on Saturday, they diverted the trailer to Okokomaiko area of Lagos and sold the content for 30 million naira.

Unknown to them, the trailer had a tracker.

The leader of the FSARS for the robbery , Inspector Durojaiye Taiwo and two other members of the team escaped, while Victor is being detained in FSARS cell in Ikeja. Victor was arrested after a gun duel with policemen attached to Okokomaiko police station.

A police source said: “The incident happened on Saturday night. Inspector Durojaiye is the leader of the team. The team is called ‘striking team.’ They all came from State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, three months ago to join FSARS, Ikeja.

The criminals tied the trailer driver and his conductor and bundled them inside their Lexus Jeep before dumping them in a bush at Ijebu Ode.

Inspector Durojaiye and 2 Policemen have disappeared while one of the suspect identified as Corporal Victor has been arrested.

Lagos Police CP Fatai Owoseni has ordered his men to produce the fleeing policemen.

WE BOUGHT 36 SUVs, NOT 108- Senate

THE Senate disclosed, yesterday, that senators unanimously rejected the proposed loan to purchase their vehicles, saying none of the 109 lawmakers was interested in it.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday, Chairman, Senate Committee on Senate Services, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, said the upper chamber never spent over N4 billion to purchase 108 cars for lawmakers.

According to him, only 36 SUVs were bought at the cost of N36.5 million each.

He said: “We had a close session and they agreed that we should give one car per state; we sat down and agreed on who among the three senators from each state needs the car most and that was what happened.”

Gobir, who wondered why Nigerians would kick against the purchase of new exotic cars, said as senators they were entitled to official cars.

Adepitan, Ex Mushin LG Boss Dies.

Babatunde Adepitan, the immediate past Chairman of Mushin Local Government  passed on in the early hours of today after his  reported battle with a life threatening ailment.

According to CityRovers,  late Adepitan before his eventual death took a medical pilgrimage to India where he went to seek solution.

Adepitan formerly a school  teacher  was a protégé of Dr Muiz Banire SAN. He wasn't particularly loved by the people he governed which emanated on the basis of not delivering on his campaign promises, he compounded the issue by relocating from Mushin to upscale neighborhood at Alfred Gardens in Oregun, Ikeja when his fortunes changed for the better.

MY EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA AS 2015 SPELLING BEE NIGERIA WINNER - Onyinyechi Ohuabunwa

Last year 13 year old Onyinyechi Ohuabunwa of Cherryfield College, Abuja who defeated other contestants at the 2015 Spelling Bee Nigeria to clinch the first prize, a trip to the 89th Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition in US, she also became the face of Betamalt, she recently shared her rare experience, particularly her trip.

The journey to becoming the National champion of the Spelling Bee Nigeria was a dream for me because I didn't see it coming. I just came to compete like everyone else but God surprised me with the victory.                         

My journey to the US was a very fulfilling one, because this was my first visit to Washington DC, my mum came along with me on the trip as well as officials of Young Educators Foundation. The Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals was a huge one, everybody in America was talking about it because it was all over the TV and Radio Stations. I feel very elated when some media had to interview me as the champion from Nigeria.
I want to thank the organizers of the spelling bee Nigeria; the sponsors, Betamalt and Virgin Atlantic who sponsored my trip .

We spent about a week in Washington DC during Scripps Spelling Bee final and we also went on a tour of Washington DC, where I saw a lot of historical monuments, we really had a great time; we left for New York after the finals where we spent a few days before returning to Nigeria via Atlanta.

However, this  year,  50 Spellers representing schools from the 9 participating States who successfully scaled through at the  state finals  will be competing at the  Grand Finale of the Spelling Bee Nigeria scheduled for  April 22 , 2016 at THE NECA Hall, Plot A2, Akin Balogun Street, CBD Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

1st Prize winner gets an all-expense paid trip to the 89th Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC, USA as a guest, plus a scholarship Fund, whilst the 2nd Prize is an all-expense paid trip to Pearson Publishing House, Harlow UK and a scholarship fund.

Ex Air Force Boss, Amosu Returns N2.3bn To FG

The immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), has returned N2.3bn to the Federal Government,The PUNCH has learnt.

An impeccable source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told our correspondent that Amosu issued two bank drafts to the Federal Government as part of the funds allegedly diverted by his office as Chief of Air Staff.

The source said, “I can confirm to you that Amosu has returned N2.3bn. He raised two bank drafts. One draft was N2bn while the second was N300m.”
The PUNCHhad exclusively reported on February 11 that houses belonging to Amosu worth over N500m had been seized by the EFCC.

In Amosu’s Badagry home, the EFCC had also recovered about $140,000 in cash. The PUNCH had also reported that the anti-graft agency recovered N381m from Amosu’s wife, Omolara. The money was recovered in three tranches of N180m, N101m and N100m.

The detective told our correspondent that the money was traced from the account of the Nigeria Air Force to the bank accounts of a company in which Amosu’s wife is a director.

Calculations by our correspondent on Tuesday showed that so far, the EFCC had recovered at least N4bn from Amosu in cash and assets.
Amosu and over 10 senior officers are being probed by the EFCC as part of the $2.1bn arms scam, especially in relation to the 10 contracts of the NAF, said to be worth $930,500,690.00.

Amosu and his predecessor, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.) were in January arrested for the non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
The investigation also centred on the payment of N4,402,687,569.41 for unexecuted contracts; the procurement of two used Mi-24V helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at $136,944,000.00; four used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at US$7,180,000 funded by ONSA; the cannibalisation of engines from NAF fleet to justify procurement of jets; and the excessive pricing of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar at $33m instead of $6m per one.
Besides, N2.5bn contracts were allegedly awarded to Syrius Technologies ( an Ukrainian company) not registered in Nigeria and seven contracts worth N599,118,000.00 to the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria; two were delivered
While Amosu was granted bail, Badeh was charged to court where he is currently facing trial.
A detective at the EFCC said, “Amosu has been cooperating with us and has been returning funds. However, Badeh was very stubborn. Since he refused to return funds, we took him to court.”

The source revealed that the EFCC had traced 17 accounts to Badeh and had frozen all of them.
“Badeh’s case is in court so I cannot talk much about it. However, even after he was charged, we continued to investigate his case. We have frozen all of his accounts including the dollar accounts he opened here in Nigeria.”
A former Director of Finance and Accounts at the NAF, Air Commodore Salisu Yushau (retd.), who is an EFCC witness, had revealed before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that all past air chiefs diverted N558.2m monthly from funds meant for the payment of salaries of Nigerian Air Force officials.
The EFCC source told our correspondent that the commission had reason to believe that the diversion of funds at the NAF was still ongoing.
He said, “We were told that over N558.2m was diverted by the office of the Chief of Air Staff monthly and the money was converted to dollars. We were told that air force officers from the rank of air commodore and above all benefitted from the money.
“We believe that even after Amosu had left, they still shared money. We were told that even in February, these illegal deductions were still made. In due course, our findings will be made public.”

Senegal gets rid of its senate to save money

Senegalese lawmakers, who are divided between a 150-seat national assembly and a 100-seat senate, voted to do away with the senate, passing a law which dissolves the institution in order to save an estimated $15 million.

Minister of Justice Aminata Toure explained that the suppression Tuesday of the senate is intended to curb government spending, and will provide the cash needed to help the victims of the yearly rains which have left thousands homeless and killed at least 13 people.

Unlike the national assembly, the senate is a relatively recent institution, and has become a symbol of government waste. It's been frequently pilloried and described as an instrument of cronyism, a way to reward loyal party workers who did not get elected to the larger national assembly. Around half the senators are directly appointed by the president.

Congress also voted to abolish the office of vice president, establish in 2009 by then-President Abdoulaye Wade, the BBC reports. It has not ever been occupied.

U S DENIES MAN VISA FOR BLEACHING

ACTING GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING 7 DIVISION ESCAPES AMBUSH

The leading elements of the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu’s leading convoy  was about 8.30am this morning ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists enroute to visit troops in Bama.

Although 1 soldier loss his live and 2 others were injured, they were able to clear the ambush, killing some of the terrorists and recovered  vehicle and weapons from them. The recovered items include a Toyota Hilux vehicle, 2 AK-47 rifles and several ammunitions.

The Acting GOC has continued his operational visit to Bama, while the body of the late soldier and the wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has also spoken with the GOC.

The Nigerian Army wish to reiterate its unalloyed commitment and determination to continue to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists  wherever they might be hiding.

FG Loses Bid to Try Dasuki Secretly … As Court Orders FG to Allow him Access to Lawyers, Family

The Federal Government today lost its bid at the Federal High Court Abuja to conduct secret trial of former National Security Adviser, Colonel Muhammad Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) in the charges of unlawful possession of firearm and money laundering brought against him in September 2015.

The court said that there was no point for the witnesses billed to be called to testify in the matter to wear masks and bear pseudo names and addresses so as to facilitate their protection.

Delivering ruling in an application for secret trial of former NSA, Justice Adeniyi Ademola held that the federal government had in its charges listed the names and addresses of 11 witnesses to be called to testify against Dasuki and made same available to the general public and as such there was no basis for any hide and seek game in the trial.

Justice Ademola in the ruling that lasted over one hour, rejected the plea by government that the court during Dasuki’s trial be sought against the general public except the lawyers involved in the trial and accredited Journalists.

Justice Ademola said that there was no basis to grant the request of government to make the witnesses wear special mask, bear pseudo names and addresses because the charges against Dasuki was not terrorism related and that there was no information that the life of any of the witnesses billed to be called was being threatened by anybody of group.

The Court held that although, it has a discretion to look into such issues of protection of witnesses in a criminal matter but that such discretions must be judicially and judiciously used only in cases where threat to life has been established by the prosecution.

In the instance case, Justice Ademola said that government failed to establish any fact that life of its witnesses was being threatened and as such no court of law would accede to such requests without established reason.

The Judge had earlier ordered the Federal Government and its agent the Department of States Security Service (DSS) to henceforth allow the detained former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki have access to his lawyers and family members in the interest of justice and the rule of law.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola issued the order following complains by counsel to Dasuki, Mr Ahmed Raji SAN that his client was being held incommunicado since December 2015.

The judge who was not comfortable with the complaints of Dasuki’s lawyer gave a ruling in which he ordered that Tuesdays and Thursdays be set aside for Dasuki to have free access to his lawyers and family members for at least two hours of the day.

The court ordered that the meeting of Dasuki with his lawyers and family members should take place at the Interview Room of DSS Headquarters and the Federal High Court premises in Abuja unhindered. In the order, the judge granted the defendant access to four lawyers and two members of the family on the dates and venue chosen by the court.

Justice Ademola after issuing the order, which he said must be complied with by the Federal Government adjourned the trial of the former NSA till May 18-19, 2016 at the instance of lawyers in the matters.

In another development, the judge also refused to discharge Dasuki and prohibit the federal government from prosecuting him on the ground of the refusal to allow him enjoy the bail granted him.

In his ruling, Justice Ademola said that Dasuki ought to have filed contempt charges against the federal government for the disobedience to lawful court orders made last year admitting him to bail and permitting him to go abroad for his medical check-up.

The court said that since due process was not followed by a way of contempt charge, there was no way the court would have discharged the defendant and prohibit his trial by the federal government. 

Raji had complained that his team could not prepare adequate defence because the DSS has rebuffed all efforts to see the client. The counsel told the judge that the uncooperative attitudes of the DSS got to the peak when  the 95-year-old father of Dasuki and former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki along with other family members were denied access to their son in custody.

False Robbery Alarm: Family Of Six Escape Death

If not for the wealth of experience of Police Inspector, Christian Onawona, attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command, six innocent people including two children, would have been shot and mistook as robbers by operatives at Ogudu Ori-Oke, Ogudu, Lagos.

A woman, Lauretta Ehon, suddenly ran to inform RRS operatives patrolling the axis at about 17:30 hrs over the weekend, that some armed robbers just snatched her Toyota Camry car 2012.

Immediately, the police officer followed her to give the supposed fleeing robbers a chase.
On the trail of the robbers, there was a hectic traffic but in order to catch up with the thieves, the officer alighted from his official vehicle and mounted a motor bike to chase the acclaimed reported robbers.
However, the occupants of the car, which was being chased never had an inkling that they were on the verge of being mistook for robbery and that the police was trailing them.
In order to prevent the robbers from taking the vehicle with registration number, EP 932 KRD away, the officer shot into air. Upon hearing the gunshot fired by the officer, the driver of the vehicle applied the brake instantly.
Then, the police officer cautiously approached the supposedly stolen vehicle only to discover that the occupants were three female, one male and two children. At this point, the police officer got to know that the complainant raised a false alarm.

The occupants of the vehicle were, Sekinat Sanni, Wasiu Balogun, Bisola Balogun and Rukayat Joseph. The little children were, Sameer Balogun and Motunrayo Joseph of one and two year old respectively, all family going on social outing.

The story later turned out to be faraway from the truth.

What really transpired between the woman that raised false alarm and the owner of the 2012 Camry car was a mere business transaction which occurred about six years ago.
The husband to the woman who raised the false alarm and the owner of the car transacted a business which had to do with clearing of a Tokunbo car from oversea.
Unfortunately, the vehicle went into demurrage after the client (Mr Ehon) paid the clearing agent, (Mr Balogun). And between the duo, they have settled the matter amicably for both of them worked in the same company in Apapa.
But to his paranoid wife, she had promised that she will collect the money from the clearing agent whenever she
sets eyes on him.
On the day of incident, the woman saw him and started threatening to snuff life out of him. But unknowingly to the woman, the man was not inside the car when she raised the false alarm but his family members were the occupants of the car.

In her reaction, one of the lucky occupants of the car, Bisola Balogun, who was visibly elated said that she was full of praises to the officer who pursued them for not have misused his firearm.
“In fact, I am still at shock. If it were to be another police officer, it is possible that he might shoot our car and anything could have happened. We thank God and appreciate the officer for applying uncommon wisdom in handling the matter”, she added.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Dolapo Badmos, the police officer showed experience and bravery in handling the issue, if not for him, the entire event could have turned against the police.
The woman has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for prosecution.

LECTURER STRIPS NAKED TO PROFESSORIAL HER EVICTION FROM OFFICE

 A lecturer at Uganda’s Makerere University, Dr. Stella Nyanzi is the best example of crazy. The controversial activist cum lecturer took to social media to protest eviction from her office at Makerere Institute for Social Research (MISR).

Drama started when the institutes director Prof Mahmood Mamdani asked Nyanzi to vacate her office because she had refused to partake in a PhD 
programme at the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR).

According to the MISR website, Stella Nyanzi is a medical anthropologist with a PhD from the University of London.

Before stripping, Nyanzi shared photos of her locked office terming it as “oppression” and threatened to “UnCloth herself to the Unclad”.

Now that her office had been closed for three days today, Dr. Stella Nyanzi decided to take action by proceeding to Mamdani’s office where she undressed and deposited her pieces of clothing at the door.

“My clothes are on the floor. I want my office. If you have locked me out with one padlock…Mamdani, I want my office,” protested Nandi on Facebook after removing her clothes,and posted the photos and the rather explicit video on Facebook.

EFCC ARRAIGNS AMERICAN FOR DEFRAUDING NIGERIAN OF $2.3m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned an American businessman, Marco Ramirez, alongside his companies — Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now LLC — on eight counts bordering on obtaining money by false pretences to the tune of $2.3m.

Ramirez was arraigned before Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama on Monday, according to a statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren.

According to the complainants, Prince Ejikeme Mgbemena and Frank Egbon, the suspect allegedly promised them that he would invest the money under the Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Based Fifth Preference (EB-5).

The complainants further alleged that the suspect promised to provide American Green Card for members of their families below 18 years.

The charges read in part, “That you Marco Anthonio Ramirez, being the Manager of Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA NOW LLC and you EAGLE Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now LLC on or about May 21, 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud obtained through an account titled Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP domiciled at Wells Fargo Bank USA the sum of $55,000 from one Ejikeme Mgbemena under the pretext of investing for him under the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) Regional Center Program with pretence you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.’’
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Samuel A. Ugwuegbulam, asked the court for a date for trial.

Consequently, Justice Affen adjourned the case till May 21, 2016 for the hearing of bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in the EFCC custody.

Panama Papers: Wale Tinubu Operated 12 Shell Companies In Tax Havens

Last October, Nigeria’s biggest indigenous oil and gas company, Oando Plc, made history for the wrong reason when it announced a loss of N184 billion in the 2014 financial year. The loss was the biggest ever recorded by any Nigerian company.

While its shareholders bore the brunt of the bleak financial year, the company’s group chief executive, Wale Tinubu and his deputy, Omamofe Boyo, might be doing just fine as they had for years incorporated and operated a cluster of shell companies in notorious offshore jurisdictions.
Mr. Tinubu seems to be making so good a return from his shell companies that in 2008 he agreed to pay a front as much as $20,000 monthly to manage all of his offshore transactions.

Details of the offshore assets of the two top bosses at Oando Plc were among the revelations contained in the leaked massive internal data belonging to Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca.

The revelations are products of an investigation, spanning over a year by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and more than 100 other global news organizations across the world.

PREMIUM TIMES is the only Nigerian media organisation involved in the investigation.
Documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES from the huge database linked Mr. Tinubu to at least 12 shell companies.
Mr. Tinubu, documents show, secured the services of Mossack Fonseca to help him incorporate the companies in Seychelles, one of the fastest growing offshore jurisdictions in the world and notorious tax haven, the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The documents also reveal that Mossack Fonseca coordinated the operation through its offices in Geneva, the British Virgin Islands and Panama.
The documents show that Mr. Tinubu is director in the following companies incorporated in Seychelles and the BVI.

Sigma Technology Inc.
Techventure Inc.
Anglesey Management SA
Caine Trading Corp
Keligh Engineering Corp
Hud Trading Corps
Meridian Procurement International Services Ltd
Lynx Shipping Ltd
Equinox Shipping Ltd
Everglade Oil Inc.
Framlingham Ltd
Triton Trading Ltd

Investigation reveal that Mr. Tinubu is either sole director of most of the companies or has unlimited powers to make decisions.
For Instance, files from the data revealed that on November 26, 2009, after a meeting of the “board of directors” of one of his shell companies, Keligh Engineering Corp, Mr. Tinubu was granted a general power of attorney as the sole signatory of the company.

The “board meeting” where this decision was made was attended by three nominee directors, – Yvette Rogers (Chairman), Jaqueline Alexander(secretary), Verna de Nelson, who are actually employees of Mossack Fonseca.

Nominee directors are appointees used in offshore tax havens to hide true owners of shell companies.
Mrs. Rogers had also served as nominee director in Stanhope Investment Ltd, Seychelles, one of the shell companies used by the imprisoned former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, to steal the resources of his oil-rich state.

As part of its #PanamaPapers series, PREMIUM TIMES had revealed how Mossack Fonseca helped Mr Ibori, who is serving a 13-year jail term in the United Kingdom for money laundering, hide funds stolen from Delta State treasury through a web of offshore companies.
In May 2007, Just like Mr. Ibori, the Oando boss also secured the services of Swiss asset management firm, Clamorgan SA, to help him incorporate Techventure Inc., Anglesey Management SA, Caine Trading Corp and Keligh Engineering in Seychelles while appointing Mossack Fonseca Geneva as registered agent and administrator for the shell companies.

On May 2, 2007, Sebastien Thierry of Clamorgan S.A, who had acted as signatory for one of Mr. Ibori’s shell companies, wrote a letter to Sonia Scampa of Mossack Fonseca, thanking her for verifying and assisting in registering the companies, as well as granting Mr. Tinubu the power of attorney.

“Following my mail yesterday and our conversation today, I reiterated the confirmation sent yesterday morning taken the following companies – Anglesey Management SA, Caine Trading Corp., KLeigh Engineering Corp. Thank you for making a power of attorney for Mr. Wale Tinubu for three companies,” he wrote in French.

It remains unclear why Mr. Tinubu hired the same offshore consultants used by Mr. Ibori to run his offshore companies. But in September 2013, British prosecutors told a court that Mr. Ibori confessed to owning “significant” shares in Oando Plc.

According to crown prosecutor, Sasha Wass, a Queen’s Counsel, while opening an account at Swiss bank, PKB, through a shell company called Stanhope Investment, Mr. Ibori told the bank he owned 30 per cent of Oando.

Oando had denied that Mr. Ibori’s wealth was hidden in the company. The company at the time circulated a statement claiming that Mr. Ibori only had 443 shares of the company’s 6.8 billion ordinary shares.

The documents also revealed that apart from relying on nominee directors appointed by Mossack Fonseca to hide his ownership of shell companies in tax havens, Mr. Tinubu also hired a paid front who acted on his behalf in some of the offshore companies.

In a December 10, 2008 email to Marie-Ange (an employee of Mossack Fonseca in Geneva) Sebastien Clamorgan of Clamorgan SA revealed that Mr. Tinubu hired a front, Patrick Bastin, to act on his behalf in his offshore companies.
According to the email, Mr. Bastin was handsomely rewarded for this role. He was paid a salary of $10,000 monthly and given a corporate visa card which allowed him to spend up to $10,000 monthly.
Mr. Bastin was paid from Everglade Oil Inc’s account with a private bank in Beirut, Lebanon.

“It is agreed that M. Patrick Bastin will be acting as director for certain of Mr J.A. Tinubu companies and in this capacity will be managing all upcoming administrative commercial and financial tasks, inclusive the relationship with the several banks the companies may have bank accounts with,” the email reads.

“For this task M. Patrick Bastin will be compensated by a monthly payment of US $10 000,00 (ten thousand US $) to be paid to the bank account he will indicate.
“The account of EVERGLADE OIL INC No 239783 with Audi Saradar Private Bank seal in Beirut Lebanon will be responsible to set up a standing instruction for those payments to start on November 1 -2008.
“In addition, M. Patrick Bastin will be entitled to a Corporate Visa card from EVERGLADE OIL INC for expenses up to SS 10,000 per month to be justified after to M. J A Tinubu.

“This agreement can be terminated at any moment by M. JA. Tinubu with one month notice.”

The documents also showed that some staffers of Oando Plc were in on some of Mr. Tinubu’s incorporation of shell companies.
After the resignation of one Kirk Thompson, who is believed to be the original nominee director for Mr. Tinubu in Everglade Oil Inc., on December 14, 2007, Daniel Boyo (it is not clear whether he is a relative of Omamofe Boyo), a London-based business development consultant with Oando Trading Limited, a subsidiary of Oando Plc, sent an email on January 11, 2008 to Mr Thierry instructing him to contact Everglade Oil agents in Seychelles to draft a new certificate of incumbency for the company, mentioning Terry Cunningham as its new single director.

Documents show that Seychelles is particularly an attractive offshore destination for several top Nigerian businessmen.
Several shell companies owned by Nigerians in tax havens were incorporated in the small Indian Ocean country, with a population of just under 90,000 people. They were registered as International Business Companies (IBC).
Seychelles IBCs are among the most popular IBCs in the secretive world of offshore jurisdictions. IBCs incorporated in the Seychelles are prohibited from doing businesses within the country or owning real estate. They are not required to pay taxes, submit financial details or carry out audits on their finances.

An email sent from Mossack Fonseca’s office in Seychelles to Saria Rahme Kali of Afrex and Mr Clamorgan requesting details of the bearers of the shares of a cluster of IBCs domiciled in Seychelles revealed the extensive involvement of Nigerians in offshore tax havens.
The document revealed that Sayyu Dantata, the half-brother of Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, is linked to seven IBC – Appelby Holding Ltd, Juno Equities Incorporated, MRS Holding Ltd, MRS Oil and Gas, Nisco Holding Ltd (60 per cent), and Oval Refining S.A, Ovlas S.A (50 per cent).

Similarly, Adetokunbo Sijuwade, the son of the late Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuwade, is the director of Mandhari Water Investment Inc. and Izwelethu Aluminium and Steel Inc.

Mr Tinubu’s deputy, Boyo, was listed as director in three IBCs- Everglade Oil Inc, Meridian Procurement International Services, and QVS Ltd.
Nigerians Abiose Eldred Ogan-Cole and Mojisole Adeniran both own 50 per cent share each in Qaisar.
Messrs. Wale and Boyo are yet to respond to an email sent by PREMIUM TIMES through the corporate communication manager of Oando, Alero 

Ms. Balogun and the company’s head of corporate communications, Ainojie Irune, had promised that responses would be provided to our questions. But several days later, no response has come from the officials.

RAPE: Reasons Why Relying On Signs And Not Consent Before Having Sex Can Be Misleading

It will be egregious if we want to always depend on demeanours and gesture of a partner and not his/her consent before wanting to sleep with him/her, Medley posited on Nairaland.com.

1. A sweater may be just the right answer.

This reason might sound funny, but give me the chance to corroborate my point. Most ladies whether they tell you or not,want guys to always treat them with tender care and not some point and sex creatures or sex symbol. Yes she came to your house, it was raining and she set-off by calling you that she is coming under the cold weather and all over your heart you think she want sex and that's why she called and she is now with you all alone. She may just want to wait somewhere until the rain stop or she just might have not had some talk time with you and that time just seem perfect. When she is in your house and she said she is cold, may be you giving her a sweater or blanket might be all she wanted.

2. She came and demanded alcohol.

She has never demanded for alcohol and this time she came and she is on her third bottle and you have concluded she want to sleep with you, this can be misconstruable! Have you asked her how she spent her day? What events have transpired in recent times? You may be preying on her vulnerability at that moment all in the name of thinking she wants to have carnal knowledge with you.
If you have sex with her and she leaves for her home you haven't solved her problems and she will know what is more important to you in the relationship.

3. He/she apriori asked his/her freind to leave the room.

And so what? Most of the time i live the room of my friends if their lady friend come visiting except what am doing there can't be done else where. next time if his/her friends live the room, it might be because they think you need your space and the guy/lady may even want sometime with you unencumbered so you could have a stronger relationship. sex can and will never make two partners be more bonded than time spent together. 

4. He/she demanded you don't bring your friend(s)

In every relationship trust must be built, he/she might want to know if at the relationship life-cycle you currently are if you now truly trust each other, if you misconstrue it for sex appeal only for him/her to feel disrespected when you try to push, you may have succeeded in killing that relationship.

5. She came in with short and revealing wear and she lay her hands on you.

Yes! As indicating as it seems, the sign alone may not be what you should rely on. First, what stage of the relationship are you on. She may seem to look sensual in her outlook but have you asked what she want in her heart. Have you known her so well to know how she dresses in the day and night? What if she went somewhere and was locked out? What if she was feeling so hot inside that day she visited and decideded to dress that way. 

If you don't seek the consent of anyone before trying to sleep with him/her you may find yourself battling a case of sexual assault when this was done uncosciously - one of you was not consenting. Or you may even be embarrassed if he/she is still weighing options or path to be taking in the relationship.
Relying on signs has been major reason why rape cases are growing by the day

CCT JUDGE TO SENATORS - "I CAN'T HONOUR YOUR INVITATION"

Senators may have set the stage for a major confrontation between them and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over Senate President Bukola Saraki’s trial for alleged falsification of assets.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions yesterday summoned CCT Chairman Justice Danladi Umar over allegations of corruption against him.

The invitation, coming on a day Justice Umar said Saraki’s trial will run daily,  appeared a new twist to the matter.

In a letter signed yesterday by the Clerk of the Committee, Freedom Odolo,the Senate asked Justice Umar to appear unfailingly by 2pm on Thursday.
But Justice Umar replied the committee that he has a court sitting on Thursday and throughout the week.

He said he would not be available until after the court sittings, which is on Saraki’s trial.
The invitation letter was delivered to the CCT chairman shortly after he ruled that the tribunal will be sitting daily from 9am to 6pm.

The committee said: “Your letter with reference number CCT/HQ/ 126/S/ 111/ 515 dated 1st April, 2016 in which you requested for more time to enable you attend the hearing was received.
“After due consideration of your request, the Committee rescheduled the hearing to give you at least two weeks from the 4th of April when you should have appeared.
“Accordingly, you are now required to appear unfailingly as follows: Thursday, 21st April, 2016, Meeting Room 120 New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex. Time: 2pm
“Please, remember to come personally along with 12 copies of any written submission you may wish to present.”
A source said: “The battle line is drawn between the Senate and the CCT chairman. 

Some Senators are angry over his decision to allow the tribunal to sit from 9am to 6pm.
“They saw the CCT Chairman’s decision as a plot to deny Saraki any opportunity to preside over the Senate plenary throughout his trial.

“Now, these Senators have also launched a counter-attack against the CCT chairman by revisiting the outstanding petition against the judge.
“Shortly after the CCT chairman decided to be sitting daily till 6pm,  a letter came from the Senate Committee inviting Justice Umar on the outstanding petition against him.”
But a source in CCT said: “The judge has asked the Registrar of the tribunal to write the Senate committee that he has a court sitting on Thursday and throughout the week and won’t be able to honour the summons.
“The CCT Chairman’s letter was sent last night to the committee.”

My issue with Wizkid...why I took the case to the police- Linda Ikeji

I'm sure many of you have read that the police is now involved in my issue with Wizkid. Yes, I reported his public threat to me two Sundays ago to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and I want to explain why I did it! Please pay attention and keep an open mind.

I've read a lot online from people saying I don't like Wizkid. Even Wizkid himself thinks I don't like him. Why he or anyone would think so is puzzling to me to be honest. Apart from his achievements after he started insulting me online a few weeks ago...everything else, every success Wizkid has recorded in the last 3/4 years is on LIB. All the awards, all the record breaking feats, his sold out concerts, his foreign magazine features, and collaborations, everything that has built him up to the young man he is today is on LIB. Please verify! Search my blog. Please continue...

I was a huge Wizkid fan. The only song I danced harder to than his 'Dance For Me' track was Fuse ODG's 'Antenna and Kiss Daniel & DJ Shabzy's Raba. So, no, I had no dislike for Wizkid. But about a year ago, I noticed his indirect snide remarks at me...and when some other music star beefed with me, Wizkid showed his support and made disrespectful comments. That was when I noticed he had issues with me... but that didn't stop me from writing about him and celebrating him.

Now to the issue at hand. When I reported that he was served quit notice at his Lekki home, I stated fact and I didn't write it out of malice. It's not everyday you get exclusive stories...and I'm sure any other blogger who got the story first would also have published it. So, there was no beef, I was just doing my job. A day or so after I wrote this story, Wizkid went on my instagram page to call me names and lied that I slept with some director of his...which I have said before is 1000% lies! But the insult and lies is not why the police is now involved.

Here's the thing; You can insult me, insult my family, call me any names you like, even lie that I slept with your forefathers...but don't threaten me. If you threaten me, I will act!

I read people online saying that I reported to the police because I am scared of Wizkid. No, my darlings, I am not afraid of Wizkid. Though I do not take his threats lightly. I went to the authorities for two reasons...and please young boys of our generation, pay attention to what I am about to write below.

You see, violence against women and threat of violence against women is not okay. Threatening harm to someone in a public space is a criminal act in every country of the world, including Nigeria. I bet some of you didn't know that, yeah? You can not publicly threaten someone with harm. You will only get away with it if your victim doesn't report to the authorities. If they do, you will have a case with the police and I promise you, the police take these things seriously. 

I reported this case to the authorities because I want our young men to know this is not okay. You should not raise your hands on a woman. You shouldn't even threaten to raise your hands on a woman. Wizkid wrote that he would send his 16 year old cousin to beat the poo out of me. Letting Wizkid get away with it is basically telling our young men that this is okay...and it's not!

After Wizkid made the threat to me, I saw a lot of teen boys hailing and applauding him. To them, this was okay. If their idol can threaten a woman with harm, and use derogatory words, they also can do it...and that's how the circle of abuse of women continues. Women being called 'smelly Kitty-Cat' trended online for a day or two! Little boys were happy to use the words. Sad!

It is appalling to me that anyone, especially women, would cheer Wizkid on. When he wrote RIP Linda, I saw a few young girls write same, laughing. This is not a laughing matter. It doesn't matter whether you like me or not! This is not about Linda Ikeji. This is about abuse of women which has eaten deep into our society, so deep that it has now been accepted as normal. Men do it all the time and get away with it. So many women are battered by their husbands and they refuse to speak up because of the stigma. They refuse to seek help because they are afraid of what people will say. I am sorry, I am not one of those women. I refuse to be victimized. And as long as I have my voice and my platform, I will speak up.

We women have to come together to lend a strong voice to the plight of women in our continent. When we see a woman being physically and mentally abused, let's act. Let's speak up. Let's not laugh and say she deserves it. If we continue to keep quiet, the circle of abuse will continue. And one day, You, yes You, will find yourself in the receiving end of a thundering slap, followed by heavy blows. If not you, then maybe your daughter? Let's condemn violence and threat of violence against women! This is not acceptable! 

Young men like Wizkid, a father of two young boys himself, should never advocate violence against women. One day, he will have a daughter, how would he feel if another male threatens to put hands on her or even calls her a hoe?

I can't count how many times Wizkid called me a hoe in his rant against me. That's what boys do. When they get into a fight with a woman, they try to slut-shame her. Smelly Kitty-Cat, hoe, ashawo etc. You call a woman, who gave another young woman, whose real name she doesn't even know N500,000 just because she said she would rather work by carrying cement than prostitute herself, that's the person you call a hoe? When your mind is so warped you can't differentiate between a woman and a hoe, then this is what happens. Except you drive to Sanusi Fanfuwa at 2am to pick up a prostitute, who proudly describes herself as one, then you shouldn't call any woman a hoe. 

Even Tupac who was a well known thug could differentiate between the types of women he dealt with. When asked in an interview why he called women bitches, he said people shouldn't confuse things, that he wouldn't address a mother or a sister the way he would address a Dam, that the bitches were the ones he dealt with in the clubs who behaved like one. He reiterated that he respected women! 

In more civilized countries, Wizkid would have lost his endorsements and spent the next year or so apologizing and being in the fore-front of promoting anti-violence crusades against women. It took Chris Brown years to get back on his feet after his assault on a woman. Up till today, he doesn't have any major endorsements and some countries still deny him entrance into their country i.e Australia for something he did 7 years ago. Yes, violence against women is serious!

And there's the case of incitement. When you have power and influence, you have to be careful what you say in public. Because you have such power, something you say can influence your followers. A fan can commit acts that even you may not support or might not even condone. But because it came out of your mouth, they think you mean it. So it is irresponsible to say things that might be inciteful. In Law, you can be held responsible when people act based on what you said in public. Tupac was charged to court and indicted after some thugs killed a police officer. The thugs went to court and mentioned that their idol encouraged violence against LA police officers in a song where he said 'Drop a cop'. So, we folks with some measure of influence should be more careful with our utterances. People are watching and listening!

The second reason I filed a police report is to encourage other women in similar situations to do same. My dear ladies, if a man threatens to puts hands on you, and you feel the threat is real, report to the authorities. Don't wait until he does it. What if you don't survive it? If he's picked up and may be charged to court (yes, you can be charged to court for making threats...it's a misdemeanor with a prison sentence), then he will think twice before making threats against you in the future or any other woman for that matter.

I went as far as I did for me and for other women. This is to pass a strong message to our young men that these kinds of behaviour towards women will not be tolerated. Should not be tolerated. If you assault or even threaten to assault a woman, the law will come after you if she chooses not to be silent. Women, don't be silent. Let's break the circle. For your sake, for my sake, for the sake of our daughters, grand daughters, great grand daughters and all other women that will follow them.

And that's really all I have to say in the matter. Thank you guys for reading

And to Wizkid fans, please be rest assured that I wish him all the best in life. He will continue to grow from strength to strength (as long as he doesn't endorse violence against women) and his light will never diminish. God brought him to this level and will continue to keep him. I have nothing but love for his craft and hop