Tuesday 18 June 2013

'It could end really badly' Drake speaks out about Chris Brown and Rihanna!

GQ
Drake has broken his silence on Chris Brown and Rihanna, after the rapper was involved in a brawl with Chris in a Manhattan nightclub last June.
In an interview with the July issue of GQ, Drake reveals how he would like to talk to Chris about the incident face to face. 'I hear he has everything he could want now,' Drake said referring to Chris' relationships with Karreuche Tran and Rihanna.
'I don't want my name to be synonymous with that guy's name. I really don't. I wish we could sit down, just like you and me are right now, and talk it out man-to-man. But that's not going to happen.' A fight broke out between the pair at W.i.P night club in Manhattan last year when bottles of alcohol were reportedly thrown around the venue.  Tony Parker, the French basketball player who was once married to actress Eva Longoria, who was at the nightclub, claimed he was hurt during the fight, and others were left with serious injuries. There were reports that it had kicked off after Drake sent a message to Chris bragging that he had slept with Rihanna.
Drake added: 'It's embarrassing, the amount of media coverage…Two rappers fighting over the woman.

Drake
 He's not even a rapper, but still, it's the last way you want your name out there. It distracts from the music. But he's made me the enemy, and that's the way it's gonna stay, I guess.' After her breakup from Chris, the beauty from Barbados was romantically linked with rapper Drake which is said to have infuriated Chris. Earlier this year it seemed that the feud between the two was still very much alive when Drake was reportedly asked to leave a club in Hollywood because Rihanna and Chris had turned up. A source told MailOnline at the time that the couple refused to acknowledge one another after both arriving at the club with their posses. Worryingly, the rapper also hinted that he fears for singer Rihanna's safety - following Chris' assault on her at the Grammys in 2009. He said: 'If I think about it too much, I feel it wrapping around my foot, like I get a feeling it could end really badly.' Adding: 'Like, it gets really dark.' However, doesn't appear to acknowledge the other controversial aspect of his life, his relationship with Amanda Bynes. Earlier this year, Amanda posted a series of bizarre messages about the star claiming that she wanted to have sex with him. More recently, though the troubled star appears to have changed tack instead labeling the singer 'ugly'.
Chris Brown and Rihanna
Rihanna and Drake
Drake

Horrific: Boko Haram kills 9 more students writing exams in Borno


Photo: Punch

Following the murder of seven students at the Government Secondary School in Yobe last week, suspected Islamist militants struck again, this time shooting more students in Maiduguri, Borno state.
On Tuesday while students were writing exams, gun men suspected to be members of Boko Haram
opened fire in the classroom at the Ansarudeen School killing nine students.

According to an eyewitness named Ibrahim Mohammed, the killers opened fire at random.

“I saw five students sitting for the exams killed on the spot. Four others were killed as they were entering the school premises,” he explained on the telephone, still shaking with fear,” he said.

The Punch reports:
In another attack on Monday, suspected extremists gunned down a group of fisherman on a river bank in Alau, located 20 kilometers outside Maiduguri.
It was believed that 13 fishermen were killed during the attack.

Most of the victims were relatives of people who have been arresting members of a radical Islamic sect known as Boko Haram.

“They said, ‘Your children brought this fate upon you; they are busy catching our members and handing them to soldiers to be killed’,” recalled one eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

“They then shot them dead, and asked the remaining of us to run for our lives and take the message to the youth vigilante.”

Mortuary attendant, Alhaji Baba, at the State Specialists morgue in Maiduguri told Reuters he counted nine corpses brought in after the attack.

The military was not immediately available for comment.

The two attacks have raised fears that a month-long offensive by government troops has merely pushed militants into hiding, from where they can still launch devastating operations.

NURTW Financial Secretary murdered by cult gang in Lagos (PICTURED)


Monsuru (Photo: Punch)


The Financial Secretary of the National Union of Road Transports Workers was murdered on Friday in Mushin, Lagos by suspected cult members, he was 35-years-old.
His killers are believed to be members of the Black Axe cult group.

Taiye Monsuru, aka Sempe, was the latest victim of the cult war in Somolu, Mushin, Akoka and Bariga area which has seen people murdered in the streets for the past few weeks.

According to reports, a friend of the decease had told reporters that Monsuru had left his base at the old tollgate Mushin, where he is the financial secretary of a unit.

“At about 9:30pm he left the toll gate at Mushin railway line on a motorcycle and headed for his home at 45 Adegboyega Street, Ilupeju,” his friend said.

“On getting to the junction of his house, he dismounted from the bike and about 10 men, who had been lurking around, accosted him and shot him repeatedly. After making sure he was dead, they all disappeared.”

“A day before the incident Monsuru received a phone call where some cultists accused him of
waging a war against the Aye boys. They asked him whether he could fight against the Aye boys on his own and threatened him.

“For some time he had been having problems with the cultists who felt cheated in the scheme of things as they claimed they were not given juicy posts even though they deserved it. They wondered why Monsuru, who was not a cult member, would be made financial secretary.”

Friendshave tried to identify Monsuru’s killers but only by their nicknames mentioning; Lanre Pumping, 50 Cent, Wale Touch, SARS Adigun, among others.

Awful: Immigration officer arrested for burning 12-year-old girl with hot iron (PICTURED)


Favour-Emmanuel_-360x227
Emmanuel

One Yemi Afolayan working for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kwara State Command was arrested yesterday for using hot iron on a 12-year-old girl, Favour Emmanuel.

The injuries were to her neck and foot and Afolayan, who is her guardian was said to have tied her up and beaten her first because she delayed in cooking his food.

“He asked me to prepare rice. While I was preparing it, he became angry that it had taken a long time for me to finish cooking the rice. He grabbed me, tied me up and used the hot iron to inflict injuries on my body.  It was really a very tormenting experience,” Emmanuel said.

According to reports, Afolayan’s arrest was sequel to a report to the state Ministry of Women Affairs by some concerned neighbours. The Director of Child Development, Kwara State Ministry of Women

Affairs, Lucy Adeniyi, said Favour sustained serious injuries on her neck and foot and had been treated at the state Civil Service Hospital, Ilorin.

But Afolayan has denied causing those injuries claiming she must have sustained them while running away from him because he was scolding her.

“The girl was only being naughty.  I am a father myself and I would not do that to any child. I wanted to scold her. Maybe when she was running out, she sustained the injuries but I didn’t burn her with a iron,” he said.

The Punch reports:

Our correspondent also learnt that Emmanuel was currently at the Children Reception Centre, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin

But the state police command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olufemi Fabode, said the police would ensure that the suspect was brought to justice.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Comfort Afolayan, urged parents and guardians to treat their children and wards with love.

She said, “The child is in our custody. We are taking care of her and we will take her back to her family. The act is very horrible.  Such a treatment is not acceptable. This ministry will not relent on protecting the rights of children.”

it’s love at first sight: 85-year-old bride walks the aisle with man she met at retirement house


STo have but not too old: John Plommer, 86, and never-before-married Phyllis Cook, 85, tied the knot at a small ceremonyTo have but not too old: John Plommer, 86, and never-before-married Phyllis Cook, 85, tied the knot at a small ceremony
The couple never married because their parents had originally frowned on their romance.
But she moved into sheltered accommodation a year ago after a tumble at home – and found herself falling for fellow resident John.
The retired farmer had been married twice before but his second wife died a year ago.
The old romantics soon became close friends and last Christmas grandad John asked Phyllis to a date.
Two months later they became engaged and they have now got married in front of 23 delighted guests.
True love: The pair have only known each other a year, having met when they moved into Mulberry Court retirement housing on the same day last JuneTrue love: The pair have only known each other a year, having met when they moved into Mulberry Court retirement housing on the same day last June
Phyllis walked unaccompanied down the aisle at St Mildred’s Church, Canterbury last Friday.
To her surprise and delight her sister Yvonne Lane flew over from Canada for the occasion.
The newlyweds, who live in the same sheltered housing in Canterbury, are now on honeymoon in Wales
But before leaving overjoyed Phyllis, a retired administrator, said: ‘It was a nice service.
‘We had as many friends there as we could get in the church.
‘We’re not 21 years old but we’ve both made friends with everyone where we live.’
John said: ‘I lost my second wife in March 2012 and I couldn’t look after our bungalow and garden on my own so I found a flat here.
‘Phyllis and I just help each other out.
‘We saw in the new year together and from there she has spent most of the daylight hours with me in my flat.
‘I hope our marriage will bring friendship, happiness and companionship.’
He added: ‘Not everyone wants to get married again but we are helping each other.’
The wedding guests also included John’s son Geoff, 48, and his wife Diane and their children Damien and Kyle.
Geoff said: ‘It was a lovely day for us. We were thrilled when we heard the news.
‘It is nice for them to have companionship. Dad said she was the best Christmas present he has ever had.’
Rosemary Berger, who runs the Mulberry Court accommodation, said: ‘This is the first wedding we have had and it has been brilliant.
‘I just feel really pleased for them. When John came here, he said “do you think I’ll find my third wife here?”
‘They have found happiness, which is wonderful.’
Better together: The newlyweds, who live in the same sheltered housing in Canterbury, are now on honeymoon in WalesBetter together: The newlyweds, who live in the same sheltered housing in Canterbury, are now on honeymoon in Wales

Suicide pact? Girl and boy from same school are killed by train just outside a station (PICTURED)

A teenage boy and girl from the same secondary school died last night after being hit by a train just outside a station in a suspected suicide pact.

Charleigh Disbrey, 15, and Mert Karaoglan, 18, pupils at Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, were found on the tracks around 200 yards from Elstree and Borehamwood station in Hertfordshire.
Charleigh, known as CJ, dreamed of being a professional musician – and had recorded herself singing Titanium by David Guetta in a final video posted on YouTube five days before she died.
Charleigh Disbrey went to Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
Mert Karaoglan who was hit by a train at Borehamwood last night
Double tragedy: Charleigh Disbrey, 15 (left), and Mert Karaoglan, 18 (right), both died last night after being hit by a train close to Elstree and Borehamwood station
Victim: Charleigh Disbrey, 15, died after being hit by a train close to Elstree and Borehamwood station along with an 18-year-old last nightVictim: Charleigh Disbrey, 15, died after being hit by a train close to Elstree and Borehamwood station along with an 18-year-old last night
Scene: The two teenagers were hit by a train in this area - around 200 yards from Elstree and Borehamwood station Scene: The two teenagers were hit by a train in this area – around 200 yards from Elstree and Borehamwood station
Paramedics were called at 9pm last night to the scene where Charleigh and Mert were hit by the cross-London First Capital Connect train from St Albans, Hertfordshire, to Sutton, south London.
The train was travelling at speeds of up to 90mph when it hit the two teenagers, who were in years 10 and 13 at school.
Charleigh, who only turned 15 last Friday, said she performed in school assemblies and had auditioned for Sky talent show Must Be The Music as well as ITV programme Britain’s Got Talent.
She said online: ‘Whenever it is possible, I have been the lead part in two musical performances at school. I am soon going to be recording my own album at my school recording studio.
Tragedy: Charleigh Disbrey who died after being hit by a train
Mert Karaoglan, 18, who died after being hit by a train
School pupils: Charleigh, left, who was a talented musician, and Mert, right, both went to the same school

Mert Karaoglan was discovered dead on the railway line by paramedics who were unable to help himMert Karaoglan was discovered dead on the railway line by paramedics who were unable to help him
Tribute: Flowers are left outside the gates of Hertswood Academy, in Borehamwood, today after Mert and Charleigh were hit by a trainTribute: Flowers are left outside the gates of Hertswood Academy, in Borehamwood, today after Mert and Charleigh were hit by a train’I write and compose a lot of my own music – and music is the only thing I ever do.’ Mert, who was in the sixth form, was studying A-levels in Media, Photography and Business.
He wrote last month that he hoped to attend Hertfordshire University to study visual effects and would be working on his film-making through the summer months.
He said: ‘I am currently studying photography as an A-Level subject within Hertswood School, and the reason why I have taken that subject is because I have a big interest within photography and how we can simply document our lives by taking photographs and how technology has improved over the years to take photography as a subject or a hobby to new levels.’
Tribute: A note to 'CJ and Mert' left on a bouquet of flowers at the scene where the two teenagers diedTribute: A note to ‘CJ and Mert’ left on a bouquet of flowers at the scene where the two teenagers died
Tributes: Two bouquets of flowers left near the scene for the school pupils who studied at Elstree and Borehamwood stationTributes: Two bouquets of flowers left near the scene for the school pupils who studied at Elstree and Borehamwood stationAs news of the double tragedy broke today, flowers were left at the scene which said: ’Rest In Peace, CJ and Mert. Never forgotten’. Friends of the pair paid tribute on Twitter, saying: ‘R.I.P CJ and Mert such wonderful and talented people, you will be truly missed xxxxx.’
Another person wrote: ‘R.I.P CJ and MERT!! So sad!! Thoughts are with family and friends!!’
A spokesman for British Transport Police said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious.
Floral tributes: More flowers which were left outside the gates of Hertswood Academy. The teenagers' headteacher described them as 'talented, hard-working and well-respected' Floral tributes: More flowers which were left outside the gates of Hertswood Academy. The teenagers’ headteacher described them as ‘talented, hard-working and well-respected’
Grief: Tributes left outside the school today for the two teenagers. The deaths were announced in a special assemblyGrief: Tributes left outside the school today for the two teenagers. The deaths were announced in a special assembly
He said: ‘Two teenagers who died after being struck by a train close to Elstree and Borehamwood station are believed to be 15-year-old Charleigh Disbrey and an 18-year-old man. Both were from the Borehamwood area.
‘The incident was reported to BTP at 8.57pm and was attended by officers from BTP and Hertfordshire Constabulary.
‘Medics from East of England Ambulance Service also attended the incident but sadly the two teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene.’
Superintendent Phil Wilkinson said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two teenagers involved in last night’s tragic and acutely sad incident.
‘Although my officers are continuing their investigations, as part of our work to prepare a file for the local Coroner, there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances and no one else is believed to have been involved.’
Tragedy: The two teenagers died after being hit by a train just outside Elstree and Borehamwood station last nightTragedy: The two teenagers died after being hit by a train just outside Elstree and Borehamwood station last night
Tragedy: The double death happened at Elstree and Borehamwood station at around 9pm last nightTragedy: The double death happened at Elstree and Borehamwood station at around 9pm last night
Roger Perkins, a spokesman for First Capital Connect, said: ‘Two youths were hit by our St Albans to Sutton southbound service, 200 yards north of Elstree and Borehamwood station on the Thameslink route.
‘There were no passengers on board the train but there were two drivers in the cab, both of whom are being offered our full care and support.
‘The emergency services were on the scene investigating and, together with Network Rail, we have been doing everything we can to help.
‘This was a shocking incident and our hearts go out to those involved. We have been giving our full support to our employees who were at the scene and will do all we can to help the emergency services in their investigation.’
School pupils: The two teenagers, who were in Year 13 and Year 10, went to Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, HertfordshireSchool pupils: The two teenagers, who were in Year 13 and Year 10, went to Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
Important notice: Message published on the Hertswood Academy website where both the teenagers went to schoolImportant notice: Message published on the Hertswood Academy website where both the teenagers went to school 
Double death: Paramedics were called to the railway line close to this bridge last night but there was nothing they could do to help the teenagersDouble death: Paramedics were called to the railway line close to this bridge last night but there was nothing they could do to help the teenagers

Peter Gillett, Headteacher of Hertswood Academy, said: ‘At the start of the school day today we were contacted by British Transport Police to inform us of an incident that had occurred overnight involving two of our students.

‘As a close community, obviously we are devastated by this tragedy. Both students were talented, hard working and well respected members of our academy.

‘Our thoughts are with their families at this most difficult time. We are supporting our students and staff in coping with this terrible loss.’
The station had reopened this morning and trains were running as normal.

Read more: Daily Mail

“I can’t believe that I am heading back to jail” – Pipeline vandal arrested just weeks after release


Law-Order-UK-hands-out-jail-time-for-Malware-related-fraud-courtcase

An unrepentant criminal will be heading back to jail again just weeks after his release from the Ikoyi Prison in Lagos.

Bashiru Majiyagbe who was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for pipeline vandalism said he re-grouped with new gang members he had met while in prison the first time.

“Two men accosted me and I thought they were marketers and I stopped. It was when they slapped me that I realised that they were security operatives. I can’t believe that I am heading back for the prisons again. My plan was to raise some money and start my own business. I am finished,” he said.

“Please, Nigerians should help me to beg the police to give me another chance. There was no other way for me to survive but to go back to the same crime. I am very sorry.”
Majiyagbe continued:

“I was employed by NNPC to guard the pipeline in 2002. My records are there that my line was always protected because I never allowed vandals to go near the area. Vandals approached me to join them on several occasions but I refused because I wanted a clean record and hoped that I would be promoted.”

“But along the line, I discovered that NNPC officials were ingrates. They were in their offices wearing ties, while I was left in the bush to protect pipeline and I was given peanuts. We complained many times and were told that the contractor who employed us on behalf of the NNPC was the one that should be held responsible.”

“I decided to help myself to survive out there in the bush. Whenever they wanted to operate, I would pretend as if I never knew that they were there unless NNPC officials at the technical room discovered a drop and raised the alarm that vandals were in my area. I made a lot of money from them.”

“I was at our weekly meeting on September 14, 2008, when policemen came and arrested me. I was later told that there was a petition against me, alleging that I was into NNPC pipeline vandalism.  I was remanded in prison and later sentenced to five years imprisonment.”

The Punch reports:
The suspect said it was in prison that he met other pipeline vandals and they became friends. He said the vandals formed a gang and because of his experience and connections, he soon became the leader of the gang.

He said, “I was shocked at the number of pipeline vandals in Ikoyi Prison. I joined the gang and since I had more information, I became the leader of the group. Those who were able to secure their bail ensured that our interests were protected in all their deals.
“They always paid our own share of the money into our account while we controlled deals outside there through our phones. The guys we have outside know the importance of keeping to the agreement before they left because one day, they will be arrested and brought to the prison.”

The suspect said he was released on May 16, 2013. He said policemen who had arrested some of his colleagues were able to get his telephone number and began to trace him.
He said on the day he was arrested, he was in a bush coordinating a pipeline vandalism operation.

Confirming the arrest, Friday Ibadin, who is in charge of the task force, said police got a tip-off that vandals were operating in Odi Ifediwo.

He said, “Policemen led by Sector Commander, Lagos, DSP Onaghise Osayande, cordoned off the area and in the process arrested Bashiru. They also recovered a DAF truck with registration number XJ359DKA and also discovered the spot where they planted three valves with hose of about 100metres. I was shocked to realise that Bashiru whom I arrested five years ago was free and back to the same crime.”

Businessman arrested for trafficking ‘a record’ 126 ingested wraps of heroin (PICTURED)

Nwobodo (Photo: Punch)


“I sell electronics in Lagos but I lost $11,200 (N1.78m) to fraudsters. This affected my business and in the process of trying to get money to revamp my business I was introduced into drugs,” a 33-year-old father of two has said after he was nabbed with 126 ingested wraps of heroin.

“If I had succeeded, I would have been paid N1.8m. I spent only one week in Pakistan. My only regret is my pregnant wife who is due to give birth soon.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested Nweke Nwobodo at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to reports, the drug, which weighed 2.225kg, is the highest single ingestion since January 2013.

The Punch reports:
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, said narcotic officials placed the suspect on observation when he tested positive to drug ingestion during the inward screening of Qatar Airline passengers on his way from Pakistan.
The Ebonyi State indigene however said he joined the illegitimate business because he was duped of his money and needed to recover it.

The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, expressed concern on the risk of drug ingestion.
“The ingestion of drugs by traffickers is very disturbing because many have died in the process. Just a wrap is deadly and here we have one person ingesting 126 wraps of what could take his life in a few minutes. Members of the public should shun drug trafficking and report any suspected trafficker to the agency,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said the agency would continue to frustrate any move to raise capital from drug trafficking.

Lagos Traders Count Losses Over Closure Of Market


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traders in the Lagos metropolis have started counting their loss for the forced closure of all the markets in the metropolis as a mark of honour for the death of their leader Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, the foster mother of the former governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
 
Nigerian Current visited major markets in the metropolis and the finding was that some of the traders were seen loitering as there was standing order that no stall should open for transaction for two days which started on Monday.
 
Emeka  Samson a spare parts dealer at the popular Ladipo Market told NigerianCurrent that he has lost close to 1 million for the past the two days that the market will be closed.  He said that the revenue accruable to the Lagos State government from the Ladipo market on daily basis is close to 2 million naira which is lost for the two days.
 
At the popular Ikotun Market, traders were seen discussing groups concerning their lost for the past two days that their market was closed.  One of the traders in the market who described herself as Mama Ibeji told NigerianCurrent that he sells pure water in the market, and her family depends on the proceeds from the pure water sales for feeding.  “For these two days my family will be on hunger because I do not have another means of raising money for their feeding apart from sales from my pure water business”.
 
It was gathered that all the markets in the Lagos metropolis will close down for two days starting from Monday as mark of honour for the departed soul of their leader, Alhaja Mogaji who passed away on Saturday 15th of June 2013 at the age of 96.

Tinubu Positions HIs Wife (Oluremi) For Vice President Under APC




















Barring any last minute change, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, representing  Lagos Central Senatorial District, will contest the 2015 Presidential Poll as Vice Presidential candidate   under the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC).

Oluremi, the wife of former Lagos State Governor and Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN)  Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is being positioned by her husband to run with General Muhammadu Buhari or any candidate that eventually emerge under the APC.

Report exclusively shows that Tinubu has proposed his wife as “the only alternative” to the opposition to a Muslim-Muslim ticket under the APC umbrella.

 The former governor, had originally plan to take the  Vice Presidential candidate on behalf of the South West to  but  has offered to “drop his own personal ambition and put forward his wife.”

"Tinubu was told several times that a Muslim- Muslim ticket would not fly again in Nigeria. The last time he told the inner meting that look, my wife is a Christian, infact her pastor is Adeboye. She  has all it takes to be Vice President”, our source revealed.

Tinubu told those in attendance that his wife has represented Lagos people very well in the Senate and by extension will do same to the south west by the time she becomes Vice President.

He is already projecting Oluremi as the consensus candidate of the Southwest members of the party for the position of Vice President under the platform of APC.

Curiously Tinubu’s  wife has lately engaged herself in some media visibility activities.

 At one of the press briefings she organised to render account of stewardship since she was elected Senator, Mrs. Tinubu while  reacting to a question on whether she has governorship ambition in 2015 responded  emphatically that she has no such ambition but one  that  is higher than  beign a governor.

 “There is still a lot of work to be done for Lagos; it’s not a child’s play.  I do not have such ambition.  May be, I can be the Vice President, not the governor,” she said.

It was also gathered that Oluremi has started mobilizing women in the southwest and north central for the need to support her ambition and APC in the 2015 General Election.

During the 1993 General Election, the Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola ran along with Ambassador Babagana Kingibe. The muslim-muslim ticket won the election that was later annulled by the gap-tooth General , Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.

Political analysts argue that with religious tension all across the country, no party can win the Presidency if both the Presidential candidate and the Vice belong to one religion be it christianity or Islam.

[Photos] : Iyanya Officially Signed As MTN Brand Ambassador

After much speculations by media, Iyanya has officially signed to
become one of the brand ambassador of Telecom giant MTN. He posted the
picture on his instagram page to confirm the signing process with the
caption:

We finally put pen to paper.

Must See: First Motorcycle Produced in Nigeria

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure
(NASENI) has unveiled the first motorcycle produced in Nigeria,
designed and manufactured by the National Engineering Design and
Development Institute (Nnewi), a subsidiary of NASENI.

The 80C engine motorcycle was launched in Anambra state today. The
agency is now asking the government to ban the importation of
motorcycles, promising that with financial assistance, they can
produce better motorcyles.

The Vice Chairman of NASENI, Dr.Mohammed Haruna, said:
"About 20 million Nigerians today rely on motorcycles as a means of
transport and many unemployed youths and men support their families or
earn a living from running motorcycle as a commercial venture. Imagine
the large number of jobs that will be created if only Nigeria could
close her borders against the importation of motorcycles and allow
entrepreneurs to invest in the manufacturing of the parts including
production of the motorcycle locally.

Nollywood Actor Gbenga Oyeyiga's Beats wife, packs up marriage.

Nollywood actor and movie producer Gbenga Oyeyiga's marriage to his
banker wife Loade has ended after he allegedly beat her so badly she
ended up in hospital and stayed there for three weeks in January 2013.
According to close friends of Lolade, the January beating was not the
first time as he had battered her severally in the past, but it was
the last straw. Not only was Gbenga arrested for battery, his wife was
also preparing to drag him to court but decided to drop the case.

Lolade has moved out of her matrimonial home and now lives with the
couple's only child.

Bishop Oyedepo Suspends Covenant University’s Former Vice-Chancellor For Examination Fraud

Culled from SaharaReporters

Professor Aize Obayan, a former Vice Chancellor of Covenant
University, Ota has been suspended from her position as director of
the Education Commission of the Winners Chapel by the church's general
overseer, Bishop David Oyedepo.

Ms. Obayan was suspended for reportedly altering examination results
for several students in the department of Mass Communications. Among
the students who benefited from the former VC's grade alteration was
Ms. Obayan's own daughter.

The former VC's daughter graduated with a Second Class Upper Division
in Mass Communication and is currently doing her National Youth
Service Corps service.

A source at the university revealed that Ms. Obayan inflated all of
her daughter's scores, otherwise the young woman would have earned a
Third Class degree.

 Our source added that the former VC had re-introduced make-up
examination without proper authorization – and after the university's
Senate had abolished the option. "She introduced make-up exam to
enable her daughter [to] retake the course she failed," said a source.

 Recently, a Dr. Omojola, a lecturer in the Department of Mass
Communication, petitioned the Chancellor of the University after his
first protest was suppressed by the then VC. In his protest, Mr.
Omojola alleged that Nnamdi Ekeanyanwu, the acting Head of Department
of Mass Communication, had engaged in extensive alteration of
students' examination results. The petition led to Mr. Ekeanyanwu's
removal as Head of Department. Dr. Stanley Ngoa replaced him, but
spent only the 2011-2012 session at the helm, before the former VC
reappointed Dr. Ekeanyawu to return as departmental head.

 Our source indicated that, with Dr. Ekeanyanwu's return, the
fraudulent practice of grade alteration worsened in the Mass
Communication Department and across other departments of the
university, including Chemistry where one student's score was raised
to 45% from 5 %, an outright failure. Associate Professor Taiwo
Abioye, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, headed a panel
appointed by the Chancellor, Professor C.K. Ayo, to investigate the
case. Dr. Ekeanyanwu was summoned by the panel to defend himself on
charges of altering examination scores of students, including Miss
Obayan, for monetary benefits. He not only accepted his guilt for all
the charges, but also confessed that he acted in collusion with the
former VC, Professor Obayan.

 Ms. Obayan was also invited to appear before the Abioye panel, but
she reportedly offered no defense.

 Pastor Faith Oyedepo, wife of Bishop Oyedepo, has taken over the
duties of Ms. Obayan at the church's secretariat. SaharaReporters
learned that plans were underway to return Dr. Daniel Rotimi to the
Education Commission. Mr. Rotimi was a one-time registrar of the
University. SaharaReporters learned that Mr. Rotimi, who is a pastor,
last year married a second wife (a former student at Covenant
University) in his quest for a male child. He and his first wife had
only girls. A lecturer at Covenant University told SaharaReporters
that he wondered whether the university could really realize its much
touted claim of raising a new generation of African leaders when top
officials at the school offer examination grades for sale?

Popular Yoruba Actor Charles Olumo Agbako Critically Sick.

Veteran Nigerian actor Charles Olumo widely called Agbako is
currently sick and in a state of coma at the General Hospital in
Ikeja, Lagos.

According to sources, the aged actor has been sick for a while.
His family resulted to medical treatment method after exhausting all
other options.

He was rushed to the hospital few hours ago where he has been in coma since.

As we speak,the doctors at Ikeja General Hospital are working round
the clock to get him better.

Though the 85-year-old actor is suffering from age related illness,
family sources confirmed today that his condition is life threatening.

We wish him quick recovery.

Former Deputy Senate President, Albert Legogie, is dead. He was 66.

Albert Legogie Dies At 66 The late  Legogie  was the Deputy Senate President in the Third Republic, 1991-1993. Legogie’s first cousin, Cletus Agianaku told journalists that   the late parliamentarian  died on Monday at 4 p.m. at a private hospital in Ugbowo, Benin, Edo State. “By the grace of God, my brother passed on at about 4pm at a private hospital in Ugbowo, Benin on Monday after a brief illness,’’ he said. Details soon....

Frank Ribbery and Karim Benzema in court Trial

Court case involving involving under-age 'courtesan' set to lift the
lid on excesses of Paris party scene

FRENCH footballers Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema have gone on trial
in Paris accused of paying for sex with an under-age prostitute, Zahia
Dehar, who has since become a well-known fashion designer and muse to
Karl Lagerfeld.

The scandal, which broke shortly before a disastrous 2010 World Cup
for the French football team, has been described as one of the biggest
to hit French sport and the trial has been hotly anticipated.

"[It] promises to reveal the excesses of the Paris party scene, where
young women were seen as available for hire through the right
contacts, gravitating around the edges of the French reality TV
scene," reports The Guardian, which adds that it could expose "a
culture of pimping in the French capital just as the Socialist
government has expressed its aim to abolish prostitution".

The two players deny the allegations against them, and Zahia has
claimed that neither men knew she was under-age at the time of their
encounters. However, the investigating judge said that Zahia, who is
now 21, must have looked so young that the players should face trial.

The age of consent in France is 15 and prostitution is legal, but paid
sex with someone under 18 is illegal and is classified as sex with a
minor. The maximum punishment is three years in prison and a E45,000
fine.

Ribery, who last month won the Champions League with Bayern Munich,
flew Dehar to his hotel in Germany in 2009 when she was 17 and paid
£600 for sex as a "birthday present" to himself. He has admitted
hiring her but insists he did not know she was underage.

"When a woman travels around Europe by plane, can you imagine thinking
for one second that she is a minor?" said his lawyer.

Real Madrid player Benzema is accused of sleeping with the teenager at
a hotel in Paris in 2008 when she was only 16, but he claims their
encounter never happened.

Six other men are also on trial, some accused of "aggravated pimping".
Neither of the footballers are expected to attend the case.

Algerian-born Zahia has made the most of her notoriety. "She has
become a celebrity in France since the allegations erupted, launching
a soft-porn website and her own brand of lingerie," reports The Sun.
Her mentor, Karl Lagerfeld, has said she reminds him of an
18th-century courtesan. ·

I Did Not Sell ‘Blame It On The Money’ To D’banj – Durella

King of the Zanga, Durella has reacted to reports that he sold his
'Blame It On The Money' song to Dbanj. From his statement, the singer
was actually surprised that his song was released by D'banj with same
title without his consent.
Hear him:

"I didn't sell my song to Dbanj I only played the song to his hearing
once and the next thing i saw was Dbanj ft Snoop Lion, Big sean; he
didnt even change the title of the song maybe cuz i told him i dont
know if I should release the song or not no wonder he told me I should
not release it"

Hmmm! Hope this is not another case of intellectual property theft;
let's see how it goes.

‘I Sometimes Regret Being An Actor’- Emeka Ike reveals

Emeka Ike revealed to The Sun News:

In fact, to tell you the truth, I sometimes regret being an actor and
a celebrity. I don't have  privacy.
Sometimes, people embarrass me by addressing me rudely on the streets.
Some say, hey! O' boy how now? No be you we dey call? So, because you
don become star you dey do shakara?

11,000 Bayelsa youths renounce cultism

Bayelsa State Government's crusade against cultism received a boost
weekend, with 11,000 youths openly renouncing their membership of
various secret cult groups.
The oath taking ceremony for the repentant cultists was administered
by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Chief
Francis Egele.
Speaking at the event, at the Banquet Hall of Government House,
Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson, said that government plans to train
10,000 youths drawn from the eight local government areas of the state
in different vocations.
According to him, N1 billion had been set aside as soft loans for
young entrepreneurs, adding that a youth summit would soon be held in
the state to enable government identify their problems.
Commending the decision of youths in the state to renounce cultism and
other acts of criminality, the governor, said that the empowerment
programme was part of his administration's Restoration Agenda.

He said that the training will commence in two months time after the
conclusion of their verification exercise.
He said: "If we do not help to build you all, then our future will not
be assured. You are all aware of what our restoration government is
doing; building schools, roads, hospitals, investing in security and
making our state safe, talking to people to come here to invest so
that we can create jobs for you."
"All of these will come to nothing, if we don't equip you with the
skills that you need to partake in the economy to protect our future.
This exercise is not the end but the beginning, by the time my team
concludes the verification exercise, while will be detailed, local
government by local government, when we are through with all of these,
we are going to engage you in a special youth empowerment programme. A
total of 10,000 youths will be engaged."

The beneficiaries, according to the governor will be trained in
agriculture, traffic warden and the special surveillance system.

Source: Vanguard

A Muslim man was sentenced to Jail after he burnt Bible, according to court proceedings in Egypt.

A Muslim man received a harsh prison sentenced after he burned the Bible, according to court proceedings in Egypt. The Islamic preacher, who is known in Egypt for his hate speeches against Coptic Christians, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for burning a Bible in front of the U.S. embassy during a protest against an anti-Islam movie, last year. An Egyptian court in Cairo sentenced Ahmed Abdullah on Sunday for insulting religion and for burning of a Bible. He was also fined 3,000 Egyptian pounds, or about $430. Abdullah’s son was sentenced to eight years in prison and a fine of 2,000 Egyptian pounds, or $286 for his role in the Bible burning. Abdullah publicly burned the copy of the Bible as part of a protest against the anti-Islam movie “Innocence of Muslims”. The movie was produced in the United States by a Coptic Christian of Egyptian origin, and raised anti-American protests in the Muslim world. Abdullah also announced that he planned to send his grandson to urinate on the Bible. The decision was a surprise to many, since the Egyptian courts are heavily biased towards Islamists.

Deceased Nigerian Woman's Heart-Breaking Letter To Abusive Husband

This touching letter was reportedly written by a lady who was abused by her husband but eventually died of cancer.  The letter which she requested to be published and read on the day she would be laid to rest revealed a whole lot that she went through in the hands of her cheating and abusive husband and how the church failed to play their role. Read the heart-wrenching letter below. ..kinda long but worth reading to the end. ''I bid you farewell…………………………………………..  I am grateful to God that I will rest in His bosom and I am more grateful because I have always wanted this opportunity to speak my mind even unto death. I guess you are surprised that even the dead can air an opinion; in my case I really wanted to because I knew that God was preparing a place for me and that is where I will be.  Do not weep for so long because I found eternal peace in Him. The very peace that has eroded me in about twelve years of my God given years (at the time of this writing I am forty-one years of age and I have been married for twelve years). This is my story……… I am Yetunde nee Olotu as I am fondly called by my immediate family in Nigeria but here I am being referred to as Omodolapo Jagha as named by the love of my life.  Now, I  am Dolapo GoodGod , the surname I adopted when I realized that I no longer have a husband who will be there for me. The very man I should expect to be the Master of ceremony at my burial, the man you think would miss my departure the most but unfortunately not. I believe my estranged husband is glad that he is now free from the bondage called marriage. Noble Jagha, I hope you feel so happy now that your prophesy to Maryam Hassan and other girlfriends of yours that I will soon die so you can marry them is now fulfilled. The truth is that my body may be dead but my hope of glory in heaven is constant as God lives. I may not be here again but I am so sure you will never find anyone to love you the way I did…… You were my first love, the very man who deflowered me but turned his back on me years after that I was not good on bed  (not sexy enough for you), I was not good at cooking but I managed to learn and cook your local meal of Starch and Banga. He said, “I was so paranoid” because I complained that you are only comfortable making phone calls in the car and returning home at midnight. You finally abandoned me and the children in December, 2012 after all the mental and physical abuse I suffered from you. You could not face the wrath of law as I got a safety and protection order against you because I was afraid that you would eventually take my life. While you lived with us, you were of no use, as you were not readily available to do your matrimonial and fatherly duties. How painful it was to take the twins to school walking all the way from Ongar to Little Pace, sometimes after getting a chemo. Even when I pleaded with you to look after the kids when I have appointments at the hospital you refused. Thank God for the Irish government (HSE) that provided me with home help (Margaret), my cousin,  grandma Odelade,  Sola and S. Bimbo (my wonderful sisters in church), my friend, confidant  (Gbemi)  who stuck to me like a sister, she is known in all our kids’ school as their guardian because you were not there. You found solace in your numerous, “your attraction” as you referred to the choir leader and probably your new sizzling romance Sheila Luxembor whom you kept my kids with without my consent. I hope she told you I rang her and made peace with her when I did no wrong (Yeah, I did this to secure my heaven).  Hhhhmmmm……….the Lord is my strength. Oti, how do you feel after physically and mentally tormenting me? You can now be happy that “the living corpse” (as you often referred to me) in your home has finally gone to be with God. You no longer have to hit me or pounce on me anymore. In death I have forgiving you because I loved you but I hope you are able to forgive yourself…….? I cannot forget in a minute how I felt so let down that I took to my heels and sought refuge in that sister’s place and later on at the women’s refuge. I am sure your defense is that I died as a cancer patient but I believe I could live a day longer if you were there for me……  I went through the pains of Cancer lonely! Rather than supporting, you rejected me. Isn’t marriage meant to be for better or for worse.….? I hope when I remember how childish you were for taking the boot you bought for me and returning the wrist watch I bought for you I can peacefully sigh a relief for leaving this cruel world. You were so mean to me! Oti, you were really mean to Emmanuella too. How could you ill-treat your own children because they are girls? I have all the horrible text messages you sent to me documented; psychologically you killed me before my death. Pastor Jagha, a man of God! The church has failed in their duty to help you from fallen, they have pampered you for doing wrong in order to save their face and invariably they have failed me. Church is meant for sinners irrespective of their position and as such no one should be above chastising. I hope after my demise our father in the Lord would have enough evidence to correct the wrong of my beloved husband. No wonder my so-called husband was able to trick the church who also lured me to take off the safety and protection order and stop me from getting a separation that I so long for. On my dying bed I made copies of telephone bills showing his immoral communication with a worker in the church  at Athlone but there was still no sufficient evidence……… The church that should be a place of refuge became a place of torment for me. I hope you can also enjoy your new relationship with Sheila, I learnt you told some of your church members that I asked her to look after my kids because I was sick in the hospital whereas  she keeps malice with me just because of your sex romp with her. Oti, you left my children at home for two days and went to sleep with your girl friend in Athlone. You also asked my under-aged children to travel on bus to Athlone by themselves while I was on the hospital bed. I loved you but you failed me and you know it. The bitter pill that I have to swallow is the fact that I can no longer be there for my lovely girls .Their beloved father despised them so because I could not make a male child (you claimed that I was unable to have a boy child because I did not drink from the anointing oil which you asked me to drink and that makes you detest me too). I am deeply sorry that I did not drink it; maybe that would have spared me of some lashes.  Our lovely first daughter at age twelve said, “Mummy I don’t think I will get married” This is as a result of the abuse that my child suffered from our marriage… If you are a loved one and you know my daughter, please help me say to her that marriage is to be enjoyed and not endured….. I want her to be married and make me proud! Oti, why do you always run away from your problems rather than resolving them?  You left Nigeria because of your involvement in fraud at the bank which you never resolved.  As I speak you owe my mother a sum of one million, two hundred thousand naira which you have no plan to repay.  How come you had issues even with your own sibling in the U.K to such an extent that you poisoned her…..?  That is the more reason why I was so scared for my life.   You are such a difficult person, the community welfare officer , our GP, Olive at Hartstown , the Child protection unit at Finglas and our father in the Lord tried their best to advise you to no avail. You were not ready to make me happy. Noble Jagha, you wanted me dead as soon as possible.  I still wonder why you refused to come with me for separation times and again when I asked that we should part ways. I know your intent may be to make gains from my years of labour at Anpost. I worked so hard to pay the rent, to feed us and even paid some of your fees to pursue your MBA. Despite all my effort you were never satisfied, even on my sick bed you demanded for money…..I hope you are happy that you have them all and you can feed your numerous girlfriends with them.  I plead with you and I besiege all that reads this to appeal to you that you do the following after my demise which is of utmost importance (I hope you will heed advice for once). 1.       That you may put in trust/fixed deposit for my daughters all monies raised from my burial and benefits from my workplace having paid all expenses incurred and other personal loan taking from my friends during my period of illness. My daughters need to know I care for them even in my grave.  2.       That, I have a will in which I have named the executors to my will and joint custodians of our children. The lawyer will keep you posted in due course, please adhere!  3.       Oti you can also pay any money that you owe from the monies before the account is opened.  4.       Kindly pay my mother the money you owe her too before the account is fixed.  5.       I want my mother to be a part of my children’s life, please don’t deprive her.  6.       Oti  make peace with my family and friends (stop making enemies out of the people that helps me).  Oti, it may surprise you but I have to let you know that I have the password to your facebook account and email accounts!  How come I am not on your friend list? Why did you also refuse to tell me the cause of your mother’s death? I know she died of cancer! Hmmmm  Oti does not love me; he could not stay with me in sickness despite the fact that I loved him more than my children. Hhmmmm I hope my mother can forgive me for not heeding her advice in respect of my choice of marriage and I pray that God gives her and my father the fortitude to bear this irreparable lost. It is too late to cry when the head is off. Thank you for not leaving me alone in my time of troubles and needs my sisters, thank you sister for going to Olive’s school, please follow up with Emmanuel as planned, I don’t want my children to suffer. I am so worried …..I am tired. I don’t want you people to go, don’t leave me alone. I want someone to sleep here with me tonight. signed.  Omodolapo GoodGod 27/04/2013.

Three Dead As Car Crushes Three Motorcyclists In Osogbo

Two commercial motorcyclists and the passenger in an unregistered Toyota Camry car lost their lives in Osogbo on Monday when the driver of the car lost control and crushed the motorcyclists. According to witness accounts, the accident happened at about 4:45 p.m. at Heritage Junction on the Gbongon-Osogbo road. The accident was said to have been caused because of over-speeding by the driver, who lost control and rammed into a street light, causing the car to somersault. When a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria visited the scene of the accident, a motorcycle could still be seen trapped under the car. Two dead bodies were also seen, with their heads completely crushed. Operatives of the Federal Road Service Commission were seen at the scene removing the dead bodies and the injured from the accident scene. Other law enforcement agents were similarly on ground, controlling the crowd that gathered at the scene. An official of the road safety said that five persons were involved in the accident and that two died on the spot, while another died at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. The official who requested not to be named because he was not authorised to talk, said that one of the victims was in critical condition in hospital. The driver of the vehicle reportedly escaped after the accident.

Fantasyland Boss, Fola Ogunlesi Fights Wife In Public

Popular Lagos business man and chairman of Fantasyland, an upscale event centre on Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Fola Ogunlesi was penultimate week embroiled in a free for all fight with his UK-based wife, Omolewa over a business venture called; Balloon, a kiddies stores located on Salvation Bus Stop, Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Information reaching First Weekly revealed that Omolewa, who owns the shop with the financial support of her husband, Ogunlesi before their separation, returned to the country few weeks back to pick some items from the shop, and Fola, on getting wind of this, rushed from his GRA Ikeja home to Opebi to challenge Omolewa for going near the shop. This, we were told, resulted into a physical combat between the estranged couple at the premises of the business venture in Opebi and this led to a serious traffic hold-up in the area. The brouhaha which generated lot of attention in the neighborhood, sources said, was put under control by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko. The CP was also said to have made a directive that the place should be closed down pending the time the matter would be settled. However, those who were privileged to witness the scene said that Fola had thundered that how could Omolewa infringe on his property after walking out of his life for good and almost wrecked him. Meanwhile, the matter is yet to be settled from all indications as the premises of the business venture is still under lock and keys as at the time of filling this report. Those who know the genesis of their love life several years back before they parted ways said that Omolewa and Fola were like 5 and 6 that no one dared go in-between them because of the strong love that existed between them then Fola Ogunlesi, who is from a prominent dynasty in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, was formerly married to Idowu Ogunlesi, the CEO of Amazing Grace Fabrics Stores at Alade Market, Ikeja, Lagos, but their marriage packed up over 22 years ago due to irreconcilable differences. Ogunlesi later berth his love boat with his former secretary, Omolewa, who had also been previously married with three kids before she met Fola, an elder brother of Lanre Ogunlesi of the famous Sophisticat Fashions. They got married and started living together and the Kogi State- born lady moved fast and ensured that she was part of every aspect of Fola's life, from finance to all his properties scattered all over Nigeria and overseas. Fola never hid anything from Omolewa, and he reportedly sought her consent before taking any step. It is a known fact in the Lagos social circle that they had joint bank accounts and their cheque books were clearly marked 'Mr Ogunlesi/Mrs Omolewa Ogunlesi.' But while this lovey-dovey affair was going on, Idowu, Fola's first wife, who had four children for him, reportedly faced her business and remained quite popular among the society women in Lagos. However, while Omolewa was given the fancifully built high rise on Opebi Road to run her kiddies stores, 'Balloon,' Idowu had to suffer the humiliation of selling her goods from a small shop in an open market. Folake, the eldest daughter of Fola Ogunlesi from Idowu, who is known to be a fire cracker among Fola's children, was said to have been instrumental to the crises between Omolewa and her dad. Sources said that Folake put so much pressure on Omolewa and made her life miserable in the house. When Omolewa could not condone the insult any longer, she was said to have advised Fola that Folake leave the family business, which they were managing together, for some other assignments, arguing that Folake was Idowu's incarnate and that their single agenda was very clear. But Fola allegedly disagreed because he realized that his daughter was doing her job with so much dexterity and has a wealth of knowledge that was unrivaled. But Omolewa was said to have hit back at Fola before leaving his house as she was said to have lured him to Canada for holiday, where she broke the news of her proposed divorce to him. Before he could realized what has hit him, Fola lost his assets including huge bank accounts in Canada to Omolewa in the name of legal marriage. Aside this, Omolewa's name is said to be on the sprawling estates of the Lagos popular high society man. Fola reportedly moved on with his life, relying on several properties and businesses in Nigeria. Fola is said to have been attending events in company of his daughter, Folake lately and had put the whole matter behind him 'until Omolewa resurfaced from her base to disturb the peace of the family,' said a source.

Former NNPC Staff Arrested For Pipeline Vandalisation

A former staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Bashiru Majorette, has been arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on anti pipeline vandalism, while allegedly siphoning petroleum product at Odi Ifediwo area of Ogun State. Officer in-charge of the unit, Friday Ibadin,an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was dismissed from the NNPC following his alleged connivance with pipeline vandals. He was subsequently arrested, arraigned and sentenced to five years imprisonment and was recently released. The suspect while being questioned disclosed that he formed an association with other vandals while in prison, with a view to continuing with the illegal business after serving their respective jail terms. He said he opted to connive with pipeline vandals while still working, following what he described as ill-treatment by the NNPC. “I was employed by NNPC to guard the pipeline in 2002. My records are there that my line was always protected because I never allowed vandals to go near the area I was guarding. They (vandals) had approached me severally with thousands of naira but I refused because I wanted a clean record and hoped that I would be promoted. “But along the line, I discovered that NNPC officials were ingrates. They were in their offices wearing tie, while I was left in the bush to protect pipeline and was given stipends. We complained severally and were told that the contractor who employed us on behalf of NNPC was the one that should be held responsible. “I decided to help myself to survive out there in the bush. Whenever they wanted to operate, I would pretend as if I never knew that they were there unless NNPC officials at the technical room discovered a drop and raised an alarm that vandals were in my area. “It was only then that I started enjoying the dividend of the job because all this while I had risked my life for nothing. Those vandals can be deadly, if you do not allow them to work. This explains why most of our security men prefer to allow them to function with impunity. Those days, I was dreaded because I used all within my reach to protect the pipelines,” Majorette said. On his arrest and conviction, Bashiru accused one Dosumu of betraying him by informing NNPC that he was allowing vandals to operate. He said: “Dosumu was sacked because NNPC suspected him. He came to me and asked to operate in my area and I refused. He decided to leak my secret to NNPC. Normally, whenever there is a drop in pressure, we would be alerted and to reduce the heat on us or the vandals, we would tell them that there was a leakage. Dosumu, out of envy, reported that all those leakages were the activities of vandals and that I was very much aware. “I was at our weekly meeting on September 14, 2008, when policemen came and arrested me. I was later told that there was a petition against me, alleging that I was into NNPC pipeline vandalisation. I was remanded in prison and later convicted to five years imprisonment by Justice Okeke.” Bashiru said he met most of the vandals in prison and quickly joined their association. He said: “I was shocked at the number of pipeline vandals that I knew that were in Ikoyi prison. I tried my best to secure my bail but failed because I did not have enough money to pay lawyers. “I resigned to my fate and joined the association, and since I had more information, I became an authority in the group. Those who were able to secure their bail ensured that our interests were protected in all their deals. They paid our own share of the money in our accounts while we controlled deals outside through our phones. The guys outside knew the importance of keeping to the agreement before they left because one day, they would be arrested and brought to the prison.” On his release from prison, Bashiru said: “On May 16, 2012, I was released from prison after five years. Normally, anyone that was released would be advised to go underground. This was what I did but I never knew that the police had got my number and was tracking my calls through some vandals that were in their net. “Unfortunately, that night I was patrolling the area to alert those in the bush whenever I spotted security operatives. Two men accosted me and I thought they were marketers and I stopped. It was when they slapped me that I realised that they were security operatives. I couldn’t believe that I was heading back to the prisons. My plan was to raise money and start my own business. “Please, Nigerians should help me to appeal to the police to give me another chance. There was no other way for me to survive than to go back to the same crime. I am very sorry.” Explaining how he was arrested, Ibadin said: “Police got a tip off that vandals were operating in Odi Ifediwo area of Ogun State. “Policemen led by Sector Commander, Lagos, DSP Onaghise Osayande, cordoned off the area and in the process arrested Bashiru. They also recovered a DAF truck with number plate XJ359DKA as well as the spot where they planted three valves with hose of about 100 metres. I was shocked to realise that Bashiru whom I arrested five years ago was freed and was back to the same crime.”

We Want Only Justice – Family Of Slain Boy


Emotions ran high at number 9, Oyebola Close, Ikorodu, Lagos on Monday after a delegation of senior police officers visited the family home of Timilehin Ebun, a nine-year-old boy who was killed by a police stray bullet at the Mile 12 end of Ikorodu Road last Thursday.
 
The spokesman for the police, Damilola Adegbuyi, condoled with the family over the incident.
However, the family demanded only one thing; justice.
A relative, Mr. Adebanjo Adebunmi, said although Timilehin could not be brought back to life, the family was determined to pursue the case to a logical conclusion.
He said, “We are all parents and we know how we would feel if this happened to us. I want to assume that the gunshot was not deliberate but the fact remains that he was shot. If he (Timilehin) was sick and died, we would not mourn this much.
“However, he was playing game in his father’s car and was in a happy mood when all of a sudden he was shot dead in the presence of his parents. I believe in this country, including the police. I know the police have problems but I still believe justice can be done.
“However, if at the end, we do not get justice, we shall leave it to God who is the ultimate giver of justice. All we want for our son is justice.”
Olusegun told the police that he wanted his son’s corpse released to him as soon as possible so that it could be buried immediately.
He said the longer the corpse remained in the mortuary, the more difficult it was to get over Timilehin’s death.
Olusegun said his other son, Jide, who was inside the vehicle when Timilehin was killed, was traumatised by the incident.
He said, “I want my son’s corpse released to me as soon as possible so that we can go on with the burial. We had gone to pick up my son, Jide from the airport when Timilehin was killed inside the car on our way back.
“Jide, who schools in Canada, has been traumatised since the incident because he had always been scared of coming to Nigeria because of security challenges. As if to prove him right, the night he returned to the country, his younger brother was killed by policemen in his presence.”
Olusegun said there was the need to for them have a change of orientation.
He said whenever people were killed by policemen; there was always the tendency to cover up the crime.
“I have lived in the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway and even Canada. The way policemen behave in those countries is nothing compared to Nigeria. Here, a policeman cocks his gun and is ready to fire even before listening to you,” he said.
Adegbuyi, who was accompanied by the Area H commander, Kehinde Longe; Divisional Police Officer, Ketu, Umar Justin; Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide; and the police chaplain, Paul Omotosho, said they were sent by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and the Commissioner of Police for the state command, Umar Manko.
He said there would be no cover-up, adding that the police team accused of killing Timilehin had been transferred to the SCID.
He said, “I am sorry for what has happened and we are also sorry for not coming here before now. The policemen are in my custody as we speak and I promise you that no sinner will go unpunished. We are all parents and I say that anyone who attempts to cover this crime will also lose his or her own children.
“The DPO, Pen Cinema, who was accused of killing a protester has been charged to court and is facing the music. No one is above the law. On behalf of the IG, I promise you that justice will be done.”

Corrupt Politicians Must Pay For Their Sins – Rawlings



 












Former President of Ghana, Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings, Monday said if Nigeria and other parts of Africa must get it right and strengthen democracy, corrupt politicians must not be allowed to go scot-free.

 This came as former Interim Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, declared that religious fundamentalism poses a serious threat to the nation’s democracy, including other parts of Africa.

According to Rawlings, Nigeria must not continue to pay lip service to eradicating corruption, especially against the backdrop that poor, petty thieves get imprisoned for several years, while businessmen evade taxes in millions of dollars and politicians embezzle state funds and go unpunished.


Rawlings Speaking yesterday at a conference on Emerging Democracies in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, organized by the National Institute for Legislative Studies, Abuja, Rawlings said: ‘’We cannot continue to pay lip service to the strengthening, empowerment and independent management of our multiple anti-corruption institutions.

“We live in countries where poor, petty thieves get imprisoned for several years, while businessmen who evade taxes in millions of dollars or a politician who misappropriates millions of state funds escape punishment.

“These inequalities are recipes for the retrogression of our democracies and we cannot allow the negative tide to continue. A democracy that cannot provide socio-economic justice cannot be a healthy democracy and will remain vulnerable and fragile.”

He noted that the primary challenge for emerging democracies in Africa was the failure of Western democracy to acknowledge its inherent flaws and encourage a system of democracy that was dynamic, home grown and imbued with the socio-cultural backgrounds of individual African states.
Rawlings, who noted that a practicing democracy that could not create the climate to correct economic ills and corruption, could not and would not be a democracy, adding that a democracy that could protect the sanctity of its electoral process was engaging in a fraudulent electoral coup d’etat.
According to him, equally destructive is the unfortunate practice of using money to buy the conscience of the electorate.

“Democratic institutions across the continent are poorly equipped to offer the best support to governments. As a capacity building institution dedicated to provide professional research, advice, training and advocacy for members of the legislature, your organization is in a unique position to be a pacesetter in empowering our senators and parliamentarians to better serve the interests of their constituents,” Rawlings said.

Speaking at the event which took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, former Interim Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, stressed the need for Africa and Nigeria, in particular, to deepen democracy by ensuring that there was internal democracy in political parties.

He said: “Religious fundamentalism is posing serious threat to democracy in parts of the continent, particularly in West Africa, North Africa and in the Horn of Africa. There is, therefore, an urgent need for the countries concerned to constitutionally separate the state and religion and also enforce the provisions of the constitution in this regard.

“Another major challenge to democracy is corruption. Corruption debars progress and discourages foreign investors. It is encouraging that many African countries have established agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption.”

Hoodlums Almost Molested My Wife – Ogun Monarch Reveals


Olofin of Ado-Odo in Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Abdul Lateef Adeniran, who was beaten by hoodlums, yesterday, disclosed that the hoodlums that attacked him attempted to molest his wife, while his crown and other valuables were stolen.
Appearing before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the crisis that sat in Isabo, Abeokuta, Oba Akanni also lamented that a sum of N1.5 million kept in his palace as at the time of the incident was stolen by the hoodlums who burnt down his palace.
Olofin of Ado-Odo in Ado-Odo-Ota, Oba Abdul Lateef Adeniran
Olofin of Ado-Odo in Ado-Odo-Ota, Oba Abdul Lateef Adeniran
Yet to be identified hoodlums beat the monarch and stri*ped him in the area before his palace was set ablaze during an attack that occurred on April 15, 2013, following which the state government set up a judicial commission to look into the crisis and come up with recommendation to the government.
While giving a graphic detail of how he was attacked, the monarch said, “I was beaten with charms on that day and I would have been dead by now if not for the grace of God.”