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A Business Opportunity You Can not Avoid To Miss

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 08:57:00 +0000

The truth is "Nobody has small dreams but the reality circle(small circle) swallowed the big circle(where the big dreams are)
According to Lao Tzu, the Chinese founder of Taoism in the 5th century BC,

Stated: "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day.
If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime".

It is in this light that we welcome you all to our online training taking place on whatsapp group (link:https://chat.whatsapp.com/097jCHCtcOGFBbQI7GRdJc)

Hello friends, We in the figurative ideas belong to the freedom kingdom where everyone is financially independent and we are on that mission to help as many as possible purpose driven personalities (especially women, "as they say build women, build nation) to become financially independent, live out their big dreams, leave their comfort zone to discover themselves and affect their generation in 2018.

YOU ARE ONE OF THEM IF YOU:
1. Want financial independent (financial control)
2. Want to quit that job that pay you salary(peanut) to forget your big dreams and which is not even enough to cater for your needs
3. If you want to become your own boss
4. Desire a business that will allow you spend more time with your family especially your growing children and still earn much

If you desire any of the above, Join this group (https://chat.whatsapp.com/097jCHCtcOGFBbQI7GRdJc) Where the training will be taking place later today.

And for those that are in Lagos, Practical training take place on Wednesday and Saturday at VALLEY FRONT VIEW HOTEL 8am in the morning.For any enquiry call 08066286597 or message me on https://api.whatsapp.com/send…

HOW TO CREATE AND ADD FACEBOOK PIXEL CODE TO YOUR BLOGGER AND WORDPRESS BLOGS

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 08:28:00 +0000

The Facebook pixel is an analytics tool provided via facebook Ads Manager that enables you to measure the effectiveness of your advertising by understanding the actions people take on your website and to reach or targeted the right audience.

For instant, if you have a blog or a file downloading page on your site, by adding facebook pixel to the site, you will be able to track the number of facebook users that visit that blog or download page and the succesful downloads you get through facebook. In addition you will be able to track the demographics of the people that visit your website from facebook.

With facebook pixel installed on your website, you can also create and build facebook audience list of people that visit your site or specific pages on your website.

thereafter, you can create alook-alike of the audience and create facebook ads that can displayed only to the custom audiences.

You need a website and must be able to update your website's code before you can add facebook pixel to your site.

To Create Your Facebook Pixel Code

1. Go to Pixels tab in Events Manager

2. Create a Pixel

3. Click Create in the box that appears to finish creating your pixel.

4. After that, some options are displayed on how to add facebook pixel to your website. Choose the "manually install the code yourself" option.

5.On clicking "manually install the code yourself" option, facebook pixel tracking code is unveil.

NB: If you have created your pixel before now, just click on "details">"setup" to get access to the already created facebook pixel code. 

Once created, it means you are set to to put the facebook pixel code on your website.

To Add Facebook Pixel Code To Blogger Blogs

1.Sign into your Blogger dashboard

2. Go to "Theme" 

3. Click on "Edit HTML"

3. Click inside the HTML and use CTRL F to find </head>

4. Paste the facebook pixel code above the </head>

5. then save your template.

To Add Facebook Pixel Code To Wordpress

1.Sign into your Wordpress dashboard

2. Navigate to “Plugins” and click “Add New“

3. Search for Insert Headers and Footers plugin

4. Install and activate the plugin

5. Go to Settings > Insert Headers and Footers

6. Paste the Facebook Pixel tracking code into the Scripts in Header box

7. Save your changes.

Alternatively, you can use Pixel Caffeine plugin or PixelYourSite Facebook Pixel plugin.

How To Test If Facebook Pixel is Working On Your Website
After you add Facebook Pixel to website, you need to make sure Facebook Pixel is actually working!

To do that, you need to install the Facebook Pixel Helper Chrome extension. It’s a Chrome plugin you can use to see if there’s a Facebook pixel installed on a website, check for errors, and understand the data that’s coming from a pixel.

Once you’ve successfully installed the extension you’ll see a notification that the plugin has been added to Chrome and a small icon will show in your address bar.

Thereafter, visit the website where you installed the Facebook Pixel code, click the Pixel Helper icon in the Chrome browser address bar and check the popup to see any pixels found on that page, and whether they’ve been set up successfully.

If the Pixel Helper finds a pixel on your site and there are no errors, then you’re ready to start creating Facebook ads with your pixel. Enjoy your Facebook remarketing, conversion tracking, and custom audiences!

Falana condemn NNPC unbundling

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 01:29:00 +0000

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN) condemned the unbundling of the NNPC. Falana said in a statement on Thursday, “It is pertinent to point out that the reforms being carried out by the NNPC GMD are illegal in every material particular. Section 2 of the Nigerian National Petroleum Act stipulates that the affairs of the corporation shall be conducted by the Board of Directors of the body. To that extent, it is the board of the corporation that is saddled with the responsibility to carry out the reorganisation of the body.

“The board of the NNPC shall consist of the Minister of Petroleum Resources; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance; the managing director of the corporation and three other persons appointed by the President. The minister shall be the chair of the board. By virtue of Section 3 of the Act, the managing director of the NNPC shall be the chief executive and shall be responsible for the execution of the policy of the corporation and the day-to -day running of its activities.”

According to him, since the board has not been reconstituted by President Muhammadu Buhari, the minister has usurped its functions and has been running the affairs of the NNPC like a sole administrator, adding that the combination of the posts of GMD of the NNPC and minister of state had compounded the illegality.

Falana stated, “It is an anomalous situation whereby the minister, as the chairman of the NNPC board, is supervising his own activities as the GMD of the NNPC. Whereas the GMD is required to carry out the decisions of the board chaired by the minister, Dr. Kachukwu has become the executor and regulator of the affairs of the corporation. The Federal Government should take advantage of this crisis to put an end to the incongruity.

“In the same vein, the body established by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency Act to regulate the supply and distribution of petroleum products in the country is equally run by a sole administrator contrary to the provisions of the enabling law.

“Whereas the agency shall have a board of 26 members, including the representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and the trade unions in the oil and gas industry, the body is run singlehandedly by the executive secretary. Despite the several calls by the Nigeria Labour Congress and other stakeholders, the Federal Government has not deemed it fit to reconstitute the board of the PPPRA.”

The lawyer added that with the perennial fuel crisis in the country, a litre of petrol was currently selling for between N200 and N300 contrary to the official price of N86.50 fixed by the minister pursuant to section 6 of the Petroleum Act.

“In an atmosphere of impunity, petroleum products are sold even though there is the Petroleum Equalisation Fund set up under the law to reimburse marketing companies for any loss sustained by them as a result of the sale of petroleum products at uniform prices throughout the country. Apart from the occasional sealing up of a few filling stations by the Department of Petroleum Resources for selling above the official price, the Petroleum Equalisation Fund has never been cautioned by the Federal Government,” Falana said.

He asked the President to direct Kachukwu to put on hold the so called reorganisation of the NNPC with a view to presenting it to the board of the NNPC whenever it is reconstituted, and called for the separation of the posts of the GMD of NNPC and the petroleum minister as envisaged by the NNPC Act.

“Furthermore, the board of the PPPRA should be reconstituted, while the PEF should be made to discharge its statutory duty of ensuring uniformity in the prices of petroleum products throughout the country,” he stated.

DPP exonerate seven alleged killers of NURTW chief

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 01:21:00 +0000

The seven suspects – Ahmadu Kazeem, 43; Ibrahim Afolabi, 37; Lawal Lateef, 27; Anthony Qudus, 33; Adeshina Ibrahim, 28; Adebayo Ogunjimi, 25; and Animashaun Olubodun, 33 – were discharged and acquitted on Thursday.
The seven suspects arrested and arraigned before an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, in connection with the alleged killing of a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers on the Lagos Island, Azeez Otun, aka Ashake, and two others, have been exonerated by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

The DPP, in its advice, called for the arrest and prosecution of five other suspects – Kazeem Oloko, Abass Adebola, Mustapha Akindele, aka Sego, Fatal Olori, aka Agbara, and Alli Balogun.

It was gathered that Ashake, Rilwan Saka and Obabiolorunkosi Nurudeen were shot dead by some political thugs after a rally of the Peoples Democratic Party on September 20, 2014, at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan.

After the alleged killing, the police arrested the seven suspects and brought them before the Chief Magistrate Afolashade Botoku-led court, which granted the remand application brought by the police, pending the advice from the DPP.

However, in absolving the suspects of the alleged murder, the DPP in its advice with reference number LJP/HOM/2016/02/13, dated February 23, 2016, and signed by one M. T. Adewoye, an Assistant Director, stated that the prosecution failed in establishing the culpability of the suspects.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki False Asset Declaration Trial Kickoff today

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 01:12:00 +0000

All is now set for the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on 13 counts of alleged false assets declaration to begin today (Friday).

Saturday PUNCH had reported that the prosecution, led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had proposed 13 prosecution witnesses to testify in the case.

The Supreme Court, through its judgment delivered on February 5, 2016, had paved the way for the trial to begin after dismissing the Senate President’s objection to the validity of the charges and the jurisdiction of the CCT to hear the case.

The Danladi Umar-led tribunal subsequently fixed March 10 for the commencement of the trial, but it later shifted the date to March 11, following a request by Saraki’s new lead counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN).

According to a statement issued on March 1 by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the CCT, Mr. Ibraheem Al-hassan, Agabi pleaded with the tribunal for a shift in the trial date to enable him to attend to other urgent matters.

The CCT spokesperson said Agabi conveyed his request to the CCT in a letter dated February 26, 2016.

Saraki was arraigned on 13 counts of false assets declaration on September 22, 2015.

In the charges instituted by the Federal Government, Saraki was accused of making false assets declaration in his forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau as a two-term Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

The Senate President, who was said to have submitted four assets declaration forms investigated by the CCB, was allegedly found to have “corruptly acquired many properties while in office as the Governor of Kwara State but failed to declare some of them in the said forms earlier filled and submitted.”

He also allegedly made an anticipatory declaration of assets upon his assumption of office as governor, which he later acquired.

He was also accused of sending money abroad for the purchase of property in London and that he maintained an account outside Nigeria while serving as a governor.

Saraki initially refused to appear before the tribunal, prompting the CCT to issue a bench warrant against him.

He voluntarily submitted himself to the tribunal before the arrest warrant could be executed.

The tribunal rejected his request for the quashing of the 13 counts shortly after he was arraigned on September 22, 2015.

He appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, against the decision of the CCT to continue the trial.

But by a two-to-one split decision of its three-man bench, led by Justice Moore Admein, the Court of Appeal dismissed the Senate President’s appeal.

Saraki, in his further appeal to the Supreme Court, asked the apex court to quash the charges filed against him, citing among his seven grounds of appeal, that the CCT lacked jurisdiction to try him as it was constituted by two instead of three members.

But a seven-man panel of the apex court presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, unanimously ruled in its judgment on February 5 that Saraki’s appeal against the jurisdiction of the CCT and the competence of the charges lacked merit.

Justice Walter Onnoghen, who delivered the lead judgment, dismissed all of Saraki’s seven grounds of appeal, affirming that the charges instituted against him were valid and that the tribunal was validly constituted with requisite jurisdiction to try him.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and other members of the full panel of the apex court, comprising Justices Tanko Muhammad, Sylvester Ngwuta, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chima Nweze and Amiru Sanusi, also consented to the judgment.

Meanwhile, Justice Abdukadir Abdu-Kafarati of a Federal High Court in Abuja, had on March 1, fixed March 22 for his judgment in a fundamental human rights enforcement suit, through which the Senate President is asking for an order to stop his trial before the CCT.

But at the hearing of the case on March 1, Jacobs, who represented the Federal Government’s agents sued as respondents to the suit, urged the court not to grant Saraki’s prayer, as that, according to him, will amount to overruling the judgment of the Supreme Court.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, represented by Mr. Suleiman Abdukareem, also adopted Jacobs’ contention in opposing the Senate President’s suit.

But Saraki’s lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, urged the court to stop the CCT trial on the grounds that the Senate President’s right to fair hearing was breached during the investigation of the allegations leading to the charges preferred against him.

Oluyede argued that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission usurped the powers of the Code of Conduct Bureau to investigate the details of assets declared by the Senate President and filed charges relating to the infraction discovered.

Source: The Punch

CBN Suspend Officials Over Fraudulent Activities

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 01:04:00 +0000

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, stated on Thursday night that it had uncovered and aborted a highly sophisticated plot to defraud it by some criminally-minded elements.

The Central Bank of Nigeria said also it placed all key personnel involved in the transaction on suspension in order to ensure a full and unfettered investigation although it noted that preliminary investigations so far had not revealed any accomplices within the CBN.
“This incidence has been reported to relevant authorities. The CBN wishes to assure the general public that the security of the bank remains intact.”

Lekki Gardens MD Arrested over Collapse Building

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 00:57:00 +0000

The Managing Director of Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for the collapse of a five-storeyed building under construction on Kushenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, Lagos State. The collapse was said to have killed no fewer than 35 persons.

It was learnt that 34-year-old Nyong was apprehended on Thursday.

One of the contractors handling the project, Odofin Taiwo, was arrested on Wednesday.

The building had crumbled around 3am on Tuesday with several workers trapped in the rubble.

It was reported that the state government had sealed the building, which was originally designed to be a three-storeyed structure.

“In a brazen act of defiance and impunity, the owners of the building, Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited, the promoters of Lekki Gardens, criminally unsealed the property and continued building beyond the approved floors until the unfortunate incident of Tuesday which has led to loss of lives,” a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde had read.

The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest.

She said, “The MD, Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong, has been arrested. He is in custody and will soon be charged to court.”

Strive Masiyiwa says James Ibori demanded $4.5m bribe from him to set-up Econet in Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:43:00 +0000

In a series of post on corruption which Mr Strive Masiyiwa, who double as also one of my mentors shared on his Facebook wall recently, the Chairman of telecommunications company, Econet and Zimbabwe's richest man, Strive Maiyiwa, described how former Delta state governor James Ibori, who is serving jail term in the UK, allegedly demanded a $4.5 million bribe from him to set up and successful operate his business in Nigeria, promising to send him and his company parking from Nigeria if he failed to give the bribe.

Masiyiwa in his post said Lagos and Delta state governments were co-investors when he brought the company into Nigeria. He said after he and other investors succeeded in bringing in the company into Nigeria, he was asked to pay a bribe totaling $9 million to top politicians. He also accused top politicians from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Liberia of being extremely corrupt and also demanding for bribe. He made so many accusations, your head will literally spin. Read his expository post after the cut..

Part 1

I had the privilege of making Nigeria’s first GSM phone call back in 2001 when I called the regulator to say, “We’re live!” Who would’ve believed then that Nigeria today would have more than 167 million mobile phones?!

It all started out as a very exciting new chapter for enterprise in Africa. Shortly after President Obasanjo was elected, the new government announced an incredibly transparent international auction process for three national mobile phone licenses.

To participate in the bid, you not only had to raise money, but there had to be a member of the bidding consortium who was an experienced GSM operator. Econet Wireless met the requirements because of its experience in Zimbabwe and Botswana. Our Nigerian partners, which included state governments, local banks and high net worth individuals, were financial investors. The largest shareholder had only 10%. That was the written agreement.

I managed to assemble a consortium of 22 investors to put up the money needed to bid. Our shareholders were all Nigerian, mostly institutional investors including leading banks and two state governments, Lagos State and Delta State. The license cost us $285m and was the most expensive license ever issued in Africa at the time. This was 2001.

We considered the investment not only about putting together a network, but also about building a nation. We knew it had the potential to transform Nigeria’s entire business and social architecture.

Most of our investors had between 1-10% shareholding. Econet Wireless Nigeria had only 5% of the shares, but that was fine because it was 5% ownership of a very big pie.

As the "technical partner and operator," Econet was the company with the expertise to build and operate such a business. Our financial investors recognised this, and also allowed us to receive 3% of the turnover as our fees. This was standard practice in the industry.

We were one of the winning bidders and they gave us just six months to set up business and get our network operating. We were under a lot of pressure but our network was live two days before the others! Customers were pouring in. We were number one in the market with an estimated 57% market share.

___Then came the fateful day when I was told that our company must pay a total of $9m in bribes to senior politicians (in state government) who had facilitated the raising of the money to pay for the license.

I refused to authorise the illegal payments. Meeting after meeting was held to try to get me to agree, but I would not. The money would not be paid as long as Econet was the operator and I had signing authority.

James Ibori, the Governor of Delta State, was demanding $4,5m be paid to him in his personal capacity. He was one of the most powerful men in the country and had a reputation for violence. When he heard that I was refusing to approve payment he issued an ultimatum:

___"Pay or I will chase you and your people out of the country."

I refused.

The shareholders met and voted Econet Wireless Nigeria out of management. They cancelled our management contract. James Ibori and his colleagues personally attended the meeting to remove us. After the meeting one of them (a prominent local businessman even today) came up to me and said: "Unfortunately for you, God does not have a vote."

I had to withdraw all my staff and their families: 200 people in all. We left Nigeria.

Most of our people had to be retrenched. The loss of the contract almost drove us to bankruptcy as a group.

They invited a big international operator to replace us as technical partner and operator. They changed the name of the company from Econet to V-Mobile.

Within days of their arrival, the managers of the new operator signed off the payments demanded as bribes.

Then what happened?

A few noble Nigerians had both the integrity and courage to carefully collect all the documentation on the movement of the money, and pass it all on to me.

___There’s a saying worth remembering in uncovering the trail of destruction that is corruption: “Follow the money”…

I bided my time... then I wrote a letter to the United States Department of Justice!

It was 2003.

Part 2

Nigeria has an agency known as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). After we had to leave the country, a few noble people at the company tipped off not only me but the EFCC about the payment of the bribes, which had by this time risen from $9m to $13,5m.

I had never actually heard about this agency myself until I got a call from the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa to say they wanted to come and see me to interview me as a witness.

A team of very senior EFCC officers came to see us in South Africa. They were solid and professional in their enquiry. It was clear they wanted to do something about it.

However, when these officers returned home to Nigeria, they got into very serious trouble. Their investigations into the irregular payments had been brought to the attention of James Ibori (Governor of Delta State)…

Soon thereafter, the most senior officer leading the investigation was demoted and sent to a remote part of the country as an ordinary policeman!

Agencies like EFCC in Nigeria sometimes have brave and gallant law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, as I observed, they’re often let down by their political bosses, and sometimes even by the courts. This can change if activism from the citizenry emerges to support their work.

___We should not only support official efforts to stop corruption but also help these agencies and organisations in their investigations. If you have relevant information about illegal activities, passing it on could make all the difference between impunity and imprisonment.

In my letter to the US Justice Department, I detailed the full history of the demands for a bribe. I had dates, times, records. I then reminded them that since the big international operator had a listing on the New York Stock Exchange, they were duty-bound to launch an enquiry. Why did I go to them?

The United States government has a law called the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The United Kingdom has a similar one called the British Anti-Bribery Act. Whatever you do, make sure you never fall foul of those laws because, if they ever use them to come after you, you’re a "gonner" my friends.

A few weeks later, US officials wrote back advising me that an enquiry had been launched. They contacted the big international company seeking answers to my allegations. My contacts at the company called to tell me, "All hell has broken loose at the company."

The parent company of the South African-based multinational sent external auditors and lawyers from London to Nigeria. They immediately dismissed all the senior executives sent to Nigeria to run the company, and they left in a hurry!

Although they fled the scene of the crime and returned to their country -- after admitting even to both the US Justice Department and the EFCC that the money had been paid out – the stolen funds were never returned to the Nigerian people, even to this day.

Meanwhile, the departure of the other mobile operator did not mean we could return to Nigeria. The shareholders found another operator, this time from the Middle East.

They sold this new operator the control of the company even though Econet Wireless Nigeria had the "right of first refusal" over any sale. They simply ignored that provision in our agreement. This was illegal, both according to our shareholders agreement and Nigerian Company Law. It was left for us to take up the fight in another forum, the Nigerian courts.

Part 3

The state government of Akwa Ibom held 15% of the equity in Econet Wireless Nigeria. This state was not one of the original investors but joined us later.

After five years, the governor of the state of Akwa Ibom decided to sell its stake. It had more than doubled in value in dollar terms, which meant it had been a good investment.

The state governor, an elderly gentleman called Victor Attah, sent a message through a friend that he wanted to see me in London to find out if I was interested in exercising Econet’s right to buy its shares. I agreed to meet him in London.

"I want to sell the shares to build an airport before I leave office," the governor explained.

The governor was accompanied to the meeting by a British lawyer who sat quietly taking notes. His name was Bhadresh Gohil.

With a wave of his hand, the governor said, "Mr Gohil is our legal advisor here in London. I have instructed him to handle all our negotiations with you."

The meeting did not last more than 30 minutes, as the governor was on his way to catch a flight to the U.S.

We agreed with Mr Gohil that we would meet with my own advisors a few days later to start the process.

A few days later, I went to his office with a professional banker who advised me on such transactions. We met in the lawyer's plush London offices. He was confident and smooth-spoken as he explained how much we were expected to pay. Then he explained that our money was to go to a "Special Purpose Vehicle" (SPV) before it was transferred to Nigeria. It was a sophisticated structure and he showed me a drawing of how it would work. I wrote it all down very carefully into my notebook.

___Such corporate entities as SPVs can definitely have legitimate purposes, but this one did not!

As I quizzed him about why such an unusual structure was necessary, Mr Gohil changed tact and tried to entice me with an offer I could not refuse (or so he hoped): "I'm also the advisor to the governor of Delta State, Mr James Ibori, and if you agree to pay for these shares using this structure, we will offer you shares belonging to all the state governments. In total, you can have more than 30% additional shares. It will be enough to take control of the company. My clients just want out, and they are willing to give you what you have always wanted."

I listened to him, quietly taking notes in my small notebook. I did not give away anything, but inside I was very angry. From the design of the structure, I knew immediately that it was meant to siphon off money before it reached the state governments. It was clear there was a conspiracy to steal a lot of money.

___Having already pocketed $13.5m, now the government officials could easily pocket probably another $100m through the sale process that they had developed with the help of Mr Gohil and other clever advisors in London!

When I left the meeting I immediately contacted the mutual friend who'd set up the governor's meeting. The friend was so embarrassed as I explained the corrupt structure clearly designed to steal money from the state governments. He promised to raise the issue with Governor Victor Attah. A few days later he came back and said Governor Attah had claimed ignorance about the proposal put to me by Mr Gohil. He said he would speak to Mr Gohil and tell him it had to be done properly without the structures.

We never heard from them again. Mr Gohil simply vanished. A few months later we were told that the shares had been offered to a company from the Middle East who subsequently bought them. I was not privy to how they did it except that they had violated my right to buy the shares... That is another chapter in the saga, but not for now.

Fast-forward three years, long after the sale. Our lawyers in London called me one day and asked if I could come urgently to a meeting with the Proceeds of Corruption Unit of the London Metropolitan Police: "You are not in any trouble, but I think you will find what they have to say very interesting!"

This special unit was launched by the British to investigate corruption by foreign government officials who try to launder stolen money to the U.S. and the UK.

The officers asked me to explain everything I knew about the sale of V-Mobile shares to Celtel (later Zain).

I explained the history of the entire transaction and the shareholders disputes that had led to our departure. After awhile, they asked me to focus on specific events, and, in particular, my meetings in London with the governor of Akwa Ibom, and also the meetings with Mr Gohil. It became clear to me that they had a lot of information!

"What can you tell us about this structure, using a Special Purpose Vehicle?"

I explained my understanding of it. Later on, I gave them my diary in which I had recorded the details of my meeting that day with Mr Gohil.

Below my drawing of the structure, I had written in bold letters:

"This is corrupt!!!"

Not long after my meeting with the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, Mr Gohil was arrested together with one of his partners and several others. I later learned that when the Middle Eastern company bought the shares, some of the proceeds had been diverted using the Gohil structure. Some of the money was sent to a bank in London. This large amount of money was enough to alert the British authorities that money was being laundered through their banking system.

Their investigations led them to Gohil and his associates. They raided his offices and found stashes of documents, including details of the structures. Now they were looking for witnesses to help prosecute them for corruption and money laundering.

The British authorities tried without success to get other parties, including the governor of Akwa Ibom, to come out and clear their names but they refused. Officials of President Umaru Musa Yar'Aduah's government successfully thwarted all extradition requests.

I was asked to be a witness in the trial of those who had been arrested in London. I willingly accepted. Next I will tell you about my role as a 'Witness to the Crown" on behalf of the people of Nigeria whose money had been stolen. It would be the first time that someone big went to jail (in a foreign country) for stealing money from Africans.

Enough Of The Theatrics, Go To Court Amaechi Advises Wike

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 20:25:00 +0000

In a statement realeased by the Amaechi Media on Saturday, Amaechi berate the action of the Rivers state governor for been a comedian

Wike’s regular childish tantrums, theatrics, comedy and drama of screaming huge bogus and phantom figures of missing or stolen or misappropriated billions of naira by the Amaechi administration have become a silly and sickening distraction. Mr. Wike, since you do not know and none of your coterie of court-jesters is bold enough to tell you, we will tell you; you sound like a broken record. Our polity can certainly do without this madness.

As we expected, the Commission of Inquiry set up by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to supposedly probe the immediate past Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi did not disappoint. The panel lived up to expectations as a shambolic inquisition panel set up to indict Amaechi.
Crudely, without any sense of finesse or attempt to disguise its mission to ‘hack down Amaechi’, the panel lead by Justice Omereji did the bidding of its paymaster. As we earlier warned it turned out to be a comedy, a circus show to grab media headlines with bogus, phantom, and fabricated claims of corrupt practices by former Governor Amaechi and officials of his administration. It achieved nothing beyond political excitements, entertainment, and theatrics.
At every point during the public hearing, Justice Omereji clearly showed his bias and his determination to indict Amaechi and officials of his administration. Most times, the panel chairman simply concluded that they are corrupt, even before all the facts are made known to the panel, even before all sides have been heard. On one occasion, Omereji said he wished the panel had the powers of a court so he could lock up, perhaps for life, these so called corrupt officials.
Witnesses invited by the panel were coerced, directed, ordered and told in clear terms, sometimes with written notes from the commission staff, what not to say and what to say. The chairman of the panel prevented counsels to those invited, from asking relevant questions that are likely to deviate and detract from their pre-determined agenda and conclusion. Lawyers and witnesses invited by the panel were constantly intimidated, harassed and bullied. Witnesses were constantly bullied to toe the line of the commission pre-determined agenda and conclusion. The panel chairman was ordering witnesses not to answer questions that would expose the commission’s bias to indict Amaechi.
Indeed, the Wike panel was an inquisition against Amaechi. Wike should go to court if he has any case of alleged corrupt activities against Amaechi. His panel is not and can never be a law court.
Wike’s regular childish tantrums, theatrics, comedy and drama of screaming huge bogus and phantom figures of missing or stolen or misappropriated billions of naira by the Amaechi administration have become a silly and sickening distraction. Mr. Wike, since you do not know and none of your coterie of court-jesters is bold enough to tell you, we will tell you; you sound like a broken record. Our polity can certainly do without this madness.

CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI MEDIA OFFICE
October 10, 2015

Former Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha is Dead

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 20:10:00 +0000

The first executive Governor of Bayelsa State,Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha is dead.

Alameiseigha reportedly died after he was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in Rivers State.
Family sources claimed that the former governor suddenly fell ill in his hometown in Ammassoma township of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa and was rushed to Port Harcourt.
D.S.P Alameisegha, who was popularly known as "Governor-General of Ijaw Nation is aged 62.
Alameiseigha,who was pardoned by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for his conviction on corrupt practices as Governor of Bayelsa, was recently thrown into a panic state by the strange request by the Government of the United Kingdom for his extradition.

Audit queries answer must be available within 24hrs, Buhari orders civil servants

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 13:23:00 +0000

In the bid to tackle corruption in the civil service, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that all audit queries must henceforth be answered within 24 hours.

The President has also directed the Auditor General of the Federation to resolve all outstanding audit queries within the next 30 days.

The order was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

He said the orders followed the President’s displeasure in hearing that audit queries remained unanswered for long periods, sometimes running into years, under previous administrations.

He said Buhari was committed to tackling administrative and bureaucratic corruption.

The statement read, “The era of impunity is gone. The President is taking the war on corruption to the civil service.

“He is not happy that standard operating procedures and financial regulations are no longer being observed as they should.

“President Buhari will ensure that public officials and civil servants in the service of the Federal Government pay a heavy price from now on for violating financial regulations or disregarding audit queries.

“On his watch, President Buhari wants to see firm action against those who violate extant financial regulations, not the prevarication and shenanigans that went on in the past in the form of endless probes and public inquiries.”

Shehu added that the President was determined to put an end to the present situation in which, rather than respond to legitimate audit queries, violators of financial regulations in the Federal Government resort to threatening, bribing or mounting other forms of social pressure on auditors.

PDP workers to party leaders: ‘Stop blaming governing party (APC) for your misery’

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 17:41:00 +0000

Workers at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday insisted that the party’s leaders were the architects of its current misery, and should therefore stop blaming the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for their woes.
The workers are currently at war with members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) over a planned 50 percent slash in their salaries and allowances.
The NWC had, through a circular by PDP’s National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, also given notice of a 50 percent reduction in secretariat staff strength.
But the workers responded to the NWC’s move by dismissing the officials as corrupt, insensitive and reckless.
They also staged a protest at the party’s secretariat on Friday, and threatened to drag the NWC members to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation.
But the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, did not take kindly to the workers’ action.
He accused them of acting the script of the APC with a view to destabilising the PDP.
However, the workers, under the aegis of the PDP Staff Welfare Association, dismissed Metuh’s accusation as “absolute bunkum, clumsy, and blundering blackmail.”
The association’s Chairman, Ngozi Nze and the Secretary, Dan Ochu-Baiye vowed, in a statement, to expose more of the party leaders’ corrupt practices.
Describing Metuh’s stand point as “a weak shot from a mortally crippled arsenal of witch hunt”, the workers said such blackmail would not break their resolve to see the NWC members investigated and prosecuted.
Their words: “Metuh’s allegation is a wide window into the impressionable character of the man who has been in the saddle as the party’s image-maker and an ominous signpost into the shallow manner the publicity of the party has been run.
“We wish to state that this is a man whose conduct, demeanour and media outings have been a repulse to professionalism and a source of embarrassment to party members.
“We therefore place it on record that the majority of the establishment staff of the PDP are not just unrepentant members of the party who have spent over sixteen years in service; who have assimilated the PDP ethos as a way of political life, but are also the repository of the party’s institutional memory whose spirit can hardly succumb to the ephemeralty of power loss.
“Who plays anti-party? you may ask. Staff members who are genuinely resisting the morally repugnant and obsessively corrupt NWC so that the PDP will survive, or the likes of Olisa Metuh who have a track record of anti-party given his open endorsement of APGA candidate in the 2013 Anambra governorship election.
“What with Metuh’s subsequent denigration of the PDP candidate and his chances on live television programme less than 24 hours after the election, even as the result was being awaited?
“Earlier in January 2010 Anambra governorship election, Metuh as National Vice Chairman, South East, abandoned Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the PDP candidate while openly galvanizing support for Hope Democratic Party candidate, his friend and benefactor.
“The PDP did not only woefully lose in Otolo Nnewi Ward 1 of the Party’s zonal vice chairman, but came a distant third in his polling booth! What a faithful party officer!”
They queried Metuh’s support for former President Goodluck Jonathan in the run up to the last election and wondered what happened to “a whopping sum of N450 million media fund earlier approved for the office of PDP Publicity Secretary by President Jonathan.”
They also cited the recent congresses in Anambra as “another signpost to the destructive trajectory which the likes of Olisa Metuh is driving the PDP to.”
They added:”as we write, the party is still waiting for the result of the congresses a week after it was held, pending when Metuh is done with his conclave of distortion and extortion.
“This is the same man who we reliably gathered, is surreptitiously scheming to emerge as the Organizing Secretary of the party next year. To do what? Turn the party organization into Idumota Market and institutionalize extortion, graft and impunity.
“This is a man who started in 1999 as a zonal youth leader, then National Ex-officio, Acting National Auditor, Zonal Vice Chairman and now publicity secretary. It is either his umbilical cord was buried at Wadata Plaza or that he can’t survive on any other thing except the PDP.
“We make bold to add that the worst form of anti-party is the mindless plunder of the party resources by the NWC which Olisa Metuh is an integral part. He is, in fact, the leader of the body’s extortion gang.
“Recall that the same man was the Chairman of Kogi State congresses which held last week and match it with the fact that the widely rumoured request for one billion Naira from the state governor emanated the same week.
“Indeed, labelling the staff of the PDP could be a veiled attempt to justify the huge sum of N70 million which Metuh collected in July in the name of fighting the APC in the media.
“We wish to therefore advise him and the NWC to respond to gritty issues raised in our press briefing without which the fortunes of the party will continue to dwindle.”
The workers had, among others, accused the party leaders of squandering N12 billion realised from the sale of nomination forms during the last general election.
They also alleged that the party leaders had compelled delegates to pay N10,000 each into a private account of a company called Morufi Nigeria Limited only to squander the over N1 billion realised from the transaction.
Metuh in his reply to the workers volunteered to be investigated by the security agencies over the allegations of corruption against him.
In a statement by his Personal Assistant, Mr. Richard Ihediwa, Metuh said the workers’ actions were meant to bring to public odium and to distract him from his duties.
He said he was being persecuted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) through the workers, for his relentless criticism of the policies and programmes of the administration.
According to him, “This is not unexpected given the role of the National Publicity Secretary in the rebuilding of our great party and how uncomfortable the ruling APC has been for his outspokenness.
“We are aware that the anti-PDP forces have easily found a handful of disgruntled PDP staff as willing tools to attack Chief Metuh with a view to bringing him to public odium, distract him and deny our party a credible voice to propagate its positions.
“These forces had even gone to the extent of engineering some discontented PDP members to portray statements by the National Publicity Secretary as his personal opinions in the attempt to discredit and intimidate him.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that the National Publicity Secretary will not be deterred or detracted by such threats and cheap blackmails as he remains committed to his role in the rebuilding of the PDP and in providing firm, credible and issue based opposition to the ruling party.
“This office would not join issues with these elements, however we make bold to state that Chief Olisa Metuh, being aware of the challenges that come with his new role has offered himself, his office as well as all his private companies for probe by the Department of State Services (DSS) or any other government agency for that matter.
“We also find it laughable that anybody would criticise the recent PDP congresses in Anambra and Kogi that have been widely applauded to be transparent and credible as established by the peace and harmony that characterised the processes.
“One also wonders how the issue of congresses helps the case of welfare matters being pushed by the staff, if not for the ulterior motive of destroying the PDP publicity”.
Metuh said his accusers have deliberately refused to appreciate his immense contributions to the party and the fact that he became the longest serving member of the National Executive Committee due to hard work and the confidence members of the party reposed in him as an individual.
He expressed relief that his accusers are now calling for his investigation instead of resorting to plots to assassinate him.
“However, we restate that the National Publicity Secretary will not in any way be cowed or intimidated by the threats, blackmails and attacks by anti-PDP forces to abandon his mandate as spokesperson of our great party”, the statement

Arsenal beat Chelsea to win community shield

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 17:16:00 +0000

Theo Walcott in celebration mood with team mate

Statistics you need to know are stated below:

Arsenal have now scored in all eight of their games at the new Wembley.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's opener was his 13th goal for Arsenal but his first away from the Emirates.
Theo Walcott made only three passes in the opposition's half, one of them providing Arsenal's goal.
Olivier Giroud (3) had more shots than any other Arsenal player, despite coming on as a second-half substitute.
The last two times Chelsea had won the Community Shield, they went on to win the title.
It was the first time Chelsea have failed to score at the new Wembley in 14 games.

"It was a hard-fought match. It certainly meant a lot to the players, as to what it will mean over the season, time will tell, but Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have finally broken their Jose Mourinho hoodoo.
"Psychologically, you need to win trophies. For a long time Arsenal did not win enough. But now they are used to victories at Wembley. There was very little between the two teams but in the end, Arsenal won it 1-0. That's not a scoreline you would have thought of a while ago."

Former Minister Labaran Maku Caught in a web of N37 Billion Hidden in his Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 14:58:00 +0000

According to Secrets Reporters, Former Nigeria Minister of Information and gubernatorial candidate, Labaran Maku during President Goodluck Jonathan regime, is one of the richest government appointees that served the country.

According to informants, Maku who contested for governor of Nasarawa State but lost immediately started withdrawing all his ill gotten wealth as soon as he lost the guber race, knowing that there will be no immunity to stop the probing.

We gathered reliably that the total sum of N37 billion was secretly tucked away in his big farm in Nasarawa. He was however unlucky as a tip off to some security personnel patrolling the state saw his wealth crumbling. Some soldiers were alleged to have stormed the farm in a commando fashion to find out if the informant was correct and to their astonishment, the whooping sum of billions were found there. The money was carefully put in various waterhead tanks with pipe linking it to make it look like a water storage to water the farm.

A total of seven military Hilux trucks loaded with money some sources said were sighted driving away from the farm. Information pieced together by this medium is that the State government was the ones that told the military of Maku wealth. According to a very knowledgeable indigene of Nasarawa, the government did so to stop Maku from having money to pursue the case at the tribunal.

According to Dr Idris Ahmed, most of Nigeria corrupt politicians now keep their ill-gotten wealth in:

1. Farms.

2. Overhead water tanks at home.

3. Granaries at home and at relatives’ homes in villages.

4. Trunk boxes.

5. Underground bunkers for storing Yams and Potatoes.

6. Irrigation farms and plots.

7. Old cars that are no longer in service.

8. Underground fuel tanks at disused petrol stations.

9. Ceilings inside houses.

10. Family graves.

Besides the aforementioned, one other ingenious way that the criminals have been using to hide our stolen wealth is the use of converted houses.”

Source – secretsreporter

Bill Gates Wife Melinda Fetches Water and Washes Dishes in Malawi

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 14:44:00 +0000

The Wife of the world’s richest man, Melinda Gates was spotted carrying water on her head and helping local women wash dishes in Malawi..

Worth over 85 billion dollars, Melinda is in the African country on a philanthropic mission..Rather than lodging at expensive hotels,she choose to stay in the village with the locals.

Comedian Ali Baba posed with a Witty Groundnut Seller

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 14:38:00 +0000

Ali Baba shared his encounter with a girl who sells groundnut in Lagos..He wrote

That’s the babe that sells me “granorth”. Very witty too. She said, “OGA ali make me sef popular NAaaa!” I hope this does it for her. A handsome former governor in the south south, who also goes through my Instagram, with a very filthy mind just asked me if the “2 nuts she is holding are mine” I said yes before I realized what he meant. Never mind. Please if you ever drive pass the front of Cool Fm, ask after her… For your own “granorth”.”

Hope the former governor who commented thinks of giving her a scholarship or something

Goodluck Jonathan Gave Power To Boko Haram says President Biya

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 14:17:00 +0000

The official visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Cameroun to discuss joint efforts to curb Boko Haram in the region has thrown up an indictment of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A very credible Presidency source told Daily Sun that in the anti-terror war, Jonathan did not do much in forming a synergy with leaders of Nigeria’s neighbouring countries.
The source said during Buhari’s interaction with his Camerounian counterpart, Paul Biya, he disclosed that Jonathan isolated himself from the leaders of Cameroun, Chad and Niger. “The major complaint, according to Biya, is that Jonathan never or seldom, at best, picked his calls. He said most times he called, Jonathan neither picked nor returned his calls. And as a result, the integration of efforts that should have stopped Boko Haram’s foray and unchallenged run was lacking.”
Biya, according to our source, said he was sure that leaders of other neighbouring countries had the same experience, and therefore, questioned how Nigeria alone would have contained Boko Haram, knowing it is an international terror group with roots and connections in some other countries from where they get into Nigeria and carry out attacks.
“This solo handling of the problem did not enable the neighbours put in much to solve the problem until it got this bad,” he said.
The source also indicated that the Jonathan administration was lax and reluctant to bring under control people very close to that government who are flagrantly involved in crude oil theft and diversion.
According to the source, while Jonathan was in power, he was aware that certain persons close to him and coming under the guise of the protection of his government were involved in high scale oil theft.
Another source from the security outfit currently interrogating some key personalities of the past administration disclosed that one of them that was detained and later released told security agencies the Jonathan administration was quite privy to crude oil theft using some government agencies and individuals as fronts.
Daily Sun was told that the administration acted in compromise while the theft lasted and never did much in checking the agencies, individuals and security fronts used in the theft.
“There is no individual that would have access to the crude oil loading terminals, bring in a vessel and load the product and set sail to the high seas without being caught. We have several agencies of government from the petroleum corporation to the conventional security bodies like the Navy and other government bodies that patrol the territorial waters, even private security outfits.
“So it is practically impossible that someone would beat all these hurdles unaided and sail out with loads of crude oil. The government was aware of the people involved and when or where the crude oil was taken. The neighbouring countries we share common sea boundaries with also knew that the Nigerian government under Jonathan merely compromised in the theft,” our source said.

Source -daily sun

Shella B Flaunts Police Report, Move to Arrest Timaya

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 13:56:00 +0000

The lady who accused Timaya of rape has fired back following his denial and taunts from his fans. Shella B has vowed follow up the the case , and even posted a photo of a police report she filed on 19th June 2015,the day the alleged rape occurred.

Read what she wrote below

U USELESS FANS ARE ONLY MAKING #TIMAYA situation worse cus now im gettin ticked off and about to say FUCK ANY INNOCENT PARTY INVOLVED! THAT INCLUDES @BIBLAC AND THOSE KIDS I PUT INTO FUCKIN CONSIDERATION TO BEGIN WITH!!!! This is for all u cunts who was saying that I had complementary cards of the police that I never filed the police report, that I never went to the hospital well I just got my police report a police report takes 5 to 7 business days from the day u you filed it! It happened on Sunday I filed it on Sunday!! LOOK AT THE DATE REPORTED!!!

I was in the hospital for over 7 fuckin hours while this monster was performing after he took advantage of me and threatened my life!! now I have the report I CANNOT release the details in the report because it’s confidential and tomorrow I will be picking up my other police report for the terroristic threats he made to take my life. I’m sick and tired of this shit! Im sick Of people taking advantage because they feel like they’re somewhat higher than others this is American soil you cant do as you like and get away with it! And for those wondering I do have a lawyer and he said I can write and post whatever I want because I did nothing wrong so I have nothing to worry about you on the other hand #TIMAYA ok! #nomeansno #youcanttakealifeyoudidntcreatetimaya PLEASE KEEP TALKING #TIMAYA FANS, I GAT A HALF A FUCK LEFT TO GIVE

Soccer-Selfies and Six Packs to Derail Arsenal’s Title hopes says Keane

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 13:14:00 +0000

Arsenal are not capable of winning the Premier League title this season because they have too many players interested in selfies and six packs rather than winning football matches, according to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.

Keane, a fire and brimstone midfielder, won seven Premier League titles as a player and enjoyed particularly competitive relationship with Arsenal and their similarly combative captain Patrick Viera.

The current Ireland assistant manager, however, said he saw little in the current Gunners side to convince him that they are poised for a first league title since their Viera-led ‘Invincibles’ team in 2004.

“Arsenal have some really good players — some good characters who roll their sleeves up,” Keane told the Mail on Sunday.

“But they also have one or two players who are more interested in selfies and six-packs, guys who are trying to get their pictures taken every day of the week.

“Every year we hear the same thing about Arsenal being contenders. Instead of focusing on the Premier League, it’s all about how their bodies look, how their hair is, more so than winning football matches.”

Arsenal, under manager Arsene Wenger, have become one of the most dazzling attacking sides in Europe but a perceived lack of leadership has undermined their ability to make a sustained title challenge for a number of years.

Back-to-back FA Cup triumphs ended their nine-year trophy drought but for too long the north Londoners have not been relevant during the intense 38-game toil of a Premier League season.

Last season, under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea — built around a strong spine of hard-working, physical players — stifled their closest rivals to canter to the league title and Keane said the Stamford Bridge side remained the benchmark in the upcoming season.

“For me, Chelsea remain the team to beat,” the 43-year-old added. “Their team is the one with the strongest spine — John Terry, their goalkeeper (Thibault Courtois), Eden Hazard — and if they can add (Everton‘s England defender) John Stones to their team then they will be even harder to beat.

“The bottom line is that if Chelsea’s players show the same hunger and desire that they did last year then they’ll win the league. They will only be in trouble if they are complacent.”

WAEC to withhold 19 states results over non-payment of registration fees

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:25:00 +0000

Hundreds of candidates who sat for the May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination may not have their results released in the next two weeks, the West African Examinations Council has announced.

The WAEC Head of National Office, Lagos, Mr. Charles Eguridu, announced this on Monday at a briefing in Lagos.

Eguridu said, “A total number of 19 states in the country owe the Council in respect of entry fees for state government sponsored candidates for the May/June 2015 WASSCE. Some states also still owe the Council registration fees for the May/June 2014 WASSCE.
“We have written to the affected state governments without any response. The poor response of the debtor states is threatening the smooth operations of the Council.

“We, therefore, want to publicly plead with the affected states to off-set the registration fees of their candidates as soon as possible, as we cannot guarantee that the results of their candidates for the May/June 2015 will be released along with others.”

He, however, failed to make public the affected states.

Bayelsa govt received £5m Alamieyeseigha looted fund

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 13:58:00 +0000

More than £5 million recovered from the funds stolen by former Bayelsa State Governor Dieprieye Alamieyeseigha was handed back to the state government in 2012, it was learnt at the weekend.

Nigeria’s retiring High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) Dr. Dalhatu Tafida who broke the news at the at the weekend in Birmingham where he spoke with the Nigerian community on the amount of stolen funds received from the UK by the Federal Government through its High Commission in London.

Tafida’s visit to Birmingham was part of a thank-you-tour as his tenure ends on August 15, after an eight-year stint as Nigeria’s chief envoy in the UK. He had earlier visited Manchester, Liverpool, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle and Belfast.

According to Tafida, the £5 million was received from the British authorities and handed over to two government officials from Bayelsa State, who came to London for the transfer.

He told his audience that the money was lodged a Bayelsa State government account with the London branch of First Bank Plc.

Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached, tried and convicted, got a presidential pardon in March 2013 – courtesy of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Justifying the clemency extended to Alamieyeseigha, a former presidential adviser to Dr. Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe had told reporters in 2013 that the former governor was pardoned because he had been remorseful.

“He was tried, jailed and dispossessed of his property. He has been remorseful and there is no law against the granting of pardons to any criminal,” Okupe had said.

Alamieyeseigha was arrested at Heathrow Airport in September 2005 by the Metropolitan Police and initially remanded but later granted bail.

In breach of his bail requirements, he left the UK and returned to Nigeria in 2005. He entered a plea bargain in a Federal High Court after being convicted on six counts of making false declaration of assets.

Part of the money recovered, according to the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative of the World Bank, consisted of $1.5 million in cash, seized at the time of arrest and $2.7 million held in bank accounts (Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, Santolina Investment Corporation account in excess of GBP 1.8 million) and London real estate worth $15 million (four properties registered under Solomon & Peters Ltd. as sole proprietor).

In May 2006, a London court ordered the confiscation of the seized cash pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act, after Mr. Alamieyeseigha skipped bail and returned to Nigeria; bank accounts and London real estate were confiscated pursuant to a December 2007 United Kingdom High Court summary judgment; and a July 2008 judgment left to confiscation of remaining assets in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Cyprus.

Pursuant to his July 2007 plea in Nigerian High Court, he was sentenced to a two-year prison term and his assets in Nigeria were ordered seized.

Commenting on the alleged refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to ride in a Rolls Royce from the Heathrow Airport when visiting Britain as a president- elect in May 2015, Tafida said it was untrue that Buhari declined the offer.

The envoy said: “The story is not true. It didn’t happen. I went to the airport to receive him right from the plane. I took him to where he stayed and we left back to Nigeria together.

He rode from the airport with me in my official car, which is a bullet proof Mercedes Benz (marked FGN1). To God who made me, Buhari did not refuse anything we gave him. That was what I gave him for the six days he spent. Even, when he took over, I called him, I spoke to him. Buhari is my brother.”

The retiring High Commissioner confirmed that the High Commision indeed has a Rolls Royce, “but we didn’t send rolls Royce to pick Buhari”.

Source: The Nation

Presidency, Boko haram begins peace talk

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 13:48:00 +0000

Hopes of freedom for the 219 Chibok girls have been rekindled, with preliminary talks between the Presidency and some Boko Haram leaders.

The new deal is being brokered by some confidants of the Presidency and the sect.

Some key commanders of Boko Haram in detention are also eager to be part of the initiative, it was learnt.

The new understanding came amid security reports that about 500 insurgents in a neighboring country are interested in renouncing terrorism – in line with the reconciliatory agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the President is being cautious in rushing at the new offer from some leaders of the sect to avoid what a source described as the “costly mistakes of the past administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari has asked security agents to “screen or certify” those spearheading the new negotiation to ensure that the government is dealing with the right Boko Haram leaders.

Some Boko Haram leaders are believed to have been overwhelmed by the President ‘s olive branch.

It was learnt that the President’s reconciliatory agenda made some confidants of the sect to initiate a fresh negotiation between the Presidency and some Boko Haram leaders.

It was gathered that at the preliminary level, a “cautious understanding” has been struck by both parties.

Some mileage gained so far include the following:

likely release of some Chibok girls to underscore the readiness of Boko Haram for negotiation;
involvement of some Boko Haram leaders, on whom the United States Government placed ransom, in the peace deal; and
commitment of the Buhari administration to the negotiation.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President’s appeal for peace in the Northeast is yielding dividends because a fresh facilitation of talks between the Presidency and Boko Haram has started.

“This latest negotiation, which is at the preliminary stage, is being promoted by some mutual confidants of the Presidency and Boko Haram.

“The new deal may lead to the release of some Chibok girls to set the tone for a comprehensive negotiation by both sides.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The President is extremely cautious on this offer of negotiation.

“ Buhari has ordered security agencies to screen or certify those Boko Haram commanders interested in facilitating this latest negotiation to ensure that they are bonafide leaders of the sect.

“The position of the President is that why he is not averse to a peace deal, the Federal Government must avoid the costly mistakes of the past which led to a waste of time and huge resources.

“The President wants the release of the Chibok girls and quick restoration of peace to the Northeast; he is ready to negotiate with the right people for sustainable results.”

But there are strong indications that the leader of the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau, is yet to be involved in the new deal.

“I think we are still at the preliminary stage. At the right time, there is a way the negotiation offer will be forwarded to their leader.

“But the fact that some Boko Haram commanders, whom US placed ransom upon, might be part of the negotiation shows that the crisis can be resolved, if all hands are on deck, “ another source added.

The defunct Joint Task Force(JTF) in the Northeast on November 23, 2012 placed ransom on 19 leaders of Boko Haram.

The list had comprised five members of the Shurra Committee (the highest making body of the sect) and 14 Boko Haram commanders.

But one of the Shurra Committee members, Mohammed Zangina (a.k.a Mallam Abdullahi/Alh. Musa) was allegedly killed in a shoot-out with the Joint Task Force(JTF) in Maiduguri.

With Zangina out, those still wanted are four members of the Shurra Committee of the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau (N50million); Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi) N25million; Khalid Albarnawai (N25million); and Momodu Bama (N25 million).

The fate of Momodu Bama was also unknown as at press time, following conflicting reports on whether he is alive or dead.

The Boko Haram Commanders being sought for by the JTF are Abu Saad (N10million); Abba Kaka (N10million); Abdulmalik Bama (N10million) Umar Fulata(N10million); Alhaji Mustapha (Massa) Ibrahim (N10million); Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid) N10million; Hassan Jazair N10million; Ali Jalingo (N10million); Alhaji Musa Modu (N10million); Bashir Aketa (N10million); Abba Goroma (N10million); Ibrahim Bashir (N10million); Abubakar Zakariya (N10million); and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed (N10million).

Buhari’s “peace agenda” has motivated 500 Boko Haram members in a neighboring country to signify interest in renouncing terrorism.

A third source said: “These 500 insurgents said they were specifically encouraged by the rapprochement of the President.

“They have offered to surrender in return for integration by the administration of the President.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “If the President gets the right partners in doing a deal, he will consider a peaceful resolution. He has said that unambiguously in the course of the visit to the U.S. If that doesn’t work out, the President has the will and willingness to crush terror using the army.”

Source: The Nation

Emminent lawyers call for prosecution of Senate rules forgery suspects

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 13:31:00 +0000

The National Assembly Clerk, Salisu Maikasuwa, some senators and any other person found culpable in the illegal amendment to the Senate Standing Order should be prosecuted, some eminent lawyers said yesterday.

The police have declared the Standing Order, which was used for the June 9 election of Dr. Bukola Saraki as the President of the Eighth Senate, a forgery.

Prof. Itsay Sagay, Yusuf Ali (SAN) and Monday Ubani yesterday called for the prosecution of those who had a hand in the alteration of the standing rules applied to pick the Senate President, his deputy and four principal officers.

But the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in the defunct Second Republic, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), held a contrary position.

He argued that the police lacked the power to meddle in what he described as the Senate’s internal affairs.

Sagay said he was not surprised by Maikasuwa’s alleged involvement in the matter.

He said the Clerk should be suspended immediately and be put on trial.

His words: “Forgery is forgery. It is a crime. And it is a crime that should be prosecuted. As far as I am concerned, the first thing is that he should be suspended as clerk of the NASS and then should be prosecuted for forgery.

“It has always been my view from the very first day (June 9, 2015) that Saraki fraudulently got himself into Senate presidency, that it would not have been possible without him compromising the clerk of the NASS.

“It was the clerk himself who convoked the little crowd of PDP senators that were there and APC senators that were there.

“In other words, he was the one who got the proceedings started when over 60 of the APC senators were away somewhere else. I am, therefore, not surprised that he was involved in altering the rules of the Senate illegally.”

Ali urged law enforcement agencies to do their work.

“If a crime has been committed by anybody, the rule of law should take its course,” he said, adding that the police know the appropriate organ to report to if there is need to prosecute the suspects.

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani also maintained that all those found culpable in the alleged forgery should be prosecuted.

Ubani said: “The only thing we expect now is that those involved be arraigned and charged to court. Even if they are senators and are involved in the forgery case, we expect that the appropriate agency should take up that matter and prosecute them and to also ensure that the case is tried speedily and concluded because it is very important to us.”

Ubani cited China where he said the rule of law will be allowed to take its full course in such a matter to buttress his view for the prosecution of those found culpable.

“China is not a godly nation. They don’t go to church on Sunday. But do you know why China is working today? It is because they allow their laws to work. The rule of law is supreme in China”, he noted, emphasising, “as long as we don’t allow our laws to work, Nigeria would not grow.”

“The moment we begin to obey our laws and do the right thing with our laws, Nigeria will begin to work. Let whoever is culpable be charged to court and be prosecuted successfully.”

another Second Republic lawmaker Dr Junaid Muhammed said if the police report was correct, Maikasuwa should face the music.

Muhammed, a House of Representatives member in the Second Republic, condemned the clerk for his involvement in the conspiracy against due process in the National Assembly.

“Maikasuwa, as a civil servant should have acted in a manner that will support a vibrant institution like the National Assembly, but he has undermined the process of the second era of government,” Muhammed said.

He advised Maikasuwa to go back to his state if he want to be a politician. “What he did to undermine the democratic process is treachery,” Muhammed said.

However, to a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), the police lack the power to meddle in the Senate’s internal affairs.

Akinjide is in doubt if any lawmaker can be prosecuted on the basis of the police report.

He said: “It would have been better to first see the police report and rules which governs the Senate. But don’t forget, the National Assembly is sovereign. You cannot mix National Assembly rules with party rules. They are two different things. I was in parliament for two terms and I know that party rules are different from parliament rules.

“If they break the rules of the National Assembly, they have not committed any offence. Two, this is not a matter for the police. The National Assembly is sovereign, so it is not a matter the police should be investigating.

“It will be absurd in the House of Commons in London or parliament in America for the police to investigate what they did well or didn’t do well. With the greatest respect to the police, I think they are wrong in what they’re doing.”

Whitney daughter, Bobbi Kristina dies at 22

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 13:04:00 +0000

After six months of her life hanging on the brink, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina has died at the age of 22.
She passed away in the hospice care facility where she’s been since June 24 when her family decided to take her off all meds.
The family says Bobbi Kristina was surrounded by family and, “she is finally at peace in the arms of God.” As has been reported, a specialist had told them there was no chance of recovery.
Kristina was found submerged in her bathtub on January 31, and police believe she was underwater for anywhere between 2 and 5 minutes. Paramedics were able to resuscitate her, but she was in a medically induced coma and placed on life support.
Ultimately, Pat Houston and Bobby, co-guardians for Bobbi Kristina, had to make the decision to withdraw medications. It was a rare moment of agreement for the Browns and Houstons who had battled about Bobbi’s condition throughout her hospitalisation.
Reports has it that the District Attorney has been gearing up for a murder case, and her boyfriend Nick Gordon would be their first person of interest. Police said there were bruises on Bobbi Kristina’s face and body after Gordon and a friend, Max Lomas, found her in the tub.
Whitney died from a drug overdose in 2012 while sitting in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

B’Haram burn down Chief of Army Staff’s family home

noreply@blogger.com (Yusuff,Olúwagbàmílà) — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:48:00 +0000

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have burnt down houses, including the family home of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in his village in Borno State.

At least, two people were killed and eight injured during the attack on Buratai village on Tuesday.

It was learnt that the terrorists killed two auto mechanics and torched some houses during the attack on the community.

“What really happened was that Boko Haram went there. They killed two motorcycle mechanics and torched some houses. It is not a massive attack. It was an isolated opportunistic attack, but the Army is on top of the situation. Troops are on the ground now,” a source stated.

Meanwhile, additional roads have been cleared of landmines by troops for use by commuters in compliance with the directive by the COAS to troops in the 3 and 7 Divisions of the Nigerian Army.

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement that the road linking Biu-Sabon Gari to Damboa in Borno State has been cleared of landmines.

“The public are encouraged to use the road as adequate security measures have been put in place for their safety,” Usman said.