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A Federal High Court Lagos has concluded trial-within-trial in the alleged N5.1billion fraud charge brought against Warampo Owei-Dudafa, an ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Dudafa alongside Joseph Iwejuo on 23 counts bordering on conspiracy and concealment of crime proceeds.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EFCC
The judge had ordered the conduct of the trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements written by Dudafa and his co-accused, Iwejuo Joseph Nna, at the commission's office were voluntarily made or not.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, Dudafa's co-accused, (Iwejuo Joseph Nna), concluded his evidence, insisting that his statements at the EFCC's office were written under duress.
Under cross-examination by EFCC's lawyer, Mr Idris Mohammed, the accused said that even though he was granted administrative bail by the commission while in its custody, he was never allowed to go home.
He said: "On the second day of my detention at EFCC's office, I was told I will be given administrative bail and I asked my family to arrange for a lawyer for me to hasten the process.
"One lawyer, Mr Johnson, eventually came and he had some discussions with an EFCC's investigator, Mr Orji, on how to perfect my bail, but Orji told him that I can never be released because I will run away if I should regain my freedom and the lawyer eventually left in annoyance".
A request by Nna's lawyer, Mr Sunday Abumere, for an adjournment to allow him invite his last witness was turned down by the court which fixed April 6, for parties to adopt their written addresses.
Dudafa was arraigned alongside Iwejuo Joseph Nna, a. k. a. Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah by the EFCC on a 23-count charge of alleged N5.1 billion fraud.
Some of the companies allegedly used by the duo in committing the offences include Seagate Property Development, Investment Ltd, Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd, Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd and Rotate Interlink Services Ltd.
Others are Ibejige Services Ltd, DE Jakes Fast Food, Restaurant Nigeria Ltd and Ebiwise Resources.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has prayed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) resolved its leadership crisis soon to enable it take up responsibility as a viable opposition.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in Abuja on Tuesday, the party said there was need for PDP to be vibrant to provide the critical opposition.
It said, "we pray for them to put their house in order soon because we believe that democracy is better served when the opposition is alive.
"However, we also know the PDP can only begin to take steps towards recovery if they stop peddling conspiracy theories and blaming imaginary enemies.''
APC-PDP
It recalled that Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party had alleged that the APC instructed the Police to prevent its members from meeting at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.
Makarfi, according to it, had also alleged that the APC had somehow influenced the Appeal Court decision which ruled against him as the PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman.
"Neither of these allegations is true in any respect, the Police does not take instructions from the APC.
"The police have explained why they stopped the Makarfi group from meeting at the ICC.
"If the factional PDP is dissatisfied with the police explanation, they could seek further clarifications from the police or pursue alternative means of redress,'' the APC said.
It added that so far, the Makarfi faction of the PDP had not faulted the police or provided any proof for its allegations against the APC, a development that was surprising.
It said that this was "especially so considering that Makarfi and his group had in their ranks, individuals who are experienced to know that without evidence, such allegations can easily be dismissed as baseless.
"Such allegation without evidence can, therefore, be ignored by all right thinking members of the public, including the APC.''
The APC added that Nigerians should be worried by the behaviour of PDP factions which was capable of eroding the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary.
It added that even as the PDP battled for survival, Nigerians should observe restraint in the interest of the country`s democracy, saying that APC had no interest in the internal crisis of PDP.
John Cross, Chief Mirror(UK) Football writer believes Alexis Sanchez's "mind is made up" and that the Arsenal star will leave the north London side this summer.
The Chilean's contract runs out at the end of the 2017/18 season and the Gunners are still yet to agree a new deal with the 28-year-old.
Arsenal’s Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez vies with Bournemouth’s English defender Steve Cook (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 27, 2016. AFP
Sanchez has arguably established himself as Arsenal's best player over the past two seasons and has relished in the central striker role this term.
The Gunners star has already netted 17 Premier League goals this campaign, eclipsing his totals from the past two seasons. If Sanchez were to leave, it would be a massive blow for Arsene Wenger and his men, and according to John Cross, it's not looking good.
If Sanchez were to leave, it would be a massive blow for Arsene Wenger and his men, and according to John Cross, it's not looking good.
"I think Sanchez will go," said John Cross. "His mind's made up. I think there's a big clubs in for him – PSG, Juventus as well." However, Cross does believe there's positive news for Mesut Ozil. The German playmaker is in an similar contract situation to that of his teammate. John Cross added: "But I do think Ozil is much more likely to stay and sign a new deal than Sanchez."
……we’ve no case to answer, defendants insist By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – A lead investigator with the Department of State Service, DSS, Mr. Babatunde Adepoju, on Tuesday, revealed before an Abuja High Court at Maitama, that a lawyer that represented President Muhammadu Buhari during his certificate saga, offered N500, 000 to Justice Adeniyi Ademola who is facing corruption charges.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Adepoju testified as the sixteenth prosecution witness, PW- 16, in the ongoing trial of Justice Ademola, his wife, Olabowale, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Agi.
The defendants are answering to an18-count corruption charge the Federal Government preferred against them.
The embattled Judge who hitherto served at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court before he was asked to temporarily step down from the bench by the National Judicial Council, NJC, was among other allegations, accused of receiving gratifications from Agi to the tune of N38.5m, including a BMW Saloon 320i car gift valued at N8.5million.
The Judge allegedly received the car which was purchased from Coscharis Motors Ltd on January 5, 2015, through his son, Ademide.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, the PW-16, told the trial court that investigation by the DSS showed that the N8.5m car was not the only gift the first defendant received from persons whose cases were pending before his court.
While being cross-examined by Agi’s lawyer, Mr. Jeph Njikonye, the witness, told the court that the security agency uncovered that President Buhari’s lawyer, Mr. Kola Awodehin, SAN, also gave the accused Judge N500, 000 as gift.
He told the court that the monetary gift was handed to Ademola during the wedding of his daughter.
The DSS operative said the issue came to the limelight during interrogation of the 3rd defendant, Agi, SAN, which took place on two separate dates, December 13 and 23, 2016.
He said Agi maintained that N30m gift, which was paid into Mrs. Ademola’s account in three tranches of N10m, was based on instruction of his clients, adding that it was not the only wedding gift the judge received.
The witness said that Agi told him that as at the time Awodehin, SAN, gave the gift to Justice Ademola, the suit seeking to sack President Buhari from office over his alleged none possession of requisite educational qualifications, was still pending before the judge.
Adepoju said the DSS did not investigate Agi’s claim.
Nevertheless, Agi’s lawyer, Mr. Njikonye, tendered the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the record of proceedings in the certificate saga suit between Chukwu Okafor vs General Muhammad Buhari.
Trial Justice Jude Okeke admitted the document into evidence and marked it as Exhibit FFF.
Going through the exhibit, the witness confirmed that the third counsel for Buhari in the suit was Mr. Awodehin, SAN, as well as the fact that it was handled by Justice Ademola.
Asked if President Buhari was bribing the judge to win the case against him by presenting a wedding gift to the judge incharge of the case, Adepoju said:
"No my lord. In my opinion, it would be speculative to say the gift by President Buhari’s lawyer was a bribe to Justice Ademola. It is not a bribe."
He further dismissed as speculative, any insinuation that gifts Justice Ademola got from friends through Mr. Agi, during the wedding, amounted to bribery.
It will be recalled that over 10 different suits querying the educational qualification of President Buhari suffered natural deaths shortly after the All Progressives Congress, APC, took over power in May 29, 2015, including the one filed by Okafor.
Justice Ademola had on June 30, 2016, struck out a similar suit by Mr. Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe after the defendant, without adducing any reason, filed a withdrawal notice.
All the plaintiffs had applied for an order invalidating the Certificate of Return issued to President Buhari by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe specifically sought for “an order directing INEC to issue a new Certificate of Return to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, being the candidate who came second in the 2015 Presidential Elections".
President Buhari had engaged a consortium of lawyers, comprising of 13 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANS, to defend him.
Buhari equally went before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge a ruling Justice Ademola delivered on May 26, 2016, wherein he held that the suit was properly served on the defendant by the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, FG, on Tuesday, closed its case against the defendants after it called a total of 19 witnesses.
The defendants, through their respective lawyers, told the court that they are ready to make a no-case-to-answer-submission, regarding all the allegations against them.
They are contending that FG failed to establish a prima-facie criminal case capable of warranting them to enter their defence to the 18-count charge.
Justice Okeke adjourned the case till March 15 for adoption of written addresses on their no-case-submission.
In the charge, FG alleged that Ademola had in the course of his official duty, collected bribe from the senior lawyer through a Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, account number 201/110160/1/1/0, operated by his wife who as at then was the Head of Service in Lagos State.
Trial Justice Jude Okeke had earlier admitted into evidence, bags of cash, both foreign and local currencies which were allegedly recovered from the official residence of the Judge.
FG brought the cash totalling about N39.5m in three Ghana-Must-Go bags and tendered it in evidence through an exhibit keeper at the DSS, Mr. Umar Ahmed, who testified as the 11th prosecution witness.
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday began trial-within-trial to test whether the statements obtained from a former acting Director General of NIMASA, Haruna Jauro, facing N304.1 million fraud charges were voluntary.
Jauro, who assumed leadership of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is charged and prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He is standing trial alongside Dauda Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Ltd on 19 counts bordering on fraud.
The accused, who were arraigned on April 12, 2016, had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court had admitted them to bails in the sum of N5 million each with two sureties each in like sum.
At the last adjournment, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had called the first witness, Mr Orji Chukwuma, who testified before the court how sums of monies were converted by the accused.
Oyedepo had sought to tender the written statement of the accused as evidence in court, but his moved was objected to by the defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, who argued that the statements were not voluntarily obtained.
Ojo had urged the court to order a trial-within-trial to ascertain if the statements were voluntarily obtained by the commission.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had accordingly adjourned the case for a trial-within-trial.
EFCC operatives
When the case came up on Tuesday, the prosecutor commenced the trial-within-trial and called the first witness, Mr Augustine Anosike, who is the Head of Forensic Unit at the EFCC.
The witness informed the court that he personally took video coverage of the endorsement of the statement of the first accused.
He said that his statement was endorsed at the EFCC on March 30, 2016, at about 2.50 p.m. by Mr Akeem Lasisi, an operative of the commission.
The prosecutor then applied for a video tape showing the endorsement of the statement of the accused to be played in the open court.
A video tape was then played in the open court with the aid of a projector, showing how the statement of the accused was endorsed by the EFCC operative (Lasisi).
After showing the video which lasted for about 35 minutes, the defence counsel (Ojo) began his cross- examination, and asked the witness whether he was present in the room at the time the statement of the accused was endorsed.
In response, the witness told the court that he personally video-recorded the endorsement process, adding that there was no demarcation in the room where the statement was endorsed.
The witness also agreed with the observation of defence counsel that the video recording did not disclose the date of the endorsement as well as the commencement and termination time.
On whether the accused was informed that the endorsement process will be video recorded and whether the recording was edited, the witness answered that it was not showed that the accused was so informed and that the video was not edited.
The Defence counsel then asked the witness to state the process and duration of the recording as well as to inform the court of his qualification.
The witness told the court that the video recording took place on March 31, 2016, using a DV mini-digital video cassette which was eventually burnt into a DVD, adding that same was handed over to the commission on Feb. 14.
On his qualifications, the witness told the court that he was trained by a group from Netherlands in digital forensic and also obtained a training from Sweden in mobile phone forensic.
He also informed the court that he holds a certificate in Cinematography.
On whether the video recording depicted the circumstances under which it was done and if it showed the interaction of the accused with the commission, the witness answered in the negative.
On his part, Mr Akeem Lasisi, who was called as second witness in the trial-within-trial, agreed that he was not part of the investigation team.
He also said that he could not remember seeing the duration of the video recording.
On whether he was aware that the EFCC first visited the accused in his NIMASA office, the witness also replied in the negative.
After listening to the witness, the court adjourned the case to March 3 for continuation of the trial-within-trial.
The EFCC had accused Jauro and others of conspiring to defraud NIMASA to the tune of N304.1 million between January 2014 and September 2015.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the accused converted the money to private use, an offence which it said contravened the provisions of Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
It can be very uncomfortable – even agitating – to get dressed, looking all smart and appealing, only for something as little as sweat under your arms to ruin it all. There is something unarguably embarrassing about having the underarm of your dress, blouse or shirt drenched in sweat, and it gets worse if it's the only sweat-stained part of your clothing. Asides this, there is also the unpleasant odour resulting from such underarm sweating to deal with. It could all be a frustrating experience indeed.
Jumia Travel shares 8 ways to help you deal with sweaty armpits and avoid such uncomfortable situations.
Use the Appropriate Product for Your Problem
You can't stop your body from perspiring because if your body stopped excreting sweat and toxins through the skin, you would die. You thus can only manage and try to control your bodily perspiration. One of the ways to do this is to use deodorants and topical anti-perspirants. Deodorants do little or nothing to stop underarm sweating; but they help to mask the odour. Deodorants that use gentle and natural ingredients will work well.
To avoid sweat stains, you can use commercial anti-perspirants that use aluminum chloride hexahydrate. They are effective in controlling the amount of sweat your armpits produce. Also, consider seeing a dermatologist to discuss possible prescription anti-perspirant products that can be advised for your use.
NOTE: It is important you apply these products properly for them to be effective. Deodorants or anti-perspirants should be applied to clean underarms, not already sweaty ones. It is best to apply these products first thing in the morning after your bath, and any other time after bathing. Always wash your underarms with clean water and soap (be thorough about it and dab with a towel until dry), then apply a thin layer of anti-perspirant or deodorant to your dry underarms. If you can't wash your underarm with soap and water, alternate the use of a wet and dry cloth to clean your underarm until it's dry.
Use Natural Remedies
Though there are all-natural commercial deodorants and anti-perspirant products at your disposal, you can create your own natural ones. One of such natural remedies is to mix equal parts of baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply the paste on both of armpits and let it sit for 20 – 30 minutes, before rinsing off the mixture.
Another remedy to consider is using apple vinegar, or other malt vinegar, on your armpits to neutralize the armpit's natural odour-causing bacteria. This helps to create a drying effect in your underarm, which helps you sweat less and stay dry. A mixture of lemon juice and tomato pulp can also be considered. You mix them together until a paste is formed, then you apply the paste in your underarms and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
Practice Good Hygiene
Asides using products and remedies, managing and controlling underarm sweating require the practice of good body hygiene to aid the effectiveness of such products and remedies. It is important to shower regularly to keep your body clean and dry. You should shower your body, or at least your underarms, once or twice a day. If you are someone who remained active throughout the day, it is advisable to add to your morning shower and shower before bed so you can wash off the sweat produced during the day's activities.
You should also shave your armpit hair regularly. This will help to prevent sweat from collecting in your armpits which helps to make sweat stains less pronounced and odours less prevalent. In addition, you should try to wash your shirts and dresses after every use or as often as possible. This will greatly help those dealing with underarm body odor. Washing your shirts and dresses often will keep bacteria from building over time and acting on the dried sweat to produce unpleasant odours.
Let Your Body Cool Down Before You Put Clothes On
It is important to let your body cool down before you put clothes on, if not you may immediately start sweating. Even after you have just had a bath, you should learn to relax and let your body cool down before you put on clothes. Regardless of where you are rushing to, remember that it is better to take a few seconds to calm yourself down than skip that step and rush to your destination with an unsightly underarm sweat stain.
Be Selective About Your Clothing
Go for clothing made of natural, more breathable fabrics like cotton, wool, hemp, silk or linen, because of their looser weaves. The fibers of these fabrics help to absorb moisture well, make it possible for accumulated moisture to evaporate easily and are less inclined to trap heat and make your body sweaty. Some man-made fabrics like banbook, lyocell, modal and some microfiber fabrics can be considered because they function similarly to natural fabrics.
Consider Changing Your Clothes Often
You can also consider changing your clothes often, or avoid wearing the clothes you intend to use for an outing around the house. You can keep a change of clothing handy from time to time.
Layer Your Clothes
You can consider layering your clothes so sweat won't come through to your outer cloth easily. It is important to choose the right clothing material for this. Breathable fabrics are the best choice. You should also keep these inner wears washed and cleaned regularly to avoid unpleasant odours.
Manage Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety tend to lead to excessive sweating and effusive underarm sweating. Practicing relaxation techniques, deep breathing and meditation exercises can help produce the calming effect needed to manage this situation.
Britain’s “Brexit” minister responsible for managing its departure from the European Union on Tuesday denied reports his government was planning to pay eastern EU states to support it during negotiations with Brussels.
David Davis described as “implausible” recent British media reports that money would be diverted from development projects in Africa and Asia to the Baltic states and other eastern EU countries.
“I didn’t recognise the story I saw in the papers the other day. It seemed to me to be wholly implausible. We have not started the negotiation yet but that is not the way I think it’s going to go,” Davis told reporters after talks with Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics in Riga.
Demonstrators hold up pro-Europe placards in Parliament Square as thousands of protesters take part in a March for Europe, through the centre of London on July 2, 2016, to protest against Britain’s vote to leave the EU, which has plunged the government into political turmoil and left the country deeply polarised. Protesters from a variety of movements march from Park Lane to Parliament Square to show solidarity with those looking to create a more positive, inclusive kinder Britain in Europe. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLE’N
“It’s not a divorce, it’s a new relationship… it’s very modern in that respect,” Davis added.
Davis told reporters later Tuesday in Vilnius, Lithuania, that he was “confident that we will trigger (Brexit) by the end of March.”
Britain’s House of Lords, an unelected chamber where British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party does not hold a majority, could delay a bill empowering her to trigger Brexit as planned by the end of next month.
Davis told Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis it was in Britain’s “interest” to see the “European Union succeed when we leave”.
The British Brexit minister added that London wants cooperation in justice, home affairs, interior matters, counter-terrorism and information exchange with EU members “to continue quite similarly as they are now.”
“On the economic side, we would like to see an overarching free trade agreement,” Davis added.
He also assured Baltic leaders that Britain wants to preserve equal rights for EU citizens living there following Brexit.
“We want a generous outcome” for both EU citizens living in Britain and Brits in the EU, Davis told Lithuania’s Skvernelis.
Hundreds of thousands of EU citizens living and working in Britain, a majority from eastern EU states like Poland, are demanding that their rights be protected despite Brexit.
It is estimated that at least 1.2 million British citizens currently live and work in the 27 other EU member states. They, too, are lobbying to preserve their rights post-Brexit.
Earlier in Riga, Latvian Foreign Minister Rinkevics insisted the EU member states would not be divided when it comes to Brexit talks between Brussels and London.
“We will negotiate according to the solidarity of the 27 EU member states which means there will be a common position,” Rinkevics said.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in charge of zone 2, Onikan, Kayode Aderanti, has charged management of schools in Lagos and Ogun states to mount functional Close Circuit Televisions ,CCTV cameras that would effectively cover their facilities, with a view to assisting the Police in the fight against kidnapping.
Handing down the charge at a security lecture with parents/guardians and management staff of Corona school, Victoria Island , Aderanti also called for the need for schools to carry out a background check on teaching and non teaching staff before employing them.
Kayode Aderanti
He explained that the stakeholder meeting on security in schools became necessary, following invasion of schools by kidnappers and subsequent abduction of students, citing the Nigerian Turkish International College and the Lagos state Model College cases as examples.
He assured that Police would always be at schools beck and call, by deploying the services of the Central Criminal Registry, CCR, for background checks on prospective employees.
The AIG further called on school managements to interface with the nearest police division, by conducting regular drills in preparation for emergencies, as well as participate actively in the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC and the recently launched Eminent Persons Forum.
On the part of government, Aderanti, advised that "security should be made one of the requirements in the issuance of licences to schools".
Responding, one of the school’s management staff, Funmi Olorunisola , described the meeting as apt, adding that it also afforded stakeholders opportunity to be abreast with burning issues on kidnapping in particular and security in general.
The Ministry of Women Affairs has blamed consistent blackout at the Federal Secretariat for delay in submitting necessary documents for the 2017 budget defence to the House of Representatives.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, disclosed this before the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development on Tuesday in Abuja.
"The challenge we had is that, sometimes at the secretariat, we stay for three, four, five weeks without light; right now, this is the third week that we have stayed without light.
"The permanent secretary and I had to raise money personally to buy diesel at the Women Centre to do it.
"At the time, because there was no light we couldn't retrieve data from the desk top computers.
"Unfortunately, we did not have the data in flash drives, so it was partly our fault and partly not ours.
"But all I can say is that, honourable chairman, we sincerely apologise. We are very sorry for that and it will not repeat itself.''
Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Stella Uchenna (Enugu-PDP), decried the lateness of the submission by the ministry despite the several notice.
Uchenna said there is the need for more cooperation between the MDA's and national assembly committees.
"On Jan. 30, we requested that you send to us the budget implementation of 2016, the document didn't reach us. Then on Feb. 9, we wrote a reminder and still we did not get a reply.
"And because we were short of time, we now wrote requesting for the budget performance for 2016 and the proposal for 2017, and we got the centre and the ministry yesterday.''
Uchenna noted that an early submission of documents would have availed the committee time to understudy them before budget defence.
The ministry presented the 2016 budget performance but the committee noted numerous errors and requested that the document be reproduced and sent back to it.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday meet with some for ministers of the People Democratic Party in Abuja.
Among those he meet with are Chief Femi Fani Kayode, Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Taminu Turaki, Mrs Fidelia Njeze and Aminu Bashir Wali.
Jonathan meets Former PDP Ministers : From left, former Minister of Information , Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, former Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Minister of Aviation , Femi Fani Kayode, former Minister of Special Deities Taminu Turaki, Former Minister of Aviation Mrs Fidelia Njeze and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Bashir Wali. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.Jonathan meets ex PDP Ministers : From left, ex Minister of FCT Bala Mohammed, ex of Aviation Minister , Femi Fani- Kayode, ex Minister of Special Deities; Taminu Turaki, ex Minister of Information , Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, President Goodluck Jonathan, King A .J Turner , ex Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Bashir Wali and ex Minister of Aviation; Mrs Fidelia Njeze in Abuja Office. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. Jonathan Former PDP Ministers Jonathan meets Former PDP Ministers : From left, Former Minister of FCT Bala Mohammed, Former of Aviation , Femi Fani Kayode, Former Minister of Special Deities Taminu Turaki, Former Minister of Information , Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, King A .J Turner , Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Bashir Wali and Former Minister of Aviation Mrs Fidelia Njeze during Meeting of Former PDP Ministers with former President Goodluck Jonathan in his Abuja Office. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to review its foreign policies in the interest of Nigerians abroad.
The call was at the backdrop of recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, which the Senate condemned as barbaric and unfortunate.
Addressing newsmen on the issue in Abuja, Spokesman of the upper chamber, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, said that the development was capable of endangering the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.
He recounted Nigeria's contributions and sacrifice to liberate South Africa from the clutches of apartheid, saying that enormous resources were spent by Nigeria to set that country free.
"It doesn't tell well about our relationship with South Africa dating back to history.
"The government of South Africa should rise up to the occasion and call these young people to order, and let them know what Nigeria contributed in their quest for freedom.
"We have our own problems to cater for. Nigerians deserve better treatment," Abdullahi said.
Supporting the spokesman, Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi) urged the government to have a citizens-based foreign policy.
"Citizens' diplomacy should be the focus of our foreign policy. Nigeria must defend Nigerians anywhere in the world," he said.
There are businesses or stores that are skeptical about using a Point of Sale Machine because of trust issues, the bank charges, and the expenses involved in getting one. Regardless, what they don’t know is that there are so many advantages to using a POS machine especially if you are doing a business that involves cash.
Therefore if you are any doubts about using a POS machine, Jumia Travel, the online travel agency gathers 5 reasons your business should have a POS machine.
It is safe and secure
It is very risky to have physical cash in your store because you never know what will happen. It is better to be safe than sorry. In addition to this, it is very safe and secure because the likelihood of theft is very low.
pos
Attracts more customers
Nigerians have largely embraced the idea of using ATM cards for transactions. Consequently, not many Nigerians carry cash around. Your business should move with this trend so that you will not lose your customers.
For example, what will you do if a customer who booked Epe Resort on Jumia Travel and wants to pay with her ATM card? The fact is with your POS machine, you will no doubt attract more customers.
Simplify accounting process
With a POS machine, you can easily give an account of your turnover. Also, you will get receipts and alerts for every transaction made via the POS. With these receipts, you can balance your account without wasting too much.
Better customer experience
Customers will all return if they have a wonderful experience. Imagine if you go to a store and want to pay with your ATM card and there is no POS machine, you definitely not be happy. Some customers will gladly go to the ATM machine to withdraw, others. In addition to losing customers, they are a bad customer experience.
Your business will appear serious
Businesses that have an ATM machine will arguably be taken seriously compared with the one that does not own one. Note that there is nothing wrong with collecting cash, but your business will appear more professional and serious if you accept payments via POS.
Misfiring Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy insists the time has long gone for the Foxes to gloat over their incredible Premier League triumph as they face up to the reality of a relegation battle.
The story of Vardy’s rise from non-league to Football Writers’ Player of the Year honours last season was transformed into a movie script as his 24 goals fired Leicester to the most unlikely of title triumphs.
However, Vardy has struck just five times this season as Claudio Ranieri’s men lie a single point above the relegation zone.
“I don’t think about the (movie) script, I have nothing to do with the script,” said the England international ahead of Leicester’s Champions League last 16, first leg away at Sevilla on Wednesday.
vardy
“We just have to completely forget what happened last year.
“I wish I could put my finger on it myself to change that round, but obviously it’s not been that easy.
“We just need to make sure every single player is giving their all for each other and hopefully it turns around.”
Leicester’s awful form has even seen Ranieri’s future subject to speculation.
However, the Italian believes Leicester’s status as underdogs against a high-flying Sevilla, who have also won the Europa League in each of the past three seasons, could relieve the pressure and spark his underperforming title winners back into form.
“My priority is always the next match and tomorrow is my priority,” said Ranieri.
“Tomorrow could be the turning point. If we lose nothing happens, but if we win something inside could change and we need one match like this.”
By Soni Daniel The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has concluded arrangements to prosecute a Deputy Director of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, in Akwa Ibom State, and former Electoral Officer in Rivers State, Gogo Anderson Waribo for bribe taking.
Waribo allegedly collected N16 million out of the N23 billion slush fund linked to Diezani Allison-Madueke allegedly paid out by the former Petroleum Minister with a view to influencing the outcome of the 2015 general elections.
Gogo Anderson Waribo
He was arrested by EFCC operatives following intelligence report that some INEC officers conspired with some staff of Fidelity Bank to defraud the Federal Government of several billions of Naira.
Although he denied the allegations, investigation revealed that the INEC Deputy Director's name was on the list of the “bribe takers”.
It was revealed that he received N16 million through his First Bank account on March 27, 2015 and gave N5 million to Peter Popnen, an ex- INEC official.
He will be arraigned as soon as investigation is completed.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA on Tuesday set ablaze over 40 illegal refineries earlier uncovered in Jones Creek, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, Commander, NNS DELTA, disclosed this to newsmen at the Warri Naval Command shortly after the operation.
Dewu said the suspected crude oil had to be set ablaze so that the offenders would not come back and evacuate the product.
Nazy personnel
"Burning illegal refineries with the crude was our last option so that the people will not come back and evacuate them. "However, they cannot even evacuate them because it is in a very large quantity.
"My concern and worry is the effect these illegal acts are causing on the environment.
"We are going to sustain this operation so that we will be able to stop all these illegal activities within the creeks in line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
"This will enable the people in the communities to live a normal life because as we speak, aquatic life has been destroyed because the environment is polluted," the commander said. Journalists report that the illegal refineries and over 200 tanks carrying over 10,000 litres each were uncovered by the navy on Feb. 9, 2017.
This came barely 24 hours after the CNS, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, launched "Operation Tsare Teku IV" in Warri to further combat criminal elements operating in the nation's maritime domain.
The naval boss had warned those sabotaging the nation's economic assets to desist from the act before the law caught up with them.
Ezekiel Bassey has said he is quickly adapting to life at FC Barcelona even as he expects to start playing official games for the Catalan giants immediately he secures his work permit.
The Enyimba winger was signed on loan by the five-time European champions in January for an initial six months’ with the possibility of signing for an additional two years if he impresses at the club at the end of the current season.
In a chat with the npfl.ng, the former Akwa United winger revealed that life at the home of the Catalan giants is totally unique, while stating that he is adapting very quickly.
Ezekiel Bassey
“Life and football are totally different at Barcelona. I’m working very hard to quickly adapt because it is different. Already, there is that language barrier and all, so working hard is key to settling down very fast at the club. I have been welcomed and seen as a brother and a member of the Barcelona family since I joined them,” Bassey revealed.
He added: “Playing for Barcelona is a great privilege I’ll cherish for years to come. I’ll be playing soon, I’m actually back in the country to sort out issues regarding my work permit. I’ll resume immediately I’m done which should be in a few days. I can’t wait to play my first official game,” the former NPFL All-Stars winger stated.
A delighted Bassey also shared his experience so far at the club.
“It’s been a great start for me. I’ve had the privilege to train with some of the best players in world football. Yes, we’ve had a combined training of Team A and B, we do that twice a week. I’m already inspired and will work very hard to play with these very best players," said Bassey.
Bassey is expected to depart Nigeria for Spain latest Friday.
Mr Goji Mohammed, the 15th witness to testify in Badeh's trial, said he was part of the EFCC team, led by Mr Isyaku Sharu, that conducted the search in Badeh's house in Asokoro, Abuja.
Journalists report that the ex-Chief of Defence Staff is standing trial on money laundering offence he allegedly committed while serving as Chief of Air Staff.
The witness also said the team recovered some bank documents, land documents, tax documents and few other instruments.
Mohammed further said the commission received intelligence report on another property located at No. 6 Ogun River Street Maitama, which was found to be Badeh's property.
He said they accessed the building through the balcony by climbing, adding that they invited the security man of the neighbouring house to witness the search.
"When we climbed in, we were in the living area upstairs so we used the stairs and went to the living area downstairs and started our search from there.
"When we got to the biggest room in the house, we saw a wardrobe, on opening it, we saw a bag and on opening it contained foreign currency.
"We saw 16 bundles of 50 US dollars notes and two sealed bundles containing 100,000 US dollars which we estimated to amount one million US dollars.
"On further counting the money in our office we discovered it was exactly one million dollars,'' he said.
Judicial symbol
He said they also found a red box which he could not precisely remember what was inside, adding that they also found two way bills of furniture supplied to the building.
When the prosecution sought to tender the search warrant, the red box and the way bill as evidence, the move was objected to by the defence team.
Mr Lasun Sanusi (SAN), counsel for the defendant objected to the admissibility of the items, saying they were purportedly obtained from an illegal search.
Sanusi cited Section 115 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which states that the occupant of a place searched or a relation shall be at the house and see the items seized.
He said no provisions of law permitted state security agents to conduct search by looking for strangers on the street to witness it.
Sanusi said the law gave the owner of the property the impetus to nominate a representative to witness such search if he or she could not be present.
"My Lord, the witness had earlier confirmed that when they were to conduct search on the defendant's house at Asokoro, they took him along to witness the search, why was this other one different.
"It is on record that the defendant was still in detention when the purported search was done in his house at Maitama which is a clear violation of the law.
"My Lord, we are not against the court admitting the search warrant as evidence but we vehemently oppose to the admissibility of the other items,'' he said.
On his part, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), argued that Section 149 and 150 of ACJA which deals with house search warrant permitted the presence of two witnesses.
"This permission covers the person to whom the warrant is addressed and a neighbour within the neighbourhood the property is located,'' he said.
According to him, the provision allows the person to whom warrant is addressed to look for a witness in the neighbourhood.
He, therefore, argued that no provision of the law compelled the property owner to be present before a search warrant can be executed.
Justice Okon Abang, however, adjourned the matter till Feb. 22 for continuation.
Manchester City play host to Monaco in UEFA Champions League Round of 16 play today.It's the first time these teams have met in competitive play. Both teams are in the hunt to reach their second quarter-finals.
This is the first leg of the two-leg series. They'll meet again in Monaco on March 15.Monaco got this far after finishing first in Group E, while Manchester City comes in from the second spot in Group C behind FC Barcelona
Leonardo Jardim, Monaco Manager
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Pep Guardiola believes Monaco's free-flowing attacking style is the key ingredient in Radamel Falcao's late career resurgence ahead of his Manchester City side tackling the Ligue 1 leaders in the Champions League.
Leonardo Jardim's side will head to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday having topped a group featuring Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham, and buoyed by an astonishing 76 goals in 26 top-flight matches domestically.
"At Atletico Madrid he did an amazing job before his injuries. Always you need time for the tough injuries he had," Guardiola said at a news conference to preview the last-16 clash.
"The system, the way Monaco play now is perfect for him. They attack inside and cross a lot.
"Players like him need that. He is a good professional, a nice guy and I am happy he is back at his level scoring goals."
City have kept four clean sheets in their past five matches but Guardiola knows Falcao and his partners-in-crime Thomas Lemar, Bernardo Silva, Valere Germain and teenage protege Kylian Mbappe are likely to throw the defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued his side this season.
back under the microscope.
"A team that attacks with Lemar, Bernardo Silva and Falcao… they attack with a lot of people, which is why you cannot control the counter attack. They are so, so strong in that area," he added.
Ekiti state Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, Ayodele Fayose has said that he would soon become Nigeria's Vice President and subsequently, the President of Nigeria.
Fayose made the statement during a live interview on African Independent Television, AIT on Tuesday.
"I will be the vice president of Nigeria, even the President very soon," he said.
Speaking on the emergence of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the party’s legitimate chairman as ruled by the High Court that sat in Port Harcourt, Fayose said that those supporting the Senator are political nonentities.
Ayodele Fayose
"Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is a general without soldiers not to talk of having a battalion. If he is sure of his stand and strength, let him go for a popularity contest with Senator Ahmed Markafi.”
"Without any gain saying, Markafi is high above Sheriff. Markafi has the state governors supporting him. The National Assembly caucus are backing Markafi. Former ministers, former governors, former members of the National Assembly are also in support of Markafi. "In quantity and quality of support, Markafi is shoulder high above Sheriff who is only deluding himself with the rent-a-crowd politicians that he goes to town with. All the organs of the party, including the Board of Trustees, are firmly behind Markafi," he said.
Ekiti State Governor, and Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has described a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, as a general without soldiers in the party, and challenged Sheriff to go for a popularity test with his main contender, Senator Ahmed Markafi.
Speaking on a television programme on Tuesday, the governor said apart from Markafi having more members, the caliber of people posing as Sheriff’s supporters are political nonentities.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Fayose, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, noted that the who-is-who in the PDP were solidly behind Markafi.
“Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is a general without soldiers not to talk of having a battalion. If he is sure of his stand and strength, let him go for a popularity contest with Senator Ahmed Markafi.
Apart from the fact that most of the PDP members are with Markafi, let Nigerians check out the calibre of people supporting them.
“Without any gain saying, Markafi is high above Sheriff. Markafi has the state governors supporting him. The National Assembly caucus are backing Markafi. Former ministers, former governors, former members of the National Assembly are also in support of Markafi.
“In quantity and quality of support, Markafi is shoulder high above Sheriff who is only deluding himself with the rent-a-crowd politicians that he goes to town with. All the organs of the party, including the Board of Trustees, are firmly behind Markafi,” he said.
Reacting to a question on last week’s Court of Appeal judgment that favoured Sheriff in the leadership tussle, Fayose opined that truth would prevail at the end of the day.
”The court cannot chose our chairman for us. This issue is about democracy and the people. It is the PDP members that can decide who their leaders are. This they have demonstrated in the Port Harcourt convention that was done in accordance with the constitution of the party.
“The party’s leadership is the National Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Markafi and it shall remain so until we do our convention to elect our leaders,” he added.
On the possibility of working with Sheriff, Fayose described Sheriff as a political poison that should be avoided.
Clarifying his initial support for Sheriff, the governor said he backed out of supporting him when he discovered Sheriff ulterior motives and discrepancies in his attitude.
“I don’t have regret supporting him abinitio, but when we discovered his discrepancies, I backed out. I saw that he is unfit, he is a pariah. Sheriff is an agent of the All Progressives Congress.
He is a mole being used by the Federal Government to weaken and destabilise the PDP so that APC will not have any virile opposition,” the governor stressed. He said it was through Sheriff’s activities that the PDP lost the Ondo and Edo governorship polls.
He, however, gave the assurance that such tricks would not work in Ekiti State.
A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Drake, the world’s top-selling artist last year, has accused the Grammys of pigeonholing him as a rapper because he is black and said he does not want his latest awards.
Drake, who won the Grammys for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Performance for “Hotline Bling” at the music industry’s February 12 gala, voiced dismay that his “One Dance,” which is Spotify’s all-time, most-streamed song, was passed over for nominations.
For the Grammys, “I’m a black artist, I’m apparently a rapper, even though ‘Hotline Bling’ is not a rap song,” Drake, who rarely gives interviews, said on his weekend show on Apple’s Beats 1 radio.
Drake
“The only category that they can manage to fit me in is in a rap category, maybe because I’ve rapped in the past or because I’m black,” he said in the form of an interview with Britain’s DJ Semtex.
The Toronto artist, who rose to fame in the hip-hop world, said that his megahits were “pop songs — but I never get any credit for that.”
“I want to be like Michael Jackson; I want to be like artists that I looked up to,” he said.
“I won two awards but I don’t even want them because it feels weird to me,” said Drake, who did not attend the Grammys event in Los Angeles, in part because he was touring Europe.
Drake — who according to the global recording industry body IFPI sold more than any other act last year — was also in contention for the most prestigious Album of the Year Grammy for “Views.”
The award went to white English ballad singer Adele’s blockbuster “25” and not the other favorite, black artist Beyonce’s edgy “Lemonade.” It was the third time Beyonce was nominated and passed over for the prize, renewing charges in some circles that the awards have a racial bias.
Drake, who is of mixed ancestry and also is Jewish, voiced pride in being raised in the “cultural mosaic” of Toronto and said he never felt like an outsider until spending time in the United States.
“The first time I really experienced it was when I got famous and went to America,” he said.
“People would challenge me, like I don’t understand how it works, or like, ‘You’re Canadian, you’ll never understand the black American struggle.'”
Drake has rarely been political but recently made headlines when he staunchly attacked US President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies from a London stage.
Nepal's government announced the dates for the forthcoming local elections on Monday, nearly 20 years after polls were last held for municipalities and village councils in the country.
The last local elections in Nepal were held in 1997. They were due to be held again in 2002, but the country was at the peak of civil war at the time, and political infighting and frequent power struggles confounded efforts to hold local elections thereafter.
The Nepalese coalition government announced that local elections will be held on May 14, in spite of an opposition threat to launch protest following a breakdown of talks.
The decision came hours after the country's election commissioner met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and backed the government plan to announce the dates.
It said that the announcement had been delayed due to disagreement over the number of positions up for grabs.
Dahal, who led a 10-year Maoist insurgency that ended in a peace deal in 2006, has vowed to hold the elections, which are warranted by the constitution that was promulgated in September 2015.
The constitution, a key part of the peace deal, was delivered amid protest by Madhesis, which led to the death of over 50 people.
The opposition, led by Madhesis of the southern plains, has refused to participate in the polls without first amending the constitution.
They have announced a series of protest including a shutdown on Wednesday in the country's southern plains.
According to the Nepalese coalition government, the term of the current parliament expires on Jan. 21, 2018.
Report says the constitution requires the government to hold elections for local bodies, provincial assemblies and new federal parliament before the end of the term
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-THE Senate was Monday told that Nigeria has since June 2015, been exporting its oil and non-oil products without documentation.
This was just as it heard that the development has made the country lost over N23.6 billion expected to be repatriated proceeds of the export within the period.
Also, on its own, the Senate alleged discovery of over $850 billion supposedly earned by the country between 1996 and 2014 from its crude oil export proceeds which it alleged was yet to be repatriated to the country by the Joint Venture Oil Companies, a development it noted, was in total contravention of Nigeria’s Pre-shipment Inspection of Export Act and Article 26 of Export Policy Guidelines and procedures for crude oil, Gas and non-oil goods.
The various revelations were made, Monday, during an investigative public hearing organized by a Joint Committee of the Senate Committees on Finance, Trade and Investment, Gas, Petroleum Upstream, Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Customs, Excise and Tariff on the "Need to Investigate Pre Shipment Inspection of Export Activities in Nigeria.
A German court on Monday sentenced a South Korean woman to six years in jail for the death of her cousin who was beaten and suffocated during an attempted exorcism in a Frankfurt hotel room.
Four other family members accused of taking part in the ritual, including the female victim’s now 16-year-old son, were handed suspended sentences ranging from 18 months to two years, national news agency DPA reported.
Prosecutors said the victim, 41, named in court as Seonhwa P, was set upon after she began talking to herself and lashing out during a hotel stay in December 2015, leading the accused to attempt the “exorcism”.
The woman’s chest and stomach were beaten while she was gagged first with a towel and then a cloth-covered coat hanger during a two-hour ordeal, they said.
The victim suffered “massive chest compression and trauma to the neck” and died of asphyxiation.
Judges at the district court in the western city of Frankfurt found the victim’s 44-year-old cousin, described as the main perpetrator, guilty of inflicting bodily harm causing death.
The guilty woman, named as Doean K., had “taken it upon herself to decide over life and death”, prosecutor Nadja Boettinger said during the trial.
Also accused were her son, 22, and daughter, 19, as well as a 16-year-old cousin.
In delivering his ruling, the presiding judge said the family had acted in the belief that they were chasing away the victim’s demons, calling it “a tragic case”, according to DPA.
After finding the woman’s body at the hotel, police at the time also discovered a possible second victim in the garage of a house the group had rented in the town of Sulzbach.
The second woman, who was found alive, was badly injured and suffering from hypothermia and dehydration.
By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke ABUJA – FOLLOWING the huge amount of cash to the tune of $9,772,800 and £74,000 concealed in a fireproof safe at a residence in Kaduna, belonging to former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Andrew Yakubu, the Senate Monday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to as a matter of urgency go after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
The Senate has also asked the Anti- graft agency beam its eagle eyes on serving Directors, Permanent Secretaries, Procurement officials, and others wMinistries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs to get the culprits and bring them to book, just as it said that the monumental stealing of government monies by officials has been partly responsible for the current recession bedevilling the country.
The upper chambers gave this order when the Acting Chairman, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu appeared before the Senator Chukwuka Utazi, PDP, Enugu North led Senate Committee on Anti- Corruption and Financial Crimes to defend the 2017 Budget.
The Committee also asked the agency to furnish it with details of performance on capital expenditure for last year as well as details of all recoveries made by the agency till date, adding that Magu has one week to revert back to the Senate.
Counsel to former first lady Mr Patience Jonathan, Granville Abibo has filed another lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC over the invasion of her property in Port Harcourt. EFCC boss Magu and Patience Jonathan Granville Abibo faulted the notice of the EFCC telling the court that late response of the anti-graft agency is a tactic to delay the matter.
Speaking with newsmen outside the court room, Abibo SAN said they are in court to stop the EFCC from intimidating the wife of the former President.
According to him, "You are aware that Mrs. Jonathan has always tried to be law abiding despite being harassed and intimidated by the media trials.
"The court being the last hope of the common man and that is why we have come to court. But you know in court the other party has the right to reply but the matter has just be adjourned because the EFCC just brought a notice to court today which we need to respond to.
"For us we have put the facts on the table truthfully. The EFCC took the first shot by freezing her accounts but they have refused to stop there. They have also gone ahead to take other unnecessary actions which we feel is violating her rights."
The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt fixed April 24th to hear a fundamental rights suit filed by former First Lady against EFCC.
Also a Federal High Court in Lagos, last week adjourned till March 6 for further hearing the suit by Mrs Patience Jonathan, against the EFCC.
Mrs Jonathan, in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, is seeking the order of the court to de-freeze her $15.5 million domiciled with Skye Bank.
The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has expressed his administration's preparedness to prioritize bursary and scholarship awards to students in the 2017 fiscal year.
Governor Ahmed said this commitment is in view of the need to support Kwara State indigenes studying in tertiary institutions across the country and in recognition of his administration's emphasis on education.
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State
The governor added that this will also encourage the beneficiary students to excel in their education as the scholarship will be merit based, according to statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede.
Alhaji Ahmed stated that in the 2017 budget proposal, which is currently before the State House of Assembly, the sum of N500m is earmarked for bursaries, while N450m is allocated for scholarship awards.
According to the governor, once the budget is passed by the House and signed into law, the State government will begin the phased disbursement of the bursary and scholarship.
Governor Ahmed noted that in a departure from previous practice, the government has obtained lists of students of Kwara State origin in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, which according to him will form the basis of direct payment to the beneficiary students.
Alhaji Ahmed said that the State government could not pay bursary last year due to the financial situation in the country, but commended the students for their patience and maturity.
South Africa sports minister Fikile Mbalula Monday denied a Confederation of African Football statement that President Jacob Zuma was backing incumbent Issa Hayatou in the CAF leadership race.
A CAF statement made the claim after its president met Zuma at the weekend ahead of the African Super Cup match in Pretoria between Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The statement read in part: “He (President Zuma) thus assured his host (Mr Hayatou) of South Africa’s flawless support for his candidacy for a new term at the helm of the CAF.”
South African President Jacob Zuma (R) shows the paper Cape Verde to Confederation of African Football (CAF) Issa Hayatou during the final draw of the Africa Cup of Nations 2013 (CAN) in Durban on October 24, 2012. AFP PHOTO
Mbalula said the state president had not take sides ahead of the mid-March CAF presidential election in which Hayatou is seeking an eighth successive term and being challenged by Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar.
“President Zuma wished Mr Hayatou well as he would any other candidate,” the sports minister said.
“Abiding by the principles of non-interference in the affairs of football democracy, President Zuma did not pledge his personal support or that of the South African government behind the name of Mr Hayatou.”
Cameroonian Hayatou was elected CAF president in 1988 and his 29 years in charge is a record for a leader of the Cairo-based organisation.
The 70-year-old has been challenged twice for the presidency, with rivals Armando Machado from Angola and Ismael Bhamjee from Botswana suffering humiliating defeats.
The 2017 CAF presidential election is scheduled for March 16 in Addis Ababa and the winner will serve a four-year term.
ABUJA – The Department of State Service, DSS, on Monday, told an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama, that its investigations could not establish that Justice Adeniyi Ademola who is facing corruption charges, demanded bribe to grant bail to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. DOCKED: Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court (left) with his associate (right) and Chief Robert Clark (middle) at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama. Photo: NAN
The security agency, through one of its lead investigators, Mr. Babatunde Adepoju, also told the court that it could not confirm that the accused Judge collected bribe before he granted the detained former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, bail on self-recognition.
Mr. Adepoju testified as the sixteenth prosecution witness, PW-16, before Justice Jude Okeke who is presiding over the 18-count criminal charge FG entered against Justice Ademola and his wife, Olabowale.
FG equally cited a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Joe Agi, as the 3rd defendant in the corruption charge.
Justice Ademola who is grandson of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria was among seven superior court Judges that were arrested after a sting operation the DSS conducted between October 7 and 8, 2016.
He had shortly after his arrest, blamed his ordeal on the fact that he ordered FG to immediately release both Kanu and Dasuki, who have been in detention since October 14 and November 15, 2015, respectively, on bail, pending the determination of charges against them.
Ademola made the allegation in a letter he wrote to the National Judicial Council, NJC, to institute a fundamental right enforcement suit against the DSS.
Meanwhile, under cross-examination on Monday, the DSS investigator, said there was no proof that the first defendant was financially induced to order FG to release Kanu and Dasuki.
The PW-16 however narrated to the court, how investigations revealed that Justice Ademola had through various court orders, awarded over $4.374billion to the 3rd defendant, Agi, SAN.
He said investigation showed that Agi deposited N30m into Mrs. Ademola’s Account between March 11 and 26, in three tranches of N10m each.
“My further investigation was on the connection between Justice Ademola and Agi, SAN. I tried to establish that Agi had cases pending and concluded, before Justice Ademola.
“I discovered that Agi has actually had cases before Justice Ademola. Two among these cases that raised eyebrow where the cases of ALGON vs FG.
“The other case was that of Friday Ukpong vs Chief of Naval Staff. These two cases involved huge sums of money and was handled by Agi.
“Both cases emanated from Calabar, Cross River State which was Justice Ademola’s previous posting.
“In the ALGON case, three Garnishee Orders were granted by Justice Ademola in favour of Joe Agi’s client in respect of a matter involving Linear International Ltd.
“The first Garnishee Order granted was in excess of $637m, dated February 20, 2015.
“The second Garnishee Order was granted in excess of the sum of $637m, the same sum as at the first one. It was dated March 27, 2015, a day after the last tranche of N10m was paid into Mrs. Olabowale’s account in a case that was filed, heard and granted the same day.
“The last Garnishee Order in respect of Linear Ltd was in excess of $3.1billion in favour of Joe Agi’s client.
“Also in the Friday Ukpong’s case Vs Chief of Naval Staff, a Garnishee Order in the sum of N300m was granted by Justice Ademola in favour of Agi’s client.
“In establishing the connection between the payments and the cases before Justice Ademola, the first Garnishee Order was granted in February 2015, shortly after Agi presented a car gift of about N8.5m to Ademola’s son.
“The last tranche of N10m paid into Mrs. Ademola’s Account was on March 26, 2015, a day before another Garnishee Order Nise was made in excess of $637m.
“The last Garnishee Order Nise in the sum of $3.1bn, just five days after the last tranche of N10m was paid into Mrs. Ademola’s Account.
“These transactions caught my attention as the court processes were all filed in Calabar, in Justices Ademola’s court, with Agi as the lawyer in all the cases.
“After Justice Ademola’s transfer to Abuja, these cases still surfaced in his court in Abuja”, the witness added.
Trial Justice Okeke admitted certified true copy of six court processes in the Friday Ukpong’s case as exhibits BB to BB5.
The court also admitted into evidence, three Garnishee Orders Justice Ademola made in respect of Linear International Ltd.
Meanwhile, the defence team led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Chief Robert Clarke, SAN, and Mr. Jeph Njikonye, said they would raise to objections to the documents at the appropriate stage.
Continuing his testimony, the witness, told the court that he enlisted the service of a balistician to examine two Pump Action guns found at Justice Ademola’s house.
He said the balistician’s report showed that the weapons were under the category of prohibited firearms that can only be licensed by the President of Nigeria.
“In respect of one of the firearms, I interviewed Hon. Justice A. R. Mohammed to ascertain the veracity of Justice Ademola’s claim that he owns the gun.
“Justice A. R. Mohammed denied ownership of the gun. Also in the course of my investigation, I took witness statement of Dr. Sani Teidi who once stood trial before Justice Ademola.
“Teidi alleged that Justice Ademola demanded a bribe of N25m or forfeiture of his property.
“He said that the Judge approached them through a proxy who was always calling his wife, with a UBA account number sent to his wife for the money to be lodged in.
“I followed the lead through the account number by obtaining the mandate cards and the account opening packages of the said proxy, Kingsley O. in UBA.
“I traced it to Jos where he claimed he was residing. Enquiries at the neighbourhood in Jos revealed that the person had gone into hiding. We placed his GSM on technical surveillance for his possible arrest”.
He told the court that the 3rd defendant, Agi, SAN, was interrogated twice by the DSS on December 13 and 23 December, 2016.
“We invited him because of his lodgements into Justice Ademola’s wife account, as well as the car purchase for his son, Ademide.
“I asked him to comment on the three tranches of N10m paid into Mrs Ademola’s account and the car purchased from Coscharis Motors Ltd on January 5, 2015.
“In his response, Agi said he has known Justice Ademola since early 2001 when they were active members of their respective State chapters of the NBA.
“He said after elevation of Justice Ademola to position of a Federal High Court Judge, their friendship metamorphosed into brotherhood.
“That he is a family friend to the Ademola”s and also serve as their family lawyer.
“Agi admitted that the money paid into Mrs Ademola’s account was based on instructions from two of his clients, Mr. Ken Hubert and Mr. Bassey Bassey who are based in America.
“He said they instructed him to remit the sum of $150, 000 in support of the Ademolas’ during their daughter’s wedding.
“He said the two men were introduced to him by Justice Ademola about five years ago and that they operate Maritime Companies both within and outside Nigeria under the name of Rangers Subsea Nigeria Ltd & Bear Marine Ltd.
“According to Agi, the conversion rate for the $150, 000 was N37m as at then, but he only transferred N30m to Mrs. Ademola”.
Justice Okeke admitted the two statements Agi made at the DSS and marked them as exhibits XX and YY, respectively.
The PW-16 said Justice Ademola had maintained that some of the money found on him were proceeds from his father’s estate.
He said investigation revealed that one Olabode Johnson of Johnson & Johnson partners, lodged $520, 000 into Justice Ademola’s account.
“Records provided by the law firm, showed that the money, in like sum, was shared to three brothers, with Justice Ademola as one of them”.
The witness said contrary to allegations, there was no evidence that Justice Ademola influenced the appointment of his wife as the Head of Service in Lagos State.
Justice Okeke adjourned further hearing on the matter till Tuesday.
The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), a pan African ivory tower in Abuja, has graduated 332 masters and 22 PhD degree holders within its 10 years of existence.
The President of the institution, Prof. Kingston Nyamapfen, made this known in a pre-anniversary statement in Abuja on Monday.
Journalists report that the university established in 2007, had lined up activities to mark the 10th year anniversary throughout the year.
"It is worthy of note that the graduated students and the 135 students presently pursuing courses in AUST were drawn from 19 countries in Africa.
"However, 19 out of 54 is not a good mark, so we are redoubling our efforts to bring in students from more African countries.
"This is especially so as it is also part of our mandate to ensure that at least 60 per cent of our enrollment is made up of students from outside this region.''
The president said that plans were underway to introduce new programmes that responded to the technological needs of African and the job market.
"New programmes expected to start soon include 12-month Master's degrees by coursework only, in Applied Statistics, Information Management, Mathematical Modelling and Public Policy,'' he said.
Nyamapfene also said the institution had set out this period to inaugurate its 7 million US dollars state of the art Science Laboratory. According to him, the facility will be used to provide solution to African's technological deficit.
The president listed events to commemorate the occasion to include Documentary and Launching of AUST commemorative items fixed for Feb. 22.
Newsmen report that Science and Technology Competition Group for Abuja Secondary Schools would held between May 22 and May 25 among others.
The university was established following the outcry of the African Heads of State with the support from Nelson Mandela Institution and the World Bank Institute.
The Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s faction of Peoples Democratic Party, after the Nigeria police barred them from holding their crucial stakeholders meeting at the international conference centre, has faulted the last week’s judgement of the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt declaring the national convention that produced the Ahmed Makarfi-led Care-taker Committee illegal and affirming Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The party also said that there was nothing wrong with the decision of the May 21st, 2016 National Convention and that the Convention did not violate any court order.
This was made known on the party’s official twitter handle, after the Makarfi’s Stakeholders meeting at Ekiti State Governor's lodge today Monday.
The statement read:
‘The Stakeholders meeting of our great party comprising of all organs of the Party just ended here at the Ekiti state governor lodge, Abuja.
‘The Meeting deliberated on the outcome of the Appeal Court Judgement that ceded the leadership of the Party to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
‘The meeting also berated the action of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that barricaded the ICC, original venue of the meeting.
‘At the end of the deliberations, the stakeholders of the Party after series of discussions arrived at the following resolutions
‘The Stakeholders endorsed the decision of the May 21st, 2016 National Convention of the PDP in Port Harcourt that constituted the the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee, saying that the Convention did not violate any Order of the Court
‘The Stakeholders while holding the Judiciary in high esteem, faulted the Judgement of the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt’
Abia Warriors head coach and veteran of the Nigerian Professional Football League Okey Emordi has resigned his role at the club.
Okey Emordi
His resignation comes after the club lost their game against visiting El-Kanemi Warriors in a week 9 NPFL match.
The club has so far amassed just 11 points from the 27 available in 9 games; winning 3, drawing 2 and losing 4, while sitting 8th on the log in the 2016/2017 NPFL season.
No fewer than 15 students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), in Imo, were arrested following violent protests in the institution on Friday.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the arrest in Owerri on Monday,told journalists that the students were arrested for vandalism and looting of the university property.
Enwerem said that the students would be charged to court when investigations into the incident had been concluded.
He dismissed claims by the students that the protest turned violent when policemen allegedly fired teargas at them.
FUTO-maingate
He said the police intervened at the instance of the school management when the protest degenerated into violence.
Newsmen report that the students embarked on the protest over alleged increase in their school fees.
The university facilities were damaged by the protesting students who also made away with some valuables.
One of them, Chinedu Nwakuche, alleged that the university increased fees for first year students from N48, 000 to N54, 000 per session while second and third year fees increased from N32, 000 to N49,000.
According to him, fees for students of fourth and final years also went up from N28, 000 to 39,000, while acceptance fees has gone up to N45,000 from N25,000.
Nwakuche said that students now paid as much as N1,500 to register a course every semester.
The Public Relations Officer of FUTO, Mr Chike Ezenwa, said the management of the university would comment after determining the extent of the damages.
A lagging sex drive and poor erection could be the result of what you've been eating. Of course, it's not always about food.
Poor erection can be attributed to a number of factors, including sociological, psychological, and hormonal influences. Often, antidepressant medications are the culprit. Other times, stress or drug and alcohol abuse can play a role.
Smoking, along with all of its other terrible health effects, can diminish sexual desire and satisfaction, especially in men.
"Smoking has a direct, negative effect on the sexuality of a man on every level," says Panayiotis M. Zavos, PhD, Altering bad habits, like smoking and excessive drinking, in order to encourage better overall health, will no doubt be beneficial to your sexual health as well.
Now lets talk about the kinds of food that may be affecting your performance on bed.
Generally any food type that makes us gain weight can affect one's libido as well but below are some foods that could be ruining your pleasures.
Fried Foods
Fried foods definitely don't do your sex life any favors. Trans fats found in fried foods dramatically decrease the male and female libido, according to Medical Daily.
Consuming trans fatty acids can also cause abnormal sperm production in men and interferes with female gestation. You and your significant other would be wise to skip the french fries at dinner, since they could be at fault for more than one sexual problem.
Processed Carbohydrate
Any refined carbohydrates, like those found in bleached white flour and white rice, are bad news for your sex drive. This includes many pastas, cereals [rice and wheat], breads, and snack foods like crackers, cookies, and chips.
Men's Fitness explained that large amounts of refined carbs will cause your testosterone levels to decrease. The sugars from these carbohydrates can make men gain weight and raise estrogen levels as testosterone is depleted. Reach for good carbs like vegetables and whole grains instead.
You must have heard the popular saying that "Sugar is your enemy?"
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By Emeka Aginam The British Deputy High Commission in Lagos has announced the arrival of a new Deputy High Commissioner, Laure Beaufils. Laure who is the first female Deputy High CommissionerLaure-Beaufils
Beaufils who will head the UK mission in Lagos while commenting on her arrival said that, "I'm delighted to be in Lagos and leading the UK mission here. I look forward to working with a variety of Nigerian partners to further progress the already strong UK/Nigeria relationship".
Before now, Laure Beaufils has been head of the UK Department of International Development in Rwanda since August 2014 where she managed a $100 million portfolio of programmes focusing on economic development, governance and social sectors.
Prior to holding this position, she worked in various positions in the UK Government. She was the lead strategic adviser working for the British Prime Minister in his role as co-chair of the UN Secretary General's High Level Panel on the post-2015 development agenda.
She ran DFID's department for Overseas Territories.
She led a team working on climate change, and also worked for the UK mission to the UN, as first secretary responsible for development. Prior to joining the UK civil service, she worked with the UN and civil society organisations.
She also worked with the private sector as a financial auditor. She has lived and worked in Rwanda, Ethiopia, India, Cambodia, France, the UK and the USA.
The Speaker, Katsina Sate House of Assembly, Alhaji Yahaya Kusada, on Monday said Nigeria must deal decisively with corruption to overcome its developmental challenges.
Kusada told journalists in Kaduna that corruption had crippled national development and that it was vital for all Nigerians to work towards ending the menace.
According to him, fighting corruption is an obligation as it is against all known laws and religions.
"We in the helm of leadership are in full support of this crusade; we are very committed to giving total support in the fight against corruption." The speaker stressed that corruption was evil and prohibited by law and religion.
President Buhari
He said that individuals and groups should support federal and state governments to get people still involved in corrupt practices desist from it, insisting that "it cannot continue to be business as usual".
Kusada stressed that the assembly would continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his genuine fight against corruption in the country.
"He is the father of the nation, and as obedient children, we will give all the support needed to end corruption in the country," he said.
He dismissed insinuations that the fight against corruption was political, saying that all sensible Nigerians knew that corruption was a cankerworm that had stunted national growth, and must be eradicated.
"Those making the insinuations are beneficiaries of corrupt practices.
"If you don't involve yourself in any corrupt practice, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will not come after you," he said.
Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Monday employed a 32 year-old blind man, Mohammed Mustapha, a Bachelor of Arts graduate in History, to teach in secondary school.
Journalists report that Mustapha, a graduate of Gombe State University, had on Jan. 31, appealed to Gov. Shettima through the BBC Hausa Service, to assist him with a job.
Journalists further report that on Monaday, Shettima invited Mustapha to the Government House, Maiduguri, after he heard his appeal on the radio station.
Shettima told Mustapha that he heard his appeal and had granted an executive approval for him to be employed by Borno Ministry for Higher Education.
''Honestly, we are really touched by your story. You said you are a graduate of History at the Gombe State University.
Gov Kashim Shettima of Borno State.
''Honestly, I really respect you for your effort and I can assure you that we will give you all the support you deserve.
''You really deserve our support; personally I want you to teach in a senior secondary school or even in the school for the blind.
''After we employ you, we will also give you scholarship where you can go and further your education,'' Shettima said.
In his reaction, Mustapha, who thanked the governor, said that he would also love to teach so that he could impact knowledge in the young ones. He also added that he would love to further his education to become a professor.
''I am a graduate of History from the Gombe State University and I am aspiring to become the first blind professor in Nigeria,'' he said.
Muhammad told newsmen in an interview that he graduated with Second Class Lower Degree and hoped to get married after taking up the employment.
''I live in Shehuri North area of Maiduguri; I want to get married and have children to call my own, may be this year. ''But you know I have to settle with my job and save some money,'' he said.
The Akwa Savings and Loans Limited, owned by the Akwa Ibom government, said it had disengaged about 40 employees.
The bank's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ebong Bassey, disclosed this at an interactive session with newsmen in Uyo on Monday.
"We have disengaged 40 of our staff and very soon more than 50 others will also be disengaged. This is in a move to aggressively restructure the bank and reposition it for global competitiveness," he said. Bassey said that the move would also strengthen the capital base of the bank.
He also said that some branches of the bank would be shut to enhance productivity and quality control.
According to him, some of the employees of the bank who have been indicted by a special panel on various cases of fraudulent practices are being interrogated by the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He, however, said that the previous management of the bank had deviated from the core mandate and vision of the founding fathers of the struggling bank.
Bassey blamed the previous management for running the bank as a charitable organisation, adding that his management team inherited N1.8 billion debts and within five months of his assumption of office, recovered N1.4 million
"We are doing everything within our power to ensure that we recover all the money," Bassey said.
The managing director promised to publish names of the bank's debtors as soon as the external auditors submitted their report in March.
He said that many debtors had written and submitted post-dated cheques to the bank to prevent their names from being published.
The managing director assured esteemed customers that the new management was resolute to reposition the bank to meet modern banking standards.
Ahmed Makarfi’s faction of the PDP held its Stakeholders meeting at Ekiti State Governor’s lodge after policemen barricaded the entrance to the international conference centre; venue earlier scheduled for a meeting of the National Caretaker committee of the party.
Residents in northern Greece opposed refugee children attending school on Monday, Skai TV reported.
According to the TV report, there were renewed clashes between angry residents and police in the northern Greek town of Oreokastro, where some locals have for months opposed children from a nearby refugee centre being taught at the local school.
Students
The TV report said that dozens of police were seen trying to control opponents and supporters of the refugees.
The small town of Oreokastro, with a population of about 20,000, has hit the headlines repeatedly in recent months because of the dispute.
Although some 60,000 refugees have been stuck in crisis-hit Greece since the Balkan route was closed around a year ago. Report says refugees still arrive everyday from Turkey.
However, there have been relatively few xenophobic incidents so far.
Violence did take place in November 2016 on the Aegean island of Chios, where members of the far-right party Golden Dawn repeatedly attacked a refugee camp.
