NOLLYWOOD: I Need A Break - Emeka Ike

Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, has said he’s leaving Nollywood temporarily to strategies. Speaking to an Encomium reporter exclusively on Sunday July 22nd, the actor said:
“I have not quit Nollywood in the real sense of the word. What I did was to withdraw all my movies from the market, and I mean all the movies that are related with Emeka Ike…and the reason is not far fetched. I am angry with what is going on in the industry. My conscience would not allow me to go on with the decay in the industry. So, I feel that was the best thing to do, to dissociate myself from the problem and stand out! So, henceforth, any Nollywood movie would not involve Emeka Ike. Rather, I want to market all my movies on the label of Emeka Ike Production. If you want to deal with me as an actor, you have to work with me under the label. That clearly separates me from Nollywood.
Source: Information Nigeria

SHOCKING: $3 Million Gone, Ibori Lose More Loot In Jail?

James Onanefe Ibori

James Ibori, the convicted former Delta State Governor, loses $3 million to the U.S.
More trouble has come the way of imprisoned former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, as a United States (U.S.) court seized his asset worth N480 million ($3 million).

The seizure was announced, Monday, through a statement by an Assistant Attorney General at the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Lanny Breuer; and a Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), John Morton.

The asset, believed to be proceeds of corruption, seized from Mr. Ibori are a mansion in Houston and two Merrill Lynch brokerage accounts. The case is part of the Justice Department’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

“Instead of working to benefit the people of the Nigerian Delta, Governor Ibori pilfered state funds and accumulated immense wealth in the process,” Mr. Breuer said. 

“He conspired with Mr. Gohil (Bhadresh, his British Lawyer) to funnel millions of dollars in corruption proceeds out of Nigeria and into bank accounts and assets maintained in the names of shell companies and nominees. “

The U.S. District court of Columbia approved the seizure on May 16, 2012, following an application from a UK court.

Mr. Ibori is already serving his jail term in the UK after he was convicted, to 13 years in prison, for money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. 

The Delta State born politician was governor of the oil-rich state from may 1999 to May 2007.

Mr. Gohil was also convicted, in November 2010, of money laundering and prejudicing a money laundering investigation; and was sentenced by a UK court to 10 years in prison. 

 

Report Corrupt Leaders to us

While speaking on the asset seizure, Mr. Morton, the ICE director descried Mr. Ibori’s case as “a warning to those corrupt foreign officials who abuse their power for personal financial gain and then attempt to place those funds in the U.S. financial system.”

He said his agency would work with other US authorities to deny “them (corrupt foreign officials) the satisfaction of their illegal earnings.”

The statement also called on members of the public, anywhere in the world, to report any public official suspected of keeping stolen funds in the U.S.

“Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through institutions in the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov,” it stated.
Source: Sahara Reporters

SLANDER: AIT Lied Over Tunde Bakare's SSS Invitation?

Tunde Bakare, the firebrand lawyer and pastor who yesterday answered an invitation of the State Security Service (SSS), which appealed to him to tone down his blazing political message on the pulpit, is about to serve a different kind of fire to AIT Television.
In a letter to the Chairman of DAAR Communications, which owns AIT Television, lawyers to the Pastor today gave the station 48 hours to apologize for yesterday’s 8pm newscast, in which it said that Mr. Bakare was arrested by the SSS for his speech at the Latter Rain Assembly the previous day, or face immediate legal action.
The lawyers noted that in the broadcast, AIT alleged that Mr. Bakare was “detained for 48 hours by the State Security Service before he was released on bail,” and that during interrogation, Mr. Bakare “denied making certain statements in his speech and stated that he was misquoted by the press”.
“The foregoing statements credited to our client were never made by him neither at the State Security Services office nor at any other place,” the letter said.  “By your statements, you have injured the reputation of our client by portraying him as a man who lacks the temerity and courage to stand by his words before constituted authority.”
According to the statement, the “calculated attempt to further injure the reputation” of Pastor Bakare was followed up this morning on the live “Focus Nigeria” programme when anchor Kunle Adewale, commenting on the topic, “ARREST AND DETENTION OF PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE BY THE SSS,” posited that the pastor is “mixing politics with the pulpit” and urged Nigerians to call in and comment on his conduct.

“The comment/broadcast of Kunle Adewale during the live broadcast, insinuates that our client is a disgruntled politician who is hiding under the disguise of religion to instigate a change of government,” the notice said.  “The comment/broadcast also suggests that our client’s “message of enlightenment” is an incitement on Nigerians to revolt against the present Government.
It further affirmed that the broadcast is malicious, offensive and intended to disparage Mr. Bakare and cause him embarrassment and public condemnation.
“The aforestated publication has grossly lowered the reputation of our client in the estimation of right-thinking members of the Nigerian society and the world in general. It has exposed our client, founder of Latter Rain Assembly and Convener of Save Nigeria Group to public odium and ridicule. Our client has been inundated with calls and text messages by friends and associates who are perturbed by the broadcast. This broadcast has exposed our client to the worst condemnation ever made against any Pastor and Human Rights Activist.”
Furthermore, said the notice, “Our client finds it totally unacceptable that a man who convened the peaceful protest on the removal of subsidy in Lagos would be so cowardly as to deny making the said speech or attributing the content of his speech to the misquotations of the press.  It corrodes the reputation of our client to suggest that a man of his status who chooses to walk the path of honesty would use the Lord’s name for political gains or lie against the press.”
AIT has yet to respond to the ultimatum, which will expire on Thursday.
Source: Sahara Reporters

WICKED: Woman Lures Virgin For Rapist?

A woman, Ukamaka Oluche, who allegedly lured her teenage friend (names withheld) to a suspected rapist, Tunde Mesanga, has landed herself and the man in serious trouble.
An Apapa Magistrate’s Court in Lagos where they are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape, has ordered that they be remanded at Kirikiri prisons, Apapa.
P.M.NEWS gathered that Ukamaka was a friend to the 18-year old teenage girl for some years. The victim confided in Ukamaka that she was a virgin and would like to remain so until after her university education and marriage. The teenager did not know that her friend, Ukamaka, was not happy at such a revelation.
Ukamaka therefore lured the victim to suspected rapist’s house somewhere in Agric area of Lagos-Badagry expressway, where she was allegedly raped by Mesanga. Both of them reportedly stripped the victim while Tunde raped her.
The incident was later reported to the police and the lady and Mesanga were arrested and charged to court.
The police prosecutor told the court that the two suspects contravened sections 409 and 263 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011. When the charge was read to them, Ukamaka and Mesanga pleaded not guilty. The presiding magistrate, Mr. E.O. Ogundare admitted each of them to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety each in the like sum.
The matter was adjourned till 19 October, 2012 for mention. But because they did not meet the bail condition on time, they were remanded in Kirikiri prisons, Apapa, pending when their sureties will perfect their bail conditions.
Source: PM News

KWARA STATE ADMISSION LIST IS OUT (1ST BATCH)

The Kwara State University, Malete List is out. To view it visit the link below.

KWASU ADMISSION LIST (1ST BATCH) PDF File format

If you see your name on the list, don't forget to print your screening form. Click the link below to get it.

KWASU SCREENING FORM PDF File format

BOKO HARAM: Senator Get Permission To Travel Out?

A Federal High Court siting in Abuja on Tuesday gave its nod for Ndume to proceed to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser Hajj as it granted him an order to exit from Nigeria for the purpose of performing lesser hajj, Umrah, from 1st to 31st August, 2012.
Ndume has been standing trial on a four counts charge for allegedly sponsoring the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
The court held that it lies on the state to prove that releasing Ndume’s passport to enable him travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj, Umrah, will jeopardize the efforts of the security agencies to curb the ravaging activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sects which has caused the death of many Nigerians in the last 14 months.
“An accused standing trial is still presumed innocent until proven guilty but this however does not mean that there was no prima facie evidence linking him to the crimes, presumption of innocence supposes that one who is alleged to have been committed a crime and was arrested should be charged to court and the accused had been so charged” the court noted.
In exercising the court’s discretion in favour of Ndume, the presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, stated that the accused applicant has requested to attend to his religious obligation as well as attend his routine medical checks and noted that prosecution had not responded on how releasing his passport to travel will prejudice this trial.
“He had been admitted to bail and there is prospect or certainty that the accused will attend his trial. His request was for a specified time frame, and a mere assertion by the prosecution that the accused will not return for his trial, can not be taken like a magic wand, reasonable materials to that effect ought to have been placed before the court”.
Ndume’s application is based primarily on his personal religious faith which the court should treat cautiously. Moreso, only the living can perform umrah, so the submission of the prosecution that Ndume can always perform the religious rites after his trial holds water as the prosecution cannot say for certainty that Ndume would be discharged and acquitted at the end of his trial, the court observed.
“The offence for which he is standing trial carries a jail term of 10 years and there is no law which permits someone serving term to travel for religious rites”.
Justice Kolawole ordered Ndume to file within 24 hours upon his arrival an affidavit deposing to having received any medical attention in the course of his trip for religious rites and to return his travel documents back to the court immediately on arrival.
In the application moved by his lawyers led by Mr. Segun Jolaowo, the senator had pleaded with the court to release his travel documents to enable him perform Islamic religious rites in Saudi Arabia and seek further medical attention over seas.
According to Ndume’s lawyers, the application seeking the release of the travel documents will enable his client seek further medical attention abroad after performing religious rites in Saudi Arabia.
” We all know the state of our nation’s medical facilities, that is why he wants to travel abroad for medical attention as well perform his religious obligation in Saudi Arabia”.
He further informed the court that the senator had always appeared for his trial and had never flouted any of the conditions attached to his bail and that he will promptly return his International Passport upon his return to the court.
The court was also reminded that despite an earlier leave granted by the court for Ndume to travel which the SSS frustrated, that he promptly returned the passport to the custody of the court.
In opposing the application, Mr. Sunday Mordi, the prosecution counsel, had informed the court that he filed and served a Nine- paragraph affidavit on the 11th of July and sought rely on all the avirements in the counter affidavit and adopt it as prosecution’s argument in opposing the application.
“We urge this court to dismiss this application in the interest of justice and the security of the entire nation as granting it will jeopardize the process of this trial. We all know that this country is under siege by the dreaded Boko Haram. We hear tales of bomb blasts in Damaturu, Yobe and Jos”
Mr. Mordi also faulted the claims by the embattled senator on the issue of medical attention abroad, noting that there are medical facilities across the nation to cater for whatever ailment he may be suffering from.
Senator Ndume, in his application, did not specify what ailment he is suffering from nor the nature of the proposed treatment being sought abroad.
The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole subsequently adjourned trial to October 24th.
Source: PM News

HOT LIST: First Batch Of Fuel Subsidy Fraudsters Unveiled?

The commission will arraign 20 Suspects for a start
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has concluded arrangements to prosecute the first batch 20 suspectsimplicated in the oil subsidy fraud. The suspects, comprising seven oil companies and 12 individuals, will be docked in Lagos courts.Abdulahi Alao will however be docked in another separate charge.
The companies involved are: Nasaman Oil Services; Eternal Oil and Gas Plc; Ontario Oil & Gas Plc; Nadabo Energy Limited; Pacific Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited and Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited.
The 11 individuals involved in the scam are: Mamman Nasir Ali; Christian Taylor; Mahmud Tukur; Ochonogor Alex; Walter Wagbatsoma; Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele; Abubakar Ali Peters; Jude Agube Abalaka,  Abdulahi Alao and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo.
Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele is director of the accounting firm, Akintola Williams Deliote while Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer is a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulating Agency, PPPRA.
Nasaman Oil Services; Mamman Nasir and Christian Taylor are to face charges bordering on obtaining N4, 460, 130, 797. 94 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira, Ninety Four Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria under false pretence.
The sum is alleged to have been fraudulently obtained as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit from SEATAC Petroleum Limited of British Virgin Islands .
In the same vein, the anti-graft agency will equally prosecute Abdulahi Alao and Axenergy Limited for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2, 640, 141, 707.75 (Two Billion, Six Hundred and Forty Million; One Hundred and Forty One Thousand; Seven Hundred and Seven Naira, Seventy Five Kobo) being payments received from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 33.3 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Others include Mahmud Tukur,  Ochonogor Alex; Abdulahi Alao and Eternal Oil And Gas Plc who will be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 899, 238, 946. 02( One Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Six Naira, Two Kobo) from the Petroleum support Fund for a purported importation of 80.3million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Also, Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Pacific Silver Line Limited are to be prosecuted for allegedly obtaining the sum of N1, 464, 961, 978.24 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Twenty- Four Kobo ), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 19.4million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Walter Wagbatsoma; Adaoha Ugo -Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel   Olaleye Ejidele and Ontario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited will be arraigned for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 959, 377, 542, .63 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Sixty Three Kobo) from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 39.2 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Lastly, Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo are to be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N979,653,110.20 ( Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, Twenty Eight Kobo), from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 33, 627, 84 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
The 20 suspects are among the over 140 individuals and organisations involved in the on- going investigations into the subsidy payments by the EFCC. More suspects will be arraigned periodically as the investigation progresses.
This investigation is massive and extensive; and the Commission wishes to reassure Nigerians that every effort will be made to bring all those who defrauded the country in the guise of subsidy for imported fuel to book.
Source: Premium Times

2012 BUDGET: Why We Want To Impeach Jonathan - Reps

Members of the House of Representatives yesterday came out to defend themselves on the decision to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan by September, if the 2012 budget is not fully implemented.
Besides, the lawmakers said they were aware of the comments as well as what they described as the deliberate plan by the Presidency to misinform the public on the rationale behind their “nationalistic stand”.
According to a Statement released and signed in Abuja by the House spokesman Zakari Mohammed, said the lawmakers’ decision was informed by the fact that the growth in the economy has not reflected in the well-being of Nigerians.
He said: “This bold and patriotic step by the Seventh Assembly has attracted different comments from a lot of quarters, expectedly. Therefore, some sponsored news, editorials and commentaries choose to deliberately misinform the public on the rationale behind our nationalistic stand, for the avoidance of doubt, whilst we are aware that all revenue-generating agencies have surpassed their annual target by mid this year.
“The House is worried that this positive development did not reflect the implementation of the budget for the benefit of the Nigerian peoples.”
The spokesman also faulted reasons adduced by the Presidency as being behind the impeachment moves, saying: “This trend, if not arrested, would worsen the already fragile state of the nation, hence the need for our quick intervention.
“To then insinuate that the House of Representatives took this noble step to satisfy pressure from a political party or because the Constituency projects were not awarded to members or because of the drama that followed the presentation of the fuel subsidy report, is to say the least malicious damaging and uncharitable to the image of the Assembly.
“We in the Legislature are lawmakers and not contractors and the constituency projects execution has been the exclusive preserve of the executive and its agencies. At no time has there been any argument on this.
“Similarly, what members do in the course of the budget preparation is to furnish the respective MDAs with locations and areas of needs of our constituencies.
“The bidding processes are handled by the supervising ministries. The entire 360 members in the House are bound by the Nigerian project, our independence and objectiveness is evident in the selection of our principal officers which we did according to our thoughts.
“To assume that we are guided by some forces outside the House of Representatives is mischievous and a deliberate ploy to misrepresent the House before the Nigerian public”.
The spokesman said, the lawmakers took steps to preserve the integrity of the institution by not shying away from sanctioning erring members. He cited the bribery scandal involving House member Farouk Lawan and businessman Femi Otedola from which he said the 7th Assembly has distanced itself.
He said, Lawan was suspended as Chairman of the committees on fuel subsidy and education, and the House encouraged law enforcement agencies to do their work according to the dictates of the law.
“To now conclude that our resolution on Thursday is borne out of selfish motives is terribly out of place, We would, however, continue to raise our voices to the highest ebb where we sight injustice or impunity; no amount of blackmail or intimidation would cow us to abdicate our constitutional responsibility which we signed with our employers (the Nigerian people) to stand firm and protect their interest,” Mohammed added.
Source: Daily Post

SURPRISING: Ghana Deny Nigerians Entry Over Fake Yellow Fever Card?

A DIPLOMATIC row may soon arise between Nigeria and Ghana as the country is said to be denying Nigerians entry over alleged fake yellow fever cards.
Some Nigerian travellers to Accra told The Guardian that they were recently subjected to inhuman treatment at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, over yellow fever vaccination.
The Guardian learnt that all the yellow fever cards from Nigeria were presumed fake and international passports of such Nigerians seized and the Ghanaian immigration officials insisting that the affected persons get Ghana’s yellow fever cards at the cost of N2,000 before their documents could be released to them.
According to one of the affected Nigerians, “on June 29, 2012, there were two last flights by Aero and Arik that landed almost simultaneously at about 6.10 p.m. Nigerian time. Immediately, the health officials mounted an unconventional roadblock on the way to the immigration points. Every vaccination card issued in Nigeria was presumed fake. We were all asked to move to a side after all our international passports have been seized.
“New vaccination cards were issued to us after injecting us with the vaccine and a fee of N2, 000 charged for that which was paid in Nigerian currency. Charging for this in naira is curious. A pregnant woman was issued only with a card when she told them she is pregnant but after parting with N2, 000,” he added.
He said attention was not paid to new international arrivals consisting of whites and blacks on board, stressing that on inquiry, “the health officials claimed ignorance of such arrivals, disclosing that they were only after Nigerians.
“We were held for hours that day. To confirm extortion of money from Nigerians, why should they collect money from a pregnant woman who was not jabbed an injection? Why should we be paying in Naira and why should every yellow fever card issued in Nigeria be presumed fake? Do the health officials of foreign countries have the powers to seize the passports of travellers/visitors to their countries? he queried.
Source: Guardian

OUTRAGEOUS: Man Kills Wife Over Soup?

Hon. Mathias Nweze a former member of the Enugu Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) was said to have rushed to the police station in the town of Umuida Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State to report himself for killing his wife.
In his report to the police, Nweze claimed that while he was sleeping in his house at about 11 pm last Saturday, his generator went off twice, arousing the suspicion that robbers might have invaded his compound. He therefore brought out his pump action gun and fired several times at the direction of the generator. Having been living with his two wives in the same house, he claimed that while trying to shoot whoever was out there in the compound, one of the bullets hit his wife, leaving her critically injured.
However, the neighbours of the Nwezes believed the suspect must have made up the story to the police to lessen the weight of his crime. According to two neighbours who spoke to THISDAY newspaper on grounds of anonymity, they said the suspect had given money to the late wife to cook some delicacy for him but he was angered when he found out that rather than cook what he wanted, he was served something else which they identified as ‘corn mill’. An angry Nweze had rushed into his room, picked his gun, stormed out, aimed the gun at the wife, and pulled the trigger, the neighbours claimed.
The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the report, adding that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, just as the suspect has been detained by the police. He also noted that the police had commenced full scale investigation into the incident that led to the shooting of the mother of six.
Source: Information Nigeria