Deconstructing Dasuki’s Travails

Sambo Dasuki

Abdullahi Waide

After five months of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, many Nigerians are anxiously struggling to understand what some now refer to as the body language of the Daura-born retired Army general. And despite the euphoria of ‘change’ which trailed his election, not a few are worried that Buhari may not be the Messiah the nation has been waiting for. This school of thought argues that body language cannot be a leadership model that can lead to better lives for the suffering masses of the country.

For many, Buhari may be unblemished in terms of integrity but may be found wanting in several other scores of good leadership. There are those who insist that more than anything, the major challenge that Buhari’s administration would face is managing the fundamental human rights of the citizens. The thinking is that old habits die hard and if his antecedents are anything to go by, the president not be easily pre-disposed to strict observance of the rights of others.

Early signs of what to expect from the tough Army officer-turned politician appeared on Thursday, July 16, 2015, on the eve of the ED-El Fitri festival when the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, was put under house arrest in a manner reminiscent of the nation’s military past, by officers of the Department of State Security (DSS).

For many, that singular event was a bad omen and one of the actions that has tested     President Buhari’s democratic credentials and commitment to the respect of the people’s fundamental human rights.

The allegation against Dasuki was that he had the presence or likely presence of criminal items in his houses in Abuja and his father’s house in Sokoto. The houses were thoroughly searched by the DSS, in spite of protests of Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, Snr.

As if the first experience of Dasuki in the hands of the DSS was not enough, the federal government again filed fresh charges of illegal possession of foreign and local currencies against the former National security Adviser and went further to demand that he be tried in secret, whatever that means.

But at the resumed hearing of the earlier charge of possession of illegal firearms filed against Dasuki on Monday, October 26, Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court Six, sitting in Abuja expressed surprise at the decision of prosecution counsel to bring additional charges against Dasuki on a day set aside for definite hearing on the one count charge preferred against him.

Recall that on September 1 this year, prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, had told the court that Dasuki was charged with the unlawful possession of firearms without a licence which Dasuki pleaded not guilty.

Justice Ademola then granted Mr. Dasuki bail on self-recognition but ordered that his passport and other travel documents be deposited with the Deputy Court Registrar while the case was adjourned to October 26 and 27 for the hearing.

But when the court sat on October 26, 2015 however, M.S. Labaran, appearing for the prosecution announced instead that the one count charge was now being expanded to include additional charges bordering on illegal possession of various amounts of local and foreign currency in his Abuja residence and family house in Sokoto contrary to Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

He also requested that the trial be conducted in secrecy by providing special cover for witnesses from using public routes; use of private witness room; use of facial masks; and also that only accredited members of the press be allowed to cover the trial.

Many are wondering what the secret trials mean in a democracy and especially in view of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and captured in Section 36 (5) that “Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved guilty.”

Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) and one of the counsels to Dasuki, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) objected to the request for special cover for prosecution witnesses in the case on the ground that the case is harmless within a democratic setting that does not warrant secret trial. Daudu said that even during military rule, trial of this nature was held openly and insisted that in a democratic era, the entrenchment of rule of law will be the greatest casualty if trial of this nature is made in secret.

He explained that in a criminal trial, the ability of defence counsel to confront the prosecution witness is pivotal because if the defence counsel is not allowed to have a direct confrontation with the prosecution witnesses and interrogate the witness as per his background and the like, it will weaken the strength of the defence.

Daudu even clarified that the identity of the witnesses which the prosecution sought to hide is already in the public domain and cautioned that the prosecution seemed to be urging the court to embark on mere academic exercise.

He said: “We consider the trial as harmless to the witnesses. If you make the witnesses anonymous, then we may lack the ability to conduct background checks. Even in trial of treasonable felony and coup d’etat, the witnesses are not hidden and we are in a democracy.

He added: “Also for the fact that there has not been cases in this court where witnesses are being molested and in these cases, it will be a case of injustice if the defence counsel and witnesses are known and the prosecution witnesses who are armed and can protect themselves are shielded. I think all the motions and counter-affidavit has been charged and this is purely an academic exercise.”
Daudu also asked the court to release the travel documents of the accused to him so that he would be able to travel abroad for medical check-up.

Like Daudu argued, many agree that the demand by the federal government for a secret trial of Dasuki is certainly unbecoming of a democratic government headed by a party which claims to be made up of progressives.

There are so many who think that Dasuki’s experience is a witch-hunt by President Buhari who is not happy with the role which the former security adviser played in his ouster in 1985 and build up to the last presidential election. Having been elected as the president of Nigeria, his actions should be devoid of whims and caprices and he should allow modernity and the constitution to influence his leadership styles and policies. That way, Nigeria will continue to support and reap the expected change programmes that his party is advocating. In 1985, when Buhari’s military government was overthrown, Col. Sambo Dasuki and three Majors reportedly arrested Gen. Buhari, on the eve of Ed El-Fitri! Many are wondering whether this is a pay-back time and whether as a civilian Head of State, Buhari is taking a revenge on one of his erstwhile tormentors?

One of the school of thoughts also suggest that Dasuki’s travails may not be unconnected with a suggestion he made in London, that the 2015 elections be postponed for security reasons.

Many urge the president to settle down to face the challenges of governance rather than indulge in the practice of witch hunt which would not lead to a better life for the average Nigerian.

THISDAY

The PDP Governors as Endangered Species

Nwobodo Chidiebere

“Once a government is committed to the anti-democratic principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” -Harry S. Truman

If there is any time, since 1999, when Nigeria’s nascent democracy has come under great test of survival, it is now.

The gains of the nation’s democracy for sixteen consecutive years of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, reign is being eroded at the speed of light under constitutional dictatorial government of the APC led by President Mohammadu Buhari. In less than six months of this repressive regime, the two other arms of government—Legislature and Judiciary have suffered great assaults and annexation, as a result of this ignoble trend. The National Assembly, which is the incontrovertible beckon of every democratic dispensation, has been struggling to defend the legislative independence since the inception of 8th National Assembly. The ill-conceived and politically motivated on-going trial of Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki can attest to my submission that our democracy is under scorn siege.

The recent condemnable, tyrannical invasion of the PDP controlled states by The Presidency and the APC using the security agencies and Elections Petitions Tribunals, to nullify elections held only in the PDP strongholds of Rivers and Akwa Ibom, has the potential of not only truncating our democracy, but jeopardizing continuous existence of Nigeria as a heterogeneous State. This is because Nigeria’s strength and survival can only be found in unconditional respect and protection of peoples will, freedom of expression, and electoral mandate as explicitly expressed during the last general elections via ballot papers.

It is on record that some of the APC stakeholders and party stalwarts boasted openly and arrogantly immediately President Buhari was sworn in as the nation’s number one citizen, that they would take over the PDP states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and possibly Delta State using “Federal might”. Here, we are facing the realities and dire consequences of actions of those anti-democratic elements acting out well-scripted conspiracy not only to decimate the PDP as formidable opposition but enthrone constitutional dictatorship— a one party state of totalitarianism.

It can be recalled that no reasonable and justifiable excuse was given for the unilateral relocation of Elections Petitions Tribunals of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Taraba to Abuja, other than flimsy one of insecurity, which the most gullible, and political unconscious observer could detect the broad daylight deceit, baseless conjectures and unproven fallacies that characterized the entire judicial robbery packaged as Tribunal proceedings. It is no longer news that the APC-led Federal Government deplored the institutions of statecraft such as Department of State Service (DSS), to arm-twist and intimidate defence witnesses and INEC staff through frequent arrests and summons. The game plan as this writer enumerated in his previous articles was to prepare the ground for annulments of governorship and National Assembly elections won by the PDP candidates in these respective states.

Now that the grand conspiracy has been hatched—annulment of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, all true lovers of democracy should rise to the occasion to defend our hard-earned democracy and shame enemies of freedom of electoral franchise, on whose whimsical and rapacious tendencies the un-negotiable mandates of people of Rivers and Akwa Ibom were subverted by Tribunals, where chairmen of Elections Petitions Tribunals were changed at the beck and call of the petitioners—obviously in strong synergy with Aso Rock. Let’s come to think of it, if the PDP could win Presidential and National Assembly elections in these two states as affirmed by National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal, what could stop the PDP from winning governorships elections in the same states. What magic could the APC have done to win governorship elections in states it failed to produce a single National Assembly seat with all the media propaganda and grandstanding? If the

so-called Buhari effect could win elections in the North for the APC candidates, what stops Jonathan effect from influencing the victory of the PDP in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states governorship elections, where Niger-Delta sentiments was very obvious?

President Buhari and the APC should not mistake Former President Jonathan conceding of defeat as a sign of weakness on the part of the PDP and Niger-Delta people. Anything short of respect for the sanctity of people’s will in Rivers and Akwa Ibom is a call for inevitable anarchy, because Jonathan might have conceded defeat to save millions of lives in this fragile entity called Nigeria, Niger-Delta people are not ready to surrender their mandates to intruders and invaders—who want to reap where they did not sow. Rivers would not endure again pains and agonies they experienced in the hands of last turbulent administration led by Chibuike Amaechi or compromise hard-earned peace they are enjoying in the oil-rich state.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, human rights should be protected by the rule of law. That just laws, which uphold human rights are the necessary foundation of peace and security, would be denied only by closed and hyper-rigid minds, who interpret peace as the silence of all opposition and security as the assurance of their own power”, apology to Aung San Suu.

Nigerians have not forgotten in a hurry, what transpired in Benue State Elections Petitions Tribunal, where it was clearly established that the incumbent governor of the Food Basket of the nation, Samuel Ortom, was not nominated through any known or recognised party primary. INEC even substantiated the position of the petitioner that Gov. Ortom was not produced by any INEC accredited primary conducted by the APC. The PDP went as far as producing weighty and indicting video tape where Gov. Ortom personally confessed not emerging via party primary in contravention of the Electoral Act, which was enough to cancel his election and returned the PDP candidate, Hon. Tarzoor as duly elected governor of the state as runner up. Seeing that his political ship was about collapsing in the face of justice and rule of law, Gov. Ortom went begging at Aso Rock to intervene in his favour, this resulted into the APC setting up of high-powered Presidential Committee

personally chaired by President Buhari and deputised by Honourable Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to “save” the APC from losing Benue State governorship seat to opposition, the PDP. The impact and influence of this operation-save-Ortom Presidential Committee could be seen in the Tribunal judgement where Gov. Ortom’s election was upheld against the dictates of Electoral Act—that illustrates nothing but rape of justice and erosion of judicial independence.

The unjustifiable rate at which the PDP Governors and Senators are losing their seats at the Elections Petitions Tribunals under the control of The Presidency, while the same Tribunals are using different strokes for different folks strategy to uphold elections of the APC governors and Senators, do not only portend danger for the survival of our fledgling democracy, but Nigeria as fragile state—where cultural diversities and political inclinations should not only be respected but seen to be safeguarded against dictatorial elements, who are bent on foisting their parochial, sectional, bigoted and vindictive agenda on the people of Niger-Delta where the PDP still dominates the political atmosphere. When dictatorship becomes established norm, resistance becomes a right. The recent pro-Biafran protests in parts of the country as well as in parts of Europe and Asia can attest to this argument vis-à-vis the thoughts of Wole Soyinka, where he stated “under a dictatorship, a nation ceases to exist; all that remains is a fiefdom, a planet of slaves regimented by aliens from outer space”.

Discerning Nigerians and keen political analysts are finding it difficult and incomprehensible to juxtapose Elections Petitions Tribunal judgement of Rivers State with Appeal Court verdict on Agbaje vs. Ambode, where it was unambiguously enunciated that the partial or non-use of Card Readers was not enough evidence to cancel an entire electoral processes that brought in a governor. If a superior court of competent jurisdiction in the judicial hierarchy of Appeal Court, would dismiss the Election Petitions of the PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje on the grounds that malfunctioning of Card Readers was not concrete evidence that election did not follow electoral guidelines, the million-dollar question agitating the minds of political pundits is: Why would the same judiciary operating with the same constitutional provisions and Electoral Act nullify election of Gov. Nyesom Wike of the PDP on  similar grounds? Where is the neutrality the Judiciary is known for?

Where is the preservation of last hope of common man in all these? Is this not a blatant case of different strokes for different folks? Is this the definition of change Nigerians voted for?
What shall we not say about the case of Yobe State where the Tribunal upheld the election of Governor Ibrahim Geidam despite the well-established fact that the ADC of the Governor paid bribe into the account of the Resident Electoral Commissioner three few days to the election? Two officials of Diamond Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, tendered exhibits confirming the payment of N15 million into the REC’s Zenith Bank and Diamond Bank accounts of Governor Geidam by the Aide-de-Camp to Governor Gaidam, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Zakari Deba  on April 8, 2015.  Yet, the Tribunal saw no relationship between that inducement and the outcome of the election!

The Presidency and the APC should be aware that when the will of the people becomes subverted, using over bearing institutions of statecraft, when the Judiciary that is supposed to be the conscience and compass of a democratic state, would ingloriously allow itself to be annexed by agents of dictatorship, the people are left with no other option than to defend their fundamental rights of electoral mandates using every legitimate means available.

The only criterion to lose elections cases in Tribunals under the APC-controlled Federal Government is to be affiliated with the PDP—the same party that conducted an internationally acclaimed free, fair and credible polls that saw the then APC candidate defeating the PDP candidate President Jonathan, to emerge president of Nigeria. The PDP governors and elected members of National and State Houses of Assemblies have become endangered species in the face of rampaging tyranny and authoritarianism propelled by the APC led Federal Government. This is bad change.

––Chidiebere wrote from Abuja. chidieberenwobodo@yahoo.com

THISDAY 

FIFA crisis: England demands refund of £21m World Cup bid money

The FA are to ex­amine their legal position after sus­pended FIFA president Sepp Blatter sensation­ally claimed the venues for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were fixed before voting. The 79-year-old made his extraordinary al­legation during a long interview with Russian news service TASS. He said the 2018 World Cup was lined up for Russia and the 2022 tournament was meant to go to the USA — until UEFA’s Michel Platini derailed the plan by taking votes to Qatar.
It now appears the FA spent £21million, including £2.5m from the public purse, on a 2018 bid that was doomed from the start.
On top of that, Prince William and Prime Minister David Cam­eron were put in the embarrassing position of lobbying for last-minute support in Zurich five years ago, only for Eng­land’s bid to attract just two votes.
The FA said they would launch a full in­quiry following Blatter’s comments on Wednes­day.
Chairman Greg Dyke, asked by a Culture, Media and Sport select committee if he would sue FIFA, replied: ‘If this turns out to be a rigged bid, we shall recover our money. It would not be unreasonable to ask for our money back. It would be very nice to get taxpayers’ money back.”
‘We will ask questions about what Blatter has said. He may just say he was misrepresented or mistranslated. But we will go back and ask FIFA and we will talk to our lawyers. It’s unchart­ed territory.’

SUN 

Nigeria is broke, Buhari declares

President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that Nigeria is indeed broke. He said that the country is at the moment strug­gling to pay workers salaries even as he says he wants to be remembered as a Ni­gerian president who fought corruption to a standstill, assuring Nigerians, who are not involved in corruptly enriching themselves with public funds, not to be afraid.
President Buhari said in the coming days he would have to prune the number of min­istries so as to be able to pay salaries. He’s saying this barely 24 hours after the Senate confirmed 37 ministerial nominees he sent to the upper chamber of the National As­sembly for confirmation.
Speaking at a press conference after the India-Africa Summit, which took place in New Delhi, India, President Buhari said he would not lose sleep over criticism that he was being selective in the fight against cor­ruption.
One of the main talking points at the one-day summit in New Delhi, was the provision India had made for African coun­tries. The nation said it had set aside over $10 billion grant for African countries.
Wooing investors, President Buhari as­sured Indians and the international com­munity of his administration’s commit­ment to sustaining efforts aimed at making Nigeria an envy of all. He urged them to avail themselves of the conducive environ­ment that would be created for investments to thrive.
Responding to critics of his adminis­tration who claim he was too slow in ad­dressing economic and infrastructural chal­lenges facing the country that’s yearning for urgent development, Buhari said “they call me baba go slow, but I will go slow and steady”.
He called on the elite to encourage him to get whoever had compromised his posi­tion and the trust given to him. President Buhari told the gathering that he remained resolute in the fight against corruption and would want to be remembered for that when it is all said and done.
His administration has three main focus – security, economy and the fight against corruption. But he has roundly been criti­cised by the opposition Peoples Demo­cratic Party (PDP) as being selective in the fight.
On whether there will be an extension of a three-month deadline given by his ad­ministration to flush out Boko Haram from Nigeria’s north-east, the President said that the target was to get rid of terrorism and not about meeting deadline.
See excerpts of interview:
How much have you recovered so far in your fight against corruption and how do you feel when people say you are be­ing selective?
I can’t tell you off hand how much we have recovered. For those who accuse us of being selective, if they are not involved in corruption, they wouldn’t have been saying that, they would be the ones to encourage us to get whoever that has compromised in his position of trust. Those who are not cor­rupt should even encourage us to do more. I’m not selective. But whoever that is cor­rupt would be given up for prosecution so that Nigerians will know we are serious about this fight.
The three months target you gave the military to flush out Boko Haram, if they don’t meet the target would there be an extension?
The main objective is to get rid of Boko Haram whether it is within the time you gave to the military or outside it. We main­tain cardinal objective and we would sup­port them.
The PDP and APC in the NASS have been polarised following the confirmation of your ministerial nominees. Does that bother you?
This is teamwork. I didn’t work with the Presidency alone, I have to defend all the three chains of government from all parts of the country and we cannot work outside the constitution, it must be a cabinet representa­tive of each state. We cannot afford votes for all ministers, some may not be successful ministers, but they would sit in cabinet, be­cause that is what the constitution says, and we cannot operate outside the constitution.
Are you reducing the number of min­istries?
Of course, the country is broke
There are talks that your government is too slow in addressing infrastructure?
Where is the money? You must have known that the Federal Government has to help 27 states out of 36 to pay salaries. Nige­ria cannot pay salaries; the Federal Govern­ment itself has to summon the Governor of Central Bank on how it could pay salaries, not to talk of projects, agreements we signed with other countries on counterpart funding and so on.
SUN 

BREAKING NEWS: 224 killed in Russian plane crash

A Russian plane has crashed in Egypt with 224 people on board.

None of those on board survived the crash, according to Egyptian officials.
There had been previous reports from the crash site in the mountains of Sinai that voices could be heard from one part of the wreckage.
However, officials have now said that everyone on board, including 17 children, died in the crash.
The Airbus A-321 aircraft (pictured) was carrying 217 passengers and seven crew members and took off from popular tourist destination Sharm el-Sheikh.
The plane, operated by small Russian airline Kogalymavia and branded as Metrojet, was heading for St Petersburg in Russia.
Of the passengers on board, 214 were Russian and three were Ukrainian.
The plane disappeared from radar screens 23 minutes after its take-off time of 5.51am.
The black boxes from the plane, which record all the flight data, have been located. If intact, they will give an accurate picture of what happened in the moments before the crash.
The plane disappeared from radar when travelling at 31,000ft.
Relatives of the passengers have been frantically awaiting information from the airline’s desk at Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg.
Earlier, there had been hopes of finding survivors in the wreckage after an Egyptian security officer said he could hear the voices of trapped passengers in one section of the plane. The plane reportedly split into two sections on impact.
Russia’s prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Twitter: “I am deeply shocked by the plane crash in the Sinai Peninsula. The tragedy will be thoroughly investigated, the families will receive aid”.
AGENCIES Reports

Thousands in Paris anti-racism rally mark 2005 riots

Paris. Photo: indiegogo

Condemning racism and police heavy-handedness, thousands of people attended a “march of dignity” rally in Paris on Saturday to mark a decade since the deaths of two youths sparked nationwide riots. The pair were electrocuted at a power substation on October 27, 2005 as police investigated a reported break-in at a building site in the northern Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois, which has a sizeable immigrant population.
Their deaths were the trigger for three weeks of riots across France as tensions already simmering over high youth unemployment and police harassment of youths from poorer housing estates boiled over.
The government was forced to declare a state of emergency and by the time calm was restored on November 17, 10,000 cars had been burned, 300 buildings destroyed or vandalised, two policemen shot and injured, and 6,000 people arrested.
Saturday’s march set off with a group of women at their head under the banner “march for dignity against racism.”
Participants, many of whom had travelled to the capital from around the country, called for “justice, reparation, unity” as they descended on the northern Barbes district for a rally called by women’s collective Mafed, backed by US civil rights campaigner Angela Davis, as well as anti-racist and anti-discrimination associations.
“Today in France, if you don’t have the right skin colour … you can die at the hands of the police,” said Mafed spokeswoman Amal Bentounsi, who said her brother was killed by a policeman in 2012.
“They stigmatise and disdain people from working class districts,” said Bentounsi.
Organisers said they wanted to highlight “increasingly deplorable social conditions and the harassment and humiliation of local people (which) constitute daily life for black people, Arabs, Roma and working class white people.”
Despite a decade of government initiatives to revitalise underprivileged suburbs, many residents say little has changed and this week the deputy mayor of Clichy-sous-Bois warned conditions were right for riots to happen again.
AFP 

Not All Ministers Will Be Assigned Portfolios- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday hinted that not all ministerial nominees attend federal executive council sessions as substantive ministers.
In an interactive session with journalists in New Delhi, capital of India, on Friday, Buhari lamented state of the economy, saying Nigeria is broke.
His words: “There used to be 42 ministers but we will be lucky if we can have half of that now, others may not be substantive ministers but they will sit in the cabinet because that is what the constitution says and we cannot work outside the constitution.
“Where is the money? Nigeria cannot pay salaries. The federal government had to assist 27 out of the 36 states to pay salaries… The country was materially vandalized and morally sucked.”
Buhari commended India for setting aside a grant of $10 billion for African countries, adding that the assistance will go a long way in helping to shape the continent.

 

The president disclosed that he had been able to facilitate some deals that will end up benefitting the country.

PDP needs rebranding -APC insists

The All Progressives Congress (APC) said the resort to crude, personal attacks by PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh‎ in his latest statement is a clear vindication of the party's (APC's) stand that the PDP should urgently rebrand or go into extinction. 

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said with a combustible and out-of-control spokesman like Metuh, there is no way the PDP will survive in opposition.

''Metuh has shown, time and again, that he lacks the temperament, presence of mind, sobriety, analytical mind, decency in the use of language and panache needed for anyone to be the face of any organisation, not to talk of a political party. 

''It was the realization of this obvious fact that ‎made us to offer to provide the excitable Metuh a crash course on how to function as an opposition spokesman. Unfortunately, it is too late now as he seems to have become totally untrainable. 

''Instead of reacting to our sincere advice to his party to urgently rebrand or go down, Metuh chose to unleash his vitriolic tongue on the APC spokesman, just as he has done to the judiciary and many agencies of government in recent times. 

''In what is surely a looming tragedy for the PDP, a spokesman who helped write the party into opposition is now poised to further write it into extinction,'' ‎it said.

APC insisted that the PDP should stop wailing and insulting the judiciary for the electoral tragedy‎ which it brought upon itself by engaging in mindless rigging and violence in the last general elections. 

''The doomed opposition should also immediately stop its failed strategy of trying to distract the Buhari Administration, which is busy cleaning up the mess left behind by the 16 years of locust of the sinking 'PDP,'' the party said

Alhaji Lai Mohammed

National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress (APC)

Lagos, Oct. 31st 2015.

Orubebe: Another PDP Chieftain in the Net of APC Govt

Conduct Tribunal Fixes 9th November, 2015 for the arraignment of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs on four count chargeThe Code of Conduct Bureau is arraigning former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Peter Orubebe on the 9th of November, 2015 on a four count charge, at Code of Conduct Tribunal, bordering on breach of Code of Conduct of Bureau and Tribunal Act.

This was sequel to service of summon yesterday on the former Minister by the bailiff of the Code of Conduct Tribunal yesterday.

The charges were filed by Peter Danladi (Esq) of Code of Conduct Bureau, on the 8th of October 2015, on behalf of Attorney General of the Federation.

However the charges are: that you Godsday Peter Orubebe while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charged Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29th 2011 did make a false declaration in your Asset Declaration Form by failing to declare plot 2722 Kyamu District Abuja on assumption of office on 26th September 2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure), on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of part 1 fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and punishable under section 23(2) of the CCB & T Act and as incorporated under paragraph 18 of part 1, fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

That you Godsday Peter Orubebe while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29, 2011 did made a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2059 Asokoro district, Abuja on assumption of office on September 26, 2007 and on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of the CCB & T Act, Cap C15, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of part one fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and punishable under section 23 (2) of the CCB & T Act and as incorporated in paragraph 18 part 1 fifth schedule to The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

That you Godsday Peter Orubebe being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on or about September 19, 2012 asked for and accepted the sum of fifty million naira from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota, as bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of the CCB & T Act CAP C15 laws of the federatiuon of Nigeria 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 1 Federal Republic of Nigeria and punishable under section 23 (2) of CCB & T Act as incorporated under paragraph 18 of part 1, fifth schedule to the Constitution (as amended).

That you Godsday Orubebe while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about 2013 asked for and accepted the sum of twenty million naira from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota as additional bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company Chemtronics Nigeria Limited  for the construction of skill acquisition Centre at Edo State for the sum of one billion seven hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty naira eighty eight kobo only (₦ 1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of CCB & T Act as incorporated under paragraph 18 of part 1 fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)

Ibraheem Al-hassan,
Head, Press & Public Relations.
CCT HQ.
30th/10/2015.

A Christian Lawmaker Speaks on Public Responsibilities

Faith Integral to Congressman Webster's Life

A Christian Congressman can't separate his faith from the decisions he makes in office. Faith should be an integral part of a Christian's life. Whether your job is running a business, or whether your job is being a laborer, or whether your job is being in the United States Congress, it really doesn't matter, if your faith is integrated into your life, it is going to affect how you think, what you do, and how you act.

For me, my faith is the center of my life. The principles of my faith are found in the Bible. I read the Bible all the way through every year; I read Psalms and Proverbs through every month. And every day I look for a verse that I write down on a piece of paper and put in my pocket, knowing I will come across the reason it is there and sure enough, that is how it works out. The biblical principles I live by affect everything I do every day including making votes, meeting with constituents, or trying to serve the community in other ways. Faith can't be pulled apart from other areas of life. You can't separate faith and say, 'I go to church on Sunday that is the faith part of my life, and the rest of the week is the secular part of my life.' You can't live like that and have real faith. As a Christian, my faith affects everything I do. — Congressman Daniel Webster, 10th District, Florida 
ECFA 

PDP Warns On Danger Of Dragging Judiciary Into Politics of Calumny By APC

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has noted with disdain the continued mention and use of the name of the Nigerian judiciary as a media hype by the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, either to pre-empt expected rulings or raise false alarm over imagined moves to bribe the eminent jurists, all aimed at frightening and intimidating them which to say the least, is bad politics.

Though the APC’s dilemma and hopelessness is understandable the PDP has noted, but it is rather strange that the APC cannot issue any press statement or make political utterance without involving the judiciary, accusing it of being bribed, lured or gratified by its perceived opponents.

More worrisome, the party lamented is the false alarm, malicious fabrication of lies, negative characterization and deliberate misinformation to the unsuspecting members of the public to create disaffection between the judiciary, its officials and the larger society, all for the singular reason to score cheap political points.

Though habit hardly dies, as it’s in the character of the Rivers APC and its surrogates, so called publicity secretary and advisers when they are mere megaphones with little knowledge of what constitute contempt of court, or at best, care less because of the illusion of having their men at the top, the PDP would want to warn that as a party with respect and integrity, led by a lawyer of repute who is also the executive Governor of the State, it’s not only criminally libelous but also seditious for the APC to continue to drag the name of the highly respected Nigerian judiciary with some of the most reputable jurists around the world to the mud.

The PDP also frowns at the name calling to eminent Rivers people and their women for expressing their minds on any issues concerning their interests by same APC that wants their mandate unmeritorious.

And to show how bereft and unpatriotic the Rivers APC and its leadership are, they have never failed to anchore their statements, reactions and even misinformation on embers of disunity.

And also not knowing their bounds, they have of recent resorted to accusing and scandalizing the revered men of God in the State for rising up with prayers to intervene in the APC plot to cause crisis in the State.

The PDP condemns this wanton and unbridled attitude to attack those whose views do not agree with theirs including the clergy.

Nothing could be move sacrilegious than this madness born out of desperation and has dire consequences.

The APC should for once be civil and stop singing war songs all the time even when there is nobody to quarrel with.

Even though, their antics is no longer new to the people, it’s only reasonable to appeal to Rivers people to continue to be patient no matter the extent of provocation.

At the end of it all, the light will subsume the darkness just as good has always triumphed over evil. APC is evil.

Signed:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity

To the Rivers PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Nine Bag 42 Years Imprisonment for Illegal Oil Bunkering

 

Justice O.E Abang of the Federal High Court Lagos today October 30,2015  convicted and sentenced seven illegal oil dealers, their vessel MT Good Success as well as the their company Hepa Global Energy Limited to forty two years imprisonment each.

The convicts are Adedamola Ogungbayi, Olaniran Olabode, Surajo Gasali, Moses Emmanuel, Wilson Bonsi, Okaparaodi Omaka Uche, Onyeogo Happy, MT Good Success and Hepa Global Energy Limited. 

They were first arraigned before Justice Saliu Saídu on 16th June 2014 but were later rearraigned before Justice O.E Abang of the same court on 28th August 2014 on five counts of illegal oil bunkering and dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority or licence.

The convicts were arrested by officers of the Nigerian Navy on the 19th February, 2014 along the Lagos Waters. It was discovered at the point of arrest that they had 1,495 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on board the vessel. The vessel and those onboard were then handed over to EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

The convicts upon arraignment, pleaded not guilty to the charge level against them. In the course of the trial the EFCC presented  eleven witnesses while the defence called only five witnesses.

After diligent prosecution by the EFCC, Justice Abang found nine of the accused persons guilty on all the counts. Justice Abang sentenced each of the accused persons to ten years imprisonment on counts 1- 4 and two years on count five. 

The sentences are to run councurrently. 

However the 8th accused person was discharged and acquitted. 

In sentencing the convicts, Justice Abang described  them as lawless members of the society and expressed the hope that the sentence would serve as deterrent to others.

Aside the prison term, Justice Abang ordered that the vessel, the product onboard (1,495 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit)   and various amount of money -N68,000,000 (Sixty Eight Million Naira), £250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds), $975,000 (Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Dollars) - domiciled at FCMB in the name of the second accused person be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

30th October, 2015

The pictures of convicted illegal oil dealers

Tonye Princewill Speaks Over Rivers Re-Run Poll

I'M NOT DESPERATE TO BE GOVERNOR, but I remain the flag bearer of Labour Party - Tonye Princewill

1.       After everything, the Rivers governorship election has been annulled by the Tribunal with an order for the conduct of fresh election within 90 days. How do you feel about this judgment?

Any lover of true democracy and justice who witnessed what happened will not be surprised by the judgment. I belong to that group. The elections were neither free nor fair nor credible, so they can’t stand honest scrutiny. I have said this repeatedly. The APC won the case for all of Rivers State, kudos to them. In 2007, I fought PDP to a standstill and the same people in the APC today were also the beneficiaries of that fight. It is not about persons or political parties. It is about the state. I am not thinking like APC or PDP. I did not say I am celebrating or disappointed by the judgement. I said I am not surprised by it. But in Rivers politics, some analog politicians can not understand the difference.

 

 

 

2.       People were confused as to which side of the divide you belonged after Wike was declared winner in the election, because you didn’t contest the outcome in court. Won’t your support of the judgment raise questions?

Why? In my Post Election Statement in April, I clearly highlighted my displeasure in the outcome of the elections. I said It is no longer in doubt that the election in Rivers State was neither free nor fair nor credible. I added that rather than the Jubilation of a victory or the recriminations of a defeat, I and my team prefer to keep searching for peace. I lamented on the bloodshed and just wanted it to stop. No matter how much we find justice, if so many in Rivers State are killed, who will be left to lead. This did not only show my disappointment in the conduct of the election but also my concern over peace in my state. It is not about taking sides with PDP or APC, it is about the truth. Both parties were violent. Not condemning the elections would be tantamount to aligning with the PDP, going to court would be tantamount to aligning with the APC. There was no additional value in my going to court. I didn't steal money so I will not spend hundreds of millions on lawyers and Arik like my people do not need help for other more important things. But my views were clear and consistent, even if my actions were too strategic for some to grasp.

 

 

 

3.       Leadership of your party - the Labour Party in Rivers State has disassociated itself from your statement praising the Tribunal’s judgment, on the premise that you are on suspension.  How would you react to this?

To the best of my knowledge we have freedom of speech and right of opinion in Nigeria. My statements have always been my opinion and until recently my party has always fallen in line with my thinking. From what I gathered, the state party Chairman dissociated the party from my recent comments on the outcome of the tribunal; but it baffles me that the party’s position is in line with the same comment they are now disowning. They after all submitted a petition to the same election tribunal. It’s also funny to note that a chieftain of the party condemned the judgment only a few days ago, claiming to be speaking on behalf of the Party Chairman. This is not just an embarrassment to my party, but a clear indication of confused leadership. I'll leave everyone to his conscience. I have mine. No matter how much inducement you put in front of me, I cannot say black is white. People need to realize we are now in a digital world. Black and white TVs have been replaced by colour. No need to say anymore. 

 

 

 

4.   Does this in anyway pose a threat to your being fielded again as the party flag bearer in an event there gets to be a rerun election?

No it doesn’t. I am the Flag Bearer of the Labour Party. A court has ruled and given judgement to that effect. But let me tell you, it is the fear of my candidature that is causing these waves. They need not bother. I've not said I will contest and for now based on PDPs refusal to heed my advice, there is no vacancy. I am not at all desperate to be Governor. I just gave my opinion on the judgement saying I was not surprised. Now they say I am celebrating. Why all the fuss? Had no idea my opinion was this relevant. 

 

 

 

5.       I understand you dragged the party leadership to court over your suspension. What is the status of the case at the moment?

Yes I did. I saw no justifiable reason for the purported suspension, so I simply took my concerns to the court. If people have been induced to kick me out of the party, the attempt should be made properly, not based on baseless allegations. He claimed anti party activities. Tell me. Are his current actions not anti party? My lawyers have briefed me that the Party leadership have severally snubbed the court proceedings. I know the court will soon come up with a position on that matter, like they did on my candidature. Till then, I remain a proud member of the Labour Party and the movement. He on the other hand remains in contempt of the court. 

 

 

 

6.       Do you see yourself doing better than you did earlier should you partake in the anticipated re-run as LP candidate?

I am yet to take a position on the role to play in the rerun; but even if I do partake, it’s really not about me. It’s about the decision of the people. They all know the political players in the state. They all know the possible after effect of a PDP or an APC victory. Politics is not war. There must be a winner and a looser. I am comfortable with either, because I am not desperate to be Governor; PDP and APC are. How that will produce a peaceful Rivers State, I am yet to find out. If Rivers People want Unity, Peace, a Government they can reach and believe that their votes will count, I believe my style of politics will have a better chance. PDP and APC need to adopt it. If they do, I may even support one of them. What matters is the state must move forward. 

 

 

 

7.       What if your party insists you are not its candidate? Will there be otherOPTIONS_?

That’s really not possible, and the court will confirm that shortly. People shouldn’t be distracted by irrelevant issues. The truth is, democracy is here to give everyone a stake in governance, our primary concern is a better Rivers State. I know the Labour Party members are well grounded on honesty and the rule of law, a few distracted individuals, moved by short term thinking, will not change that. Amaechi was expelled from the PDP in 2007. What happened next is there for all to recall.

8.       You said after the election that you were not aligning with either APC or PDP as allegedly requested by some people in your party. Do you still maintain your non-alignment stance, despite the Tribunal judgment that sacked Wike and others?

Yes I do. I stand outside the PDP and the APC box and with the peace loving, forward thinking people of Rivers state. Not a popular position for many of our politicians, there is no money here, but it is here I find comfort. My opinions may help APC today or PDP tomorrow‎, that is not my problem. I do not speak for them. What remains consistent is my commitment to the comfort of the common Rivers man. I believe that the hate for Amaechi or APC b/c of what they did to Jonathan should not cloud our judgement and stop us from saying the truth. If PDP is the beneficiary of this sham today, APC should know that they can't try it tomorrow‎. Will I not complain if that happens? Of course I will. If electoral violence is excused today, it will become normal tomorrow‎. 

 

 

 

9.        Are you optimistic that a rerun will not experience violence like it was in the last election?

I wish it was in my power to determine that. But it’s not. It will take a lot of sacrifice from both the PDP and the APC and efforts from us all to have a rerun free of violence. Like I said they are both desperate for victory, I am desperate for a safe and secure Rivers State, so it’s left for them to decide whether or not to sacrifice their supporters for political victory. Having said that, please note what I have said. If there are no consequences for electoral violence, electoral violence will continue. And sons, daughters, mothers and fathers will die. The truth is what will free us from this. If our leaders looked at people as Rivers people and not APC people or PDP people, we will make progress. The state belongs to everyone not PDP or APC or GDI. The politics of winner takes it all is killing us. The price of loosing is way too high. 

 

 

 

10.   Any word about President Buhari’s ongoing cabinet formation, particularly the inclusion of your former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi?

We’ve waited so long for this, and are eager to see the difference it will make. And like I always say, President Buhari is the President, whether his administration is moving the nation fast or slow, we should focus more on helping him, than pulling him down. I know Amaechi; and I know his abilities. He worked seriously for the APC and if he missed the VP slot and the SGF slot, why should PDP loose sleep if he becomes a Minister? I was praying Rivers state don't disgrace ourselves before the world. I am glad we did not totally disgrace ourselves. I am not sure his inclusion did the President any huge favours in perception ratings, but perception is subjective to the individual and so we will leave each to their own. PDP gave us Wike. APC has given us Amaechi. Rivers people are watching. I believe though that with the right motivation, cross party support and a little prayer, he can be a useful tool in Buhari’s cabinet. Let us leave it to God. 

 

 

11. What can you say about the controversy that surrounded Amaechi's ministerial screening at the Senate, particularly from Rivers Senators?

Let me just say I hope it is over. After a while it became too much, I lost interest. I advised the PDP senators, they should let it be - they have made their point. I am happy that the amusement for some has been cut short. I was abroad and I know what people who matter are saying about us. 

 

 

 

12. Do you regret not defecting to the APC way before the 2015 elections?

No. Why should I? The ideology of the APC at that time was, “Bring Down Johnathan”, and I was on a totally different wavelength. So regretting is not a possibility. I am also happy I left the PDP. You can't mistreat a man with a mandate and expect him to stay silent and clap for you. Not me. I have good supporters. I have a caucus and I do not act alone. We listen and we learn. Of course we make mistakes. That's why pencils have erasers. But in all we do, we do it not for ourselves, but for the Rivers people. God is with us. 

 

 

 

13.   What is your take on the ongoing anti-corruption campaign?

The anti-corruption campaign was the foundation of the Buhari campaign, so it is expected that a lot would be happening in that area. So far so good but it is yet to enjoy the confidence of all sides. The reason for this is obvious. Not a lot of APC people are in the dock. I suggest we stay tuned, there is still plenty time for that. No man who is just settling in will fight on too many fronts. Besides it is for the agencies charged with these responsibilities to do their work, unless there is evidence to show, the Presidency is interfering, let us await the results. He's only just begun. The nation is watching. And they will pass judgment in a few years. If the tone does not change, the President and the APC will loose votes. 

 

 

 

14.   Your message for Rivers people.

Do not be disillusioned. Rivers state is too big to be forgotten. God is at work here and this is something we must go through to reach our very own promise land. The times are divided. Along artificial lines. Political parties come and go. But our people will remain. Talk of another election is in still far in front of us. A week is a long time in politics, so let us focus on what we can do now. For me let us find peace. Because without it, we can not get investment, jobs, development and empowerment. Move away from 2 dimensional thinking. There is more to life than PDP or APC. Not every comment is for one or the other.

Celebrity News In Your Fingertips

• I Don’t Stress Myself To Be Richer Than My Father – Wale Adenuga Jnr
• Photos From Lilian Esoro’s Traditional Wedding
• How I Was Robbed –Mercy Aigbe-Gentry
• I Paid My Brother Justin £75,000 To Prevent Him Coming Out As Gay – John Fashanu
• [PHOTO] Ik Ogbonna And Son Strike A Pose Together
• Yemi Alade To Release Video Compilation Album “Looking For Johnny” In November
• I’m Tired Of Dieting After 2 Kids – Mary Njoku
• Eva Alordiah Sends Ice Prince A Birthday Message And It Leaves Us Wondering

I Don’t Stress Myself To Be Richer Than My Father – Wale Adenuga Jnr Posted: 31 Oct 2015 07:00 AM PDT Adenuga Jnr in a recent interview with New Telegraph has revealed that no amount of pressure can make him run faster as people expect him to be far better than his father in all spheres. He said, “just try as much possible to put in my best and develop myself. I know it is the mentality of everyone to be more successful than our parents and that is even their prayer also. “But I don’t really stress myself about that; I tell myself the truth. When we were growing up, we were told that we shouldn’t allow what we have or are to define us. So, being the son of a great man hasn’t really entered my head. The part I learnt from my father is just that hard work has rewards and I work hard. Yes, people love to know what I am doing differently from my father’s.” Since putting his son on board his company in 2007, Wale Adenuga jnr, along with his younger ones have been able to strategically help build on the foundations their father had laid and things are turning out fine as they should.

Photos From Lilian Esoro’s Traditional Wedding Posted: 31 Oct 2015 06:00 AM PDT Made Men Music Group Co-Ceo, Ubi Franklin and Lilian Esoro are holding their wine carrying today. The family of the Esoros are officially giving out their daughter today. Photos below:

How I Was Robbed –Mercy Aigbe-Gentry Posted: 31 Oct 2015 05:00 AM PDT Just last week, it was revealed popular Yoruba actress, Mercy Aigbe lost her expensive phones after a robber disguised as an electrician came to her shop and stole some of her belongings. She told Saturday Beats, “I normally would not want to dwell on the matter because I cannot regain what they stole from me but I want people to learn from what happened to me. I was doing some repairs in my shop and I asked one of the workers who fixed the aluminum to help me get an electrician because I did not know any. He agreed and shortly after, someone claiming to be an electrician arrived. I showed him where to work and I left the shop for about 20 minutes. “I don’t know how the guy broke into my office but he stole my two phones, a blackberry passport and iPhone 6plus. I thank God he did not cart away my money. He ran away immediately he took my phones and before we knew what was happening, he had disappeared. The aluminum guy claimed that was not the electrician he sent to me and till date, I have not seen the guy. Investigation is still ongoing but I am devastated because of all the contacts I have lost. Unfortunately, I did not back up my contacts,” she said.  The actress revealed that the thief broke into her office at a wrong time. According to her, “I have a private screening of my movie, Victims, tomorrow and as I have lost my contacts, I don’t know how I would follow up on my guests. It has been a major setback for me but I thank God for the strength to cross the hurdle. I have learnt my lesson and anytime I buy a new phone, the first thing I would do is to back it up.”

I Paid My Brother Justin £75,000 To Prevent Him Coming Out As Gay – John Fashanu Posted: 31 Oct 2015 04:00 AM PDT Former footballer, John Fashanu has revealed how he responded to his brother becoming the first British football star to come out as gay, by paying him £75,000 to keep quiet. The former Super Eagles striker made the shocking admission a week after it emerged two top footballers including an England star – plan to come out . In his first in-depth interview about his brother Justin since his tragic suicide in 1998, he said: “I begged him, I threatened him, I did everything I could possibly do to try and stop him coming out.I gave him the money because I didn’t want the embarrassment for me or my family. Had he come out now, it would be a different ball game. “There wouldn’t be an issue, but there was then. Things are different now. Now he’d be hailed a hero.I’ll never forget when Justin first told me. He called me in the evening time and said to me: ‘I’m gay’.”Then he said to me: ‘I’m planning to go to a newspaper’. I said to him: ‘Oh heavens forbid… oh my God. We don’t need that. You’re mad’. “He promised when I gave him the money he would not go out and say that. Two days later… bang… headlines in a newspaper. I looked like a sucker. “For me and my family it was like Hiroshima or Nagasaki on our lives. It knocked us dead, it was a total shock.“People might not like it, but I was trying to protect my family. “You’ve got to remember the public’s perception of homosexuality at that time was that it was an abomination . It was taboo. Street boys were beating up gays in nightclubs.I give him credit for having the courage to come out and say it. But it caused a lot of confusion and animosity towards him, me, and my family. Justin Fashanu “During matches, 30, 40, sometimes 45,000 supporters sang at me: ‘You’re big… you’re black… your a*** is up for grabs… Fashanu… Fashanu’.“As a result of him saying what he said, my mother died because of the stress. She actually died a year later on the day of his birthday.”She was already old, very fragile and suffering cancer.“Then to be told her second eldest son was a homosexual was too much.”“I’ve never spoken about these things before because I was stamped a homophobe. “But things have changed and I make it very clear: I was wrong. It was ignorance on my behalf. “I didn’t understand him. I was trying to protect my family and I was worried about the effect on my career.In the process I lost my brother and I am very sad about that. “He committed suicide because he was so distraught the world would not accept a black man who was homosexual. “I couldn’t understand it and I couldn’t accept it and so whatever relationship we had before was killed . “Previous to that, we had been very close, but it just shattered everything. I didn’t speak to him again. There’s a lot of sadness and regrets.”   Of the two football stars preparing to come out as gay , which the Daily Mirror revealed last week: “If these young men feel it is the right time to come out and announce they are homosexual, please don’t anybody victimise them. “Please be careful with words, don’t let it lead to the destruction of two men in their prime. I didn’t have that wisdom 20 years ago and it led to the destruction of my late brother Justin. “We must accept them. I beg everybody not to make the same mistakes I made. Give them as much understanding as possible.”

[PHOTO] Ik Ogbonna And Son Strike A Pose Together Posted: 31 Oct 2015 03:00 AM PDT Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna and son are spending quality time bonding. The duo struck a pose together in new picture.

Yemi Alade To Release Video Compilation Album “Looking For Johnny” In November Posted: 30 Oct 2015 10:00 AM PDT Yemi Alade has announced the release of a video compilation album, titled “Looking For My Johnny”. The visual offering will house music videos, dance videos, live performances, acoustic sets and footage from Yemi Alade’s African and European tour in support of her successful debut album “King Of Queens”. The official unreleased music video for ‘Na Gode’, ‘Johnny‘, ‘Tangerine‘, ‘Kissing‘, ‘Taking Over Me’ , amongst others are in the set’s tracklist. Yemi Alade is currently touring and working on her sophomore album titled “Mama Africa‘, slated for a March 2016 release.

I’m Tired Of Dieting After 2 Kids – Mary Njoku Posted: 30 Oct 2015 09:00 AM PDT Nollywood actress, Mary Remmy Njoku, has revealed she has no hopes of getting her shape back after putting to bed about two months ago. The actress, who is a mother of two plans to stop dieting. Mary explained she prefers hitting the gym rather than spend her time eating selected foods. According to her, “As a mother of two, looking good stops being effortless. After two (children), dieting sucks, gym time.” The actress has a son already with her husband, Jason Njoku and just welcomed their baby girl two months ago.

Eva Alordiah Sends Ice Prince A Birthday Message And It Leaves Us Wondering Posted: 30 Oct 2015 08:00 AM PDT Nigerian rapper, Eva Alordiah has sent a lengthy message to Ice Prince as he becomes a year older today. The duo dated for a while when they weren’t both as famous as they are today and her birthday message has got us wondering if there are still sparks somewhere. Read her post below: Hey Panshak honey @iceprincezamani It is 9:01AM and I am standing undraped in the shower, a part of my brain processing how my Friday is gonna go, the other part just simply hating the fact that I have no hot water. You see, Months ago I was working out in my room when I heard the loudest bang I ever heard in my life! Frankie shrieked and began to bark hysterically and when I got out to see what had happened, I found my bathroom door ajar, my water heater smashed in several plastic pieces on the floor in the bathroom. I remember thinking “What the hell?? How the fvck did this shit come lose off the wall? What if I was in there, all 5Ft7 of me trying to have a shower, my breasts a couple mounds protruding from my chest and the water heater smashing through my skull. The thought of it made me wince. Well I just haven’t bothered to replace it since then. I have had a cold shower everyday for several months now and never really cared. It didn’t matter. Hot or cold. I usually have always prefered cold showers though. Several mornings in Boarding school, I stood tall and scrawnily thin in the cold dark early mornings, doing rub and shine with two bowls of ice cold water. Water that I mostly had to tap from under everyone’s bunks in the middle of the night. I guess you could say I been baffing cold long time. I am used to this shit! But today is different. It is your Birthday Ice, and I’d hate to be baffing ice water on your birthday! All this chilling might suck the life outta me. I want hot water. Just this morning. I don’t know where you are or what you are doing Ice honey. But it is your birthday. Don’t baff ice water like I am about to do now. Oh Lord! I just turned on the shower and as the coolness of the water hits my skin, I am reminded of things. Things eh!! Life is made up of things. It is even better when it is made up of Memories. As you celebrate today Panshak… think only of the most beautiful and the best memories. Let Gratitude consume your soul and let there be an outpouring of thanks from your heart. Today, do not baff cold water like I am about to do now. Smile honey. Happy Birthday. Love. ��