WHY THIS DOG WAS ARRESTED FOR STREET TRADING!

Dog, as they say, is man best friend.
Dogs are used for many things. While some are pets, others act as security guards, yet some people in the village use theirs for game. In some part of Nigeria, dogs are special delicacies.
In western world, dogs also participate in races. Sometimes, dogs are used for transports, such as dog sled.
Dogs come in different forms and kinds, Doberman pinscher,Boxer, alsatian, even Beagle popular known as *bingo* here etc, are all types of dogs. and their prices vary according to breeds.
In Nigeria dogs are sold anywhere: in the market, at private homes even along the street.
As Government policies affect human and their behaviours, dogs are not left out. Some years ago, during the administration of Lucky Igbinedion, then Governor of Edo state of Nigeria, street trading was not as much as anything to bother anybody, not even the Governor gave a hoot or bark at anybody. Now, Adams Oshiomole is the governor, and he has resurfaced and reintroduced Idiagbon/Bhari junta style of governance by way of WAR AGAINST INDICIPLINE (WAI) to drive out street traders and government property thieves. To show that he can bark and bite, the chairman of WAI, Mr D. Olukoga went into the street of G.R.A today and arrested a dog displayed for sale along the road of G. R.A..and demanded that until the owner of the dog pays a fine of N5000, the dog will not be release on bail. What disturbs my mind now is whether like the police, the dog would need a surety to take it on bail? If so, a fellow dog or a man? If non is done would chairman of WAI charge the dog to court? In the first place should he have arrested the dog or the seller? What is your opinion?

Boko Haram: Terrorism and suicide Bombing in Nigeria

Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, some “associated individuals and entities” engaged in terrorist activities are labelled terrorists and placed in a list maintained by a UN Counter Terrorism Committee. This Security Council Committee established pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida, the Taliban and associated individuals and entities oversees the implementation by States of sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council on individuals and entities associated with the Taliban, Usama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaida organization. The Committee maintains a Consolidated List of individuals and entities subject to the sanctions measures. The resolution aimed to place barriers on the movement, organization and fund-raising activities of terrorist groups. Adopted unanimously on September 28, 2001, Resolution 1373 is a counter-terrorism measure passed following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The resolution was adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, and is therefore binding on all UN member states. All UM member nations are therefore obliged to cooperate in tracking and targeting any individual or entity added to the list. The contention of this article is that it is now expedient, that the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram, be formally declared a terrorist organisation and be placed in the consolidated list. Recent bomb attacks by the Islamist group, Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati wal Jihad, popularly known as the Boko Haram, have raised questions about Nigeria's ability to defend itself. Of particular concern is that Boko Haram may be affiliated to Al Qaeda and might be receiving foreign finance. Having long regarded the Islamist sect as a localised problem, security sources now admit they believe the radical Islamist group to be receiving training and expertise from outside Nigeria. Boko Haram has, until recently, focused their activities in the far north-east of the country. The group sharply increased its attacks ahead of the country’s April 2011 presidential election. But on 16 June 2011, a suicide bomber believed to have been trained by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Somalia drove a car loaded with explosives into Nigeria's national police headquarters, killing himself and one other person. 20 others may have died in the explosion and scores injured. The fact that its national headquarters had been hit is hugely embarrassing to the Nigeria police force. The group has carried out similar attacks on police and army barracks in the past, but this is the highest-profile federal target they have hit. In a statement issued in Hausa, moments before the Abuja attacks and in response to the Nigeria Police chiefs’ threat to wipe out Boko Haram within weeks, the group said some of its members have just returned from Somalia where they went for training. If this claim proves true, it will be the first time a bomber trained in Somalia was used, again showing how Africa's most failed state, largely under control of jihadists inspired by al-Qaeda, is capable of exporting terror tactics far beyond its borders. Security sources believe Boko Haram fighters are travelling to Somalia for training, with some thought to have gone to Afghanistan too. That information has been partially corroborated by above statements claiming to be from Boko Haram, and unconfirmed reports that Somalis have been detained in Nigeria. After the Abuja bombing, the group said it planned more attacks, and they kept to their promise; yesterday suspected members of the Islamic sect bombed three beer gardens in Maiduguri, killing 25 people and wounding 12 others, Nigeria authorities said. President Goodluck Jonathan approach to the menace so far is to announce June 10 that his government will use a “carrot and stick” strategy to end the violence, offering patronage, jobs and amnesty to Boko Haram members if they agree to stop the attacks. There are doubts about this strategy’s prospects for success. Boko Haram’s organizational and leadership structure is opaque and the reasons for the attacks are unclear. This makes it difficult to negotiate with the group. The violence has come nowhere near levels seen in 2009, under late Nigeria President, Umaru Yar’adua, before a crackdown on the group resulted in the killing of an estimated 800 Boko Haram members and former leader Mohammud Yusuf. The Borno State Government also adopted "Operation Flush", an attempt to clamp down on the Islamist sect. So far there has been little sign that it works. In the last few weeks Boko Haram appears to be bombing police stations in the North-eastern state at will. Boko Haram, whose name in the local Hausa language means “Western education is sacrilege,” has not limited their attacks on government officials and the Nigeria Police. They also attack churches and businesses they claim violate sharia laws. Their stronghold is Maiduguri, which is about 540 miles (872 kilometers) from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. The risk is that if not curtailed the attacks may inspire reprisals from Northern Christians. Many now agree with Reverend David Bridley, who told BBC that "Boko Haram is an expression of the al-Qaeda movement and the attack on Christianity." Several Islamic clerics who dared criticise Boko Haram have been assassinated. The rest are in hiding. The question is: who finances Boko Haram activities? The group claims “they were inspired by al-Qaeda and the Taliban”, but that financial support was coming from "brothers inside Nigeria". Boko Haram’s attacks have for the most part been tactically unsophisticated, employing small arms and homemade explosives. . However, the group appears to have improved its arsenal and tactics, as seen in the June 7 coordinated attacks on St. Patrick’s cathedral and the Gwange police station. This matches the typical pattern of evolution for small militant groups of Boko Haram’s ilk. Observers say the improvement in weapons quality likely means the group has made contact with suppliers in Chad or Niger, two countries awash in small arms. One notable attack targeted a joint police and military unit in Maiduguri on May 12. The militants reportedly used a command-detonated improvised explosive device on the side of the road near the unit’s checkpoint. To successfully construct and deploy such a weapon requires technical and tactical capabilities vastly superior to those demonstrated in previous Boko Haram attacks. And according to STRATFOR, a research body: “This may indicate that some Boko Haram members or cells have received outside training — possibly from Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) or another of the more sophisticated militant groups with an interest in stirring unrest in Nigeria. Connections between Boko Haram and AQIM have long been rumored, but there is no way to verify a link”. STRATFOR also said their sources report “seeing Nigerians in AQIM training camps near the Niger-Mauritania border, but these were not necessarily affiliated with Boko Haram” Sources at the Nigeria Force Headquarters said the preliminary reports by the experts assembled by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Hafiz Ringim to unravel how the person carrying the bomb entered into the force headquarters and successfully detonated the bomb showed that the mega-tonne bomb, used could be found only in military and related installations. Nigerian newspaper, the Guardian suggesting insider help says “not only was the specie which wrecked the havoc similar to what is being kept in military armouries, the level of accuracy in detonating the bomb has left the NSA with no option than to raise queries on the dependability of certain elements posted to certain strategic exclusive places and vulnerable points”. Many scoff at President Jonathan's much vaunted "carrot and stick". They say his solution is seemingly getting ever lighter in the vegetable department. The poor leadership offered by President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the nation’s plight compounds the problem. It is hardly surprising that Boko Haram has shown little interest in the two "carrots" on offer - dialogue and amnesty. In a defiant posture, the Boko Haram sect said last week it was not ready for any dialogue as being offered to its members by the Borno State government and police. The sect’s spokesman, Abu Zaid, told journalists their refusal to go into any negotiation is hinged on the fact that the security agents were using threats and brutal force against the sect. He said that Islam encourages dialogue when certain conditions are met adding, “It is mandatory for Islam to have a sovereign land where Sharia is being practiced in the strict sense so that the dialogue will be between the Islamic country and the country of the unbelievers.” attacks by the Islamist group, Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati wal Jihad, popularly known as the Boko Haram, According to the Blueprint magazine, Abu Zaid, further said: "We are urging Nigerians not to under-estimate us. We are capable of doing more than what we did at the police headquarters in sha Allah...our targets are government institutions and government officials, especially the security agents and politicians... So far, we have screened nearly 100 persons for suicide attacks for this year alone in Nigeria, while more than this number are getting ready for next year". What next? It is left for President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria Security Agencies to stop treating Boko Haram as ‘Boy Scouts’. What we have in our hands is a fully evolved Terrorist group. Nigeria media could help by stopping to refer to this group as ‘militants’. Pundits commit grave error by equating Boko Haram with ethnic agitators like MASSOB, OPC and MEND. MEND, MOSOP, OPC and other militant groups in the country were formed by people to vent their anger against years of neglect by government to the questions of injustices, social, economic and political problems facing the nation. Boko Haram is a terrorist Organisation whose exact makeup is unclear, their aims and agenda is obscure. The group seems to largely lack organizational structure or strong leadership. Like Al Qaeda, Boko Haram is most likely a loose confederation of militant cells or individuals operating relatively independently from one another. This Nigerian Islamist militant group should be formally declared a terrorist organisation and be placed in the UN Security Council consolidated terrorist list. Written by Daniel Elombah #end

‘Waziri signed letters that exonerated accused politicians'

 In early 2009, Mohammed Buba Marwa, then Nigeria's ambassador to South Africa, became dissatisfied with his status as a diplomat. He wanted an elective executive position, which in our country gives virtual free rein for a leader to do as he pleases, calling the shots and dispensing patronage. A former military administrator of Lagos State, Mr Marwa tried to be the number one citizen of Nigeria in 2007, when he sought the presidential nomination of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But the attempt came to nought, partly due to his indictment for corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Realising that his chances of being president in 2011 were slim, Mr Marwa decided to run instead for governor of his home state of Adamawa. However, the same EFCC report which was used to stifle his chances four years ago posed the same threat to his new ambition. Mr Marwa was indicted by the EFCC for assisting Sani Abacha, Nigeria's former military dictator, to launder money and for benefitting from the illicit undertaking. The particular case involved the purchase, in 1996, of 1500 trucks from Tata Overseas sales and services, an Indian company, for $149 million and another set in 1997 for $29 million. While the first batch was for the Nigerian Army and the Police, the second was for the national electoral body. Mr Marwa, who was then defence advisor at the Nigerian permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, negotiated the deals. Both Mr Marwa and the late dictator, according to top EFCC officials, benefitted from the payment of $12 million dollars as kickbacks. The money was put in different accounts in foreign countries, including the Cayman Islands and Kenya. The matter was investigated not only by the EFCC, but also by US authorities, whose request led to the EFCC's investigations in the first place. The matter was still under investigation when Farida Waziri became chair of the anti-graft commission in 2008. With the appointment of Mrs Waziri, Mr Marwa saw an opportunity to cover up his allegedly corrupt past and ready himself for an obstacle-free governorship contest. It turned out Mrs Waziri was ready to play ball. Seeking clearance In order to realise his political ambition and free himself from arrest and prosecution abroad, Mr Marwa struck a deal with Mrs Waziri. He would be cleared of any wrongdoing. However, he had to initiate the clearance process. On June 16, 2009, lawyers to Mr Marwa from Mike Ungwanyi and Co. legal firm wrote to Mrs Waziri, seeking clearance for their client. The letter was entitled "Kickbacks for contracts with TATA to supply vehicle for military police... by Marwa when he was military attaché in NY in 1996". Three weeks later, Mr Marwa received a letter from Mrs Waziri clearing him of the allegations. Without recourse to previous investigations and indictments, even by international security agencies, Mrs Waziri stated in her response to the ambassador, in a letter dated July 6, 2009 that "investigation has now been closed and the matter brought to an end as there is not sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution". When contacted, Femi Babafemi, the spokesman of the EFCC admitted that the EFCC did write a letter but denied its content. "I'm not aware of anything like that (clearing Mr Marwa). What I know is that some years ago, there was a request by his lawyers to ask for the status of the case and the commission replied that we don't have anything yet to prosecute him." With Mrs Waziri's secret clearance in hand, Mr Marwa was ready to be governor and to tell anyone who cared to listen that he was sparkling clean. But for the Court of Appeal, which postponed governorship election in Adamawa State till 2012, he would have given incumbent Governor Murtala Nyako a run for his money. He is currently waiting in the wing for next year's political battle with Mr Nyako. Part of a trend Rather than go after corrupt public officials and bring them to book, Mrs Waziri has in the past three years operated a clearing house for several corrupt people in what appears to be a gesture of appreciation to those who helped her clinch the EFCC top job. Less than eight months into her tenure, the EFCC chairperson secretly and, under strange circumstances, cleared top government officials, including at least two former governors, of corruption charges levelled against them. Former Governors Victor Attah (Akwa-Ibom) and James Ibori (Delta), on whose necks hang monumental allegations of corruption, also benefitted from Mrs Waziri's negative generosity. She issued clearance letters to the two men, certifying them clean. These letters have helped the beneficiaries to not only escape prosecution by the EFCC but also by international agencies such as the Metropolitan Police. While the EFCC, after much public outcry and condemnation by international agencies and governments like the United States, eventually decided to prosecute Mr Ibori, the other two beneficiaries, Messrs Attah and Marwa still possess the "get out of jail card" handed them by Mrs Waziri. Payback time While the reasons given for clearing each of these former public officials differ, sources in the commission believe that the roles played by these individuals in the appointment of Mrs Waziri as the commission's boss was a major factor. Mrs Waziri was appointed EFCC boss in May 2008 following the removal of Nuhu Ribadu, the pioneer chairman of the commission in controversial circumstances. Her appointment was however marred by controversy, as she was accused by a section of the media and civil society as previously acting as legal advisers to former governors who were being prosecuted by the EFCC during Mr Ribadu's tenure. The former governors believed to be behind Mrs Waziri's appointment include Mr Ibori, Mr Attah, Bukola Saraki (former governor of Kwara State and incumbent senator), and George Akume, former governor of Benue State, who is also now a senator. The EFCC is yet to commence prosecution of the latter two - Messrs Saraki and Akume - despite their having been indicted for corruption by the agency. Though the cases are different, the formula for getting Mrs Waziri to issue clearance letters basically followed the same pattern. Each of the "political heavyweights" would have his lawyer write to the EFCC asking for clearance, and the EFCC was always in a hurry to oblige. Even when investigations were still ongoing, Mrs Waziri would quickly issue a letter clearing corrupt elements of any wrongdoing. The Akwa-Ibom Econet deals "The commission wishes to state emphatically that it has not at any time or in any correspondence with the persons (Mr Ibori; Mr Attah; and Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos) referred to in these media reports or any other person cleared them of complicity in all matters relating to them which are either in court or still under investigation." This was a statement released by the EFCC on September 11, 2009 and signed by Mr Babafemi, the commission's head of media and publicity. Mr Babafemi explained that the commission had to clarify the issues because it was "inappropriate to input or infer that the three former governors have been exonerated in matters that are still pending or yet to be determined by the law court, which is the only competent organ of government that can pronounce guilt or innocence in matters like the ones under reference." The matter referred to by Mr Babafemi was the management of the proceeds made by the states headed by these former governors through the sale of their states' shares in Econet Wireless, now Airtel. The three governors were being investigated by London's Metropolitan Police for laundering proceeds of the states funds into personal accounts in the UK. However, Michael Aondoakaa, then minister of justice and attorney general, refused to co-operate with the Met claiming that the EFCC had cleared the three men of any wrongdoing. What Mr Babafemi refused to disclose was that eight months before his statement, the EFCC did clear at least one of the governors. In a letter dated January 21, 2009 and addressed to Adeptus Caxton of Martins Agbor and Segun, lawyers to Mr Attah, the EFCC stated that "investigation into this matter has been concluded and there is no case of money laundering established against your client." The letter was a response to that by Mr Attah's lawyers titled "Akwa-Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council, African Development Fund Inc ." The letter, signed by Umar Sanda, then Mrs Waziri's close aide, was Mr Attah's "get out of jail card" as it cleared him of any wrong doing as regards the disposal of Akwa-Ibom State shares in Econet, which was disposed through the African Development Fund, Inc. When asked to clarify the reason for this clearance letter, Mr Babafemi said: "I am not aware of that (existence of the letter)". It however appears Mrs Waziri had a change of mind long after the letter was delivered to Mr Attah. Five months after its clearance of the former governor and three months before Mr Babafemi's statement, the EFCC, in a letter addressed to Mr Aondoakaa, again indicted the former governors. The letter, dated June 30, 2009, was a response to Mr Aondoakaa's letter written a day before and entitled "Money Laundering, African Development Fund Account No. 0140011552". The letter, signed by Mrs Waziri, stated that "Delta, Lagos and Akwa-Ibom States invested in shares of V-mobile." The letter further stated that the states sold their shares and "disposed of proceeds through African Development Funds, Inc." Indicting the three former governors, Mrs Waziri stated that "the respective state governors James Ibori, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and Victor Attah converted the funds to their personal use." Getting specific about Mr Attah, Mrs Waziri stated that "in the case of Akwa-Ibom, $18.5 million was realised from the sale of the shares. "The funds from the transaction which were frozen in Access Bank were released on the written advice of the EFCC dated 12, January 2009." While Mr Babafemi, two years after issuing his statement, claims that investigations are still ongoing on the Econet money laundering case, Mrs Waziri's letter guarantees Mr Attah freedom from prosecution. Ibori is clean The most bizarre of the clearance letters are those issued to Mr Ibori. Prior to Mrs Waziri's assumption of office, the former Delta State Governor was having it rough with the EFCC. The EFCC under its former chairman had cashed in on the loss of immunity by the former governor to arrest him and start his prosecution, even as he attempted to bribe Mr Ribadu with $15 million. Apart from the EFCC, Mr Ibori was also being investigated by international agencies, particularly the London Met for corruption and money laundering. With the appointment of Mrs Waziri however, Mr Ibori saw an opportunity to escape prosecution. He wanted to be cleared of any wrongdoing by the EFCC as a way of weakening the case against him by the Met. Two of the major evidences being used by both the EFCC and the Metropolitan police were Mr Ibori's corrupt links with Wing Aviation and Ascot Offshore. I want clearance Sensing that the controversy over Mrs Waziri's appointment had simmered down, Mr Ibori, who helped enthrone her, approached the EFCC boss for clearance, even when the allegations against him were still being investigated and a case pending against him in court. So, he got his lawyers to write Mrs Waziri requesting what one of our sources describes as a "get out of jail card". Investigations show that the EFCC chairperson promptly responded. The letter, personally signed by her and dated December 22, 2008, reads in part, "From the record of investigation conducted, there was no nexus established between Mr James Ibori or the Delta States Government, and Wings Aviation Limited, nor was it established that Wings Aviation Limited was used to launder funds for on behalf of Mr James Ibori." The letter was a response to an earlier one by Mr Ibori's counsel, Efere Ozako and Associates, dated December 11, 2009 and titled "Wings Aviation/ Captain Nogie Meggisen." This newspaper was able to establish that although the EFCC letter was signed by Mrs Waziri, the content did not originate from her. It came from another source outside the EFCC, believed to be Mr Ibori himself. Ibori drafts, Waziri signs But Mr Ibori felt the letter was not exonerating enough. So the former governor made a hand-written amendment and asked his emissary to take the amended version back to Mrs Waziri for reissuance. Explaining the rationale behind the clearance letter, Mr Babafemi said that "based on the investigation report, there was no record in the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) linking him with Wings Aviation." When confronted that an EFCC investigator in a sworn affidavit at the court, as well as the Met established that Wings Aviation was used by Mr Ibori to launder funds, Mr Babafemi said: "What I know happened is that that letter was written based on the report available in the case file at that time." Realising that his first letter of clearance over Wing Aviation deals, despite evidence to the contrary, wasn't sufficient particularly with the Met, an emboldened Mr Ibori asked for more. In a letter by his counsel, Seni. M. Adio of Copley Partners, Lagos, and dated March 3, 2009, Mr Ibori sought clearance over any wrongdoing as regards Ascot Flowlines Limited. EFCC investigators, as stated in an affidavit signed by Yahaya Bello, a lead investigator, at the Federal High Court Benin in 2007 established that Mr Ibori, through Henry Imasekha, a close associate, was involved in the ownership of Ascot. But Mrs Waziri didn't mind weakening her agency's case against Mr Ibori. She issued him a letter without delay. "There has been no nexus established between James O. Ibori or Delta State Government with Ascot offshore Nigeria Limited nor was it established that Ascot offshore Nigeria Limited was used to launder funds for on behalf of James O. Ibori and or Delta State government," Mrs Waziri wrote. With these letters, Mrs Waziri and Mr Ibori thought, the former governor was not only free in Nigeria but also in the UK. However, following pressure on Nigeria by the American authorities and other international organisations, the EFCC retraced its step, decided to cooperate and assist the Met and also to prosecute Mr Ibori. The former governor is currently in the UK where he is being prosecuted for money laundering. Mr Babafemi, the commission's spokesman, again denied the existence of this letter. According to him, "No, that was a forgery (the Ascot letter). I only know of one letter. Ascot is part of the issue that has led to the fleeing of Ibori from Nigeria." Civil society reacts According to Shehu Sani of the Civil Rights Congress, EFCC owes Nigerians a duty to tell which of the governors they have cleared and which of them they have not. "The politics of clearance or not is simply to blackmail the former governors into silence and to revive their cases whenever they become critical of government," he said Jiti Ogunye of Lawyers for Human rights said the fact that the letters were issued by Mrs Waziri in a very secretive manner without letting the public know these persons have been cleared of wrongdoing suggests that those who authored these letters knew that the letters were made to exonerate without any good reason. "Otherwise," Mr Ogunye continued, "Mrs Waziri and EFCC would have gone public with these clearances the way they've been inundating the public with perceived success stories and achievements they've made." Source: http://234next.com

Businessman in court for lodging without payment


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A 37-year-old businessman, Temitope Boaz, was on Friday arraigned in Lagos for allegedly lodging in a rest house without payment. Mr Boaz is standing trial before an Igbosere Magistrate Court on a two-count charge of lodging without payment and issuing a dud cheque.

The prosecutor, Frank Innah, told the court that the accused lodged at the Camelot Rest House on Victoria Island, Lagos, from June 18 to June 21. He said Mr Boaz incurred a bill of N165,000 and issued an Intercontinental cheque No. 069151110 for the same amount. Mr Innah said the cheque was rejected when presented for payment as the accused did not have sufficient money in his account.

He said the offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail conditioned upon the payment of N150,000 and the guarantee of two sureties in like sum. The Magistrate, C.J. Momodu, adjourned the case till July 6 for further hearing.

In a related development, a businessman, Joseph Echezona, on Friday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrate Court for robbing a company of a container loaded with motor spare parts. Mr Echezona, 25, is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery. The accused was alleged to have hijacked the container sometime in August 2010 while armed with offensive weapons.

According to the prosecutor, Raymond Odion, "the accused with others at large, while armed with dangerous weapons, hijacked the container and took it to an undisclosed location."

He put the worth of the stolen items at N10 million, property of Auto Sea Cargo Company, Lagos.

Source...
http://234next.com

Trader in court over theft of dry fish



A 32-year-old trader at the Iddo Market, in Lagos on Thursday pleaded guilty to receiving 188 pieces of stolen dry fish worth N65,800.

Chidi Emmanuel who was charged with conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property admitted before an Ebute Metta Magistrate Court that he received the fish from a man simply identified as Bash.

The prosecutor, Mercy Ofanson, had submitted that Mr Emmanuel received the stolen fish from Bash on June 19 at the Iddo Motor Park, Ebute Metta.

"The fish was stolen from Isiaka Ango by Bash and received by Mr Emmanuel. His intention was to sell the fish and remit the proceeds to Bash," she told the court. "Emmanuel has been in the act of receiving stolen goods from Bash."

She said the offence contravened sections 390 (9), 427 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, and was punishable with seven years imprisonment on conviction.

A.O. Olatunji, the magistrate, ordered Mr Emmanuel to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prison, and adjourned the case till July 22 for judgment.


In a related development, a trader, Chibuike Eze, on Thursday appeared before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing 49 and a half bags of beans worth N670,000.

Mr Eze, 22, is standing trial before Oyindamola Ogala on a one-count charge of stealing, but he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Eshiet Eshiet, said Mr Eze collected the bags of beans from Chike Obiora on the pretext that he would pay for them after reselling them.

He said the alleged theft took place on May 27 also at the Iddo Market.

The court granted the accused bail conditioned upon the payment of N200,000 and the guarantee of two sureties in like sum.
http://234next.com

ICPC Uncovers Fraud Inministries, FCT, PHCN,Customs!

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other
Related Offences Commission has uncovered
massive fraud valued at over N16.85bn in federal
ministries, departments and agencies following a
systemic review in their activities, SUNDAY PUNCH
findings have shown.
The commission noted that while it exposed
N1.85bn in MDAs, an additional N15bn fraud was
allegedly uncovered in the Nigeria Customs and
Excise alone.
A copy of the report exclusively obtained by our
correspondent on Saturday showed that the
MDAs' evaluation, which harped on capital project
verification, was prepared this June by the ICPC.
The examination, meant to encourage probity
and adherence to due process, the anti-graft
agency added, revealed large-scale financial
inconsistencies and questionable deals in the
MDAs.
Among MDAs indicted in the six-page report are
the Federal Ministry of Transport, Nigeria Ports
Authority, Power Holding Company of Nigeria,
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology,
Petroleum Equalisation Fund, Federal Capital
Territory, Federal Medical Centres in Ebute Meta,
Lagos, Asaba and Owo; National Human Rights
Commission and the Energy Commission.
For instance, the investigation into the affairs of
the PHCN showed that many approved projects,
which were paid for by the organisation, could
not be found for verification.
The report added that money paid for various
abandoned projects, as well as duplicated
projects could not be accounted for.
PHCN: Funds not accounted for
Part of the ICPC report reads, "The PHCN blames
the inability of the Central Bank of Nigeria to
speedily guarantee the safety of the funds of the
foreign firms involved in the projects as well as
the problems of delays in clearance at the ports
by the Customs and the Standard Organisation of
Nigeria.
"We found the same contract in one location
awarded to two different companies, such as the
procurement and installation of power
transformer at Plot 14, Phase 1 Layout. The
contract for the 500KVA transformer was
awarded to Jianem Eng. Company Ltd. and
Danmarke Trading Company Ltd. at
N7,716,127.25 each.
"The committee also discovered an abandoned
pilot scheme for geographical information system
in Benin, Edo State, where out of an appropriation
of N100m for the project, N99,780,388 had been
paid. Similar projects are also sited in Ibadan and
Lagos and are said to have been completed, but
there is no guarantee and therefore requires
verification," the report noted.
Again, the ICPC said its investigation revealed that
there had been provision for the procurement of
pre-payment and billing programme meters for
PHCN transmission offices in Enugu, Ibadan,
Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Yola and
Benin, valued at N1.5bn; but"reports have it that
these pre-meters are not readily available in these
areas."
Contract inflation, duplication
On the Federal Capital Territory too, the report
said there was gross inflation of contracts for the
Millennium Development Goals projects in the
nation's capital.
It noted that the contract for an eight-bedroom
storey building was awarded in different locations
in the FCT at different contract prices of N27.3m,
N29.4m, N30m, N32m and N47.6m .
The ICPC added that the FCT could not account
for the N47,710,960.50 budgeted for the
construction of 16 cluster classrooms with
drainage and landscaping; and another
N7,308,450 for the construction of a fence and
gate house.
Curiously, the ICPC said, there was no evidence
the money was returned to the treasury.
FCT: Insider 'trading'
The anti-graft agency noted that the issue of
insider trading was still a source of concern in the
affairs of the FCT.
The report added, "Two or three companies were
discovered to be the beneficiaries of almost all the
contracts of the FCT in 2009.
"For example, Aco Furniture Ltd alone was, in
2009, awarded various contracts for the
construction of an eight-bedroom storey building;
and supply of three sets of teachers' furniture to
Junior Secondary School, Rubochi.
"The company also won four other contracts for
the supply of eight sets of classroom chairs and
other contracts for the supply of 10 sets of
primary school classroom furniture.
"The second contractor, M/S Simag Nig Ltd, was
awarded six different contracts for the supply of
40 and 60 leaves exercise books; six sets of
classroom furniture; provision of books for FCT
secondary schools, construction of central store/
exam processing/teachers' development office
and construction of zonal education office at
Kwali."
Transport Ministry: Fund diversion
At the Federal Ministry of Transport, the ICPC said
its verification of capital projects revealed"the
payment of a whopping sum of N26m to some
members of staff of the ministry for monitoring
and evaluation of the contract of National
Transport Survey and projection, out of a total
contract sum of N174.81m."
The ICPC also said it discovered at the ministry
that 46 contractors who had executed various
contracts between 2008 and 2009 were yet-to-be
paid. The commission, however, said the
procurement officer had written and undertaken
to pay them in June 2011.
The report noted that it was strange that the
ministry had not yet paid, even when provision
for it was made in the 2008/2009 budget.
"It is possible that the money had been diverted
since some of the contracts were from overhead,"
the report stated.
NPA: Payment for unapproved projects
At the Nigerian Ports Authority, the ICPC
discovered the payment of mobilisation fees for
projects that were yet-to-be approved because of
variation.
They are payment of 15 per cent mobilisation or
N12,014,100 for the supply of four Mercedes
Benz fire water tankers, out of the contract sum
of N80,094,000.
The report noted that the request for variation
was still awaiting approval.
The same goes for the supply of two Mercedes
Benz fire-fighting trucks at N189m. Mobilisation of
N28.3m had been paid.
"We note the payment of 15 per cent mobilisation
fee of N3,540,000 for the supply of 200 chemical
protection suits, out of the total contract sum of
N25.5m for the supply of the equipment that was
yet to be ascertained."
PEF: Excess expenditure
The ICPC said it was highly suspicious of insider
trading at the Petroleum Equalisation Fund,
where only two companies, Oma Hosting Ltd and
JMG Ltd were the only two beneficiaries of all the
contract awards in 2009 for the supply of all
generators to depots nationwide.
"Clarification is yet to be established as to the
source of N25m excess expenditure, where N30m
was budgeted to the National Emergency
Management Agency for the supply of RIV, but
N55m was actually expended," the ICPC said.
ICPC spokesman, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said the review
of the agencies was a system of checks and
balances to ensure that the appropriate measures
were taken in government transactions.
He said the objective of review was to ensure
probity through control and check on abuse of
the process and excesses in government
agencies.
Olamiti said the aim of the system review was to
check corruption, by putting the ministries and
agencies on their toes.
Meanwhile, some of the indicted agencies have
declined comments on the investigation, while
those who spoke said they were not aware that
the ICPC had carried out an investigation into
their activities.
For example, spokespersons of the Energy
Commission and the Ministry of Transport said
they were not aware of any investigation or
review by the ICPC or the release of any report on
the investigation.
Also, the PHCN Public Relations Officer, Mrs.
Efurun Igbo, said she was not aware that the ICPC
had carried out any investigation.
She said, "The fact that they have not arrested
anybody shows that there is nothing wrong here.
If it's the ICPC that I know and we read about in
the papers, if they suspect something, they will
investigate."
Chief Press Secretary to the FCT, Mohammed
Sule, who requested details of the report in order
to comment, also refused to respond to further
enquiries after he was provided with specific
details.
In a related development, the review came a
week after operatives of the commission had
grilled five officials of the Nigeria Customs and
Excise for the theft of 10 containers from the
Lagos ports.
The containers had equipment for power projects
valued at N15bn.
The containers, which had been lying at the ports
for many months, were diverted to the Ikorodu
terminal and finally evacuated with the aid of
forged documents.
It was learnt that the five Customs officers, led by
an assistant comptroller (names withheld), moved
the containers, which they thought had been
abandoned, out of the Ikorodu terminal with
forged papers.
SUNDAY PUNCH learnt the fraud was exposed
when an internal investigative panel was set up
by the Customs to investigate the disappearance
of the containers from the ports.
Our correspondent further gathered that the
Presidency had directed that the case be
transferred to the ICPC for investigation.
Olamiti also confirmed that five Customs officers
had been grilled by the anti-graft agency over the
matter.

» Nigeria, 9 others top list of international investors


Nigeria and nine other countries in  Africa top the list of ten best countries for investment by international investors. The country is the second African country in order of preference after South Africa by the international investor community in 2011.

The others are Kenya; Ghana; Angola; Tanzania; Rwanda; Botswana; Uganda and Mozambique.

A survey conducted by Africa Business Panel shows that the 10 countries were earmarked as the continent's favourites on investment chart out of 53 economies on the African continent.

According to the survey, Nigeria and the other nine countries have the most desired potentials for international investor community who increasingly see Africa as 'the last frontier' for attractive growth opportunities.

The survey also indicated that investors expect over half of the ten fastest growing economies in the world in 2011 to be Africa.

Mr Ogo Ibok, CEO at Skill Enhancement Centre (SENCE) Nigeria ,said that Nigeria has the market for investors.

Ibok said, "Nigeria has a huge population with a huge potential for growth, despite the infrastructural challenges, the opportunities for investors cannot be over estimated. Ghana is an emerging market, with a stable government".

Sunday Vanguard investigations revealed that it is no coincidence that Nigeria and the nine others selected by the international investor community in 2011 are all sub-Saharan.

Northern Africa suffered a setback in confidence from investors owing to the political turmoil which started at the beginning of the year.



Source...
http://www.vanguardngr.com

| Robbers attack Gwarzo, Shekarau’s ex-deputy

The Action Congress of Nigeria, CAN, gubernatorial candidate in the April general elections and the immediate past deputy governor of Kano State,  Mr Tijjani Gwarzo, had a taste of life outside his former heavily secured Government House, weekend, when a gang of armed robbers attacked his residence in his country home, Gwarzo, 90km south of Kano.

The robbers, numbering eight, stormed the former deputy governor's residence located at Sabuwar Ungwa in the early hours of Saturday.

Eyewitness account told Sunday Vanguard that the night marauders ransacked the entire house and carted away N450,000, six mobile phones and assorted jewellery.

The account further explained that the robbers armed with AK47 riffle with machetes and clubs easily overpowered two "unarmed policemen" attached to the former number two Kano citizen in an operation that lasted half an hour.

The eyewitness account added that a member of the State Security Service, SSS, attached to the residence engaged the hoodlums in a shoot out that compelled them to make the operation snappy.

The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Magaji Majia, who confirmed the incidence, explained that at 3 a.m., on Saturday "some persons, suspected to be political thugs or armed robbers, stormed the residence of the former deputy governor in wee hours of Saturday."

Majia said the command was yet to effect arrest but stressed that it had spread its dragnet to apprehend the fleeing criminals
Source...

http://www.vanguardngr.com/

Police arrest 11, declare native doctor, 4 others wanted

Eleven persons are currently cooling off at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Orile Igamu area of Lagos State following violent clashes that recently erupted between street urchins from Aweh and Araromi Streets battling for supremacy in the area.
Aweh Street, Orile
Crime Alert gathered that a clamp- down on the restive youths by the police became necessary following a massive fracas that broke out between youths from the streets over a yet –to- be determined circumstance, after which no fewer than10 persons sustained live threatening injuries, while several vehicles, and buildings were damaged.

There were conflicting reports over the cause of the fighting which made residents of the area and beyond sleep with one eye open for days. Some residents of the area who pleaded anonymity for fear of being attacked told Crime Alert that the fighting started after a disagreement between two football teams. It was gathered that the team from Aweh was defeated by their Kurforiji counterpart and a fracas ensued which degenerated into a free for all.

Eyewitnesses said during the clash, dangerous weapons were freely used by both parties resulting in many people sustaining varying degrees of injuries. In fact, the situation took a very frightening dimension later in the night when the team that lost the soccer encounter invaded an adjoining street, Kuforiji, in the area and unleashed terror on the residents. They reportedly broke into private homes in search of all grown up boys in the street and ended up destroying properties worth millions of naira.

Private cars that were parked on the street were also smashed beyond repairs while some elders and children sustained severe injuries in the hands of the youths who were also wielding charms and amulets which they claimed protects them against any gun shot or attack.

A resident of the area, Olajide Badero who spoke with Crime Alert also said; "After the clash following the soccer encounter, there were fears that some boys from Aweh street may attack their counterparts in Araromi and Kuforiji. This fear was heightened following reports that one notorious muslim cleric popularly called Alfa who lives at Aweh street, was publicly spraying blood from pigeons in and around the street boasting that he had fortified youths from Aweh street against gun shot injuries and death from attack. After that, the boys from Araromi street were alleged to had contracted hoodlums from Ijora Badia to assist them in the fighting while those from Aweh allegedly contracted touts from Mushin.

That night was like hell, people were attacked randomly, shops were looted and vehicles were damaged. I was walking home from a family meeting when I saw people running helter-skelter. I escaped death by the whiskers because the boys were armed with dangerous weapons and there was no Policeman to take control.

Mohamed Lasisi, who runs a local cafeteria at the entrance of Aweh street told Crime Alert that it was after he saw the boys advancing dangerously to confront each other that he quickly ran to Orile police station to alert them of the impending war. "In fact, I must commend the Divisional Police Officer at Orile. He swiftly mobilized his boys and swooped on the area.

The Police did a commendable job by rounding up all those hoodlums and they even patrolled all the streets for days. When I went to the Police station that night, I was happy to see how they were interrogating the hoodlums and this made them open up and exposed all those involved in the fracas. I am sure they will not try that again because of the swiftness of the police in the area. I would also call on the police to hasten and check the activities of some hoodlums in the area that trade on drugs. This should be tackled the same way they handled those street urchins that were engaged in that clash".

Crime Alert gathered reliably that the Police in the area have concluded plans to transfer all the suspects to the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, where more investigations would be carried out before prosecution. Meanwhile, Police sources at Orile hinted that the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of the area, CSP Robinson Eregare has ordered a 24-hourly patrol in all the nooks and crannies of the streets where the clash took place with a view to rounding up other suspected hoodlums that reportedly took part in the fracas.

It was also gathered that four ringleaders of the operation including the notorious Muslim Cleric that was alleged to be their native doctor have been declared wanted by the police and concerted efforts are being made to round them up

Source...
http://www.vanguardngr.com

AC Milan plans mass raid on Chelsea

By: Tom Witham

AC Milan are gearing up to launch a transfer raid on Chelsea, with up to five Blues stars wanted by the Italian giants.

According to talkSPORT, strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are among the sought-after players.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has drawn up a list of eight names that he will try to bring to the San Siro this summer.

It also includes fellow Stamford Bridge stars Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Alex, as well as Bayern Munich duo Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben and Real Madrid's Kaka.

New Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is said by the news source to be keen on Porto forward Radamel Falaco, perhaps freeing the likes of Drogba and Anelka to leave west London.

Sources in Italy believe Galliani is ready to test Chelsea's resolve by submitting a bid for the pair, with the vice-president more confident of landing Anelka.

Milan enjoyed a successful season last time out – winning Serie A ahead of local rivals Inter – and Galliani wants to keep them at the head of the game.

Gadaffi Seeks Nigeria’s Intervention Over NATO’s Air Raids

LIBYAN Foreign Minister, Abdulahi Obaidi, yesterday met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa Abuja with a message from Libyan Leader, Muamar Gadaffi appealing for Nigeria's intervention in the current bombardment of areas and forces controlled by Gadaffi by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) warplanes.

Obaidi, who is also Gadaffi's Special Envoy, spoke to journalists after his meeting with President Jonathan saying, "NATO has to stop further defiling of Libyan sovereignty as a nation."

He added: "Since the crises in Libya are internal, there are no basis for external interference."

On President Jonathan's response to Gadafi's appeal, Obaidi said "the President promised to table the issue at the next African Union (AU) Heads of Government summit scheduled for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on the 29th of this month."

And just as the Libyan Special Envoy left, President Jonathan met with the British Secretary of State, International Development, Andrew Mitchel.

Mitchel had met earlier with Vice President Namadi Sambo.

There were no indications yet of the issues discussed with the British cabinet Minister.


Source....
http://www.ngrguardiannews

» Edo Task Force members call for chairman’s probe |



BENIN— CRISIS is rocking the Edo State Committee/Task Force on Environment, Demolition of Illegal Structure and Street Trading, as some members of the committee, have appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole to request the chairman of the committee, Major Lawrence Oloye (rtd) to account for the N5 million monthly subvention to the committee from the state government, in the past six months.

In a letter addressed to the Governor, by Mr Solomon Ekairia and Humphrey Agbontaen, on behalf of other members of the committee, they alleged that out of the N5 million, only about N1.25 million was spent monthly by the committee.

They further alleged that any member who dared to query the chairman was either suspended without salary or sacked.

However, efforts to reach the chairman, failed, as his mobile phone rang out. But a close ally of his, who craved anonymity, described the allegation as untrue, saying that those who petitioned the chairman were members who were suspended for allegedly extorting members of the public.

Meanwhile, the petitioners added that the amount expended monthly reduced drastically in the last two months due to the resignation and death of some members, and that the chairman had continued to use hired labourers despite warning by the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Clem Agba, that hired labourers would no longer be tolerated in the Ministry.

"He always threatens workers and any attempt to even explain issues with him will be rewarded with beatings and threat of sack. Some members of this committee have been involved in extortion of members of the public, but when you report the issue, the chairman will ensure you are removed. We want to appeal to the Governor to investigate this issues so that the truth will come to limelight," the petition added.

Source...

http://www.vanguardngr.com
#End
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Man kills friend over ludo game

23-year-old man, on Sunday in Lagos, sent his bosom friend to an early grave after stabbing him to death during a quarrel over ludo game.
Ismaila Adeniyi claimed he was leading Olu Afolabi during the game and that suddenly Afolabi got angry which resulted into a quarrel that degenerated into a fight at Oke-Odo area of Lagos.

Adeniyi alleged that Afolabi punched him on his face and he retaliated.
According to Adeniyi, Afolabi broke a bottle on his head thus inflicting injury on him. Adeniyi continued: "I picked up a bottle from our room and stabbed my friend twice."

The victim was rushed to Isolo General Hospital where he was confirmed dead.
Speaking further, Adeniyi recalled: We met at Oke-Odo area of Lagos where we were both apprentices.
"We were playing ludo. I won in the game. We were only playing free game. Not gambling. He told me I was mad. He gave me a blow and I retaliated. He broke bottle on my head. I also retaliated, by stabbing him, which led to his death. I live with my mother. She sells pepper. It occurred on Sunday in my residence. My mother fainted immediately she heard that I had killed somebody. She was rushed to the hospital.

"Someone told me she is still in the hospital. The incident happened at about 7.30 am."
The suspect, who hails from Kwara State, was paraded before newsmen by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, in his Oduduwa Street, Ikeja, office.
Jinadu said the incident occurred on June 19, 2011. He disclosed that Adeniyi stabbed Afolabi twice before he gave up the ghost. He said his body had been deposited at Isolo General Hospital morgue for autopsy. The police spokesman said the suspect would be charged to court soon.

Source...
http://www.sunnewsonline.co

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Bomb blasts: NPLF chieftains may demand Jonathan’s resignation

Younger elements within the camps of the four Presidential aspirants who participated in the search for Northern consensus president under the aegis of the Alhaji Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) have flagged off brain storming sessions aimed at tackling the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan on the spate of bomb blasts rocking the country.

Sources close to some of the meetings held by some NPLF members last week confirmed that the group has concluded arrangements to demand the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan from office on account of his failure to arrest the series of bomb blasts rocking the country.

It was gathered in Abuja that participants at a June 16 meeting, featuring mainly younger elements of the presidential campaign organizations involved in the Northern consensus option had concluded plans to tackle the President and demand his resignation from office.

It was learnt that a grand design to facilitate the campaign is being put together.

It was learnt that the meeting of June 16 described the spate of bomb blasts across the country as something that has shown that President Goodluck Jonathan lacks the required capacity to lead the country and that an agreement was reached that the group makes an open statement to demand the President's resignation.

Meanwhile, another meeting of the Northern presidential hopefuls last Thursday nearly ended in fisticuffs as open disagreements broke out between loyalists of General Ibrahim Babangida and those of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over allegations of underhand dealings in the emergence of Atiku as the Northern consensus candidate ahead of the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in January.


Source....
http://tribune.com.ng

Former Lecturer, Mr. Femi Olufokunbi Arraigned Over N8m Fraud

A former lecturer at the University of Lagos, Mr. Femi Olufokunbi, on Thursday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates' Court in Lagos, charged with eight million naira fraud.

Olufokunbi (62) was arraigned on a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money from Union Bank Plc under false pretence.

The court remanded him in police custody till June 21 when it will rule in his bail application.
The former lecturer, also a lawyer, is standing trial along with one Onyeka Dike.

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Zaccheus Arekhander, said that the accused and some others at large obtained the money by false pretence on behalf of some lawyers on June 1.
He said that the accused did not give the money to the lawyers and did not return it to the bank.

He said that the accused had refused persuasion from the bank to sign necessary documents to officially acknowledge the receipt of the money paid through a cheque.

Arekhander objected to the bail applications moved by the counsel to accused, Mr. Gani Oyarevuegbe.

The prosecutor said that the former lecturer could interference with ongoing police investigations in the case, if granted bail.

"The money in question is still in an unfrozen account, the accused; granting them bail could avail them the opportunity to withdraw it thereby jeopardising police investigations," he said.

The defence counsel had prayed the court to grant the accused bail on self recognition.

He submitted that the former don had spent 32 years as a lawyer.

Magistrate A.A. Adefulire said: "In view of the strong objection to the bail application, the accused are hereby remanded in police custody pending ruling on the application.'


Nigerian Observer

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Nigerian, Ifamuyiwa Callisto Jailed For Stealing Fake 100 Pounds In The Uk




Ifamuyiwa Callisto , 52, a Nigerian resident in the United Kingdom, was on Thursday sentenced to six months imprisonment for stealing a fake 100 pounds note.

The trial Judge, Daphne Wickham, in her judgement, sentenced Callisto to three months on each of the two counts of theft after he pleaded guilty.

Mr. Tom Cockroft, the defence lawyer, said the father of three had resorted to crime owing to financial difficulties.

The sentence would run separately, with a further three month term running concurrently.

According to a local newspaper, an undercover operation was launched by the City of London detectives after lawyers complained that mobile phones, cash and wigs were missing from the robbing room in the court.

It stated that they rigged up cameras and left 100 pounds of photocopied dummy bank notes in a wallet as bait.

Callisto, an old Bailey security guard, was caught stealing the fake notes.

"They watched as Callisto entered the changing room for lawyers and rifled through lockers and suit jackets and took the fake cash,'' it stated.

It also stated that when Callisto was arrested, he confessed and said "it was easy pickings''.

It also stated that 1,900 pounds worth of fountain pens belonging to Mr. Michael Wolkind, the Queen's Counsel, was also found in his house during a search.


Source:
Nigerian Observer

3-time Olympic boxer shot dead in Pakistan

Sports - Balochistan, Pakistan - Pakistan
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Police say three-time Pakistani Olympic boxer Abrar Hussain has been shot and killed.

Police officer Hamid Shakil says Hussain died after assailants shot him in the head while he was driving from his office in Quetta.

The 50-year-old Hussain represented Pakistan in the 1984, '88 and '92 Olympics.
Hussain was serving as deputy director of sports in the capital of the Balochistan province.
Police said no arrests have been made, and that the motive for the killing is unclear. Quetta is a violent city where separatists and militant attacks are common.
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Gaga fined in France over fan frenzy


LADY GAGA has been fined by French police for disturbing the peace in Paris after causing chaos on the city's streets by hanging out of a hotel window and throwing rose petals to her frenzied fans. The Poker Face superstar was staying at the posh Park Hyatt hotel in the French capital on Thursday (16Jun11) as she travels across Europe promoting her hit new album Born This Way. The singer's presence attracted hordes of devotees who waited outside the hotel in hope of seeing their idol, and Gaga gave the group a treat by hanging out of her suite's window and showering them in petals. But her antics landed her in trouble with Parisian cops, who have fined Gaga for disturbing the peace, reports Britain's The Sun. A source tells the newspaper, "Gaga was given a telling off for her antics. Hotel bosses tried to get her to come in (from the window) because of the frenzy she was creating outside but she didn't listen so the police turned up and fined her. She was like a woman possessed. You know what she's like with her fans. "She threw hundreds of rose petals and shouted over and said 'I love you my little monsters.'"
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Ritualists Den Uncovered In Onitsha •20 Corpses, Arms Found

There was pandemonium, Friday morning, in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, when a joint team of soldiers and Anambra State Task Force on Crime Prevention discovered about 20 corpses inside a concrete tunnel located at the foot of an MTN mast, around the popular Upper Iweka axis. Also found inside the tunnel were human parts, different types of arms and ammunition, gallons of raw acid (both empty and filled), food items and mattresses believed to be owned by a gang of ritualists operating at Upper Iweka axis, terrorising innocent travellers who arrived Onitsha late or too early. As at the time of filing this report, more corpses were still being discovered as members of the task force and some passers-by who were persuaded by the soldiers were still busy clearing the surrounding bushes. The discovery of the corpses, according to witnesses, followed a scream from a lady who was being raped by the suspected ritualists inside the tunnel at about 6.00 a.m, Friday morning. According to the source, the hoodlums had abducted the lady traveller, dragged her into the tunnel, dispossessed her of all personal belongings, stripped her naked and  raped her one after the other, but as she was screaming in pains while the rape lasted, some members of the government task force on crime control heard her  and rushed to the scene. As the rapists sighted the task force men approaching their tunnel, the source stated, the hoodlums abandoned their victim, jumped into the surrounding bush and dispersed. However, members of the task force gave them a hot chase and succeeded in arresting one of the fleeing gangsters at Ochanja market and handed him over to the police. Among the corpses found was one believed to be that of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the service uniform still intact on the badly decomposed corpse. Meanwhile, the rape victim who was rushed to a nearby clinic gave up the ghost before receiving medical attention due to the degree of injuries received during the rape.

Mexico says $250 million in oil stolen in 4 months


MEXICO CITY (AP) — Increasingly sophisticated thieves stole thousands of barrels per day of oil products from Mexico's state-owned oil company in the first four months of 2011, thefts worth about $250 million, the company's director said Thursday.

Those thefts amounted to almost one million barrels in the first four months of the year, a level almost 50 percent more than what thieves stole in the same period of 2010, according to the Petroleos Mexicanos oil company, also known as Pemex.

Pemex director Juan Jose Suarez Coppel said the stolen fuel was the equivalent of 100 tanker trucks per day.

"Fuel theft has increased in the last few years," said Energy Secretary Jose Antonio Meade. "The gangs that participate in these crimes are increasingly sophisticated, better organized and many times they have carried out these thefts using the latest technology."

Mexican officials say drug cartels have been involved in the thefts, often by tapping into state-owned pipelines. The thieves will sometimes inject water into pipelines to cover up the drop in pressure caused by thefts or drill a second tap near the first to continue siphoning off oil if the first is detected.

Drilling into pipelines is dangerous because of the high pressure and combustibility of the fuel; while illegal pipeline taps have caused explosions, fires and spills in the past, authorities still find hundreds of successful taps each year.

Suarez Coppel said 556 illegal taps had been detected so far in 2011, compared to 710 in all of 2010.

Officials have said in the past that drug cartels have been implicated in some of the thefts, especially in northern Mexico. Suarez Coppel said the largest number of thefts — about 150 — occurred in Sinaloa state, considered the cradle of Mexican drug trafficking. He said the cartels may sell the fuel or even use it for their own vehicles.

About 390 of the taps involved refined fuel pipelines, while about 135 were at ducts carrying crude. Because there is little market in Mexico for unrefined oil products stolen from some pipelines, the thieves often sell the oil products to U.S. refineries.

Pemex filed lawsuits in May against nine U.S. companies for alleged involvement in buying or processing Mexican oil products.

But thieves have also sold unrefined fuels to bulk users like brick kilns and factories, so authorities have proposed new laws that would stiffen penalties for the possession, sale or use of stolen oil products.

The changes being discussed in congress would also allow organized crimes charges to be brought in fuel-theft cases, and allow charges to be brought against Pemex employees or subcontractors who give information to thieves.

In the past, investigators have said workers may have told thieves when pressure in pipelines would drop for maintenance or other reasons, allowing them a window of opportunity to drill into ducts more easily. According to Associated Press

Mexico says $250 million in oil stolen in 4 months


MEXICO CITY (AP) — Increasingly sophisticated thieves stole thousands of barrels per day of oil products from Mexico's state-owned oil company in the first four months of 2011, thefts worth about $250 million, the company's director said Thursday.

Those thefts amounted to almost one million barrels in the first four months of the year, a level almost 50 percent more than what thieves stole in the same period of 2010, according to the Petroleos Mexicanos oil company, also known as Pemex.

Pemex director Juan Jose Suarez Coppel said the stolen fuel was the equivalent of 100 tanker trucks per day.

"Fuel theft has increased in the last few years," said Energy Secretary Jose Antonio Meade. "The gangs that participate in these crimes are increasingly sophisticated, better organized and many times they have carried out these thefts using the latest technology."

Mexican officials say drug cartels have been involved in the thefts, often by tapping into state-owned pipelines. The thieves will sometimes inject water into pipelines to cover up the drop in pressure caused by thefts or drill a second tap near the first to continue siphoning off oil if the first is detected.

Drilling into pipelines is dangerous because of the high pressure and combustibility of the fuel; while illegal pipeline taps have caused explosions, fires and spills in the past, authorities still find hundreds of successful taps each year.

Suarez Coppel said 556 illegal taps had been detected so far in 2011, compared to 710 in all of 2010.

Officials have said in the past that drug cartels have been implicated in some of the thefts, especially in northern Mexico. Suarez Coppel said the largest number of thefts — about 150 — occurred in Sinaloa state, considered the cradle of Mexican drug trafficking. He said the cartels may sell the fuel or even use it for their own vehicles.

About 390 of the taps involved refined fuel pipelines, while about 135 were at ducts carrying crude. Because there is little market in Mexico for unrefined oil products stolen from some pipelines, the thieves often sell the oil products to U.S. refineries.

Pemex filed lawsuits in May against nine U.S. companies for alleged involvement in buying or processing Mexican oil products.

But thieves have also sold unrefined fuels to bulk users like brick kilns and factories, so authorities have proposed new laws that would stiffen penalties for the possession, sale or use of stolen oil products.

The changes being discussed in congress would also allow organized crimes charges to be brought in fuel-theft cases, and allow charges to be brought against Pemex employees or subcontractors who give information to thieves.

In the past, investigators have said workers may have told thieves when pressure in pipelines would drop for maintenance or other reasons, allowing them a window of opportunity to drill into ducts more easily. According to

Cache of arms admitted as exhibits against 57 ex-militants

A large cache of arms, including four anti-aircraft guns and rocket propelled grenades belonging to 57 suspected militants, has been admitted as exhibit by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

Also, as part of the security measures in the state, Governor Chibuike  Amaechi said the government has placed surveillance cameras at strategic locations and planned to purchase two helicopters that would be deployed for surveillance operations in the state.

The suspects who were picked up in various creeks by the Joint Military Task Force in November last year, were said to have embraced amnesty when it was declared by the Federal Government, but returned to bear arms and were involved in sundry criminal activities.

Other weapons admitted by Justice Boma Diepiri, included 45 AK-47 rifles, 12 general purpose machine guns,  GPMG, berretta rifles, 7009 live ammunition, containers of 6.6mm, 116 magazines, camouflage bullet proof jackets, 181 MEND gloves  and jungle boots.

The prosecution alleged that the items were recovered by the JTF when one of the suspects volunteered information to the JTF and disclosed the location of their armoury in the creeks.

Under cross-examination, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Femi Ogunbayode, denied the suggestion by one of the defence counsel that the items were relics and could not have been found in the possession of the suspects and did not belong to them.

Before adjourning the matter, Justice Diepiri enjoined all the defence counsel  to harmonise their defence and arguments,  so as to reduce time and urged the security agents and state counsel to review their logistics in order to quicken proceedings at the next hearing date.

Chaos in Abuja

At about 10 am yesterday, a Suicide bomber attacked Nigeria police Head Quarter killing himself and destroyed over 70 vehicles.
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FG sets up joint task force

THE Federal Government has directed the immediate establishment of a Special Joint Military Task Force specifically to tackle the Boko Haram crises in the North with Maiduguri in Borno State as headquarters of the task force. The task force to be headed by a Major General of the Armoured Corps would comprise the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce, Nigeria Police and the Department State Security, SSS. Already Vanguard gathered that about 200 operatives of the SSS have arrived Maiduguri, 300 officers of the Nigeria Airforce, 300 officers of the Nigeria Navy and 500 soldiers of the Army have landed, with their Force Commander, ready to be deployed for action. It was further gathered that at the end of the day, the Nigerian Army would have two battalions of soldiers in place, the Nigeria Police will deploy 1, 500 officers, the SSS would have 500 operatives, the Airforce, 650 officers; while the Nigeria Navy will have 750 officers deployed. Director, Army Public Relations, Brig_General Rafael Isa, told Vanguard there were plans to support operations there, but said he could not confirm if the troops had been deployed. It would be recalled that the Inspector General of Police, Tuesday, made an operational visit to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where he received 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers donated by the state government to the police to fight the Boko Haram menace. Last week also, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, at an Army forum said the Army has carried out thorough research on the modus operandi of the Boko Haram sect and had discovered the solution to the menace.

Woman Gives Birth To 7 Babies in 11Months

 Woman delivers seven babies in 11 months IN a strange manner, a woman has delivered a set of  seven babies within a space of 11 months, three males and four females. The woman, Mrs Precious Donatus who lives in Aguda, Suru-lere, Lagos, gave birth to her first child in August, 2009, after 11 years of childlessness but the baby died five days later.  Ten months later, Mrs Precious conceived and delivered the seven babies within intervals of one month . When Saturday Vanguard visited the home of the family, the husband Mr Donatus Ogbonna, a business man from Imo State  was at home. He told Saturday Vanguard that at birth of the first baby, they  did not know that would be the beginning of her journey to delivering seven babies. Narrating her story, Mrs Precious told Saturday Vanguard that the first baby died after five days of birth adding that “immediately after putting to bed the first baby, the doctor told me that there was another baby in my womb.” The babies are :first baby, August 25 2009, Amarachi (died after five days); second baby, May 6, 2010 (Conqueror, female); third baby, June 3, 2010, (Chizitere, female); fourth baby, August 16, 2010 (Ekpereamaka, male); fifth baby, September 19, 2010, (Fineseed Angel, female); sixth baby, October 19, 2010 (Evidence, female); seventh baby, January 13, 2011,( Flourish, male), eight baby, April 2, 2011, (Ebenezer, male) .

EFCC arrests Bankole

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole was Sunday, arrested by  the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  in Abuja.
Vanguard gathered that  EFCC operatives arrested him in his home in Asokoro, Sunday afternoon,  despite, the reported plan by Bankole to appear in the anti-graft office,  Monday(tomorrow).
According to impeccable sources, Bankole may face  a four-count charge.
It was gathered that Bankole’s security aides resisted moves by the EFCC operatives from effecting his arrest until the EFCC chairman, Farida Waziri pulled a call through to the Inspector General of Police , Hafiz Ringim and the SSS Director General asking them to withdraw their men.
The duo then ordered the withdrawal of their operatives, thus paving way for the arrest of the embattled Speaker by the anti-corruption  agency.

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CODE OF CONDUCT BUREAU SHOCKER: Govs, others sign with left hands to hide foreign accounts •Why Tinubu’s trial is delayed -CCB

IN order to hide their illicit act, top government officials use left hands to sign foreign accounts they operate in the names of their wives

and relatives, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) revealed on Thursday.
The constitution forbids government officials from operating foreign accounts while in office, with the bureau as the enforcer of the law.
Bureau’s chairman, Mr Sam Saba, at a media parley in Abuja, noted that very few government officials are honest about the operation of foreign accounts, who usually close them on the advice of the bureau and produce proof of closure, while many of them hide the accounts, observing the law in breach.
He stated that he was fortunate to come into privileged information from an international banker, who revealed to him that numerous government officials had devised means of hiding the foreign accounts when opening and running them while in office.
Saba added that the banker told him that when the defaulting officials were opening the accounts, they used either their wives’ or relatives’ names, and signed with their left hands in order to make the accounts untraceable to them.
When they were reportedly asked by the bankers if their wives knew about the usage of their names in opening the said accounts, Saba said he was told that the officials would tell the foreign bankers to forget about the aspect of the deal and just open the accounts, which indicated that their wives do never got to know that their names were being used for money laundering.
He acknowledged that it had been difficult tracing the foreign accounts belonging to these top officials, though he was confident that with the decision of the bureau to invite the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) into the matter, the identities of the affected officials would soon be made known, as well as the balances in those accounts.
According to him: “Very few of them [public officials] are usually honest on foreign accounts. They close and write and show us proofs. But they are very few. A lot of them operate but they hide under different names and they sign with their left hands which makes the accounts difficult to trace to them.”
Saba, who vowed to make public officials accountable over their assets, also added that the bureau would soon write to banks where the accounts of public officers who just left offices are domiciled, as investigation continues in their asset verification.
The bureau boss further stated that the usual excuses from the defaulting officials were that they had wards abroad to cater for, medical bills to pay when on medical trips abroad and mortgages to defray.
He noted that he had advised them to open a domiciliary account in the country instead of running foul of the law, which many of them had completely ignored.
Saba, who had served as the secretary for the bureau, cited the example of Nasarawa State, where it had been discovered during asset verification that some of the immediate past commissioners were making a deposit of N5 million every month into their accounts but presented balance of N1, 000 when the bureau commissioner in charge of the state demanded their asset declaration, adding that such officials would be investigated further.
He disclosed that it had been discovered that some names of high-ranking public officers sent to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for prosecution were removed from the list, vowing that those behind such criminal act would soon be fished out, as he was determined to get to the root of the matter by initiating talks with the new acting chairman of the tribunal.
Saba said the trial of former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, was being delayed by the non-appointment of other members that would sit alongside the acting chairman, adding that the charge against him on illegal operation of foreign accounts while in office is still before the tribunal.
Disclosing that both President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo had declared their assets, Saba noted that a major achievement of the bureau was its renewed independence, which would not require it to seek the approval of the Attorney-General of the Federation before charging offenders.

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