I’m joining Manchester United – Ibrahimovic

(FILES) This file photo taken on May 10, 2016 shows former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic posing in Paris. Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on June 30, 2016 that he is joining Manchester United, ending intense speculation about where the 34-year-old Swedish superstar will be playing next season. "Time to let the world know. My next destination is Manchester United," he wrote on Instagram, complete with a picture of the United badge. / AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Thursday that he is joining Manchester United, ending intense speculation about where the 34-year-old Swedish superstar forward will be playing next season. 

 Ibrahimovic, who was a free agent after ending a hugely successful stay at Paris Saint-Germain, becomes the second signing of new United boss Jose Mourinho after that of highly rated Ivory Coast centre-back Eric Bailly from the Spanish outfit Villarreal. 

 “Time to let the world know. My next destination is Manchester United,” he wrote on Instagram and Facebook, complete with a picture of the United badge, as comments approving of the move — one of the biggest of the summer so far — flooded in. 

Ibrahimovic reunites with Mourinho, after they enjoyed a good relationship while together at Italians Inter Milan, in what is likely to be the last major move in a career spanning five countries, starting with Malmo. 

 The towering Swede, who hit 62 goals in 116 international matches, had toyed with questioners for weeks about where he would be going and it will be his first time playing in the Premier League. 

Ibrahimovic, who quit international football after Sweden crashed out of Euro 2016, has also played at Ajax, Juventus, Barcelona and AC Milan during a career in which he has become as well known for his colourful personality as his prowess in front of goal. 

He had also been linked with a return to AC Milan and his agent had suggested that Major League Soccer in the United States was another potential destination. 

 – Mourinho means ‘action’ – 

 Ibrahimovic will bolster a forward line at Old Trafford that looked desperately short of ideas, depth and talent last season under Louis van Gaal. 

 Wayne Rooney could well play deeper next season, in midfield, while French starlet Anthony Martial had to carry the United attack despite his tender years until youngster Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene late on in the campaign. 

 Van Gaal paid out heavily for his fellow Dutchman Memphis Depay, but he failed to deliver and spent the second half of the season on the bench. 

Ibrahimovic said weeks ago that he knew where he would be playing football next season, but kept the football world guessing — typical of his mercurial personality. 

 “Yes, I have made my choice,” Ibrahimovic tantalisingly told a press conference at a training camp near Stockholm for the Swedish national team ahead of Euro 2016. 

 He said then that he had decided “long ago” but dodged all questions about whether that team was Manchester United, where Mourinho has replaced van Gaal after the Dutchman’s troubled two-year reign at Old Trafford came to a bitter end. 

 Asked a direct question about whether he had received an offer from United, Ibrahimovic’s hesitancy in answering spoke volumes. He drummed his fingers on the table, smiled and eventually replied: “Let’s see what happens.” “There are concrete offers from England, Italy… all countries. There are even some from outside Europe,” he said. 

“There are many, many alternatives.”

 But when asked whether he was tempted to work again with Mourinho, Ibrahimovic said only that they had worked well together at Inter Milan, where the Swede played from 2006 to 2009. “You want action, you bring Mourinho. I believe he’s the man to bring them back to the top. Wherever he went he won,” the Swede said of Mourinho taking over at United, where he will be tasked with bringing back the glory days sorely missing under van Gaal. There was no immediate word from United on Ibrahimovic.

Court sends ex-Adamawa acting governor to prison over corruption charges

Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the remand of a former Acting Governor of Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri, in Kuje prison, Abuja, over five counts of money laundering charges involving about N1.9bn preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed made the order after Fintiri pleaded not guilty to all the five counts on Thursday.

The EFCC arraigned Fintiri  along with Mayim Constructions and Properties Limited (the second defendant). ‎Shortly after Fintiri pleaded not guilty to all the charges, the court heard his bail application but adjourned till Friday to deliver its ruling on it.

Justice Mohammed ordered that the former acting governor be remanded in Kuje prison pending when the court would deliver ruling on the bail application on Friday. ‎In the charges numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/131/2016, and filed on June 16, 2016, the EFCC alleged that the accused committed the money laundering offences involving an aggregate sum of about N1.9bn between October 2, 2014 and July 2015. ‎

In counts 1 and 2 Fintiri was accused of indirectly disguising the origin of total sum of N220m (N80m and N120m) on October 2, 2014‎.

He was said to have committed the offence in the two counts by transferring the various sums of money from account number 0313000301 with Ecobank Plc and operated by Timeplex Nigeria Limited into the account number 5742019591 domiciled with the same bank and operated by Mayim Construction and Properties Limited.

The prosecution alleged that Fintiri knew the sums of money to be part of proceeds of an unlawful act of “bribery and corruption”, stating that the alleged  offences were contrary to section 15(2), (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) and (4) of the same law.‎‎

He was also accused of committing similar offence in Count 4 by indirectly concealing the origin of the aggregate sum of N550m on October 9, 2016.

But in the said count 4, the accused was said to have indirectly disguised the sum of N550m through ‎”a term loan of 12 months” purportedly granted to him by Ecobank Plc “for the acquisition of a tea plantation farm from Nigeria Agricultural Bank in Taraba State”.

The former governor was said to have repaid the loan within three months while he was the acting governor of Adamawa State.

In count 3, he was accused ‎of making cash payment of N220m, without going through a financial institution, for the purchase of Plot 7, Gana Street, Maitama Abuja, sometimes in July 2015. He was said to have made the cash payment to one Hashim Dikko.

This was said to have violated section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012 and punishable under section 16(2)(b) of the same Act. In count 5,‎ he was accused of retaining in his US Dollars account number 5742019601 domiciled with Ecobank Plc the total sum of $4,830,000 (estimated at N970m at the then N200 to $1 official exchange rate) on June 3, 2014. The EFCC alleged that the money was part of proceeds of unlawful act of corruption and he thereby committed an offence under section 15(2), (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act.

Forgery Suit: Senate walks out AGF representatives at panel meeting

Abuja

 The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, on Thursday, walked out the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Prosecution,  Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, who was in the upper chamber to represent the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami.

 Malami was summoned by the red chamber following its resolution that the nation’s chief law officer should be asked to explain the rationale by his office to prosecute the senate presiding officers over the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Order 2015.

 Obviously not satisfied with the decision of the AGF to shun its invitation for the second time,  the senate panel wondered why Malami should send a representative when he was aware that his attention was physically required to defend his actions.

 They expressed the fears that  Malami by his action, was threatening the nation’s democracy and that something should be done urgently to save the situation.

 Efforts by Obono – Obla, to deliver the message of the AGF, were frustrated by the committee chairman, Senator David Umaru,  who said they were only interested in meeting Malami or no one else.

 He explained that the committee would report to the senate-in-plenary on resumption from its current recess and would take the necessary action against Malami.

 However,  Obono – Obla, who said he was appointed by Buhari and attached to the Ministry of Justice,  told journalists outside the committee room that the position of the AGF was that the panel lacked justification to open any discussion over the matter.

Tribunal strikes out petition against Mark

Makurdi

 The re-run Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi on Thursday struck out the petition of the All Progressives Congress’ candidate, Daniel Onjeh, against Senator David Mark.

 The tribunal held that the petition was filed after the stipulated 21 days, as enshrined in the constitution. In her ruling, Justice Chinyere Anulude, who read the ruling, said that due to the sui generis nature of election matters, the day of the election shall not be excluded. According to Anulude, from the date of the filing of the petition, it is clear that the petition is manifestly filed out of time by one day.

 She pointed out that Section 285(5) of the 1999 Constitution was settled by the Supreme Court in Okechukwu vs INEC and the lower tribunal was bound by it. The tribunal, therefore, held that the petition was defective and statute barred.

 The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party as winner of the Benue South Senatorial rerun election with a margin of more than 12,000 votes. Dissatisfied with the result, Onjeh, of APC approached the tribunal, insisting that the purported margin of win that led to the declaration of Mark as winner of the poll was far less than the number of cancelled and rejected votes, which were over 29,000 votes.

 Onjeh said that evidence on the face of the Certified True Copy of result declaration sheets obtained from INEC showed irregularities and non-compliance with Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

 He, therefore, asked the tribunal to declare him the winner of the poll instead of Mark. Joined in the petition were INEC and PDP.

Lawyer withdraws certificate case against Buhari

                               President Muhammadu Buhari

Abuja

A lawyer，Mr. Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe, on Thursday withdrew his suit seeking an order of a Federal High Court in Abuja to declare President Muhammadu Buhari as not qualified to contest the last year’s presidential election which was won by him (Buhari).

The plaintiff had among other prayers asked the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Buhari after winning the last year’s poll.

The plaintiff’s prayers were on the basis that the President did not possess the requisite Primary Six School Certificate or the West Africa School Certificate to run for the office.

But Justice Adeniyi Ademola struck out the case in a short ruling on Thursday following the plaintiff’s notice of discontinuance of the case.

The application was filed on June 27. Defence lawyer, Mr. Paul Ajiboye, who represented Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, in court on Thursday, said he had no objection to the plaintiff’s notice of discontinuance. INEC which is the first defendant to the suit was not represented by any lawyer.

The plaintiff himself was also not present at the proceedings but he was represented by his lawyer, Mr. Chikodi Okeorji. While moving the application for discontinuance of the suit, Okeorji, said the motion was filed in line with provision of Order 50 Rule (2)(1) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009.

He however did not disclose the reason for the discontinuance of the case.

“Following the notice of discontinuance filed by the plaintiff, pursuant to Order 50 Rule (2)(1) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009, this suit is hereby struck out,” Justice Ademola ruled after listening to parties.

Meanwhile, while speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Okeorji said he could not tell his plaintiff’s reasons for deciding to withdraw to the suit.

“That question is best answered by the plaintiff himself. But there must an end to litigation,” the plaintiff’s lawyer said.

Court frees 11 Indians, others accused of bunkering

Calabar

 A Federal High Court in Calabar on Thursday freed 11 Indians, three Ghanaians and two Nigerians facing trial for alleged oil theft in the Nigerian territorial waters.

 In the suit number FHC/YNG/CS/82C/2014 filed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the suspects were said to have been arrested on board MV Maro on July 22, 2014 at the Agbara platform in Bayelsa State by officials of the Nigerian Navy.

 The 16 suspects listed as defendants were Robert Petor; Wilfred Fianu; Raphael Agidi; Soni Kumar; Pradeep Sharma; Manoj Kumar; Ajay Kumar; Joseph Tadan; Puran Tadan; Heeray Todan; Mr. Parveen; Ankit Rana; Hanson Jacob; Joyful Rongme; Muhammed Alan and Quashnie Kofi. But after the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Ramiah Ikhanaede, had closed his case with several documents which were admitted as exhibits, defence counsel for the suspects immediately filed a no-case submission.

 In his ruling on the no-case submission, presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Calabar, Justice Inyang Ekwo, said the prosecution counsel could not prove his case.

 For lack of evidence, Justice Ekwo, therefore discharged and acquitted the 16 suspects including the agents of Saroj Shipping Company and the MV Maro vessel itself. “The prosecution did not establish any nexus of conspiracy.

The evidences provided have nothing to do with conspiracy. All the defendants are therefore discharged and acquitted,” he said.

 Counsel for the EFCC were absent during the ruling, but defence counsel for the 11 Indians, Mr. Jerry Omoregie, said the ruling was a straight confirmation that there was no case.

FG declares Tuesday, Wednesday public holiday

                  Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.)

Abuja

The Federal Government has declared July 5 and 6, 2016 as public holiday to mark Eid-el Fitri Celebrations.

The Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, on Thursday in Abuja, urged  all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which are love, peace and justice to their daily living and through this contribute to the development of the nation.

 A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Bassey Akpanyung said   Dambazau also urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of “this spiritual rejuvenation to reflect on the imperative of unity and peaceful co-existence in strengthening the bond of togetherness for a strong, virile nation.

” The minister, while wishing Nigerians a peaceful celebration, urges total support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s avowed determination to bequeath to the nation an enduring political legacy, it added.

Vietnam sentences 73-year-old Australian citizen to death over drugs

A Vietnamese court has sentenced an elderly Australian woman to death for heroin trafficking, local media reported on Thursday.

 The officials said that Nguyen Thi Huong, 73, left Ho Chi Minh City airport in December 2014 for Australia. They also found 1.6 kilogrammes of heroin in her luggage disguised as 36 bars of soap.

 Huong said at her trial that she accepted the bars in good faith from a woman named Helen while holidaying at the beachside city of Vung Tau in southern Vietnam.

 The court did not find any evidence of Helen or the incident described, meanwhile Huong was sentenced to death.

We’ll respect citizens’ views on grazing policy – Lalong

             Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong

Jos The Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, has said that the state government will respect the views of citizens on the proposed cattle ranching in the state.

 Lalong, who stated this during the fifth consultative meeting with various stakeholders over the new grazing reserve and ranch policy in Jos on Wednesday, said that contrary to speculations, the state had not decided on the policy.

 The meeting was organised by Search for Common Ground and Plateau Peace Building Agency.

 Governor Lalong, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Sunni Tyoden, said that on the contrary, the outcome of the consultations will form the basis upon which the government will arrive at a decision.

 He said, “The grazing reserve and grazing ranch scheme is not yet a government policy in the state. It is an issue that is being discussed by citizens of the state through the ongoing consultative forum.

 “This is the 5th consultative meeting in the series coordinated by the 14-man policy formulation committee. We have met with traditional rulers, youths, clerics, state House of Assembly, and this very one, which is involving the general public.

 “At the end of the consultations, government is going to accord respect to the popular opinion of its citizens and do the needful.

 “When the issue of grazing reserve was presented to us by the Federal Government in Abuja, as a governor, I looked at it as a policy that has economic potential for the government and individuals in the state, and thereby, showed intent pending necessary consultations with my people.

 “The necessary consultations have already gone far and I want to assure citizens that their views on the new policy shall be the position of the government.

My administration will not force any new policy on the people. Government is not going to confiscate anybody’s land for this purpose and government has no intention to sell plateau land to anyone in the country in the name of grazing reserve. 

“But government has seen the benefit in the new policy and will encourage citizens to embrace it because it will help government to stop the recurrent farmers and grazers’ clash in the state. It will create employment opportunity for youths and it will bring about economic independence to those who venture into livestock production.

 Earlier in a welcome remark, Country Director, Search for Common Ground, Mr. Rajendra Mulmi, and Director General, Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr. Joseph Lengmang, said they decided to organise the forum to enable citizens have a voice in the ongoing consultations on grazing reserve policy.

 Also speaking, Plateau State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Lynda Barau, said, “The new agricultural policy of the Federal Government is not only for livestock development, it also provides for food crops development and it will be of great benefit for citizens to key into the national programme of this nature.

 She said, “Every citizens of the country will be given equal opportunity in the commercial agricultural scheme introduced by the Federal Government as a way of economic diversification.”

Oritsefemi Gets Former Manager, Danku Arrested By The Nigerian Police

Sources disclose that the Lagos state police command were at the Muson Centre, Onikan over the weekend to arrest Oritsefemi’s former manager, Yusuf Adepitan, also known as Danku

Danku was hurled into custody according to NET ng on the red carpet of the comedy concert Pencil Unbroken which held yesterday night at the Muson centre and Oritsefemi has allegedly been fingered as the man behind the arrest.

The arrest came as the peak of a feud between artiste and former manager that has been brewing for a year now. An eyewitness was quoted as saying, “It was like a Hollywood movie, they just stormed the red carpet and whisked him away”.

A source from Oritsefemi’s management reportedly noted, ‘After months of hide and seek, the long arm of

 the law caught up with Danku last night and he had no hiding place. He was picked up by officers of the Nigerian Police force at the Muson centre on the red carpet of Pencil Unbroken event for theft, conspiracy and impersonation’.

Things between Oritesefemi and Danku started going sour in 2014 after the singer slammed Danku with allegations of stealing money from him, threatening his life and also claiming ownership of his MSN record label.

In January this year, the 31-year-old singer threatened to arrest Danku and his mother for conspiring against him but the threat never amounted to anything until yesterday.

 Danku is said to have since been taken to Zone 2, Police command in Onikan, Lagos.

Lovely Photos From Bimbo Thomas’ Baby Shower In The US

Nollywood actress, Bimbo Thomas was treated to a special all-white themed baby shower yesterday in Houston, U.S.A by her close friends.

Some of her colleagues in the Nigerian movie industry including Mistura Asunramu, Lola Magret, Aremu Afolayan among others were there to support their heavily pregnant friend

Bimbo is said to return to Nigeria after the birth of her baby.

The identity of the baby’s father is still being shrouded in secrecy as

Bimbo refuses to let any details slip out. Some suspect that her child was fathered by her US based lover.

See more photos:

I’ve not given power of attorney to my sister — Olumba

Calabar  The Spiritual Head of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Olumba Olumba-Obu, on Wednesday denied  giving his sister, Mrs. Helen Udoh,   power of attorney to take over the administration of the church.

 Olumba, who spoke through the  spokesman for  the BCS, Bishop Princely Ibeabuchi, was reacting to a media report that the Supreme Court was to hear his suit on January 17, 2017.

 The church, however, said the report, which was published in one of the national dailies on June 14,  was not true.

 The report had stated that the Supreme Court would  entertain three motions filed by the Registered Trustees of the BCS. But Ibeabuchi said, “The first correction is that the Supreme Court panel to hear the suit was not headed by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta as reported, but by Honourable Justice W. S Onnoghen, who led four other justices in the court.

 “The report referred to Olumba Olumba-Obu as Roland Obu and the second son of leader, Olumba Olumba-Obu, but the fact is that he is the first son and we have abundant evidence to that effect. “Also in the report, it was stated that leader Olumba Olumba-Obu gave the Mrs. Helen Ibum Udoh power of attorney.

 “The truth of the matter is that the leader never gave any form of attorney or any other instrument to her,  which is supposed to entitle her to take over the administration of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star.”

Kuje prison chief removed, faces probe over jailbreak

                                Controller-General of Prisons, Dr. Peter Ekpendu

Abuja The Controller-General of Prisons, Ahmed Jafa’aru, has ordered the removal and redeployment of the officer in-charge of Kuje Medium Prisons, Musa Tanko, over the escape of two inmates last Friday. 

Though, Tanko’s latest posting could not be immediately ascertained, our correspondent gathered on Wednesday that he had been directed to report at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the service where he would face a team of investigators. It was learnt that another officer had taken over at the Kuje prisons following Tanko’s redeployment.

 The inmates standing trial for murder, Maxwell Ajukwu and Solomon Amodu, who escaped from the facility by scaling the fence, are still at large. Sources stated that Tanko’s redeployment was to ensure a thorough probe of the inmates’ escape, adding that the officer would be sanctioned heavily, if indicted.

 A source said, “For now, only the officer in charge had been transferred out of the prisons, but we don’t know if other senior officers like the yard master and the officer on duty would also be redeployed out of Kuje prisons.

For now, everyone is waiting with bated breath to see the next line of action by the authorities.

” But the Service Public Relations Officer, Francis Enobore, said redeployment cannot be the sanction that would be meted on any indicted officer, noting that the prison management viewed the inmates’ escape as a serious offence that should attract serious sanctions. He stated that the investigation into the incident had not been concluded, stressing that the report of the probe would be sent to the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdurahaman Dambazzau (retd.) and appropriate sanction meted out to errant personnel. 

“The management of the prisons service is taking the matter seriously and any indicted officer will be severely punished, so transfer cannot be the punishment for escape of inmates,” he stated. 

Dambazzau had on Monday attributed the incident at the facility to security lapses, which he said he brought to the notice of the authorities, but added that nothing was done about it.

INEC fixes dates for Rivers, Imo reruns today

                               INEC

Abuja

 The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will fix dates for suspended rerun elections in Rivers, Imo, Kogi and Kano states on Thursday (today).

 The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this during his remark at the opening of the second quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja on Wednesday.

 Already, he said the commission was consulting with those he described as critical stakeholders, including leaders of political parties and security agencies, in the affected states. He stated that the commission was also expected to have a meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja on Thursday before arriving at the dates for the rerun elections.

 The reruns were ordered by courts, but were suspended by the commission due to outbreak of violence. Yakubu gave the assurance that the reruns in the four states would be conducted before July 31.

 He told the RECs, “There are a number of issues to be discussed, though this is a regular meeting, notably, the preparations for the forthcoming elections, the conclusion of reruns in Rivers, Kano, Imo and Kogi states.

 “We have started the processes of consultation to determine the date for the conclusion of the rerun elections in the four states that I have mentioned not later than July 31. We have met with political parties and security agencies.

 “Today, it is the turn of Resident Electoral Commissioners and thereafter, tomorrow (Thursday), we shall have the national stakeholders’ forum, involving political parties, candidates involved in the elections, the security agencies, REC, the civil society organisations and the media, to fix a date for the exercise.

 “Secondly, we are also going to discuss preparations for the forthcoming end-of-tenure governorship elections in Edo on September 10 and Ondo on November 26.

” He explained that the commission had concluded the Continuous Voter Registration in the two states, where he said no fewer than 100,000 people were registered.

 Yakubu said the commission was presently doing de-duplication to ensure that there were no multiple registrants before distributing permanent voter’s cards to the registrants.

I didn’t collect money from Dasuki, Omisore insists

                                Senator Iyiola Omisore

A former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has insisted that he did not collect money from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. Omisore asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to stop blackmailing opposition leaders in the country.

 The former deputy governor said this in a statement on Wednesday while reacting to a report that his account had been frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 The EFCC had frozen five bank accounts traced to Omisore, and the two sons of a former Minister of State of Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

 The EFCC, it was learnt, froze the accounts as part of investigations into the N4.7bn diverted from the imprest account of the Office of NSA under the leadership of Dasuki. Omisore said, “EFCC is known for spreading rumours. Freezing my account shall amount to the tyranny and illegality acts.

I won’t be surprised if the EFCC can be dodging court summons declaring me wanted and evading service.

I shall ask the court to compel them to unfreeze such account because I’m neither on trial nor found guilty. “Rather than use legal means to ensure justice, it has instead resorted to media trial and falsehood, which would not  prosper under any guise. I didn’t take money from the NSA.

Why this political trial, prosecution, intimidation and humiliation? “EFCC won’t stop at any height to blackmail opposition. My AIT programme has attracted another falsehood to harass me. Only a few days ago, I accused the EFCC of dodging court summons.

I didn’t collect money from the ONSA, I insist. I have not had any dealings with the ONSA. Last time it was N700m, today it is N1.3bn. Nigerians should be expecting higher multipliers in future. There is no such amount of money in my account. Let the EFCC bring all findings to the court, instead of media hype.”

Court sacks Modu Sheriff as PDP chairman

                               Ali Modu Sheriff

Abuja A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Wednesday sacked Ali Modu Sheriff as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

 Justice Valentine Ashi ‎held that Sheriff’s ascension to office was unlawful as it was based on amended provision of the PDP ‎Constitution said to be illegally introduced in December 2014. ‎

Though the court did not specifically mention Sheriff’s name, it made an order restraining all persons who became national officers of the party by virtue of the amended Article 47, Rule 6 of the party’s constitution, from further parading themselves in the said capacities. The judge nullified the amendment of the said provision which he ruled was done in violation of mandatory provisions of Article 66 (2) and (3) of the party’s constitution.

Dayo Amusa, Kemi Afolabi, More Support Fathia Balogun As She Bags Chieftancy Title

Screen goddess, Faithia Balogun received a chieftaincy title – ‘Atesin’se Adinni’, yesterday in Ijebu, Ogun state and her fellow film stars, Dayo Amusa, Kemi Afolabi, Mojisola Olaiya, Kehinde Rhoda and Tayo Odueke were on hand to show love and support to their friend.

See more photos from the event:

Army denies killing Imo apprentice

THE 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, has denied an allegation that soldiers of the Brigade posted to Etekwuru junction, Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of the state killed an apprentice, Declan Obi (26).

The Brigade said in a statement made available to Southern City News on Sunday and signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Haruna Tagwai, that preliminary investigation revealed that the incident never occurred.

 It further stated that the Brigade had since 11.00am on Thursday, June 23, 2016, on receipt of the information, quickly dispatched some of its senior officers to the Ohaji/Egbema Council Area to ascertain the allegation raised against the soldiers and forestall the breakdown of law and order.

The statement also indicated that the Brigade recalled to the barracks soldiers posted to the area for thorough questioning over the alleged incident. 

Tagwai appealed to the people of the state to remain calm and go about their normal businesses while assuring them that any personnel of the Brigade found culpable would be made to face the wrath of the law.

Ambode pledges support for investors

                                Akinwunmi Ambode

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has promised to support investors in the state by providing opportunities for businesses to thrive.

 Ambode added that the government will also create conducive environment through good business policies.

 A statement on Tuesday said the governor, who spoke at the Y2016 Stakeholders Forum, commended the enthusiasm displayed by local and foreign investors and entrepreneurs in locating their investments in the state. The governor was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello. Ambode said,

“Our administration is focused on providing more opportunities to investors and entrepreneurs in the emerging economic profile of Lagos Mega City in the various sectors of real estate development, marine transportation, commercial and business activities. We also seek to create job opportunities and generate wealth for investors in a conducive and secure environment.

” The governor said the state government was committed to putting in place necessary structures that would sustain a 24/7 economy in the ‘New Lagos’, adding that despite the global economic challenges, the state had ensured that business districts function effectively. He assured that in the months to come, the districts would witness transformation with the completion of the rail system.

 Ambode urged the stakeholders to share experiences, ideas and evolve new strategies that would enhance the effectiveness of the Central Business District.

Dubai properties: Civil society groups demand Buratai’s sacking

The Conference of Nigerian Civil Rights Activists, on Tuesday, demanded the immediate removal of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, over his ownership of two properties in Dubai, the commercial nerve centre of the United Arab Emirates. The CNCRA stated this in a statement by its Convener, Mr. Ifeanyi Odili, in Abuja.

 It explained that the continued retention of Buratai in his position by President Muhammadu Buhari would rubbish the current anti-corruption crusade of the incumbent administration.

 The group said Buhari should relieve the COAS of his position “as he is a square peg in a round hole.” The statement stated, “The recent revelation of the procurement of properties in Dubai by the COAS as published by SaharaReporter on June 25, 2016, which was subsequently denied by the Army spokesman, is a dent on the integrity of the Buhari’s administration.

 “The Buhari administration has been showcasing anti-graft posture and the massacre of hundreds of Nigerians in Zaria is in contrast to democratic ethos and norms.

 “According to SaharaReporters, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and his two wives are joint owners of Dubai properties worth of $1.5m that was paid for in one transaction.

 “The report indicated that the money for the purchase of the property might have come from a vehicle contract scam while Mr. Buratai was the
Director of Procurement at the Army HQ.

 “The allegation that General Buratai might have pilfered funds meant for the purchase of military vehicles has sparked outrage among soldiers and officers, especially those from the North-East of the country.

” The group asked Buhari to end indiscipline in the military through a process of ending impunity by its officers and men.

 It said, “Discipline and preparedness of military officers and men should be a topmost priority in the system. 

It must be strictly adhered to and the primary purpose of the Nigerian military, which is to defend the nation from external aggression.

 “The realisation of this function primarily entails the preservation of the territory, people, culture and the national security as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution of 1999. “A democratic society requires a citizen army and the deviants; sadists and thugs
within the armed forces should be identified, penalised and flushed out.

” The group asked the military authorities to promptly investigate complaints of rights violations instead of unnecessary denials in the face of facts.

 It said, “It is therefore sad to note that Buratai, who is conversant with the above facts, negates the spirit of military profession and embarked on killing of harmless civilians in Zaria between December 12 and 14, 2015. “Drawing from the above, the CNCRA called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, relieve Buratai of his position and commence full scale investigation into the killings as mentioned above.


 “It is only if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission looks into corruption allegation levelled against him (Buratai) that the Buhari administration
would want to have us believe in his change mantra and war against corruption and indiscipline in Nigeria.” Also, a Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, has challenged Buhari to make good his threat to deal with corrupt people around him.

 Mohammed said this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Tuesday. He noted that in other climes, Buratai would have stepped aside. Mohammed added, “I want to remind General Buhari of what he said when he returned from the anti-corruption summit in Britain; he said he was going to deal with those people who had houses in Dubai and Abuja.

 “First, what he said did not make sense; it was illogical because you can be corrupt and not own houses in Dubai and Abuja.

 “Now that his Chief of Army Staff has been found to have properties in Dubai and Abuja, what is he going to do with him? This is my direct challenge to General Buhari.

 “General Buratai should step aside for proper investigations to be carried out because his remaining in office will jeopardise investigations, especially at a time the army he heads has come out to defend him.

” Meanwhile, Buratai has described those behind the report of the acquisition of two properties by his family in Dubai as defeated Boko Haram terrorists, who have migrated to the cyberspace to continue their war.

 Buratai said the cyberterrorists would be defeated the same way their counterparts on land were
defeated by the Nigerian Army under his leadership in the North-East.

 The Army chief, who stated this while speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, added that the Army was already developing its cyberwarriors to counter the nefarious intents of the terrorists on the Internet and online media.

 He said the Federal Government had already made clarifications on the issue of the properties in Dubai through a statement by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, on Monday.

 The Defence minister had said the report on the properties was an attempt by some persons to distract the leadership of the Armed Forces from the successful prosecution of the heightened campaign against terrorism in the North-East. Buratai stated that the Army would not be distracted by the antics of those behind the report in its efforts to ensure national security.

 He added that the allegation that refurbished equipment was procured in the fight against the insurgents was part of the campaign of calumny masterminded by the cyberterrorists.

 He said, “We want to assure them that these terrorists, the Boko Haram terrorists, who have migrated to the cyberspace, we will follow them to that cyberspace, and equally defeat them and clear their doubts. “We are meeting all the terrorists in the cyberspace. We have defeated them on the battleground.

We are developing our own cyber-warriors and we will defeat them as we have done in the North-East. “The issue of the refurbished equipment is still part of campaign of calumny. I refer you to the theatre commander.

 We are doing internal audit, they know my position. We will continue to do that.” The Army Chief said recent compulsory retirement of 38 officers for alleged corruption and election related-issues from the service followed due process.

 He stated that it was a good thing that some of the affected officers had opted to go to court and had indeed written to the service and would be given the appropriate response.

Olamide Plays With His Son’s Dreads As They Have Fun Together

Popular rapper, Olamide may be a beast on the microphone but in the comfort of his bedroom, he is a playful and doting father.

The Eyan Mayweather star can be seen in new video playing with the dreadlocks of his little ‘Bat’ whose full name is Batifeori Maximiliano Adedeji

Sources disclose that Olamide has already started to
work on his next studio album reportedly scheduled for release later this year.

Watch Mr Ibu Play The Harmonica Like A Total Pro

Move over D’Banj! Popular comic actor, Mr Ibu seems to be the newest celebrity harmonica player in town and he’s doing a good job at it. Who knew he had such skills?

Osas And Gbenro Ajibade Welcome Bouncing Baby Girl

Osas Ighodaro Ajibade & her husband, Gbenro Ajibade have welcomed a baby girl. The adorable new born was born in the US.

More details to come.

I Am Not In A Hurry To Walk Down The Aisle – Banky W Speaks On Marriage

Popular R&B singer, director and label executive, Banky W has stated clearly that he is not in a rush to get hitched in reply to people clamouring for him to get married seeing as almost all his close male friends have already settled down.

In a recent interview with Abby on Urban 96 Fm, Banky explained his reason for waiting for the right woman and even shed some light on the type of woman he is looking for to spend eternity with. He said, “I am fine with being single and not in a hurry to walk the aisle.

“I think people don’t give much attention to marriage but the ceremonies and I am not going to let that 

push me until I am ready….my kind of woman is someone that is beautiful, she has to be beautiful because that is what will first attract me to her and she must be God fearing, she must have a sense of humor and be independent. She must love music, she mustn’t necessarily know how to cook cos i enjoy cooking myself, she should be ambitious and have a career and have her money, no one wants a lazy woman”. 

 On the issue of Tiwa Savage and Tunji Balogun’s fractured marriage, the 35-year-old said, “I didn’t react all the while because it is a private affair.

 I think that one of my problems with the world today is that we comment too much, i am a strong believer in not letting the world know about your dirty laundry. So i am still not going to comment on the issue but i love both of them dearly and as a true friend, i am trying my best to be a friend to them and to encourage them in the best way possible.”

Juliet Ibrahim’s Sister, Sonia Releases Beautiful Pre-Wedding Photos

Actress and Ghollywood star, Juliet Ibrahim’s younger sister, Sonia Ibrahim will soon tie the knot with her boyfriend who is also a soldier. The pre-wedding photo shoot was done in Accra. Check her out: