UPDATE: Cynthia's murder: court grants two suspects bail, remands driver

A Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday Wednesday Sept 26th granted bail to two suspects arrested in connection with the alleged murder of Cynthia Osokogu. But  the driver who was accused of driving the prime suspect to Cosmilla Hotel, FESTAC, was remanded in prison custody.

The suspects granted bail – Nonso Ezike (22), who is the younger brother to Olisaeloka, one of the alleged killers, and Ezeaka Chinonso (27) – were arrested by policemen at Area E for receiving and selling Cynthia’s BlackBerry phone.

Nonso’s lawyer, Mr. J. C Ngobili, told the court that the accused was a student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and prayed the court to grant him bail in liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mr. P.A. Adekomaya, admitted that although the offences were bailable, he pointed out that the bail condition ought not to be too liberal in view of the circumstances surrounding Cynthia’s murder.

He granted Nonso and Ezeaka bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties in like sum, adding that the sureties must not be teachers or local government employees. He added that the sureties could be bank tellers.

The third accused person, Gideon Okechukwu, a driver, was however charged with eight counts of murder, rape, robbery, conspiracy, administering a harmful substance to the deceased among others.

Okechukwu had told PUNCH Metro before he was arraigned that he only drove the alleged killers from the area where the hotel was situated, adding that he had no role in Cynthia’s murder.

Okechukwu’s lawyer, Bello, prayed the court to also grant the accused bail, adding that he had been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

The magistrate, who quickly interjected, explained that it wasn’t within the jurisdiction of the court to grant bail for such offences.

Okechukwu was remanded in Ikoyi Prison. The matter was adjourned till October 3, 2012.

Culled from Punch

D'banj on set of his 'Bachelor' video shoot in Atlanta, USA

Bachelor is a new single off the Kokomaster's fourth studio album

Patience Jonathan is battling Parkinson’s disease

Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan, is battling an onset of Parkinson’s disease that has complicated her recovery from a surgical procedure in Germany, several reliable sources have disclosed to SaharaReporters.

SaharaReporters broke the news that Mrs. Jonathan was flown to a hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany close to a month ago to undergo emergency treatment after a botched procedure in Dubai.

In interviews with three sources familiar with Mrs. Jonathan’s health status, SaharaReporters learnt that the Nigerian president’s wife is beset by Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative syndrome. The disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system. A medical source described it as “a fairly common disorder that occasions degeneration of the nervous system.” The source added that the disease leads to “progressive impairment and disorder of movement.” An online medical site notes that Parkinson’s “is characterized by progressive loss of muscle control, which leads to trembling of the limbs and head while at rest, stiffness, slowness, and impaired balance. As symptoms worsen, it may become difficult to walk, talk, and complete simple tasks.”

The bombshell revelation about the First Lady’s medical woes was first made by a source familiar with Mrs. Jonathan’s previous secret treatments in Spain and Italy. The source disclosed that Mrs. Jonathan had battled Parkinson’s for some years now. In addition, doctors had advised her to “do something urgent about her morbid body mass index (BMI),” said the source. She added that Mrs. Jonathan had indeed considered undergoing the kind of tummy tuck procedure that former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha once had.

Two other sources close to the Jonathans confirmed that the First Lady has been dogged by Parkinson’s. One said the disease was largely responsible for her clumsiness, drawling speech and slow movement at public events. He added that Mrs. Jonathan has been suffering serious trembling in the left hand. “That’s why she always uses her right to hold the microphone when speaking at public events,” the source revealed. Mrs. Jonathan also reportedly is affected by stiffness of the limbs and trunk which affects her movement.

A news staffer at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) told SaharaReporters that Mrs. Jonathan’s aides warned reporters covering her never to film her beyond her waist. “Her senior personal assistant told the crew covering her long ago: ‘Don’t ever film Madam’s waist. Show her face only.’ That’s been the code at NTA.”

Two of our sources stated that Mrs. Jonathan had made efforts to slow the disease that had started to ravage her. “She has been visiting a health farm in Italy on a regular basis since 2010,” one source revealed. “To alleviate her pain, she has been taking her medication religiously.”

A friend of Mrs. Jonathan’s said that the First Lady’s health maladies include anxiety, occasional memory loss and disorientation. In addition, her blood pressure often rises to dangerous levels, forcing her to take a cocktail of anti-hypertensive drugs.

Also, our sources said that some officials attached to the First Lady’s office described her as constantly depressed, prone to snapping at people at the slightest provocation. “The First Lady can just get angry at the slightest provocation and rain abuses at anybody in sight,” he said.

As happened during the health crisis of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Nigerian Presidency’s reaction to Mrs. Jonathan’s health condition is to be mum. When SaharaReporters contacted a senior aide of President Jonathan on the matter of the First Lady’s illness, he sharply said, “I’m not saying anything. And please don’t mention that you spoke to me.” SaharaReporters learnt that officials of the Presidency are under a virtual oath of secrecy on the issue of Mrs. Jonathan’s health crisis.

Mother cries out ‘Police killed my son, I want justice’

Mrs. Chinwe Ozuah, the mother of Ugochukwu Ozuah, the man who was allegedly killed by policemen five days after his wedding, on Thursday in Lagos said the police should be held responsible for her son’s death.

Chinwe, who held back tears, recalled that she saw her son a day before the incident, lamenting that she did not know that was the last time she would see him.

She said, “The police killed my son and all I want for him is justice. The last time I saw him was last Wednesday and we spoke. He made so many promises to me but unfortunately he was killed.

Family members of the 36-year-old man have again berated the police for the alleged murder and insensitivity.

Ugochukwu’s family berated the police not only for the alleged murder but also for their inability to carry out proper investigation.

In view of this, the family expressed concern that the police might eventually cover up the case.

The deceased’s friend, Irikefe Omene, who was with the slain man, had told PUNCH Metro that Özuah was killed by policemen around UPS on Oworonsoki Expressway on September 20, 2012.

But the police denied the allegation immediately, attributing the incident to armedrobbery.

The deceased’s elder sister, Nkechi Nnoyelu, berated the Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, for insensitivity.

She said, “The only son of the family has been killed and yet the police still remain insensitive. The PPRO, who has been granting press interviews, never even deemed it fit to condole with the family.

“The police are saying that my brother was attacked by armed robbers but his phones were not stolen, he had money in his wallet which was untouched and yet they call it a robbery.

“It baffles me that the police, were on the scene but they did not even attempt to take him to hospital or give any kind of care, they were all watching.”

Nkechi said denial by the police that Omene did not write any statement at the police station was an indication that their investigation would be shoddy.

Meanwhile, condolence register had been opened in honour of the slain man.

 The deceased’s widow, Joan, sat mute on a chair when our correspondent visited Ozuah’s residence.

As at the time our correspondent left the home, nearly 80 condolence messages had been written in his honour.

Mrs. Ije Ekobay wrote, “Ugo, I just saw your smiling face two days ago. The devil is a liar! Death has neither say over you nor victory over you. May your sweet soul rest in perfect peace.”

Another friend, Tosin Adesina, wrote, “Brother, it was wonderful knowing you. You were a gentleman, intelligent, confident, generous, patient and very driven. I celebrate your life with a lot of pain in my heart.”

Perhaps, one of the most emotion-laden comments was written by Ugochukwu’s niece, Nina Ndu-Nwogu.

It reads, “Dear uncle Ugo, you were there even when I was in the womb and now you’re gone. I was the flower girl at your wedding and those memories I will cherish forever. When I heard of your departure, I believed you’re in a deep sleep and God needed the help of more angels so he called on you. You will always be in my heart. I will always love you.”

Ukomadu Gabriel wrote, “Oh not again. Another casualty of Nigeria Police Force. You were a quiet and lovely fellow. One would not have imagined this sort of incident. God knows it all, rest in peace.”

Our correspondent learnt that various human rights groups, including the Office of the Public Defender of the Ministry of Justice, had started working on the matter to ensure that police did not cover up.

Nkechi, who decried the rising cases of extra-judicial killings, said a foundation would be set up in honour of Ozuah.

She said, “I want a foundation set up in honour of my brother to help families of victims of police killing.

“Ugo used to be called, mummy’s handbag. Even when my dad was alive, he was too close to my mum. Even though he was my younger brother, he was our father.”

IG orders FCID to investigate murder

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has constituted a team from the Federal Criminal Investigation Department to immediately take-over the investigation of the murder from the Lagos State Police Command, with the mandate to identify and fish out the killer(s).

A statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba in Abuja on Thursday, explained that the IG’s decision was informed by the need to maintain “neutrality, professionalism, speedy and holistic dispensation of justice.”

 While commiserating with the family, friends and relations of the deceased, the police re-assured the nation that they would ensure that the perpetrators of the crime were unmasked and brought to book.

The statement quoted Abubakar as appealing to members of the public, especially those who might have witnessed the crime, to come forward with useful information.

He said such information could be sent to policemonitor@npf.gov.ng.

The IG promised that the team would release dedicated phone lines for purposes of interaction with members of the public, as soon as they arrived in Lagos.

Abubakar appealed for calm, patience, understanding and support, while efforts are being intensified to unravel the crime.

“The IG also used this medium to dispel rumours making rounds, especially on the social media that he had earlier made a definite statement concerning the incident,” the statement added.

Punch Nigeria

President Jonathan: A success or failure?

The detractors of President Goodluck Jonathan will retort scornfully that he is a total failure, while his ardent supporters will scream that he is a huge success. But before we decide where to place him, let us look at a few indices upon which to assess him.

Through the Doctrine of Necessity by the Senate, President Jonathan was made the Acting President of Nigeria on February 9, 2010, when it was clear that the de jure President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was seriously ill despite claims to the contrary by his aides. With that, Jonathan became fully in charge. Upon the death of Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010, Jonathan was sworn in as the President the next day. At the presidential election held on April 16, 2011, Jonathan polled 22,495,187 votes to beat his closest rival and candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who polled 12,214,853 votes. And on May 29, 2011, Jonathan was sworn in again as President on the strength of his victory at the poll rather than on good luck.

Therefore, President Jonathan has been the substantive chief executive officer of Nigeria for more than two years now. That is enough time to gauge his performance as the leader of the most populous nation in Africa and the seventh most populous nation in the world.

What, however, are the minuses of President Jonathan? His biggest negative, many will say, is his inability to stop the violence from the Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram. From a radical group that fought policemen with guns, bows and arrows in 2009 in Borno State , Boko Haram metamorphosed speedily into a bomb-making, bomb-throwing, suicide-mission-savvy group that has become a terror in Nigeria. A few of the institutions the group has attacked include the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on June 16, 2011; the United Nations building in Abuja on August 26, 2011; St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madala, Niger State on December 25, 2011; and the office of Thisday newspapers in Abuja and Kaduna on April 26, 2012.

Even though the security authorities have recorded occasional results against this group, the fact that Boko Haram has continued to operate in some parts of the North, causing bloodshed and anguish, is a factor that irritates Nigerians. Nigerians havepointed out that since the September 11, 2001 al-Qaeda attack on the United States and the July 7, 2005 attack on the United Kingdom, no other attack has succeeded in these two countries. It is therefore viewed as a failure on the part of the President.

Another point is corruption, which has been a sore point facing the Jonathan’s administration. Despite the claims of the President that he has zero-tolerance to corruption, the fight against corruption cannot be described as robust since he became the President. The President has not displayed righteous anger against the pervading influence of corruption in the polity. Even though the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was viewed as selective in its fight against corruption, yet there was a clear sign that the war on corruption during his tenure was fervent and yielding results. Nigerians, especially public officers, were on their toes, for the fear of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission led by Mr. Nuhu Ribadu was the beginning of wisdom.

The economy is another point. Even though the economy of Nigeria is adjudged one of the fastest growing in the world, hovering at about seven per cent rate in the past few years, it beats economic logic that the poverty rate has continued to rise. According to records, about 70 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is put at 21 per cent, placing Nigeria at the 166th position in the world. These are pointers to the fact that even though the Nigerian economy is generating wealth, the wealth continues to disappear and never gets into the hands of the masses.

But it has not been all woes and misery since Jonathan became the President. One glaring achievement of his administration, for which his detractors try as much as possible not to give him credit, is the level of transparency with which elections have been conducted since he took charge. Unlike before when it was rare for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to lose an elective office, the PDP has lost many states that it had been in control of. For example, from controlling five of the six states in the South-West in 2003, the party now controls no state in that zone. In the election that just held in Edo State on July 14, the PDP lost too. Not only that it lost, the election was adjudged transparent to a large extent. But more importantly, unlike in the past when up to100 per cent turnout of voters was recorded in many states – which was clearly a sign of electoral manipulation – most of the elections conducted under Jonathan’s watch did not record up to 60 per cent turnout: a sign that ghosts no longer vote in Nigeria as they used to do.

There is also the case of revamping of derelict infrastructure. Even though some may say that the pace is slow, there is a clear evidence that infrastructure that had been left unattended to for decades is being taken care of. One is the airports, which were a source of embarrassment to the nation. Almost all the nation’s airports are currently undergoing extreme makeover. Roads are also being revamped. Some roads such as the Benin-Sagamu Expressway and Apapa-Oworonshoki Road, Lagos, which were in a sorry state, for many years, are being rehabilitated. Electricity supply, which had been a sore point for decades too, is receiving urgent attention, and there is a noticeable improvement in that sector. The abandoned railway transportation is also being revived.

Agriculture, which used to be the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy before the oil boom, is gradually being brought back to the front-row. Fertiliser distribution, which was always a thorny issue, seemed to have been tackled.

Since Jonathan took over, Nigerians seem to have forgotten that petrol scarcity, especially towards the end of the year, used to be the norm. Even though there are still unresolved issues about fuel subsidy matters, evidenced in the current scarcity, buying petroleum products had stopped being nightmarish in Nigeria for over two years now.

Our foreign policy, which used to leave us at the mercy of other countries, appears to have received a boost. Nigeria has put its foot down in dealing with countries that treated her shabbily. In addition, while the nation had jumped into conflicts in West Africa headlong hitherto (with the attendant huge loss of men and materials), since the coming of Jonathan, Nigeria has been vocal and in the fore-front in taking well-informed positions in conflicts in Africa, as she did on Ivory Coast and Libya, but our resources and men are no longer wasted fighting for countries that never give us credit after all our efforts.

In the final analysis, do we then describe Jonathan as a failure or a success? Hardliners hardly change their positions, no matter the strength of evidence before them. But for me, I would neither describe Jonathan as a success nor a failure. Rather, I would say that he has lost several opportunities to worm his way into the hearts of Nigerians but has taken advantage of a few. He has the potential to be a great president but seems to be too cautious not to step on toes. Nigeria’s situation is so serious that it demands robust and prompt attention and treatment. President Goodluck Jonathan must increase his pace or he will be out of rhythm.

•Onwuka, a brand management strategist in Lagos, wrote in via azonwuka@yahoo.com

Charly Boy demands for 30million from Nigerian idol

The third season of Nigerian Idols which is scheduled to start shooting soon, might go ahead as scheduled with Charly boy. According to sources, the showbiz guru is allegedly asking for 30 million Naira as appearance fee before he will agree to be a judge in the next season.

Charly Boy and the producers of Nigerian Idol have had several meetings in the past but which all ended in deadlock as the Area Fada is said to be adamant on his fee which apparently is on the high side.

Charly Boy’s firm stand may have prompted Optima Media Group, producers of Nigerian Idol, to begin shopping for a replacement for him if the money issue is not resolved on time for the shooting to commence.

Grandmother arrested for concealing cocaine in herbs

Attempt by a 65-year-old grandmother, Hassan Abike, to smuggle 1.74kg of cocaine concealed in herbal syrup containers to London has been foiled by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Abike was to board a British Airways flight on Wednesday when she was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Thursday, the suspect packed the drug in balloons and placed it in 10 plastic containers of herbal syrup.

He said the drug which was found in her bag tested positive to cocaine and weighed 1.74kg.

Ofoyejo quoted the Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, as saying that the suspect was also found carrying two passports bearing her name with numbers A03348648 and A3771781 when she was arrested.

Umar reportedly said, “The cocaine found in her possession was packed in balloons and prepared into the shape of the plastic bottles.

“It was also wrapped in black polythene inside 10 plastic bottles of local herbal mixtures. Each bottle was neatly sealed to avoid suspicion.”

Ofoyejo said the suspect admitted ownership of the drug, adding that she claimed, “it was given to her by a male friend to give to his sick relative in London.”

The NDLEA spokesperson added that the Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, had directed that her claims be investigated to ascertain her role in the incident.

He explained that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

Punch Nigeria

Waste Collection Trucks Kill Mother and two Children In Ibadan

This is another tragic news coming from Nigeria Tribune,according to the report,Tragedy struck at the Idi-Arere area of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, on Wednesday, when no fewer than five people were crushed to death by two waste collection trucks belonging to the Oyo State Waste Management Authority, while many people also sustained varying degrees of injury.

The accident, which occurred around 2.30 p.m., forced many traders at Bode, Molete and Oja-Oba markets to abandon their shops and ran for safety. Many commercial and private vehicle owners also left their vehicles on the ever-busy road to avoid being trapped in the vehicles by the waste collection trucks.

An eyewitness at the scene of the accident said that the accident would have earlier occurred at Bode area of Ibadan where the two waste collection trucks began their journey en-route Saka-Pena/Idi-Arere area of Ibadan.

According to Saheed, an eyewitness, one of the two waste collection trucks that caused the fatal accident was stationary at Bode area of Ibadan after it developed a mechanical fault. “But around 1.05 p.m, another waste collection truck came to the spot where the first one was stationary to tow it to their office. The two trucks were tied together with a rope by the drivers and were moving towards Bere area of Ibadan, probably to their office to rectify the mechanical fault in the broken-down truck,” he stated.

However, on getting to Idi-Arere area of the city, It was learnt that the rope connecting the two waste collection trucks snapped, forcing the truck at the rear to forcibly descend and crush many vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles in the process.

I was also learnt that no less than eight tricycles popularly known as Keke Ajumose were crushed by the waste collection truck which led to the death of four people, including a mother and two of her children.

The accident also affected an army green metallic colour Honda Sunny car with registration number Lagos BJ 229 AGC, a haulage truck with registration number Ondo XE 317 NNG, a white Nissan vehicle with registration number OYO RUN 21XA and many other articulated lorries.

All the passengers inside the affected vehicles sustained serious injuries and some lost their legs and arms to the accident.

The driver of one of the affected vehicles, Mr Taofeek Adekunle, told Nigerian Tribune that he escaped from the vehicle by a whisker, but some of his passengers were however not lucky like himself as they lost their legs and arms to the fatal accident. 

Nigeria Tribune

Ex-Beauty Queen, Ibinabo Fiberisima Becomes The New AGN President

The former beauty queen Ibinabo Fiberisima has won the race for the position of President of the Guild, a position currently occupied by actor Segun Arinze.  

She was the only female candidate vying for the top job of the embattled AGN which had been immersed in different troubles for a while now. Other contestants were  the (former) Secretary-General of the guild, Emeka Rollas, Steve Eboh and, new comer to the race, comic actor Charles Inojie.  

By this win she becomes the first female President of the Guild in Nigeria! Congrats IB! More grease!

Fans’ triple honours for African king "2face Idibia"

Fans of star artiste, ‘Tuface’ Idibia, celebrated him lavishly on Sunday at the inauguration of their official website.

The Tuface maniacs behind the project, coming under the banner, 2facemaniacs,planned everything behind the scene. They wanted to honour the music star in a way that no other Nigerian act had been honoured. The manner in which the plot was hatched and executed was reinforced by the choice of the venue – Scintilla Club, Lekki, which, no thanks to the new configuration of the Lekki Epe Expressway now, you could only access after a dramatic twisting and turning on Chevron Drive.

The event that was slated to start by 7pm did not start until about three hours later, leaving some people to become apprehensive that it might not eventually hold.

The fact is that the honouree was part of the Senator Ita Giwa’s Chidren of Bakassi festival that earlier held at the Eko Hotel and Suite, Lagos. Most important, however, is that when the treat tagged 2facemaniacs’ TheLegend 2face Idibia birthday party started, it became as if the day had just begun.

The event where the fans’ club’s official website was launched witnessed by a large crowd of fans and celebrity friends of the artiste, whose wife, Annie, was also present. Among such are Lagos-based comedian, Princess, African China, W4 and Black Solo.

It started with the launching of 2facemaniacs official anthem, produced and performed by a budding artiste and also a member of 2facemaniacs – MrVyne. The anthem was written by Haywizie, also a member of 2facemaniacs. The audience applauded the anthem and the talent in the voice that sang it.

During the inauguration of the website, one of the five administrators of 2facemaniacs, Ojuko Ridwan, put Tuface through his registration process, which was projected on a big screen for the viewing pleasure of the fans. He signed up his profile on www.2facemaniacs.com with the username “2facemaniacTheLegend”.

With that, says, the Grand Matron of the fans club, Mrs. Yejide Shobande, the site is now officially open to fans all over the world to register their profiles and become an official and authorised fan of ‘TheLegend 2face Idibia.’

While others who played major roles in the build up to the programme also got various rewards, a documentary on Tuface was also unveiled.

How Corrupt Public Officers Are Buying Up PHCN

It seems being corrupt really pays in Nigeria these days. Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, says that majority of those winning the bids to acquire Power Holding Company of Nigeria and its assets have questions to answer.

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, accused the National Council on Privatisation of selling out assets of the power generating company to those who have cases to answer.

He warned the buyers, which include a former military leader, to beware as they may face the consequences of having the assets revoked when they least expect.

Falana’s warning is coming after the council announced that some companies in which General Ibrahim Babangida, oil magnate, Femi Otedola and ex-Chief Executive Officer of the UBA, Tony Elumelu, have stakes, have won bids to acquire PHCN.

The bid for Shiroro Power Plc was won at a fixed annual fee of $23,602,484 and a commencement fee of $111,654,534.30 by North South Power Company Ltd in which Babangida has an interest.

Also Amperion Consortium, where billionaire businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, has an interest, was announced as the preferred bidder for Geregu Power Plc with a bid offer of $132 million while Transcorp and Wood Rock/Symbion/Thomasen PSL Power Consortium, in which Mr. Tony Elumelu has a large interest, emerged the preferred bidder for Ughelli Power Plc with a bid price of $300 million.

According to Falana in a statement, “it is the height of shameful impunity on the part of the National Council of Privatisation to sell the PHCN to the unpatriotic individuals who have diverted and cornered public funds earmarked for the uninterrupted supply of electricity in the country.

“Bidding consortiums tied to retired military officers and serving political office holders are alleged to have been short-listed by the management of the National Council of Privatisation to buy the assets of the Nigerian people in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) at give-away prices.

“Apart from the embarrassing fact that retired public officers who committed serious economic and financial crimes have become so audaciously daring to the extent of openly engaging in money laundering by buying public assets, it is the height of shameful impunity on the part of the National Council of Privatisation to sell the PHCN to the unpatriotic individuals who have diverted and cornered the public funds earmarked for the uninterrupted supply of electricity in the country.”

Giving details, Mr. Falana accused the Council of selling PHCN assets below what they are worth.

“To add insult to injury the assets of PHCN including over 400 buildings and undeveloped properties in Lagos, Abuja and other cities in the country, thousands of plants, turbines, transformers, vehicles and millions of electric poles worth over N5 trillion are being undersold to corrupt ‘investors’ at a paltry sum of N200 billion.

“Aside the over $16 billion invested in the power sector under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration the recent review of electricity tariff has increased the revenue generated by PHCN from N96 billion to N300 billion per annum.

“To trade off such huge investments for the sum of N200 billion is tantamount to an economic crime of gargantuan dimension,” Falana declared while asking if the NCP wanted Nigerians to believe that in the course of investigating the ongoing suspicious transactions, it did not confirm that serving and retired public officers were linked with the companies short-listed to purchase the PHCN.

He said with the sack of former Power Minister, Barth Nnaji, no public officer should be allowed to buy PHCN with “stolen money being laundered through the dubious privatisation being conducted by the National Council of Privatisation.”

Pastor's Husband Opens Up: I'm Foluke Daramola’s Divine Husband

Who can really understand what his happening? Mr Kayode Salako has finally explained why he will marry Foluke. How nature brought them together and why many people won’t understand why they fell in love.

He described his 13 years marriage to his wife, a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God as marital bondage. Below is how Mr Salako captured the development....

"Certain things happen in the human life that are most of the time beyond their control. What is happening in Foluke and Mr. Salako’s lives now is beyond their own control. This is all about God and destiny.

"There is no way the world can understand. No amount of what reason we can offer can be so tenable, but the fact is that life is a mystery. And what is happening to us now is a mystery in every regard. It is only people who are in spirit that can understand. Most people cannot understand, unless they seek to know through God.

"God still speaks to His own people. God has spoken to us about it and that is why we are more than convinced that we are on the right course. We have no regret and can never be. I am more convinced that Foluke Daramola is the woman of my destiny. And nothing can change the will of God in our lives. We will keep on obeying the wish of God in our lives until time and grace can be able to proof it to the world. We are both responsible people that are old enough to know when we are doing things right orwrongly. Nobody can really know it as deeply as we already know.

"Foluke Daramola did not break my marriage or use any diabolic means to attract my passion. This is divinely inclined.

"Foluke has been in the movie industry for 18 years without a scandal of snatching anybody’s husband or breaking any woman’s home. This is the first time this is happening to her. And it is only the price she has to pay to discover the man of her destiny.
"I am Foluke Daramola’s divine husband. But how will this acutely and stupidly religious world understand now? The world can never understand! But time and grace will tell!

"Above all, people who have been talking, castigating and criticising are people who do not know anything about me or anything about it. People who know are not talking, rather they are thanking God on my behalf and congratulating me for setting me free from 13 years of marital bondage, confusion, frustration and regrets."

...Do you think he's confused?

Arsenal Boss Wenger Happy Drogba Left Chelsea

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is happy to be facing Chelsea this weekend - without Didier Drogba. Drogba left Chelsea in the summer forShanghai Shenhua.  Wenger is pleased not to be facing him on Saturday at the Emirates. 

"I don't know if Chelsea miss him, but we don't miss him. He did a lot of damage against us," said Wenger.

Davido acquires N140 million home in Lekki

Following in the footsteps of his billionaire father who reportedly built a ‘mega church’ structure, albeit in a different way, Davido has decided to show that life is not about the blings, fast cars or parties as he has reportedly acquired a property worth about N140 million. Although it hasn’t been confirmed if that is the exact amount he paid to own the property but going by currentmarket value, the house should cost nothing less!

The property which is in Lekki Phase1, is close to where his father also has a house. The business acquisition was concluded between yesterday and today.