Statement by Boko Haram's spokesperson debunking reports of dialogue with the Nigerian Government

Glory be to Almighty God, and blessings to Prophet Mohammed (SWT). This is a very important message from Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad. Base on the information some cross section of the media have been disseminating that we are dialoguing with, the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is against this back drop that we want to present advise and warning to three sides on this matter. 

 

The media like it is known drag themselves into our war like we did to THISDAY because they have been entering our matter without being just and fair to us. 

Recently we released a Video and in it our leader, Imam explained thoroughly on the issue of dialogue, but some section of the media because of their conspiracy refused to air it accordingly rather they twisted it.

Instead of giving prominence and stand by the video, they now brought this false story that we are meeting with Nigerian government in Saudi Arabia, with one fake person called Abu-Muhammad claiming to be Imam Shekau’s assistant.  It is all an agenda to confused and change the perception people in this region have about this holy war of Jihad we are fighting. By the grace of Allah they will not succeed on us, to us there is no difference between those fighting us with arms and those with pen/tongue.

To those using our name as our representatives, they are using our name and getting money from government. We heard that they are collecting huge amount of money using dubious means. We are calling on them to fear God and repent before they fall into the hands of Allah’s soldiers.

They should stop cheating Islam; we have never attempted any dialogue except that of Dr. Ibrahim Datti even that it was not direct, but via one journalist Ahmad Salkida who we trusted. And since that failed we have not done anything sort of that. We have also heard that Dr. Ibrahim Datti has also entered another plot to that effect; we are calling on elderly people to hold their respect and not dent their image.

To Nigerian government, we are calling on the government to know that once it is not Sharia law that will be adopted in Nigeria, and Quran as book of laws in Nigeria, setting aside constitution that is mainly infidel’s product. Then the government should not dream about peace in Nigeria. There is no single day that Mujahideens will stop fighting in Nigeria until that is achieved and we are hopeful to triumph over Nigerian government.

This release was translated from Hausa

IGP, Abubakar orders redeployment of 18 commissioners

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Dikko Abubakar has ordered the redeployment of 18 Commissioners of Police to various Commands and Formations of the Force, across the federation.

 A statement made available to our Correspondent and issued on Tuesday, the Inspector General said that the posting of the Commissioners takes immediate effect.

He further “directed the affected officers to ensure an effective policing of their new areas of jurisdiction in line with the administration’s reform policies.”

The police empire urged the newly deployed Commissioners of Police to act as agents of positive change and guide against all acts inimical to the fundamental rights of the citizenry.

He enjoined citizens of the affected States to give the new command helmsmen maximum support so as to guarantee their success in their assigned roles.

The affected officers are:

S/NO	RANK	NAME	TO
1	CP	Godfrey E. Okeke	CP Adamawa State
2	CP	Sunday A. Ogbonna	CP Admin ‘C’ Department FHQ
3	CP	Mgbakor C. Ogugua	CP Criminal Central Record FCID Annex Lagos
4	CP	Mark A. Idakwo, mni	Provost Marshal, FHQ Abuja
5	CP	Mohammed Iyanda Sule	CP Gombe State
6	CP	Edgar Tam Nanakumo, fwc	CP Inspectorate ‘E’ Department FHQ, Abuja
7	CP	Partick D. Dokumor	CP SARS FCID
8	CP	S.L. Gambo, fdc	CP Sokoto State
9	CP	Y.G. Ardo, fdc	CP MSD ‘F’ Department
10	CP	Adisa Baba Bolanta, fwc	CP Imo State
11	CP	Tonye E. Ebitibituwa	CP Kebbi State
12	CP	Mbu Joseph Mbu	CP Oyo State
13	CP	Abdullahi Yuguda	CP Borno State
14	CP	Mohammed Ibrahim	CP Special Protection Unit (SPU)
15	CP	Sylvester A. Umeh	CP Border Patrol
16	CP	Suleiman O. Lawal	Deputy Commandant, Police Academy Kano
17	CP	Idris Faruk Umar	CP Anti-Fraud, FCID
18	CP	Olufemi A. Adenaike	CP Kaduna State

Jonathan mourns death of Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi

The President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, said he received with shock and sadness the news of the passing away of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi.

A statement made available to our Correspondent by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan commiserated with the government and people of Ethiopia.

The statement reads in part: "On behalf of himself, the Government and the people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends his deepest sympathy and condolence to the people of Ethiopia, especially members of late Prime Minister Zenawi’s family.

"President Jonathan describes Prime Minister Zenawi’s death as a major loss for Africa. “He was a great African statesman, who is also a friend of Nigeria, a nation-builder and a great servant of the Ethiopian people.”

"President Jonathan further notes that 'Prime Minister Zenawi will be remembered for his vision and integrity,' adding that  'he held strong convictions about establishing a just and prosperous society for his people, a cause to which he devoted his considerable energies, and which deservedly earned him respect and honour among a grateful Ethiopian nation.'

"President Jonathan acknowledges the late Prime Minister Zenawi’s vision for a united and strong Africa, a cause he pursued with remarkable honesty and passion. Indeed, his role, along with other African leaders, as the fulcrum of the African renaissance project, has ensured for him a prominent place in the annals of African history.

“'The passing away of Prime Minister Zenawi at this time when Ethiopia and, indeed, all of Africa, stand to benefit from his wisdom and experience in building a stable and prosperous continent is a great loss that will be hard to remedy.'

"President Jonathan assures the people of Ethiopia that the Government and people of Nigeria share in their loss. He is hopeful that the government and the entire Ethiopian nation will be comforted by the enduring legacy of service that Prime Minister Zenawi left behind.   

"He prays that God will grant his soul peaceful repose."

A tribute to Cynthia Osokogu --“Let us mourn in peace”

In the last few days I have seen had my heart torn, stripped and broken in pieces first by the disappearance and death of my dearest friend and secondly by the wickedness exhibited by Nigerians, passing judgement on someone they never knew or met.

When Cynthia was officially declared missing we put up a number online so people with information can call and help out, of over 500 calls we received in 3 days, only 2 of those calls were from people who actually helped with  any information. One was from my dear friend Nuhu Kwajafa. The other was from the Area Commander who called to inform us of the arrest of the  people.

The others were heartbreaking to say the least, I wondered how her mother would have coped if she had to deal with silliness, pettiness and undeserved hate from strangers, who just took one look at a lady and decided to judge her based on her looks.

When The sad news of her death broke, I made a comment and said I hope ” all those who have insisted she was with a man would have their answer now and let her rest in peace” how wrong I was, They did not rest, they only manufactured a more hurtful and painful story, formulate more rumors and pass it around as facts. How despicable….hmmm it is well.

I have no comments for hateful people, I just want to share with you my experience of the real Cynthia…the Cynthia we knew not the one who hateful people have created in the last few days.

Cynthia was born on 10th of November 1987 to Gen Frank and Joy- Rita Nkem Osokogu. Udoka as her Mother named her, even as a baby was a uniting factor in her family. Her Mother had 3 boys before her, she was the last baby and only girl.

Her Parents had settled in Jos where we were and still are neighbours. We became friends because in those days there were only very few houses in the area.

I was the last child in my family and so did not have a lot of playmates my age, her brothers were my mates and Cynthia as the only girl did not have many friends around the neighbourhood either so she tagged along when we had our “adventures” and “yawo”.

Cynthia the Model and Business Woman

2004 was one of the hardest years for the family I was raised with in Jos, Cynthia and her Mom were with me all the way. They were there to comfort, assist, cook etc. They were my family!

Cynthia was a tall beautiful and slender girl, we always teased her because even at 13 she was taller than me and the same height with her older brothers. She was a tomboy all the way…determined, stubborn and focused.

As she grew into her height her mum and I playful suggest she try modelling because of her structure, Cynthia took it seriously, even though her major focus was education she gave modelling a trial and did quite well as a model.

In 2007, she got her first major job and I will never forget the day she called me from Lagos after she had been paid, she said she wouldn’t want to waste the money and would buy clothes and take to her University in Keffi, Nassarawa State to sell.

The first batch of clothes never made it to Keffi as industrious Cynthia who staying with her brother during her visit at Airforce Quarters sold the clothes to her brother, his colleagues and their friends, she told me she made 3 times her capital and immediately re-invested, bought more stock, came to Keffi and rented a shop.

That was the birth of her Baby: “Dresscode“.

I remember I bought her the forms to one of the national competitions some years ago, she passed the screening passed 2 stages and called me one day to say she was asked to compromise to get through the next round, I told her to withdraw and she left. That was in 2011. She never entered any major pageant after that

When it came to business Cynthia was ‘Midas’. She knew how to make a great sale…she was never at a loss, her business grew from strength to strength and she was not even 21 years old yet. At 21 a lot of the people who now make it a point to formulate such hateful rumours were still struggling to buy Jamb Results.

Cynthia the Sister and Daughter:

Cynthia was like the baby sister I didn’t have, She was my confidant, stylist and a great comfort. We shared a lot, tears, smiles, laughs, joys ,sorrows and she was always at my service.

She was greatly involved in charity, anytime I sent a text or posted a picture of someone needing medical support, I could count on Cynthia as one of the first respondents.  When she was in Abuja, she would always come and volunteer, run errands, always with a smile.

When I go to Jos, she will be at the motor park waiting, Thats if she doesnt pick me up from Abuja. Not to forget her being my personal stylist. She either bought or chose most of my clothes, most times my friends say “you look nice” i tell them “ask Cynthia oh, I have no idea what I am wearing”. Style has never been a strong point of mine, but if Cynthia bought it or asked me to buy it I knew it was good and stylish

To her Mother, Cynthia was her heart. Several times i will ask Cynthia please dont go to Jos it is volatile and she will reply: ” Mumsy is alone at home”, or when she is in Jos and there was a fight I would call and ask her to leave Jos and come and stay a few days with me, she will say “I cant leave Mumsy alone here now” .

That was our Cynthia; Always putting others first.

When it was time to serve, while others would work their service to areas full of opportunity like Abuja, Lagos and Porthacort, Cynthia worked her service to crisis ridden Jos to be close to her Mother, Is that what a “runsgirl” does?

At age 24, Cynthia had a successful business, and was running a Post Graduate Program in Public Administration, sadly people will ignore all that and choose to believe that because she is pretty and Young she must be a “Runsgirl”, how sad, but we cannot judge people by our own low and shabby standards.

She earned every kobo she had by good old hard work. Lets even forget her father supported her financially…even that didn’t turn her to a spoilt brat she was as determined as ever to make her own mark and earn her own keep.

The world and people who have no standards can stand afar and judge all they want but we know who you are and we love you, we don’t need to defend you my baby, but were just setting the records straight.

The security Situation in our country now is horrible at best, people are kidnapped, robbed and killed everyday, why is it so hard to believe that a young girl was killed while going to pursue her legitimate business?

If It was a man who was killed would we have come up with all these stories? If it was an older woman or someone not so attractive would we?

Her crime is being, young, pretty and a business woman. Hmmm…..people, Have the decency to at least let us mourn in peace…PLEASE!!!

Updated: Fayemi is deducting N1bn from LG monthly allocation - NULGE alleges

Agitation by Ekiti State Local Government workers over non implementation of the approved N19,300 minimum wages at the LG level took a new turn when the Ekiti State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employee, NULGE accused the Governor of incessant diversion of over N1billion of the Local Government Allocation every month.

In a letter with reference No. NULGE/EKS/24/Vol.I/280 dated 27 July, 2012, NULGE referred to an earlier correspondence with the Governor dated 27th june, 2012 with reference, NULGE/EKS/73/Vol.II/85 in which the union claimed to have highlighted the need for the state government to commence implementation of the #19,300.00 New Minimum Wage for civil servants and CONHESS/CONMESS to Health Workers in the local Governments’ service.

NULGE said it has made various peaceful attempts towards ensuring that the state government appreciates the importance of giving approval to have the New minimum Wages paid to workers at the local governments councils.

The Union said the Ekiti State Government has kept promising to pay them without indicating the actual time the wages would be paid. NULGE accused Government of not inviting the leadership of the union to any sincere discussion on how the new salary would be implemented, instead, various punishments had been visited on the staffers of the local governments for demanding for what is due to them.

The Union restated its believe that the allocation due to Local Governments in the state from the Federal allocation can accommodate the payment of the new wages if not diverted by the Kayode Fayemi's administration.

The Letter reads in part "We have it on record that what is being declared as total allocation to councils in the state for some months now is not what is actually shared in the course of the joint account Allocation committee (JAAC) meeting. A good example in this regard is the allocation released to Ekiti LGs by the FG for February shared in march, 2012, when the allocation for the 16 local governments amounted to #2,725,984,174.83, what was declared to at JAAC by the State Governor was mere #1,345,640,056.01 and that of April distributed in May was #2,039,863,343.65 and the sum of #1,476,368,871.53 was declared. This has been the practice for other preceding months"

EYEWITNESS: Woman, 63 battling with malignant cancer seeks N5m...

A Warri-based woman, age 63 who have been battling with malignant cancer of the onus, Mrs Janet Ogbonna have appealed to Federal, State Government as well as public-spirited Nigerians to help her raise the N5million needed for her treatment in India.

The woman who hails from Imo State but currently stays with her son in refinery road, Warri, Delta State was diagnosed of the disease at the Federal Medical Center, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Umuahia, Abia State in 2008.

Mrs Ogbonna, a widow who also lost her daughter in 2004 prior to the infection which had suddenly makes her look old have been battling with the treatment through medical and orthodox means all these years. Her appeal came following the inability of her immediate family to afford her proper treatment which doctors said could be done through surgical operation in specialist hospital outside the shore of the country

Her son, Uchechukwu Chidi Ogbonna who spoke to newsmen at the NUJ Press Center Warri on the predicament of her mother said it has not been easy for them since their mother developed the ailment.

He said that they have taken her to eventually every known hospital in the country where they could get help in the treatment all to no avail.

Chidi, who is catering for her sick mother all alone and same time running academic programme at the Delta State University, Abraka however appealed to government, corporate bodies, religious organization as well as other well-meaning Nigerian to come to their aid. He said that they can’t take care of themselves talk less of her mother who needs that much for proper treatment.

“My mother has been suffering since 2008 and we have gone to several hospitals all to no avail. This is a woman with only four children. One of the children died in 2004 and life has been difficult. “I don’t want to be an orphan hence we are making this passionate appeal for the public to help us. Please, we beg the public to help us to survive”.

 “Right now, the ailment has degenerated to bad stage and we were referred to India for proper treatment”. Chidi said that on daily basis he spent N2, 000 to buy supplementary drugs to keep her mother alive. He noted that her mother because of the pains can’t even sleep, sit or stand properly and therefore urged the public to help with the sum correct the anomaly.

 Chidi could be reach with GSM number +23408101254091. His credit number and name were also given as First Bank 2006458236 and Ogbonna Uchechukwu Chidi.

Angry Kaduna lawyers axe JB Daudu over diversion of fund

..........NBA Treasurer has no idea or control of finances


The President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Mr. J.B. Daudu has been sacked as bar leader by irate members of his Kaduna State branch over allegations of insincerity and diversion of funds.

 A reliable source  told our Correspondent that the decision by the lawyers was unanimous, and that the members have replaced Dauda with Uztaz Yunus Usman, who, like Dauda, is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Speaking on the situation the chairman of the bar in Kaduna, Mr. Sam Atung, explained how Daudu’s ouster as follows:

“Members raised so many issues, fundamentally on the N10 million that was approved to Kaduna branch by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NBA. However, unfortunately, even with the advantage of having a President who comes from the branch, who is not only a member of the branch, he is also the leader of the branch; we have not been able to get that money. That has really created problems for us, even as officials of the branch. We had to be appealing to our members time and time again, trying to pacify them on why we have not been able to get the money.



“So during the meeting, our members couldn’t take it any longer.  Normally after every conference, the National body of the NBA disburses 20 per cent of the NEC profit to the hosting branch. We hosted the 2010 Annual Conference of the NBA and we are entitled to that 20 per cent of the profit realized from the conference after expenses. There was already a NEC decision that Kaduna branch be paid that amount and at the last AGM, the President came to tell us that it is not N10 million but N4million, we said, alright, let us have the N4 million but even the N4 million is not forth coming, so you can imagine the frustration within our members



“Apart from the issue of the N10million, other issues that were raised were the fact that as the leader of the branch, the President has not participated in any of our activities in the last four years, he has not donated even a single kobo for any of the projects we are undertaking, he has not been paying his dues and what have you. Every member of the NBA has a branch and as a requirement, you cannot contest elections in NBA until you have paid your branch’s dues as at, and when due. It was the decision of the house and it was a unanimous decision. There was no any single contrary voice and we as the leaders of the branch had no other option. Being the leader of the branch is only a privilege, it is just ceremonial and our members in their wisdom deem it fit to change the leader at this point in time.



“You know even before, we were given the hosting right; a lot of people raised the issue of the security challenges in Kaduna. Of course it was to the credit of the President that Kaduna was given the hosting right and just when preparations were in the pipeline, they changed the venue to Abuja. Our only quarrel was that the National Secretariat of the NBA never had the courtesy to inform us that the conference was shifted to Abuja. As I talk with you, nobody has formally informed us, though the conference has come and gone.”



Meanwhile, more of the fissures and divisions within the NBA have come to light through memos exchanged in the past two weeks between the General Secretary of the NBA, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro, and the Treasurer, Mrs. Olufunmi Oluyede.



Writing on August 3, Mr. Akiboro asked Mrs. Oluyede to send in reports of her office to him for inclusion in the annual report for the forthcoming Annual General Conference of the NBA, scheduled for the 26th to 31st of the month.



In her response on August 7, Mrs. Oluyede indicated that such a report was not coming from her.  “One cannot give what one does not have,” she said.  “I cannot construct a report based on nothing. Accordingly, I am, regrettably unable to provide the report you seek hereby. “



She observed that it is common knowledge that despite being ever available and accessible, and notwithstanding her incessant pleas for consultation/involvement in matters relating to the finances of the NBA, she has been effectively shut out. 



“I am not, and have not at any time in the tenure of this administration, been privy to decisions or transactions relating to the finances of the Bar,” she said, adding that the General Secretary is himself very well versed in all financial transactions, being the main consultant and co-signatory to virtually all of the Association's financial dealings in every sphere.



“A report provided by you thereon (albeit beyond your statutory jurisdiction) would be a more truthful, more authentic one than I could ever provide,” she assured Mr. Akinboro.

Okupe Lawyers admit client's shadow fraudulent contracts with Imo and Benue

The lawyers of Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Matters , Dr. Doyin Okupe, have admitted that road construction contracts from the governments of Benue and Imo States and got substantial payments, his lawyers have admitted. 

On his behalf, the Lagos law firm of Yemi Gbonegun and Co said today that the rural road construction contracts were awarded in 2004 and 2005 to companies in which Dr. Okupe has substantial interests and served as Chairman, but denied they were awarded to him personally.

And beyond the mobilization payments, those companies received other payments over a period exceeding two years continuously for work done, the statement said.

“We also confirm that contrary to reports in the media, on no account did any of the companies bolt away with any money and if they had, the state governments would have legally had recourse to the Bank Guarantees issued, held the banks accountable and recovered their monies,” the statement said.

It said disputes about certificates of payments arose in both transactions, claiming that this is normal between a contractor and its employers, and that the issues were at different times thoroughly investigated by the EFCC, but that no fraud or any criminality was ever found against any of the Companies.

“In the case of Imo State Government a settlement agreement out of court was reached while in Benue State both parties agreed to go in for arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the signed contract document,” it further said.

Today’s statement by Yemi Gbonegun and Co. raised more questions than it answered.  It did not explain why, as previously reported by SaharaReporters, Dr. Okupe was personally detained by the EFCC for an entire month in 2006.

In 2005, during the tenure of Governor Achike Udenwa, Okupe went to Imo state with a business partner, the Israeli businessman Ilan Salman.  Okupe got a contract to import Romix Soilfix, a soil stabilizing substance, from South Africa for the construction of four kilometres of road in each of the 27 local government areas at the rate of N14 million per km.

That amounted to N1.512 billion.  Okupe was paid mobilization fee of N400 million twice (totaling N800m).  He was then paid another N350 million for the little work done, with just about 8km out of the 108km Romix promised to construct.

This means that Okupe was paid over N1.2billion, with very little to show for it.  He carried out his lack of work in the State in collaboration with the former Speaker of the Imo State Assembly, Chief Godfrey Dikeocha.

As investigations into the daylight hoax heated up, Okupe’s engineers were arrested in Owerri alongside the LGA chairmen   and moved to Ikoyi, Lagos. 

In addition, Okupe’s head office, which was at that time on Isale Eko Street in Dolphin Estate, was sealed up and Chief Okupe locked up for one month by the EFCC, but he was never tried.

The situation in Benue State was similar.  Through Messrs Value Trust Investments Ltd., Okupe secured a contract valued at N2.303 billion, again for the construction of rural roads across the state.   By July 17, 2006, he had been paid N886.8m. 

The man who would later be invited by President Goodluck Jonathan to serve as his leading voice on Public Affairs then disappeared.  That case, as was the situation in Imo State, was brought to the EFCC.

With today’s statement by his lawyers, Okupe confirms the two contracts that have come to light but not their details, including why the contracts were never completed, or what was done with the vast sums he collected using his top-level access in the People’s Democratic Party.

Ethiopian Deputy PM, Desalegn succeed as substantial Prime Minister

Following the death of Ethiopian Prime Minister earlier today, Meles Zenawi, his second in command,  Hailemariam Desalegn will become the country's "full-fledged prime minister" until the next parliamentary election in 2015.

 "According to the Ethiopian constitution the deputy prime minister will have to go to parliament and take the oath, and the government is organising the parliament to be summoned as soon as possible," Bereket Simon said.

Parliament is normally scheduled to convene after the Ethiopian New Year on September 11.

Hailemariam, 47, has been deputy prime minister and foreign minister since 2010, and was previously special advisor on social affairs to Meles.

Unlike many core members of the ruling party, he does not hail from the far north of the country but from the Southern Nation, Nationalities and People's Region, the most populous of Ethiopia's nine ethnic regions.

Ethiopia has declared a state of national mourning, but has not fixed a date for a funeral.

"Up until the funeral takes place, the Ethiopian government council of ministers have decided to make it national mourning time for the remembrance of the Prime Minister," Bereket added.

"We will have his whole funeral proceedings according to a plan prepared by a committee which deals with this."

He added that Ethiopia was calm following the news of the death.

"I assure you everything is stable and everything will continue as chartered by the Prime Minster," Bereket said.

Meles had not been seen in public for two months, and had been reported to have been sick in a hospital in Brussels. He was last seen in public at the G20 summit in Mexico in June.

Bereket gave no details of the illness but said Meles had been ill for the past year.

"He has been struggling to be healthy in the last year... one of the best things about him was that he never considered that he was ill and he was up to the job every time, every day, every evening," he added.

"Illness has never been a hindrance for him, but he has been quite ill for some time."

Amnesty International berates dead Ethiopian PM Zenawi's rule

The Amnesty International has strongly criticized the human rights record of Ethiopia’s Meles Zenawi, who died earlier today.

A statement made available to our Correspondent and  signed by Claire Beston, Amnesty International's Ethiopia researcher, the group said that Zenawi’s 21-year rule was characterized by ever-increasing repression and widespread human rights violations.

“His government stamped out dissenting voices, dismantled the independent media, obstructed human rights organisations and strangled the political opposition," the group said.

"Ethiopia’s jails are packed to the seams with suspected political opponents - from urban intellectuals to rural farmers. Torture and ill treatment are commonplace. State resources, assistance and opportunities have been broadly used to control the population. Tens of thousands of Ethiopians were forced to flee the country during his rule."

In respective of his favoured controversial administration, the amnesty group described the succession of Meles Zenawi as a significant opportunity, which the government and the next Prime Minister must use to change the course of the country, towards ushering in an era of greater respect for the rights of all Ethiopians.

Lagos PDP hails Jonathan over Okupe's appointment as SSA despite unpatriotic criticism

Opeyemi Adesina

The Lagos State PDP has unequivocally thrown its weight behind the appointment and Service of the Senior Special Assistant on public affairs to the president,Dr Doyin Okupe.

The party is convinced that the appointment of Dr Doyin Okupe into the presidency at this time is the needed panacea to confront the unpatriotic and destructive criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan's Transformation Agenda for the Nation.

"This Solidarity is in reaction to the syndicated call for the resignation of the recently appointed SSA, Dr Doyin Okupe. We know that the call is coordinated by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the national Publicity Secretary of ACN. We wonder why the President's critics have suddenly become restless if not that they have been ambushed by the appointment of Dr Doyin Okupe, who surely will seal up all their sources of information in the presidency and even match them, intellect for intellect on all National issues. Alhaji Lai Mohammed is particularly restless now that Dr Doyin Okupe is in the presidency because only the Sagacity of Dr Okupe can checkmate his lousiness."

The Party opines that Alhaji Lai Mohammed has become a liability to ACN and a National embarrassment to the country by his frequent unsubstantiated condemnation of president Goodluck Jonathan's policies.

"Indeed Alhaji Lai Mohammed has lost focus and not fit and proper to enjoy any regard in the noble field of Publicity Secretaries and we caution the young Publicity Secretaries not to emulate his styles of destructive criticism"

On the contrary, the Lagos State PDP has reiterated its call for the resignation of Alhaji Lai Mohammed as ACN National Publicity Secretary while also calling on the Police and EFCC to immediately investigate the activities of Knightbridge Dredging Limited, a Company owned by Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his son, Folajimi Lai Mohammed.

For sake of clarity, the said Company was awarded the 9KM Lagos Channelization project. The project was not duly carried out and this led to the canals overflowing and causing floods which resulted into loss of lives and Property last year and beyond.

In the meantime, the party has warned Nigerians against taking seriously the criticisms of Lai Mohammed as he has shown himself to be immoral, unreliable, chauvinistic and a betrayer of trust.

"Alhaji Lai Mohammed has indeed become RABID attack dog whose only control is material wealth.
For avoidance of doubt,  he recently attacked the person of mallam Nuhu Ribadu because the young man opted to serve his Nation as Chairman of Petroleum Task force.

Long before then, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had exhibited his penchant for sycophancy and betrayer when he described former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, as a member of "Satanic Five" and an "unconventional Politician".

In exposing the rigging strategies of the former Governor, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated that "It was the strategic thinking of Tinubu that when you order a re-run in two or three wards, it means you have cancelled the results of election in those wards" and that in their days in SDP, they (referring to himself, Tinubu and Co.) "...had to do what we called ECOMOG. We brought people from everywhere. The strategy was to move people enmasse to make accreditation difficult"

Similarly, in his attempt to eulogise Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Lai Mohammed exposed his own dubious and fraudulent tendencies when he confessed that " I met Tinubu on a daily basis. He was still working in Mobil. He was raising Funds for us from his cooperate friends and I was the CHANNEL & CONDUIT for the money he raised. I would take it to the Party, Use it for Logistics and use it for election!

With these self confessions, one needs no further proof as to why Alhaji Lai Mohammed was appointed Chief of Staff by Bola Tinubu in a Government that had so much revenue but shortchanged Lagos State. For the umpteenth time, we challenge Alhaji Lai Mohammed to make Public his Asset declaration forms before and after being in d Government of Bola Tinubu if indeed he is a fit and proper Publicity secretary.

Ocean Surge: Lagos PDP urges FG to halt Fashola's barbaric sandfilling of Ocean and Lagoons in Lagos

Opeyemi Adesina

The Lagos State People Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Federal Government to halt the selfish and barbaric Sandfilling of the Ocean and Lagoons in lagos state in the overall interest of the country and to particularly forestall further loss of lives and Property arising from the apparent disregard of the LASG in managing environment.

The party also berated the LASG deceptive and diversionary evacuation of occupants from areas which direct government negligence has caused calamities.

The call is on the heels of the frequent Ocean surge which the latest started  on friday claiming lives & Property and even preventing fun seekers from enjoying their Sallah Holiday at the beaches in the State.

The Party opines that the unnecessary loss of lives and Property should be blamed on the. ACN led lagos State administration which has remained adamant, irresponsible and only pursuing business interest that it chose to sandfill the ocean in its purported Eko Atlantic Project where a Plot of land is being sold for Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (#350,000,000.00)

A statement made available to our Reporter and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Barr. Taofik Gani on behalf of the state chairman, Tunji Shelle, stated that "we are very pained by the wanton loss of lives and property prevalent only along the coastal lines of lagos beaches. We sincerely sympathise with the affected families. We are however vindicated because we had continually criticised the unprofessional manners the State Government Particularly encroaches the  ocean and Lagoon without due Ecological and Environmental impact Assessment.

The lagos State Government has abandoned the welfare of the residents and embarks on all sorts of misplaced, bourgeoisie projects at the expense of the majority of ordinary lagosians. One of such projects is the Eko Atlantic Project, where the ocean is being sandfilled to build another"dubai" in Lagos and currently a Plot there is being sold at  Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (#350,000,000.00) with minimum of Two Plots to be purchased. The effect of the Project is the recurrent Ocean Surge and Flooding around the State after every Rainfall and which has led to frequent loss of lives and Property"

The Party stated that the ACN led government in the state is indeed fatigued and confused about what ordinary Lagosian needs and may lead the state into extinction if not checked by the federal Government.
"How on Earth can a focussed Government waste billions of tax payers Money to "Open Up" Ocean and Lagoon when it has vast undeveloped lands that would cost far less to open up. Surely the selfish consideration of the ACN led lagos State Government has beclouded meaningful development in the State. Imagine also the Contradiction in the state Government exercise of demolishing Makoko on allegation of lagoon encroachment, while the same state Government is actually sand filling our BarBeach"

The Party is consequently demanding  a stop to the Eko Atlantic Project and immediate Compensation. To the families who have lost members and Property as a result of the Surge.

New Curve: Yinka Johnson's Camp Says Lastma Official was Knocked down by a Danfo Bus.

The  Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) will never forget Friday, August 10 2012, in hurry when a Mother of 3 and Stanbic IBTC Bank Employee, Yinka Johnson was driving along the Lekki Expressway killed of one LASTMA officer.

She was stopped by one LASTMA officer who accused her of infringing traffic rules…

See Earlier Report Here

At this point, two versions of the story appear. According to LASTMA, Yinka killed one of their staff, Mr. Hammed Balogun by driving recklessly while attempting to evade LASTMA officials.
According to Yinka’s family and friends, a Danfo bus hit the victim, Mr Balogun and now Mrs Johnson is being falsely accused.



Statement 1
You might have heard the story going round about the Banker who allegedly killed a LASTMA official by knocking him down with her car.
Eye witnesses on the scene insist that the LASTMA official was in fact knocked down by a Danfo bus he was trying to accost AFTER he arrested the Banker for a traffic offence.
In fact, her car was about being towed as can be seen from the picture on the lastma website. You can also see from the picture posted there that the car was empty. How did she get back in, ram the towing vehicle and killed the LASTMA man?
LASTMA is trying to skew the story as murder and she is currently in detention. Please note that I have seen her car and it doesn’t have a single dent on it.
Kindly spread the word and encourage eye witnesses to come forward and give statements at Panti where she is being held.
She is a mother of 3 (including a 2mth old baby who is with her in detention). I know her personally.
Please note that the incident happened yesterday morning 10/08/2012 at Ikota, Lekki Express Way. She was on her way to work.
Please call 08037076890 if you have information or witnessed what actually happened. We need eye witnesses to counter their lies.

Statement 2
You may have seen the sensational headlines about a banker crushing a Lastma official to death. This is not true.
Yinka was sitting with a Lastma Official in her stationery car which was about to be towed when another Lastma official on the road was run over by a danfo (comercial bus) quite some distance from her car.
Her car bears no signs of impact as evidence and eye witnesses in the nearby taxi park confirmed this.
The stories accusing her of murder were instigated by unscrupulous Lastma officials who are peddling the false charges and trigger-happy journalists who published uncorroborated stories of the incident without visiting the scene, checking with eye witnesses nor checking with the accused.
A traffic offence and murder are certainly 2 different things. Yinka Johnson certainly did not commit murder. She’s a mother of three who instead of spending a peaceful weekend with her family is sleeping in a police station with her 2 month old baby, falsely accused.

Tiwa Savage, Wizkid now ambassadors

Months after heightened speculations, MAVIN Records star, Tiwa Savage and EME artiste, Wizkid were officially unveiled as Pepsi ambassadors.

The latest Blue, Bold & Beautiful ambassadors, who have been rocking the entertainment scene in Nigeria and beyond have joined Lynxx, another Nigerian artiste, who is also a Pepsi brand ambassador.

While Wizkid recently won the Best International Act trophy (Africa) in the prestigious BET awards held in Los Angeles, United States, Tiwa Savage was the co-host of the reality TV show ‘Nigerian Idol’ Season two.

Speaking at the event, Pepsi brand manager, Mazen Almasri, said, “Tiwa and Wizkid represent the Pepsi brand essence of inspiring a youthful lifestyle and refreshing the world of consumers.”

He further noted that the brand will support the two acts to take their music careers to the next level through promotions within and outside the country.

The glamorous event had in attendance the crème of society drawn from within and outside the music industry.

Rain sacks Plateau communities

Over 200 houses and property worth millions of Naira were destroyed by a rainstorm in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The rain was said to have started late Friday night and fell all through the night, causing the flooding.

Confirming the incident, the transition committee chairman, Mr. Abubakar Dashe, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH on telephone, said there was no loss of lives.

He said apart from the affected houses, farm lands were also destroyed as a result of the disaster.

He gave the names of the affected villages as Garga Mban, Garga Kupai, Lugu and kan kuross

He also said the affected persons had taken refuge in primary schools in the local government.

A resident, Mr. Sarki Zailani called on the authorities of the National Emergency Management Agency to come to their aid.

Man sentenced to 28 years for real estate fraud in Gombe

Justice  Sa’ad Mohammed of the Gombe State High Court, Gombe on Friday August 10, 2012, sentenced one Oluwaseun Abatan, a 34-year-old graduate of Quantity Surveying, to 28 years imprisonment.

Abatan who was first arraigned on 18th June, 2009 was convicted on four of the eight count charge of forgery and obtaining by false pretence brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The convict was arrested in 2008 following intelligence report on the illegal activities of Guarantee Investment Network International Limited (GINI), which was defrauding unsuspecting members of the public while masquerading as Real Estate Developers and Business Managers.  Abatan who claimed to be the General Manager of the outlet in Gombe, lured innocent persons to deposit sums of money with the promise of earning interest of 40 percent within six weeks on such deposits in the short term, and acquisition of plots of land or houses in the long term.

However, investigations revealed that GINI Limited which has its head office in Lagos was incorporated as a trading company that sells mostly domestic consumables. But unknown to the company, Abatan had devised means of using its name to carry out fraudulent activities. He collected a sum of N2, 505,700 from a total of 487 persons that  were registered  by him.

During trial, directors of the company testified that the company had no interest in real estate, that they did not appoint Oluwaseun Abatan as General Manager of the company’s Gombe outlet. They claimed that the flyer used by Abatan to promote his fraudulent business was different from that of the company.

In his judgment, Justice Mohammed held that the prosecution had proved its case against the accused person beyond all reasonable doubt on four of the eight count charge and sentenced him to 7 years on each of the four count charge without any option of fine.

Wilson Uwujaren