Monday 31 March 2014

Medical unit : Deadly Ebola Virus Spreads to Liberia; Can it Spread to Nigeria, Ukraine ?

Ebola outbreak in Guinea
The deadly Ebola virus outbreak has spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone from neighboring Guinea, health officials say.
The Ebola outbreak has killed 78 victims so far and the death toll is growing daily. So far four deaths in Liberia and Sierra Leone have been attributed to the deadly Ebola hemorrhagic fever. 2 health care workers are among the 118 new cases of Ebola, ABC News reports. The Ebola outbreak in Guinea is making headlines all over the world, primarily because there is no known cure or treatment for Ebola.
Ebola is 90% fatal. When infection occurs, the devastating symptoms usually begin abruptly. The incubation period (from infection to onset of symptoms) is 2 days to 3 weeks.
The public health concern is so great that Senegal has closed its borders crossing with Guinea until further notice.
Ebola is caused by one of four or five known Ebola viruses. It is unknown which virus caused the outbreak in Guinea. Ebola is highly infectious and contagious. The virus is usually spread via body fluids. The primary source of infection is the dead carcasses of chimpanzee or other primates. Bats and rodents are also known carriers of the infection.
The virus is transmitted to humans who come into contact with or handle the dead carcasses of animals. Transmission is also likely through the oral mucosa (lining of the mouth) and the whites of our eyes (conjunctiva).
Certain Ebola viruses can be transmitted through the air and inhaled into the lungs. For this reason Ebola is categorized as a Class A biological weapon.
Signs and Symptoms
Severe weakness
High fever with chills
Muscle pain
Chest pain
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Sore throat
Cough
Shortness of breath
Severe headaches
Skin rash
Raised, red bumps, discolored skin
Uncontrolled bleeding from all openings
Coma
Death
The virus spreads quickly in poor, underdeveloped countries where basic hygiene and hand washing are not routinely practiced. Since Ebola is highly contagious, even after the patient is dead, bodies are cremated immediately.
An Ebola outbreak is  likely to occur in the Nigeria where hand washing, needle disposal and sanitation techniques are not strictly adhered to. Once a patient is identified in the Nigeria , the patient is isolated from other patients to prevent further spread of the infection.
This has been your Medical Minute.
More Info On the Web
Ebola virus disease – WHO International
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever – WebMD
Ebola hemorrhagic fever – Medline Plus
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
DISCLAIMER
Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. uchgal.blogspot.com  and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following advice found on this blog.

Girl Stabs her Best Friend 65 times after Best Friend Posted their Naked pics on Facebook


Erandy Elizabeth Gutierrez (right) ruthlessly murdered her friend Anel Baez after a dispute over some Facebook photos (Picture: CEN)
 A 16-year-old girl was so outraged after a Facebook dispute with her best friend that she murdered the young girl by stabbing her in the back 65 times.

MetroNewsUK reports that Erandy Elizabeth Gutierrez was furious after she received messages that alerted her to the fact that her friend had uploaded naked pictures of the pair to the social network. She told her friend, Anel Baez, also 16, that she would be lucky to survive until the end of the year.
‘It may seem that I am very calm, but in my head I have killed you at least three times,’ Gutierrez wrote to Baez via Twitter.
Laughing off Gutierrez’s threat that she would ‘bury’ her ’before the end of the year’, the unwitting Baez
invited her friend to her home in Guamuchil, Mexico to patch things up.

According to local police, Gutierrez asked to use the bathroom but instead went into the kitchen where she found the knife she used to stab her friend over 60 times.

A police spokesman explained that after the murder Gutierrez tried to clean the blood from her clothes and the weapon but was unsuccessful. Gutierrez tried to hide her role in the murder after fleeing the scene and even pretended to grieve alongside her other friends.

But following police investigations she was eventually arrested at her best friend’s funeral – keeping the sinister promise she made to see her buried before the end of the year.

Wayne Rooney wishes wife Coleen a happy Mother's Day by posting adorable picture of her with their sons Kai and Klay

'Happy Mother's Day': Wayne Rooney took to Instagram to post a picture of his wife Coleen and two children, Kai, four, and 10-month-old Klay
He's only been on Instagram for a couple of weeks.
But Wayne Rooney waited until Mother's Day to post his first picture of Coleen Rooney, his wife of five years, in an adorable picture with their two sons, Kai, four, and 10-month-old Klay.
In a message accompanying the image, he wrote: 'Happy Mother's Day to my wife Coleen who's an amazing mum to our boys'

'Lovely day': Following Wayne's post, Coleen was quick to take to her Twitter account on Sunday to reveal she had a lovely Mother's Day with Kai and Klay as well as her own mother Colette

Following the 28-year-old footballer's post, Coleen was quick to take to her Twitter account on Sunday to reveal she had a lovely Mother's Day.
The 27-year-old brunette posted a picture of herself with Kai and Klay as well as her own mother Colette.
She wrote: 'Had a lovely day with my boys and my mum!! X (sic)

She also wished Colette a happy Mother's Day in an earlier tweet, writing: 'Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mum and every other mum!! Thinking of people who's mum are not with them today!! Xx (sic)'
Coleen and the couple's children posed on the same chair for both pictures, with the TV presenter wearing a little black dress for the occasion.
Both of the boys had been dressed in adorable attire and looked smart for the day, and they even managed to put on cheeky grins for the photograph.
Cute: Wayne's post came just one week after he took to Instagram to upload a picture of himself with Kai and Klay, which he labelled: 'Chilling with my two boys'

Sunday 30 March 2014

Blame northern governors, not me for Boko Haram: PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday took a swipe at governors for accusing the Federal Government of bad leadership, asking them to stop pushing blames when they have failed on their part to provide primary and secondary education for their citizens.
Speaking in Bauchi during the North-east Zonal Rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jonathan also lampooned some northern governors over insurgency in their states which he blamed on lack of education for the children and employment consequent upon which they are ready tools for terrorists.
Jonathan, who charged the governors to take charge and stop blaming their inept leadership on the Federal Government, however asked if the federal government, constitutionally responsible for the provision of tertiary education, should be in charge of primary and secondary education at the state level.
He said, “ Sometimes governors will come and say we have some issues because of bad leadership. I was  governor, deputy governor before I became a governor. I spent eight years at the state level, I handled security challenges. That was the state where the first commercial kidnapping took place because of excess militancy.
More than 70 % of the state is swamp. I knew how we handled things. A governor will come and say bad leadership, bad leadership from whom? If we have security challenges, whether you call them Boko Haram or whatever, these are people who couldn’t go to primary school, who couldn’t go to secondary school and they have no hope and miscreants or criminals now recruit them and using them; if you see what they wear, they wear rags and not normal clothes; all what they put on their bodies is not worth N10, but they carry rifles and bullets that are  worth more that N250, 000. Somebody gives them food to eat so that they can kill.
”You ask how did we build this army of unemployed or unemployable youth? The Federal Government does not control primary education; it does not control secondary education, and a governor has been on seat for almost eight years and we have people in that state that can’t go to primary school, that can’t go to secondary school. You say bad leadership, who is the bad leader? Is it the Federal Government? I made sure that every state has a university. That is the responsibility of the Federal Government and I have done it.
Governors must make sure that our children go to primary school, governors must make sure that our children go to secondary school. Somebody hide under the cover of politics and cannot do it in eight years or seven years plus. We still have do many children in your state that cannot go to primary school, not going to secondary school and you open your mouth to say bad leadership; is it the Federal Government or Mr. President that should come and take your children to primary schools? Federal Government by the constitution faces tertiary education. “
Earlier in his remarks, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, who reiterated that aspirants must go to their wards, local governments and states to convince the people to vote for them, disclosed that all congresses in the 36 states and Abuja would be televised life for people to watch.
In his remarks, Vice President Namadi Sambo disclosed that all closed schools in the zone would be re- opened soon.
Also in his remarks, Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih, who noted that the  Jonathan-led administration has done much for the North-east, said that one good turn must deserve another when the time comes.

Gun fire exchange rocks presidential villa


Heavy gunfire exchanges rocks the vicinity of Nigeria’s presidential palace and the headquarters of the Department of State Services in the Asokoro District of  Abuja as reported by Premium Times in the past one hour.
According to the reports, residents of the nearby Aso Drive Area said the gunshots were either coming out of the SSS headquarters or the presidential villa.
One of the resident said, “We don’t know what’s going on here. Heavy gunfire has been coming from the direction of the villa. The entire area has been barricaded. SSS operatives are scampering out of their headquarters as the gunshots get louder.
“Soldiers are now heading in the direction of the SSS headquarters with Armoured Personnel Carriers. Those of us living around here have been asked to stay indoors and not venture out.”
Reacting to the incidence, spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, said the gunshots were triggered by attempted jailbreak at the Service’s headquarters by suspected members of the extremist Boko Haram sect.
She said, “What happened was that the suspects’ handlers went to feed the detainees here but suddenly they attacked him with their handcuffs, disarmed him and started shooting.
“The military was quickly called in before they could do any harm and that is responsible for the shootings you heard.

Saturday 29 March 2014

Don’t Wear Underwear to Church, so Christ Can “Enter”! – Kenyan Pastor

Reverend Njohi of Kenya - Bella Naija
Reverend Njohi, a Reverend at Lord’s Propeller Redemption Church in Kenya, ordered the female members of his congregation to attend church without any form of underwear so that  Christ can enter their lives.

He reportedly banned the wearing of undergarments in his church because they are ungodly, and people need to be  free in body and spirit to receive Christ.

According to The Kenyan Post, Njohi allegedly warned members that there would be terrible consequences if they attempted to secretly wear bra or pant. Mothers were also advised to make sure their daughters comply with the order.

In today’s age, it seems as though some unscrupulous pastors are abusing their authority as so-called “Men of God.” Take for instance, the case of the South African pastor Lesego Daniel of Rabboni Centre Ministries who instructed his congregation to eat grass so they could be closer to God.

On the other hand, some naive Christians fall victim to these kinds of scams, and begin to fall into the trap of worshipping their Pastors instead of worshipping God.



Teen Jailed After Refusing to Return $31,000 Mistakenly Deposited Into His Account



Steven Fields will have plenty of time on his hands to think about his poor decision making. The 18-year-old Hull, GA man turned himself in on Friday and was charged with theft by taking for refusing to return $25,000 that a teller mistakenly deposited into his account.
Authorities say once Fields discovered his windfall, he immediately withdrew $20,000 cash and went on a $5,000 spending spree using his ATM card.
Authorities say Fields spent the money at a car dealership, and made purchases at various stores and a fast food restaurant.
The banking error occurred on March 7, when a man walked into the First Citizens Bank on U.S. Highway 29 in Athens and made a $31,000 deposit.
Several customers at the bank have the same name as the man, so the teller mistakenly put the deposit into the wrong account.
On March 17, the customer called the bank to report money missing from his account. Bank officials investigated the customer’s report and discovered the teller’s error.
When Fields went into the branch to withdraw more money, a teller informed him the money was a mistake and asked him to return the cash. According to a sheriff’s report, the teenager insisted the money was an inheritance from his grandmother’s estate.
The teen eventually told sheriff’s deputies he would make arrangements with the bank to return the money. But bank officials said Fields never returned to the bank.
On Wednesday, investigator Doug Martin said no charges had been filed against Fields. But after the story was picked up by the national media, Fields quickly turned himself in.

Friday 28 March 2014

Putin Calls Obama to Discuss Ukraine


 President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia reached out to President Obama on Friday to discuss ideas about how to peacefully resolve the international standoff over Ukraine, a surprise move by Moscow to pull back from the brink of an escalated confrontation that has put Europe and much of the world on edge.

After weeks of provocative moves punctuated by a menacing buildup of troops on Ukraine’s border, Mr. Putin’s unexpected telephone call to Mr. Obama offered a hint of a possible settlement. The two leaders agreed to have their top diplomats meet to discuss concrete proposals for defusing the crisis that has generated the most serious clash between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War.
But it remained uncertain whether Mr. Putin was seriously interested in a resolution that would go far enough to satisfy the United States, Ukraine and Europe, or instead was seeking a diplomatic advantage at a time when he has been isolated internationally. While the White House account of the call emphasized the possible diplomatic movement, the Kremlin’s version stressed Mr. Putin’s complaints about “extremists” in Ukraine and introduced into the mix of issues on the table the fate of Transnistria, another pro-Russian breakaway province outside his borders.

Neither American nor European officials expect Mr. Putin to easily reverse his seizure of Crimea, the largely Russian-speaking Ukrainian peninsula Moscow annexed last week after Russian troops took control there. Indeed, the Kremlin statement made no mention of Crimea, suggesting Mr. Putin considers the matter a fait accompli that is no longer up for discussion. Analysts said the Russian leader may be seeking some sort of de facto acceptance of that new status quo in exchange for not sending troops massed on the border into eastern Ukraine.

Mr. Obama took the call from Mr. Putin at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after finishing a two-hour dinner with King Abdullah to discuss Iran, Syria and other security issues. Amid intelligence reports warning of a further Russian incursion into Ukraine, American officials were trying to puzzle through the situation on Friday night, unsure what Mr. Putin was up to, but deeply suspicious.

“President Obama underscored to President Putin that the United States continues to support a diplomatic path in close consultation with the government of Ukraine and in support of the Ukrainian people with the aim of de-escalation of the crisis,” the White House said in a statement. “President Obama made clear that this remains possible only if Russia pulls back its troops and does not take any steps to further violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

In its statement posted on its official website, the Kremlin said Mr. Putin “drew Barack Obama’s attention to continued rampage of extremists who are committing acts of intimidation towards peaceful residents, government authorities and law enforcement agencies in various regions and in Kiev with impunity.”

“In light of this,” it added, “the president of Russia suggested examining possible steps the global community can take to help stabilize the situation.”

Neither the Kremlin nor the White House said what those steps might be. The White House said Mr. Putin was responding to an American proposal that Secretary of State John Kerry presented to Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov during a meeting at The Hague earlier in the week, a proposal developed in consultation with Ukraine’s interim government and European allies.

President Jonathan’s first Daughter, about to Wed


Nigeria’s first family, the Jonathans, are in a celebratory mood at the moment as their daughter, Faith Elizabeth Sakwe would be getting married to her hearthrob, Godswill Osim Edward come next month.

Faith, who was adopted by the First Family when she was still young, will be celebrating her traditional marriage ceremony, on Saturday, 5th April, 2014, at 1pm. Venue is the Otuoke, Bayelsa State residence of the president. This would be followed by the marriage ceremony at the National Ecumenical Centre, Phase 1, Abuja, and reception at the International Conference Centre, Herbert Macaulay Way, Abuja on Saturday, 12th April, 2014.

Already, reports say plans are in top gear to make the ceremony a talk-of-the-town event. Continue after the cut to see more pictures of the couple, their pre wedding photos plus invitation cards.

Faith and her fiance are both graduates from the University of Calabar. They got engaged last year, 2013.

Godswill


Wednesday 26 March 2014

CEO Zenith Bank PLC Godwin Emefiele now the New CBN Governor


The Senate today confirmed my Godwin Emefiele's appointment *winks* as Nigeria's new central bank governor. The Zenith Bank boss appeared before the lawmakers today in a live broadcast, and at the end of the day, his appointment was unanimously approved.

Godwin is to replace Lamido Sanusi, who was suspended on government charges of “financial recklessness and misconduct”. President Goodluck Jonathan had suspended Sanusi on February 20, just days after he had accused the state oil company of embezzling $20 billion (14.5 billion euros) of public funds. Sanusi had been well-regarded among international economists and was credited with overhauling a crumbling and deeply corrupt banking sector and stabilising the currency. He was due to step down in June before his suspension.

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Naomi Campbell laughs at Kayne and Kim Vouge cover


Naomi Campbell & Kimye - March 2014 - BellaNaija 01
Talk about supermodel shade! We surely haven’t seen or heard the last on Kimye‘s Vogue cover.

For a segment of “The Original Supermodel” on Australia’s The Morning Show, Naomi Campbell was asked for her opinion on Kim Kardashian and Kanye West‘s latest achievement. (click here to see).

The British supermodel responded diplomatically, “I do not want to comment”. After a little hesitation, she burst out laughing.

She later added “I’m a fashion model and I’ve been working for 28 years. And when you get a Vogue cover, it’s a build in your career…. a stepping stone to achieve that.”

Not impressed by her reply, one of the hosts said “Kim and Kanye haven’t earned the right to be on the cover of Vogue?”, to which she responded with “Those are your words…not mine. I’m being politically correct.”

Watch the clip.

BREAKING NEWS: Nigerian students in Crimea to now get consular services from Russia

Amb. Frank Isoh, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ukraine has said that Nigerians in Crimea will  require a new residence permit to stay in that region which was recently absobed into Russia.
Isoh in a telephone interview with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday put the number of Nigerians in Crimea  at 240, out of which 175 are students studying medicine.
He said that the Nigeria’s embassy in Russia would now be in charge of consular services of Nigerians in Crimea.
Isoh, however, said that issues relating to passport registration would still be handled by the mission in Kiev.
“For passport registration, the mission in Ukraine will still be contacted as it is one of the nation’s few embassies in Eastern Europe with passport issuing facility. So we will still attend to those with passport related concerns.”
The envoy, however, restated that no Nigerian was attacked in the recent protest in Ukraine.
He commended Nigerian students in Crimea for their sense of maturity in understanding the political crisis in that country.
He further said that in spite of the development, day-to-day life still remained the same, while urging parents to stay calm as their wards are not in danger.
Russian President Vladimir Putin  on March 21, signed into law which formalised the absorption of Crimea to Russia after a referendum.
The US, EU and others have sanctioned Russia for its action, which includes suspension from G8. (NAN)

CBN, Lagos office on fire

11
Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos office is on fire. The fire reportedly started at about 5:40 pm today.
The office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in Lagos is on fire at the moment, according to report and photos shared on the social media

Monday 24 March 2014

Emmy Collins Slams PSquare Paul & Peter Okoye's Outfits to Paul's Wedding! Says they Employ Obioma Tailors for their Wears!

Oh dear, this is heavy!!! Please read  what Emmy Collins wrote on his blog about Paul Okoye and his wedding guests' outfits to his wedding. First, he bitterly took on Paul, then moved to Peter and his 'polyester crew'. Iyanya, Monalisa, Uche Jombo were not spared too. Crazy criticism!

Paul Okoye:
First and foremost, I must congratulate Paul who happens to be the intelligent and quiet one of the duo. Now that we have gotten that out of the way I must declare that it is official now that the Okoyes don`t do quality, PERIOD so I`m never gonna pick on them ever again. Considering the polyester drama that ensued during Peter`s wedding not quite long ago, it would have been fair to imagine that Paul would never want to be caught dead committing the same sort of fashion harakiri but alas he just fell into the same trap like his twin brother did.

He wasn`t decked up in polyester but from what I can see from my screen right now, he might as well have had a polyester themed wedding. I`m done with these chaps.

Peter Okoye & his Polyester Crew:

As if that wasn`t enough to wreak havoc to the style credibility of the Okoyes, Peter and his polyester crew showed up with the same style of Kaftan they wore at Peter`s wedding with the only difference being the colour. I can`t confirm if the fabric was polyester or not due to the colour but I will find out. Can anyone confirm if Polyester was all over the floor once again?

Couldn`t they come up with something else to wear? Music is a creative industry so get creative boys! Phewwwwwwww. Looking at the trousers, I`m tempted to declare this fabric as polyester. REALLY? WHATTTT! Why do these guys employ obioma tailors to fix their pieces? Aba tailors would have been better albeit slightly more expensive. Should I believe that money is the issue here or someone`s lack of comprehension of the word style and quality?

And oh, the MOPOLS definitely encourage me to take my next vacation in Port Harcourt hahahaha. On a serious note, the security issue isn`t peculiar to PH but I must opine that I feel relatively safe in Lagos Island even at nights as I haven`t heard any case of robbery on the Island in a long time.


Iyanya:

Lollllll,how did those sleeves make it through Iyanya`s biceps?

Uche Jumbo:

This is the best I have ever seen Uche Jumbo EVER. Perhaps it might be advisable for her to buba ati iro it to the red carpet events. I don`t see where it says NO buba ati Iro allowed. Joke Silva rocks her traditional ensembles to events and kills it each time but I guess she has a different personality and poise compared to Uche. The truth of the matter is that you can`t be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result, Madam so I hereby advise that you port to Buba ati iro level.

Monalisa Chinda

Lobatan, who carry afia iwu aka contraband enter here nah? I been think say we don hit the nail of the coffin of Chanel Lego bag since Sindodo made appearance with it. Nah you hit us with this one Mona aka Lisa? Make your head correct o,abeg.


LOL Emmy Collins insults Annie Idibia, Paul Okoye's Wife, Anita Isama's wedding outfits

He also thrashed the photo Tuface used to wish wife, Annie a happy wedding anniversary, then he took on bleaching cream 'Whitenicious' owner Dencia.
READ EVERYTHING LOL 
Anita Isama:

Apparently Paul Okoye`s wifey is gorgeous. On the picture below she looks great in her traditional ensembles but the last dress fall my hand, kpomkwem! Sequins and big birdy fabric? Yeah, right. She was never gonna make it to the winners list on that one, mbanu.




Annie Idibia:

According the info I just received, this was the image of Annie idibia that Tuface, her husband, not an enemy or frenemy put up on Instagram congratulating her on their first year anniversary. I have recognised Tuface as a top artist in Naija but never as someone with class but even at that I would expect Tuface to recognise the raggedy-ness of this image and ensure that it never sees the light of the day. This is a razz as they come. Just look at the background behind this image and weep profusely for Annie and Tuface. Naija has the most rachet celebrities gang EVER.

Dencia:

Is she really not 30yrs old yet? If so then bleaching is really the ultimate bitch. She sure looks a few years older than Janet Jackson and she is already on the wrong side of 40. Regardless of what this chick wants us to believe, she appears to be having a tough life because you can`t be in your early 20s and look this old if you are living a honky dory sort of life.

Thursday 20 March 2014

Tinie Tempah Invites Wizkid as Special Guest for UK Tour

Wizkid Tinie Tempah
Tinie Tempah and Wizkid are going to be #DisturbingLondon!

Tinie whose real name is Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, is inviting his good friend Wizkid as a special guest for his Manchester Apollo shows and London O2 Arena show.

Balling!
@TinieTempah
Follow
I'm excited to announce @wizkidayo as special guest for the Manchester Apollo shows & London O2 Arena show of the UK Tour!! Let's Go!
2:05 PM - 20 Mar 2014

US Government to Return Abacha’s $458 Million Loot to Nigerians?

General Sani Abacha - Bella Naija
Earlier this month, it was reported that the United States Government ordered for the seizure of the late General Sani Abacha’s assets worth $458 million.

Recent reports state that two US senior lawyers who are also professors of Law, are actively petitioning for the money to be returned to Nigerians. And by “Nigerians” we don’t mean the Nigerian government. They are urging the US government to return the funds directly to the Nigerian people via investments in healthcare initiatives, or through charitable organizations that actively contribute towards the welfare of the Nigerian people.

The lawyers, Nicholai Diamond and Alexander Sierck of Cameron LPP in Washington DC, made the petition in a detailed letter to Eric Holder, Jr. the Attorney General of United States of America as Volunteer Counsel for Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

Dated 18 March 2014, the letter is titled ‘Re: Abacha Kleptocracy Forfeiture Action.

Some contents of the letter are as follows:

“SERAP respectfully requests that the U.S. Department of Justice establish a general process for the repatriation of assets seized as part of its Kleptocracy Initiative.

SERAP’s request arises in the specific context of the Department’s March 6, 2014 announcement that it has frozen more than $458 million in corruption proceeds, which have been hidden in bank accounts around the world by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and conspirators, to implement the civil forfeiture complaint filed in federal district court here in Washington.

As the Department stated in its press release announcing the seizure, these seized funds properly belong to the citizens the kleptocrats ostensibly served.”

According to the lawyers, “Even though the Department has only recently filed the civil forfeiture complaint regarding the Abacha-related assets, SERAP respectfully submits that its request is nonetheless timely in regard to such assets.

This is because in many such cases, the kleptocrats owning the seized property do not appear in the U.S. to contest the seizure because they would then subject themselves to personal jurisdiction in the underlying criminal case that might be filed against them. Thus, at some point, perhaps by the end of 2014, there will be a default on the Abacha asset seizure, consequently freeing up the assets for repatriation to or for the benefit of Nigeria and its citizens.”

“SERAP notes that in a September 19, 2011 interview with the Main Justice blog, Jennifer Shasky, speaking on behalf of the Department’s Kleptocracy Initiative, stated that: the Department has no [legal] obligation to repatriate assets subject to civil forfeiture, but that the Department is committed to finding ways to repatriate or otherwise use such funds for the benefit of the victim country. SERAP assumes that this is still the Department’s position,” the lawyers also said.

They also noted that, “on March 15, 2012, SERAP filed a letter with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division seeking comparable repatriation of civil fines paid in connection with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act settlements.

In particular, SERAP proposed that such fines be repatriated to or for the benefit of the people of the victim country in the event that the SEC determined not to pay such proceeds directly to the government where officials were apparently bribed.

To that end, SERAP proposed that such funds might be conveyed to a reliable U.S. or Nigerian charitable organization to be spent on health care, for example, subject to anti-corruption safeguards.” The lawyers also “requests that the Department publish for public comment a proposal for the disposition of such seized assets, not just in the Abacha context but in all such Kleptocracy Initiative cases. In SERAP’s judgment, the Department’s proposal ought to explain:

When and under what circumstances the Department will “foreclose” on such seized, and presumably defaulted, assets. · Whether and when the Department will provide public notice of such foreclosure.

Whether, following such foreclosure, the Department will provide public notice, of 90 days for example, for requests for repatriation to be filed.

Vanguard was first to report this story.

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Ekiti State commissioner arrested for beating up NYSC member


Police in Ekiti has arrested the state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan, for questioning over the beating up of a NYSC member at a registration unit in Otun Ekiti, Moba LGA of the state, Vanguard reports.
Olaosebikan (pictured above), who is also the Chairman, NYSC board in the state, was seen at the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, making his statement.
Olaosebikan allegedly beat up a youth corps member, Mr. Thompson Enobong, NYSC number EK/13c/1859, who is one of the NYSC members assisting INEC in the just-concluded registration.
Enobong was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Ido Ekiti, where he is said to be receiving treatment.

Olaosebikan, however, denied beating up the corps member, saying he merely protected him.
Vanguard also gathered that a soldier, Private Clement John is being interrogated by the police for disrupting the exercise in Emure Ekiti.

The soldier, who claimed to be serving in an Army unit in Borno State, was reportedly over powered by others at the registration unit and handed over to the police. John has equally been transferred to Ado Ekiti for further investigation.

Also one Paul Ezekiel was arrested in Ikere Ward 2 for allegedly threatening officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, during the rush for registration.

Spokesman of the state police command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, who confirmed the two cases, said the soldier would be handed over to the Army formation in Ondo State to ascertain whether or not he is a soldier.
Meanwhile, the Director-General, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement, PAAM, the political organisation of one of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial aspirants, Bisi Kolawole, has called on the relevant authorities to protect NYSC members.

Source: Vanguard 

Miley Cyrus escapes injury as her tour bus bursts into flames

miley cyrus
Miley Cyrus had a lucky escape when her tour bus burst into flames late on Monday night.
The singer and her entourage were all unharmed in the incident, which left the vehicle totally gutted.
Shocking video footage posted online shows the bus burning brightly against the night sky beside the interstate.
Noah wrote: 'Cyrus bus down!!!' as she posted two videos of the incident online in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
'Thank u God for keeping us safe' Noah added. 'Yes, everyone got out safe no one is injured what so ever!! everything is okay!!'
And she finally added: 'finally in a hotel. I'm going to sleep.'
Miley is currently on the road for her Bangerz tour, and the bus is her home from home as she travels.
She often sleeps aboard, and her personal belongings are assumed to have been destroyed in the blaze.
She is due to perform in New Orleans on Tuesday night.


Judge orders Chris Brown to remain Jailed until April

Chris Brown reportedly will spend a month in jail
Brown, 24, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday following his arrest last week for violating 3 rules at a rehab facility. Brown was being treated for bipolar disorder and anger management.
Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin repeated a troubling comment Brown reportedly uttered during a group therapy session: “‘I am good at using guns and knives.’”
Geragos, who pleaded unsuccessfully to get Brown released into another rehab facility, told the judge Brown actually said, “I’m going to ask my higher power to take away my troubles”.
In addition to the troubling comments, the judge said Brown violated rules by touching a female staffer at the rehab facility, and refusing to take a drug test after leaving the facility without authorization.
Brown later took the urine test and it was negative for drugs.
Brown wore an orange jail issued jumpsuit in court — a far cry from the smartly tailored suits he usually wears for court appearances. The singer looked despondent and miserable as he sat next to his high powered attorney Mark Geragos.
Brown’s mother, Joyce Hawkins, was seen crying as she left the hearing.
From Breitbart.com:
The defense attorney argued unsuccessfully that keeping Brown in custody would be a waste of law enforcement and court resources and could create problems for the singer’s upcoming trial in Washington, D.C., on a misdemeanor assault charge.
Geragos said that trial is scheduled for April 17 but there was no way the singer could attend it if he was sitting in a Los Angeles jail.
Brandlin ordered Geragos and a prosecutor to look into options that would allow Brown to attend the trial before the probation violation hearing was held in Los Angeles.
The judge did not indicate any potential penalties he was considering if Brown is found to have violated his probation.
Geragos said the ruling to keep Brown in jail would likely force him to file an appellate court motion for the release of the singer.
Chris Brown reportedly will spend a month in jail

Sunday 16 March 2014

Nigerian Teenager gets Stabbed, Burnt to Death in Russia


According to a family source, Forester was sponsored abroad by one Mercy who is suspected to be trafficking  Nigerian girls  on the promise that she would assist them  with  decent jobs in Russia. The teenager  without hesitation, but with the approval of her mother had jumped at the offer with high hopes. Only for them to get a call from  Mercy, on Tuesday March 4,  2014 that Forester had died in an inferno. That Forester was stabbed before being set ablaze. The deceased’s elder sister, Sonia Samson told TheSunNews:
  “Her madam is the one that called us on Tuesday and told us she was locked in a room and set ablaze by some unknown Russians. She told us that she was rushed to the hospital, that they were treating her.

“Later that day, she also told us that she was initially stabbed before she was burnt. Not too long after, she told us that she was dead. The madam said she was not the only victim in the attack. She said there were five other Nigerians, that another one died four or  five days after the attack.

“My sister died mysteriously, just as another sister of mine was also killed by  armed robbers. Sincerely, I am confused because I don’t know why all this is happening to us. Particularly for me, it is so painful that I don’t really know what to say or do. This is a difficult time for the family and I believe we need to be more prayerful more than ever before.”
The late Forester, who would have been celebrating  her 18th  birthday on March 30  hails from Igbekhue in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. She completed her secondary education  in 2013.

Forester’s father, Friday Osazuwa Samson was killed four years ago in Benin by suspected armed robbers. He was shot in broad daylight in front of his shop at Upper Sakponba. Until Friday’s death, he was a successful businessman, a distributor  with Sona and Bendel breweries.

Siblings and other relatives of the late Forester’s father are worried and pained by circumstances surrounding how Forester was lured into traveling to Russia, which they described as shady. Recognizing the fact that she did not travel to Russia for further education, even as they were not also informed of such plans, they are calling on concerned authorities to wade into the matter.

They are accusing Mercy of human trafficking and  calling on National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to investigate the activities of this said Mercy. They also want the Nigerian Embassy in Russia to as a matter of urgency unravel the mystery surrounding the death of their daughter.

The dastardly act took place on March 3,  2014. Since the news  broke, the entire family has been thrown into mourning.

Sonia, who still finds it difficult to believe that her sister was gone, lamented that Forester’s death was too painful for her to easily accept. To her, she would have better been dreaming and be glad  that the story was not true.

Meanwhile, Forester’s uncle, Mr Saturday Samson Osazuwa accused Forester’s mother of conniving with the said madam (Mercy) to deceive and persuade the teenager to travel abroad. He queried why Forester’s mother, Elizabeth, decided to hide his niece’s whereabouts from him. Saturday, who now acts as a father figure to the children since their father’s death, said the mother refused to disclose where Forester was, even as he insisted on seeing her.
He said:
 “The mother was aware that Forester had traveled abroad. Not just that,  I believe she was part of the arrangement that her  17-year-old daughter  should  travel abroad. It is really unfortunate and wicked of her to have taken that decision.

“If my brother, her husband was alive, he would never allow such a thing for any of  his children. What was Forester looking for in Russia? Was it to go there and school? Certainly not. Now, she has caused the entire family pain and sorrow. The girl was beautiful and intelligent. I still cannot understand what she was sent to Russia to do at her tender age.

“For more than five months, her mother was dribbling me whenever I wanted to see Forester. I sent for her to come and see me on a number of occasions but they kept telling me that she was residing with her mother’s relatives in Benin here only for me to receive a call from them that she was dead in a fire accident in Russia. This is the girl that they kept telling me was in Benin. Until her death, the mother refused to tell anybody in our family. If she thought that the children belonged to her alone, that is where she’s mistaken.”
Also, an uncle of late Forester’s father, Mr Evabayekha Christopher, described Forester’s mother as  callous. He wondered why any reasonable mother would send her own daughter  abroad for monetary reasons.
His words:
 “What exactly will Forester be doing  abroad when she was supposed to be studying at the University of Benin or any other higher institution of learning in Nigeria? What she did is unacceptable to every member of our family.”

Crimea exit poll: 93 percent vote to join Russia

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during the Crimean referendum, in Sevastopol.

Sunday's voting was largely peaceful according to local authorities, who also touted the presence of election observers from countries like Poland and Hungary.
More than 90 percent of Crimeans voted for the Ukrainian region's accession to Russia, according to an exit poll published after a controversial referendum ended on Sunday.

93 percent supported the Crimean peninsula joining Russia, while just seven percent voted for it to remain an autonomous republic inside Ukraine, said the poll, which was commissioned and published by the semi-official Kriminform news agency.

Turnout was at more than 85 percent, election officials told the Russian Interfax news agency. Preliminary results were expected overnight.

The referendum was widely condemned by Western governments, who referred to it as "illegal". The European Union and the U.S. threatened sanctions against Russia, which they accuse of invading and annexing the Ukrainian territory.

US Secretary of State John Kerry reaffirmed that the United States considers the ongoing referendum illegal under Ukrainian law and will not recognize the outcome.

The White House called the referendum "contrary to Ukraine's constitution." "The international community will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law," a White House statement said.

Friday 14 March 2014

DRUNK IN LOVE!!!!!!! Watch Paul Okoye & Anita Isama’s Pre-Wedding Video

Paul Okoye & Anita Isama - March 2014 - BellaNaija 02
“It’s about time”! And the countdown begins.
Paul Okoye & Anita Isama - March 2014 - BellaNaija 01
 Paul Okoye of P-Square and his lovely bride-to-be Anita Isama are tying the knot the traditional way on Saturday 22nd March 2014 in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

As we all wait for the star studded D-Day, Hip TV was given all access pass for the couple’s pre-wedding photoshoot at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos.

Enjoy!

Singer Chris Brown Arrested

Chris Brown makes his way in to a court hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court on February 28, 2014
The LA Times is reporting troubled singer Chris Brown was taken into custody in Malibu today by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on a warrant connected to his 2009 arrest on domestic assault charges involving ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
Last month, Brown had been ordered to spend another 90 days in a rehab facility for anger management and drug abuse treatment. But Brown, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, reportedly did not return to the facility as ordered.
The singer was taken to the inmate reception center in downtown Los Angeles, where he was being booked into jail, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker said.
He was arrested in Malibu without incident, Parker said. No details were immediately available about what led to his arrest.
Brown is on probation for his 2009 conviction in the assault.
In November, the singer was ordered to a 90-day live-in anger-management treatment program, where he would have to complete three eight-hour days of community service each week and undergo periodic drug tests.
Prosecutors in February asked a judge to take Brown into custody for failing to live up to a probation requirement that he “obey all laws.”

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Photos: Singer Kelly Handsome Arrives On Stage In A Coffin


Kelly Hansome (6)
Controversial Nigerian singer, Kelly Handsome 'shocked' his audience during one of  his shows in Owerri last month when he showed up on stage in a coffin. Kelly, definitely out to make a grand entrance had his team carry the coffin on stage. And when the time was right, Kelly burst it open and jumped out, sending his audience into a frenzy. LOL Kelly Handsome is not scared of coffins they are empty kom kom....
Kelly Hansome (5)
Kelly Hansome (4)

LOL Emmy Collins insults AMVCA Red carpet outfits


Avant-garde and versatile designer Emmy Collins is sooo at it again. lol. Emmy, who celebrities have on so many occasions rained abuses on for mocking their red carpet outfits has published on his blog his thoughts about Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda, Toke Makinwa, Funke Akindele and Chika Ike's oufits to the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.
And here's all the mean things he wrote. Emmy says he no send anybody cos it is quite funny how some women take offence even though all you are trying to do is to inspire them.
On Uche Jombo's oufit:

I don`t even know what a neck piece is doing on her neck really. These lasses should fathom when less is more. The only good news is that when I consider the black slit cum butchered
dress that exposed Uche`s huge thighs awhile ago,then this should be regarded as making headway.
Monalisa Chinda:

What planet are these people from biko? Pluto or Mars? I really think we need to bring them down to planet earth because I can`t fathom for the life of me where they access the inspiration to underwhelm.
This dress appears to be literally bursting at all seams.The stress on the seams are quite vivid and the poor quality of the fabric didn`t help matters. Perhaps the designer coughed out a king’s ransom for this fabric but that doesn`t deflect the fact that the fabric which I`m assuming is Satin appears so cheap.

The choice of color was flawed as well. Please take your eyes to the neckline, apparently the designer was going for a heart neckline but the multiple squeezes on that area don’t say ‘heart’ to me.

We definitely need better tailors in Nigeria and also designers who understand the act of quality control because if the designers had done proper control they wouldn’t put this dress on an enemy talk more of a supposed A-lister. Is she an A-lister? Yup,she must be. Ekwesili ipia designer of this dress utali.
 Funke Akindele:

Kai, slit don suffer ni. Even Funke must show legs, abi? Wonders shall never end. Why these people no dey gree stay for their lanes, me I no sabi.

Ngwanu make I bless Funke with 2 out of 10 and see how she feels about that. This is just one hideous dress,GBAM!
 Toke Makinwa

I didn`t even know sequins are made in Yellow, lol. Loads of sins were going on in this dress when I bumped into my old friend. One of the sins were that the dress wasn`t properly pressed but then I guess considering the antecedents of NEPA coupled with the scarcity of fuel, she might have a ready-made excuse for the little indiscretion of hers.
In sumation, this dress didn`t quite cut it. And that pout? Hmmmm, women I hail una o!
 Chika Ike:
Wowww! Who do we have here? Holy shit, it’s Miss Dubai looking like an over decorated wedding cake. How could someone talk cheap and look cheap as well? That can`t be fair!