Turai Yar’Adua. floors Patience Goodluck Jonathan in court over Abuja land dispute

Turai  Yar’Adua. floors Patience Goodluck Jonathan  in court over Abuja land dispute



The  cold war between two Nigerian “first-ladies”, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan and wife of late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, Turai, over a juicy plot of land in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, reached its feverish heights Thursday.

Their uncanny rivalry, which has exposed the country to public ridicule within the international circles, deepened  after an Abuja High Court, presided over by Justice Peter Affen, declared that the disputed land where the incumbent “first-lady”, Patience, recently hosted her counterparts from other African countries, belonged to Turai Yar’Adua.

In his judgment, Justice Affen maintained that the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, acted illegally when he revoked the Certificate of Occupancy for the land originally allocated to a Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, “The Registered Trustee of Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation, WYEF”, a pet project initiated by Turai, and re-awarded it to Patience Jonathan for the construction of a secretariat of the “First Ladies Peace Mission.”

According to the judge, “the said plot No. 1347 Cadastral Zone AOO, Central Business District, Abuja, was originally allocated to the plaintiff (WYEF) for the building of a public institution, a vocational training center, in-line with the provision of section 28(1) of the Land Use Act.

“The vocational center is for public purpose and the title deed of the disputed land cannot just be revoked on the premise of over-riding public interest.

“Public interest is not limited to the purpose of government alone, the purported revocation stands precariously, if at all it stands.

“Any revocation in the exercise of the power of the Minister under the Land Use Act must be within the confine or tenets of section 28(1) of the Act. More so, the defendant woefully failed to adduce evidence to support its claims of overriding public interest.

“Consequently, I uphold the submissions of the plaintiffs counsel and declare that the said revocation was done in bad-faith and is hereby nullified,” the judge added.

Reacting through her lawyer, Mrs Ima Okpongete , Mrs. Jonathan, contended that the presiding judge erred in law by returning the land to the former first lady, contrary to overriding public interest.

She said: “We are not satisfied with this judgment and we are going to appeal against it immediately.”

It will be recalled that in a bid to save the country from embarrassment over the lingering land dispute,  Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, earlier begged the court to allow him broker an out-of-court settlement deal for the warring “first-ladies”.

Wyclef Jean’s shady charity Yele Haiti hit lawsuit

Wyclef Jean’s shady charity Yele Haiti hit  lawsuit 





Wyclef Jean's scandal-scarred Yele Haiti foundation is being sued by a hospitality firm that says the now-defunct charity owes it $108,972.
Yele stiffed HVS Global Hospitality Services for job training it gave to Haitians in 2011 at the charity's request, HVS claimed in a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
It's the first New York lawsuit filed against the Manhattan-based charity activated in 2005 by former Fugees front man Wyclef Jean. Several Haiti-based companies have reportedly sued the organization over unpaid debts on the island.
Yele reported taking in $2 million almost overnight in the wake of the 2010 earthquake that devastated the strife-torn country - but its heightened international profile led to questions about spotty bookkeeping and frequent payouts to members of Jean's family.
Yele shut down in 2012 after a forensic audit challenged foundation payments to Jean, his family and associates from the $16 million pot that the organization raised over seven years.
The New York State Attorney General reportedly opened an investigation into its finances after it was revealed Yele didn't file income tax returns for several years.
HVS's lawsuit says Yele agreed to pay $285,000 for a hospitality and education training program in Haiti in May 2011.
Yele signed a contract promising to pay HVS in installments over the course of the six-month training, according to court papers.
But the controversial charity fell behind immediately and ignored invoices sent by HVS, the suit says.
HVS is suing the charity to recoup the initial payments it never received, plus interest lost on the amount since April 20, 2012. The company also wants Yele to pay its attorney fees, court papers show.
Jean, 43, an acclaimed musician born on Haiti but raised in the U.S., has said his foundation's troubled finances were due to ignorance, not corruption.
"My dad always told me, 'If you're a man with a clear conscience, speak with a clear conscience and the world will know,'" the superstar singer said in 2010.
"Have we made mistakes before? Yes. Did I ever use Yele money for personal benefit? Absolutely not," said Jean, who flirted with the idea of running for president of Haiti three years ago.
A spokeswoman for the hip-hop mogul declined to comment on the lawsuit.

2Face’ Idibia to tour schools to inspire students

 2Face’  Idibia to tour schools to inspire students

A pop star, Innocent Idibia  (a.k.a, 2Face), says he will do his best to influence  the youth to be resourceful and self-reliant.

Idibia said in Lagos on Thursday that he would tour some tertiary institutions to inspire students to develop their talents.

He noted that education institutions were among the most important sections of any society.

“It is the schools that produce the leaders of tomorrow; so, social development which are happening outside their walls should be taken to them.

“The music industry in Nigeria is a very strong opinion shaper in the society; getting closer to students is a very good way of influencing their thoughts and inspiring them”.

Idibia said that the Nigerian music industry had become a force to reckon with, adding that the country was blessed with numerous talents.

“We have successfully built a veritable industry that represents the country internationally, and many talents exist in the schools.

“ I am a product of a school – the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu.

“That is one of the major reasons IMT is on my tour list.

“ It is a very emotional choice for me because the school was a very important part of my development.

“That was where Plantashun Boiz began and I have very fond memories,” Idibia said.

Idibia is set for a month-long tour of selected tertiary institutions in the country this month.

The schools include the universities of Lagos, Benin, Port-Harcourt and Abuja.

Idibia has practised as a solo artiste for almost a decade.

One of his biggest hits is the “African Queen” which is the soundtrack of a Hollywood movie, “Phat Girls’’. (NAN)

KRIS KROSS RAPPER DIES CHRIS KELLY DEAD AT 34

KRIS KROSS RAPPER DIES CHRIS KELLY DEAD AT 34





Chris Kelly -- one half of the iconic rap group Kris Kross -- died today in Atlanta at the age of 34


According to FOX 5 in Atlanta, Kelly was found unconscious in his home and was pronounced dead around 5:30PM EST at the south campus of the Atlanta Medical Center.

As part of Kris Kross, Kelly shot to super stardom in the '90s with the group's mega hit, "Jump."  They were also famous for wearing their clothing on backwards.

Back in February -- Kelly and his rap partner, Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith, reunited for a long overdue performance.

Chris Kelly, left, of the rap duo Kris Kross has died at age 34 of a drug overdose.
Kelly, also known as Mac Daddy, along with Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith, also 34, (pictured above right) formed the successful kiddie rap group Kris Kross in 1992 at age 13. The group rocketed to fame with hit records “Jump” and “Warm It Up”, off their debut album, Totally Krossed Out.

NLC blasts Jonathan over Alamieyeseigha pardon

 NLC blasts Jonathan over Alamieyeseigha pardon


The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the pardon granted to former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. NLC described the pardon as a major dent on the Federal Government’s commitment to fight corruption. President of the NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar, who said this in his address at the centenary May Day celebration in Abuja, noted that corruption remained the most serious factor undermining the realization of our economic potential and urged the Jonathan administration to deal with all pending cases of corruption if he must reclaim its lost ground and reassure Nigerians of its genuine determination to fight corruption.

The NLC president, while charging government to take the fight against corruption more seriously, lamented that “over the past 10 years, there has been a catalogue of corruption allegations against highly placed government officials announced with fanfare, in some cases charged to court, but which have since vanished from national view without diligent prosecution.”

Earlier in his address, President Goodluck Jonathan, while noting that his transformation agenda was about taking and implementing measures to give Nigeria a brighter tomorrow, said Labour had been in the fore front of the demand for good governance and increased action against corruption which his administration was pursuing vigorously from various fronts. The president said prosecutions were being pursued in matters arising from petroleum subsidy fraud, embezzlement of pension fund and other serious long-standing malpractices demystified by his administration.

He said: “Given that some of these perpetrators are senior and junior members of labour unions, greater attention to peer review action on the part of labour will be much appreciated.” The Workers Day, which took place at the Eagle Square, featured a march past by workers, who marched and danced to the beautiful tunes from the Guards Brigade and police band. On insecurity,

Omar, while lamenting on the daily killings and slaughtering of innocent Nigerians in incidences of armed robbery, assassination, kidnappings, arson, communal clashes, bombings, insurgencies and food insecurity, among others, attributed the menace to products of years of poor leadership, bad governance, weak institutions, lack of accountability, corrosive corruption, political impunity, poor planning and prioritization, socio-economic injustices and inequities. He appealed to members of the Boko Haram group to lay down their arms and step out for reconciliation talks.

Omar, who also spoke on the growing rate of unemployment, which, he described as monumental, said: “It is obvious that we are facing an unemployment time bomb in our nation.” He lamented that majority of those affected were youths who constituted a veritable army of the hungry, disillusioned and angry “that can undermine the stability, security and peace of any nation if left unattended.”

He maintained that the crisis of underdevelopment, which had continued to engulf the nation, was fuelled mainly by corruption and called on government to account for the actual number of barrels of oil pumped from our reserves. Also speaking,

President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, while calling on government to pay more attention to the agricultural sector by addressing the problems, which, he said, included inadequate funding, briefcase farmers, substantial non-mechanization, inadequate irrigation, poor transportation, lack of storage and processing facilities, among others, noted that the agricultural sector had the capacity of regaining its lost position as the mainstay of the nation’s economy and providing employment for 70 percent of the population.

On the amnesty granted to the Boko Haram members, Esele, urged the government to draw the line between amnesty and justice, especially when many innocent people had been killed. He also called on government not to overlook the root causes, which, he said, included mass illiteracy and ignorance, poverty and deprivation, widespread unemployment and proffer solution to them as soon as possible.

3Morehouse student including a Nigerian, face rape, other charges

3Morehouse  student  including a Nigerian, face rape, other charges


 Three Morehouse College athletes have been accused of rape and other charges.

Chukwudi Ndudikwa and Malcolm Frank face rape and aggravated sodomy charges.  Tevin Mgbo is looking at charges of aggravated sodomy, kidnapping and reckless conduct.

According to court documents the incident involving those three suspects happened March 8 at the East Suites.

The victim told police there was a party celebrating Spring Break and then they went to a club.

The victim says she admits drinking some alcohol but says she did not use drugs, and does not remember much of what happened at the club or afterward.

Several witnesses say the victim did have sex with several men in several rooms, and one witness says the victim used a drug.

One witness also said the victim was drunk, dancing, fell and hit her head.

One of the victim's friends says he tried to help her but she would not allow it. He told police she kept hitting him and even picked up a knife and tried to stab him saying she knew what she was doing. He says the next morning the victim was unaware of what happened and he took her to the hospital.

Another witness says some of the suspects came and confronted the victim about the rape accusations. That witness said he told them "no one forced her to do it but she was not fully aware of where she was or what she was doing".

Once campus police were told of the incidents, they identified and arrested the men.

As reported from Morehouse College, students who violate the school's code of conducts and the law will receive disciplinary actions, which could mean dismissal from the college.

In an unrelated incident, Lucien Kidd was arrested and charged with rape in April.

Head football coach Rich Freeman said Kidd tried out for the football team in 2010, but he never made the cut. Kidd came out during Fall camp that year, but by the time the 2010 season started, he did not make the roster.

11Alive News contacted the Maroon Tigers Athletic Director, Andre Pattillo Wednesday afternoon. He refused to comment.

Morehouse College police and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office are working together to investigate each case.

Meanwhile, several students 11 Alive spoke with in the Atlanta University Center complex didn't know about the incident.

Many, especially women, were upset the dorm incident happened on March 8th and the university still hadn't told them.

"I guess the school's trying to keep it on a low key thing; they did a great job of doing it 'cause no one found about it, no one," said Morehouse student Richard Washington.

"That's terrible, you know, you send you child to school for education and a safe environment...make connections and friends," said Morehouse student Jonathan Saxon.

"It's sad that something like that...happened on campus," he added.

"I feel like we should all be informed about what's going on in the community, seeing as there's three colleges here," said Clark Atlanta student Deshemika Benton.

"The public safety in the area is more reactive than proactive, which leaves us to defend ourselves," said Clark Atlanta student Marquet Cross.

Veteran prosecutor Al Dixon spent 27 years in the Fulton County District Attorney's office, many of them as deputy DA. He said this case is a complicated one.

"If you voluntarily drink to the point that you're still conscious, that's one thing," he said. "But if you drank so much to the point that you pass out and then someone takes advantage of you, that's a different thing."

"In this particular case, it appears that she was conscious and not unconscious. That would be tough for the prosecution. What this boils down to is whether the defendants in this particular case thought that she had given a valid consent."

Dixon said the district attorney's office will likely investigate over the next few months and re-interview eyewitnesses before deciding whether to indict.

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey Renew Marriage Vows

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey Renew Marriage Vows


Media mogul Nick Cannon, 32, and R&B Diva Mariah Carey-Cannon, 43, “exclusively invited ET’s Nancy O’Dell to celebrate the renewal of their vows Tuesday on their 5th wedding anniversary at a lavish private ceremony at Disneyland.” Mariah and Nick also celebrated the 2nd birthdays of their twin toddlers, son Moroccan Scott and daughter Monroe. The photo above is from the intimate celebration which took place outside the Sleeping Beauty Castle.
The Cannons stayed in the luxuriously appointed Dream Suite above the Pirates of the Caribbean Disney attraction.

Mariah wore a princess-inspired bridal gown and Cannon and his son were smartly dressed in matching Michael Jackson-inspired white jackets with gold gilded epaulets on the shoulders.

From ET Online:

The twins sat in the front row to witness the vow renewals which were themed, “Do you believe in fairy tales?” Immediately after the ceremony, there was a burst of fireworks, a surprise for Carey.

The Royal Footman from Cinderella, Major Domo, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and escorted the approximately 250 guests to Fantasyland for a champagne toast and reception DJ’d by Cannon. The space was adorned with 15,000 blooms imported from South Africa, Holland and France, and 10,000 crystals. Guests were able to take advantage of the park being closed to the public and ride the famous Matterhorn Bobsleds, the King Arthur Carousel and peruse the Peter Pan and Snow White attractions.

Some married couples renew their wedding vows in an effort to inject that special something back into their marriage. That “something” is Dopamine, the brain chemical that attracted them to each other in the first place. The chemical usually wanes about a year into a marriage. Naturally, couples believe the diminishing dopamine means the “love” is gone from their marriage. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Real Love survives the test of time.