Former Rep mr chudi offodile asks Obi to resign over brewery ownership

Former member of House of Representatives, Mr. Chudi Offodile, has called on Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, to resign from office over alleged conflict of interests on his involvement in the establishment of Intafact Beverages Limited, SABmiller, Onitsha commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday.

This came barely three days after the resignation of the Minister of Power, Prof. Bath Nnaji over issues bordering on a conflict of interests in the on-going privatisation of the Power Holding of Company of Nigeria, PCHN.

Offodile also urged the president not to commission the company, saying that to do so will  amount to an endorsement of what he termed “an illegality”, as the company is allegedly jointly owned by the state government, Next International Ltd owned by Mr. Obi and his family and another company-SABmiller Nigeria Holdings.

“It would amount to an endorsement of a sordid affair and may embolden other foreigners who design and put into effect, different and newer corruption techniques with government officials. In the history of corruption in Nigeria, the Onitsha brewery scandal will rank as the most brazen”, he alleged while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

Offodile claimed that the investigations he conducted at the Corporate affairs Commission, CAC, revealed that the Obi family owns Next International Ltd and that although the governor claimed he had resigned as a director of the company, his brother, Mr. Ndihe Obi, is the current Managing Director of the company.

He challenged the governor to make public SABmiller’s total capitalisation and how much Next paid for its equity in the new brewery.

The former lawmaker also alleged that the governor revoked the land belonging to International Steel Company, claiming “overriding public interest” only to reallocate it  to the brewery on account of his personal interest in the firm.

Offodile acting a script — Obi’s aide

However, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obi on Media and Publicity, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, faulted Offodile’s argument, wondering why somebody would call on a governor that had not done anything contrary to his oath of office to resign.

He said: “If you have been reading the newspapers, you would notice that in the past two months, Offodile who is not known to have made any intellectual contributions in the newspapers, suddenly started to write regularly on Obi. This shows that somebody is calling the tune for him somewhere.”

On the issue of Next International  investing in  SABmiller, Obienyem insisted that Obi resigned his directorship and membership of the Boards of all the companies in which he had interests.

The spokesman added that Mr. Offodile did not tell the public all that he saw at the CAC because according to him, five other companies, including those owned by a Deltan and a Lagosian have shares in the SABmiller.

3 year old girl raped at Adeniji Adele

3 year old girl raped at Adeniji Adele 

This incident happened yesterday afternoon at Adeniji Adele, Dolphin Estate, Phase 2. A little girl ran into a woman's shop crying. The woman asked her why she was crying, but the little girl couldn't really express herself. She just kept pointing at a particular direction, and crying. Then a few minutes later, the shop owner saw a man approaching her shop and calling on the girl to follow him. The woman asked the man who he was and why he was after the girl. The man probably realized the women wasn't going to release the girl to him, so he tried to run. The woman raised an alarm immediately shouting ole ole, thinking he was a kidnapper, not knowing he had done something much worse.
Youths in the area thinking the man was a thief descended on him. The man kept saying he wasn't a thief that the little girl was known to him. They turned to the girl and pressured her to tell them what the guy had done to her; the 3 year old told them that the man had taken her to the last floor of a 3 story building and hurt her. They checked the girl's panties and saw blood all over her private area. The blood had even dropped to her legs but nobody noticed on time.

On hearing this, the youths descended on him once again, this time more brutal. They stripped him naked, and beat him with stick, stones, bottles, etc until someone called the police who then took the man away.

The rapist

Police taking him away

Tension in SSS over leakage of staff data

The records of the affected staff and their immediate family members were reportedly posted on a website suspected to have links with the Boko Haram sect, raising fears as to whether the information was given out by insiders or through hackers bent on using it for pecuniary purposes.

The SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, could not be reached for comments on the development as calls to her phone were not answered.

However, a competent source acknowledged that the agency was aware of the development and had begun investigations into it.

The security source, who described the development as strange and embarrassing to the agency, said that those behind the act would be apprehended and made to account for their misdeeds.

Another source familiar with the agency, said they were suspicious that the staff data were sourced from the data submitted by the affected personnel to a federal government pension agency, which the SSS recently broke away from.

It was learnt that the pension agency might have taken offence and thrown away the data from its archive following an approval by the Presidency that the spy body should set up and run its own pension scheme due to the peculiar nature of its assignment.

“We have a strong suspicion that this information leaked to the website in question was taken directly from the pension agency.

“A cursory examination of the information including the staff records and their family members bear semblance to that which we filled with our former pension managers.

“We are still investigating the source of the information,” the source said.

The Associated Press reported, yesterday, that the personnel records of some past and present SSS staff members including home addresses and names of their immediate family members were leaked onto the Internet in a threatening message that claimed to come from a radical Islamist sect that has killed hundreds of people this year alone.

Adele: I'm NOT Married!

Just one day after Life & Style claimed Adele ran off and secretly got hitched, the star came forward and slammed the reports.

The tabloid reports the "Someone Like You" singer and her boyfriend Simon Konecki had a “secret wedding” and that she was seen shortly after wearing a “gold wedding band."

Clearly tired of reading the tabloids, Adele took to Twitter to clear up the rumors simply writing, "I'm not married," followed by the sleepy gesture, "Zzzzzzz."

Earlier today, a source persisted the story was true, telling Mail Online, "They did get married, and I was present. It was a fabulous occasion. Adele was dressed in a classic attire and Simon looked very smart and joyous."

Although she might not have tied the knot, Adele still has a bundle of joy to look forward to, after posting on her web site in June, "Im delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together."

Paralympics: Nigeria's Adesokan wins 1st gold, breaks World record

Paralympics: Nigeria's Adesokan wins 1st gold, breaks World record

Yakubu Adesokan has won the first gold medal for Nigeria in the on-going Paralympic Games in London.

The 33 year-old did it in style by breaking the world record in the men's 48 category by lifting 178 kg, which is over three times his body weight!  Yakubu!

ONITSHA HEAD BRIDGE RENAMED:

ONITSHA HEAD BRIDGE RENAMED:
**CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU GATEWAY**
TO EASTERN NIGERIA! 

London Metropolitan University students fear deportation

London Metropolitan University has had its right to sponsor students from outside the EU revoked, and will no longer be allowed to authorise visas.

The UK Border Agency says student attendance is not being monitored and that many have no right to be here.

The university said it would be challenging UKBA's claims.

A task force has been set up to help students affected by the decision which means some 2,000 overseas, non-EU, students have 60 days to find an alternative institution to sponsor them or face deportation.

Announcing the move on Wednesday night, the UK Border Agency said London Metropolitan University had "failed to address serious and systemic failings" identified six months ago.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England said it was an "unprecedented situation which relates only to London Metropolitan University" - which has a total of 30,000 students.

It added: "It will not affect existing or future international students at other universities. No other UK university has had its licence to sponsor international students revoked, and UKBA's decision does not in any way reflect concern about licensing arrangements at other universities in the UK."

The university's Highly Trusted Status (HTS) was suspended last month while the UKBA examined alleged failing, preventing it from being allowed to recruit overseas students.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said London Metropolitan University had failed in three particular areas:

• More than a quarter of the 101 students sampled were studying at the university when they had no leave to remain in this country
• Some 20 of 50 checked files found "no proper evidence" that the students' mandatory English levels had been reached
• And some 142 of 250 (57%) sampled records had attendance monitoring issues which meant it was impossible for the university to know whether students were turning up for classes or not.
• Professor Malcolm Gillies, the university's vice chancelllor, described the claims made against the institution as "not particularly cogent" and said it would be disputing them.
  He said: "I am not going to say that we accept what is stated in the letter sent to us revoking our licence.
  "We only received it at 8pm last night and are currently doing a full analysis, working together with the best lawyers in the country.
  "I would go so far as to say that UKBA has been rewriting its own guidelines on this issue and this is something which should cause concern to all universities in the UK."
  'Panic and heartbreak'
  The university added it had already started to work with the UKBA, Hefce, the NUS and its own students' union to tackle the issues.
  Although there have been other suspensions, no other UK university has been fully stripped of its ability to recruit overseas students.
  The NUS has contacted Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May to "express anger at the way that decisions have been made in recent weeks and to reiterate the potentially catastrophic effects on higher education as a £12.5bn per year export industry for the UK".
  NUS president Liam Burns said: "This decision will create panic and potential heartbreak for students not just at London Met but also all around the country.
  "This heavy-handed decision makes no sense for students, no sense for institutions and no sense for the country. This situation and the botched process by which the decision was arrived at could be avoided if international students were not included in statistics of permanent migrants."
  Mr Burns added the decision could have been limited to future students rather than covering existing ones.
  'Last resort'
  But the UKBA said allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students "was not an option".
  It said it had been working with the university since it identified failings six months ago.
  It added: "These are problems with one university, not the whole sector. British universities are among the best in the world - and Britain remains a top-class destination for top-class international students.
  "We are doing everything possible, working with Universities UK, to assist genuine students that have been affected."
  Universities Minister David Willetts has announced a task force to help overseas students affected by the decision, which will include UKBA and the NUS.
  He said: "It is important that genuine students who are affected through no fault of their own are offered prompt advice and help, including, if necessary, with finding other institutions at which to finish their studies."
  But Universities UK President Professor Eric Thomas said there were alternative ways of addressing UKBA's concerns and that the "revocation of a university's licence should only be a decision of last resort".
  It added that the move would cause anxiety and distress to many legitimate international students.
  University and College Union warned that the move would have an impact on future recruitment of foreign students.
  Its general secretary Sally Hunt said: "No matter how this is dressed up, the damaging message that the UK deports foreign students studying at UK universities will reach all corners of the globe."

Kris Humphries Sued for Allegedly Giving Woman Herpes

In a bizarre twist to the Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries divorce drama, the NBA player has just been sued by a woman claiming he gave her herpes.

, Kayla Goldberg claims she met Kris in August 2010 at the Newsroom Cafe in Los Angeles and later flirted at the Trousdale nightclub on the Sunset Strip. Kayla alleges he then took her to his hotel and had sex with her multiple times, including orally.

The complaint states that during a portion of the encounter, a condom was not used. A week later, she was diagnosed with herpes.

Now, Miss Goldberg is suing for sexual battery, claiming the 27-year-old knew he had herpes when they had sex, but failed to tell her.

Humphries rep fired back saying that he's “100 percent sure she did not contract [herpes] from him." They refused to entertain her multimillion-dollar demands.

Bill & Giuliana Rancic Welcome Baby Edward Duke!

After bravely battling cancer in the public realm, Giuliana Rancic has been gifted with the priceless gift of being a proud first time mother!

It's a pleasure to report that the 37-year-old E! News anchor and her loving husband Bill welcomed baby Edward Duke Rancic into the world at 10:12PM on Wednesday night (August 29).

Offering a few details in sharing the joyous news, proud papa Bill tweeted a message on Thursday (August 30) reading, "“The ‘Duke’ has landed! Edward Duke Rancic was welcomed into the world last night at 7lbs 4oz. G & I feel blessed beyond words…We did it!”

The Rancic's first announced that they were expecting via gestational carrier during an appearance on the "Today" show back in April, while later revealing the sex of their bundle of joy in June.

Married Pastor Arrested for Spreading HIV Amongst Church Member in Atlanta

Married Pastor Arrested for Spreading HIV Amongst Church Member in Atlanta
In a shocking tale it has been reported that a married pastor has allegedly been arrested for infecting multiple women with the HIV virus. “Pastor” Craig Lamar Davis, of Atlanta’s Full Gospel Baptist Church, is accused of passing the virus to unsuspecting members of the female congregation, reports WVIG. At least two women have come forward to press charges.

The report goes onto say that Davis was arrested for reckless conduct after investigators discovered he was sleeping with several women in the church. He apparently admitted he’s HIV positive but recklessly chose to have unprotected sex.

The explosive story has been trending on social networking sites and has been the subject of several blogs after it was originally posted by blogger Obnoxious. According to an email sent to the blogger, by a woman named Ronita McAfee, Davis had sex with her while he hid is HIV status.

She says she met him on Facebook and in a short time they started meeting at his home to have sex. A few months into the affair, McAfee claims Davis called and told her that one of his ex-girlfriends had told him she’s tested positive for HIV.

McAfee claims after Davis continued to refuse to get tested; she filed a police report and authorities took out a warrant for his arrest. Later, she discovered another woman had allegedly contracted HIV from Davis.

Did Kim Kardashian Just Have Her Wedding Dress Fitting?

Did Kim Kardashian Just Have Her Wedding Dress Fitting?
Kim Kardashian isn't even officially divorced from ex-husband Kris Humphries yet, though it looks as though she's wasting no time in picking out her next gown. The reality star caused a storm on Instagram this week by posting herself wearing an all-white backless gown that looks very much like a wedding dress to us.

Kim added "Late night fitting", intensifying the speculation that she could soon be walking down the aisle once again. Kim Kardashian's 'wedding dress' certainly suits the reality star, though it's unlikely that she'll be able to marry Kanye anytime soon. She is still embroiled in a messy battle over her separation from Kris Humphries, who alleges that Kim only married him to increase the ratings on 'Keeping up with the Kardashians'. The pair married in a lavish ceremony in Montecito, California, last year, though stayed together for just 72 days, representing one of the shortest celebrity marriages ever. Both party's lawyers went head-to-head in court earlier this month, though little progress was made and it was unclear what Humphries wanted from the divorce. Some reports have suggested he is keen to put "reality television" on trial - a plan that's probably unlikely to go down well with the judge, or Kim's legal team for that matter.

Kim appears to be much happier with Kanye, and the pair have been largely inseparable in recent months.

N5,000 note: Reps summon Sanusi

THE House  of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency yesterday summoned the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to explain how the introduction of N5,000 notes will  promote  its planned cashless policy.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Committee, Jones Onyereri and his Deputy, Haruna Manu while briefing newsmen. Onyereri declared that “the House Committee will invite the CBN to know whether the apex bank is still pursuing the cashless policy, and how this higher currency note complements the cashless policy or if it contracdicts the policy what the next step should be”.

The Committee Chairman added “we believe that the Nigerian people deserve to know whether there is a short, medium and long term strategy through which the introduction of these new denominations will bring benefits to the monetary system.

“The Committee on Banking and Currency is mindful of the fact that the CBN has not communicated its plan of introducing a N5,000 note  to the committee.

“Whereas we fully respect the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution and the Central Bank’s autonomy as provided in the Central Bank Act 2007 as amended, as well as the Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act, we have a responsibility to the Nigerian people to engage the Executive arm on issues that may have a far reaching effects on the economy, and affect the day-to-day lives of the ordinary Nigerians”.

He further stressed that “as representatives of the people, with particular oversight responsibility over the banking industry, we have set up the processes to immediately address the matter. In doing so, we will rely strictly on provisions of the Constitution of  the  Federal Republic of Nigeria,  the Central Bank Nigeria Act of 2007 as amended, the Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act, as well as other requisite legal and regulatory instruments.

“The Committee on Banking and Currency has been briefed on the cashless and wireless payment system policy of the Central Bank, which we understand is designed to reduce the actual cash in circulation while not affecting the volume of money available to citizens; this simply means cashless policy is not a monetary policy instrument used to reduce cash in circulation, as it leaves the cash available in the system unaffected while at the same time substantially reducing the volumes of currency in circulation by converting currency to electronic payment codes.

“We understand that the cashless policy encourages payment with a credit card, debit card or mobile money, which means a citizen will avoid the high risk of travelling with currency for large transactions.

“This is the direction the Central Bank has been following. The understanding is that carrying less cash is in every body’s interest as it reduces the risk, it reduces the money spent on printing currency and it reduces the money spent on movement of currency, as well as on security and safe guards for large consignments of currency”.

Due process and rule of law

He said,”the intervention of the House is to ensure that due process is followed and rule of law adhered to. We assure you that we will also be mindful of the effect of this or any other Banking policy on the ordinary Nigerian. The following factors will thus be key to our consideration; cost of implementing the policy to government, the inflationary trend, devaluation implication and cashless policy derivative “.

“We will keep an open mind while engaging the bank management to have a full picture and understanding of the thinking at the Central Bank and reasons for this action.

“Our constituents have already inundated us with reports, petitions and write ups with arguments on both sides of the policy divide, but we believe that at this time the most effective and prudent response for the committee would be to get a full briefing on the policy from the Central Bank after which we will take a position.”

It would be recalled that the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency had last Monday stopped the CBN from introducing the new N5,000 notes.

Oil dealer lays claim to Ibori’s $15m

Contro-versies regarding who owns the $15 million allegedly offered to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by the convicted erstwhile Governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori, in 2007, has assumed a fresh dimension as one Chibuike Achigbu, yesterday, approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to lay claim to the money.

In an application he filed through a consortium of lawyers, among whom were three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, Achigbu, who identified himself as an oil magnate, told the court that he actually gave the $15 million to Dr. Andy Uba, a former aide to the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, for the purpose of financing Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the 2007 general elections.

The applicant, in an affidavit he deposed to before the high court, averred that following his desire to ensure that PDP secured power at various levels of governance in the country during the 2007 elections, he promptly sought legal advice on whether he could offer monetary assistance to the party.

He said though his initial target was to raise N3 billion for the party through his associates, however, it dawned on him around April 2007, when the election was already close, that he had already raised money in excess of N2 billion after which he realised that such donations could only be made through a financial institution.

Achigbu further told the court that it was in his bid to make the donations within the ambit of the law that he approached Senator Uba to help him reach out to the relevant agencies of government that would investigate and certify that the funds were raised honestly and in good faith.

He said it was at that juncture that Uba advised that the fund be handed to him, saying he would transmit it to EFCC for security checks before it could be donated to PDP.

Achigbu said: “Andy Uba was a Special Assistant in the Presidency who offered to take custody of the fund with a view to inviting EFCC to carry out the audit and certification before being donated to PDP.”

Achigbu told the court that it was after he had delivered the money to Uba that he began to hear rumours about an attempt by ex-Governor Ibori to bribe the then chairman of EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, adding that owing to the fact that he had no interaction with Ibori, he never paid attention to the rumour nor thought it had any bearing with the money he gave to Uba for clearance by the anti-graft agency.

Moreso, the applicant maintained that due to the political ambition of Uba to become the governor of Anambra State, he lost contact with him and was not able to reach him to ask for an update regarding the fund.

He said: “It was not until several months after Uba’s election was voided at the Supreme Court that I succeeded in making contact with him.”

The applicant stressed that since then, he was not in speaking terms with Uba until August 27, 2012, when he said he received a call from Uba informing him that the $15 million in question was the same money he collected from him.

He said Uba specifically confirmed to him that it was Ibrahim Lamorde, the then Director of Operations of EFCC, that was instructed to receive the money from him (Uba) on April 25, 2007. Achigbu said Uba had also agreed to depose to an affidavit to own up to the facts deposed to in his application.

Meanwhile, the high court presided over by Justice Gladys Olotu, yesterday, struck out another application that was filed by one Timipa Okponipkere, asking that the $15 million be handed to the Delta State government, even as it fixed September 17 to hear arguments between the state and Federal Government regarding who has the legal right to claim ownership of the money.

May D's official Youtube Channel deleted

May D's official Youtube Channel deleted

The singers Youtube channel (officialmayd) was deleted two days back. What no one knows for sure is who really deleted the channel which was managed by Iroko Partners and had over a million views; May D himself or Square Records.

P-Square's record label, Square Records, sacked May D last week after being signed to the label for over one year.

Ebonyi police arrest 7 men for killing 7-year-old girl

Ebonyi police arrest 7 men for killing 7-year-old girl

 

Officers of the Ebonyi State Police Command, on Tuesday, announced the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the murder of a 7-year-old girl, Ukamaka Ogboji.

The victim was allegedly killed for ritual purposes on Sunday at Agubia in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state. The suspects had earlier kidnapped Ogboji for monetary gains, and then dismembered her body parts before dumping same in a cassava farm.

 

The State Police Command spokesperson, Sylvester Igbo, while confirming the arrest of the suspects, commended the community youth organisation known as Ebonyi Youth Assembly for their assistance towards the arrest of the suspects.

Igbo revealed that two of the suspects had already confessed to the crime, adding that the police had commenced full investigation to ascertain the motive behind the brutal killing of the deceased.
“What we have observed at the scene made us to attribute the killing to ritual killing and not kidnapping, because the corpse of the deceased was without two legs, hands and eyes,” he said.

“From the act, it is a ritual killing. Through police investigation, we have been able to arrest seven suspects, among whom two have confessed to the crime. One of them confessed that his mother was the spiritual mother of the girl when she was baptised.”

Kanye West finds Kim Kardashian 'fearsome'

Kanye West finds Kim Kardashian 'fearsome'
Kanye West is reportedly not enjoying girlfriend Kim Kardashian's 'full-on' personality.

The couple went public with their romance in April after several years of friendship.

Kim, who is still legally married to estranged husband Kris Humphries after filing for divorce 72 days following their wedding, is said to be scaring Kanye with her assertiveness.

The rapper believes that Kim's character traits mirror that of her momager mother Kris Jenner.

'Kris can be fearsome at the best of times, and Kim already shares some of her traits,' a friend of Kanye's told the US edition of OK! magazine.

'Kim can be bossy, and she likes to be in control, getting her own way - just like her mom.

'When they started dating, Kanye adored the way that Kim was assertive and ambitious. But now the novelty is wearing off. She's full-on all the time, and he can't ever relax.'

It was rumoured that the pair were discussing marriage, but it is now believed that Kanye isn't too keen on the idea.

'Much as Kanye loves Kim, he's terrified that as she gets older she'll become more like her mom - and he's not sure he can live with that,' the source said.

Oprah Tops Forbes' 21 Highest Paid Celebrity List

Just one year after ending her daytime talk show, Oprah Winfrey found herself at the top of Forbes' just-released 21 highest paid celebrities list.

The 58-year-old's financial empire has been recognized by the business magazine for four years in a row after calculating how much money she rakes in every twelve months.

Forbes estimated Oprah earned $165 million between May 2011 and May 2012 which puts her ahead of "Transformers" mastermind Michael Bay ($160 million) and director/producer legend Steven Spielberg ($130 million).

The magazine explained they took into account endorsements, profits, upfront pay and advertising work when compiling the list of 21 wealthiest celebrities.

The complete rundown of this year's 21 highest paid celebs is as follows:

1) Oprah Winfrey - $165 Million
2) Michael Bay - $160 Million
3) Steven Spielberg - $130 Million
4) Jerry Bruckheimer - $115 Million
5) Dr. Dre - $110 Million
6) Tyler Perry - $105 Million
7) Howard Stern - $95 Million
8) James Patterson - $94 Million
9) George Lucas - $90 Million
10) Simon Cowell - $90 Million
11T) Sir Elton John - $80 Million
11T) Glenn Beck - $80 Million
13) Tom Cruise - $75 Million
14) Dick Wolf - $70 Million
15) Rush Limbaugh - $69 Million
16) Manny Pacquiao - $67 Million
17) Dr. Phil - $64 Million
18) Donald Trump - $63 Million
19) Tom Cruise - $59 Million
20T) Britney Spears - $58 Million
20T) Tiger Woods - $58 Million