Monday, February 29, 2016
Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded the immediate past Minister of Interior, Abba Moro in Prison custody over his alleged complicity in a N676million job scam.
Moro was remanded at Kuje prison after he pleaded not guilty to an 11-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Equally remanded in prison custody was ‎a Deputy Director in the ministry, Mr. F. O Alayebami.
Abba Moro
Abba Moro

However, Justice Chikere granted administrative bail to the 2nd defendant, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia, who was a former ‎Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior when the alleged fraud was committed.

Mrs. Daniel-Nwobia who is nursing a baby, through her lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, persuaded the court to allow her to go home to take care of her baby.
Meantime, Justice Chikere has adjourned the case till next week Wednesday to consider whether or not the former Minister and his alleged accomplice should be released on bail pending their trial.
EFCC earlier told the court that ‎one of the accused persons, Mahmood Ahmadu, who was a Director at Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd, a firm that was allegedly used to perpetuate the botched March 15, 2014 Immigration recruitment exercise that killed no fewer than 20 job seekers across the country, is currently at large.
The charge against the accused persons borders on obtaining by false pretence, procurement fraud and money laundering.
‎Specifically, EFCC alleged that the defendants defrauded 676,675 Nigerian applicants of N676,675,000 (Six Hundred and Seventy Six Million, Six Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira).
Each of the 676,675 applicants were charged N1,000 each for participating in the ill-fated Immigration recruitment exercise.
Besides, the defendants were alleged to have flouted the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.
The anti-graft agency said its investigations revealed that the firm which it said was not validly registered to operate in Nigeria, never bided for the contract.
It said the contract was awarded through selective tendering procedure by invitation of 4 (Four) firms without seeking the approval of the Bureau for Public Procurement, contrary to sections 40, 42 and 43 of the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 and punishable under section 58 of the same act.

Monday, February 29, 2016
THE police detectives attached to ‘A’ Division Police Station Warri, Delta State have arrested five female teenagers and a young lady (name withheld) for alleged sex trade with one Burkar Hassan.
The arrest of the girls took place last week following a tip-off on their activities around Warri Motor Park during nightfall.
Mother of one of the girls, who pleaded anonymity, told Southern City News that she initiated the arrest when her daughter spent the night outside.



She said, “When I saw them, I knew that they must know about the whereabouts of my daughter who did not pass the night in my house.

“First, it was the first time my daughter, a Primary 3 pupil, did not sleep in my house. I decided to lodge a complaint to the police because we have been hearing
stories about these girls sleeping with one Alhaji for money.”

The police image maker in the state, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the arrest of the teenage girls and a young lady, said they confessed they were given N10, 000 each for the night, adding that the police were on the trail of the Alhaji.

There has been suspicion over the illicit sex business and fear that it could be fetish as the teenage female sex hawkers were subjected to special spirit bath after sex bouts.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board has relieved the Head teacher of Ojojo Primary School in Warri South Local Government Area of the state, Mrs. Konboye Mowoe, of her position for allegedly extorting money from pupils of the school.

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Sunny Ogwu, who confirmed this to Southern City News, said the decision of the board was informed by the overwhelming evidence against the headmistress.
Ogwu said the headmistress had been directed to hand over the administration of the school to her assistant, Miss Sule Taibat, in charge of academic, with immediate effect.

While describing the action of some of the pupils who attended classes in mufti as absurd, the board chairman disclosed that on enquiry, the pupils alleged that they were not given school uniforms after they had made payments.

When asked how much they paid, they claimed they paid N1, 500 for school uniform and N2, 500 for other levies making a total of N4, 000 that the affected pupils paid to the authority of the school.

The embattled head teacher confirmed to the chairman in her explanation that the school was collecting N1, 500 from pupils for school uniform, another N1, 500 for inter-house sports and N750 per pupil as PTA levy, adding that she got authority to collect the levy from the PTA of the school.

Monday, February 29, 2016
Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio finally snagged Oscars gold on Sunday, 22 years after his first Academy Award nomination – proving he really is not just a pretty face.
Though one of the world’s biggest and most bankable stars – “Titanic” rocketed him to the A-list in 1997 – the 41-year-old had been unable until now to take home the golden statuette despite four previous acting nominations.
This year, however, his intense portrayal of 19th century fur trapper Hugh Glass in the survival epic “The Revenant” – large sections of it without words – won immediate praise, making his victory seen almost a foregone conclusion.
DiCaprio earned a standing ovation from the crowd at the Dolby Theatre, and used his speech to drive home a message about stopping climate change, but also acknowledged the importance of the moment.


“Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take tonight for granted,” he said.
Later, he told reporters, “This is a journey I will never forget with Alejandro. We have a great film to look back on for years to come.”

DiCaprio bested a tough field – fellow nominees were Bryan Cranston, Matt Damon, Michael Fassbender and last year’s winner Eddie Redmayne.
In the past, his Oscar dreams – his nominated roles came in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “The Aviator,” “Blood Diamond” and “The Wolf of Wall Street”- had faded in the face of stiff competition.

But this time, his all-out effort to bring Glass to the screen – eating raw bison liver, wading into icy rivers – rang true for Oscars voters.

The victory on Sunday only adds to the glow of the life of Leo, which is the stuff of Hollywood films.

The confirmed bachelor is known for dating supermodels, raises millions of dollars for charity and had an audience with Pope Francis last month to talk about climate change.

Born on November 11, 1974 to a hippie couple in Los Angeles, DiCaprio has credited his parents – who separated shortly after he was born – with encouraging him while keeping his feet squarely on the ground.

He once almost quit acting because he felt he was made to feel like a “piece of cute meat” – but he has since put his fame, money and prestige to use for humanitarian causes, especially environmental protection.

DiCaprio’s climb to the top of Hollywood’s A-list didn’t come easy.

He had humble beginnings as an actor, starring in television commercials and a soap opera before landing bit roles in a number of television series including “Roseanne” and “Growing Pains.”
In 1991, he was cast in the low-budget horror movie “Critters 3” – which didn’t even make it to the big screen and went straight to video.

But though the film did little to showcase his acting abilities, it set him on the road to becoming a teenage heartthrob and mega-star.
His breakout role came in 1993 when he played the handicapped brother of Johnny Depp in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” – a role that brought him his first Oscar nomination for best supporting actor at just 19.
He was then cast in a number of diverse roles, including as a young gunslinger in “The Quick and the Dead,” a drug addict in “The Basketball Diaries” and French poet Arthur Rimbaud in “Total Eclipse” – all in 1995.

The following year, his role in Baz Luhrmann’s reinvention of “Romeo + Juliet” alongside Claire Danes elevated him to true Hollywood stardom.
He became a matinee idol for millions of teenage girls. And it led to even better offers.
His next film, “Marvin’s Room,” put him on the screen with Hollywood royalty — Oscar winners Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton.

Then came the epic romance “Titanic” (1997), in which director James Cameron made DiCaprio the lead, co-starring with Kate Winslet.

The film secured 14 nominations and 11 wins, but no nod for DiCaprio. Yet he acknowledged that the success of “Titanic” gave him a freedom to pick and choose roles he might not have had otherwise.

That was reflected by roles in films as diverse as Woody Allen’s 1998 comedy “Celebrity” and Randall Wallace’s period drama “The Man in the Iron Mask.”
In 2002, after three years without a hit, DiCaprio starred in a couple of blockbusters: Martin Scorsese’s bloody “Gangs of New York” and Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me If You Can,” about a con man who assumes multiple identities.
He teamed up again with Scorsese to portray eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes in 2004’s “The Aviator.” Yet still he missed out on an Oscar, losing to Jamie Foxx in “Ray.”
Then came “Blood Diamond” in 2007 and “The Wolf on Wall Street” in 2013, but the Oscar eluded him again both times.

As for his personal life, the famous bachelor — whose mother named him Leonardo as she felt her baby kick for the first time while standing in front of a Da Vinci painting — has been linked to a number of beautiful women through the years including Gisele Bundchen, Bar Refaeli and Blake Lively.

He recently split from his latest girlfriend, Sports Illustrated model Kelly Rohrbach. Rumors swirled after he was spotted out in Paris and New York with singer Rihanna.

Monday, February 29, 2016
The police in Lagos State have arrested a 32-year-old gardener, Abeng Oji, for allegedly raping his boss’ daughter, Temitope (pseudonym), six years, inside a bathroom.
It was learnt that the suspect lived with the victim’s family in Ologolo Community in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos.
Our correspondent gathered that the victim’s parents had gone for a church vigil on January 30, 2016, leaving her and the gardener at home.


Around 6am the next day when the couple had yet to come back, Oji reportedly entered Temitope’s room under false pretences that he wanted to charge his mobile phone.
Our correspondent gathered that he initiated a chat with the kid and started making advances to her, which she resisted.
It was learnt that the suspect overpowered her and dragged her into a bathroom in the apartment, where he allegedly had sex with her.
He was said to have warned her against revealing the act to the parents, threatening that she would face dire consequences if she did.
However, trouble started when Temitope reportedly yelled and complained of pains as her mother touched her private parts while she was bathing her.
After prodding, she was said to have divulged the secret to her mother. The case was reported at the Ilasan Police Division, leading to Oji’s arrest.

A source told PUNCH Metro that the suspect was also learning horticulture at Temitope’s father’s firm.

He was subsequently arraigned on one count of rape on Wednesday before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court by a police prosecutor, Inspector Azu Feddy.

The charge read, “That you, Abeng Oji, on January 30, 2016, at about 6am at Ologolo Community, in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area, within Lagos Magisterial District, did have an unlawful carnal knowledge of one (name witheld) aged six, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge before the presiding magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Ogunbowale, and was admitted to bail in the sum of N5m with two sureties in like sum.
Ogunbowale also requested the sureties to present a certificate of occupancy, evidence of tax payments made to Lagos State and their residential addresses to the court for verification.
Adjourning till April 13, 2016, the magistrate instructed that the case file should be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice while the defendant be kept in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail.

Monday, February 29, 2016
The Maroko Police Division in the Lekki area of Lagos State has arrested a self-acclaimed Alfa, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahamido, for allegedly defrauding a trader, Sarah Moses.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Ahamido collected N350,000 from Moses, promising to boost her business by turning the money to N5m.
He was, however, alleged to have fled with the money, after giving his girlfriend, Hawa Musa, N100,000 to “renew their love”.


A source explained that the victim had been introduced to Ahamido sometime in December, 2015, in a restaurant in Lekki.
Ahamido was said to have boasted special powers that could make him multiply money after prayers.
The source said, “The woman initially did not believe. So, he promised to help her bring out her child, who at the time was arrested by the police for an offence he committed.
“He prepared some concoction for her, and just like that, the woman’s son was released.
“That immediately convinced her and she trusted him.”
She was said to have asked him for help concerning her business, which was not doing well.
The suspect reportedly asked her to give him N350, 000 so he could turn it to N5m.
Moses said she believed him, and gave him the money.

She said, “I told him I would be travelling to Ghana in December 2015, and I would return in January 2016. He gave me something to put under my pillow. He said when I return from my trip, I should check the pillow and the N5m would be there.

“When I returned, I checked under the pillow, but I did not see any money. I called him to inform him, and he said it was my fault because I did not come back on time. He said the money came out from the container he gave me, but when I did not pack it on time, it went back.

“He asked me to pay another N9,000 so that he could make another charm to repair the damage. It was after I gave him the money and he disappeared that I knew I was dealing with a fraudster.”
She said she reported the case to the police, and after a manhunt, Ahamido was arrested.

The 47-year-old suspect, however, said he did not mean to dupe the trader, adding that he tried to multiply the money, but failed.

While denying taking up to N350,000 from his victim, he told the police that he gave N100,000 to his girlfriend.
“I did not collect up to N350,000 from her, and she even gave me the money piecemeal. The total is N150,000. I will refund the money since her blood was not compatible with the prayers,” he said.
His girlfriend, Musa, denied collecting N100,000 from him.
She said, “I came to Lagos about 15 years ago. It was about three months ago that Alhaji came to me and said he wanted to date me. Three days later, he bought a wrapper for me. I did not know where he got it from. When he continued buying me more wrappers, I suspected something was wrong and I started keeping them so that if a police case arose, I would be able to defend myself. He bought me only four wrappers. He never gave me any N100, 000.”
The police, however, arraigned the duo before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on two counts of obtaining under false pretences.
The charge read in part, “That you, Ibrahim Ahamido, and Hawa Musa, on February 22, 2016, at Marwa Waterside, Lekki, Lagos, in the Eti-osa Local Government Area, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did obtain by false pretences the sum of N340,000 from one Sarah Moses, with the pretence of making more money for her.”
The police prosecutor, Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji, said the offences were punishable under sections 409 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.
While Ahamado pleaded guilty to the charge, his girlfriend, Musa, said she was not guilty and elected summary trial.
The magistrate, Mrs. J.O.A. Adepoju, admitted her to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case till March 2 for facts and sentence of Musa.

Monday, February 29, 2016
Nigerians have expressed outrage over the alleged abduction of 14-year-old Ese Oruru by one Yinusa, aka Yellow, who also forced her into marriage.


Nigerians, who read the story of the helpless minor on The PUNCH’s website on Sunday, took a swipe at the inactions of the authorities, saying the girl was abandoned to wallow in captivity.
Yinusa, a tricycle driver, took away the minor to Kano on August 12, 2015, from her mother’s shop in Opolo Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The mother, Mrs. Rose Oruru, had gone out on the day leaving Ese and her siblings in the shop. Yinusa seized the girl in her absence. Rose’s attempts to seek the release of the girl at the Emir of Kano’s (Sanusi Lamido’s) palace, where she was reportedly kept met a stiff resistance.


An online reader, who identified himself only as Seagols, wrote, “I feel so ashamed of the Bayelsa State Police Command for saying it’s not abduction, but elopement of a 13-year-old? Shame on the Bayelsa State Government, which can’t stand for the rights of its citizen. Shame on the Emir of Kano, who allowed such injustice. Finally, how could a guy who sold his keke in Bayelsa be this powerful? Just that the police are already biased. More will unfold if only the police were to do their job.”

A commentator, Edward Owens, expressed worry and wondered, “Why is the IG of police and the National Assembly silent on this issue? It is taking too long. Why is the presidency silent on this?”
Another reader, Fineman Peters, said Ese’s case defied sanity and urged the authorities to rise up to the case and ensure that the girl was freed.
“Am I reading a true story here or some kind of fiction? I hope the VP, IG and DSS DG will pick a copy of The PUNCH and read this. What happened to us as a nation? From the word go, everybody involved in this should have been in police net. This is the most blatant state-sponsored case of a paedophile that I have ever seen. My heart is broken as I read this. Our government should be ashamed. If I was in charge of this country, heads will roll. Many heads will roll,” he wrote.
In his comment, Samuel Ogbonaya, said, “This should never happen in a country where there are laws. The laws are clear. How on earth does any sane mind accept that a 13-year-old girl has the maturity to accept to be married and her religion forcefully changed without the express approval of her parents? I thought it is the convention that parents approve their kids to be married and are believed to be the ones to hand over their children to whoever that has followed the process?”
A reader who went by the alias, Thorn in the flesh, said, “This is disgraceful to say the least. How can anyone abduct a 13-year-old girl and term that to be elopement, when the girl in question is an underaged child who certainly cannot give informed consent.”
Another commentator, identified simply as NG, blamed Sanusi and the police for playing politics with the girl’s freedom.
“There is nothing we cannot hear in this country, imagine this? Even the Emir can’t be straight on the matter; the police could not take action and get the girl out. The parents even saw the girl brought in a black SUV. Why weren’t they allowed to take the girl right away, and they were being denied access to their child, saying she had been converted to Islam. How can you marry someone’s child without the knowledge of the parents and the so called Emir and police can’t do anything about it? An underage girl for that matter.”
The Truth wrote, “A 13-year-old girl got married without her parents’ consent? May God Almighty punish Yinusa who abducted the girl, repay Lamido Sanusi for not standing for justice, punish Kano Police Command and DSS for doing nothing. They should arrest the criminal boy called Yinusa and prosecute him. PUNCH please monitor this case to the last because of the girl. Please don’t let this girl perish in the hands of these wicked souls.”
“If the Nigerian government does nothing about this, the parents and their lawyers should petition the African Union, United Nations, Amnesty International, the National Human Rights Commission, the International Criminal Court in the Hague, and all involved should be arrested, tried and jailed,” Donloke wrote.
A reader, Casca, wondered why the Emir was passive on the case despite his level of education and exposure.
“This is unjust provocation. God help us. Nigeria is a failed state. Even IG could not do anything about this too! I am disappointed in the so called Emir, after all he is educated and he understands the meaning of a pedophile,” he wrote.


We’ll probe if trafficking is established – NAPTIP
 
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related offences has said it will intervene in the alleged child marriage case of 14-year-old Ese Oruru if trafficking is confirmed.
The Head, Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Josiah Emerole, said the act, the means and the purpose of the abduction would show if it was trafficking.
He said, “First of all, I do not have details of this incident as of this moment. But one fact is that the issue of child marriage is always captured under the Child Rights’ Act and the Child Rights’ Law of each state. It is not necessarily within the laws of NAPTIP.
“Under the Child Rights’ Act, getting married to an underage child is a criminal offence which the police and the ministries of youths’ development can handle.
“Yes, NAPTIP can move in if the facts say it is trafficking. In trafficking, there are things to prove. It is not enough to say somebody has taken my child from a place to another place. There is what we call the act. Then, there is the means and there is the purpose. These three things must be proved before we can establish trafficking.
“But as of now, we are not aware of the incident. When it is reported and we discover the matter is not our area of investigation, we use matter referral mechanism to take it to the appropriate quarters.”



Ese’s release dependent on Emir’s intervention –IG

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, says the release of the 14-year-old girl, Ese Oruru, allegedly abducted from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to Kano and said to be in the palace of the Emir of Kano, was dependent on the intervention of the emir.
Arase said this in an  interview with PUNCH Metro on Sunday, adding that the delay in Ese’s release was a result of the emir’s trip to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.
Sunday PUNCH had reported that Ese was abducted on August 12, 2015, by one Yinusa, aka Yellow, and taken away to Kano State where she was allegedly converted to Islam and held in the palace of the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi.
The teenager’s parents, who noted that the matter was reported at the Ekeki Police Station, Yenagoa, and to the Kwani Police Station, Kano, had said all efforts to secure the release of their daughter from the palace had proved abortive, adding that they had not been able to see her since that day.
On Sunday, the IG said the police authorities did not abandon the matter as being insinuated, adding that the release of the girl would be “sorted out as quickly as possible.”
He said, “I have just spoken with the Sunday PUNCH’s editor. I explained to her about the delay. The police command in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, actually followed up the matter right from Kano State.
“The emir decided that he was going to mediate. But, because of his trip to Mecca with the president. That was what caused the delay. But now that he is back, we are going to sort it out as quickly as possible.”
When asked how soon Nigerians should expect the release of Ese, the IG noted that it was dependent on the intervention of the Emir.
He said, “Well, that is dependent on the intervention of the Emir. We have agreed to resolve the matter. I cannot give a timeline.”
When our correspondent asked again, “Sir, you mean the release is dependent on the emir, and not the police?”
Arase said, “I have not said anything like that. Have I? I have told you I have discussed these things with the editor. You can ask her. You are starting a different line of interview.
“But what I am telling you is that we did not abandon the matter as being insinuated. We have been following it up. The issue will be resolved.”

NHRC to investigate Ese’s abduction, forced marriage

The National Human Rights Commission will likely take up the case of an alleged abduction of 14-year-old schoolgirl, Ese Oruru.
Ese was allegedly taken to Kano for a forced marriage after he was said to have been converted from Christianity to Islam.
All efforts by her parents to retrieve her even after visiting the Emir’s palace, among other places in Kano, where the girl was allegedly taken to, had yielded no fruit.
The Chief Press Officer of the commission, Mrs. Fatimah Mohammed, said on Sunday after she was briefed on the incident by our correspondent on the telephone, that Ese’s case had yet to be brought to the NHRC’s attention.
She, however, said the commission was empowered to, on its own, take up investigation of allegations involving rights violations without any official complaint by the affected parties.
“The commission is against child marriage, and nobody has the power to convert somebody to another religion. If it is true, the commission will investigate it,” she added.
When contacted on Sunday, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation said it was not aware of the incident.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the AGF and Minister of Justice, Salihu Isah, who was also informed of the incident on Sunday, said it was an issue that should be handled by Kano and Bayelsa states as well as the police in the two states.
“We are not aware of that and I think the question should be directed to the police and the governments of Kano and Bayelsa states,” Isah said.

Monday, February 29, 2016
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will on Monday (today) arraign a former Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, told our correspondent in a terse message that Moro would be charged on 11 counts bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, procurement fraud and money laundering before Justice Chikere.
According to the anti-graft agency, Moro allegedly defrauded graduate applicants of N676,675,000 during the 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment, during which no fewer than 20 job seekers lost their lives.


Also to be arraigned alongside the ex-minister are a former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Anastasia Nwobia; F.O. Alayebami and Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

The confidence she exudes is amazing..The lady of the moment chilling in the royal suite at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja .Her Publicist ,Thisday journalist ,Azuka Ogujiuba wrote 
Wao !!,Olajumoke is having a blast!.our host,Shirley confectioneries,kept their ambassador olajumoke in a royal suite at transcorp Hilton, while we on team jumoke are in boys quarter rooms at d Hilton. LOL.Anyway, Hilton na Hilton. We are all just so grateful to d shirleys family. They are an amazing corporate organization filled with warmth

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Arsenal started the match knowing that a win against the Old Trafford side will put them within touching distance of league leaders Leicester City, but were not helped by the damning statistic of having won just once in the last thirteen visits to Old Trafford.


Arsenal had a full strength team to choose from with the core of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Welbeck, Coquelin and Walcott too much for comparison with Man Utd's youngsters Varela, Lingard, Depay and Rashford.

Arsenal with more to fight for, pressurized Man U from the start while Man U were happy to concede possession and counter attack on the break, De Gea made an important save to keep Man U in the game.

An early counter attack just before the halfway point of the first half resulted in a superb strike from 18 year old rookie Marcus Rashford who was just making his second start for the club.
Two minutes later , the same Rashford surprised the Arsenal defence and his header gave Man U a two goal lead. Arsenal were stunned . It was a huge shock for Arsene Wenger's men.


His two goals came in the space of 2minutes, 25 seconds, such was his alertness and sharp taste for goal mouth action which officially made him one of the youngest Man U players to score on his Man U debut behind James Wilson ,Anthony Macheda and Wayne Rooney.

Arsenal continued to pressurize albeit spells of confidence from Man U before the home team gave away a free kick close to the 18 yard area. The resulting free kick was headed by former Man U academy product Danny Welbeck resulting in a goal for the away team.
As at half time the score was Man U. 2- 1 Arsenal. The Gunners had 7 attempts while Man U had 4 attempts. United had 44% possession, while Arsenal had 56% possession.

The second half began with new hero Marcus Rashford picking up a slight injury at kick off but he still continued playing after shaking off the injury scare much to the delight of the Man U faithfuls.

After some inter-play, Marcos Rojo just back from an injury lay off, fractured his ankle and was replaced by another new youngster Fosu-Mensah .Depay's shot was well saved by Cech ,whose defence tried to tame United's forwards.

Walcott ineffective for most of the match was substituted for tall man Olivier Giroud as Wenger opted for a more physical approach to the game.

Man U just over the hour mark, counter attacked and man of the moment Rashfor confused the Arsenal defence with a pass to Herrera which entered the net via a Koschielny deflection.
Arsenal retaliated with a left footed strike from Mesut Ozil after De Gea punched out Welbeck's effort. At this point with 25 minutes to go it was 3-2 to Man U's favour.

Van Gaal , Man U's coached produced what could be dubbed 'entertainment piece' of the season after he theatrically fell on the floor to signal to the fourth referee about an Arsenal player's possible simulation. The crowd at the stadium went hysterical.
At the 80th minute , the 79,000 people at the stadium gave match hero Rashford  a standing ovation as he was replaced by Adnan Januzaj.

Nigerian player Iwobi replaced Welbeck with ten minutes to go as Wenger looked for more attacking options. Arsenal tried to rally late and save their EPL title dreams, but Man u came out top on the day with 18 year old Rashford voted man of the match.

More photos...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, February 26, 2016

After trying to overturn his death sentence ,the Supreme Court has upheld the 2007 judgement of convicted General-Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Rev. King, to die by hanging.


 In a unanimous judgment this afternoon, a seven-man panel of Justices led by Justice Walter Onnoghen, upheld the death sentence that was earlier handed to Ezeugo by the Lagos state high court.
He was sentenced to death in 2007 for the murder of his church member.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Monday 22 February, 2016 arraigned the duo of Eke Chukwudi Kingsley and Simon Onyekachi Ononobi before Justice L.C. Azuama of the State High Court Orlu, Imo State on a six count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing to the tune of (N21, 020.000.00) twenty one million, twenty thousand naira, contrary to section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code Law Cap 30 of Imo State.

Kingsley and Simon were staff of a new generation bank, before they were arrested for the allege crime. They allegedly conspired and changed the account mandate of Irewolede Housing Estate belonging to Kwara State Government and converted the said sum to their personal use.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

One of the counts read:
“Eke Chukwudi Kingsley, Simon Onyekachi and others now at large, on or about the 24th day of March 2014, at Orlu, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Orlu, in Imo State, with intent to defraud, stole the sum of N4,660,000.00 (Four Million Six Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) through electronic transfer from Account No 0020721044 belonging to Kwara State Irewolede Housing Estate domiciled with Access Bank Nigeria Plc. and thereby committed an offence”.

In view of the accused persons’ plea, the prosecuting counsel Mbachie Innocent asked for a trial date.

The defense counsel Ben U. Nwanegbo on the other hand, applied for bail of his clients which was opposed by the prosecuting counsel on the grounds that they could jump bail.

Justice Azuama however granted them bail in the sum of N900,000 and one surety each in like sum. The sureties must be resident of Imo State and have, either a chieftaincy title or be a public servant of the rank of director, They are also to have landed property within Imo State with Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and evidence of tax clearance for 3 years.

The case was adjourned to February 24 ; 7th and 16th March, 2016 for hearing.

Source: http://www.trezzyblog.com/2016/02/efcc-dock-former-bankers-for-n21m.html


Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Olajumoke Orisaguna‘s fashion star is on the rise! She’s starring in a Layo.G lookbook and here’s her first look.Olajumoke for Layo G_BellaNaija
The luxury brand “provides edgy, tailored clothing for modern day women… pieces that take women from the office to a lounge, from day to night, from professional to chic and beyond.”
The brand stated it’s inspired by Olajumoke because
“she represents the Layo G woman in so many ways. The strong woman who does not let obstacles thrown her way get her down, but instead hustles to overcome them. We admire strong women who are grinding everyday in their own way. Whether you are a breadseller or a supermodel, a CEO or an executive assistant we here at Layo G believe every woman is a boss.
Olajumoke absolutely slays in our Flared Collar Jacket and her natural confidence shines through. More to come from our amazing shoot!”
Last weekend Olajumoke also had her first ever runway debut. Here she is strutting the runway at The President’s Cocktail in Lagos Polo Club.


She practised with the ladies at The Style Concierge beforehand.


We cannot wait to see the Layo G. look book in full and what’s next on Olajumoke’s fashion agenda.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

The remains of late Oyelowo Oyediran Ajanaku, who was allegedly stabbed to death by his lawyer wife, Yewande, during an argument at their Akobo estate home in Ibadan on Feb. 2nd, will be laid to rest at his hometown, Gbongan, in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State on Friday February 26th.



Family sources say a service of songs will be held at the Pentecostal Fellowship Assembly (PFA), at Ifako-Agege, Lagos, by 5.00p.m on Wednesday February 24th. A funeral service will be held on Friday at the St Paul’s Cathedral Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Oke Osun Diocese, Gbongan, Osun State after which he will be interred at the Church Cemetery, Oke-Elu, Gbongan, Osun State.

Meanwhile the trial of Yewande at the Oyo state High court will continue on March 1st

Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Photos: 17 year old king meets with Delta state governor, Okowa
17 year old Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I who was recently Installed as the king of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, met with the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa at the government house today February 23rd. Continue to see more photos...


Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Earlier today it was reported that AY Makun's wife Mabel had left her matrimonial home amidst breakup rumours.

Now Mabel Makun has deleted her Instagram page Midas_Interiors as the story intensifies. A quick search on Instagram reveals that her Instagram account no longer exists.

According to popular blogger Stella Dimokokorkus, AY Makun’s wife Mabel has moved out of their matrimonial home.

No reason was given why Mabel left her home buy Stella Dimokokorkus hinted that the “details are too dirty to be posted.”

AY Makun hasn’t responded to this story. Today (February 23) he shared a picture of himself with the caption “It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. Good morning my neighbours” on his Instagram.

AY Makun who says he gets his jokes from his wife showered praises on her on their 7th wedding anniversary.


“You came into my life with a positive attitude, Together we have made friends and family; Together we have shown love, Together we have experienced the good, the bad and the ugly, Thanks for being there."

Continuing, he wrote, 'All this while, Thanks for being the solid reason Behind my smile; Thanks for always helping to take away Every pain and sorrow; Thanks for making me Look forward to tomorrow; Thanks for always pushing Me towards success; Thanks for giving me Unlimited happiness; Thanks for accompanying me In the journey of my life; Thanks for being Such an amazing wife. Happy anniversary. #friendsforlife #11yearsoffriendship #wegivegodtheglory"



AY and Mabel got married in Lagos on November 29, 2008 in an elaborate gig that had several personalities and top celebrities in attendance.

Monday, February 22, 2016
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a fake naval officer, Ahmed Abdullahi, in the Victoria Island area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that 37-year-old Abdullahi from Adamawa State was apprehended while he was on a trip to Lekki, reportedly to raise money for his wedding billed for March 27.

Our correspondent gathered that when Abdullahi, who rode a motorcycle, was accosted by the police around the tollgate area on Wednesday, he allegedly showed them his fake naval identity card.

It was said that when the policemen were about to let him go, some people in the area reportedly hinted the police that Abdullahi was impersonating and he had been on the navy wanted list.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the suspect was thereafter arrested and two fake ID cards recovered from him.

Speaking with our correspondent, Abdullahi said he got the fake ID card to protect his motorcycle from traffic officials, including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and policemen.

Abdullahi added that his bride and parents, who were in Adamawa State, had yet to know that he had been arrested by the police, pleading that he should be freed to go and plan his wedding.

He said, “I am not a robber, but it is true that I impersonated a naval officer. I started impersonating in December 2015. I am a motorcyclist, and I wanted to be able to move on roads without any restriction.

“I wanted to avoid trouble from area boys, LASTMA officials and policemen. I came to Lagos last year and I am preparing for my wedding in Adamawa. My bride, Aisha, and my parents do not know that I have been arrested. The police did not allow me to call them. It is only my neighbours in Obalende, where I stay, who know.”

The suspect added that he got the ID card from a friend in Abuja after paying him a sum of N1,000.

He said, “I believe everything that happens is from God. It was one of my friends who got the naval ID card for me. I collected it from him in Abuja last year after paying N1,000.

“On the day I was arrested, policemen just stopped me during a search around Lekki while I was on my motorcycle. I showed them my ID card. They were going to let me go when some people nearby raised the alarm that the navy had been looking for me for the past two weeks, and the police should arrest me.

“I want to go back to Adamawa so I can prepare for my wedding on March 27. If I survive this case, I will not come to Lagos State again. I will just settle down with my family in Adamawa and work on my father’s farm.”

The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded Abdullahi and other suspects, said the suspects, if found culpable, would be charged to court, adding that the command would continue to ensure security of lives and property in the state.

Friday, February 19, 2016
 

There was a messy drama at the Omole Phase 1, Lagos, house of the music duo this morning after they failed to show up at an event where they're billed to perform despite the fact that they were already paid by the client. The house was allegedly stormed this morning and was placed under lock and key.

Inside sources revealed that the action was taken by the aggrieved client. Psquare's failure to honor the agreement is said to be related to the current misunderstanding between them. Before this morning's drama, it's alleged that they've been charged to court 3 times but they didn't honor it.


Peter was said to have driven off angrily this morning as security operatives kept dispersing the crowd that gathered to watch the drama.

Meanwhile, it appears Jude Okoye has decided to quit as Psquare's manager after his brother ,Peter Okoye fired him on Twitter .He has removed all refrences to Psquare /Square records .

Friday, February 19, 2016

Read the press statement below...
The National Presidet of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Chief Ibinabo Fiberesima has announced the indefinite suspension of Crystabel Goody for biting a fellow actress Princess Chineke on set. The President condemned the dastardly  act of inflicting such a dangerous bodily injury on her coleague. 
She noted that all the Guilds and Associations in Nollywood have been duly notified of the suspension while the National and state task forces have been kept on alert to disengage her from all sets pending when the suspension would be lifted. 
 
The Guild has set up a high powered committee headed by the National Chief Whip, Empress Eneh to investigate the immediate and remote  causes of the matter.
 
Meanwhile Crystabel Goody shall remain on suspension until the outcome of the investigation as stipulated by the constitution of the Guild.
 
The  President frowned at the act of cannibalism and urged all members to make discipline their watchword because we are the mirror of the society. 
 
Moji Oyetayo
National P.R.O
Actors Guild of Nigeria.

Monday, February 15, 2016
The Presidency has issued the following statement announcing the removal of 20 more heads of federal parastatals and agencies.

The list adds to the six heads of agencies under the Ministry of Information and Culture that were sacked earlier today.

Read full statement below:

1. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate disengagement of the following Chief Executive Officers of the underlisted Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions.

2. He has also approved that the most senior officers in the Parastatals, Agencies and Councils oversee the activities of the organizations pending the appointment of substantive Chief Executive Officers.

(i) Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)
(ii) Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)
(iii) Voice of Nigeria (VON)
(iiii) News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
(v) National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
(vi) Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)

(vii) New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
(viii) Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)
(ix) Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB)
(x) Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN)
(xi) Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)
(xii) National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
(xiii) Petroleum Equalization Fund
(xiiii) Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC)
(xv) Bureau of Public Procurements (BPP)
(xvi) Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)
(xvii) Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA)
(xviii) Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)
(xix) National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
(xx) Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC)
(xxi) Bank of Industry (BoI)
(xxii) National Centre for Women Development (NCWD)
(xxiii) National Orientation Agency (NOA)
(xxiiii) Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
(xxv) Nigerian Export-Import Bank
(xxvi) National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic In Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP)

3. Mr. President, however, thanked them for their invaluable services to the Nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

(Signed)
Engr. Babachir David Lawal
Secretary to the Government of the Federation

Monday, February 15, 2016

Footballer Adam Johnson appeared in court today to defend his two count charge of sexual penetration with an underage girl today, but his girlfriend and mother of his child Stacey Flaunders refused to follow the sacked Sunderland player to court.

Stacy walked out of the court sitting on Friday when sexually intimating Whatsapp messages between her partner and the under age girl were read out loud in court by the prosecuting attorney.


The accuser, the under age girl who the police have refused to reveal her identity testified against the footballer in a recorded video interview and says she was ready for what could happen between her and the footballer although it was wrong.

Asked how she felt, the girl said: 'As much as I expected it to happen, I was a bit shocked it had. I sort of knew I had done something wrong.'

She added: 'It wasn't that I didn't want it or anything. I just knew it was wrong.'

'I got a message from Sunderland player Adam Johnson who I'd idolised for quite a while.'

The girl said that, after exchanging messages, she first met-up with Johnson on January 17 last year when he signed two Sunderland shirts for her.

She then explained how the player continued to message her, talking about getting a 'thank you kiss'.
'I was well up for it. It was a surreal type of thing,' she told the police officer. 'I met up with him again. I gave him his thank you kiss and more,' she said.

The girl described how Johnson exchanged WhatsApp messages with her after their first meeting, saying 'you owe me for this' and 'am I going to get a thank you kiss?'.

The teenager said that at the second meeting, in the player's Range Rover, Johnson said to her: 'I've come for my thank you kiss.'

She said that she eventually told him 'go on then', and they began kissing.
The girl said: 'I was kissing him for quite a while.'
'He undid the button on my trousers. It took him a while to do that,' she said. 'He got his hand down my trousers. He started to put his hands in my knickers.'

The girl then described to the officer further sexual activity between the pair.

Later in the interview, the police officer asked the girl what Johnson knew about her.
She replied that the player knew how old she was, what school year she was in and where she sat at Sunderland matches. She said Johnson also knew her date of birth.
She said: 'He asked me when I was 16.'

Johnson has already admitted one count of sexual activity with a child and another of meeting a child following sexual grooming.

The one-time England midfielder is accused of abusing 'his revered position in society' when he had sexual contact with the teenager 'in a way that he knew was both morally and legally wrong'

Monday, February 15, 2016
Bread seller turned model Olajumoke Orisaguna has been officially signed as the face of online shopping brand PayPorte’s 2016 campaign.

We can’t wait for the ads to start rolling out!
Present at the official signing was photographer TY Bello, Jumoke’s husband Sunday, Jumoke’s lawyer Yomi Adeseyoju, Thisday journalist and PR Azuka Ogujiuba, Irene Kayoma, Head-Corporate Strategy/Planning and Noble Igwe brand ambassador for PayPorte.

Monday, February 15, 2016
Daniel Craig has reportedly quit his role as James Bond in order to star in a new US television series.
The 47-year-old actor has portrayed the legendary MI6 agent for nearly a decade but looks set to hand over his gun and tuxedo in time for the next movie after signing up to 'Purity'.
The handsome star reportedly won't have time to reprise his role as the secret agent as the new drama, which will be the adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's novel, is expected to run for several series, according to The Sun newspaper.

However, news that Daniel has decided to turn his back on the famous franchise won't come as much of a surprise to fans as he recently came under fire after he joked he would "rather slash his wrists" than do another James Bond movie.
Asked if he wants to play the leading role again, Daniel said, prior to the release of 'Spectre', last year: "I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That's fine. I'm over it at the moment. We're done. All I want to do is move on."
However, although Daniel - who became the highest-paid actor to play Bond after he was handed a reported $10.7 million for 'Skyfall' in 2014 - is adamant he's ready to quit the franchise, he recently claimed he may not be able to leave just yet as he'd signed a contract that requires him to make another.

Monday, February 15, 2016
The police at FESTAC Town police station and a leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) have rescued a-month-old baby, who was abandoned in an Indomie carton.

The baby was sighted by the OPC leader in Amuwo Odofin, simply identified as Suleiman Badmus, who rescued the baby and handed her over to the police.

The baby is now being cared for by a woman police sergeant, Pamela Nwabinye, who has since the discovery been playing the role of mother to the baby.

Lagos Metro gathered that the baby, who was wearing a light blue overall, was wrapped in a white shawl and carefully placed in the carton.

Olabisi, a younger sister to the OPC leader, who rescued the baby, said “The baby was found close to where I sell herbs at Amuwo-Odofin. One of the OPC members heard the baby’s cries and called my brother, Badmus. The baby was inside a carton.

“When I saw her, I was shocked. I felt whoever abandoned her must be crazy. Mosquitoes had bitten her face. Why would any woman abandon her baby after she had carried the pregnancy for nine months?,” she added.

Sergeant Nwabinye was said to have bought new sets of clothes, flask, feeding bottle for the baby.

A police source at FESTAC police station said: “That’s how Pamela behaves with every baby rescued and brought to the station. She goes all out to mother the baby. Pamela spends her money a lot on abandoned kids. She likes kids a lot.

Monday, February 15, 2016
The federal government has disengaged the heads of the six information-related parastatals under the ministry of information and culture.

According to Segun Adeyemi, special adviser to Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, the minister announced the disengagement during a meeting he held with the chief executives of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Monday.

“The minister directed the disengaged chief executives to hand over to the most senior officials in their various establishments,” Adeyemi said.

“He thanked them for their service to the nation and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavours. “The affected chief executives are the director-generals of NTA, Mr. Sola Omole; FRCN, Mr. Ladan Salihu; VON, Mr Sam Worlu; NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri; NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba and the managing director of NAN, Mr. Ima Niboro).”
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