The 2016 Ojude Oba Festival lived up to the expectations all and sundry who witnessed the colourful event. It was a perfect mixture of fun, excitement and an exhilarating celebration of culture at this year's Osapa Ojude Oba Day in Lagos.
Since 2013, the event is always held 2 days after Muslim Eid el Kabir and put together by Olori Ebi of the Eletu Kingdom, Chief Waheed Gbadamosi and supported by the three Eletu brothers, Alhaji Mudashiru Eletu, Prince Demola Eletu and Prince Kazeem Eletu Odibo [aka Last born].
Festival is borne out of the Eletu-Odibo family's commitment to celebrate and preserve Nigeria's cultural heritage. Everything was about origin and identification. Its was a fun packaged event from the dancing and rendition of evergreen music to the delight of everyone present.
The family Head/Olori Ebi, Chief Waheed Gbadamosi has being supportive of the event for years, he expressed his joy with the outcome of the event over the years. The Olori Ebi of Osapa Kingdom is still waiting approval for the crown but are already laying the foundation for their festival to be known to the world at large.
Top Yoruba artistes, Alao Malaika and Adewale Ayuba, thrilled guests to several melodious tunes.
Check out all the beautiful photos from the event below:
Popular Yoruba actress, Biodun Okeowo, in a recent interview, opened up on her past relationship and also revealed why she wept the day she learnt that her former husband had remarried.
Her words: “I don’t regret leaving my ex. In fact, I don’t feel anything for him anymore. No pains, no regrets. He tried to get me back but I just couldn’t continue with him.
“The day I felt bad and cried was the day I heard he has remarried. That he actually paid someone else’s bride price made me cry. In my case, my family were begging him to come and pay.” The actress has since learnt her lessons and is now looking out for certain criteria in any man she may want to have as a partner.
“Trust and God,” Okeowo intones, adding, “The man must be God fearing. Any marriage that has sincere trust and God will survive. The problem with actresses and their spouses is lack of trust. They feel whenever you step out for weeks for a shoot, some funny things happened along the way.
“The media too is not helping matters, they cook up all kinds of stories and your partner might swallow them hook, line and sinker. In fact, there was this story I read about myself; that my ex-husband chased me out of his house because of infidelity. I was surprised because such a thing never happened. If it did, he wouldn’t have come back asking to reconcile with me. I never cheated on my ex for once. I might be temperamental but not a cheat.”
This guy is a confirmed badoo! 28-year-old Deji Ayoola, who was arrested by the police in Lagos for theft, has allegedly stolen money from the policewoman interrogating him.
It was learnt that Ayoola was being interrogated at the Rapid Response Squad office in Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday, when he allegedly stole N1,200, which fell from the policewoman’s pocket. The suspect had earlier been arrested by the men of the RRS in the Ojodu Berger area for allegedly stealing from a commuter.
The Punch reports that Ayoola allegedly stole a wallet, containing N14,500 from the commuter, who was identified as Ayodele Akerele, before he was arrested.
It was gathered that after the police took Ayoola to the RRS office for questioning, a sum of N1,200 fell from the policewoman, who had removed her mobile phone from the pocket.
When the money dropped on the floor, Ayoola allegedly picked it, but was exposed some minutes later by another suspect.
Asked why he had to steal again while he was already in trouble, Ayoola said, “It was the devil who pushed me into the act.”
Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the suspect had been transferred to the Lagos Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, for prosecution.
The 2016 68th Emmy Awards took place on Sunday September 18th at the Microsoft Theater in L.A. We bring you the complete list of winners at the glamorous event:
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine Ty Burrell, Modern Family Matt Walsh, Veep Louie Anderson, Baskets (WINNER) Keegen-Michael Key, Key & Peele Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Tony Hale, Veep
Writing for a Comedy Series Catastrophe, "Episode 1" Master of None, "Parents" (WINNER) Silicon Valley, "Founder Friendly" Silicon Valley, "The Uptick" Veep, "Morning After" Veep, "Mother"
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Niecy Nash, Getting On Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live (WINNER) Gaby Hoffmann, Transparent Allison Janney, Mom Judith Light, Transparent Anna Chlumsky, Veep
Directing for a Comedy Series Aziz Ansari (Master of None, "Parents") Mike Judge (Silicon Valley, "Founder Friendly") Alec Berg (Silicon Valley, "Daily Active Users") Jill Solloway (Transparent, "Man on the Land") (WINNER) David Mandel (Veep, "Kissing Your Sister") Chris Addison (Veep, "Morning After") Dale Stern (Veep, "Mother")
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (WINNER) Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Laurie Metcalf, Getting On Tracee Ellis-Ross, black-ish Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent (WINNER) Anthony Anderson, black-ish Will Forte, The Last Man on Earth Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley Aziz Ansari, Master of None William H. Macy, Shameless
Reality-Competition Program The Voice (WINNER) The Amazing Race Top Chef Project Runway Dancing With the Stars American Ninja Warrior
Writing for a Limited Series or Movie Fargo, "Palindrome" Fargo, "Loplop" The Night Manager The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" (WINNER) The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, "From the Ashes of Tragedy" The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, "The Race Card"
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Kathy Bates, American Horror Story: Hotel Olivia Colman, The Night Manager Regina King, American Crime (WINNER) Melissa Leo, All the Way Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Hotel Jean Smart, Fargo
Directing for a Limited Series or Movie Jay Roach (All the Way) Noah Hawley (Fargo, "Before the Law") Susanne Bier (The Night Manager) (WINNER) Anthony Hemingway (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, "Manna From Heaven") Ryan Murphy (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, "From the Ashes of Tragedy") John Singleton (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, "The Race Card")
Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (WINNER) Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager Jesse Plemons (Fargo) David Schwimmer, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story John Travolta, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story Bokeem Woodbine, Fargo
Leading Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Kirsten Dunst, Fargo Felicity Huffman, American Crime Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (WINNER) Lili Taylor, American Crime Kerry Washington, Confirmation
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Bryan Cranston, All the Way Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: The Abominable Bride Idris Elba, Luther Cuba Gooding Jr., The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (WINNER)
Television Movie All the Way Confirmation Luther Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (WINNER) A Very Murray Christmas
Limited Series The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (WINNER) Fargo American Crime Roots The Night Manager
Writing for a Variety Special Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping (WINNER) Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted Triumph’s Election Special 2016
Variety Talk Series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Jimmy Kimmel Live Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (WINNER) The Late Late Show With James Corden Real Time With Bill Maher The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Variety Sketch Series Documentary Now! Drunk History Inside Amy Schumer Key & Peele (WINNER) Portlandia Saturday Night Live
Writing for a Drama Series Downton Abbey, "Episode 8" Game of Thrones, "Battle of the Bastards" (WINNER) Mr. Robot, "eps1.0_hellofriend.mov" The Americans, "Persona Non Grata" The Good Wife, "End" UnREAL, "Return"
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey (WINNER) Lena Headey, Game of Thrones Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones Maura Tierney, The Affair Constance Zimmer, UnREAL
Directing for a Drama Series Michael Engler (Downton Abbey, "Episode 9") Miguel Sapochnik (Game of Thrones, "Battle of the Bastards") (WINNER) Jack Bender (Game of Thrones, "The Door") Lesli Linka Glatter (Homeland, "The Tradition of Hospitality") Steven Soderbergh (The Knick, "This Is All We Are") David Hollander (Ray Donovan, "Exsuscito")
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline (WINNER) Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones Kit Harington, Game of Thrones Michael Kelly, House of Cards Jon Voight, Ray Donovan
Lead Actor in a Drama Series Kevin Spacey, House of Cards Rami Malek, Mr. Robot (WINNER) Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan Kyle Chandler, Bloodline Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Lead Actress in a Drama Series Robin Wright, House of Cards Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black (WINNER) Claire Danes, Homeland Taraji P. Henson, Empire Keri Russell, The Americans
Comedy Series Veep (WINNER) Transparent Modern Family Black-ish Silicon Valley Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Master of None
Drama Series Game of Thrones (WINNER) Mr. Robot House of Cards Downton Abbey Better Call Saul The Americans Homeland
Khloe Kardashian's romance with NBA player Tristan Thompson seems to be heating up. Her mom Kris Jenner has publicly given the new romance her momager seal of approval and on Sunday, Khloe and Tristan were inseparable again as they continue to enjoy the Miami sunshine.
The 32-year-old reality star held on tight to her new beau's hand as they headed for a romantic lunch together at Bal Harbour.
Despite Khloe's failed marriage to Lamar and Kim's to Kris Humphries, Kris seems okay about her famous daughters' penchant for pro athletes. 'I think just with any relationship, just in life, I think it's about chemistry and about values and about you know, about how two people get along,' the 60-year-old told People at a Beverly Hills benefit for the Brent Shapiro Foundation Saturday night.
'They're really cute,' she gushed. 'You, know she's having a good time, he seems like a really nice guy,' she said.
The kidnappers of four residents of Lekki Gardens in Isheri, a border community between Lagos and Ogun states, weekend, demanded N1.2 billion ransom for their release. Vanguard gathered that they made contacts with family members of the victims, suspected to be held hostage in the creeks, yesterday.
The victims, Mr. Kennedy Ucheagwu, Dr. Omololu, Bello and Mr. Esang, said to be landlords at Oshorun Heritage Estate, had gone for an aerobic section, Saturday, when eight masked gunmen in military camouflage intercepted them, shooting sporadically.
While others managed to escape, same could not be said for the victims, as they were whisked away in boats through the waterways. One of the relatives of the abducted men, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Vanguard yesterday: “I got a call very early yesterday, where the unknown caller informed that he was one of the kidnappers that took our people away on Saturday.
“He warned that in our interest and for the safety of the victims, we should not contact the police or try to play smart.
“He said anything of such would lead to the death of our people. He did not allow me to speak with my person, as he claimed that he was sleeping.
“He said that we should get N1.2 billion before they would be released. He also told me to meet with relatives of the other people. He called back about four hours later to find out if the money was ready.
“He also asked if I had my own N300 million for the release my relation. I begged him to accept N200,000, as that was the only money we could afford, except he wants us to go and start borrowing or sell our property.
“But the line went dead at that point. Where do we get that kind of money at this time? My worry is that my relative is hypertensive.”
Meanwhile, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, Abdulmajid Ali, has deployed a Tactical Rescue Team to rescue the victims.
Alli explained that the team comprised police operatives and ICT experts from the Lagos and Ogun states commands, as well as those from the Force headquarters, Abuja. The team, according to Ali, who condemned the act, had been directed to rescue the victims unhurt as well as arrest perpetrators of the act.
He assured the affected relatives and residents of the area of timely and successful rescue operation, adding that police had clues.
Ali also appealed to relations of the victims to support police with useful information that would enhance the rescue operation, adding that he was working with the Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun states and other stakeholders to ensure the rescue of the victims and to sustain the fight against crimes within the commands.
A woman, Latifat Adeyemi, who was allegedly battered by her uncle-in-law, Rasak Alabi, at Aga, Ikorodu, has cried out for justice.Last Friday Alabi allegedly hit the victim with a spanner on her head and face.
In a telephone interview with a The Nation Correspondent, Adeyemi said her aunt’s husband attacked her at their 3, Ile-Ewe, Sholebo family residence at Aga, Ikorodu.The makeup artist explained that trouble started after she got home on Friday night and discovered that the Air Conditioner in her room has been removed.She said
“I was surprised and angry that the AC in my room at our family house was removed by my aunt’s husband. His wife stays abroad. The house belongs to my grandparents but because his wife renovated it, he has been staying there ever since they resolved their marital problems. “So, that day I got back from work and realised that my AC has been removed. I was angry. I picked my phone and called my sister, telling her that I have had it. That I don’t think I can continue staying in the house. I was still outside talking to my sister on phone, when the man from nowhere, hit me with spanner from behind. “He said I was making noise. That was how he continued hitting me with the iron. I was bleeding but he didn’t care. When he was satisfied, he went inside. “I had to call my parents and uncles before going to Ebute Police Sation to make an entry. At the station, the policemen asked me to go to the hospital and treat myself first that I was bleeding seriously. But I didn’t go straight to the hospital. I want back to the house to provoke the man so that he can come out but he did not. Then, I left for the hospital,” she said.
Continuing, Adeyemi said policemen later went there to invite him for questioning but he refused to answer them.
Rather, she said, the man went to Igbogbo police station to make another entry and took some men to her uncle’s house to arrest him.
“He took vigilante members (Onyabo) to my uncle’s place because my uncle was against him. But when the vigilante boys took my uncle away, some people who knew him quickly contacted their boss and told him what happened. My uncle was released. But he went and got policemen from another station to arrest him, despite that our case was already at Ebute police station. My uncle was arrested and detained at the station till the following morning when other family members came. “I was on admission at the hospital and they had a family meeting and he said it was temptation. My bill was over N70,000. I was told he came to the hospital and paid the bills but he never bothered to check on me to see what he caused. Even the doctors told him to visit me and apologise but he refused. They said he paid the bill and left. “His wife too has not bothered to call me to find out what happened. I really cannot say if there was any problem between us. I don’t know. But the action was very surprising and I don’t think I want him to go free after what he did to me.”
The victim who was at the Public Advice Centre (PAC), Ministry of Justice, Alausa on Friday, said she was determined to get justice for the unprovoked attack on her.
She said: “The man has refused me access to get my things. My clothes and other belongings are still inside the house. For three days after the assault, I wore the same dress. I want justice. The police have not been able to arrest him, I don’t know why. So, I have gone to the Ministry of Justice so that the government can look into the matter."
A graduate of Political Science, Jehu Kwasu, has narrated how he impersonated the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah and defrauded prominent Nigerians of millions of naira.
Kwasu said his victims included Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide, who he claimed gave him N500,000; the Chairman, Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, N1m; Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, N500,000; businessman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, N2m.
He allegedly collected the sums for Internally Displaced Persons.
He said, “I collected N500,000 from Otudeko, CEO, Honeywell: From Admiral Kanu, I got N500,000. I also got N500,000 from Bishop Oyedepo and N2m from Dantata. I also got money from Gen. Wushishi and others.
“I opened a Guaranty Trust Bank account in Bishop Kukah’s name. I registered a SIM card in my name, but used Bishop Kukah’s picture on my True Caller account, so that when I call, his picture would appear (on the recipient’s phone.)”
Kwasu, who is serving a two-month sentence in the Keffi Prison, admitted on Friday in Abuja that he realised over N5.7m.
Police sources said only N1.7m was found in his bank account, adding that the suspect spent most of the money he made on girls and hard drugs.
It was gathered that Kwasu, the son of late Anglican Bishop, James Kwasu, also exploited his father’s name, to extort money from the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, when the latter was the Speaker, House of Representatives.
The 25-year old explained that he defrauded his victims by soliciting money on phone to cater to IDPs in the country.
The cleric’s son stated that he obtained a passport with the name, Mathew Hassah Kukah Jehu, and also opened an account with the GTB in the same name.
He said, “I called people on the telephone and told them I was Bishop Kukah. I used his picture on my True Caller account, so that when I called people, they would think he was the one talking with them.
“I also obtained a passport in Bishop Kukah’s name which I used to open an account with GTB. The money I realised was paid into the account and I used an Automated Teller Machine card to withdraw it.”
PUNCH Metro gathered that Kukah was alerted to the scam by some people close to him.
The cleric was said to have petitioned the police, which asked the bank to place a “no debit order” on the account.
Following his inability to withdraw from the account, Kwasu was said to have visited the bank to complain, where he was arrested.
Findings indicate that Kwasu had earlier been arrested and remanded in prison for impersonating Bishop Steven Akobe of the Anglican Diocese of Kabba, Kogi State, but was granted bail.
The police said Kwasu had also attempted to extort money from Senator David Mark, claiming to be Akobe.
“Mark said I should come for some money, so I sent my girlfriend. But she was arrested and I was taken to court and sentenced to two months imprisonment or N9,000 fine,” Kwasu stated.
It was gathered that the suspect, who had two female siblings, sold his deceased parents’ house in Kaduna for N10m and lavished the money on girls and a profligate lifestyle.
The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, stated that Kwasu was arrested by the men of his command, after Kukah complained about his activities.
The CP said, “We received a petition from Bishop Kukah alleging that the boy had been impersonating him and extorting money from prominent people. So, my men went to work and were able to track the suspect and arrest him. He is a habitual criminal and I would like to advise the public against responding to emails or phone calls from unknown persons requesting financial support for one cause or the other.”
Mustafa also called on the public to report every suspicious phone call and email to the police for investigation.
Elliots and Orelusi’s Families have a lot to celebrate as they joined their children, Lola Bele Orelusi (nee Elliott) and Kunle Bele Orelusi in holy matrimony.
Actor/politician, Desmond Elliot, was elated to see his sister walk down the isle. The ceremony was graced by top dignitaries, including the State House of Assembly Speaker. See more photos:
Today, Linda Ikeji turns 36 and to start the auspicious day, the celebrity blogger took to her page to announce this, and also request for fans prayers and good wishes. In the heartwarming post, one point sticks out: she yearns to bear a man’s name and children. “My prayer as I turn 36 today is to find an amazing guy soon, settle down, have a bunch of kids and continue to live, impact my world and make a difference. Please say a prayer for me! I mean it,” she said. The birthday post could be tongue in cheek, as this is the second time in the space of a month that the blogger would be speaking about being unmarried/the pressure to get married. To family, friends, fans and haters who always raise troll her over getting married, her success as Africa’s top blogger is not enough: she needs a man’s name to make her complete. Speaking with Genevieve Magazinein August on the pressure to marry, here’s what Linda Ikeji said: “The pressure is so intense right now I feel like going to husband market – if there is any such thing- to buy myself some breathing space. Give me a break you people.” Judging from her birthday post, one can conclude that although successful women are averse to the incessant pressure to marry, a woman also yearns for a man and marriage; and this is irrespective of her success.
There is a new Pastor in turn and it's none other than Tolu Ijogun, the daughter of Senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju and late evangelist Bimbo Odukoya.
The mother of two who was ordained in Churchy yesterday, announced the good news thus:
"Today I got Ordained a Pastor at Church... As Surprised as I was I knew I could run for too far any longer... Thank you God for the Call ... Praise God with me as I start this life long assignment ..
Isaiah 61:1 " The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me. To bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, To proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives And freedom to prisoners," Amen"
Nollywood actor, Junior Pope Odonwodo and his wife Jennifer have welcomed a baby boy. The actor shared the good news on his IG handle. He wrote:
"Go Tell It On The Mountain,Over The Hills And Everywhere,Go Tell It On The Mountain The Wonders God Has Done....#swagnation We Thank God For Unto Us Another Child Is Born....PRINCE JADEN JIDENNA ODONWODO.#Godisthegreatest"
Nollywood actress Thelma Okoduwa is one of the screen divas who has been in the industry for sometime now but took a break when she got married in 2009. In this new interview with Punch Spice, she opens up on her marriage and her career.
Why did you take a break from Nollywood?
I was away from Nollywood for a while because I got married, and I was making babies. I was in Abuja trying to make a home, and also take care of my children. While I was there, I was also working but you know it is not like being in Lagos, which is the hub of entertainment in Nigeria. After I got married, I felt that my family should come first and I didn’t want to get it wrong. I wanted to be the best mum to my children, and give them the best foundation.
How have been able to strike a balance between your career and marriage?
I have a very supportive husband who is always there for me. I also get support from my sisters and nanny. They all give me the assistance that I need. I am from a large but close-knit family. My parents pampered us while we were growing up. I am a God-fearing and hard-working woman. I love life, and I love my family so much. My family is the most important thing in my life. I don’t mess with my family.
Do you think Nollywood has gotten better?
The industry is getting bigger gradually and steadily. It is going on to the next level. Nobody ever imagined that it would be this big. I believe it will be bigger than this soon.
Who are your role models?
I look up to Joke Silva, and I love RMD. I think RMD has an awesome personality on and off screen. He is a humble man.
A United States District Court, yesterday, dismissed a case by a Nigerian lawyer seeking to stop the repatriation of over $550 million of stolen funds during the regime of late General Sani Abacha (referred to as the Abacha loot) to Nigeria until the payment of his legal fees worth $320 million by the Nigerian Government.
The thrashing of the case by Justice John D. Bates of the U.S District Court automatically clears the final legal hurdle for the return of the loot to Nigeria to help it retool its plummeting economy which has received heavy pummelling from falling oil prices and corruption.
The U.S-based Nigerian lawyer, Godson Nnaka, had laid claim to the fact that the Nigerian Government must pay him the $320 million as legal fee for the forfeiture of the $550 million of the Abacha loot still trapped in the United States.
But the Judge, in dismissing Nnaka’s case, held the claimant was not entitled to such payment since he was not a party to the forfeiture case filed by the US Department of Justice in conjunction with Nigeria. So the money is coming home now.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has seized the passport of the immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, as part of investigations into the alleged N76bn fraud perpetrated by Shema.
Shema was detained by the EFCC on Friday after he voluntarily walked into the head office of the EFCC.
However, a source close to the ex-governor told Sunday Punch that despite meeting the bail conditions, the anti-graft agency refused to release him.
The source said, “You will recall that the EFCC declared Shema wanted even though they knew he was not on the run. They had invited him for questioning in June but when he arrived at their office, he was informed that the detective in charge, Mr. Hyecinth A. Edozie, was out of Abuja, and that a new date, after Sallah, would be communicated.
“However, they never informed him of a new date and then went ahead to declare him wanted. On getting to the EFCC on Friday, the ex-governor presented a stamped document acknowledging that he had honoured the EFCC’s invitation in June.
“After being grilled for several hours, the EFCC gave him bail conditions, including that he tenders his passport and property documents of his sureties which he did. However, the EFCC still refused to grant him bail and said he should wait till Monday.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived New York ahead of his participation at the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71) holding from September 19th to 23rd. See more photos of his arrival below...
Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan appears to have more explanation to make to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) besides the $19 million just frozen in her accounts.
Mrs. Jonathan has just been linked with five choice properties including a N5billion hotel in Abuja, The Nation gathered yesterday. The EFCC is currently studying documents on how the Abuja hotel (names withheld) was built.
It has also dispatched a team of investigators to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State for the purpose of establishing the ownership of four properties in the two cities.
The anti-graft agency is likely to confiscate the five properties once it is able to confirm that they belong to Mrs. Jonathan.
One of the pieces of evidence the EFCC has in its possession in its probe of the ex-First Lady is her cumulative pay and perks as a civil servant in Bayelsa State where she rose to the post of Permanent Secretary.
Sources said the pay details are far below the $31million which the ex-First Lady claimed as her legitimately earned money.
The EFCC is insisting that Mrs. Jonathan must account for how she came about the cash wired into the five accounts to which she is a signatory or forfeit it to the Federal Government. One of the sources familiar with the probe said the money used in acquiring the properties under investigation appears to be gratification to Mrs. Jonathan when her husband was in power.
The source said: “Based on intelligence report, we have isolated five properties allegedly identified with the ex-First Lady. These properties include a N5billion hotel in Abuja and four others in Yenagoa and Port Harcourt.
“A special team has gone to verify all these assets in the affected areas including the contractors engaged, the mode of payment to them, relevant land registration documents, and associates used as fronts.
“In the next few days, we will start questioning all those involved in the acquisition or building of the assets. We are lucky that this investigation has a lot of e-transaction and computerization components. There is no hiding place for anyone involved.
“If at the end of the day the five assets belong to the ex-First Lady, we will approach the court to place all these assets under Interim Assets Forfeiture in line with Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.”
Section 28 of the EFCC Act stipulates that: “Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.”
Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.
“Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “If our investigation reveals that the assets are not owned by Mrs. Patience Jonathan, we will return them to their legitimate owners.”
The Nation also gathered that the EFCC is not about to defreeze Mrs. Jonathan’s accounts under investigation.
“We have retrieved documents on the pay package and monetized perks of Mrs. Patience Jonathan when she was a Permanent Secretary in the government of Bayelsa State. Her total emoluments do not tally with the funds remitted into the five accounts,” an EFCC source said.
“She owes us a duty to explain how she came about these funds. Our investigation showed that the funds came from gratifications; it is left to her to prove otherwise.
“The good thing is that the ex-First Lady was the one who sued EFCC demanding the release of her $31million. She has a duty as a former public officer to explain how she earned the funds. Did she declare these funds in her Assets Declaration Form as a Permanent Secretary?
“We are happy that the case is in court and the onus is on her to prove ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ that she is the owner of the funds. If we had initiated the action, some people by now will be accusing EFCC of witch-hunt.
“But she went to court to exercise her rights under the law. The same law demands that you must seek equity with clean hands. I think the press should take more than a passing interest in what is going on in the court.”
A newly-wed couple in Northeast China gave each other snakes as gifts at their wedding ceremony which held on Friday.
Wu Jianfeng, the groom, married Jiang Xue in Jinlin city of Jilin province. At the wedding ceremony, the bride Jiang gave a 15-kg female Burmese python/python bivittatus to the groom, who in turn gave the bride a 30-kg male Burmese python.
The Burmese python is one of the five largest species of snakes in the world.
It is reported that the couple are animal rights activists and bred many rare species at home, including spiders, lizards, pythons and birds.
Gallant Troops of 13 Brigade, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, have in a coordinated operation arrested a suspected high ranking militant kingpin, Victory Benjamin (aka Abuja Daddy and G3) and 3 others.
Abuja Daddy was nabbed at Saint Joseph Hospital, Ikot Ene junction, Akpabuyo area, Cross Rivers state while attempting to collect ransom from relations of one of their kidnap victims.
In a related development, troops of the same formation have also arrested 3 militants with locally made pistol and some cartridges while robbing victims around Refugees Camp at Efut Isigi in Bakassi Local Government Area, Cross Rivers State.
Meanwhile, troops have cordoned off the residents of the most wanted militant kingpin, Alias G1 still at large, as already the arrested militants known as “G2” and “G3” are providing useful information that would assist the military to track other criminals in the region.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations
Lizzy who got a surprised proposal from her boyfriend, Amen, several months back, was all smiles as she had her traditional marriage on Friday. She was so excited. See more photos...
