13 Witnesses Come Out To Testify Against Jonathan’s Wife

A Banker, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and 11 others are to testify on how four slush accounts were opened for former First Lady Patience Jonathan.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has tightened security around the 13 witnesses ahead of the trial’s resumption on September 27.

Below are the full details...
The accounts were opened by the ex-First Lady’s aide on Domestic/Household and Social Events to the former President, Dr. Dudafa Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel.

Dudafa and six others were last Thursday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Others are a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs, a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku; Pluto Property and Invest. Company Ltd; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd; Globus Integrated Service Ltd; and Seagate Property Development and Investment Ltd.

A document attached to the charge sheet indicates that 12 witnesses, including an account officer, will tell the court how the current and VISA Platinum Credit Card (USD) accounts were opened.

According to The Nation, the document lists the accounts in Skye Bank Plc as follows: 1771420773 and 2110002238 ( Pluto Property and Investment and Company Limited); 1771420797 and 2110002245(Trans Ocean Property and Investment and Company Limited); 1771421299 0and 2110002269 (Globus Integrated Services Limited) and 1771420780and 2110002207 (Seagate Property Development and Investment Limited).

The identities of the 13 witnesses are being shielded for security reasons.

It was learnt that some of them have been under pressure, especially the key Account Officer, in the past few days.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are set for the trial on how the slush accounts were opened for the former First Lady. We have filed a list of 13 witnesses along with our Proof of Evidence to show that we conducted due diligence.

“The Account Officer, who managed the slush funds, will tell the court the remittances into the accounts and how the ex-First Lady operated them. I think Nigerians have not heard the last on these slush accounts. This is not a case of witchhunt.

“We have also taken adequate measures to protect all the witnesses in order to enable them to testify against encumbrances. We know some of the witnesses have been under pressure but we will ensure their safety.

“It is imperative to protect these witnesses because we have availed the defence their names in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. This may expose the witnesses to some risks which are being taking care of.”

The former First Lady had sued the EFCC, demanding that her accounts be defrozen.

But the EFCC said: “We are still investigating her and she cannot operate all these accounts until she is able to give the details of the sources of funds remitted into the accounts,” the source said, adding:

“Our findings showed that the remittances were products of gratification. It is left for her to prove otherwise.

“Already, the team which investigated the case has declared that she has a case to answer.”

The report of the investigative team said in part: 

“Investigation so far carried out has revealed that the four VISA Platinum USD Card accounts used by Mrs. Patience Jonathan has a cumulative balance of $14,029.881.79 which has been swept Post No Debit Card category.

“Again, her personal account, different from the four VISA Platinum USD card accounts, bears the balance of $5,841,426.17.

“Considering the above stated findings, we can safely conclude that aprima facie case of conspiracy to retain proceeds of unlawful activities, retention of the proceeds of unlawful activities, money laundering, contrary to Section 15(3) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and forgery contrary to Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004 have been established against the aforementioned suspects.”

EFCC claimed that all the funds traced to Mrs. Jonathan’s accounts were proceeds of gratification.

Two residents fought and stabbed each other to death in Lagos

A scuffle between two residents of AIT Road in the Alagbado area of Lagos State became a tragedy on Wednesday after they stabbed each other to death.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the two men – Owolabi Yusuf and the other, identified simply as Isiaka – had at about 7.30pm disagreed on a yet-to-be-ascertained issue and attacked each other with knives.

Our correspondent gathered that before they could be separated by other residents, they had stabbed each other with the knives.

PUNCH Metro was told that while the victims writhed in pain, some neighbours attempted to rush them to a hospital, but they were discouraged as the men had lost a lot of blood.

The matter was thereafter reported at the Agbado Police Division.

The policemen reportedly came some minutes later to remove the two corpses.

A police source said the two residents were believed to be cultists.

He said, “The two of them were both notorious in the area for cult fights. The two deceased were in different cults and met on Wednesday on the road when an argument ensued between them.

“Residents would have rushed them to a hospital, but their antecedent made the people reluctant.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident.

She added that investigation was ongoing into the matter.

She said, “The two cult members engaged each other in a physical fight that led to their deaths. Policemen from the Alagbado division visited the scene and took photographs.

“The corpses are in a morgue where an autopsy would be conducted. Investigation is ongoing into the matter.”

Policemen kill undergraduate while chasing Internet fraudster (Photo)

                                

Tragedy struck at the Ogoja Market, LASU-Igando Road, Lagos State, after operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad shot dead an undergraduate of a polytechnic in Edo State, Eldanojie Joseph.The 20-year-old business administration student was said to be on a visit to his cousin, Friday Ojah, who lived on Alape Street, Iba Ojo, when he was hit by a stray bullet.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the operatives were chasing a suspected Internet fraudster, identified as Badoo, who had parked his car and fled upon sighting the officers.


The operatives were said to have started shooting sporadically.

The Esan, Edo State indigene, who had reportedly gone out to buy a canned drink with his cousin, was hit by a stray bullet.

He was said to have died on the spot.
Our correspondent was told that the officers took Joseph’s corpse, dumped it in the boot of the suspected fraudster’s car and drove off.

The cousin, Ojah, told our correspondent on Thursday that the police, in order to cover up their misdeed, said Joseph was a cult member.

He explained that Joseph had only arrived in Lagos about three weeks ago.

He said, “We grew up and attended the same primary and secondary schools together. He gained admission into a polytechnic in Edo State, while I am still processing my admission into the same school.

“Around 9.30am on Monday, we strolled out to buy a can of soft drink. We were returning home when we learnt that some policemen were chasing somebody.

“We decided to go through the back of the market. As we turned back, my brother was hit by a bullet in the head and he fell down immediately.

“As I tried to call for help, I saw that the policeman that shot him had aimed his gun at me. I fled the place immediately.”

He said the officers put the corpse in the boot of the car left by the suspected fraudster and drove away.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the corpse was taken to the SARS headquarters in Ikeja, from where it was taken to a morgue.

Our correspondent was told that the SARS team that conducted the operation alleged that the victim was a cult member and he had attempted to shoot at them when they fired back.

“But it was all lies. He only had the canned drink we bought, a phone charger and a handset on him when the incident happened. The police lied to cover up their misdeed,” Ojah added.

The policemen on the team that killed the victim were identified as Lucky, Oganla.

A legal practitioner and family friend of the victim, Saheed Sanni, decried the killing, saying the policemen must be arrested and brought to book.

He said, “Cases like this, involving SARS officers, have become rampant in the state. They kill with impunity and believe they can always get away with it. Whereas Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution protects the sanctity of human lives and prescribes punishment for violation of that sanctity. You cannot just take anybody’s life without a court order or judgment. We are taking up the case and justice must be done.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said she had yet to be briefed on the incident, adding that she would get back as soon as the Officer-in-Charge of SARS briefed her.

She said, “The OC SARS has yet to brief the command on that issue and he has been directed to do so. I will get back as soon as I have the facts of the case.”

"I really shouldn't be nominated for any award this year"-Davido admits

This year has been the slowest year ever for Davido since he began making waves in the music scene, and  while some fans feel he ought to have being nominated for awards by various music organisations, even the singer admits he doesn't deserve any nomination.

A fan had tweeted that Davido did not make the recently published list of artistes nominated for the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards (MAMA). Some of the stars who made the list include Flavour N’abania, Olamide and Wizkid.

And Davido responded

He hasn't dropped any single in 8 months, and he is set to drop his long-awaited album which had been on hold since he landed the deal with Sony BMG.

Oh well... 

"Marriage is not by force!"-Victim of alleged domestic violence calls out her pastor husband

Princess Oritsema Ekwejunor, a young house wife who has been allegedly suffering from age long domestic violence in the hand of her Pastor husband, Mr Omasan Mabiaku, has narrated how she has endured battering, torture and pains right from the inception of her marriage.

She also alleged he raped her when she was 16, but because she wanted to make him a 'better person', she still went ahead to marry him. She finished with a promise to upload recorded conversations of her husband soliciting for sex from underage girls,

Below is what she posted on Facebook

“Mr Omasan Mabiaku marriage is not by force I have left you over a month due to your constant violence, torture but this is the end, you pretend to the world you are a pastor only bcoz you are now broke, election is over and the aspirant you blackmail and duped is no longer there for your extortion. You lavished money buying cars and impregnating 16yrs old girls, I married you with just two children now u gave me extra 6.

As am talking right now your turkey baby mama is 7months pregnant. Imagine using soldiers to beat me up and tore my clothes at Tima guest house like a criminal a harmless woman n arrested me because you think you are the owner of police station.
   
You raped me at a tender age of 16 were I lost my virginity to you. I am not perfect I wanted to build a home with you and straighten your life I never knew that was my unforgettable mistake. I find it difficult to understand why whenever I get pregnant and I get you informed I always get miscarriages.
   
Your evil deeds as virtually made me enemies with everyone and people plot evil against me just because I am your WIFE! You bribe pastors so they can hide your evil deeds. I recorded a conversation of you having sex talk with one of your church girls n now u ended up framing me so I can be the victim.
   
You secretly slept and had an affair with my best friend, you bought a car black evil spirit and opened a shop somewhere at shell road for her. When even the car I drive posing as a big man’s wife is not bought with my name. People put there think am enjoying but hell no!
   
I fend for myself. The South Africa trips were all arrangements I did on my own. Were u later applied for yours just because u are obsessed with me. I told you I am fed up I don’t need this hell life m living as marriage. If we were in the western country will u beat up a woman no matter what like this?
   
You think you are God but I will prove to you my God lives. If I have been a bad wife let God judge and if I have been a good wife n took care of your kids of 17 all grown up like me let God judge” I might not have anybody to stand for me but God will fight for u.
   
Soon I will upload the audio of your conversation between you and underage girls having done sex. Let d world hear the pretence of wolf in sheep clothing! Say no to domestic violence!”

Checkout This 8 months pregnant Nigerian woman dies exactly one month after wedding

May Her Darling Soul Rest In Peace

See Photos of man who claims to be leaving the country because of APC

This photo of Godgift Azubike carrying a Ghana-must-go bag and two other bags have gone viral. He said people should call him when the opposition takes over, that this is not the change he voted for.

Checkout How Lagos beggars deceive innocent persons and get alms from them

Many beggars on Lagos streets feign illness to deceive innocent persons and get alms from them, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, said on Thursday.

Egbeyemi spoke while parading a 40-year-old female suspect arrested by the operatives of the State Taskforce at Oshodi, Lagos.

He urged Lagos residents to be cautious when giving alms, with many of such fake beggars trooping into Lagos daily.

“The rate at which these fake beggars operate in the state calls for concern.

“That is why the Agency is collaborating with relevant government Ministries, Agencies and Departments to get rid of these beggars on the streets and roads of Lagos.

“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni has directed that the suspect be immediately charged to court,” he said.

The suspect said that she bandaged her son’s leg with two rolls of white bandages and poured Gentian Violet (GV) on the leg everyday to deceive members of the public to give alms to the boy.

She said she made a lot of money in the Oshodi area of the state.

The suspect pleaded with the government not to charge her to court, saying she was ready to go back to her town and re-unite with her family voluntarily.

(NAN)

Niger Delta Militants vow to Bomb NNPC if Patience Jonathan is Arrested

The Niger Delta Peoples Professional Volunteer Force (NDPPVF), a group which says its members are workers in the oil and gas industry, has threatened to bomb the headquarters of the NNPC if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dares to arrest Patience Jonathan.

Accusing the anti-graft agency of witch-hunting the former first lady, the group advised EFCC to lift the No Debit Order imposed on her Skye Bank accounts immediately.

The accounts contained more than $15 million, but Jonathan’s wife has claimed that the money was meant for her medical bills.

Last week, EFCC filed money laundering charges against Waripamowei Dudafa, Jonathan’s special adviser on domestic affairs, whom the former first lady directed to open the accounts.

Ibrahim Magu, chairman of the EFCC, told reporters that Jonathan’s wife was under investigation.

But in a statement, NDPPVF warned Magu that investigating Patience could result into “bad blood, embarrassment and possible unrest in the Niger Delta.”

“Recently, there have been calls on the attorney-general of the federation as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)to arrest and prosecute the former First Lady for alleged money laundering.

“We shall simultaneously bomb the 4 wings of the NNPC Towers the day it is announced that MRS. PATIENCE GOODLUCK JONATHAN has been arrested by the EFCC.”

Checkout This Massive throwback photo of 'Akanchawa' couple Njideka and Gozie Okeke

Gozie and Njideka Okeke are best known for their timeless gospel hit 'Akanchawa'. Many years after their debut album was released, whenever 'Akanchawa' comes on air you find people nodding their heads and singing along. That's star power.
The couple have come a long way. The picture above of the couple was taken way before their inroad into the gospel music scene.

After the cut see recent photos of the couple 

Father pays tribute to late daughter who died in Dana crash

Ike C. Ibe, a relative to two victims of the June 2012 ill fated Dana air crash took to his Facebook page to wish his daughter, whom he lost along with his wife, a post humous birthday.

Late Jennifer, 12 at the time would have celebrating her 16th birthday today.

He wrote:

My loving daughter Jennifer. Accomplished child singer and composer. A prodigy. You would have been 16 today if not for that stupid Dana air crash that took you and your mummy on June 3rd 2012. Keep singing to God and your fellow angels in heaven.

Happy birthday up there Jenny and tell mummy that Jessica and I are still trying our best. Ora pro nobis.

Hawt! Nse Ikpe Etim shares sexy shirtless pic of her hubby and his100 packs

 Nollywood Actress Nse Ikpe Etim shared a sexy shirtless photo of her husband Clifford Sule and his 100 packs
Falling in love is the easiest part but keeping it is truly the task... #mancrusheveryday #keepthemclose #loveyou #thursdate #pilates #missingyou meanwhile if he ever knows I put this out he will kill me! Hahaha

 The couple got married in 2013 after several years of dating.

Nice bod!

Another blogger arrested for criticising Katsina governor’s purchase of coffins for mosques

 

The police in Katsina said yesterday that it arrested Blogger, Jamil Mabai for criticising the purchase of 3000 coffins for distribution to mosques by the state governor, Aminu Masari.

Mabai had criticised the rationale behind the purchase of 3000 coffins at N40,000 each when the governor is yet to pay outstanding salary to civil servants in the State. Clickhere if you missed it

He wondered whether the governor wants the people of the State to die with the purchase of the coffins.

Justifying his arrest, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State, Usman Abdulahi said the blogger was detained for posting that the government bought the coffins because it wanted people to die.

He said:

“The state government complained that Jamil wrote that it had bought 3,000 coffins and distributed to mosques and may be it wanted Katsina people to die.

“Any reasonable person will ask one or two questions. This is why we had to invite him to assist the police.”

This is coming barely two weeks after Emenike Iroegbu who publishes Abia Facts Newspapers was arrested over offences bordering on “defamation”.

”He recently published an article saying the governor buried a 9-year-old in the Government House in Umuahia,” Abia State Government said.

Within the past one year, Nigeria has witnessed an upsurge in arrests of citizens over their activities on the Internet.

In August 2015, three bloggers —Demond Ike, Seun Oloketuyi and Chris Nwandu— were arrested and charged for offences that allegedly contravened Cybercrime Act in Lagos.

Mr. Ike spent six months in custody, parts of which were in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.

A month later, Emmanuel Ojo, was arrested in Abeokuta allegedly on the orders of Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, after posting some “offensive” materials on Facebook. The charges preferred against him remained stalled in the Abeokuta Division of the Federal High Court.

Mr. Ojo said he had since fled Nigeria to another West African country after “threats from powerful people became unbearable.”

On August 8, 2016, Abubakar 'Abdusidiqu' Usman, a pro-government blogger, was also arrested and detained for nearly two days for apparently publishing a report critical of the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

Globacom reportedly set to terminate PSquare as brand ambassadors over controversies

                          


 Psquare, the singing duo of Peter and Paul Okoye, are set to have their contract terminated by Globacom, Nigerian telecommunications company because of the controversies that dogged them for the better part of the year..

TheCable Lifestyle learnt from reliable sources that Globacom decided to end their contract due to the public controverses Psquare has been involved in, within the past year.

Owing to managerial and creative disputes, Peter and Paul have had series of social media disagreements which led to a temporary split early this year.

The pair, a few months ago, announced that they had reunited and settled their differences.

Shortly after, they released a new single titled ‘Bank Alert’ and recently dropped the star-studded video for the song.

An insider in Globacom revealed to TheCable Lifestyle that Psquare has already written a joint letter to the management of Globacom to reconsider them as brand ambassadors.

The letter also contained an apology to the telecommunications company over their public rifts but TheCable Lifestyle understands that there is no going back.

Top shots at Globacom are believed to have made up their mind to do away with the brothers after failing to keep their dirty laundry private.

The public nature of their disagreements is considered detrimental to the public image of Globacom, hence the cessation of ties.

Psquare got signed to Globacom in 2010 on a four-year contract which was later renewed in 2014.

Their deal is worth an estimated N65m per year.

Chisos.......See what this guy said fell out from someone's hand bag in his office

Lol...Somebody get the owner to come get his/her property....See some reactions below...

Brad Pitt under investigation for child abuse

                         


Brad Pitt is under investigation by the LAPD and L.A. County Dept. of Children and Family Services for allegedly getting verbally abusive and physical with his children, and that's what triggered the divorce ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us, Brad, Angelina and their kids were on a flight last Wednesday when he allegedly got wasted on the private jet. He allegedly went wild, screaming and getting physical with the kids.
    
We're told the plane landed at an airport around 8 PM, and witnesses say Pitt continued his rant on the tarmac, and even tried leaving in one of the fuel trucks.
   
Our sources say someone either on the plane or the tarmac anonymously reported the incident to the L.A. County Dept. of Children and Family Services. We're told Brad and Angelina have already been interviewed and DCFS plans to interview the kids as well. That investigation is ongoing.
   
We're also told the LAPD has the case ... which is routine when anyone reports child abuse. We do not know the specifics of the alleged abuse ... just that it was supposedly both verbal and physical.
  
Our sources say this incident triggered Jolie to separate from Brad the next day and file for divorce just days later.
    
A source close to Brad tells TMZ, "He takes the matter very seriously and says he did not commit any abuse of his children," adding, "It's unfortunate that people involved are continuing to present him in the worst possible light."

“He did not do anything to us, and I think his death was destined" Suspected killers of Rev. John Adeyi

The police yesterday paraded four suspected killers of Rev. John Adeyi, the parish priest of St. Bernard’s Parish, Okpoga, Benue State after collecting N1.7 million ransom from the family.
The suspects are Suleiman Gina, 30 (leader), Saidu Abdullahi, 28 (deputy leader), Aliyu Garba, 26 and Haruna Idi, 27.Abdullahi confessed to have fired the shot.

According to Police spokesperson Don Awunah ,the suspects were arrested between September 1 and 14 in Bauchi, Enugu, and Benue States and led the police to a bush in Orokam where the three guns used for the operation were buried.

Gina said the cleric’s death was destined. He said

“He did not do anything to us, and I think his death was destined. We killed him after collecting ransom from his family because vigilante and villagers were closing in on us, so we killed him. We collected the ransom and hid it in the bush in one of the villages instead of saving it in the bank. We don’t have anything else to say than to say sorry to the man’s family, and plead that the government have mercy on us”

Man jailed for 100 years for drowning 3-year-old stepdaughter in pool

A man who was caught on camera throwing his three-year-old stepdaughter into a swimming pool before leaving her to drown has been jailed for 100 years.
CCTV footage shows the killer, identified only as Jose David N., repeatedly tossing the child into the water.

The little girl who could not swim is seen struggling to stay afloat as her stepfather stands by and watches. Other bathers as shown hastily exiting the pool, leaving the man to condemn the tot to a horrific death.

It sparked outrage across South America when the video was made public.

The incident took place while the child’s mother was sleeping in a hotel room.

Jose David N. pleaded surprise after being told that the youngster had drowned, a court heard. But the CCTV footage was enough to convict him and see him jailed with no possibility of parole.

After deliberation, judges found him guilty of killing her.

Labour Vows To Resist Move To Sell Off Nigeria's Assets

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has described those pushing for the sale of national assets as enemies of the country, who are only bent on acquiring the nation’s assets for their personal gain.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, told The Nation in an interview that they are against the suggestion that the Federal Government should sell off national assets to address challenges. 

To Wabba, experience has shown that privatisation has not worked. Most national assets Nigeria sold off have not done well; selling off the assets will not be in the interest of Nigerians.

Said the NLC chief: “First, most of our national assets they have sold under the banner of privatisation, non of them has succeeded. Many countries of the world has passed through this same period of recession and their approach to addressing the issue is not to sell their commonwealth, leaving them in the hands of a very few.

“It is worrisome that those canvassing for this are looking forward to buying these assets themselves. I don’t think it will be productive for us as a nation to dispose off these assets to meet short time need. It will certainly not be productive and not in the interest of the larger Nigerian public.

“As NLC, we are against the sale of those assets because we have tried it even in the power sector and the result is very obvious. Those people are looking for opportunity to buy those assets themselves. We are against it, especially selling them to individuals because of the gee viols effect of those assets that have been sold in the last.

“In the past, they were sold at give away price and people just amassed them for themselves.
“There can be a coexistence with people coming to invest side by side and for the government to strategically hold on to these assets. NLC is totally against the sale of these assets in the name of trying to address a short time need to address the challenges we are passing through. That is not what other countries have done.”

Wabba said should the government listen to the proposal and sell off the assets, organised labour will lock down the nation until the decision is reversed. “If they go ahead to sell the assets, we will protest. We have done that in the past,” he said.

“When it comes to selling off our national assets, if you remember, there was a time when they tried to sell the refineries when Obasanjo left office. We protested against it and that was how that decision was reversed. It is not as if these assets cannot add value, but because they have not been allowed to operate maximally.

“Take the refineries, for example. Our refineries are still among the newest in the world and so, if we add value to them, it is possible for the refineries to stop importation. It is because of inherent corruption that these refineries have not been allowed to work.

“Instead of addressing the corruption, what they did was to shift the to the larger Nigerian people without addressing the inherent challenges in the system.

“Our position is very clear and that is the fact that we are against their sales because they are for our children and generations yet unborn. We will be doing a lot of disservice if we sell such items. How are we sure that if we sell them, it will address the current challenges.”

Checkout Actor Odunlade Adekola's younger brother Pre-wedding photos ahead of his October 1 wedding

 
Fast rising actor, Oyekanmi Jethro Adekola who is the younger brother of the Popular Nollywood Actor, Odunlade Adekola, is set to wed that special lady whom he has chosen to be his wife on the 1st of October, 2016. The marriage is set to hold at Elega, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Oyekanmi is an actor, just like his sibling. Alongside acting, he also acts as an MC.

The couple recently released some nice pre-wedding photos as they continue to prepare for the wedding program soon.

See the pictures below:-

 
 
 

School-Leaver R*pes 4-Year-Old Girl in her Brother’s Presence

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Bassey Johnson, for allegedly r*ping a four-year-old girl in Idimu area of Lagos.

The school-leaver, who is also learning a trade, allegedly r*ped the girl, Fatima (real name withheld), when she and her elder brother went to watch a television in the suspect’s apartment.

The victim’s family and the suspect were said to be neighbours in the area.

The Punch reports that on Sunday, around 9am, Fatima and her seven-year-old brother, Wareed, went to the suspect’s room to watch the TV.

It was learnt that while the two were in Johnson’s apartment, Wareed fell asleep. The suspect was said to have r*ped the girl, after the brother slept.

A neighbour, who identified herself as Adeyinka, said it was Fatima’s mother, who later discovered that the four-year-old had been r*ped when the girl continued to scratch her private parts.

She said, “Bass (Johnson) is very close to the girl’s family. They are neighbours and the children usually went to watch TV in his room. On that Sunday, the girl and her brother went into Bass’ room and while they were watching TV, the brother slept off.

“Bass thereafter r*ped the girl. The brother was sleeping in the room while Bass, who could not control his urge, r*ped the girl. After the girl came out of the room, the mother noticed that she kept crying and was scratching her private parts.

“When the mum checked Fatima’s privates, she saw bloodstains and semen. When she confronted the perpetrator, the man confessed to the crime. That was how the matter got to the police.”

The matter was said to have been reported at the Idimu Police Division, and Johnson was arrested.

The Lagos Domestic and S*xual Violence Response Team had also stepped into the incident.

The DSVRT Coordinator, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the girl had been taken for a checkup, adding that the Department of Public Prosecutions had requested for the duplicate case file.

Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest, adding that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

Saraki Challenges MTN, Private Firms to Contribute to Sports Development

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday challenged MTN Nigeria to play an increased role in sports development in the country.

Speaking to reporters after a courtesy call by a delegation of the MTN Group in Nigeria led by Brig. Gen. Sani Bello (Rtd) and Ferdinand Moolman, Saraki emphasised that there was a need for large corporations to play a part in ensuring that Nigerian athletes had the necessary corporate funding to compete at the highest levels on the international stage.

“It would be great for thriving corporations like MTN Nigeria to begin to look at how they can contribute to national sports development in Nigeria,” he said, adding that “Such endeavours can make up a critical part of the Corporate Social Responsibility contributions of these companies.”

Saraki cited the example of the Delta Airlines which came to the aid of the Nigerian National football team, popularly known as The Dream Team, at the recently concluded Olympic Games in Rio, stating that such interventions in sports should become more commonplace.

“We need to encourage more corporations to set up funding mechanisms like foundations that our athletes can benefit from. Doing this would address the issues of funding that have limited our previous successes in international sporting events.

“All around the world, athletes benefit from private sector sponsorship — Nigerian athletes should not be the exception. Doing this would help with the preparation of our athletes prior to sports outings, and would also contribute to the logistic requirements that are a necessary ingredient for success", he said.

The Senate President said that moving forward, government across all levels should encourage a private-sector driven approach to sports development, highlighting the fact that the Nigerian entertainment industry, specifically Nollywood and the music industry, are noticeable case studies that demonstrate that the increased participation of private sector actors in the administration of the informal sector leads to more effective results.

“If we take Nollywood and our indigenous music industry as an example, we can see that these sectors have reached a point of global recognition and acceptability. This is because the innovative and competitive approach of the private sector can never be duplicated by the bureaucracy of government. This is why we need to reevaluate how we think about sports and sports development in Nigeria”, Saraki said.

Media Office of the Senate President
OLU-WOLE ONEMOLA
Senior Legislative Aide to the 

President of the Senate

EFCC freezes Patience Jonathan’s personal account with $5m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has frozen Patience Jonathan’s personal account, titled ‘Patience Ibifaka Jonathan’, which is domiciled in Skye Bank Plc.

Credible sources within the agency disclosed that the move had become necessary due to the prima facie case established against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife.

As part of investigations into diversion against a former Special Adviser to ex-President Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa, the anti-graft agency had frozen four companies’ accounts in Skye Bank with a balance of $15,591,700.

However, before the EFCC could arraign the four companies in court, Jonathan’s wife deposed to an affidavit, claiming that the money belonged to her.

The EFCC said it is good that Patience Jonathan took them to court by herself, so they will do their job as is expected by the law.

“I have said repeatedly, I stand by my allegations and will continue this struggle to expose the 2016 budget fraud and corruption in the house even if I am alone."Jibrin

Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin has said that he will not appear before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges except the hearing will take place publicly.

This is contained in a statement he issued on Wednesday after the House resolved to investigate him over his allegations against four principal officers of padding the 2016 budget.

Jibrin said, “The grand plan is to dilute the ongoing external investigation by the police and EFCC and use the Ethics Committee for a soft landing.

“I have said repeatedly, I stand by my allegations and will continue this struggle to expose the 2016 budget fraud and corruption in the house even if I am alone."

Jibrin further said that internal investigation of the matter would imply making the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, a judge in the case.

“I completely disagree with this approach because it will mean that the speaker is superintending over his investigation and that clearly makes him a judge in his own case.

“The allegations I raised are too grievous to be reduced to such process open to manipulation and teleguiding.

“I will, therefore, continue to cooperate with the anti-graft agencies which are already doing investigation on the matter and will also proceed to build a massive coalition with Civil Society Organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians.

“This is to ensure that this matter is not swept under the carpet. 

"Since I can substantiate the allegations I raised with cogency, I will take up the opportunity provided by the Ethics Committee to state my case under the condition that the hearing will be public.

“And will allow the Press, CSOs, NGOs, NLC, ASUU, NANS, NBA and the general public to witness the entire proceedings.

“This is the only way that I can have the comfort and confidence that the proceedings, the investigations and the outcome will not be manipulated or compromised.

“I am ready to appear before the committee even today if the proceedings will be public,’’ he said.