Ondo State Deputy Governor’s Impeachment, A Joke

Alhaji Ali Olanusi has described his removal by the Ondo State House of Assembly as deputy governor as a huge joke. He spoke through his lawyer, Oluwole Kayode, hours after the Commissioner for Agriculture, Lasisi Oluboyo, was sworn in as the state’s new deputy governor.

Olanusi’s travails began a month ago when he dumped the PDP for the APC. In condemning his impeachment, he reminded the lawmakers of an April 23 court order that the status quo be maintained in respect of his office.

He said, “Another action in respect of the same office and the impeachment process is pending in court and will come up on May 7, 2015. 

“I think public office holders and people who are put in positions to defend the Nigerian constitution must be law abiding. 

“In the light of this disobedience to a court order and the impunity displayed in the course of the impeachment proceedings, the deputy governor is on solid ground. The action is illegal and a juge joke.”

Olanusi’s impeachment followed the submission on Monday of a report by the seven-man panel constituted by Chief Judge Olasehinde Kumuyi.

After considering the report on Monday, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, moved the motion for the impeachment of the deputy governor.

Akinsoyinu based his motion on the report which indicted Olanusi of the allegations of gross misconduct that was leveled against him by the assembly.

The process for the illegal impeachment of the deputy governor lasted barely a week with the service of the impeachment notice on him. The case comes on in court on May 7.

EXPOSED: $18.53billion Oil Money Was Secretly Deducted

So, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was right about the stealing of Nigeria's money through NNPC? A forensic audit of Nigeria’s state oil firm released has confirmed the accusation by Emir Sanusi that the NNPC withheld about $20 billion that it ought to have remitted to the national treasury.

The report ordered released by President Goodluck Jonathan, more than two months after it was submitted by PriceWaterHouseCoopers confirmed that the NNPC illegally expended $18.53bn on operational costs, kerosene and petrol subsidies, without any form of official authorisation.

Sanusi had told a Senate committee in 2014 that NNPC received $67bn and handed over only $47bn.

Part of the cash was also withheld by an NNPC subsidiary, without National Assembly authorisation.

According to Reuters, although the audit found that the firm overpaid the state by almost $750 million, within the 19 months probed, it recommended a refund of $1.5 billion to government coffers. The audit covered January 2012 to July 2013.

Outgoing Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan released the audit days after his elected replacement, Muhammadu Buhari, pledged to probe the allegation all over again and crack down on corruption in the energy company once in office.

The probe of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) books was instituted last year after former central bank governor Lamido Sanusi said the firm had withheld $20 billion in oil revenue from government coffers, jeopardising the country’s finances.

After Sanusi's allegations, Jonathan publicly dismissed the claim and replaced Sanusi, saying the banker had mismanaged the central bank’s budget. Sanusi has since become Emir of Kano, the country’s second-highest Islamic authority.

The PwC audit, however, said NNPC and its upstream subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, should hand over $1.48 billion arising from unsubstantiated costs, duplicated subsidy claims and computation errors.

The report also recommended an overhaul of how NNPC is run.

“The NNPC model of operation must be urgently reviewed and restructured, as the current model which has been in operation since the creation of the corporation cannot be sustained,” it said in the 200-page document.

An earlier one-page version of the report, which had been due out in September, was released in February.

The affair has caused consternation in a nation long accustomed to reports of grand graft in Africa’s largest oil producer.

Analysts say Buhari, 72, managed to oust Jonathan in elections last month because voters believed he would tackle graft in Africa’s largest economy.

Buhari has vowed to recover our money from the looters, including all the properties to buy with them.

Buhari bans AIT from covering activities - sad for our democracy - Lawyer

I'm sharing this because people in the media should be a little scared of what happened yesterday. If they can do this to AIT, they can come for the rest of us. And before you know it, we can no longer write what we want. I hope it doesn't come to that. A lawyer shares his opinion. Read below...

Maybe I should attempt to open our eyes just a little to what is actually going on: 'Buhari bans AIT from covering his activities'. This is nothing for you to rejoice about that AIT sponsored hate campaign and so it's a good response. No! It isn't. It is just a true reflection of the 1984 hatred for critics and the press. Indeed, you may repackage a despot, but he is what he is.

I laugh when I remember his words at Chatham house: "so I present to you, a former dictator and a 'born-again' democrat'. Like really? Do you realize that one Cardinal part of this democracy is the freedom of the press?  Perhaps he understands the role of the media in bringing down GEJ and maybe scared of same.

Let me take you back a little, do you know the APC legislators, last year sponsored a bill to control the press? to be specific, social media?  Do you realize that severally as a dictator, Mr. President-Elect called the media, 'a distraction'.

What then is the lesson?

While I do not subscribe to ANY form of unprofessionalism in the media, this is democracy, you can sue for defamation, except of cos you think they are saying the truth. Further you could prosecute for sedition (that's what I'll do to Sahara reporters if I were GEJ). You do not blacklist the media.  It only starts with AIT and then possibly it will spread to other channels. Then we would have a 'controlled media'.

But then again, let this cloud that is gathered yield us some fruits, 'cos the NextGeneration is patiently waiting to kick all of you out.  Just wait and see!

Gilbert Oladeinbo (Esq.)

Experience The Smirnoff Guarana #Doubleside Party

Smirnoff Ice Double Black with Guarana is set to treat Lagosians to a spectacular night of amazing fun at its #doubleside party. Smirnoff will be showing the double side of the Lagos party scene by transforming an ordinary car workshop into the venue of an Epic party.

The Smirnoff #doubleside party will be taking place this Friday, 1st of May 2015 at A2 on Billingsway Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. So, turn up!


Come watch amazing acts like MI Abaga, Terry G, and EHIS show their unknown #doubleside. DJ Spinall and DJ Nana will be on the wheels of steel to help you show your #doubleside. The MC for the night is SenseiUche of City FM. 

T     This event is strictly by invite only. For tickets to this epic party, visit the Smirnoff Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SmirnoffNigeria  or click the link below http://getcoupon.at/p/cuf5nf.

·         Follow and like the social media platforms Facebook: www.facebook.com/smirnoffNigeria, Twitter:    www.twitter.com/SmirnoffNG and Instagram: www.Instagram.com/SmirnoffNG to stay in touch with happening on the doubleside.

• Remember you have to be 18+ to party with us.

Woman Dumps Fiancé after He Made her Choose between Him and her Puppets

A woman with a bizarre obsession with collecting puppets has told how she dumped her fiancé for one of her dolls.

Single April Brucker broke up with her fiancé, who she asked not to name, after he gave her an ultimatum: “It’s me or the puppets.”

She said she briefly dumped her puppets, something she is now ashamed of, but realised that “they were her children” and she had made the wrong decision. So she split up with her boyfriend and now lives alone with her 16 puppets in an apartment in New York City.

She works 60 hours a week as a singer, promotional model and freelance writer so they can have the
best of everything – even if it means she goes short.

MirrorUK adds that the 30 year old estimates she has spent £134,000 over the past ten years on the dummies, who have their own bedroom.

“They are like my children,” she said. “Yes, they are expensive, but if they need things, they need things. I will go without clothes for them. I’m a parent – that’s what you do.”

She said her relationship failed when her ex said her dolls were “weird”. April, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said:

“I was not allowed to date growing up. My parents were strict and when I met him I fell in love. He became my boyfriend. He was very romantic.”

After their third date he proposed.

“My parents were engaged after their third date. And they’ve been together 40 years. He got down on one knee. I thought he was the one.”

But things quickly become sour.

“He started becoming jealous of the puppets after four months. He started saying the puppets were weird. He said, ‘no wife of mine will ever have a puppet’. Ultimately he felt jealous of the puppets.”

That is when he gave her an ultimatum.

“He said, ‘It’s me or the puppets. I wanted to be with him, so I stayed with him. But after eight more months, I realised I had to stay with my puppets. In the end, my puppet children are all I have. They have never disappointed me like men have. 

They have their own room. They are like my family. We all do shows together. Sometimes I think, ‘yes, I dumped my boyfriend for a puppet. But then I think, ‘puppets are better’. I love my puppets.

April said she now couldn't date a man who did not appreciate her puppets.

“I spend so much on them after all. I spend $20,000 (around £14,000) a year on them. That’s for clothes, airfares, hair. I’ve been doing that for about ten years.

April first developed her bizarre hobby when she was just 13.

“My first puppet was Groucho Marx. And it just went from there. My dream is to tour the world with my children. I might not have love with a man but I have 16 children and they need me.”

Photo: Late Ojukwu with two of his children while in exile

This photo was taken in Ivory Coast during his exile years. See another photo after the cut...

Chukwuemeka Odimegu Ojukwu (r) with his elder sister and younger brother

Photo credit: Kiroyhistories

Photos: Tonto Dikeh looks fierce in her green jumpsuit

Nice outfit!

Pay Back??? Buhari Bans AIT From Covering His Activities

Family and security concerns have necessitate barring the Africa Independent Television, AIT, from covering all activities of the President-elect, Gen. Buhari until issues bordering on ethics and standards against them have been addressed, at least that was the reason given by the spokesperson of the Buhari campaign organization, Shehu Garba – As some AIT crew members were yesterday escorted out of the Defence House, just when Buhari was about to have a meeting with the Cuban and Switzerland ambassadors – The spokesman said:

” AIT has been asked to step aside based on security and family concerns. In addition, Buhari has decided that they will have to resolve some issues relating to issues of standard and ethics. We will be talking with them to try and resolve the matter, but for now the station has been asked to stay aside because, like I said, there are some family and security concerns.
They have been asked to step down their coverage until we resolve the matter with them on ethics and standards‎. You can quote me that I said that we have asked them to step aside and that we are resolving the the issues of ethics and standards with them.”

Ok!!! I get that AIT aired hate documentary against Buhari during the campaign period, but is this a good thing to do???

Meet the Top 12 Contestants Of Etisalat Sponsored Nigerian Idol Season V

With more than 10,000 auditions in 5 cities across Nigeria, numerous performance and eviction shows, the Etisalat Sponsored Nigerian Idol is down to its Top 12 contestants. 

Oyinkepreye Toun (a.k.a Preye - above) 
A make-up artist hooked not just on her brushes, but also on her love for RnB and Soul music, Toun is a 24-year old singer with vocal codes that belt out ranges totally out of this world. She sees Nigerian Idol as the platform to help her rub shoulders with her mentors. See the rest after the cut...

Ogunmoyero Modoluwamu (a.k.a Dolu)

A lover of good and deep music, Dolu loves to rub minds with and learn from intelligent people. Does this Ogun state indigene have what it takes to shine bright like a diamond in the music sphere?

Victor Ekeoma (a.k.a Prime)

This 23-year-old Abia State native has got confidence and soulful vocals to back it up. The Nigerian Idol platform will set a stage for him to reach the world with good and inspirational music.

Esther Aritheshoma Monday (a.k.a. Sther)

23-year old Esther, a graduate of Theatre Arts from the Niger Delta University, started her singing career at the age of five. Her passion for dancing, singing and acting inspired her to enter the Nigerian Idol competition. Will her theatrics and vocal dynamics attract the Nigerian Idol crown to her? 

Godson Goodluck (a.k.a. Classiq Tunez)

The 25-year-old one-time naval officer and a gifted pianist, Godson sees himself as a unique individual blessed with a rare tone. He believes his musical experience and background will path ways for him in the competition.

Omodele Diana Fatoki (a.k.a. Modele)

A native of Ogun State, 27-year old Omodele discovered her singing talent, when she was 13. Omodele loves Rhythm and Blues and believes she has untapped talents to showcase during the competition. Can her experience and astonishing vocal range earn her the golden crown?

Ada Brenda Adigwe (a.k.a. Brenda)

A lover of Pop, Afrobeat, Jazz and Soul music, Brenda is a resilient and experienced singer who believes Nigerian Idol is the gateway for her dream to be achieved.

Imuetiyan Ese-Amadasun (a.k.a. Nex2)

The 23-year old contestant loves to sing and watch movies. His resilient attitude makes him believe that, he can win Nigerian Idol season 5.

Paul Manuwa (a.k.a. P.Scholes)

A singer, song writer and guitarist, Paul is a 400L undergraduate of the University of Benin, currently studying Economics and Statistics. His style of music is acoustic Pop, alternative Rock as well as Rhythm and Blues. Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Timi Dakolo are his inspiration in the music industry.

Janet Ebiwari Ayoka (a.k.a. Ayoka)

A native of Ondo State, 25-year old Janet started singing when she was 10. Though, she lost her number one fan- her mother- five years later at the age of 15, Janet said her mother would be happy, knowing she never lost her beautiful gift of singing. Will she make her mother smile in her grave?

Margaret Uloma Okemiri   (a.k.a. Uloma)

Margaret is a 24- year old undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, studying Linguistics and Communication Studies. From Abia State, she loves singing, designing clothes and travelling. Margaret started singing at her Church Choir and she loves singing Soul and Rhythm and Blues.

Kunle Ogunrombi (a.k.a. K-Peace)

Kunle’s skill of infusing Fuji into his performance is second to non. The gifted singer, who is married with a child, began his musical career at 15. He loves challenges and believes Nigerian Idol will showcase his hidden potentials.

The first Gala show which aired over the weekend showcased the contestants performing songs by Nigerian legends, such as Mike Okri the Omoge crooner, late Christy Essien- Igbokwe, the Lady of Songs, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey and Highlife veteran, Sir Victor Olaiya to impress the judging trio of Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Darey Art-Alade and secure spots in the next stage of the competition.

To vote, viewers should dial the number of their favorite contestant on an Etisalat line or send the contestant’s number to 33680 via SMS. Voting began midnight Sunday, April 26 and ends Wednesday, April 29, 2015.

The winner of this year’s competition will be crowned in June and will be awarded with the sum of N7.5 million cash, a brand new car and a recording deal with Universal Music Company worth N7.5 million, amongst other prizes.

The show continues to air on local TV stations and cable networks like STV, NTA, Superscreen TV, Rave TV, Smash TV, Ooduaa TV, V Channel TV, Real Star TV, Cool TV, Wazobia TV and Wap TV.

Want to watch a recap of the last performance online? Simply log on to the Etisalat-Sponsored Nigerian Idol website at www.nigerianidol.com now for all the juicy updates.

All we can say as we keep watching the show is ‘May the best contestant win!’

Ebeano Supermarket now parades shop-lifters around their store half naked?

The popular supermarket used to post photos of shoplifters on their wall, but it looks like they have graduated to parading them naked. According to these twitter user Ebeano Supermarket paraded a guy that stole something from them half naked around their store.

..and Toyin Lawani's Fiance Lord Trigs Replies Jerry Ogbodo

Lord Trig is ready to bury his haters with his success! Meanwhile, Jerry had deleted his shade from Instagram and put up another post that he was misunderstood. See his post after the cut.

Hundreds of decomposed bodies found in Damasak in the wake of attacks by Boko Haram

Hundreds of decomposed bodies including those of women and children were discovered by a government committee in Damasak, northern Borno State this past weekend. The committee was set up by Governor Kashim Shettima to assess the level of destruction in towns

According to Daily Trust, the victims were suspected to have been killed by Boko Haram insurgents as they fled the town following an onslaught by Chadian forces to recapture the town.

Credible sources said decomposed bodies littered the streets while many others were discovered inside houses, shallow graves and rivers that have dried up on the onset of the dry season.

The committee spent the weekend recovering and burying remains of the victims under the watchful eyes of Chadian troops who sacked the insurgents from Damasak some weeks ago.
Witnesses and government officials told Daily Trust that the insurgents carried out the massacre during their reign of terror that lasted several months in the fishing community.
Senator-elect Borno North Senatorial District, Alhaji Abukakar Kyari, said there was "large scale atrocity" committed by the insurgents in Damasak and other towns and villages in northern part of Borno State.

However, Kyari denied suggestions that among the victims were some of the 500 children abducted by the militants a few months ago.
It was said that the children were locked up in an Arabic school in Damasak and that they died of suffocation and hunger.

Kyari said: "I have full knowledge of what the committee did in Damasak and the fact is that there was nowhere that bodies of over 500 children was discovered.
"Of course, many people have been killed but nobody or group brought all the dead bodies to one place.

" What really happened was that following the liberation of Damasak by Chadian and Nigerien forces and a visit by a committee that we set up, we again sent our people there on Saturday (25th April) and they worked assiduously in recovering many dead bodies.

"I cannot tell you the precise number of dead bodies but they are many. The people that went to Damasak divided themselves into various groups, recovered the bodies and buried them in various graves," he said.

Kyari said some bodies were recovered in Kareto and others in Damasak.
He said preliminary investigations suggested that some of the fresh corpses were those of insurgents killed by Chadian and Niger Republic troops.

Community leaders have warned that civilians are still at risk, especially those returning to remote areas like Gujba where the military’s deployment has typically been thin.
Many experts agree that Boko Haram is likely to transition from capturing and holding territory to reverting to a pattern of hit-and-run attacks.
Analysts say boastings from regional armies should be treated with caution, as the Islamists are far from defeated and can easily regroup, especially if there is a let-up in the military pressure.

Culled from Daily Trust.