Rapper 50 Cent admits bankruptcy filing was a stunt

Last week Friday, a judge in LA ruled that despite filing for bankruptcy, 50cent is still liable for damages in defamation case filed against him by Rick Ross' baby mama for posting her amateur sex tape on line.

Over the weekend, 50 cent went on Instagram to joke with fans about filing, not because he is broke but, because he doesn't want to pay up...

Singer Perfecta Ekpo returns with a Fliptyce produced single 'Topisin

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Perfecta Ekpo, a singer and songwriter based in New York City, USA has return with a brand new single, a Fliptyce produced song titled Topison. After the success of her debut single Hope For Nigeria, the prelude continues with this new and exhorting sound “Topisin”. Listen, enjoy and share.

Read Buhari's article posted on Washington post today, affirms Ministers will be appointed in September

Ahead of his visit to President Obama today, President Buhari wrote an article for the Washington Post titled 'Nigeria committed to good governance and fighting terror" where he datiled what he has done so far and what he plans to do towards the fight against Boko Haram and corruption. He also affirmed that his Ministers will be appointed in September.  Full text of the op-ed after the cut...


This month, the world moved a step closer to the defeat of Boko Haram, the jihadist group that has terrorized hundreds of thousands in the northern states of Nigeria. In one of my first acts since taking office as president six weeks ago, I have replaced the heads of Nigeria’s army, navy and air force. Our new military leadership has not been chosen because of their familiarity with those in government, as was too often the case in the past, but on their track records and qualifications alone.
These new military leaders will be based in Borno State in northern Nigeria, where the headquarters of the armed services has been relocated. This shift of resources and command directly to the front line, in addition to the replacement of the head of the State Security Service, Nigeria’s intelligence organization, and a new emphasis on working in partnership with our neighbors, has equipped us to take the fight directly to Boko Haram.

Already we are beginning to see a degrading of Boko Haram’s capabilities as a fighting force. In recent weeks, it appears to have shifted away from confronting the military directly to an increase in attacks on civilian areas, as we saw only last week when an elderly woman and 10-year-old girl blew themselves up at a Muslim prayer gathering in northeastern Nigeria. We should not be confused by this change, hateful as it is: It does not mean that Boko Haram is succeeding in its aims — it shows that it is losing.

While we work to defeat the terrorists, I ask the people of Nigeria and the world for resolve and fortitude. The campaign we will wage will not be easy; it may not be swift. We should expect stages of success and also moments when it may appear that our advances have been checked. But no one should have any doubt as to the strength of our collective will or my commitment to rid this nation of terror and bring back peace and normalcy to all affected areas.

Similarly, my determination should not be underestimated in other matters. This includes instilling good governance and tackling the scourge of corruption that has held Nigeria back for too long.

As I meet with President Obama today — the first time a president of the United States will encounter a Nigerian counterpart following the peaceful transfer of power in a contested election in our history — I will be discussing my plans for critical reforms. So, too, will I discuss why the formation of my administration is taking time and, crucially, why it must. Already there are voices saying these changes are taking too long — even though only six weeks have passed since my inauguration. I hear such calls, but this task cannot and should not be rushed.

When cabinet ministers are appointed in September, it will be some months after I took the oath of office. It is worth noting that Obama himself did not have his full Cabinet in place for several months after first taking office; the United States did not cease to function in the interim. In Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government to have made these appointments immediately on my elevation to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place.

I cannot stress how important it is to ensure that this process is carried out correctly, just as it has been crucial to first install the correct leadership of the military and security services before we fully take the fight to Boko Haram.

There are too few examples in the history of Nigeria since independence where it can be said that good management and governance were instituted at a national level. This lack of a governance framework has allowed many of those in charge, devoid of any real checks and balances, to plunder. The fact that I now seek Obama’s assistance in locating and returning $150 billion in funds stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts on behalf of former, corrupt officials is testament to how badly Nigeria has been run. This way of conducting our affairs cannot continue.

Indeed, the failure of governance, it can be argued, has been as much a factor in Nigeria’s inability thus far to defeat Boko Haram as have been issues with the military campaign itself.

So the path we must take is simple, even if it is not easy: First, instill rules and good governance; second, install officials who are experienced and capable of managing state agencies and ministries; and third, seek to recover funds stolen under previous regimes so that this money can be invested in Nigeria for the benefit of all of our citizens.

We seek the support and partnership of the United States in these tasks. The importance of the fight against terrorism and corruption in Nigeria, Africa’s most powerful economy and largest populace, cannot be underestimated. Our allies can provide much-needed military training and intelligence as our soldiers take the war effort to Boko Haram. Similarly, we look to U.S. businesses as well as the Obama administration to help develop governance initiatives that can ensure that Nigeria’s wealth benefits all its people, not just a few. By taking these steps, we will be positioned to benefit from increased investment — particularly in energy and electricity — from the United States.

I was elected on a platform of change. I know this is what the people of Nigeria desire more than anything else. I know they are impatient for action. I realize the world waits to see evidence that my administration will be different from all those that came before. Yet reforming my country after so many years of abuse cannot be achieved overnight. In our campaigns against both Boko Haram and corruption, we should remain steadfast and remember, as it is said: “Have patience. All things become difficult before they become easy.”

Bomb blast kills 5 at Police checkpoint in Damaturu

A suspected Boko Haram male suicide bomber detonated a bomb at a checkpoint ‎at Kano-Maiduguri road on the outskirts of Damaturu, Yobe State this afternoon. Eyewitnesses say the blast occurred when police officers at the checkpoint stopped a suspicious Toyota Highlander heading for Maiduguri. As the driver of the bus and other passengers filed out for searching, the suicide bomber blew himself up, killing himself and others. Many others were seriously injured.

Standing Order Used for Saraki Election Is Fake, say Senators

Senators who served in the 7th Senate, on Saturday, disowned the 2015 edition of the Senate Standing Orders as amended under some very suspicious circumstances.

The senators who are from different political parties, said they were not aware of any amendments to the 2011 Senate Standing Orders.

The ‘forged’ orders were used in the election of Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as senate leaders.

Acting on a petition by Senator Sulaiman Hunkuyi (All Progressives Congress, Kaduna State), the police had on July 6 quizzed the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ekweremadu, and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Salisu Maikasuwa, over an alleged forgery of the standing orders.

The petition alleged that some parts of the 2015 Senate Orders were different from the one ratified by the 6th Senate in 2010, which was used by the 7th Senate as Standing Orders 2011.

It has been observed that in the 2015 Senate orders, Rule 3 as contained on page four of the standing rule, which has to do with the election of presiding officers, is different from the 2011 Senate Order.

Rules 3(e) (I) and (ii) have been included in the 2015 document to accommodate electronic voting and secret ballot, whereas secret ballot and ballot papers were not specifically mentioned in the 2011 Standing Orders.

The Senate Order 3 (E ii) of 2011 states, “Voting shall be conducted by the Clerks-at-the Table, using the Division List of the Senate with the Tellers in attendance. The Clerk of the Senate shall submit the result of the division to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

“(iii) The Clerk shall then declare the Senator-elect who has received the greater number of votes, elected as President of the Senate.”

The same section in the 2015 Senate Order however reads, “Voting by secret ballot which shall be conducted by the Clerk-at-Table using the list of the Senators-elect of the Senate, who shall each be given a ballot paper to cast his vote with the proposers and seconder as Teller. The Clerk of the Senate shall submit the result of the voting to the Clerk of the National Assembly who shall then declare Senator-elect who has received the highest number of votes as Senate President-elect.”

The open ballot procedure was adopted by the Senate to produce the past Senate President, David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. Senators were called, one after the other, and they openly identified with the candidate of their choice.

Apart from ‘alteration’ to the procedure for election, the order 95 of the 2011 rule on the chairmanship and membership of the Committees is also different in the 2015 version.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business in 7th Senate, Senator Ita Enang, explained that the Standing Orders that should have been used for the inauguration of the 8th Senate is the Standing Orders that was used and closed within the 7th Senate.

Enang was in the PDP when he was in the Senate, but he later defected to the APC.

He said, “I made proposal for amendments between 2011 and 2015, I laid the report on the floor, but we did not consider the report. We did not amend the Standing Orders.

“Before we left, I had approved the reprinting of the Standing Orders and the reprinting did not include inserting anything which was not in the old one. Reprinting is, simply reproduce what we have because there are no more copies,” he added.

Also commenting on the development, Senator Babafemi Ojudu (APC), who represented Ekiti Central in the 7th Senate, said, “There were no amendments at all. I spoke with Senator Ita Enang, who was the custodian of the rules and he expressed shock.

“Any amendments done to the Senate Rules which we used in the 7th Senate is criminal and perpetrators should be charged for forgery.”

Buhari Rejects Alison-Madueke's Plea to Refund Looted $250m

Controversial former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has offered to refund the sum of $250 million dollars to the Nigerian government in return for immunity from investigation and possible prosecution, Sahara Reporters has learned.

But her overtures has reportedly been rejected by the no-nonsense President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari was unimpressed by Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s offer. “Mr. President considers the $250 million as ridiculous considering the amount of money Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is suspected to have diverted into her pocket and those of others.”

A source in Aso Rock and a ranking member of the APC revealed that the former minister has been reaching out to influential government and ruling party officials, in and outside Abuja, to prevail on President Buhari to accept her offer and let bygones be bygone. According to our sources, Mrs. Alison-Madueke had enlisted the support of several figures close to Mr. Buhari, including Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, to intercede with the incumbent president.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke was one of the closest ministers to former President Goodluck Jonathan, and is reputed to have anchored and facilitated numerous money-laundering scandals and deals that characterized the era of the just-ended Jonathan administration. The former Petroleum Minister oversaw several oil swap deals, the disposition of oil wells handed over by Shell Petroleum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and the direct looting of funds through the NNPC. Former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was forced out of office after he revealed that the NNPC had failed to remit more than $20 billion in oil revenues with the CBN.

The former Petroleum Minister is the latest of several officials who served under Mr. Jonathan’s government that are currently negotiating “soft landing deals” with the Buhari administration. The incumbent president, who was sworn in on May 29, 2015, has vowed to probe various questionable financial actions taken by his successor or officials of his government. Mr. Buhari is reportedly determined to recover billions of dollars in stolen funds.

One source said Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s latest offer to refund at least $250 million to the government came after she learned that President Buhari’s scheduled meeting with US Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, would include a discussion of ways that the US government could facilitate the investigation, arrest and prosecution of some officials of the Jonathan administration implicated in the theft of billions of dollars and a variety of frauds that resulted in the loss of significant sums of public funds in Nigeria.

Sahara Reporters exclusively reported earlier in the week that the former Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been cooperating with the Buhari administration’s ongoing, if quiet, probe of a series of questionable financial transactions by the Jonathan administration. 

The sources revealed that Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala had given the Buhari administration documents that expose a number of shady financial deals executed by the Jonathan administration. 

Buhari is intent on ordering a full audit of deals and transactions done by the former Petroleum Minister and her cohorts in the various agencies that reported to her. 

In addition, the  president is reportedly focused on looking further at the extensive embezzlement of security funds by appointees of the former president. Buhari has approved an investigation of how more than $3 billion in Nigeria’s defense budget was spent. Security agents who searched the homes of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, reportedly carted away some revealing documents.

Sambo Dasuki Caught with Armored Cars & High-Grade Rifles

Nigeria’s Department of State Security has made revelations, detailing the reason they invaded several houses owned by former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). The statement signed by Tony Opuiyo stated that Mr. Dasuki initially resisted a legitimate attempt to search his official residence, using soldiers to barricade himself inside. 

The refusal of Mr. Sambo to allow a thorough search created a tense standoff between the SSS team went to his home with a search warrant and the military guards, protecting his house against the law.

SSS also detailed how Mr. Sambo kept high-grade rifles at his official residence and how he lined his parking lot with at least 5 luxurious armored cars ostensibly purchased with stolen government funds.

Read the full text of the SSS statement below:

Gentlemen of the Press, good evening.

2. On 16th July, 2015, about 1650 hours, based on credible intelligence linking the immediate past NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd) with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted a search on the properties belonging to the former NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd). The properties are on Nos. 13, John Khadya Street, Nos. 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

3. The search operations was planned to be simultaneously conducted, but DASUKI, refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at No. 13 John Khadya Street, Asokoro, despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant. Consequently, what was to last not more than two (2) hours, lasted more than ten (10) hours, up till the early hours of 17th July, 2015. Indeed if not for the sense of maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned this task and the very good understanding and timely intervention of the new Chief of Army Staff, Tsukur Y. BURATAI (Maj Gen), there would have been a clash between the Army operatives guarding the house and Service operatives, as SAMBO directed the soldiers on duty not to allow any movement into his house, despite the subsisting court order. SAMBO thereafter raised a false alarm to the military authorities to come to his aid as he failed to correctly tell the military that his property was about to be legitimately searched.

4. Gentlemen, please recall that SAMBO retired from the Army as a Colonel, and therefore not entitled to have military guards, if not for the fact he was NSA. Even as NSA, such guards should have been withdrawn after his removal as NSA since he would not have been entitled.

5. The search was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered, among which were some incriminating items. These include seven (7) high caliber rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears. 

6. The team also recovered twelve (12) new vehicles, out of which five (5) were bullet proofs. These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles were retrieved from SAMBO’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership. For instance, what could he be doing with five (5) bullet proof cars as a retired NSA?. These cars which from all available evidence were purchased with tax payers money, were being kept for possible sinister enterprise.

7. The Service would want to state categorically that this search operation is not a witch hunt. The Service decided to move at this time in line with current management resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the dark days. The Service is also aware that the lethal arms and the vehicles recovered were not reflected in SAMBO’s handover notes or what could a former NSA be doing with destructive weapons and bullet proof cars which put together could disrupt the peace of any city in Nigeria for a while.

8. On the search of his three (3) properties, including the Sokoto residence, the Service is aware that in his capacity and given his antecedents, he might decide to use any of his residences for such diabolical plans, rather than his main residence.

9. Gentlemen of the press, the Service Management would want to assure members of the public that it would not trample on the freedom of individuals or groups as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and emphasized by the current administration’s position on transparency, and probity underlined by justice and equity for all Nigerians. This is the driving force for all DSS operations. 

However, the Service would not hesitate to go after any person or group of persons, no matter how highly placed once such individual (s) breach or attempt to breach the laws of the Federation. The days for impunity and indecisiveness in the face of unpatriotic acts by individuals operating against the State are over. 

The Service hereby appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding and partner with it in ensuring a peaceful and secured nation. In the same vein, those that are bent on breaking the rules governing our peaceful co-existence due to either the huge ill gotten wealth they have acquired or imaginary hold they think they have on our nation’s survival, are being warned to rethink. The DSS will use all constitutional means as defined by its mandate to deal decisively with such unpatriotic individuals.

10. The Management want to seize this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for the tremendous acts of goodwill that is being extended to the new dispensation. The Management also wish to assure Nigerians that the gesture and confidence being expressed will be reciprocated with more dedication and service to our dear country Nigeria.

Thank you. 

signed: Tony OPUIYO

U.S Declare That Nigeria Is The Most Important Country In Africa

Just ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the United States, a former assistant secretary of state, Johnnie Carson, is now saying that the discussion between Nigeria and United States should not be restricted to insecurity alone because Nigeria as he said is "the most important country in Africa and must be treated as such".

See full story after the jump:

The former assistant secretary said in an interview with Reuters that Washington should not let security issues overshadow the need for closer trade and investment ties. In his words: "Nigeria is the most important country in Africa, now more than ever the relationship with Nigeria should not rest essentially on a security and military-to-military relationship"

Similarly, US Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken told Reuters that: "President Barack Obama has long seen Nigeria as arguably the most important strategic country in sub-Saharan Africa."

Over the years the ties between the US and Nigeria have strained because Nigerian government refused to investigate corruption allegations in the country. Blinken said "The question is would there be an opportunity to deepen our engagement and that opportunity is now" when speaking on Buhari’s three-day visit to Washington.

Hopefully, this Buhari's visit would yield a lot of fruit! Also, I'm very happy that even the Oyibo people know that Naija is a force to be reckoned with. If only we can just get past all of this little little things holding us back. God will help us my people.

Mistress of former NFL player kills his wife, commits suicide after high speed chase

Former NFL player Buster Barnett's mistress 49 year old Lisa Brown (pictured top right) kidnapped and killed his wife Sandra Barnett, 58 (pictured bottom). After killing his wife following a police high speed chase on Thursday, she then turned the gun on herself.

According to reports, Buster 56, had been dating Lisa for many years and promised her marriage. On that fateful Wednesday morning, Buster told police Lisa came to his job after she found out he was going on vacation with his wife. He confirmed the trip to Lisa who left in anger. He said he never imagined she would do something like this so he didn't call the police.

An angry Lisa left Barnett’s place of employment and headed to his home in Ellenwood where Sandra was alone. Sandra was on the phone with a friend when Brown showed up at the house. The friend said she heard what sounded like a struggle before the call ended and so immediately told a friend to go check on Sandra.

By the time the man got to the man, Sandra's car was in the driveway so he thought nothing was wrong. But by this time, Lisa had kidnapped Sandra in her SUV - a dodge Durango owned by Buster.

Carroll County authorities spotted the Dodge Durango on Thursday and began a chase on Interstate 20 that spanned into Alabama. Alabama State Patrol troopers joined in when the chase crossed state lines. The Durango suddenly stopped in the middle of the interstate. At that point, authorities said Brown shot Sandra Barnett and turned the gun on herself.

The kidnapping appeared to be premeditated as the police uncovered a set of handcuffs and some receipts. Buster is not suspected of any crime or plotting with Lisa to murder his wife.

Buhari will probe Jonathan's government - Presidency

In an interview with Vanguard, presidential media adviser Femi Adeshina confirmed that president Buhari is planning to probe the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan

He (Buhari) has said it that money in billions of dollars will be recovered. But you know the world is too small a place for anybody to hide if you are running from justice. You will be fished out. So, there is no need that you say they should not be heading for jail if eventually the law goes after them. Very few countries can they hide in and how long will they hide? So, it doesn’t mean that anybody that has ill gotten wealth will not regurgitate it. They will. Remember when he went to Germany for the G7 summit, he met with President Obama and Obama told him to just give us information on where the loot is hidden and we will help you recover it and the government has been working on that. So, that shows that looters will never go free" he said

Asked if Buhari plans to probe administrations before GEJ, Adeshina said

"He can’t afford to go too deep into the past or else it will be destructive for his administration. There are some things you can’t close your eyes to while you don’t want to shine the torchlight into the dark recesses of our past; immediate past where things are evident. The Yoruba have a saying that the corpse we buried, the leg is sticking out and, if you bury a corpse and the leg is sticking out, you can’t pretend. When there are trails all over of the monies in billions and trillions, then a responsible government can’t close its eyes to that.

Buhari becomes first Nigerian president in history to stay at US president's official guest house

President Buhari, who left for the US this morning, will be staying at the Blair House in Washington D.C during his US visit, according to the presidency. He will be the first Nigerian president ever to stay in the house which is the US President's official guest house.

An invitation by a sitting US President to stay in this historic guest house is regarded in America as an honor of highest significance. When visiting leaders reside here, the flags of their nations fly proudly over Blair House, a courtesy that serves as both a gracious welcome and a symbol of the home’s crucial role in diplomatic relations. SSA to Buhari on media & publicity, Shehu Garba shared the photo of him and another Nigerian standing in front of the historic building. More after the cut

Kanu Nwankwo's wife and son enjoy some mum/son alone time

Amara kanu and one of her handsome sons play at the family home. Another photo after the cut...