Photos: 17 people killed and over 25 injured in deadly Saudi Mosque suicide attack

17 people, all members of Saudi special security members, were killed and more than 25 injured in an explosion at a mosque in the southern Saudi Arabian city of Abha, Asir province on today August 6. According to Saudi media, the bombing took place in the mosque used by Saudi special forces. Death toll is expected to rise. So far no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast. More photos after the cut...

Choi! As spotted in Lagos today..

This girl was spotted behind a mini truck this morning. The pick-up back cover was suspended with a wedge at one end and a stick at the other end at Isheri-Idimu in Lagos this Morning. See more photos after the cut...

Photos: Ex-bankers get 91 years in prison for N114.6million fraud

Press statement from EFCC below...

Justice Ibrahim Mairiga of the Kebbi State High Court has convicted Suleiman Ibrahim Musa, Bilyaminu Usman and Lawal Suleiman on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, theft and criminal breach of trust brought against them by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and sentenced them to 91 years in prison.

The convicts, who are former members of staff of FinBank Plc (acquired by First City Monument Bank Plc in 2011), Birnin-Kebbi branch in Kebbi State, were first arraigned on July 21, 2010, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Musa, who was then the head of operations, defrauded the bank of N101, 707,000; Usman and Suleiman, both tellers connived to defraud the bank of N6, 627,500 and N6, 267,500 respectively. The crimes were committed between 2008 and 2010.

They had at different times debited the bank’s customers by carrying out unauthorized withdrawals. They were arrested by EFCC operatives following a petition by the bank’s management, after several customers lodged complaints alleging fraudulent deductions from their bank accounts.

They had backed up their claims with various documentary evidences - stamped deposits and investment certificates. After five years of trial, Justice Mairiga, having been convinced by the evidence brought before him by the prosecuting counsel, Aisha Habib, found them guilty of the charges. “By considering the amount involved and weight of evidence presented before the court by the prosecution, which was never challenged by the defence, it shows that their wrongful act caused a great injury to the bank,” the judge said. “I therefore, find the accused persons guilty as charged, and so convict and sentence them to 55 years, seven years and 29 years imprisonment respectively without an option of fine, with the jail term to serve concurrently”, the judge ruled.

The judge also ordered the convicts to return the stolen money to the bank.
Wilson Uwujaren

Photos: Ex-bankers get 91 years in prison for N114.6million fraud

Press statement from EFCC below...

Justice Ibrahim Mairiga of the Kebbi State High Court has convicted Suleiman Ibrahim Musa, Bilyaminu Usman and Lawal Suleiman on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, theft and criminal breach of trust brought against them by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and sentenced them to 91 years in prison.

The convicts, who are former members of staff of FinBank Plc (acquired by First City Monument Bank Plc in 2011), Birnin-Kebbi branch in Kebbi State, were first arraigned on July 21, 2010, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Musa, who was then the head of operations, defrauded the bank of N101, 707,000; Usman and Suleiman, both tellers connived to defraud the bank of N6, 627,500 and N6, 267,500 respectively. The crimes were committed between 2008 and 2010.

They had at different times debited the bank’s customers by carrying out unauthorized withdrawals. They were arrested by EFCC operatives following a petition by the bank’s management, after several customers lodged complaints alleging fraudulent deductions from their bank accounts.

They had backed up their claims with various documentary evidences - stamped deposits and investment certificates. After five years of trial, Justice Mairiga, having been convinced by the evidence brought before him by the prosecuting counsel, Aisha Habib, found them guilty of the charges. “By considering the amount involved and weight of evidence presented before the court by the prosecution, which was never challenged by the defence, it shows that their wrongful act caused a great injury to the bank,” the judge said. “I therefore, find the accused persons guilty as charged, and so convict and sentence them to 55 years, seven years and 29 years imprisonment respectively without an option of fine, with the jail term to serve concurrently”, the judge ruled.

The judge also ordered the convicts to return the stolen money to the bank.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity 6th August, 2015

Beyoncé denies buying $475k diamond encrusted shoe

Earlier this week, there were reports that Beyonce had bought a pair of House of Borgezie diamond encrusted Princess Constellation stilettos for an eye watering $475k after the owner of the British shoe company blabbed in an interview that she bought it to wear for her next video shoot.

Check Out Governor Fayose Dancing Openly In Ekiti

If you make a former bus driver governor, things can never go according to protocol. See more photos...

The dancing took place in Ikere-Ekiti where Governor Fayose had gone for a ground breaking ceremony.

Buhari calls for inclusion of Islamic books in federal schools’ Curriculum

President Buhari has called on the Federal Ministry of Education to include two Islamic Studies books written by the late Justice Muhammad Bashir Sambo in the secondary school curriculum for all Federal Government Colleges.

According to The News Agency of Nigeria, President Buhari gave the directive at the weekend in Kaduna while launching the reviewed editions of the books which were first published in 1974.

Represented by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, the president, according to NAN noted that such books had become essential in the face of declining moral and religious values in the country.

Chris Brown fights back, says he's a good Dad

Chris Brown, 26, is sick of hearing that he can’t see his daughter Royalty because he’s an unfit father which is what ex Nia Guzman, 31, is trying to perpetuate so she can get full custody of their baby! He’s fighting back against her allegations with everything he’s got, because he is desperate to keep this from happening.

Nia has filed a request to get full custody of Royalty, limiting Chris’ interaction with his daughter to only supervised visits.
Chris is planning to file an opposition to Nia’s request. He’s devastated that Nia has been keeping him away from little Royalty, and the fact that she’s been spreading rumors about him being a terrible father is just hurting him more.

Chris has plenty of evidence on his side to counter Nia’s claims. Firstly, he is going to argue that he never puts Royalty in a dangerous situation; he’s even surrounded his home with a massive 24-hour security team for extra protection after burglary scares.

To further establish his stability and responsibility as a great dad, Chris will argue that he’s never done drugs around his child, or put her in the company of anyone that Nia has deemed “untrustworthy.” She apparently believes many of his friends have substance abuse issues

Teens attack shops, stab 3 to death in Oyingbo

There was pandemonium on Freeman and Borno streets in the Oyingbo area of Lagos State when teenagers, armed with cutlasses and knives, attacked and looted shops, while some traders were injured in the area.

It was learnt that the teenagers, on the fateful day went to Old Apapa Road, Oyingbo, and stabbed three persons to death on Saturday. During the 30 mins attack on the two streets, the teenagers, who traders said numbered about 30, invaded the area at about 3pm and ordered the traders to leave their shops.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was learnt that the hoodlums injured traders who did not obey them on time, forcing others to abandon their wares and scamper to safety.

The teenagers were reportedly led by one Idris Aloma, who was said to be based in the Sawmill, Okobaba area.

 

Some of the traders said that the assailants’ ages ranged from 15 to 20.

One of the traders, Bolaji Olumofe, said:

“The boys were no fewer than 30. Most of them wore white shirts. They had cutlasses and guns with them. They stormed the streets, and started entering shops at will.

“They attacked traders and workers. One of the workers is being treated in a hospital as we speak. They stole television sets and handsets. It was a daylight robbery.

“These boys were in three factions. One of the factions claimed to be mourning one of their leaders who was killed on Thursday. The second faction came later to Borno Way and attacked traders there too.

“The onslaughts happened for about 30 minutes. The teenagers went towards Freeman Street, shooting and daring residents to come out. The policemen from Denton division later came, but the hoodlums had fled.”

In Borno Way, 2 women who were robbed and injured said:

“We were robbed at about 2.30pm. I have a refrigerator and I sell frozen foods. The boys just barged in with cutlasses and knives and began to seize bags and aprons. I lost about N300,000.

“Everyone ran away because of their number and weapons. My neighbour sells phones; they took all the phones after collecting her money. She has not come to the market since then.”

It was also learnt that workers at the Sawmill, Okobaba area, had sent a petition to the state Commissioner of Police to rid the area of hoodlums.

The security official, Musibau, noted that the hoodlums were Fagbayimu and Kogbagidi boys, who, he claimed, had been arrested and granted bail on several occasions.

 

He said

“The violence started in the Sawmill, Okobaba Estate area on Friday, where two of the hoodlums were killed. The faction there mobilised to old Apapa Road on Saturday and killed three persons in a reprisal.

“It was after then that they moved to the market area, and began to loot shops and attack the traders. The hoodlums are known as Fagbayimu and Kogbagidi boys. They have ring leaders such as Taoreed, Lekan Sondoko, Ajayi and others.

“One of the persons they killed on Old Apapa Road is identified simply as Yoyo-the-tailor. It was a full-scale onslaught. The vigilance groups are going after these hoodlums. We cannot allow them to continue to harass and terrorise our women.”

It was learnt that while business activities had returned to both streets, some of the shops were still closed.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, confirmed the incident.

She added that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the violence.

 

 

Punch

Carnival queen Rihanna parades around in tiny, sexy costume at Barbados festival

Rihanna, who is the carnival queen at the Barbados Annual Kadooment Day parade, wore a very sexy barely-there diamond sparkly bra, matching underwear and a huge feathered head-dress and wings, as she paraded around at the festival today. Her body looks fuller & hot. See more photos after the cut...

Jonathan raised fuel subsidy from N300bn to N1.9trn – Amaechi

Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of increasing the country’s subsidy claim from N300 billion to N1.9trillion all by himself during his administration.

He said: 

“The fuel subsidy was N300 billion under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and it remained the same under late President  Yar’Adua. Within 6 months under President Jonathan, the fuel subsidy rose from N300 billion to N1.9 trillion. Yet, Jonathan wanted more money for fuel subsidy.

“Is it that the country now doubled its population or bought more machines or started manufacturing? As chairman of Governors Forum, I was in a position  to get my share of the N1.9 trillion but I chose the part of honesty and truth, you cannot catch me being dishonest.

“There was a time I walked into a meeting with the president (Goodluck Jonathan)  and at the meeting, the argument was that they wanted more money for oil subsidy. As the chairman of Governors Forum, I stood my ground and told the president I was not going to support that.

“He asked me why and I explained that we were already in court on the issue of fuel subsidy. The president abused the hell out of my life. I have huge respect for the president, but the only thing that made me disagree with him was on the issue of the management of the country’s treasury.

In regards to anti-South South allegation, he said:

“I told the president then that those who were accusing me of being anti South South will come out and tell the world the development that has happened to the South South under his presidency. The president confirmed it himself during the campaign that he has done nothing, he said: “I know I’ve done nothing but if you vote for me, I’ll do…” so I call him I’ll do president.

“This prompted the trouble between me and the Jonathan administration.”

Recalling his face-off with Jonathan, he stated that the genesis of their differences dated back when the former president reduced the allocation due to Rivers State from N20 billion to paltry N6 billion, adding that he never worked against the South South zone.

He alleged that the current government of his state under Governor Nyesom Wike was working against him being appointed a Minister on the grounds that he would determine the course of the state politics.
He said:

“Some people will say I betrayed the South South, I have no word for betrayal. May God not give me the ambition the current governor of Rivers State has, he can sell anybody. God should rather put me to death than to have an ambition to sell this country.

“The current governor of Rivers State and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are afraid of me getting appointment at the national level, because that will determine the politics of Rivers State. They know that the current president abhors corruption and the only way to stop me from getting appointment is to paint that picture of corruption.

Cleaner loses his leg in 3rd escalator accident in China

A 35-year-old cleaner at a Shanghai mall had his left leg amputated after it became stuck in an escalator last night in the third such incredibly tragic and frightening case in just this past week.

 

CCTV footage released by Cloud Nine Shopping Mall has revealed what transpired in moments before the accident.
At 10.21pm that evening, the mall was closing for the day but the escalator leading to the metro station was still in operation. Minutes later, 35-year-old cleaner Zhang is seen standing on a mop where the stairs meet the floorplate, using his weight to clean the steps of the escalator.

A section soon gives way and Zhang’s left leg is stuck inside the escalator. By pressing a red button, Zhang was able to immediately turn off the escalator. Rescuers arrived at the scene at 10.50pm with equipment and eventually managed to free him from the escalator, and send him to the hospital, where the decision was later made to amputate his leg because it was so badly mangled.

In pain from the amputation, Zhang, who had just started working at the mall in May, tells local reporters that a similar incident had happened with this escalator just a fortnight ago, and he had reported the malfunction to management then.

A Cloud Nine spokesperson says that cleaning of the escalators should technically only begin at 10.30pm when they are stopped.

“We are deeply pained by this tragedy which resulted because standard operating procedures were not adhered to,” he said. “We will be stepping up supervision in the execution of safety measures to make sure all employees stick to standard operating procedures to prevent similar incidents from happening in future.”

This makes the third reported escalator accident of this past week. Last Sunday, a 30-year-old woman was able to save her son but not herself in a horrific accident in Hubei province. Just two days later, a toddler had his arm dragged into an escalator at a mall in Guangxi province.

Additionally, another gruesome machinery accident happened on Thursday as a 21-year-old woman was crushed to death in elevator accident in Zhejiang province