Ikeja- An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday adjourned
the trial of an oil marketer, Rowaye Jubril,
charged with N963.7 million fuel subsidy fraud, till
Feb. 16, 2015.
Jubril was charged before Justice Lateefat
Okunnu by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC).
He is being prosecuted alongside his company,
Brila Energy Ltd., over the alleged N963.7 million
fuel subsidy fraud.
The EFCC alleged that the defendant obtained the
money from the Federal Government for the
purported importation of 13 500 metric tonnes of
petrol.
At the resumption of proceedings, the judge said
that the EFCC counsel, Seidu Atteh, had sent a
letter to the court, in which he apologised for his
absence.
Atteh had informed the court that he had travelled
to Malta for an official training and pleaded for an
adjournment.
The defence team, led by Raphael Oluyede, did
not oppose Atteh’s request for an adjournment.
Okunnu, therefore, adjourned the matter till
February 16, for continuation of trial.
Tuesday 18 November 2014
Fuel Subsidy Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial Of Oil Marketer
Monday 17 November 2014
Top cleric doubts military in Boko Haram fight
Kano - One of Nigeria's most powerful Muslim
leaders, the emir of Kano, has voiced support for
vigilantes fighting Boko Haram, urging others to
form civilian militias and questioning the
competence of the military.
The comments were made by Sanusi Lamido
Sanusi, who became emir earlier this year after
being sacked from his post as the central bank
governor, where he was one of the government's
most high-profile critics.
It is extremely rare for Nigeria's clerics to speak
explicitly about political and military affairs, but
many expected Sanusi to defy convention and
inject himself into public debate after assuming
the highly influential post.
"People should be sensitised on the importance of
being on the alert. And they should prepare, they
should acquire what they will defend themselves
with," Sanusi said during Friday prayers at the
central mosque in Kano, the largest city in
Nigeria's mainly Muslim north.
AFP obtained a copy of the transcript of the
recording on Monday. While Sanusi did not
mention Boko Haram by name, it was clear he
was discussing efforts to resist the Islamist
rebels.
"Those that are endowed as hunters and
vigilantes should apply this endowment given to
them by Allah as an avenue of earning divine
reward in defending their nation," he said.
Nigeria's military has been cooperating with
various vigilante forces in the northeast for more
than a year, often relying on civilians to do the
bulk of the fighting against the insurgents.
Witnesses said it was vigilantes who recaptured
the symbolically important northeast town of
Chibok from Boko Haram at the weekend, with
troops staying clear of the heavy fighting.
Chibok was where the extremists kidnapped 276
schoolgirls in April. Fifty-seven have escaped.
"We should not wait for soldiers to come, before
they come the carnage will have been done,"
Sanusi told the congregation. "Some of them drop
their guns and flee."
The military has repeatedly been accused of
leaving civilians defenceless against Boko Haram
attacks and failing to respond to distress calls
made in advance of raids.
While Sanusi's comments were similar to those
made by President Goodluck Jonathan's critics,
they may feed added resentment towards the
government because the emir of Kano is expected
to stay above the political fray.
Days after Jonathan sacked him from the central
bank, Sanusi told AFP that the president was a
"simple" man who had been misled and
manipulated by incompetent advisors.
Officially, Sanusi is the number two Islamic cleric
in Nigeria, home to more than 80 million Muslims.
But many consider the emir of Kano to be more
influential than the sultan of Sokoto, who is the
country's top Islamic leader.
Saturday 15 November 2014
N25bn Fraud: Igbinedion, Others will know fate January 30 - EFCC
Find the EFCC press release below....
Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State yesterday reserved ruling in the N25billion money laundering and abuse of office charge brought against Micheal Igbinedion and Charles Eboigbodin by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for January 30, 2015.
Justice J. Liman on Friday November 14, 2014, fixed the January 30 date for judgement after the adoption of written addresses by counsel: Rotimi Jacob SAN for the prosecution and Mike Ozekhome SAN, Ricky Tafa SAN and Barr. Richard O. Ahonaruogo for the accused persons
While addressing the court, Jacobs hinged his submission on the testimonies of prosecution witnesses which, according to him, corroborated the charge, with emphasis on the several public funds deposited into private accounts, and how government funds were used to repay loans collected by former governor Lucky Igbinedion while he was in office.
Jacobs then prayed the court to "accept the prosecution’s case as presented and convict the accused persons as charged".
But before closing his address, the prosecuting counsel called the attention of the court to the inability of the bailiff to serve the summon earlier issued by it on the former Edo State governor, who failed to present himself in court, after the Appeal Court decision in April, asking him to return to the High Court for trial.
Jacobs disclosed that all efforts by the bailiff to serve Lucky Igbinedion with the summon, met a brick wall as he was always turned back from the gate by security men who told him on all occasions that Igbinedion was out of town.
The EFCC counsel then prayed the court to permit a substituted service of the summon on the last known address of Igbinedion.
"May I apply that the first accused person be served by allowing the prosecution paste the notice at the known address,” he said.
But Justice Liman advised the prosecuting counsel to make an application. According to him, "the summon has expired, you can reapply or ask for a substituted service as there are other means of service. Prosecution must make another application."
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
14th November, 2014
Monday 3 November 2014
'City will pounce when Blues drop points'
Mon, 03 Nov | 18:30
Runaway leaders Chelsea are certain to drop points in their quest for the Premier League crown and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero believes his side will be ready to pounce when the Londoners falter.
Having lost to Stoke City and West Ham United already this season, Manchester City have made a sticky start to their title defence and are in third spot, six points adrift of the Stamford Bridge club after 10 matches.
But Aguero, who scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday that gave his team their fourth consecutive derby victory, is adamant Chelsea will not maintain their early-season form.
"Chelsea are doing very well and they keep winning but...I'm sure they will drop some points," Aguero told City TV.
"They play at Liverpool this weekend and we will see if they drop points but the important thing is that we have to win games."
The 26-year-old has scored 10 times in the league this season, one more than Chelsea hot-shot Diego Costa, and the Argentina international says his goals will be worthless if City fail to keep winning.
"There is a long way to go," said Aguero. "It is important that all the goals mean that we win games -- I always say goals are great when they mean victories."
City will meet CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday before travelling to struggling Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League on Saturday
Runaway leaders Chelsea are certain to drop points in their quest for the Premier League crown and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero believes his side will be ready to pounce when the Londoners falter.
Having lost to Stoke City and West Ham United already this season, Manchester City have made a sticky start to their title defence and are in third spot, six points adrift of the Stamford Bridge club after 10 matches.
But Aguero, who scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday that gave his team their fourth consecutive derby victory, is adamant Chelsea will not maintain their early-season form.
"Chelsea are doing very well and they keep winning but...I'm sure they will drop some points," Aguero told City TV.
"They play at Liverpool this weekend and we will see if they drop points but the important thing is that we have to win games."
The 26-year-old has scored 10 times in the league this season, one more than Chelsea hot-shot Diego Costa, and the Argentina international says his goals will be worthless if City fail to keep winning.
"There is a long way to go," said Aguero. "It is important that all the goals mean that we win games -- I always say goals are great when they mean victories."
City will meet CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday before travelling to struggling Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League on Saturday
Sunday 2 November 2014
Jesus Feeds The Multitudes....
Jesus Feeds The Five Thousand-
Matt. 14:13-23; Mark 6:31-46; Luke 9:7-17; John 6:1-15
The disciples whom Jesus sent to preach in the towns and cities of Galilee had returned joyfully, telling their Master about their success in healing the sick and in casting out the evil spirits just as they had seen him do. And now the fame of Jesus was increasing every day, and many more people from distant parts of the country were flocking to hear him.
So urgent were the people who came to hear Jesus and to have their loved ones healed, that they pressed constantly upon him, and allowed no time for him to rest or even eat. Then Jesus called his twelve disciples aside from the multitude and said, "Come with me to a quiet place, for we must rest a while."
Taking a ship they sailed away from the multitude to the other side of the Sea, and went into a desert place near a mountain. But they did not find much time to rest even in this lonely spot, for soon they saw a great throng of people coming toward them.
The multitude had followed from the other side of the Sea. Perhaps the disciples were disappointed because the people had found them again, but Jesus looked pityingly upon the great throng, and said of them, "They are like sheep that had no shepherd. They wander about here and there hunting for their own pasture-grounds."
In this great throng were five thousand men, who had come from different parts of Galilee. Some of them had brought their wives and children along, and other women had come, too. When they had started they did not know they would have to go so very far to find Jesus, and many of them had brought nothing to eat. One boy, however, had not forgotten his lunch-basket, and in his basket he carried five little loaves of barley bread and two small fishes.
When the multitude came near, Jesus received them kindly and sat down to teach them again. He healed the sick ones whom they had brought to him, and taught them many things about the kingdom of heaven.
After a while the day wore on and evening came. Still the people lingered near, seeming to forget they could find no food or shelter in the desert place. The disciples grew impatient with them and came to ask Jesus to send them away.
"They have brought no food," said the disciples, "and we can not supply food for them in this wilderness; therefore send them away that they may buy food in the towns and villages as they journey home."
But Jesus answered, "We must feed them before sending them away." Then, turning to Philip he asked, "Where shall we find bread, that all these people may eat?"
Philip looked at the great multitude and shook his head. "If we should buy two hundred pennyworth of bread," he answered, "there would not be enough for each one to have a small piece."
While Jesus and the disciples were discussing what to do, the boy who had not forgotten to carry his lunch came near and heard their conversation. Then he showed his basket of food to one of the disciples, and he offered to give the food to Jesus. The disciples, who was Andrew, came and told Jesus what the boy had said.
"How many loaves are there in the basket?" asked Jesus.
Andrew said, "Only five and two small fishes. But what will that be among so many people?"
Jesus replied, "Bring them to me."
Then he told his disciples to bid the people sit down in groups, in some fifty and in others a hundred, and wait for their evening meal. While they waited, he took the little loaves and the fishes and blessed them and broke them into small pieces. He filled a basket for each of the twelve disciples and sent them to pass the food among the hungry people. Then the disciples returned and again he filled their empty baskets.
When all the people had eaten, he sent the disciples to gather up the scraps that had been left over, and they found twelve baskets full of scraps. And every one in the great multitude had eaten enough to satisfy his hunger. The boy who had brought the lunch-basket to Jesus had all that he could eat, and he shared his little lunch with every one in the great throng because he had let Jesus bless his offering.
This unusual miracle caused much excitement among the people. They wanted Jesus to become their king instead of letting the Roman government rule them any longer. They believed that he could set them free from the rule of the Romans, whom they hated. They thought it would be wonderful to have a king rule them who could feed them by working miracles.
But Jesus would not allow the people to take him for their king. Although he was a King, yet he had not come to earth to rule an earthly kingdom.
He commanded his disciples to enter their ship at once and return to the other side of the Sea. And when they left him, then he dismissed the multitude and went alone upon the mountain near by to pray.
A BOY'S LUNCH-BASKET is a very small thing compared with a great miracle. But in this story we shall see how a great miracle grew out of a boy's lunch-basket. It all came about in this manner:
The disciples whom Jesus sent to preach in the towns and cities of Galilee had returned joyfully, telling their Master about their success in healing the sick and in casting out the evil spirits just as they had seen him do. And now the fame of Jesus was increasing every day, and many more people from distant parts of the country were flocking to hear him.
So urgent were the people who came to hear Jesus and to have their loved ones healed, that they pressed constantly upon him, and allowed no time for him to rest or even eat. Then Jesus called his twelve disciples aside from the multitude and said, "Come with me to a quiet place, for we must rest a while."
Taking a ship they sailed away from the multitude to the other side of the Sea, and went into a desert place near a mountain. But they did not find much time to rest even in this lonely spot, for soon they saw a great throng of people coming toward them.
The multitude had followed from the other side of the Sea. Perhaps the disciples were disappointed because the people had found them again, but Jesus looked pityingly upon the great throng, and said of them, "They are like sheep that had no shepherd. They wander about here and there hunting for their own pasture-grounds."
In this great throng were five thousand men, who had come from different parts of Galilee. Some of them had brought their wives and children along, and other women had come, too. When they had started they did not know they would have to go so very far to find Jesus, and many of them had brought nothing to eat. One boy, however, had not forgotten his lunch-basket, and in his basket he carried five little loaves of barley bread and two small fishes.
When the multitude came near, Jesus received them kindly and sat down to teach them again. He healed the sick ones whom they had brought to him, and taught them many things about the kingdom of heaven.
After a while the day wore on and evening came. Still the people lingered near, seeming to forget they could find no food or shelter in the desert place. The disciples grew impatient with them and came to ask Jesus to send them away.
"They have brought no food," said the disciples, "and we can not supply food for them in this wilderness; therefore send them away that they may buy food in the towns and villages as they journey home."
But Jesus answered, "We must feed them before sending them away." Then, turning to Philip he asked, "Where shall we find bread, that all these people may eat?"
Philip looked at the great multitude and shook his head. "If we should buy two hundred pennyworth of bread," he answered, "there would not be enough for each one to have a small piece."
While Jesus and the disciples were discussing what to do, the boy who had not forgotten to carry his lunch came near and heard their conversation. Then he showed his basket of food to one of the disciples, and he offered to give the food to Jesus. The disciples, who was Andrew, came and told Jesus what the boy had said.
"How many loaves are there in the basket?" asked Jesus.
Andrew said, "Only five and two small fishes. But what will that be among so many people?"
Jesus replied, "Bring them to me."
Then he told his disciples to bid the people sit down in groups, in some fifty and in others a hundred, and wait for their evening meal. While they waited, he took the little loaves and the fishes and blessed them and broke them into small pieces. He filled a basket for each of the twelve disciples and sent them to pass the food among the hungry people. Then the disciples returned and again he filled their empty baskets.
When all the people had eaten, he sent the disciples to gather up the scraps that had been left over, and they found twelve baskets full of scraps. And every one in the great multitude had eaten enough to satisfy his hunger. The boy who had brought the lunch-basket to Jesus had all that he could eat, and he shared his little lunch with every one in the great throng because he had let Jesus bless his offering.
This unusual miracle caused much excitement among the people. They wanted Jesus to become their king instead of letting the Roman government rule them any longer. They believed that he could set them free from the rule of the Romans, whom they hated. They thought it would be wonderful to have a king rule them who could feed them by working miracles.
But Jesus would not allow the people to take him for their king. Although he was a King, yet he had not come to earth to rule an earthly kingdom.
He commanded his disciples to enter their ship at once and return to the other side of the Sea. And when they left him, then he dismissed the multitude and went alone upon the mountain near by to pray.
Chibok Girls Issue Not Yet Over.
Kano - Boko Haram has claimed the 219 schoolgirls it kidnapped in Nigeria earlier this year have converted to Islam and have been married.
The Islamist group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, also denied claims by Nigeria's government that it had agreed to a ceasefire and apparently ruled out future talks.
In addition, Shekau said the Islamists were holding a German national, who was kidnapped in Adamawa state in northeast Nigeria in July.
The schoolgirls were kidnapped from the remote northeast town of Chibok in Borno state in April, raising global awareness about the group whose five-year insurgency in northern Nigeria has claimed an estimated 13 000 lives.
Little trust
The new video, obtained by AFP on Friday, comes after a surprise announcement by the Nigerian military and presidency on 17 October that a deal had been reached with the militants to end hostilities and return the children.
There was immediate scepticism about both claims. Previous ceasefires have proved fruitless and there is little trust in the influence of the purported Boko Haram envoy, Danladi Ahmadu.
The Islamist group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, also denied claims by Nigeria's government that it had agreed to a ceasefire and apparently ruled out future talks.
In addition, Shekau said the Islamists were holding a German national, who was kidnapped in Adamawa state in northeast Nigeria in July.
The schoolgirls were kidnapped from the remote northeast town of Chibok in Borno state in April, raising global awareness about the group whose five-year insurgency in northern Nigeria has claimed an estimated 13 000 lives.
Little trust
The new video, obtained by AFP on Friday, comes after a surprise announcement by the Nigerian military and presidency on 17 October that a deal had been reached with the militants to end hostilities and return the children.
There was immediate scepticism about both claims. Previous ceasefires have proved fruitless and there is little trust in the influence of the purported Boko Haram envoy, Danladi Ahmadu.
Violence - and renewed kidnappings - have continued unabated since the announcement, including a triple bombing of a bus station in the northern city of Gombe on Friday that killed at least eight.
Nigeria's government maintains that talks are ongoing in the Chadian capital, Ndjamena.
But Shekau, speaking in Hausa, dressed in military fatigues and boots with a black turban, and flanked by 15 armed fighters, said: "We have not made ceasefire with anyone.
Marital homes
But Shekau, speaking in Hausa, dressed in military fatigues and boots with a black turban, and flanked by 15 armed fighters, said: "We have not made ceasefire with anyone.
Marital homes
"We did not negotiate with anyone... It's a lie. It's a lie. We will not negotiate. What is our business with negotiation? Allah said we should not."
He also said he did not know Danladi.
Shekau previously threatened to sell the girls as slave brides and also suggested he would be prepared to release them in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners.
In the latest message, he said while laughing: "We have married them off. They are in their marital homes."Shekau previously threatened to sell the girls as slave brides and also suggested he would be prepared to release them in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners.
Human Rights Watch said in a report published this week that Boko Haram was holding upwards of 500 women and young girls and that forced marriage was commonplace in the militant camps.
Saturday 1 November 2014
LVG gives Rooney derby go-ahead
Manchester - Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has been passed fit for the Manchester derby on Sunday, manager Louis van Gaal has said on Friday.
However, Radamel Falcao has been ruled out of the clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
Van Gaal dismissed reports England striker Rooney was suffering from a foot injury and said his skipper would be fit to start at Eastlands after serving a three-game suspension.
But Falcao, who missed the last two games following a kick in training, is still injured and the Colombian will miss the match at City.
Some reports suggested Rooney was doubtful after he was apparently seen hobbling at a sponsor's event at Old Trafford on Monday.
"Rooney was not injured. The media was writing that but he was never injured," Van Gaal told a news conference on Friday.
"Maybe his shoes were too tight, that is possible. But he was never injured and he shall play. He is my captain."
However, turning to Falcao, Van Gaal added: "Falcao is still injured."
But Rooney's return is a boost for the Dutch boss, especially as the forward has scored 11 goals against City, notably the dramatic overhead kick which sealed a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in February 2011.
"I have heard that also he has scored a lot of goals against Manchester City, the most of any player," said Van Gaal. "I said that to him to stimulate him but he doesn't need that.
"I am very happy that he can play again and he shall play," the Dutchman added.
City have won five of their last six league encounters against United but Wednesday's League Cup defeat by Newcastle stretched their winless run to three matches across all competitions.
"It is not the greatest moment of Manchester City," said Van Gaal ahead of his first Manchester derby.
"What we have seen of Manchester City in the last matches was not so good.
"We have a good feeling about this match."
However, Van Gaal warned his players not to get too caught up in the fervour of a derby clash and said it was important they retained their composure.
"We don't have to accelerate this feeling because it is football and you have to play the game, not only a game with emotion but also in a tactical way.
"For me, I have to analyse and prepare for the games in the same manner (as the other matches)."
United make the trip across Manchester knowing a win would close the gap between themselves and City to just a point.
However, Radamel Falcao has been ruled out of the clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
Van Gaal dismissed reports England striker Rooney was suffering from a foot injury and said his skipper would be fit to start at Eastlands after serving a three-game suspension.
But Falcao, who missed the last two games following a kick in training, is still injured and the Colombian will miss the match at City.
Some reports suggested Rooney was doubtful after he was apparently seen hobbling at a sponsor's event at Old Trafford on Monday.
"Rooney was not injured. The media was writing that but he was never injured," Van Gaal told a news conference on Friday.
"Maybe his shoes were too tight, that is possible. But he was never injured and he shall play. He is my captain."
However, turning to Falcao, Van Gaal added: "Falcao is still injured."
But Rooney's return is a boost for the Dutch boss, especially as the forward has scored 11 goals against City, notably the dramatic overhead kick which sealed a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in February 2011.
"I have heard that also he has scored a lot of goals against Manchester City, the most of any player," said Van Gaal. "I said that to him to stimulate him but he doesn't need that.
"I am very happy that he can play again and he shall play," the Dutchman added.
City have won five of their last six league encounters against United but Wednesday's League Cup defeat by Newcastle stretched their winless run to three matches across all competitions.
"It is not the greatest moment of Manchester City," said Van Gaal ahead of his first Manchester derby.
"What we have seen of Manchester City in the last matches was not so good.
"We have a good feeling about this match."
However, Van Gaal warned his players not to get too caught up in the fervour of a derby clash and said it was important they retained their composure.
"We don't have to accelerate this feeling because it is football and you have to play the game, not only a game with emotion but also in a tactical way.
"For me, I have to analyse and prepare for the games in the same manner (as the other matches)."
United make the trip across Manchester knowing a win would close the gap between themselves and City to just a point.
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