Catholic Church Bombing: Kabiru Sokoto Pleads Not Guilty, Seeks Bail

The State Security Service (SSS) on Friday arraigned an alleged Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Umar aka Kabiru Sokoto, at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Mr. Umar was arraigned in connection with the Christmas Day bombing of the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State in 2011. Several people were killed in the bombing. After his initial arrest, the suspect fled from police custody but was later re-arrested. 'Kabiru Sokoto' was alleged to have had information about the bombing but failed to inform law enforcement agents. The accused was charged for allegedly being a member of a terrorist group known as Boko Haram between 2007 and 2012 at Mabira Sokoto in Sokoto State. He was also allegedly found to have facilitated the execution of a terrorist act within the period. The charge read that the suspect committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) (a) of the Terrorism and Prevention Act 2011 and punishable under Section 33(1) (b) of the same Act. He also committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004. The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge, which attracts life sentence. Justice Adetokunbo Ademola ordered that both the prosecution and defence counsel had until April 26 to file all related processes with respect to the case. The judge turned down an attempt by the defence counsel, Adamu Ibrahim, to move an oral bail application for Mr. Umar; but granted his request that the accused be transferred from SSS custody to Kuje Prison. He advised Mr. Ibrahim to reapply for bail by way of a written application, adding, "You reserve the right to seek bail for your client but you have to come formally before the court in view of the nature of the offence." Hearing in the case has been adjourned to between May 2 and May 9. The initial attempt for Mr. Umar to be arraigned in court on March 20 was stalled because of the absence of the defence counsel.

If Buhari Contests 100 Times, He Cannot Rule This Country Again – Association Of Witches And Wizards In Nigeria

If Buhari Contests 100 Times, He Cannot Rule This Country Again – Association Of Witches And Wizards In Nigeria 18.04.2013, 13:05  Politics The Association of Witches and Wizards in Nigeria has warned former Head of State and leader of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Mohammadu Buhari to bury his ambition of ruling Nigeria ever again. Dr. Okhue Iboi, the acclaimed spokesperson of the Association in an interview with Sunday Express asserted that witches and wizards in the region would not allow him to spearhead the affairs of the nation again. He further stressed that Nigeria would not break-up after 2015 contrary to what Dr. Fasheun and the American government predicted. According to him, "During the meeting we held on January 29 in Ilorin, we talked about the government of this country. Goodluck Jonathan will re-contest and he will win the 2015 election irrespective of whatever opposition rises against him," the coven's spokesman affirmed. On the menace of Boko Haram, Iboi said, "We gave the witches in the North the mandate to cool down Boko Haram; mark my words, by the end of this year, you will hardly hear of any Boko Haram mayhem again." The extensive interview with the witchdoctor was not all glad tidings, however, his revelations raised serious concerns about the 2015 election. "Some people are prepared to frustrate President Jonathan by all means and these people would resort to foul means. But in doing that, they will jeopardize Nigeria. I beg Nigeria to pray. Let us all pray, Christians, Muslims and herbalists," he said seriously. {read_more} Continuing he stated "there will be many disturbances during the primary and at the main election, a lot of bombs will be thrown around. But I can assure you," he said, "Nigeria will not break or divide as the Americans have prophesied." The witches' imagemaker further foretold the future of politics in the country. He started with the proposed merger parties, APC and its chances of challenging the dominion of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. "This mega party when we looked at them and their future, they are good, they have good intentions, but at the last minute, before election, they will be thrown into disarray; they will have a big disagreement that will shatter the party and in-fighting over superiority. This discord will not be settled until the elections hold." Similarly, he also divulged the council of witches' verdicts on some political personalities. In the case of General Muhammadu Buhari, one of the key opposition politicians against the PDP-led government and a crucial actor in any serious coalitions, Iboi unveiled a damning verdict. "If Buhari contests 100 times, he can't rule this country again," Iboi began, "because the "pillars of the north at night" have no likeness for him. They would not let him rule this country." Witches' stance towards former military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida was not any different. "Babangida can take his money to support another party but he can't rule this country again." On the contrary, former President Olusegun Obasanjo fared better as he was in the good book of the witches. "Till the day he will die, Obasanjo will still be important and relevant to the Nigerian politics. That is his destiny," Iboi affirmed. Iboi who claimed to be in the fourth year of his seven-year tenure as the coven's spokesperson also spoke about the coming wrath of witches over Nigerian politicians. "Some of the politicians that are using other people's destiny, I mean those who steal other people's luck, between now and next year, God's wrath is coming upon them," he threatened. "And as for the current PDP National Chairman, he will have his hands full with many problems that will eventually swallow him." He expressed hope that a better Nigeria lies ahead, he said, "In the meeting we had last year in Niger State, we gazed into the future of this country and we discovered that Nigeria will still be better." But before then, he opined that a cleansing will take place. "The bad elements disturbing this country will have to be removed and that will happen in no distant time; one by one, they shall all perish. Then, Nigeria will get better. And I tell you, the youths will enjoy this Nigeria, but that time is not in the immediate future," he concluded

Amnesty: Boko Haram Should Be Sent Back To Hell Where They Come From – Femi Fani-Kayode

16.04.2013, 10:12  Politics Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has accused the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration of failing in its responsibility of protecting lives and properties of Nigerians due to its inability to tackle the menace of Islamic fundamentalists headlong.  Fani-Kayode who was speaking at the residence of the Awolowos in Ikenne Ogun State on Saturday when he paid a condolence visit to the Matriarch of the family following the death of Oluwole Awolowo, expressed displeasure over what he described as lackadaisical attitude of government in curtailing the activities of the dreaded sect. Fani-Kayode noted that no fewer than 4,200 Nigerians had been killed in the last two years by the sect, adding, "one of the main reasons why this government has not only proved itself incompetent, but also acting irresponsibly is the fact that 4,200 people have been killed in the last two years by this Islamic group. "I have lived in the North for 10 years and I do not in anyway owe any kind of apology for people that make the business of killing others in the name of their religious faith to impose their faith on others; both Christians and Muslims. "As far as I am concerned, this government has failed. It is a matter of law and order to protect the lives and property of Nigerians. 4,200 in a spate of two years is a record outside civil war. "It has never happened since 1914 apart from 1960 that 4,200 Nigerians have been slaughtered like chickens and goats by one terrorist organisation in the spate of only two years. That is the record and legacy of this government as far as I am concerned." He wondered why the Federal Government embraced granting amnesty to the sect when it could use its might to fight them, saying that the fight should be "battle to the finish" on the part of the government. The former minister urged the government to do the right thing by fighting Boko Haram on all fronts. "Government should rise up to the occasion by doing the right thing and stop the issue of amnesty. They should show strength. It is an insult on the souls of thousands that have been killed for the Presidency to be considering granting amnesty to the Boko Haram sect. "I identified with the position of the CAN President and many well-meaning Nigerians; there should be no discussion, no amnesty and nothing for the Boko Haram sect. The only thing they should consider is to send them back to hell where they come from," he added.

Dangote To Build $8bn Oil Refinery

13.04.2013, 1:48  Local Another chapter will this year be opened in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, when business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote kicks off his plan to establish a refinery in the country. The federal government had, in 2011, granted approval to 19 multinationals for the setting up of private refineries in the country, but none of them has come on stream due to the regulation of the price of fuel in the country. Though details of where the refinery will be sited and its capacity were yet to be made known, work on the refinery, which will cost $8 billion, will begin this year. At a breakfast meeting with some senior editors to mark his 57th birthday in Lagos, Alhaji Dangote said work will start on the refinery once his company secured the final approval from the federal government. While acknowledging the fact that only a mad businessman would consider establishing a refinery in Nigeria under the present uncertain business terrain of subsidising the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, Dangote pleaded with the government to allow market forces to determine the price of fuel to allow the private sector play a significant role in the industry. "We are all aware that the federal government had issued 19 licences to the private sector to establish refineries in the country, but how many of them have come on stream? There is uncertainty in the sector and only a mad businessman will put up a refinery now, but we are set to do that," he said. Alhaji Dangote urged the federal government to put in place critical infrastructure in all sectors of the economy to kick-start its rapid development. He said that with the country's population expected to hit 200 million by 2015, there were no serious plans to take care of the huge population. He also called on the government to diversify the economy by intensifying reforms in agriculture.

How Boko Haram Planned To Bomb Third Mainland Bridge

9 April, 2013 Local⁠  The security and intelligence community chiefs that talked about the vigilance that prevented the planned attack of Lagos three weeks ago failed to disclose to the public the magnitude of weapons the masterminds of the terror act had deployed for the failed operation and the main target. At the weekend from the authorities concerned that apart from the deadly weapons uncovered, the arrested attackers’ main target was the strategic Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. According to revelations at the weekend, the attackers surreptitiously conveyed the weapons to Lagos inside some of the numerous fuel tankers that ply major roads to Nigeria’s former capital and indeed Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.   Related: PHOTOS: Pictures Of Accident On 3rd Mainland Bridge This Morning At the weekend that indeed the Federal and Lagos State authorities were quite startled that the masterminds of the planned terror act could pile up weapons of mass destruction in Lagos, generally considered the safest haven for investment at the moment in Nigeria. It was learnt that the Lagos State authorities, including the governor, were shown the illegal arms that the security and intelligence community’s interagency co-operation confiscated recently. “They were shocked, really shocked when they were shown the level of organisational capacity of the evil ones that planned to attack Lagos…”, a top source disclosed last week. In a related development, security chiefs that briefed the National Assembly top-shots last week about the reality of the planned attack of Lagos reportedly told the federal legislators that indeed the attackers had planned to attack Lagos to cripple the economy. Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. Former Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Muhammed, had in 1976 recognised the strategic importance of Lagos even while he was announcing the creation of Nigeria’s new capital Abuja then. His words in a national broadcast to the nation on January 3, 1976: “… Lagos will, in the foreseeable future, remain the nation’s commercial capital and one of its nerve centres. But in terms of servicing the present infrastructure alone, the committed amount of money and effort required will be such that Lagos State will not be ready to cope. “It will even be unfair to expect the state to bear this heavy burden on its own. It is therefore necessary for the Federal Government to continue to sustain the substantial investment in the area. The port facilities and other economic activities in the Lagos area have to be expanded. “There is need in the circumstances for the Federal Government to maintain a special defence and security arrangement in Lagos which will henceforth be designated a special area. These arrangements will be carefully worked out and written into the new constitution. Kaduna and Port Harcourt are to be accorded similar status and designated as Special Areas…” The security chiefs told the federal legislators and their presiding officers that some of the attackers captured had hinted that the plan of attack on Lagos was deliberate: to cripple the nerve centre of Nigeria’s commerce and industry, a city that plays host to the international air and sea ports so that Nigeria’s economy could collapse. It was said that the insurgents had reasoned that since they had successfully crippled business operations in the North, there should be federal character spread of the destruction, as even the East and South-South geo-political zones too have been negatively affected by the insurgency and kidnapping. The federal legislators were said to have been alarmed by a revelation about the sense of urgency of the insurgents to hit Lagos “just to make Nigeria ungovernable for the present administration”, as it was revealed. It was not clear at press time whether the Federal Government’s planned amnesty programme for Boko Haram insurgents has been partly influenced by the confirmed incursion to the unofficial commercial capital that makes the money that Abuja spends. It is on record that as critics of Washington DC often say, “New York makes the money that Washington spends”, so it is with Lagos that consumes about 60 per cent of the fuel that PPMC/PPPRC imports and the rest of the country shares the remaining 40 per cent. The implications of targeting the very strategic Lagos Third Mainland Bridge have been worrisome to authorities at all levels. This is part of the reasons for the concerns in Abuja and Lagos. The Third Mainland Bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland. The other two are the Eko and Carter Bridges. It is the longest bridge in Africa. The Third Mainland Bridge is a vital artery of the network of federal highways and commands high patronage in Lagos Municipal Area, as it connects two of the Lagos State’s commercial hubs, Victoria Island and Ikeja. The bridge, which has about 350,000 daily users, is also a vital link to Lekki, Ajah and Epe communities. Midway through the bridge, there is a link to Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba. The bridge starts really from Oworonsoki, which is linked to the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island. Built by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the bridge was commissioned by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990 and it measures about 11.8 km in length. The bridge posts huge economic relevance to the country as it saves commuters who shuttle between two of the Lagos State commercial hubs, Victoria Island and Ikeja, a lot of man-hours. It was said that the last repair of the important bridge cost the nation N1.055 billion. It is feared that if Lagos Third Mainland Bridge is destroyed, Lagos and indeed Nigeria, are destroyed. It was estimated that the cache of arms seized from the insurgents about three weeks ago when it was reported that Boko Haram entered Lagos was capable of wreaking havoc on the vital bridge in the heart of Lagos.

Nigerians Too Timid For Revolution – Amaechi

8 April, 2013 Local⁠  Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has ruled out the possibility of having a violent revolution in the country. Amaechi spoke in Ekiti State on Saturday at the second Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders. Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Prof. Pat Utomi, Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Group, Mr. Tonye Cole, and representative of Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, among others, attended the symposium, organised by The Future Project. Amaechi said many Nigerians had become used to suffering rather than pushing for a change. According to him, Nigeria has experienced worse situations than what led to revolution in some other countries. Amaechi said he was sure that those who gathered to protest against the removal of oil subsidy in January 2012 would flee immediately the President drafted soldiers to the Freedom Park in Lagos and other states to quell the uprising.   He said, “Yes, revolution can happen outside Nigeria. But here, I do not think so. Tell me what happened in Sudan, Libya, Zimbabwe and other countries that have not happened here. Our elasticity has no limit. You do not pray for electricity to be regular but you know that some Nigerians pray ‘God, let the light be stable today.’ We pray without working to solve our problems and we think God will do what we are supposed to do for us.” Noting that courage was required to make any change, he said those who were truly seeking a change would never be afraid of guns. The governor, however, said he was not in support of the call for the disintegration of the country, saying there were many advantages in being together. Meanwhile, Presidency on Sunday faulted the claim by Amaechi that Nigeria was gradually sliding back to the era of dictatorship. Before reading his speech where he was honoured with the Vanguard Personality of the Year Award in Lagos on Saturday, Amaechi was said to have explained that he decided to read a prepared speech, because “I am becoming more careful, given that we are gradually going back to the era of dictatorship in this country”. But in an interview with one of our correspondents, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, said the governor could not have been referring to the President. Gulak said so far, the President had been ruling the country by adhering strictly to the nation’s constitution. He said Jonathan, in the spirit of democracy, has also been consulting widely before he takes any decision and so could not be said to be a dictator. The presidential aide said since Amaechi was one of those ruling the country by virtue of being a governor, he might be admitting by his statement that he was ruling his state like a dictator. He said, “As a governor, Amaechi is one of those ruling this country. Is he admitting that he is a dictator in his state? “We are in a democratic administration. We are ruling by the constitution. The President is committed to the rule of law. I am not sure the governor is referring to the President.” Leave your comment below.

Deputy Governor of Ekiti State Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka Is dead

6 April, 2013 Local⁠  Deputy Governor of Ekiti State in Nigeria, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka, has died of cancer according to family sources Funmilayo Olayinka has been deputy governor since 16th October 2010. She was also a champion of women’s rights. She came to the government from the banking sector. She leaves behind a husband and three children. She was 52 years old.

IG Of Police Orders Arrest Of Police Officer Over N500,000 Bribe

5 April, 2013 Local⁠  The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered the arrest of the Officer in Charge of the Legal Department of Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, C. Chukwu. Chukwu allegedly collected N100,000 marked notes from the office of Mohammed as part of a N500,000 bribe he demanded in a case being handled by his office. DailyPost had gathered that Chukwu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, had been given an initial N400,000 bribe after threatening to ensure that those involved in a land case were sent to jail. He, however, insisted on collecting another N100,000 to make the money up to N500,000. But when the issue was mentioned to a friend of Mohammed, he intimated the IGP about the development. Mohammed was said to had arranged for the marked N100,000 bills in conjunction with a Deputy Inspector General of Police. Chukwu was given the money by those involved in the case in the presence of detectives from the Force Headquarters, Abuja and he was promptly arrested. As at press time, neither the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, nor the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, could confirm the report. Chukwu has since been moved to the Force Headquarters for further interrogation, based on the directives of IGP.

Boko Haram Is Your Baby, Buhari Fires Back At Jonathan

4 April, 2013 Politics⁠  Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, slammed President Goodluck Jonathan, describing the virulent sect, Boko Haram, as a creation of the present administration. President Jonathan, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe had on Tuesday challenged General Buhari to persuade members of the sect to accept dialogue as a means of ending the orgy of violence in the North. General Buhari, who apparently was angered by the Presidency’s attempt to link him with the sect, asked Jonathan to leave him alone and find ways of resolving the Boko Haram crisis, which he said, was borne out of the failure of his government. Buhari, who fired back at Jonathan through the National Publicity Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, noted that it was wrong for the Presidency to accuse him of not calling Boko Haram to order when he did not have any relationship with the members. He also faulted Okupe, for referring to Buhari’s presidential ambition as inordinate, saying that the attack was ill-motivated. Fashakin said: “It is unfortunate that a presidential aide referred to the legitimate desire of a statesman as inordinate. Away from the uncouth posturing of Dr Okupe, it is apparent that this fellow is conflating two unrelated issues and scenarios. “If the people that initiated and executed the Niger Delta problem decided to resolve it, what can anyone do about it? The Niger Delta problem is totally different from the Boko Haram palaver. “General Muhammadu Buhari has consistently asserted that the political Boko Haram, the most virulent variant of the menace, is a creation of Jonathan’s regime. So why should a Buhari that did not understand the genesis of the funding and operation of this lethal unit of the PDP-led federal government, now join in appeasing them? “That explains why the Jonathan regime cannot talk about amnesty for Boko Haram because it is akin to appeasing self. As a party, we strongly advise the Federal Government to come clean to the Nigerian people. The political Boko Haram is all about the Jonathan regime and no amount of carefully-woven spin can hoodwink discerning Nigerians,” the CPC spokesman declared. Buhari’s statement followed Tuesday’s call on him by Jonathan’s spokesman, Doyin Okupe, to lead the talks with Boko Haram to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue as a means of ending the raging violence in the north, which has claimed many lives and property. Okupe had also asked Buhari to emulate the role Jonathan played by going to meet militants in their vast hideouts in the Niger Delta to plead with them to lay down their arms and accept the general amnesty granted by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua on June 25, 2009. Meanwhile, reactions have trailed the statements issued by both the Presidency and General Buhari. It’s a ridiculous request —Musa A Second Republic Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa described the president’s appeal to Buhari as an insult. The former governor said “this is an insult. How can Buhari ask Boko Haram to cease fire? Is Buhari responsible for Boko Haram? Is he the president of Nigeria? This is a ridiculous request and it amounts to some kind of insult. A security issue of this magnitude is being turned into a light matter.” Request meant to entrap Buhari—Sagay For constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, the request by the president is meant to entrap the former Head of State. Sagay, said: “Is Buhari their representative? Is he the one sponsoring them? I don’t think that is fair. There is no indication whatsoever that Buhari has a link with Boko Haram. The request is meant to entrap Buhari and so, I don’t think it is fair.” Jonathan should be tolerant— Afenifere On its part, Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere enjoined President Jonathan to be tolerant. In a telephone chat with Vanguard, National Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Yinka Odumakin said: “It is for us to appreciate that the nation is faced with a serious crisis that may consume everybody and therefore, we must find a way to solve the problem. Jonathan should vacate office if… — Junaid Mohammed In his reaction to the face-off, SecondRepublic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, said if the President cannot stand the heat, he should vacate office. Mohammed, in a telephone chat said: “As far as I am concerned, the truth should not be subordinate to anybody’s view and people must surely express their views and opinion on daily basis. So if Mr President cannot stand the heat, he should throw in the towel because whether he likes it or not, he should expect to be criticised.” Boko Haram not Jonathan’s creation –Austin Opara Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Austin Opara said: “It is wrong for General Buhari to say Boko Haram is the creation of President Jonathan’s government. It is absolutely wrong for Buhari to accuse Mr President because we all live in this country and we all know Boko Haram did not start with this government.” FG will offer amnesty if… — Maku In a related development, Minister of Information Mr. Labaran Maku said the amnesty being canvassed for Boko Haram could only be considered when the group opens up for dialogue and negotiation, insisting that amnesty could not be the first option when nobody had come out to discuss with the Federal Government. Mr. Maku who stated this in a live programme on Channels Television explained that amnesty is usually an outcome of discussions and negotiations, whereby those being offered amnesty would accept it in principle with conditions attached. According to him, nowhere in the world was amnesty offered unconditionally to a group that did not even come out to negotiate with the government. “Amnesty could be part of the solution but can only come out of the process of dialogue and negotiations but offering it unconditionally is not known. How does the President and Commander-in-Chief announce amnesty without prior conversation, without prior negotiation, without agreeing on anything, what it would mean is that the President has given up and that’s a complete abdication,” he said. He called on Nigerians, especially the political class not to politicize the call for amnesty but to treat it as an urgent matter of national security. “Nigerians should not over-politicize this issue. People continue to compare it with the Niger-Delta. We must not forget that amnesty in the Niger-Delta came after a series of discussions and negotiations led by leaders of the Niger Delta Region and the combatants in the creeks. “It was after negotiations reached a certain point and there were commitments that the issue of amnesty came up. It was not just offered without condition and negotiation, so I think politicians should allow this matter to be taken as a security and national issue and those looking for votes in 2015 should not unduly over-politicize this issue of amnesty,” he stated.  

Ekiti: Deputy Governor Sick With Cancer

3 April, 2013 Local⁠  Several government sources in Ekiti State have confirmed that Deputy Governor Funmilayo Olayinka is seriously sick. Two of the sources revealed that Mrs. Olayinka has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The deputy governor’s prolonged absence from public events had fueled rumors that she had passed away. However, when a correspondent of SaharaReporters sent a text to Governor Fayemi of Ekiti four days ago inquiring about speculations of his deputy’s death, the governor wrote back denying the rumors. In his text, Mr. Fayemi stated that Mrs. Olayinka was alive. Even so, Mr. Fayemi failed to respond to follow-up texts asking about the deputy governor’s whereabouts and health condition. In interviews with several government sources, SaharaReporters learned that Mrs. Olayinka had been unable to perform official public functions due to her serious ailment. “Her Excellency, the deputy governor, is suffering from cancer,” said one of our sources. He added, “We’re all praying God to heal her and make it possible for her to return fully to serving the state.” Our  sources disclosed that Mrs. Olayinka was receiving treatment at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos. However, they  stated that they could not reveal the stage of her cancer. One source disclosed that the governor had warned top government officials not to discuss the deputy governor’s health crisis. “The governor is in touch with her and with members of her family and is offering every possible form of assistance in addressing her cancer,” the source stated. The government officials we spoke to were cagey about the deputy governor’s location. One of them said the ailing deputy governor “is very much in Nigeria,” even though he would not disclose whether she was within the state or outside. A different source also stated that the deputy governor had been discharged from St. Nicholas hospital and is currently recuperating at her Lagos home with her family. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party told SaharaReporters that he sympathized with the sick deputy governor, but he criticized the Fayemi administration for concealing information about her condition from the people of the state. “Governor Fayemi and his group raised their voices in protest when [former President] Yar’Adua was flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment without Nigerians receiving information or updates about his condition. Today, the same Fayemi is behaving like the cabal that surrounded Yar’Adua,” said the source. He added, “Mrs. Olayinka is a public official. If she is too sick to attend to her official duties, then the good people of Ekiti State deserve to be told.”

Breaking News: Actor Jaden Smith is dead

      THIS STORY IS STILL DEVELOPING... Actor Jaden Smith is reported to have died shortly after a snowboard accident earlier today - . The actor & novice snowboarder was vacationing at the Zermatt ski resort in Zermatt, Switzerland with family and friends. Witnesses indicate that Jaden Smith lost control of his snowboard and struck a tree at a high rate of speed. Jaden Smith was air lifted by ski patrol teams to a local hospital, however, it is believed that the actor died instantly from the impact of the crash. The actor was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and drugs and alcohol do not appear to have played any part in his death. Additional details and information will be updated as it becomes available. This story is still developing

April Fool's Day: The Top 10 Pranks of All Time

1 April, 2013 Features⁠  April Fool's Day is a holiday where people play pranks on each other all across the world, and has been celebrated since the olden times. While you might be switching the salt and the sugar, or putting a plastic spider in someone's tea, there have been some truly incredible pranks that fooled the entire world. The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest, 1957: On April 1, 1957 the British news show Panorama broadcast a three-minute segment about a bumper spaghetti harvest in southern Switzerland. The success of the crop was attributed both to an unusually mild winter and to the "virtual disappearance of the spaghetti weevil." The audience heard Richard Dimbleby, the show's highly respected anchor, discussing the details of the spaghetti crop as they watched video footage of a Swiss family pulling pasta off spaghetti trees and placing it into baskets. The segment concluded with the assurance that, "For those who love this dish, there's nothing like real, home-grown spaghetti." The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest hoax generated an enormous response. Hundreds of people phoned the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this query the BBC diplomatically replied, "Place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best." To this day the Panorama broadcast remains one of the most famous and popular April Fool's Day hoaxes of all time. It is also believed to be the first time the medium of television was used to stage an April Fool's Day hoax. San Serriffe: In 1977 the Guardian published a seven-page "special report" about San Serriffe, a small country located in the Indian Ocean consisting of several islands that make the shape of a semi-colon. The two main islands were called Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse. They did an in-depth series of articles on the history, geography and daily life on these idyllic islands. The Guardian's phones rang all day as readers wanted more information about the perfect-sounding fictional holiday spot, and the hoax began a tradition in newspapers to try and fool their readers. The Left-Handed Whopper: Burger King, a chain of fast-food restaurants, published a full page advertisement in the April 1st edition of USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu: a "Left-Handed Whopper" specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper (lettuce, tomato, hamburger patty, etc.), but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers. The following day Burger King issued a follow-up release revealing that although the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, thousands of customers had gone into restaurants to request the new sandwich. Simultaneously, according to the press release, "many others requested their own 'right handed' version." Flying Penguins: On 1 April 2008, the BBC announced that camera crews filming near the Antarctic for its natural history series Miracles of Evolution had captured footage of Adélie penguins taking to the air. It even offered a video clip of these flying penguins, which became one of the most viewed videos on the internet. Presenter Terry Jones explained that, instead of huddling together to endure the Antarctic winter, these penguins took to the air and flew thousands of miles to the rainforests of South America where they "spend the winter basking in the tropical sun." A follow-up video explained how the BBC created the special effects of the flying penguins.  On 1 April 1972, newspaper headlines around the world announced the dead body of the Loch Ness Monster had been found. A team of zoologists from Yorkshire's Flamingo Park Zoo, who were at Loch Ness searching for proof of Nessie's existence, had discovered the carcass floating in the water the day before. Initial reports claimed it weighed a ton and a half and was 15½ feet long. Upon inspection, Nessie turned out to be a bull elephant seal. The zoo's education officer, John Shields, confessed he had been responsible for placing the body in the Loch. The seal had died the week before, and he had shaved off its whiskers, padded its cheeks with stones, and kept it frozen for a week, before dumping it in the Loch. The seal's body was displayed at the Flamingo Park Zoo for a few days before being properly disposed of. The Case of the Interfering Brassieres: The 1 April 1982 issue of the Daily Mail reported that a local manufacturer had sold 10,000 "rogue bras" that were causing a unique and unprecedented problem, not to the wearers but to the public at large. Apparently the support wire in these bras had been made out of a kind of copper originally designed for use in fire alarms. When this copper came into contact with nylon and body heat, it produced static electricity which, in turn, was interfering with local television and radio broadcasts. The chief engineer of British Telecom, upon reading the article, immediately ordered that all his female laboratory employees disclose what type of bra they were wearing. Man Flies By Own Lung Power: In April 1934, many American newspapers (including The New York Times) printed a photograph of a man flying through the air by means of a device powered only by the breath from his lungs. Accompanying articles excitedly described this miraculous new invention. The man, identified as German pilot Erich Kocher, blew into a box on his chest. This activated rotors that created a powerful suction effect, lifting him aloft. Skis on his feet served as landing gear, and a tail fin allowed him to steer. What the American papers didn't realize was that the "lung-power motor" was a joke. The photo had first appeared in the April Fool's Day edition of the Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung. It made its way to America thanks to Hearst's International News Photo agency which not only fell for the hoax but also distributed it to all its U.S. subscribers. In the original article, the pilot's name was spelled "Erich Koycher," which was a pun on the German word "keuchen," meaning to puff or wheeze. Bombs Away! 1915: On April 1, 1915, in the midst of World War I, a French aviator flew over a German camp and dropped what appeared to be a huge bomb. The German soldiers immediately scattered in all directions, but no explosion followed. After some time, the soldiers crept back and gingerly approached the bomb. They discovered it was actually a large football with a note tied to it that read, "April Fool!" The Origin of April Fool’s Day: In 1983 the Associated Press reported that the mystery of the origin of April Fool's Day had finally been solved. Joseph Boskin, a History professor at Boston University, had discovered that the celebration had begun during the Roman empire when a court jester had boasted to Emperor Constantine that the fools and jesters of the court could rule the kingdom better than the Emperor could. In response, Constantine had decreed that the court fools would be given a chance to prove this boast, and he set aside one day of the year upon which a fool would rule the kingdom. The first year Constantine appointed a jester named Kugel as ruler, and Kugel immediately decreed that only the absurd would be allowed in the kingdom on that day. Therefore the tradition of April Fools was born. News media throughout the country reprinted the Associated Press story. But what the AP reporter who had interviewed Professor Boskin for the story hadn't realized was that Boskin was lying. Not a word of the story was true, which Boskin admitted a few weeks later. Boston University issued a statement apologizing for the joke, and many papers published corrections. World to End Tomorrow: On March 31, 1940 the Franklin Institute issued a press release stating that the world would end the next day. The release was picked up by radio station KYW which broadcast the following message: "Your worst fears that the world will end are confirmed by astronomers of Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. Scientists predict that the world will end at 3 P.M. Eastern Standard Time tomorrow. This is no April Fool joke. Confirmation can be obtained from Wagner Schlesinger, director of the Fels Planetarium of this city." The public reaction was immediate. Local authorities were flooded with frantic phone calls. The panic only subsided after the Franklin Institute assured people that it had made no such prediction. The prankster responsible for the press release turned out to be William Castellini, the Institute's press agent. He had intended to use the fake release to publicize an April 1st lecture at the institute titled "How Will the World End?" Soon afterwards, the Institute dismissed Castellini.

Gunmen Kill 20, Injure 10 In 2 Separate Attacks In Kaduna

1 April, 2013 Local⁠  Unidentified gunmen killed 20 persons on Saturday night in Zilang and Mafang villages in Kaura Local Government area of Kaduna State. A top security chief told SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity that the killings began on Saturday night and lasted until the early hours of Sunday.   Kaura LGA of Southern Kaduna State borders Plateau State, which has also witnessed sporadic violence for several years.    Our source, who spoke to us from Abuja, added that the gunmen also injured many in the area.  “Our men on ground are carrying out an extensive operation to trail the killers,” he said. Over 2000 people, fearful of further attacks on their communities, are reported to have fled the area.

Rights Group Faults Police for Parading Baby Over Robbery

1 April, 2013 Local⁠  The Human Rights Writers' Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the recent parading by the Ogun state police command of a two-month-old baby, the mother and a teenager for alleged robbery committed by the father. HURIWA in a statement by the national coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the national media affairs director Miss. Zainab Yusuf described the action as atrocious, primitive and a total breach of the fundamental human rights of a Nigerian child. The group faulted the "primitive and unconstitutional practice of parading crime suspects before they are properly charged to the competent courts of law, citing section 36[5] which provides that crime suspects remain innocent in the eye of the law until proven guilty by the court of competent jurisdiction." HURIWA also cited chapter four of the constitution containing the fundamental rights of every Nigerian citizen as providing for fair hearing to be given to any crime suspect arrested for any kind of offence. The body wants the federal government to fish out the police officers responsible for "this dastardly act that is totally unconstitutional, illegal and criminal" and punish them to serve as deterrent for future breach of the rights of the Nigerian children. The police in the Ogun state had reportedly paraded baby Oyinkansola Adeosun, his mother Mrs Fausat and 15-year-old teenager Tobi Adeosun over an alleged robbery committed by the baby's father-Ismail Adeosun who fled before the police arrived the house. The Ogun state police commissioner Mr Ikemefuna Aduba said the mother of the baby and the teenager were arrested for allegedly keeping gun for her husband but the woman claimed that she was no longer married to the fleeing robbery suspect and that she consistently asked the man to take away the gun which one of the arrested brothers was in the process of removing before all of them were apprehended by the police operatives.

First Lady Patience Jonathan Fires Her Spokesman, Appoints US-Based Satirist As Media Aide

1 April, 2013 Local⁠  As fresh crisis surrounding the health of the First Lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan brews, the presidency has fired her spokesman, Mr. Ayo Osinlu. The news is contained in a press release issued by the president’s Special Assistant on the Media, Dr. Reuben Abati. Sahara-reporters sources say that the decision to fire Mr. Osinlu was taken by the First Lady from her hospital bed in Europe. Mrs. Patience Jonathan was mad at the inability of Mr. Osinlu to provide a foolproof decoy of a story to distract the media from her current medical surgeon abroad. Mr. Osinlu was roundly criticized for the way he handled the news about the whereabouts of the First Lady last year. During the period, Mr. Osinlu told journalists that the First Lady went to Germany on vacation but Mrs. Jonathan later confirmed the story published by Saharareporters that she was hospitalized in Germany for weeks. Our sources in Abuja said that the presidency felt that Mr. Osinlu had lost credibility with the media establishment and that the First Lady needed a heavy hitter the way the president recruited Dr. Doyin Okupe to strengthen his media team that was once in disarray. All efforts by Saharareporters to reach Mr. Osinlu by phone and text failed. In the press release, the presidency named Rudolf Okonkwo as the new spokesman of the wife of the President. “Mr. Okonkwo,” the release says, “has a good understanding of social media and the internet world and will use those skills to counter the barrage of lies being peddled by some disgruntled Nigerians on the web about the person of our First Lady.” Until his new appointment Mr. Okonkwo was a columnist for Saharareporters.com and the host of Dr. Damages Show. His satirical show routinely makes fun of the First Lady as well as mine President Jonathan’s utterances to create an unflattering portrayal of the president. Since the announcement all efforts to reach Mr. Okonkwo by phone and text has failed. Saharareporters cannot ascertain his whereabouts at press time. A friend of Mr. Okonkwo told Saharareporters.com that he was not surprised at Mr. Okonkwo’s acceptance of this position in a government he had roundly condemned. “The man is as poor as a church rat and I knew it was a matter of time before he jumped ship,” he said. “He is following the lead of the likes of Reuben Abati and Femi Fani-Kayode. They are all shameless hypocrites.” The move to appoint Mr. Okonkwo as Mrs. Jonathan’s spokesman is seen by some Aso Rock observers as “a coup” of some sort as one of voices critical of Jonathan’s administration will effectively be silenced. Speaking to our correspondent, an Abuja based editor who pleaded anonymity said that he doubted if this appointment would work. “Rudolf Okonkwo was at one time a promising journalist,” he said. “But right now, for all intents and purposes, he is just a clown. You don’t use a clown to defend another clown.” The Abuja editor went on to say, “I hope this is just an April Fools’ joke.”

The truth about our private jet, by P-square

31 March, 2013 Arts and Entertainment⁠  They are ever busy, taking their music around the continent where they are arguably the most popular act from Nigeria. Peter Okoye, one-half of the energetic choreographers and twin singers, P-Square, spoke to VICTOR AKANDE, Entertainment Editor, recently.     HOW do you feel that your latest single, Alingo, has been banned?   I heard of the ban, but, honestly, reasons for the ban were not specified. But what we have noticed and they haven’t is that when you ban a song you only make it popular. Banning a song on Nigerian channels doesn’t mean much because the major international channels still play the videos.   What really was the reason behind the video?   For a few years now P-square haven’t made a dance video and our fans have been anticipating, so we just decided to give them that. Alingo was a freestyle that we did even before the Invasion album; we never took it serious until it leaked, and we got good responses. Thus, we decided to shoot a video for it.   Did you have to take the recording abroad again like most of your works?   Surprisingly, no! The scenes were created and shot in an abandoned warehouse close to our home in Nigeria. It took a lot of time and energy though, because it has been five years since we did a dance video, the last which was Roll It.   How far have you gone with foreign collaborations, considering that it’s the fastest way to hit the European and American markets?   Let’s look at it this way. We have known Akon for over six years, but we didn’t have talks for collaboration, till he came to our concert in London and witnessed the reception. He was trying to open Kon Life in Africa and was looking for people to help him run it, so we teamed up in what we call a joint venture. We are establishing an office in Nigeria called Kon Life, because we are here representing him while he is out in the states representing us. So, all I can say is that the process is on. Just watch out.   Which country would you say is your biggest market in Africa?   East Africa is the biggest encouragement, a certain place to run to at any time. Southern Africa is a potential market; that is, it is still in the works because we have been working there for over a year. But a profitable market is based on an entertainer’s personal effort, because an area can’t remain hot for us every time, so we are exploring new grounds.   You are always on the road, how much time do you have for yourselves?   We try as much as possible, but we don’t get as much time as we would want. But we took the whole of January this year to rest, because last year was a very busy year for us. However, we are back on the road again. It is the nature of the business, and we are hoping for a 2013 that will be better than last year, because this year we are including the tour of United States in our schedule.   What is this rumour about you guys acquiring a private jet; can you confirm it?   It’s not true my brother. We had a deal with a private jet company, which provides that whenever we are going to a specific place, we would be provided a jet. That way, they always gave us their private jets to travel with. This makes our trips easier. On the other hand, we are close to the presidents of most African countries, so when they hear that we are coming to their country, they usually send their private jets to pick us wherever we are. But that is not to say we can’t acquire our own jet. As a matter of fact, we are planning to get ours.   How have you been able to live above the scourge of piracy, which most artistes say is the reason they have not been able to make headway?   Piracy affects all of us, but still P-square as a brand has managed to strive and be successful. The truth is that we know how to make money even from the pirates. Some of the marketers are the pirates that we are talking about, as a result, fighting piracy starts with them. We know our worth, so before a marketer buys our album, we make him provide the cost of production and profit margin. Our last album took the joint effort of three different marketers to buy.   Despite being blood brothers, are you (P-Square) likely to go your separate ways someday?   Peter and Paul are not perfect; we quarrel like normal siblings do, but we don’t let it affect our business. Even with Jude our brother, in business, he is our manager and he respects us as the artistes he manages, but when it comes to family matters, he is our elder brother and we give him that respect. Only our late mum had the power to make us split and she wouldn’t have done that. So, if there is to be a split, it will not be as a result of quarrel, but on mutual ground. Group splits are not out of place, but our blood ties keep us strong and our background won’t even allow us split. We understand each other very well.   Talking about your background, how was growing up with Paul like?   (Smiles)I was very stubborn as a child, but Paul ended up paying for my atrocities, as people often mistook him for me. We grew up doing things together and we still do. We have our mum to thank for this. I try to like what he likes and he does same, but in a situation whereby he feels differently, I just let go. We have been united from birth and we still are.   How has life been without your mother?   It’s been hectic. We haven’t sat down to do an album because she was usually there with us in the studio. As a pastor that she was, she used to pray on everything we do and even pray on our album a week before it was released. We don’t know how we will do it this time, but we hope for the best.   After doing the same thing over a long period, do you ever feel like exploring other avenues?   For P-square, music has become a part of us, but since we understand the pattern and are used to it we have started looking into other means of making money. But we also understand that making so much money and storing it is not wise, we have decided to go into various businesses; one of which is real estate business. This, we have been doing for a long time. We do businesses that we can get people to run for us without fear. We are also about to enter into oil and gas business.   They say you guys are arrogant…   Paul and I have two different personalities, so you cannot use the attitude of one to judge the group. I don’t expect all news about me to be positive. Paul, for example, waits for major events before being in the news, but I am more controversial. Our intimidating nature makes us look arrogant, but it’s really not like that. Your brother, Jude Okoye (Engees), was quoted as saying he won’t produce any other artiste but P-Square There was an interview where he was asked that question and I think he said it as a joke. Apart from that, Jude has a lot of businesses he’s into, so signing artistes is not really a priority for him. He keeps his interests on P-Square because outsiders might not understand the way he does his things, so he doesn’t want distractions.