₦airaland Forum

EFCC clampdown on ex-Govs
Ibori faces arrest
•Details of his multi-billion naira wealth •How he refunded N20b looted cash,assets

• Freedom deal in jeopardy


By GABRIEL OKWARA



FOR Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta State, things are no longer at ease. He may suffer the humiliating ordeal of being arrested and paraded in court for alleged looting of public treasury and owning unaccountable multi-billion naira business empire in Nigeria and overseas.


National Daily sources said that Ibori has been interrogated three times by operatives Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at their Wuse Zone 2, headquarters, Abuja, despite an alleged secret pact with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which was said to have guaranteed him freedom from prosecution if he agreed to fund Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's presidential campaign.


However, EFCC chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) seemingly bowing to local and international pressures is believed to have re-opened the case against Ibori and other ex-governors.


Ex-governors Joshua Dariye, Saminu Turaki, Jolly Nyame and Orji Uzor Kalu of Plateau, Jigawa, Benue, Taraba and Abia States respectively were all detained and charged with official corruption. They were later released on stringent bail conditions.


Competent sources said that Ibori voluntarily honoured the initial invitation of the anti-graft commission, but during the latest interrogation, he allegedly lost his calmness and reminded Ribadu and his colleagues of his role in ensuring the emergence of Yar'Adua as president and the assurance he was allegedly given by Obasanjo.


Apart from pressures for the commission to keep its promise that it will arrest and prosecute certain corrupt former governors after the May 29, 2007 handover date, Ibori's refusal to abide by the terms of a negotiated “out of court” settlement between him, the EFCC and the Presidency on the other hand was said to have worsened his case.


Ibori and the other former governors who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), were made to drop their presidential aspirations and work collectively for Yar'Adua as their consensus candidate. In the bargain, they would be free from prosecution when they relinquished power. Ibori was particularly chosen as the arrowhead of Yar'Adua Campaign because of his tremendous influence as one of the leaders of the turbulent Niger Delta region, and as the governor of the oil rich Delta State.


Ibori was said to have single-handedly made available the sum of N8 billion to the Yar'Adua/Jonathan campaign organisation.
On assumption of office, Yar'Adua allegedly influenced the establishment of an apparatus through which the fingered former governors could refund the looted fund to the government in exchange for their freedom.


National Daily sources said Ibori was at the onset excited by the pact, which would extricate him and his erstwhile colleagues from the clutches of the anti-corruption agency. He allegedly refunded about N5 billion to the EFCC with a promise to return more of his financial loot to the EFCC. Sources said Ibori also forfeited assets valued at about N15 billion as part of the freedom pact. When he was reminded of his promise during his last interrogation, he allegedly threatened to open a can of worms on how the funds he allegedly siphoned from public treasury was used to fund the “political agenda of the PDP”.


Ibori was also said to have blurted that “When it comes to corruption, nobody is a saint.” He said that if pushed to the wall, he would not mind dragging some of his traducers down the mud with him.


Ibori, alongside former President Ibrahim Babangida, Dr. Peter Odili and Kwara Governor, Bukola Saraki were fingered in an alleged move to sack Ribadu as the EFCC Chairman. The gang-up was meant to sponsor negative publicity against Ribadu thereby creating a credibility problem for him. The final onslaught was for Yar'Adua to bow to pressure to replace him.
An inside source said that at this point, EFCC boss Ribadu retorted that he would not succumb to blackmail from anyone, no matter his status in the society.
National Daily sources said that the EFCC has concluded investigation into the alleged corrupt practices by Ibori during his eight year tenure as the governor of Delta State.


“The commission now has the relevant document to conclusively nail Ibori. You know, we did not want to rush the cases of the ex-governors because we wanted to have all the evidence. We are now ready for Ibori and I can assure you that his case will be the biggest, when it finally begins,” said an inside source.


Ibori's multi-billion naira investment allegedly established with public funds, spread across Real Estate, aviation and petroleum.
The former governor and his wife, Nkoyo, allegedly own Whitehills Corporation Limited which once offered to supply six million barrels of Nigeria's Bonny light to oil dealers every month. Tessi Ibori was listed as the Company Secretary and one Okey Ilo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Investigation revealed that Tessi Ibori is the same person as Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, the former first lady of Delta State.
Tessi (Nkoyo) Ibori, according to records, is a British Citizen born in January 1968. She was appointed the company secretary two years after her husband, James Ibori, became the governor of Delta State.


Investigation further revealed that Whitehills Corporation Ltd has a registered office at 4 St Andrews Court, St Andrews Road, London, E176AX. Tessi's address was given as 7 Westover Hill, North West London.


Tessi Nkoyo Ibori's London residence is a sprawling estate with British guards and gardeners. Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are mounted at strategic places in the Estate. One Nigerian worker who said she was under strict instruction not to talk to anyone however confided in our source that there are all kinds of luxury cars, including a Bentley in the premises.


It was gathered that Westover Hill estate was purchased through Haleway properties in 2001.


Haleway, registered in Gibraltar, a small island known as tax haven, 10, Westover Hill, was acquired on October 19, 2003 for £1.7 million pounds (about N400 million) while 14, Westover Hills was bought over at £2.3 million pounds (N1 billion) on May 31, 2001.
An aide to the youthful former governor, however denied that Ibori is the owner of the controversial estate. He claimed that Ibori always stayed in a hotel whenever he visited London. But when he was specifically reminded about the house at Westover Hills, he said maybe the house belonged to Tessi (Nkoyo) who was born in London.


However, it can now be established that Tessi (Nkoyo) Ibori on December 4, 2001, registered a company, Haleway Trading Ltd with number, 04334204. The office of the company was located on 1st floor, Alpine House, Unit 2, Honeypot Lane, London. The Westover Hills estate was purchased in 2001 by Haleway properties.


National Daily was reliably informed that Ibori was interrogated on the ownership of WINGS AVIATION AIRLINE. The airline, which provides chartered shuttle flights for expatriate staff of oil companies gave its address as Concord Airline building, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
EFCC operatives allegedly discovered that Ibori started the Airline in order to cover the lucrative business of shuttling staff of oil companies operating in the troubled Niger Delta region.


The airline was recently recapitalised by the Federal Aviation Department, but the funds were allegedly traced to the funds allegedly looted by Ibori.
WINGS Airline own two turbo-props. Beechcrafts 1900 D Beechliner and super Kings Air. The airline cost about $10 million each ($20m = N2.6 billion)
Sources said the oil companies are blackmailed to use the airline to avoid attack by militants. The expatriates are made to pay exorbitant fares to ensure their comfort and security in the Niger Delta.


After the interrogation, which lasted about four hours, Ibori was asked to go but was told on very clear terms that he would soon be invited again for “the last round” of interrogation. National Daily learnt that, Ibori was worried by the inference of the EFCC that he is not out of the hook yet. He told his close aides that he smelt a rat.


Before he left the EFCC interrogation room, Ibori was asked to surrender his international passport and relevant documents of his bank accounts and business investment. He was unequivocally warned against travelling out of the country through illegal means because the various security organs have been given definite orders to execute against any wanted ex-public officer who decided to evade the cause of justice.


It was gathered that Ibori immediately after his last interrogation was placed under surveillance. EFCC agents were allegedly instructed to monitor his movement and activities in his country home, Lagos and Abuja where he has residential houses.


Ibori allegedly delayed his trip back to his hometown, Oghara in Delta State in order to discuss the unsavoury development with Yar'Adua in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.


He allegedly told the President that he was being harassed by Ribadu and the EFCC despite the post-election agreement between the former PDP governors and the party. He also said he took exception to the impression given by the EFCC that he could even be detained if he failed to refund more money to the commission. Ibori allegedly accused Yar'Adua of not doing enough to checkmate the EFCC from going on his trail, and vowed that he would fight back if he is provoked to do so.


After his meeting with the President in Aso Rock, Yar'Adua was said to have reached out to Obasanjo and pleaded with him to intervene in the matter.
Ibori is not totally new to allegation of financial scandals. He was allegedly sacked by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) after working with Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited. He was enmeshed in a legal tangle with some litigants who claimed that he is an ex-convict having been once jailed by an Abuja court for stealing. The judge who jailed him testified that James Ibori he jailed is the same as the former governor. The investigating police officer also confirmed that Ibori was the one jailed by the Abuja Court. However, an Abuja judge ruled that the former governor is different from the James Ibori that was convicted.


On March 13, 2007, one Elder Godsday Orubebe and two others dragged Ibori to an Abuja Federal Court for allegedly misappropriating over N60 billion naira while he was governor of Delta State.


Supporters of Diepreye Solomon Alamieyeseigha, Orji Uzor Kalu, Chimaroke Nnamani and Saminu Turaki are said to be mounting pressure on President Yar'Adua and the EFCC to extend the ongoing arrest and prosecution to include indicted South South former governors, who are known to have received the highest volume of revenue allocations but had no meaningful development to show for it, which has contributed to the ongoing bloodbath in the Niger Delta region.


“If Alamieyeseigha can be detained for 24 months, and prosecuted, nothing stops the anti-corruption commission from visiting the likes of Ibori, Odili, Lucky Igbinedion, and Victor Attah, who impeccable sources revealed have more serious cases of corruption and embezzlement of state funds, with the same fate of arrest and public prosecution,” said a top Niger Delta leader who pleaded anonymity.
He added: “There will only be genuine reconciliation and forgiveness of the treatment given to Alamieyeseigha if his colleagues are made to face the music. Otherwise, this process will be nothing but selective justice.”


Meanwhile Presidency sources hinted that Mr. President is becoming increasingly indifferent to the clampdown on ex-governors as attempts by a group of serving governors to prevail on Yar'Adua to slow Ribadu and his men have not yielded much results.


As far as he is concerned, those who stole should go and refund the loot. You saw Jolly Nyame, he admitted and promised to return his loot, and he was granted bail, period,” the source concluded.



http://www.ngrnationaldaily.com/cover.htm

Girls have been looking for marriage from the beginning of time. It is what they are here for - get married, rear kids, help their man, have a job/business and live a good life. Nothing new at all


Except really good men are getting fewer, the girls are getting more in number so the competition for the remaining few good men is stiff

Never been a better time than now to be a real man

What any resonable and discerning people ought to have done was simply ask for the head of these thieves, not glorify them.
Trust me, if we begin to carry out mass protest for severe sentences to be hung on these corrupt, incompentent rogues others will learn not to steal

So what do you imply here

It is no longer news that Alamieyeseigha is out of jail and now a free man.
What strikes me as absurd and annoying is that the Ijaw nation is going about trying to prop this old thief up and back to life.
This is a man who stole the Ijaw people blind. Building businesses and mansions abroad while his people wallow in abject poverty at home and now, instead of the people to protest his not being given longer, harder jail sentences, they are rejoicing that he has been released.

Three fund raising ceremonies were carried out on  his behalf in Lagos, Yenagoa and Port Harcourt, to raise money for this thief to go abroad for treatment.With all the money Bayelsa got during his tenure as Governor he could not build a single international standard hospital.

He was to arrive his home town sometime yesterday and people actually trooped there to welcome him back.
The leaders of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG) are saying good things about him.
No single Ijaw person of note, nay Nigerian, has said anything bad about this man since his release from jail.

What a nation and its people ! 

How can people be rejoicing over and helping a man who stole their wealth. This is a man they should have stoned and warned never to set foot on Ijaw Land again but instead he is being welcome back home, like a kind of messiah and we are being told he is needed to come help his peole, I guess with the stolen money 

It is not just Alams. Nobody is yelling in anger over the accusation of the other governors. People are not screaming that these governors could steal so much, instead some group of rather foolish and idle hands are protesting the arrest of somebody like Uzor Kalu

Until we learn to realise that these guys are thieves and should be treated like common robbers, the war on corruption is going nowhere and we are never going to make it as a country

Leaders of Ijaw ethnic nationality drawn from various fields, including those in   politics   and business yesterday held three different meetings aimed at raising funds for ex-governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. The funds is to enable Alamieyeseigha travel to the United Arab Emirate (UEA) for treatment.
The fund raising parleys which were held in Lagos, Yenegoa (Bayelsa) and Portharcourt, (Rivers) under the auspices of Ijaw National Congress (INC) were co-ordinated by national president of the INC, Prof Kimse Okoko. Alamieyeseigha is expected to travel out of the country this week.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=84752

The country home of former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State came alive yesterday as many Bayelsans besieged the riverine town of Amassoma to welcome him back. However, many of them, both old and young who left their homes as early as 7 o’clock in the morning to welcome back the former ‘governor general’ of the Ijaw nation as he is fondly called by his people, went home disappointed not seeing him as he failed to turn up as expected.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/cover/july07/29072007/f429072007.html

Funny enough, Nigerians hate with a passion common armed robbers and pick pockets, who steal a lot less than these politicians and public office holders. Lynching and burning them when possible.

I guess we really do glorify these high class thieves

When will a Southerner become FCT Minister (not minister of state) ?
How is it that since the inception of Abuja as Federal Capital Territory we have never had a Southern Nigerian as its minister (correct me if I am wrong)

Why is Agriculture and Water Resources always going to Northerners ? ((There is alot of money in that ministry in case you are not aware)
Are they the best farmers in Nigeria or are they the only ones with Water Supply problems ?

By the way, it looks to me as if most of the top ministeries are in the hands of the Northerners.(Check the portfolios in bold)
Is this Yar' Adua government biased favourably towards the North ?



Know your new ministers
Ministry/Portfolio Name
1. Attorney-General/Minister of Justice Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN)
2. Agriculture/Water Resources Abba Sayyadi Ruma
3. Agriculture/Water Resources Adamu Maina Waziri (State 1)
4. Commerce/Industry Chief Charles Ugwu
5. Commerce/Industry (State) Ahmed Garba Bichi
6. Culture/Tourism Adetokunbo Kayode
7. Culture/Tourism (State) Aliyu Idi Hong
8. Defence Yayale Ahmed
9. Defence (State) Mrs Fidelia Njeze
10. Education Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu
11. Education (State 1) Agada Anthony Jerry
12. Education (State 2) Mrs Aishatu Jibril Dukku
13. Energy (State) Power Mrs Fatima Ibrahim
14. Energy (State) Petroleum Henry Odein Ajumogobia
15. Energy (State) Gas Odusina Emmanuel
16. Environment/Housing Mrs Halima Alao
17. FCT Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar
18. FCT (State) John Akpanudoedehe
19. Finance Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman
20. Finance (State) Aderemi Babalola
21. Foreign Affairs Ojo Maduekwe
22. Foreign Affairs (State 1) Tijjani yahaya Kaura
23. Foreign Affairs (State 2) Amb. Bagudu Hirse
24. Health Prof. Adenike Grange
25. Health (State) Gabriel Aduku
26. Information/Communication John Odey
27. Information/Communication (State) Ibrahim Nakande
28. Interior Maj.-Gen. Godwin Abbe (Rtd)
29. Interior (State) Hassan Alhaji Haruna
30. Labour Dr Hassan Lawal
31. Mines/Steel Development Chief Sarafa Tunji Isola
32. Mines/Steel Development (State) Ahmed Moh’d Gusau
33. Transportation Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke
34. Transportation (State) John Okechukwu Emeka
35. Science/Technology Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre
36. Youth Development Sen. Akinlabi Olasunkanmi
37. Women Affairs Saudatu Usman Bungudu
38. Minister/Deputy Chairman National Planning Com mission Sen. Sanusi Daggash
39. Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission Abdulrahman Gimba.

You this Stevano boy, wetin dey do you sef.

You post says alot here:
1. You talk about dumping one of them. Such a wrong mindset. How would you feel if someone dumped you ?
2. What exactly do you want from a relationship ? Sex, love, companionship, acceptance ,  ?

My advice:
1.Be sorry for spoiling one good virgin and repent of your evil
2.Talk to the Ex-Virgin and nicely,politely make her understand the need for both of you to move on- she is not going to take it easy with you but, in life you must make your own choices and live with them
3. Note that the girl you want to stick with now left somebody else. She may also leave you

The big one : STOP DISVIRGINING GIRLS AND DUMPING THEM !!! or else you gonna have somebody poke something sharp and poisonous into ur arse someday !

I honestly don't think a website or online forum of faceless people is the best place to seek advice concerning something as important as who to marry

@Poster,
You are the one who is going to live with whosoever you chose to marry. We can't really advice you on this. You pray about it, talk to your closest friends and family and above all, if you are deeply convinced that you want to spend the rest of your life with this man, go ahead.

One way to analyse this is: Imagine the man is old, frail and sick. The kids are all gone from the house and you are left alone with him. Will you still be happy to tarry in his presence, love him and care for him ?

Whatever answer you give to this might be a pointer to what you should do ?

For the sake of it, an age gap of 12 years is not really that much, the only snag being that the guy is already 40. That is no longer a young man by any standard

Maybe your boyfriend is one of those who likes his personal space, hence not calling you everyday and stuff like that.

Just talk to him about your concerns and if he doesn't give you a satisfacotry answer, move on with your life. There is NEVER a reason to stay in a relationship that does not give you joy

If marriage is this hard then why do people get married ?

Must you voluntarily go into something that is so difficult ?

http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article05

A NIGERIAN-BORN boxer and former world heavyweight champion, James Oyebola, has been put on life support, after being shot in the face at a Fulham night club, in West London at about 1.00 a.m. on Tuesday.

Six feet, nine inches tall, Oyebola, also known as Big Dad, worked at a nearby club as a bouncer and only went to the club to have a drink with the owner, an Irish man, when the incident occurred.

According to witnesses, the Nigerian father of two had politely stepped in to assist the club's staff, who had asked three black men to observe the "no smoking" law which came into effect in all British pubs and bars on July 1. One of the three men later produced a gun and fired at the Oyebola's face several times.

The 47-year-old boxer was also hit in the leg before the three men were seen running off in the direction of Fulham broadway. A handgun has been found at a nearby spot and Police have since sealed off the scene, which is opposite Fulham Broadway Tube Station.

Oyebola, a 1986 Commonwealth super heavyweight bronze medalist - an event at which Lennox Lewis won the gold - had an impressive professional career of 18 wins - 16 being within the distance - out of 23 fights. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1993, winning the World Boxing Council (WBC) international heavyweight title. Three years later, he retired after losing his last fight to former British Heavyweight champion, Julius Francis.

Although reports indicate that he is unlikely to survive the shooting, Oyebola's wife of 15 years and their children are still keeping a bedside vigil.

Although the motive of the shooting is still not clear, detectives from Operation Trident - which investigate black-on-black gun crime - are meeting over it and also appealing for information.

Detective Chief Inspector, Scott Wilson wants "anyone with information to come forward to Police and assist us in bringing those responsible for gravely injuring James to justice."

He said: "We are still trying to piece it together," adding that "it would appear that James was trying to be the peacemaker and the altercation over smoking escalated from there." Wilson disclosed further that the shooting "was over very quickly, probably a matter of seconds."

He noted that James "is a family man and has a long-term partner whose two children are absolutely distraught by what has happened. Without doubt, to shoot a man like this is absolutely deplorable and these people need to be caught."

Some witnesses disclosed how the former world champion had politely stepped in to help the staff, only to be fired at without warning. "He wasn't aggressive," said a witness. Oyebola, the witness continued, "was just being a good citizen but the three saw it as a sign of disrespect. On their way out, one of them pulled out a gun and began firing at James."

Poor guy. I really hope he survives 

So what is the problem here ? Is there somewhere in our constitution that prescribes sentences for every crime ? I think Judges/ Magistrates are allowed to use their knowledge and discretion in awarding sentences, as long as it is in line with our criminal justice system. (I stand to be corrected)
The sentence could be a flogging. It doesn't mean it is an Islamic sentence.
Must every criminal offence be punishable by a jail term, when we know very well that the jail is one of the best breeding grounds for hardened criminals. Minor offenders go in there and come out hardened dare devils

Why is there never enough change in Nigeria.

As far as I can remember, when you go buy stuff there is always a problem with getting your change, expecially if it is a smaller denomination.

When I in the UK I rarely  experience such a problem. Even if your change is one pence or one pund, it will always be available for you but in Nigeria, you sometimes can't even get a one hundred naira change.

After all these years, CBN should have done its survey enough to know the denomination that is most requested for by people ( usually N5 to N100) and print more quantities of these.

Nigerians suffer too much, including suffering something as simple as getting their change when they purchase good or services

so how many guys have been lucky so far ?

Foot ball should be outlawed ! It should be a crime punishable by the death to play, watch or broadcast football.
All football discussants should be given life in prisonment with out the opportunity for parole.
All footballs should be melted and the rubber used to manufacture tyres or shoes

As for boxing, it is already exist side-by-side with football but it does not cause the level of atrocity committed in the name of football, so lets boxing continue and let football die a painful death.

Bloody football !!!!!!!!!!      


_{Now I am sure a murder squad staffed with football fans have already sent out a search and exterminate warrant for my head} 

Truth is that the insecurity in the land is increasing but like everything else that overflows it limits, it is now getting to the very top. Kidnappers in the Niger Delta now go for the kids of rich Nigerians, armed robbers target top politicians and businessmen. We are getting to a point where the rich and mighty in the land can no longer turn a blind eye to the problems in the country thinking they can secure themselves with their money.

It seems evil can sometimes bring good, especially in a country like Nigeria where you need the iron fist to get things done.

As the criminals continue to hit at the top those at the top, who are the ones in a position to do something about it, will do something. They will have no option but to create an enabling environment for people to work and feed legitimately, for that is the only solution to these criminality.
They will also have to properly train, equip and pay the security forces but the bottom line is, stop looting the commonwealth of Nigeria, stop flauting in opulence your ill-gotten wealth and create an environment which enables all to proper.

dblock:
The Niger Delta Militants, are F**king Criminals who have no rights to call them selves Niger Deltan
They are not of the Niger Delta, they are plain criminals.


Tony Blair is more of a Niger Deltan than fools like Asari Dokubo


I wish I was in Nigeria, so I could massacre all these militants.

And what is holding you back from coming to Nigeria abi dem no give you visa 

Agreed these guys may have had some reduction in income in coming to work in Nigeria but it still did not change the fact that the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which the belong to and where they came to work , was violated.

When it comes to working, you either accept or refuse the working conditions existing there. These two Ministers are Nigerians and they were not better human beings or more intelligent than the other ministers. While Okonjo tried a bit for Nigeria, I honestly don't know what Adeniji achieved, yet he got paid some $120,000 yearly just because he came from the US

What the govt could have done would have been to employ them as consultants or contractors except that they won't have been able to achieve as much ( I am talking about Okonjo, not Adeniji who did nothing)
because they would lack  the ministerial influence and power

There are lots of Nigerians who have schooled and worked abroad and return to Nigeria to earn the same salaries as their Nigerian counterparts. Are these not humans as well ?

What the government ought do is create an enabling environment for both Nigerians at home and in diaspora to come to work and not to give those in diaspora preferencial treatment.

If the salary you are offered is not good enough for you, don't come back.

Having said this,  I don't think the ex- ministers should pay back the money, instead the Fed Govt. which erred should be made to do the refund.

Shows the level of educational decadence in our society when a 22 yr old Med student thinks the president appoints the governors in Nigeria

The other day a girl told me the nigeria home vids teach alot of sense, which turned out to be show casing of cheating and lying in relationship, same thing the most of the movies expound.

The video censor board should get to work and  only approve movies that have quality content in them.

How on earth do we intend to move the country forward when university undergrads don't know the name of their VC or the name of their state governor

He has eyes and head, right, and you know there are those things called hammer and pliers, right ?
Now you know what to do 

So what exactly is wrong with being a player 

As long as he did not promise you marriage and he did not go around saying he loves you what is the problem. When he gives up on you, you give up on him and both of you move on

Don't get me wrong, I am not in support of the player lifestyle, partly because my faith is against pre-marital sex and partly because  you can pick up all sort of diseases, unwanted pregnancy and lots of players are liars but if he did not lie to you and protection was used, somebody wants to tell me what the whole "aggro" against player  is all about ?

_{Now I am sure somebody will call for my head} 

This is a genuine research and not a cynical question

Why are you in a relationship (marriage is not included in this discussion)

Why do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend ?

Why do you seek boyfriend/girlfriend ?

Reminds me of the start of the Italian Mafia Mob.
Looks like we have opened the bottle containing the monster and there is no going back.
We have murdered sleep and now no one will sleep again

You guys should cool down. Can't you understand what is happening ?
Yar' Adua is a smart fellow.

This is the game: To settle down properly Yar Adua will go along with PDP's list, actually, OBJ's list.
After a few months or maybe a year, when he is fully in country of the country and would have caged OBJ and paralise his accolytes, Yar Adua will simply carry out a cabinent re-shuffle and bring in his won men.
This is my prediction

Lets just watch and see it come to pass

This present list is just showmanship to make some people happy for a while, get them to relax, then disarm them.

US. congress declares OPEC illegal

Threatens sanctions on members

From Laolu Akande, New York
WITH its citizens at the receiving end of the rising cost of crude oil in the global market, the United States Congress has embarked on a course that may send international law experts back to their text books.

In a unanimous vote, the Congress on May 23 passed a bill, which criminalises the formation and operation of oil producing countries acting as a body.

In effect, the bill, which has been sent to the US. Senate, has declared illegal the activities of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) of which Nigeria is a prominent member.

By the proposed law, the US. legislators hope to remove the one voice with which the cartel has succeeded so far in determining the prices of the product at the international market.

It is, however, unclear how the proponents of the law hope to force their will on "erring OPEC members," although, the assets of the cartel's members in the US. are subject to court action, including seizure or confiscation.

The bill, entitled: "No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2007" (NOPEC) provides for court action against the indicted countries in the US. and denies the "accused state" - or may be respondent, if the action is by way of petition - sovereign immunity.

Crude oil currently sells for $69.99 per barrel at the international market, while petrol (called gasoline in the US.) goes for about N420 ($3) a gallon in America.

John Conyers, the US. Congressman who originated the bill in the House of Representatives expressed the worry of several Americans that the prices might go further up as the nation prepares for the summer season, which is the busiest driving time in the US.

Said Conyers: "We are told this won't be the end of these skyrocketing price hikes either. The , forecasts (are) that more record prices are probably on the way, especially as the summer begins."

The bill has now moved to the US. Senate and is being considered for adoption. Two leading senators from the Democratic Party, Patrick Leahy from the state of Vermont and Herb Kohl, from Wisconsin are already supporting the bill, a clear indication that the matter could receive attention and some focussed consideration before too long. Already, the bill has been read twice on the US. Senate floor.

OPEC member-countries, generating well over 40 per cent of world's oil production are also known to hold at least two-thirds of the world's oil reserves.

OPEC members are Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

The bill declares as illegal and a violation of the proposed Act "for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively or in combination with any other foreign state or any other person, whether by cartel or any other association or form of co-operation or joint action, to limit the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product, to set or maintain the price of petroleum, or to otherwise take any action in restraint of trade for petroleum, when such action has a direct, substantial, and reasonably foreseeable effect on the market, supply, price, or distribution of petroleum in the United States."

The bill specifies that any country that is involved in such an action would be denied the defence of sovereign immunity in a US. court once an action is brought against such country in America based on the bill.

The bill "denies a foreign state engaged in such conduct sovereign immunity from the jurisdiction or judgments of US. courts in any action brought to enforce this Act."

It continues: "No US. court shall decline, based on the act of state doctrine, to make a determination on the merits in an action brought under this Act." It authorises the US. Attorney-General "to bring an action in US. district court to enforce this Act."

The bill will have to be passed concurrently by the US. Senate and then signed into law by the American President before it can become law.

The White House is believed to be opposed to the promulgation of the Act. Although the George W. Bush White House is keeping its fingers crossed on the bill, since it is still a few weeks away from getting to the White House in case the Senate also okays it, the promoters of the bill, Conyers have attacked the American President on the matter.

Conyers, one of the most senior US. lawmakers and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is a Democrat from the State of Michigan. Local media reported Conyers, as saying: "The Bush administration's threat to veto this bill is just further proof that the administration favours the international oil cartel over the American consumer."

Nigeria is now the third largest supplier of crude oil to the US. with a supply rate of 12 per cent coming only after Canada and Mexico, two countries that are not OPEC members.

Technically, the bill is seen as a direct clash with OPEC member-countries and Nigeria is currently leading the cartel in the supply of crude oil to the US., with Saudi Arabia and Venezuela in tow.

For several years, US. lawmakers have been known to be much opposed to the idea of OPEC, even though the cartel's leaders, especially the Saudi Arabians, are known to have struck a deal with the US. government in the early '60s and '70s to denominate the price of oil in dollars, an agreement that raised the status of the dollar then as the ultimate internationally convertible currency

However, speaking on the floor of the US. House of Representatives late May, Conyers lamented that oil prices in the US. were now at an all-time high.

His words: "Mr. Speaker, gas prices have now reached an all-time record high, topping even the 1981 spike in price that had stood as the record high for 26 years. According to the Energy Information Administration, the nation-wide price of unleaded regular gas hit $3.22 a gallon."

Conyers said the "record-breaking price, one in an unending series of continuous price hikes over the past month, is hurting Americans in their pocketbooks, and we have got to do something about it. Retailers across the nation are saying that soaring gas prices are prompting consumers to cut back on their shopping trips and their purchases."

Conyers accused OPEC of price-fixing conspiracy, which he says has been on for a long time. Said he "That is what I call it, a conspiracy, has unfairly driven up the price and cost of imported crude oil to satisfy the greed of oil exporters. We have long decried OPEC, but, sadly, the (Bush) administration has done little or nothing to stop this."

The bill had 12 other co-sponsors at the US. House.

http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article01/030707

These Americans sure love to flex their muscles but at least they care about their people, unlike our leaders here in Nigeria who could be bothered a damm whether we die or live. The US leaders are concerned about rising fuel prices, our government is instead helping to increase fuel prices for us here. Insensitive !

ANTI-GRAFT WAR : ICPC begins fresh probe of ex-Govs *
EFCC now to concentrate on money laundering, terrorism
By Rotimi Ajayi Posted to the Web: Monday, July 02, 2007

ABUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has transferred the case files of  former state governors it is investigating to its sister organisation, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Consequently, the ICPC has commenced a fresh probe of the accounts of the 36 states under the former governors.Vanguard gathered that the transfer of files was at the instance of the Presidency, which directed the EFCC to henceforth concentrate its attention on fighting  money laundering and terrorism.
It was learnt that the Presidency waded in to straighten the operations of the two commissions following protests by some of the former governors that the EFCC had been acting wrongly on their cases.Sources close to the former governors said they protested to the presidency after establishing that the EFCC invited some of them on account of unsigned petitions. Other files said to have been transferred to the ICPC by the EFCC were those of politicians indicted prior to the April elections.

The ICPC itself said yesterday it was launching a massive investigation of public funds spending in the 36 states today. In all, 90 different cases will be covered, according to the commission’s spokesman, Mr. Sina Babalola.He said: 
“No fewer than 90 investigations are to be launched simultaneously by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as from Monday, July 2, 2007 to cover each of the 36 states of the Federation in an unprecedented exercise tagged Operation Hawk.
“The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, while briefing the investigators selected for the operation said the operation was slated to take place simultaneously in all the states of the Federation.

“The operation to be handled by more than 70 investigators and accountants of the Commission will investigate over 90 cases spread across the length and breadth of the country.“To facilitate the work of the special investigators, the commission has set up an investigation support group consisting of three principal officers at the Corporate Headquarters of the commission.“The group to be coordinated by the Principal Administrative Officer to the Chairman will provide document retrieval service to the investigators particularly from specialised government agencies,” he aid.

The ICPC investigators have already arrived in the states to carry out the new probe into how the accounts of the states were run between 2003 and 2007.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/

Kind of wonder if this is a tactical way to ease the EFCC away from probing the governors as we already know that the ICPC is a lame, toothless bulldog that can't even bark, not to talk of biting

You have to be physically and emotionally attracted to a person before you can genuinely love them.
Don't attach yourself to a person out of pity because it will only cause heartaches on both sides in the long run.
She may love you but if you don't love her in return please move on. She will find one who loves her for who she is.

I know alot of people say beauty is only skin deep, women in particular say this but yet, women are the ones who spend the most time and money on looking pretty.

Everybody needs to look good and can easily start to look good with the proper grooming but character, the inner beauty, is still the real thing to look out for in a relationship.

The bottom line is that if you feel no attraction for a member of the opposite sex, it is best not to start a relationship. It will never be genuine and sooner rather than later, the truth will out and some one will be hurt.

@ poster,
please don't use the word 'Ugly' to describe anyone again. It is distasteful and an insult to our maker. A better description would have been that she is not attractive  enough for you. That does not mean she is not attractive to somebody else.

"How To Turn A Stranger Into A Friend"
It is often very important to expand one's social circle. Here are some tips for turning strangers into friends. Use these tips to expand your social circle.

When you meet a new person (male or female), try to:
1) Start with a bit of fluff talk.
"Yeah, it sucks to wait in line, doesn't it."
"So why do you have a laptop with you?"
"What do you do?"

2) Act impressed by them, no matter what they tell you.
"Really? I have always wanted to become a, "
"Really? My friend Joe is a <insert profession> too, Maybe you'd know him."

3) Ask them for their expert opinion in their field.
"So what do you think of, "
"What do you suggest one should do concerning…

4) Now go deeper in the conversation by figuring out who they are and what they want in life.
“Do you think you see yourself doing this in five years?"

5) Encourage them to go after what they want.
"I think you should, "

6) Demonstrate a bit of social proof by talking about some adventures you've had in the past.
"Yeah. I am just back from France."
"Totally. It's like the time I went sky-diving and, "

7) Find out their hobbies. Search for something in common.
"Really? I love running too. Are you doing the sun run?"
"Really? I do Yoga too. You ever done it in the steam room before? I almost fainted the
first time I tried that."

8. Bring the spotlight back to them. Let them know how much you believe in them.
"You know, about what you said earlier, I really believe in you, "

9) If you have any information or contacts that can help them get what they want, offer it.
"If you ever need any help, let me know. I know a couple of people in the business, "

10) Suggest doing that something in common. OR if you have an event coming up, invite your new friend to come.
"Come join my group for <insert event or hobby> some time. The people are great. I think you'd like it if you really like <insert thing>."

Now go out and start meeting some new friends!

@Tellthem,
send me your picture and let me be the judge of whether you are looking old or looking young.
I am sure a professor in that department 

It does not matter under what condition your BF said it, it could have been more diplomatic to avoid hurting your feelings. Call him and ask him what exactly he meant.

Ok girl, time to take a good look at yourself. See what could be going wrong and start putting it right but be aware of one thing, we all grow old. There is nothing you can do about it. You can only slow down the againg process, you can't stop it and if your BF is contemplating dropping you because you are ageing, then slam his sorry ass and dump him first.

_{But maybe it is better to marry quick before age catches up with you (coughs)}

This much I can say with almost absolute certainty, when a guy says I want us to just be friends, he is having doubts about you and the relationship. He might like you alot, even love you, but something is making him pull back or slow down.

He may be having personal challenges, he may be losing interest in you, he may have met somebody new, his family may not be in support, etc but the bottom line is that he does not want to continue on a committed relationship right now.

He may or may not change his mind later.

What you can do:
1. Give him sometime and distance. If he wants you he will come back
2. But while waiting, look out for yourself. Relate freely with other guys because your boyfriend may not be coming back. You don't want to be left high and dry after waiting so long.
3. Keep the coumnication lines open. A text message or a phone call every now and then, but don't over do it.
4. One thing you must not do- don't go charging in on him or try to influence him into a relationship. It may repel him completely or even if your are able to lure him into a relatiosnhip, you should expect poor treatment because he will assume you wanted him desperately

In conclusion, simply start looking elsewhere while remaining friends as requested.

This much I can say with almost absolute certainty, when a guy says I want us to just be friends, he is having doubts about you and the relationship. He might like you alot, even love you, but something is making him pull back or slow down.

He may be having personal challenges, he may be losing interest in you, he may have met somebody new, his family may not be in support, etc but the bottom line is that he does not want to continue on a committed relationship right now.

He may or may not change his mind later.

What you can do:
1. Give him sometime and distance. If he wants you he will come back
2. But while waiting, look out for yourself. Relate freely with other guys because your boyfriend may not be coming back. You don't want to be left high and dry after waiting so long.
3. Keep the coumnication lines open. A text message or a phone call every now and then, but don't over do it.
4. One thing you must not do- don't go charging in on him or try to influence him into a relationship. It may repel him completely or even if your are able to lure him into a relatiosnhip, you should expect poor treatment because he will assume you wanted him desperately

In conclusion, simply start looking elsewhere while remaining friends as requested.

From some comments on this issue I am reminded of a senior international officer ( I can't remember whether it was a US, EU or UN official) who claimed that was happening  in Rewanda during the 1994 genocide was not yet genocide, and the Journalist asked something like "when is it genocide ? Is it when one person is killed or thousands are killed?"

I ask the same question here- when is it clear that there is a crisis of grave proportion starring us in the face in Nigeria ? Is it when the house of the VP elect is partially destroyed by militants or is it when it blown to pieces by the same militants?

It doesn't matter the gravity of the damage. What matters is the ability of the militants and what it could portend. One life lost in a police station attack is as important as a whole town wiped out. We are talking human lives here. Every life is important

Lets stop bickering about the language used by the BBC and face the issue. Ordinary militants are attacking the house of our VP to- be and destroying police stations. What can be done about it ? That is the issue, not whether they blew the window of the house or it was the door that was blown off.

The man who can shoot your leg can also shoot your head. You better address the issue quickly before he shoots you in the head instead of arguing whether you were shot with a .22mm bullet or a .35mm bullet. They can both kill.