What to do: Hold out your right hand, keeping your fingers together. Compare the length of your first (or index) finger, with your third (ring) finger, from the tip to the crease where it is attached to the hand.

What it means: The relative size of your fingers is strongly linked to your exposure to the male sex hormone testosterone in the womb. Babies exposed to higher levels tend to grow longer ring fingers.

Because testosterone is also linked to ‘masculine’ traits — such as assertiveness, aggression and sex drive — finger length sheds light on a host of personality traits.

If a man’s ring finger is the same length, or shorter than, his index finger, he tends to be less aggressive, less competitive and nicer to women, studies have shown.

If it is longer, then he will be more assertive, more likely to take risks and more likely to be promiscuous.

Most women’s index and ring fingers are almost equal in length. However, if their ring ringers are longer, they tend to be more assertive and are more likely to run successful businesses, scientists say.


Compare the length of your first finger, with your third finger. The relative size of your fingers is strongly linked to your exposure to the male sex hormone testosterone and because testosterone is also linked to ‘masculine’ traits - such as assertiveness, aggression and sex drive - finger length sheds light on a host of character traits

Choosing the right oil to cook with is a complicated business, writes Michael Mosley.

When it comes to fats and oils, we are spoiled for choice. Supermarket shelves are heaving with every conceivable option. But these days it is extremely confusing because there is so much debate about the benefits and harm that come from consuming different types of fats.

On Trust Me, I'm a Doctor we decided to look at things from a different angle by asking: "Which fats and oils are best to cook with?"

You might think it is obvious that frying with vegetable oils has to be healthier than cooking with animal fat, like lard or butter. But is it really?

To find out, we gave some Leicester residents a variety of fats and oils and asked our volunteers to use them in their everyday cooking. The volunteers were also asked to collect any leftover oil which would then be analysed.

The fats and oils they used included sunflower oil, vegetable oil, corn oil, cold pressed rapeseed oil, olive oil (refined and extra virgin), butter and goose fat.

Samples of oil and fat, after cooking, were collected and sent to Leicester School of Pharmacy at De Montfort University in Leicester, where Prof Martin Grootveld and his team ran a parallel experiment where they heated up these same oils and fats to frying temperatures.

When you are frying or cooking at a high temperature (at or close to 180C), the molecular structures of the fats and oils you are using change. They undergo what's called oxidation - they react with oxygen in the air to form aldehydes and lipid peroxides. At room temperature something similar happens, though more slowly. When lipids go rancid they become oxidised.

Consuming or inhaling aldehydes, even in small amounts, has been linked to increased risk of heart disease and cancer. So what did Prof Grootveld's team find?

"We found," he says, "that the oils which were rich in polyunsaturates - the corn oil and sunflower oil - generated very high levels of aldehydes."

I was surprised as I'd always thought of sunflower oil as being "healthy".

"Sunflower and corn oil are fine," Prof Grootveld says, "as long as you don't subject them to heat, such as frying or cooking. It's a simple chemical fact that something which is thought to be healthy for us is converted into something that is very unhealthy at standard frying temperatures."

The olive oil and cold-pressed rapeseed oil produced far less aldehydes, as did the butter and goose fat. The reason is that these oils are richer in monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, and these are much more stable when heated. In fact, saturated fats hardly undergo this oxidation reaction at all.

Prof Grootveld generally recommends olive oil for frying or cooking. "Firstly because lower levels of these toxic compounds are generated, and secondly the compounds that are formed are actually less threatening to the human body."

His research also suggests that when it comes to cooking, frying in saturate-rich animal fats or butter may be preferable to frying in sunflower or corn oil.

"If I had a choice," he says, "between lard and polyunsaturates, I'd use lard every time."
Stir fries and other high temperature cooking

For most of the common frying oils that people use, the smoke-point usually exceeds that of standard frying temperature (180C).
However, shallow Chinese frying/cooking episodes can easily reach 250C or above, which is often greater than the smoke-point.
Moreover, although dependent on the source and fatty acid composition, lard has a smoke-point of 182C, and some extra virgin olive oils can have smoke points as low as 160C.

Lard, despite its unhealthy reputation, is actually rich in monounsaturated fats.

Our study also threw up another surprise because Prof Grootveld's team identified in some of the samples sent in by our volunteers a couple of new aldehydes that they had not previously seen in the oil-heating experiments.

"We've done some new science here," he says with a smile on his face. "It's a world first, I'm very, very pleased about it."

I'm not sure that our volunteers would have been quite so thrilled to discover their cooking had managed to generate new, potentially toxic compounds.

So what is Prof Grootveld's overall advice?

Firstly, try to do less frying, particularly at high temperature. If you are frying, minimise the amount of oil you use, and also take steps to remove the oil from the outside of the fried food, perhaps with a paper towel.

To reduce aldehyde production go for an oil or fat high in monounsaturated or saturated lipids (preferably greater than 60% for one or the other, and more than 80% for the two combined), and low in polyunsaturates (less than 20%).

He thinks the ideal "compromise" oil for cooking purposes is olive oil, "because it is about 76% monounsaturates, 14% saturates and only 10% polyunsaturates - monounsaturates and saturates are much more resistant to oxidation than polyunsaturates".

When it comes to cooking it doesn't seem to matter whether the olive oil is "extra virgin" or not. "The antioxidant levels present in the extra virgin products are insufficient to protect us against heat-induced oxidation."

His final bit of advice is always keep your oils in a cupboard, out of the light, and try not to reuse them as this also leads to the accumulation of nasty side-products.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33675975

Have you ever been to one of the most dangerous cities in Europe? If you plan on heading to any of these places on the list, just beware of the dangers that they pose. Whether they have high rates of violent crimes, organized crime, or are a war-torn city, just ensure you don’t travel here alone. Many of these places do have a beautiful side to them, but just don’t be fooled by the façade of historic sites and memorials.

1. Brussels, Belgium

Brussels appears to be the European center for harassment. The large concentration of Muslim citizens alongside the native Brussels means that it was inevitable that the two cultures would clash. Brussels is known for the ethnic tensions, harassment of people who appear to belong to a specific ethnic group, and drunk violence. If you’re a lone woman travelling through Brussels, just watched out for the harassment by men and large groups. The increase in numbers of beatings due to drunk violence is still on the rise, so caution should be exercised around bars. The residents in Brussels definitely like to dri

2. Dublin, Ireland

The locals of Dublin report the large numbers of assaults by youth on a daily basis. Young people becoming involved in drug crimes, harassment, assaults and robberies. According to some locals, children as young as 10 years old can easily get wrapped up in serious crimes in this city. Gangs are recruiting young people before they have even hit their 20s. This increase in youth crime is causing problems for the older citizens in a moral sense, which is largely the reason the crimes are never reported. Stick to a group of people, and don’t annoy the local youths.

3. Glasgow, Scotland

According to the BBC, Glasgow was ranked the UK’s most violent area in 2013. The high rates of homicide and violent crime pushed this city to the least safe in the country with the largest ratio of homicide to population in the country. It is not just this that presents a problem, but the continuing problems with knife crime and gang crime add to the fear of uncontrolled violence in the city. If you want to visit Glasgow, try to avoid venturing out in the early hours of the morning. Alcohol consumption contributes to a number of violent crimes in this city, so don’t get too close to strangers.

4. Grozny, Russia

According to the UN in 2003, Grozny is the most destroyed city in the world. As a result, there are a number of unexploded land-mines that pose threats to the typical tourist. It is not this, however, that causes various governments to warn their citizens not to visit Grozny. It is the enormous numbers of abductions that take place. Rebels often take tourists hostage, so as long as you try to blend in with the common people, you should be safe. These abductions are performed when the tourist is at their most vulnerable – asleep. Beware of the rebels.

5. Istanbul, Turkey

Many are unsure what it is about Istanbul that feels so unsafe, but the feeling is definitely there. Frequent crimes, such as robbery, muggings, scams and harassment, are what add to Istanbul’s fear factor. It is mainly lone women who are the victims of these common crimes, especially harassment. Despite these less violent crimes, the U.S. State Department advises to practice caution when travelling to Istanbul because of the recent violent attacks across Turkey and the increasing threat of terrorist attacks.

6. London, UK

The borough of Westminster in London has the highest crime rate in the entire nation. Mainly due to the enormous concentration of people and tourists, the most in the country, this is understandable. As with most cities, the high concentration of people causes aggression, impatience and inevitably, a major increase in crime. Muggings, stabbings, rapes, and other violent crimes are a common occurrence in London. Although it is classed as ‘Britain’s most dangerous university town’, just keep in mind the huge diversity within London. Just don’t travel alone at night, especially down the winding streets of London.

7. Malmo, Sweden

Sweden’s third biggest city, Malmo, boasts the highest crime rate in the country. With the rate of immigration increasing rapidly, there is an ongoing ethnic war among the large number of groups. Each wanting to be the dominant ethnicity, it means that force is used frequently to try to takeover. These immigrants are inflicting violence, rape and burnings upon the city of Malmo and the existing citizens. One citizen even posted that five people were killed within one week after the New Year celebrations, and all were innocent of any wrong-doing. This is definitely a place to avoid for now.

8. Marseilles, France

Marseilles’ place on this list is not for large statistics of murder or attacks, but for the deeply rooted organized crime in the city. The flourishing drug trade and human trafficking taking place throughout Marseilles renders this a dangerous place to be. Organized crime inflicts terror among the residents of the French city, and turf wars on the streets see bloody violence spread beyond criminals. It is not just organized violence that terrorizes Marseilles. Armed robberies, muggings and other sporadic violent acts prove that violence spreads. Watch your back in southern France, and avoid messing with the wrong people.

9. Manchester, UK

As with most English cities, Manchester is safe enough to explore in the center during the day, but just avoid the council estates. The risk of robberies and assaults rockets when you venture into the many council estates, especially after dark. In recent years, there has also been a large increase in riots. Violence plagues the city as these rowdy northerners erupt into aggressive lashes after a few drinks at the clubs. As long as you stick to the center during the light hours and retreat home after dark, you’ll survive Manchester! (Just watch out for the drunks).

10. Mitrovica, Kosovo

One of the most dangerous places in Europe, the violent tensions between the Serb population and Albanian population are definitely something to hide from. The brutal conflicts between the two groups are still a huge problem today, with a number of NATO troops present still and attempting to protect the peace in the city. Even though a wall separates the two demographics residing in Mitrovica, it does not prevent the violent attacks throughout the city. The division is seen in all areas of life, and if you visit the city, choose your side carefully and don’t get too involved.

11. Moscow, Russia

The UK Government claims there is a high threat from terrorism in Moscow. Attacks have recently occurred quite frequently as a result of the Ukraine crisis in the past year and the situation in Moscow is escalating as the years go on. Violent street crimes are also extremely frequent, so beware. Political rallies also occur relatively frequently because of its corrupt political system. However, it is mainly the police that you should exercise caution with. Their frequent use of excessive force to dispel political rallies renders Moscow a dangerous city to be if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

12. Naples, Italy

Thought of by Italians as the crime capital of Italy, Naples’ strong mafia link inflicts fear into the ordinary citizens of this beautiful city. Even a guidebook of Naples warns that most people that approach tourists are either out to rob or attack you. With this city holding the trophy for the most crime in Italy, its reputation for danger is clearly well-earned. Naples is the ‘proud’ home of the Camorra, a criminal organization that was established in the 18th century. In the past decade, it has seen a few hundred street-killings in broad daylight – not a gang you want to mess with.

13. Nottingham, UK

In 2004, Panorama revealed how the yobs rule the streets and city center at night. What happened to this treasured old city? A recent influx of ‘chavs’ is causing problems for the more respectable citizens. Along with the spitting and cursing, these ‘chavs’ are responsible for an increase in muggings and stabbings in late night Nottingham. The schools seem to be producing and promoting this ‘chav culture’ by not dealing with the problem. Perhaps this is the reason for the increasing numbers of gangs in the area. Watch out for the chavs, they’ll ‘av ya.

14. Rotterdam, Netherlands

The most dangerous city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is famous for massive numbers of property crime and violence. Burglary and motor vehicle theft are very frequent over in Rotterdam, and it is usually coupled with violence. The increasing ‘youth culture’ in Rotterdam is contributing to the amount of violence in the city, with many committing crimes such as murder, muggings and assaults. The Netherlands are struggling to keep a lid on the violence in Rotterdam as the crime rates in most other cities are declining. Many blame the increase in ethnic diversity and youth culture, but what is it about Rotterdam that makes crime so appealing to them?

15. Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Sarajevo is still not recovered from war, and has a long way to go in terms of reconstruction. According to one Sarajevo citizen, there is a large problem with pickpockets, and often a number of teargas attacks on various bars in the summer. Although not particularly dangerous, any form of retaliation is not recommended. Petty thieves and pickpockets thrive in Sarajevo, and the crime rate is still pretty high. Although it is mainly non-violent crime, there are still pretty high numbers of violent crime. Sarajevo isn’t the most dangerous place to be, but precaution should always be exercised.

16. Sofia, Bulgaria

According to the U.S. Department of State, Bulgaria rates ‘high’ for overall crime. With robbery being an enormous problem in Sofia, it is important to always practice caution with money and bank cards in the city. Muggings, burglaries, pickpocketing and fraud are all enormous theft problems in the city (especially for tourists, so keep your eye out!) It’s not only robbery to be wary of in this city, but organized crime and terrorism is becoming increasingly frequent. Keep your wits about you, and keep your possessions closely guarded.

17. Tbilisi, Georgia

As has always been in Eastern Europe, the violent events in Tbilisi are frequently met with force to dispel the risky crowds. The use of excessive force is often deemed necessary to remove the threat of further uncontrolled violence in the city. The bombings in Tbilisi in recent years have left scars on the suburbs, but the police are still working to stop any more bombing attempts. The problem in this city is that the excessive use of force simply means some non-violent political protests are often met with harsh force by the police. Just don’t get involved in these protests, and you should be fine.

18. Tirana, Albania

The Albanian Mafia is possibly the most famous in the world. Controlling roughly 40% of the world’s drug trafficking business, they hold enormous power. As most mafias do, they inflict violence on all their victims, whether deserved or not. Just be careful who you speak to in this city, you don’t want to get on the wrong side of this group. Travelers who have been to Tirana have warned that the only way to stay safe in this city is to blend in as an ordinary citizen. As long as you don’t stand out, then you should be able to avoid being targeted in this proud city.

19. Yerevan, Armenia

Post-Soviet Armenia has been generally peaceful; however, in recent years there has been a sharp rise in political violence, particularly the incident of 2008. Despite these political problems, it is not what makes this city a dangerous place to be. Yerevan’s reputation for domestic violence has surfaced in the last few years. Although Yerevan officials tend not to discuss it, domestic violence is a huge problem in the city. It was said in 2008 that three out of ten women suffered from domestic violence, but this is thought to be more as most were not willing to talk about the abuse.

New Zealand tourist who planned to spend a few days exploring an island in his canoe was left trapped and desperate on a hill for two weeks after being stalked by a monster crocodile.

The unfortunate traveller had set up camp on remote Governor Island, off the coast of Western Australia, intending to paddle his canoe around the island but the arrival of the 20ft-long crocodile changed all that.

Instead, he remained terrified at his campsite, which he had hurriedly set up on a hill on the 250-acre island in the hope that he was too far inland for the crocodile to reach him.

And it was only by chance that rescue came, when a light he flashed to attract attention resulted in him getting a lift in a boat to safety.

The tourist, known only as Ryan, owes his survival to local man Don McLeod, who decided to check out the light and found the distraught man 'relieved and shocked.'

Mr McLeod said today that 'every time he got in his little kayak, which was only about 2.5m (8ft) long, this crocodile, which has lived there for many years, chased him.
'He was desperate for water when I trotted up.'

Mr McLeod said the crocodile was 'easily 20ft long', a measurement he said was accurate because that is the length of his boat and he has sailed past the reptile from time to time.

A yachtsman had dropped Ryan off at the island, off the north-west coast near Kalumburu, which lies between Derby and Kununurra, and it was there that the tourist had decided to use his canoe to explore the inlets.

After setting up a tent he realised he did not have enough supplies and decided to paddle the three miles back to the mainland.
But as he launched his small canoe he saw the crocodile watching him - and made good his escape back to his camp site, which he then moved to higher ground.

According to Mr McLeod, each time the Kiwi tourist tried to leave the island the crocodile 'made its presence felt, and so the fellow was left stranded there for an entire fortnight.'
It was only when Mr McLeod spotted a light on the island and decided to check it out, that he courageously set foot there.
'I'd seen a light flashing in the scrub as I came through Red Bluff, opposite Governor Island, and decided to have a look what it was.
'When I arrived Ryan came out of the bush looking distraught. He had no hat on and no shirt on.
'He was relieved and shocked and thankful someone had come along because he was running out of options pretty quickly.
'He is a very, very lucky man.'
Ryan was given a bed at a church mission on the mainland but his whereabouts today were unknown.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2408736/Crocodile-traps-tourist-weeks-remote-Governor-Island-West-Australia.html

A shocking video shows a man in a lion's cage being mauled by a lion. After some time passes, the lion is shot and killed by an arriving police officer.
Read more at

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.liveleak.com/ll_embed?f=333_1177624795" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=333_1177624795

Just curious to raise this discussion here as I am very sure individuals will have diverse opinions. What is the best way to eat Nigerian solid food? I have seen people for reasons I do not understand and cannot comprehend trying pounded yam with “Fork & Knife”. Chinese eat rice with stick and they enjoy it, Indian eats rice with hand and they enjoy it too. Why are some people doing the “over-sabi” when it comes to solid foods?

A Supreme Court judge has ruled in favour of the English estranged wife of a Nigerian oil tycoon in a case lawyers say could have significant implications for divorcing couples.

Michael Prest lost the latest round of a legal fight, which means his wife can now appeal against an earlier ruling.

The Appeal Court had said Mr Prest did not have to hand over property worth millions as part of their divorce.

Yasmin Prest said she was "delighted and relieved" by the judgement.

The dispute surrounds ownership of Mr Prest's properties, some of which are owned by companies based offshore.

He has argued that the properties are not personally owned by him but by company shareholders.

Appeal judges concluded in October that an earlier ruling ordering Mr Prest to transfer properties held in the names of companies he controlled was wrong.

His estranged wife then asked the Supreme Court - the highest court in the UK - to review the case.

The couple, both in their 50s, married in 1993 and spent most of their time in London.

They had properties in Nigeria and the Caribbean and lived their life to a "very high standard", judges heard.

The court was told Mr Prest claimed to be worth about £48m, but Mrs Prest said he could be worth hundreds of millions.

During the legal proceedings, Mr Prest has been criticised for failing to be frank about the true size of his finances.

In an earlier hearing a judge described his evidence as both "deceitful and shambolic".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22870926

NO fewer than eight people, including three policemen, were said to have been injured in a clash between youths in Asa community area of Otukpo town in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State over the location of a private university owned by the Senate President, Senator David Mark.

The youth were said to have converged on the Otukpo-Oju federal highway mid-week to protest what they described as unlawful acquisition of their land by the Senate President, while the policemen drafted to the area were said to have received stiff resistance from the youth.

Efforts by policemen to disperse the youth were rebuffed, which reportedly left eight people, including three policemen, injured.

Chairman Otukpo Local Government Area, Dr Innocent Onuh, who confirmed the report on phone, said that when the report of the blockage of the highway was received, he alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the town who swiftly swung to action to repel the youth.

He stated that the rampaging youths, on sighting the policemen, attacked them, saying three policemen were injured in the process.

He disclosed that the council, had at several times, met with elders in the community with the acquisition of portion of land for the establishment of the university owned by Senator David Mark.

Onuh said, “the Senate President approached us of his plan to establish a private university in this area and the portion of land needed extends to three communities: Apegede, Otobi and Asa. As the council, we contacted elders of the affected communities, who not only accepted, but were glad that such huge facility was coming to their areas”.

“So, as government we have to follow due process in acquiring the land. We have taken inventory of the affected portion of land and the affected people with the aim of compensating the owners; other things are ongoing. It is surprising to hear that youths in Asa were protesting”.

The media aide to the Senate President, Mr Adakole Elijah, who also confirmed the report, condemned the violent attitude of the youth and commended the prompt response and maturity displayed by the security operatives, adding that normalcy had returned to the area.

Efforts to get the state’s Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ezeala, Deputy Superintendent of Police, was not successful as he did not pick his calls, but the Divisional Police Officer, DPO for Otukpo Local Government Area, Francis Obinwa, appealed for calm among youths in the community.

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/news/item/11681-3-policemen-5-others-injured-over-proposed-david-mark-university

Nigeria’s former First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua on Thursday floored incumbent First Lady Patience Goodluck Jonathan as Justice Peter Affren of the Abuja High Court set aside the purported revocation by the FCT administration of a land measuring about 1.84 hectares allocated to Turai’s non governmental organization, Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation, WAYEF.
The court held that the claims by the FCT Minister that the land was revoked on an overriding public interest was not supported by any shred of evidence before the court. It further held that the initial letter of offer issued Turai’s organization by the Minister remains valid and subsisting.
“The defendants failed woefully to adduce any shred of evidence before this court to support their claims that the allocation of the land was revoked on overriding public interest. There is no overriding public interest in this issue. The allocation made to the plaintiff who is a vocational training centre was in public interest and in line with section 28 (1) of Land Use Act”

The court faulted the FCT Minister’s exercise of his powers in revoking the plot of land allocated to Turai’s organization, noting that the exercise of that power to revoke allocation of land must come within the confines of the law.
Delivery of the court’s judgment was adjourned by the court several times to enable Mrs. Jonathan and Hajia Turai Yar’Adua reach a negotiated settlement but all to no avail.
The disputed land, plot no. 1347 Cadastral Zone AOO, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT, was initially allocated to Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation, WAYEF, while Mrs. Yar’adua was First Lady, but the FCT Minister, Mr. Bala Mohammed, revoked the allocation for what he described as “overriding public interest” and re-allocated it to Mrs. Jonathan for the building of African First Lady Peace Mission Headquarters on 2nd of November, 2011.
Mrs. Yar’Adua complained that the land allocated to WAYEF on 19 February 2010 was being trespassed upon by Mrs. Jonathan and got a court order dated in 2012 restraining the First Lady from affecting WAYEF title and interest over the land.
Those joined as co-defendants in the suit are the FCT Minister, the Abuja Geographic Information System, AGIS and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF.
Turai, on behalf of her organisation, WAYEF, is asking for N1.5 billion as general damages, N100 Million as exemplary damages, N100 Million as aggravated damages in addition to N261 Million already paid for Certificate of Occupancy as well as N454 Million paid for building designs.
WAYEF’s lawyer, Mr. Adamu Ahmed Ibrahim, observed that while it appears that the Ministry of Justice may be interested and committed to a settlement, their terms and what they offer says otherwise.
According to the lawyer, the land being offered by the FCTA was a much smaller parcel of land than the one purportedly acquired from WAYEF for Mrs. Jonathan.
As part of the moves to get a negotiated settlement, the Federal Capital Territory Administration had offered WAYEF Plot. 1838 Cadastral Zone AOO Abuja measuring 6119.29 square meters as replacement plot. While another plot 1839 was also proposed to be in favour of the African First Lady Mission, measuring 6100.51 square meters
The said Plot nos 1838 and 1839 are subdivided from plot 700 CBD Cadastral Zone AOO, Abuja.
The court however did not grant Turai’s demand for monetary damages.
Head of the legal unit of the FCT Administration, Mrs. Ima Akpongete, while reacting to the decision of the court indicated that the FCT will appeal the decision and argued that the minister exercised the power of his office accordingly in revoking the allocation and reallocating it to First Lady’s Peace Mission.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2013/05/02/turai-floors-patience-in-nigerias-battle-of-first-ladies/

An appeal filed by the imprisoned former governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori to have his prison term slashed was dismissed today in London.

Two justices of the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand in London stated that the appeal lacked merit and thus dismissed it, therefore affirming the 13 year prison sentenced handed the former governor for stealing and money laundering. Ibori and members of his political inner circle embezzled over $250 million from the coffers of Delta State between 1999 and 2007.

Several supporters of Mr. Ibori wearing T-shirts calling for his freedom left the court premises disappointed. Mr. Ibori was not brought to court.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/iboris-conviction-appeal-dismissed-london

Johannesburg - Nigerian Henry Okah was jailed for 24 years by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

"Effectively, the accused [Okah] is therefore sentenced to 24 years imprisonment," Judge Neels Claassen said as he handed down sentence.

On 21 January, Okah was found guilty on 13 counts of terrorism, including engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.

Car bombs

The charges related to two car bombs in Abuja, Nigeria, in which 12 people were killed and 36 injured on 1 October 2010, the anniversary of the country's independence.

The second bombing took place in Warri on 15 March 2010 at a post amnesty dialogue meeting. One person was killed and 11 seriously injured.

In both bombings, two car bombs went off minutes apart in both places. The cars were parked in close proximity to each other.

Claassen sentenced Okah to 12 years imprisonment for each of the bombings and 13 years for the threats made to the South African government after his arrest in October 2010.

The 13 years would run concurrently with the 24 years.

In January, during judgment Claassen said the State had proved Okah's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and his failure to testify meant the evidence against him remained uncontested.

Okah has denied any involvement, claiming the charges against him were politically motivated.

- SAPA

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/independence-day-bombing-henry-okah-jailed-24-years-news24

The Police on Monday arraigned a 27-year- old Bureau de Change operator, Malam Ibrahim Lawal, before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly issuing fake 10,000 dollars notes to Mohammed Anani. Lawal is standing trial on a four-count charge of joint act, criminal breach of trust, cheating and screening an offender.



Police prosecutor Simon Emmanuel told the court that the case was reported at the Life Camp Police Station by Anani of Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, on December 19. Emmanuel said the complainant gave the accused N1.4 million cash to change into dollars for him, and that the complainant realised, after the transaction, that the dollars were fake.



He said the accused was at De-Silva Guest Inn Hotel in Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, venue of the transaction, in company of two of his friends, who later ran away with the N1.4 million.

Lawal, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the prosecutor prayed the court to fix a date for hearing to enable him assemble his witnesses.



Magistrate Asma`u Akanbi, in her ruling, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with a surety who must be a civil servant residing within the jurisdiction of the court. She adjourned the case to January 21 for hearing.

http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/police-arraign-man-allegedly-issuing-fake-10000-notes

Contrary to reports in the media that Ekiti State Deputy Governor Funmilayo Olayinka has resigned her position due to ill- health, the State Government says the Deputy Governors has not tendered any resignation and is also hale and hearty.

There are reports in the online media today that Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka has resigned due to complications arising from a cancer growth that has made it impossible for her to carry out official functions.

Daily Times put up a telephone call to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ekiti State Olayinka Oyebode who dismissed the media report as figment of the imagination of those that wrote the story. He said the Deputy Governor as he spoke with us was in her office.

“The Deputy Governor is right in her office as I speak with you. She was away from office because of the Christmas and New Year holidays. Most people are just retuning to their desks after the holidays,” Oyebode said.

He said there are procedures for resignation by a public office holder, adding that the Governor Kayode Fayemi has no idea about any resignation by his Deputy.

“Resignation is not something you do in secret. If the Deputy Governor wants to resign, she has to tender such a letter to the Governor and nothing like that has happened,” the Governor’s media aide said.

On the health of the Deputy Governor, Oyebode said the current photograph of the Deputy Governor is on the government’s website to show the state of her health.

“There is nothing wrong with the Deputy Governor. Her current photograph is on the website for anyone to see. She is in good health,” Oyebode concluded.

http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/deputy-governor-funmi-olayinka-has-not-resigned-says-ekiti-govt

Nigeria’s rights activist and lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, has criticised Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State over his comment purportedly directed at critics of his administration while reacting to the explosions that rocked the state on Boxing Day.

Fashola had said at the scene of the explosions caused by a banger at Jankara on Lagos Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria that “when town planning laws were made and government insisted on its implementation, the government was often branded as anti-poor and a tough one. Those who sought cheap popularity or sought to score cheap political points were often nowhere to be found when the consequences of agitations to prevent proper enforcement of regulations, law and order, like in the current situation.

“Some of the people who canvass this position are not here now where people have died and they seek cheap popularity when government tries to set rules and regulations, government is seen as anti-poor but the poor people have died here and the people who have made those cases are not here now to come and pick the dead bodies. It is us who are picking the dead bodies.”

Reacting to Fashola’s comment in a statement, Aturu described the governor’s comment as regrettable and condemnable, saying “it shows that the advertised democratic credentials of his government and of himself are not even skin-deep.

“It is highly hypocritical to posture as a democrat and be so patently hostile to voices of dissent as the Governor has demonstrated. The Governor should point out those who asked him not to implement laws banning firecrackers. If the State has failed to implement any existing law on firecrackers, the Governor should accept responsibility for that failure rather than shifting the blame on social critics.”

He added that: “The touchstone for measuring democracy is not opposition to the Federal Government but a holistic and consistent defence of the truth at all times no matter who may feel aggrieved. The Governor should be reminded plainly that he cannot cow members of the civil society or social critics by the kind of unnecessary comment he made at the scene of the tragic incident.

“If the military could not, he should know that he cannot. Those like him who are beneficiaries of the actions of social critics, which were also ironically described by the military despots as cheap-popularity-seeking gambits, who were jailed for this ‘democracy’ ought to know that criticism is essential to liberal democracy. We did not fight for democracy to have governors whose actions, even when well-meaning, cannot be challenged.”

Aturu said the advisers of the governor have their jobs cut out for them, saying they need to remind him that his comments should be seen to be temperate as he appeared “to me to be getting increasingly authoritarian and hostile to well- meaning criticisms. He is behaving too much like a military administrator, not even governor, for my liking. Let him listen to the critics as they are his best friends.”

He described the explosions at Jankara Market as regrettable, saying most Nigerians were quite sad that this sort of tragedy happened at a time when the people were supposed to be celebrating Christmas. He also commiserated with those who lost lives and properties in the fire.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/12/28/aturu-slams-fashola-over-comment-on-lagos-fire/

The government is deceptive in its announcements on power generated in the country. I work in the power generating sector. Until we start to talk about Gigawatt or Terawatt for a country the size and population of Nigeria, the government should be ashamed of itself. If all the generators in Nigeria where to be coupled together, I am sure the total capacity generated will be more than a paltry 4350MW announced. (Just curious – is this just the peak or sustained generation per hour and for how long?)

Visionless and clueless man with excuse for every situation in the country