The Aviation Ministry refused to submit required documents.
The federal government’s allegation that Rivers State Government falsified permits used in operating its aircraft, is a deliberate falsehood that cannot be substantiated and enforces the state’s claim that it was a victim of federal “witch-hunting”, a House of Representatives committee has said in its report of an investigation into the matter.
The report, submitted by the investigating committees to the House plenary Thursday, said federal aviation authorities deliberately refused to acknowledge Rivers State’s ownership of the aircraft, and may have indeed pressured aviation agent, Caverton Helicopter, to deny having a business relationship with Rivers State.
The committees said it was clear Caverton willfully misled the authorities by denying it acted on behalf of Rivers State. The report recommends officials of the company be prosecuted.
The controversy, which led to the grounding of the aircraft, is widely seen as a face of a political feud between Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and President Goodluck Jonathan over the 2015 presidential election. Mr. Amaechi has criticized the government’s policies, and is reportedly against Mr. Jonathan’s plan to seek a fresh term.
During investigations, lawmakers ordered the list of all private jets and owners and documentations to be submitted by the Ministry of Aviation to enable the committees examine whether the Rivers State treatment was any different, particularly as it regards ownership and expiration of license.
The committees said ministry and its departments blatantly refused to send in the required materials despite assuring to do same.
“This attitude may be interpreted as an attempt to hide the suspected fact that many aircraft air being operated with expired permits or licenses,” a likelihood which would nullify one of the government’s allegations that Rivers state operated the aircraft on an expired permit.
More details…

THE Attack ON America.
WE Will Find Who Did this - President Barack Obama.

**there are no Republicans or Democrats, but one United America.
**In Nigeria, terror attacks are seen as a political tool and actions of mindless cowards are used to describe her leader as Incompetent by those who want power by all means.

As Hope For Nigeria commensurate with Americans over the terror in a Marathon venue in Boston, Massachusetts, President Obama has reacted angrily on the carnage.
"We still do not know who did this or why and people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all the facts.
But make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this and we will find out who did this, we will find out why they did this.
Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.”
“On days like this there are no Republicans or Democrats, we are Americans united in concern for our fellow citizens,” he added.
Two people were killed (including an 8-yea old boy) and about 58 injured.

This is a contrast to the terror attacks by the Islamic terror group, Boko Haram in Nigeria, as it is celebrated and seen as a political tool by some people.
These actions of mindless cowards are used to describe President Goodluck Jonathan as Incompetent and clueless by those who want power by all means.

Whatever the view is, Nigeria will surely overcome the activities of the wicked and evil agents.
God Bless Nigeria.

My brother assist me with this VIN, please
1YVGF22F325307866

My brother assist me with this VIN, please
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UPN: Is there panic in ACN?
On April 12, 2013 · In Politics, Top Stories, Viewpoint
12:23 am
5

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Plans to reinvent the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN raises dust in the Southwest as the hierarchy of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN allege it is another strategy of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to undermine it in its stronghold.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the national publicity secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN was understandably, seething with indignation at what he alleged as the latest machination of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP directed at his party last Sunday.

Before now, suggestions that the ACN, the dominant political party in the Southwest or its officials could be harassed in its stronghold with a new party could have been farfetched.

But not if the new party is the reincarnation of a popular party that reigned almost unchallenged in the Southwest and had as leader, a visionary ideologue in the person of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

So, it was not surprising that news of the reinvention of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, which governed the whole of the Southwest, including Edo and Delta States in the second republic would come as a shock to the ACN hierarchy. It was especially seen as a direct hit at the underbelly of the ACN, which controls what used to be UPN’s domain. And hence, Mohammed’s raging invectives directed at the PDP, which he claimed was set on another game of intrigues directed at the ACN.

The fear of the ACN was that it had all the while claimed ownership of the progressive political legacies of the respected sage, Chief Awolowo who founded the UPN and left a legacy of political and economic philosophising that is yet unmatched in recent memory in Yoruba land, and arguably in Nigeria.
Fasheun: UPN will give direction to the Southwest

Fasheun: UPN will give direction to the Southwest

So reintroducing Awolowo’s last political party, ACN officials apparently believed, was an attempt to undercut the support base of their party at home.

Even more disturbing for the ACN was the fact that the move to reinvent the UPN is being championed by Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, leader of the pan Yoruba social cultural group, Odua Peoples Congress, OPC.

So a mixture of Fasheun’s undiluted Yoruba centric cultural credentials and Awolowo’s political image was something the ACN hierarchy found more than troubling.

Fasheun’s OPC has since the 1993 presidential election fiasco come to symbolise a sort of cultural standby force in the Southwest with the group’s operatives in many instances being praised for living above board where regular policemen have failed.

So noting that the PDP has decided to go for broke last Sunday, Mohammed at his press conference alleged among others, that one of the champions of the new UPN recently won a pipeline protection contract from the Federal Government, which according to him, was to provide finances for the reinvigoration of the UPN.

“The PDP is keenly aware that it has totally lost the confidence of all Nigerians, and the long-suffering people of this great country are now ready and eager to vote out this clueless party,” Mohammed said last Sunday.

“Keenly aware of this fact, the PDP has now realized that if indeed the 2015 elections are free and fair and conducted in a conducive environment, there will be no chance for the party.

“The party has decided to go for broke: Either there will be no elections in 2015 or the polls will be conducted in an atmosphere of chaos, thereby paving the way for the PDP to do what it does best – rig the elections!”

Noting what he claimed to be the PDP’s game of subterfuge in the Southwest, he said:

“A multi-billion naira contract has suddenly been awarded for the protection of oil pipelines in the region. The main beneficiary of the contract has suddenly realized that the Unity Party of Nigeria, formed by the respected statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is no longer in existence, and has thus decided to revive it.”
Mohammed: It is another PDP scheme

Mohammed: It is another PDP scheme

He further asked, “Is it a mere coincidence that the main beneficiary of the multi-billion naira oil pipeline protection contract is also the same fellow who is promoting the revival of the UPN?”

“Is it true that the so-called revival of the UPN is to provide a platform for anarchists and end-gamers in the South-west to infiltrate the ranks of the progressives and throw the region into chaos?”

Following a meeting of the conveners of the new UPN in Dr. Fasheun’s Century Hotel, in Lagos last Wednesday, Dr. Fasheun replied ACN’s Mohammed:

“UPN has come to provide such a credible platform. Those championing the resuscitation of UPN aim to bring sanity into the Nigeria’s political space, beginning with the South-West.” “A credible political association such as UPN will serve as a reliable, focused, people-oriented political vehicle. UPN shall meet the true yearnings of Nigerians for quality education, for free health for all, for a functional transportation system, for rural-urban integration and for mass housing.”

Accusing Mohammed of lying against him on the issue of the oil pipeline contract, he said: “He lied against me and the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC by misinforming the public that I had secured a N2.4 billion contract to guard pipelines. Trouble dey sleep, yanga go wake am. Let us reemphasise that we shall not go out of our way to look for trouble, but if trouble comes knocking, we shall return fire for fire. A word is enough for the wise.”

One of the strongmen of the old UPN, Chief Ebenezer Babatope contacted on the development claimed ignorance of the move behind the reinvention of the old UPN. Babatope who was director of organisation of the UPN and one of the closest associates of the late Awolowo, nevertheless confessed in a telephone chat with Vanguard that he would remain a member of the PDP until he exits politics.

Babatope, a member of the Board of Trustees, BoT of the PDP when pressed on the issue, however, confessed that one of the brains behind the reinvention of the party was a former personal aide of his while he was minister of transport during the Sanni Abacha regime.

The move to reinvent the UPN, controversial as it may be, however, remains a double edged sword for the PDP and those against the ascendancy of the ACN in the region. In the eyes of some stakeholders the ACN which presently governs all but one of the six Southwest States could remain unassailable if the incumbent governors produce the kind of performance that was associated with the old UPN or even better

Barcelona have never lost a European Cup knockout tie against German opposition, winning seven previous ties.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinze Rummenigge on drawing Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final: "Barcelona are the benchmark for me in Europe. They have won the Champions League more than any other team in the recent years.

"They are the best team in Europe at the moment, with fantastic attacking potential. We played them in 2009 and received a real thumping. I remember that game well and I don't really like to think about it, because it was quite painful to watch. However, it's a wonderful opportunity to show that we have improved a lot since then. "

Real Madrid, nine-times European champion, and Borussia Dortmund, the 1997 Champions League winner, won their national leagues last season.

They have already faced each other in the group stage of this year's Champions League, with Borussia Dortmund beating Real 2-1 in Germany, while in Spain the two sides drew 2-2.

The semi-final first legs will be on 23 and 24 April and the return legs on 30 April and 1 May

so whats your thought??

Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

Bayern Munich v Barcelona

The first legs will be played on Thursday 25 April and the returns the following week.

FC Basle v Chelsea

Fenerbache v Benfica

At least someone is not afraid to say the truth. A brave one among cowards

i thought the news said it was the absence of Kabiru Sokoto's lwayers that stalled the case. where did the lack of evidence come from? this man cannot not escape o. if he is the only one convicted for all these crimes against humanity, it will be a step forward o

when did the gathering of Sierra Leone, Malawi, Senegal and Cape Verde become important in African affairs? please somebody tell me. is this still the 21sth century or are we in a future life where these countries have evolved to world powers??

Whats the business of Nigeria in a meeting of AID dependent countries? Ghana, kenya, South Africa and others were not invited. must Nigeria be invited to every Tom, Dick and Harry gathering? i believe some of us are just looking from rat to rabbit hole for anything to complain about and blame GEJ. why are these other countries not complaining? because they have better things to do with their time. its only jobless "yous" that come here and disturb others with their whining and complain. Nigeria is bad, Nigeria is this and that, people are making it, we have the richest man and woman in Africa, people are buying the latest cars and fashion accessories. keep complaining and dont get down and "work out your own salvation".

Finally, they have accepted JTF have killed or arrested Abu Qaqa, Abu Dada, Abu Koko, Abu Jaja, Abu Kudi and Abu Malu. seriously, i dont this cos he's obviously next on the list of exterminated boko haram spokes persons.

Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu has called on Nigerian opposition members to do less tweeting and more on-the-ground people enlightenment. Momodu was reacting to a tweet meeting held earlier today by some opposition promoters including Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Dino Melaye,Japhet Omojuwa and others with their twitter fans. It may also be recalled an ACN Chieftan, that Prof. Pat Utomi has blamed the failure of the opposition in last weekend's Council poll in the Federal Capital Territory on what he termed "more social media and less grass root action" by the opposition.
below is part of the tweet:

T @trueNija: @DHORLIBABE @omojuwa @dino_melaye @DeleMomodu Tweetmeeting is no solution.. Go out on the streets and enlighten." You can now enlighten millions from the comfort of your home and at the touch of buttons

Buhari and Decree No.4,1984
alt

Life and Issues with Tunde Thompson
tunsthompson@yahoo.com
08056180022

In his interview by Eric Osagie and Paulinus Aidoghie published in the Saturday Sun as a cover story on December 22, the former Head of State now chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, made some comments on Decree No. 4 of 1984 on which one can neither be indifferent nor silent. Although the earlier focus had been on the three drug pedlars executed by the government, the little that the general said about the decree conveyed a totally different impression about the law, which warrants a response in the interest of historical accuracy and the truth.

After seemingly rejecting the idea that the decree was used by his government to gag the Press, Buhari suggested that the Press brought the “Nigerian factor” into the decree. In his own words: “….when people try to get job or contract and they couldn’t get it, they make a quick research and created a problem for people who refuse to do them the favour. What we did was that you must not embarrass those civil servants. If you have got evidence that somebody was corrupt, the courts were there.

Take the evidence to court, the court will not spare whoever it was. But you don’t just go and write articles that were embarrassing. Those who did it, the editors, the reporters, we jailed them….” Considering the fact that the decree was tested only once and involved only The Guardian newspaper and two of its editorial staff (Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson), what the general said in that interview amounted to fresh allegations, presented at the bar of public opinion this time around, and not what was tabled before the Decree 4 Tribunal chaired by Justice J.O. Ayinde.

One needs more illumination from the general on who it was that tried to get a job or contract from civil servants and was turned down, and later resorted to engaging in “a quick research” so as to create problems for them. The decree was applied only once, as earlier indicated, so how could Gen.

Buhari develop the idea that the accused newspaper and its editorial representatives set out to create problems for some unknown and unspecified civil servants then? Obviously, the General is not the same young and swashbuckling officer he used to be and therefore may well have forgotten details of the trial under Decree No. 4 of 1984, which led to financial sanctions against The Guardian and incarceration after some months of detention for its two workers.

That his memory might have failed him during the interview, however, does not mean the readers and future researchers should be given the impression that The Guardian and its men who worked independently on some diplomatic affairs reports, ever sought any favour from any civil servant, or tried to embarrass any of them in the way discussed during that interview. That is pure fiction, simple. Furthermore, there are some procedural and professional matters to which the General (“once a general, always a general,” not so?) did not direct his thoughts during the interview.

If, in the course of his or her work, a journalist (reporter or correspondent), comes about some information suggesting that a civil servant or any public officer had been “corrupt”, was it being suggested that the evidence should be taken to a court of law by the medium of mass communication concerned? Does the general still think the duty of the Press is to gather evidence for delivery to the law courts rather than publishing in the media (print or electronic)?

And how are we so sure, even if the suggestion of taking “the evidence to court” were to be considered, that “the court will not spare whoever it was” (that had been allegedly corrupt)? We live in an environment in which some well-connected public officers have, within the last decade, obtained ridiculous injunctions against prosecution for corrupt practices, even with all the weight of evidence marshaled by law-enforcement agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

We have thus all been told that such persons were and perhaps remain till today “untouchable”, as far as prosecution in any of our “temples of justice” is concerned. Suddenly, we have been left in a situation where the law has become a “respecter of persons”, to such an extent that even probes conducted in legislative chambers have not been followed up with any appreciable results, either there or in the courts of law. There were even reports that a prominent politician had the rare distinction of having his matter bordering on corruption ruled as being beyond the competence of any court in the country.

It is just a pity that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s warning: “No condition is permanent”, is too easily forgotten by such people. It does appear that it is not politically expedient to subject some people to legal scrutiny, even if they went out of their ways to compete with the Central Bank in terms of the monies stashed away in private vaults. All one has been saying is that, contrary to what the general said, journalists are constitutionally empowered to investigate matters of national or public interest, and can go to town with their stories once the issues of libel, truth and fairness had been taken into account in writing and publishing them.

A precedent is the Joseph Tarka/Godwin Daboh and Daily Times corruption allegation between 1973 and 1974;it is one example we should not forget here. When sure of its facts, the medium concerned should publish and the exposed officials or individuals can then go to court, not the other way round. In other words, those tried under Decree 4 in 1984 neither accused any public official of corruption nor attempted to embarrass government and any such thoughts are simply a latter-day rationalization of a regime’s peculiar political power management strategy. Put briefly, before assuming power after the December 31, 1983, coup d’etat, the media had reported that a N2.8billion oil money was missing and as Minister, Gen. Buhari could not have taken kindly to those reports. Secondly, the General may not have forgotten yet that Dele Giwa of Newswatch newsmagazine, once asked him what he thought about press freedom.

The answer he gave (not denied till today), was this: “Press Freedom? What’s that? I’ll step on it!”Decree No.4 was the first attempt to step on the Press and public opinion by the regime, but it back-fired. Thirdly, Decree No. 4 was not yet promulgated by the time this writer was detained under Decree No. 2, and it took almost two weeks before a world press conference on its promulgation was held. So, why lock up anybody when there was no law yet on the matter?Fourthly, the security organization had wanted to know who gave the information on the diplomatic stories published, as already detailed elsewhere.

They were not obliged with such information, which would have been done against the ethics of Journalism. These are some of the abiding and unforgettable evils of Decree No. 4 of 1984, which nobody can ignore or wish away. Repentance and attitudinal changes are now overdue, not justification of undemocratic actions at this time.

Honestly we don't have a police force in Nigeria. The earlier you realised this and take cover when you see them, the safer you are

are they looking for people to control the crowd? am volunteering if free visa is guaranteed.