₦airaland Forum

Suspects opt to refund cash for freedom North’s leaders may intervene President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, may soon meet over the mind- boggling revelations from the arms cash probe. Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, who is standing trial for alleged misapplication and fraudulent disbursement of over N31b meant for purchase of arms, has alleged in his statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that all his disbursements were approved by the ex- President. Sources said some associates of Dr. Jonathan were arranging a private meeting between the leaders to enable Jonathan “straighten out” some things with the President. The ex-President is believed to be desirous of addressing some of the allegations in confidence because he is not keen on speaking publicly “so as not to heat up the polity”. It was also gathered that the ex-President’s camp noted that some of the N31billion cash was sourced from “security votes and budget for Special Services”. “Jonathan will prefer a private audience with the President rather than taking up issues with the suspects in public. Some of the expenditures have grave security implications as they involve some neighbouring countries,” a source said, adding: “As a statesman, Jonathan cannot just open up at all. For example, there is a unit where the overhead of past Presidents and Heads of State was taken care of. Some of the funds disbursed by the office had to do with these funds. If Jonathan speaks, will he not rubbish these past leaders? “Some Presidents from some countries sought financial assistance from ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Do you expect the former leader to issue a statement on such a sensitive request?” The source spoke of how Nigeria bought vehicles and some equipment for some countries from the funds, adding that diplomatic etiquette does not allow such a disclosure. “At a point, there was negotiation to end Boko Haram insurgency. This type of deal cannot be put in the public domain”, he said, pleading not to be named because he is not permitted to talk to the media. Also yesterday, it was learnt that some of the suspects facing trial may opt to return looted funds and forfeit some assets in exchange for freedom or light sentences. It was also learnt that some leaders of the North may prevail on President Buhari for soft- landing for some of the suspects. About N31billion has been traced to more than nine suspects facing trial in Abuja courts. Some of the suspects, according to sources close to the investigations, are already overwhelmed by the evidence against them and would prefer the plea bargain option. The suspects are said to have volunteered to return the funds traced to them and their cronies through phoney companies. They are also said to be considering the plea bargain option to save time and get lighter jail terms where conviction becomes necessary. The names of the suspects seeking plea bargain were kept under wraps last night, but only a former Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, has indicated his willingness to recover N600million out of the over N1billion traced to him. A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Despite the fact that most of the suspects pleaded not guilty, some of them have been considering plea bargain to get off the hook. “Those affected have told the EFCC in confidence that they want to return looted funds and assets for outright state pardon or lighter jail terms. “These few ones seeking plea bargain said they ought to regain freedom to retrieve funds where they are stashed. “In fact, one of the suspects said having admitted that he had slush funds, there was nothing to prove in court again.” Last night, counsel to one of the key suspects said: “I think there is a plea bargain offer by some suspects. Some lawyers appearing in the cases have been meeting to enable the nation to get some of these funds back. “These suspects would, however, prefer to return funds and assets to the EFCC for outright pardon. “As I am talking to you, we have not reached any conclusion on the terms of plea bargain to be presented to the EFCC, which is prosecuting all the suspects.” Some elders, led by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation are said to be pushing for soft landing for some of those on trial. The elders are said to be worried that most of the suspects are from the North. It was learnt that the elders had been under pressure to save these key Northern figures on trial. But some of the elders, who are unsure of President Buhari’s reaction, were said to have met with presidential confidants. There were plans last night for the elders to have an audience with the President. Another source said: “These elders want a plea bargain alternative, which will lead to the surrendering of all looted funds by the suspects. “Thereafter, an amicable political solution will be reached to allow the suspects to go home and sin no more. Alternatively, those with bad cases can serve lighter jail terms.”
http://thenationonlineng.net/n31b-loot-jonathans-camp-to-seek-talks-with-buhari/

Steve Job's Last Words before his passing ...

I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success.

However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.

At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.

In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of god of death drawing closer…

Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth…

Should be something that is more important:
Perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days

Non-stop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.

God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.

The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me. What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.

That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on.

Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.

What is the most expensive bed in the world? Sick bed…
You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.

Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – Life.

When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading – Book of Healthy Life.

Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.

Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends.

Treat yourself well. Cherish others.

MTN Nigeria has successfully acquired digital pay TV broadcasting rights from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for a sum put at around N34 billion . Although there is no official Press information from MTN, the Director General of the NBC, Emeka Mba made this known during his world media briefing last week in Lagos. According to reports, the move is beneficial for both parties as MTN will use part of the 700 MHz spectrum to provide pay TV services while the NBC has announced the fund will be used in funding the digital switch over. The amount received from the MTN accounts for about 50 per cent of the initial estimated budget of N70billion naira. The fund raised will be channelled towards Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over and should help in getting the plan back on course since the June 17, 2015 deadline elapsed. http://dailytimes.com.ng/mtn-nigeria-acquires-pay-tv-license-from-nbc/

The Nigerian Medical Association has called attempts by the Academic Staff Union of Universities to rule out holders of medical fellowships from becoming university vice chancellors as “laughable and mischievous.”
In a reaction to ASUU president Nasir Faggae’s comments in the media where he urged local congresses of the union to insist that only master’s and PhDs can teach in universities, NMA said ASUU demonstrated “nude ignorance.”
In a statement, NMA president Dr Kayode Obembe, condemned “the open inciting nature and unveiled hatred levelled against the eminently qualified Nigerians whose eligibility to equally aspire to lead the universities, has been proved beyond all reasonable doubt.”
After medical school, doctors get fellowships rather than master’s and PhD—all qualifications NMA says outweigh PhDs in content and context.
Obembe pointed to open differences—doctors must meet higher cut-off scores to get university admissions, a longer period of academic study, international common entrance to get into a medical fellowship compared with PhDs, and the six years it takes to complete a fellowship unlike an average three years for a PhD.
It also points to Nigerian Universities Commission’s recommendation that a fellowship or its equivalent from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria is a suitable alternative to PhDs in relation to appointment of vice chancellors.
NMA said VCs with medical background have “demonstrated impeccable and track record efficiency, capability and meritorious achievements in university governance in the country,” according to Obembe.
“The NMA strongly admonishes Dr. Faggae to stop his antics and desist from further embarrassing ASUU and the entire Nigerian academic community.”

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/nma-flays-ASUU-s-moves-to-rule-doctors-out-of-vc-position/111858.html

These Ulamas really understand that there is hunger in the land.The Other Ulama is a learner.

Can't you read the pseudo-smile on Oga VP's face?

This could just be the "Genesis", by the time we get to "Malachy", this guys might even slap the VP.

All may not be well with the ‘ad-
hoc’ cabinet of President
Muhammadu Buhari as fillers
from the Presidency indicate an
unhealthy power tussle between
an elected member of the
President’s cabinet, Vice President
Yemi Osinbajo and an unofficial
one in the person of Kaduna State
Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
A few weeks back, our
investigations reveal, the tension
between Osinbanjo and El Rufai
came to a head when Governor El
Rufai insulted the Vice President
in meeting in the Presidential
Villa in Aso Rock, and Osinbajo
reacted by denouncing El Rufai
and walking out of the meeting,
which had President Buhari
presiding.
According to inside presidential
sources, El-Rufai is widely
regarded as the unofficial vice
president in the Buhari
administration. A top source
within the Buhari government,
who spoke with The Trent on
condition of anonymity disclosed
that “Buhari prefers to have a
fellow Northerner as his right-
hand man”.
“He did so as military head of
state and is uneasy with Osinbajo
who is (Bola) Tinubu’s boy,” the
source revealed.
“As you know, if the position of
veepee was appointed and not
elected, Buhari would never have
appointed a Southerner, a
Christian for that matter to be his
VP,” the source explained further.
“The President, clearly, prefers
and places more trust on El Rufai
as far as matters of governance
are concerned. El Rufai has played
a key role in some of the
President’s appointments. He
nominated Amina Bala Zakari for
appointment as Acting INEC
Chairman forcing Buhari to go
against Jega’s earlier decision and
planted his chief of staff who is
also the founder of the Bring Back
Our Girls campaign, Hadiza Bala
Usman inside President Buhari’s
recently constituted Anti-
Corruption Advisory Committee.”
Further investigations reveal that
the Kaduna Governor and other
Northerners in Buhari’s kitchen
cabinet have little regard for Vice
President Osinbajo. Behind close
doors, they dismiss him
disdainfully as “Tinubu’s puppet”.

http://www.nigerianbulletin.com/threads/the-trent-osinbajo-storms-out-of-meeting-with-buhari-after-been-insulted-by-el-rufai.120113/

Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna
State has orderd the immediate closure of two
churches, a seminary and a church-owned
hospitals and secondary school all in Saminaka,
Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He said the closure was to avoid the eruption of
violence among factions of the congregations
whose leaderships’ positions he described as,
“principally to preserve their personal interests
with little concern for the common good, and the
peace and security of Kaduna State”.
A statement on behalf of the governor sign by
his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan Wednesday in
Kaduna named the affected bodies as:
Theological Seminary of Northern Nigeria,
(TSNN), Shalom Comprehensive College,
Assemblies of God Church, AGC, Nmbare all in
Saminaka. The rest are: Assemblies of God
Church (Jerusalem) and AGC Evangelist
Hospital, also in Saminaka:
Reads the statement: “The Kaduna State
Security Council at its 15th meeting, held on the
15th September, 2015, deliberated on the
leadership crisis in the Assemblies of God
Church, AGC, Saminaka District, Lere local
government area of the state.
“The council discussed this matter in the context
of preventing threats to the peace and stability
of the State.
“The Council noted that the leadership crisis has
led to disintegration of order in the church, and
raised tensions between the followers of the
rival camps.
The crisis has also widened to the students of
the church-owned school and seminary, who are
now split and divided on factional lines.
“The Council reviewed previous efforts made to
resolve the crisis. It noted that these were
aborted by those involved in the leadership
tussle, principally to preserve their personal
interests with little concern for the common
good, and the peace and security of Kaduna
State.
“The Council unanimously agreed that if left
unchecked, the growing tension may degenerate.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/el-rufai-shuts-down-2-churches-seminary-church-hospital/

Kaduna,Anambra,Kano,Lagos,Rivers,Crossriver,Jigawa, , Yobe and Akwaibom are the states not on the list.
Why emphasizing on four states only? Also give kudos too the other states managing their resources with prudence.

homerac7:
Reading your further comments, it is galring that it is a monumental waste of time to engage you further on this matter. Enjoy the bliss.

Guess you have issues with spelling @"glaring".
Take care.

homerac7:
Your ignorance is legendary. You were rightly corrected and you held on to ignorance.

1GW = 1000MW

Nigeria built her 1+GW power station since 1980s. That's Egbin power plant in Lagos with capacity of 1.22GW.

Learn!

You are really a slow learner or may a terrible student academically. It is wrong to correct an article not originally yours, if you have an issue with the article, follow the link provided and drop your comment simple!
And just in case your IQ is abysmally low, you need to step up a bit.

nobilis:
See how terms are confusing people.
OP, did you not know that

1, 000 MW = 1 GW
4, 000 MW = 4 GW.

So how does generating 1 GW of electricity make Kenya better than Nigeria?

The source is there for you to verify. sources are provided because the original article isn't from you and it should be presented as it is rather than edited. I think you lack basic understanding of quoting articles that aren't yours. If you have carried out any academic research, you will understand this rule better.

While Nigeria continues to celebrate power
generation of about 5,000 megawatts, another
African country, Kenya, has begun moves to build
one gigawatts.
While a megawatt is one million watts, a gigawatt
is one billion watts.
On Sunday, the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and
Petroleum signed a landmark contract with
SkyPower, the world’s largest developer and
owner of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV)
energy projects for one gigawatts of world-class
solar projects to be built in four phases in Kenya
over the next five years.

http://dailytimes.com.ng/nigeria-struggles-4000mw-kenya-moves-build-1gw-electricity/

magicminister:
i really dont see how he got ben below the belt. Ben Bruce claimed he doesn't fly First class. Local flights in Nigeria don't have "first class" cabin/section.

Hit below the belt: To unfairly do or say something that hurts someone else, especially a personal attack;

This guy really got Ben Murray Bruce below the belt.

.

We call that "Rufe Ido".

Finish the uncircumcised infidels (kafirs) with your artillery service, so that they can celebrate the coming sallah with their Virgins.

The above incident happened
somewhere in Orlu, Imo State. The two
ladies who were engaged in a serious
fight over an issue that couldn’t be
immediately ascertained were being
separated by 3 guys.
While the others while doing the real
separation, one guy took advantage of
the situation and was pressing the
boobs of one of the women. I guess he
got enough satisfaction from the
fight.

A police informant by the name of Benson
Ogedegbe was executed in Delta state by
Lance Corporal Obinna of the 19th Battalion,
stationed at the Koko Military Base in in Delta
State in broad day light in front of eye
witnesses. According to Sahara reporters, a senior police
officer said Odedegbe was executed on the
orders of of his Commanding Officer,
Lieutenant-Colonel Umar. Colonel Aminu Umar
is also stationed at Koko Military Base.
Also present when Ogedegbe’s was killed was
one Captain Femi and three other officers.
Witnesses said Lance Corporal Obinna,
Captain Femi, and three other military officials
followed Ogedegbe on an expressway and mad
him stop by shooting at his car. After the
informant stopped he was pulled out of his
car and beaten and executed in full glare of
witnesses.
Investigations revealed that the deceased was
a Chairman of a Vigilante Group, and a police
informant who had been exposing members of
the 19th Battalion working with, and
protecting, criminal gangs in Ethiope West
Local Government Area of Delta state. While the primary mission of the 19th
Battalion at Koko base is to protect the oil
pipelines in the area from theft, sabotage, and
damage, residents and police officers, claim
that the soldiers at Koko Military Base had a
history of terrorizing the community with
impunity for several years.
It was also gathered that a local crime boss
named Onoriode “Onos” Okoribo, arrived the
area about two years ago and had been
operating with the open protection and
collaboration of the military. He was the brains
behind numerous kidnappings, robbery and
assassinations in the area.
Community members described Ogedegbe
as a trusted police informant who reported on
criminal activities in his area
A police officer told Sahara Reporters: “He
gave us information on the activities of Onos and
his connection to members of the
19th Battalion.”
http://www.naij.com/470489-tragic-read-soldiers-delta-state-executed-police-informant-broad-day-light.html

Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, on Wednesday said that it would graduate a total of 1, 315 students, with 104 bagging First Class Degree.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Ayo, said this at a media briefing ahead of the institution’s 10th convocation.

Ayo said that the event was for the award of first and higher degrees in various disciplines in the institution.

He said that of the 1,315 students, 610 others would be graduating in the Second Class Upper Division, while 510 will be graduating in the Second Class Lower Division.

According to him, a total of 91 others would be graduating in the Third Class Division.

The don said that the institution would also be graduating a total of 135 postgraduate students during the ceremony.

Prof. Charles Ayo, Vice Chancellor of Covenant University
Prof. Charles Ayo, Vice Chancellor of Covenant University

He said that the number of this year’s first class graduates was an improvement on the 82 the institution produced at the 2014 convocation.

Ayo said that the institution’s products had found it easy to pursue further education in Ivy League universities around the world as a result of the quality of education offered in the university.

“The university’s goal for the 2014/2015 academic session is innovation, impact and internalisation.

“In order to achieve this goal, the university established 21 multidisciplinary research clusters that are committed to proffering solutions to myriad of challenges facing our society.

“One of such innovative research clusters is the Intergrated Dual-Powered Mobility Engine tagged CU-IDEA, which has to do with automobile that combines energy from fuel combustion and battery, to supply traction power to electric motor.

“We have also come up with the Afroscholar Project which is also fashioned toward taking care of the myriad of problems African-based academic institutions are faced with which has led to the poor quality rating of education in the continent.

“The need to address these challenges has necessitated the development of this project which is also an initiative of Covenant University that desires to create a viable platform for open and free access to relevant learning resources that are available within Africa.

“The Afroscholar initiative will among other things, engender mutual sharing of learning resources and academic collaborations among key actors in the learning spaces of Africa to raise quality of learning and scholarship in Africa,” he said.

Ayo said that because the institution wanted to remain a pacesetter in the provision of quality tertiary education in Africa, plans were underway to commence its Medical School within two years.

He said that the institution had, during the 2014/2015 academic session, interacted with several institutions within and outside the country while a number of new Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed.

Ayo, however, noted that others were currently being processed.

P.M. NEWS Nigeria.

crusadistic:
video or adonbilivit

Blessed are those who did not see but believe, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

More pics

Islamic terror group ISIS has released harrowing
footage appearing to show caged prisoners
being lowered into a swimming pool to drown
alongside other horrific executions. The vile
group claimed that 16 men were killed in
Nineveh, Iraq, after being accused of spying in a
set of horrifying killings.
Minutes later, the cage is lifted, which shows
the men lying motionless on the cage floor.
The barbaric footage even used pricey
underwater cameras which were fitted around
the swimming pool to capture the scene from
below the water.
Barbaric: The swimming pool was fitted with
underwater cameras to capture chilling footage
But after that horrific ordeal, the video is not
finished with its brutal executions.
It then cuts to show four victims locked in an
old-looking car in the desert.
The video then cuts to an ISIS executioner
brandishing a rocket-propelled grenade, who
fires in the direction of the car.
The footage then lingers on the exploded car as
in languishes in flames.
Another execution showed in the video sees
prisoners being made to kneel before explosives
which were tied around their neck were
detonated.
Before dying, each of the prisoners were forced
to admit their guilt for 'spying' before being
brutally murdered.
The video is accompanied by an eerie
soundtrack of Arabic music and hypnotic
chanting.

http://www.ladunliadinews.com/2015/06/disturbing-photos-wickedness-of-isis.html?m=1

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a 52-year-old school teacher, Isaac Ikiabeke, for allegedly raping a 5-year-old pupil in the Ikorodu area.

 

Ikiabeke, who is the proprietor of the school, Brighter Glory School, located on Etunrere Street, raped his victim after school hours.

The victim, five-year-old Pat (not her real name), said Ikiabeke had allegedly raped her 10 times.

She said,

“He has been doing it for some time. He has done it more than 10 times. I am not the only one. He does it with some of us after school hours. I could not tell anybody because he said if I did he would beat me.”

The victim’s grandfather explained that his attention was drawn to the sexual assault by some of Pat’s classmates.

He said he was shocked, as well as disappointed in Ikiabeke, whom he regarded as a respectable man.

He said,

“Pat and her younger sister stay with me and they attend the school. I never suspected anything initially, except that I observed she would be holding her belly and turning on the bed and when I asked her what happened, she would say she was having stomachache.

“It was one of her classmates that told me what the school owner had been doing to her and I quickly went to report at the station, after which he was arrested.”

The matter  has since been brought to the attention of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender.

 

A police source said that they got complaints from two victims.

 

He said a three-year-old pupil, who was equally raped by the suspect, was in a critical condition in a hospital.

He said,

“There were actually two pupils that we were told he raped. The atrocity had been going on for a long time before he was arrested.”

Pat has since been taken to the hospital for treatment.

 

The police on Monday arraigned Ikiabeke before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court on one count of unlawful sexual intercourse.

The charge read,

“That you, Isaac Ikiabeke, on June 9, 2015, at about 3pm, at Brighter Glory School, Etunrere Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did have unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, (name withheld) aged five years and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 258 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and elected summary trial.

 

The case was adjourned till August 10, 2015.


http://www.punchng.com/metro-plus/52-year-old-teacher-rapes-pupil-5-in-classroom/

Scientists have developed a new antimalarial compound that may be able to treat current infections and protect against future ones.

A researcher at the University of Dundee’s Drug Discovery Unit in the United Kingdom and one of the leaders of the study, Kevin Read, said clinical trials of the compound should begin within a year.

According to a study published yesterday in Nature, just one dose of the compound could be used to fight malaria infections in patients and increase their immunity against the parasite, according to the researchers.

He said, “The chemical compound of this potential drug is different from any other antimalarial compound in that it interacts at many different stages of the parasite life cycle.

Colin Sutherland, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, stated that if these are successful, the team hopes the drug will be available in five to six years.

“The compound interferes with some of the machinery involved in protein synthesis in the parasite at different stages of its life cycle,” Read said.

“ As the chemical remains active for a very long time within the body, he adds, it could also become a protective agent, preventing healthy people from contracting the disease.

Malaria kills more than half a million people a year, according to the World Health Organization, mostly children under five years of age.

The WHO reports that progress in medical research, coupled with better prevention, has nearly halved malaria deaths since 2000.

But the emergence of drug-resistant parasites is an increasingly pressing issue, signalling a need for novel treatments, Read says.

The compound, currently named DDD107498, was originally discovered in 2010. Since then, it has undergone testing along with dozens of other potential antimalarial compounds as part of the Medicines for Malaria Venture, a public-private partnership that includes the University of Dundee.

“The compound is currently going through the final stages of preclinical safety testing,” Read says.

According to the researchers, the compound would be used with an existing antimalarial drug to protect against the spread of resistance. Since the compound is fairly simple to make, Read says that one dose of the final product should cost about US$1, similar to existing treatments.

http://leadership.ng/news/442383/scientists-develop-single-dose-drug-to-treat-malaria

tpiander:
You people's pictures are mainly featuring dejected and depressed looking people.

are you coercing them to take the photos?

Can't you see that he has been greatly humbled by the predicament?

storyforthegods:
am not an attention seeker

You are actually an idiotic attention seeker.