₦airaland Forum

Benue State, 2000

Portugal turned on the style to thrash Korea DPR 7-0 at the Green Point Stadium and take a huge step towards a place in the Round of 16.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Olu Falae, has urged our president, Goodluck Jonathan, not to contest for the presidency in the 2011 general elections.

Mr. Falae ,while speaking with reporters on the death of Mr. Yar’Adua, said Mr. Jonathan should rather concentrate on how to conduct a credible election for the nation in 2011. “If Jonathan does not contest in the presidential election, it will enable him to organise a credible, free and fair election for the country,” he said. “If he, however, decides to run for presidency, he should be careful and choose his running mate from the North, to maintain a balance in the nation’s political equation.”

The former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate described the death of Mr. Yar’Adua as unfortunate and a great loss to Nigeria.

“Yar’Adua’s death is unfortunate; it is highly painful that some people played politics with his protracted ill-health,” he said. “He meant well for Nigeria but his ill-health prevented him from leaving a good legacy for the country. But I think I am happy for him now that he is dead, for he will rest having passed through what he experienced,” Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau said. Nigeria has lost a great leader in late Mr. Yar’Adua, whose contributions and sacrifice to the nation will for long be remembered. He described late Mr. Yar’Adua’s input to the democratic dispensation in Nigeria as immense, adding that his stance on the rule of law was outstanding.

To the new president, Goodluck Jonathan, he expressed the hope that God will guide him to continue with the good work where his predecessor has stopped.

The Action Congress (AC) on Thursday hailed the smooth succession in the presidency, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, saying it shows Nigeria is now on a sound democratic footing and that it is ready to join the comity of free nations.

In a statement issued in Katsina Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party also paid glowing tributes to the late president, describing him as a man of integrity and uncommon humility.

Maturing democracy

It said the swearing in of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan as President, without any hitch, shows there is always a silver lining in every cloud, and has proven that Nigerian can rise above any challenge when it matters most, by upholding the constitution and the rule of law.

“A few months ago, there were speculations all over the place that certain parts of the country will not allow Jonathan to be sworn in as president, if necessary. But today, those speculations have been put to rest,” he said. “In a way, the smooth transition is a tribute to the late president, whose administration made transparency and the rule of law its mantra. It is also a fallout of the robust discourse that took place during the long absence of the late president, and a great credit to the Nigerian military, which has now subjected itself to constitutionality and the rule of law,” the AC said.

The party said Mr. Yar‘Adua will also be remembered for the amnesty he granted the militants in the Niger Delta, which has been widely acknowledged as a success even though his illness truncated its smooth implementation,

The party also hailed the late president for his moral transparency, in becoming the first Nigerian leader to publicly declare his assets.

“The best tribute that can be paid to Yar’Adua is for President Jonathan to bequeath to the nation an electoral reform that will guarantee a free and fair election in 2011, and continue with the implementation of the amnesty programme to restore lasting peace to the Niger Delta,” the AC said.

Also yesterday, a chairman of the All-Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA), Chekwas Okorie, described Mr. Yar’ Adua’s death as not only painful but a great loss to the nation. Okorie, in a telephone interview, said the late Yar’Adua would remain in the hearts of Nigerians as one president to have admitted the fraud in the process that brought him to office.

“The only legacy President Goodluck Jonathan owes Yar’Adua is to ensure that the 2011 elections are carried out smoothly, without any form of rigging, thuggery or arsonists,” he said.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5565110-147/falae_advises_jonathan_not_to_contest.csp

The race for the Vice-President’s position heated up yesterday, even as arrangements were made to lay the body of the former president to rest.

It emerged yesterday that several groups used Mr. Yar’Adua’s burial as a forum to lobby and express interest in the job. Some of the groups who have started lobbying include the PDP, the northern political group, Arewa political forum, and the family of the deceased former president.

As many as 20 names were bandied about yesterday in the nation’s capital, and all the groups have drawn up shortlists which they will submit to the president.

Theophilus Danjuma, Yayale Ahmed, and Nuhu Ribadu have emerged as early favourites to be appointed vice president as early as next week. Other names that were rumoured were Aminu Masari, Nasir El-Rufai, Aliyu Gusau, Adamu Aliero, Bukola Saraki, and Isa Yuguda.

Theophilus Danjuma, a Christian northerner, would be a surprise choice, given that he prefers to be more of a kingmaker. He has certainly earned the president’s trust after he was named chair of the presidential advisory board.

Yayale Ahmed, the secretary general of the federation, has played a pivotal role in the transition of power to Goodluck Jonathan. He would be seen as a safe pair of hands to steady the ship over the next twelve months.

During Yar’Adua’s three month visit to Saudi, Yayale largely handled the administration of state affairs in the late president’s absence.

Nuhu Ribadu would be a populist choice and NEXT has exclusively reported that he was already earmarked for a role in Jonathan’s administration.

The intention had been to appoint him as a special adviser on anti-corruption, but the dynamics of power have changed in the past 48 hours. Widely seen as an incorruptible individual, his presence in the vice-president’s position would considerably raise the nation’s profile internationally. Furthermore, he would no longer have the stigma of a court case hanging over him, as the federal government officially withdrew all charges against him a few days ago.

The recently returned Nasir El-Rufai would also be a widely accepted pick. Unlike Ribadu however, he must still contend with charges brought against him by the EFCC if he is to realistically stand a chance. The former FCT minister has remained coy about his political ambitions over the next year, but has firmly stated that he would return in some capacity.

Aliyu Gusau has been more overt about his intentions for higher office, but he lost out to Yar’Adua in 2007 after contesting for president. He was surprisingly appointed National Security Adviser by Jonathan in February, and many saw that as a stepping stone to the vice presidency, and to something ultimately higher. At 68, Mr. Gusau is a shrewd politician and would fit in to the role with aplomb.

The Yar’Adua family is believed to have nominated the Bauchi state governor, Isa Yuguda, but his chances are not believed to be particularly good.

The former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, is a dark horse in the race, but certainly has the credentials to be considered. Another Obasonjo confidante, Mr. Masari has been a very vocal champion of electoral reform, a key policy in Jonathan’s fledgling administration. A Katsina State indigene, he is one of the suspended members of the PDP reform forum and had a poor relationship with Yar’Adua.

Mr.Saraki, a member of the Governors’ Forum, has long harboured ambitions for the presidency and this may be an opportunity for him to fulfil his ambition. The Kwara State governor has done some noteworthy things during his tenure, but Mr. Jonathan will be wary of the power that the Governors’ Forum wields.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5565177-146/the_race_for_second_place_.csp

The President of the Senate, David Mark, has reaffirmed the senate’s unwavering loyalty and support to Nigeria’s newly inaugurated President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in discharging his duties as the president of Nigeria.

Support and cooperate

Speaking shortly after the inauguration of Jonathan as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the senate president cooperate with the president in the task of implementing policies and programs that would improve the lots of the nation. He said he was hopeful that the ship of the State would sail effectively for the benefit of all Nigerians and that Jonathan would improve on the performance of his predecessor and make Nigeria a place of pride.

“As legislators, we shall do our utmost best to lay a solid legislative framework for the executive arm of government to perform creditably well. We shall cooperate and synergize with the executive in order to fast track the delivery of the dividend of democracy to our people”. Mark was particularly happy that Jonathan has made electoral reform which the Senate has harped on and the issue of the Niger Delta among others the focal point of his administration.

Eulogy for Late President

Meanwhile, the senate as an institution and the senators have continued to eulogize the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in very kind and gentle words. The senate president described late President Yar’Adua an honest leader saying his death is a monumental loss to the nation and that he left a legacy of selfless service that will be difficult to rival. “His record of prudence and administrative excellence both as a State Governor and President will remain ever green in our memories”, the senate president said. “He was a rare kind, a patriot and a detribalised leader, who was faithful to Nigeria and Nigerians. We shall all miss him”. The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, described the death of President Yar’Adua as a big loss to Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. He said President Yar’Adua’s “greatest strength lies in his love for peace in Nigeria and Africa.” “As President, he chose dialogue and peace and worked to resolve the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta region, the same way he chose peaceful method in resolving other political crises that have erupted in parts of the West African sub region.”

Mr. Ekweremadu recalled. “He was a peace maker. He worked for peace everywhere he went to. If you meet him, he speaks all the time about how to make Nigeria a great country where all will live in peace and progress.” He said. According to Adeleke Mamora, the Deputy Minority leader, late President Yar’Adua had more good virtues. “Apart from his peace loving nature, he was a simple man, a man of humility, a man of integrity, as exemplified by his public declaration of asset as a public officer. He was probably the first in his category to do so.” Mr. Mamora lamented his death saying it is a pity the late president would not be alive to see the actualisation of some of his dreams like the electoral reforms, the amnesty program and the power sector reforms.

End of an Era

“I send my condolences to members of his immediate family, President Goodluck Jonathan and the people of Nigeria.” the Deputy Senate President said. “It is indeed, the end of an era.” To the senate president, late President yar’Adua was a kind leader and “we all owe it a duty to uphold his legacies, emulate the sanctity of his attributes of honesty, hard work and respect for the fundamental human rights and rule of law. These were the attributes Yar’Adua stood for.”

He assured that the Government and people of Nigeria would ever be appreciative of Yar”Adua’s good works and would immortalize him. “He did not die in vain”.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Environment/5565000-146/senate_pledges_unwavering_loyalty_to_jonathan.csp

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and
said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I
observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what
I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.

She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly,
why?
I avoided her question, This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks
and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each
other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to
our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had
lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that
she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.

She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten
years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her
wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I
loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was
what I had expected to see.



To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had
obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at
the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep
very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew.

When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not
care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want
anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce.
She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a
life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a
month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to
recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.

She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our
bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just
to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and
thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face
the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was
explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both
appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his
arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. >From the bedroom to the
sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She
closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I
nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went
to wait for the bus to work. I drove
alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my
chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't
looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not
youngany more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our
marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done
to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of
intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life
to me.

On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of
intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier
to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me
stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses
but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have
grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the
reason why I could carry her more easily.
To those who are married, , not married , and soon to be married ,
Suddenly it hit me, she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her
heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry
mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an
essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and
hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might
change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking
from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded
my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our
wedding day,

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I
held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to
school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life
lacked intimacy.

I drove to office, jumped out of the car swiftly without
locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind,
I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I
do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do
you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I
said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and
I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each
other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our
wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.

Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then
slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove
away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers
for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled
and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run
up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed – dead.

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a
relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the
bank, blah, blah, blah. These create an environment conducive for
happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be
your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that
build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you.

If you do, you just might save a marriage

Does he have one now?

All things is working well for Mr Jonathan

Saharareporters learnt today about a last-minute scam designed by Turai Yar’adua and a cabal around her days before Umaru Yar'adua's death on Wednesday night (Nigerian time).

Aware that the ailing ruler could not survive another week, the cabal made a desperate move to coax Acting President Goodluck Jonathan “to accept Yar'adua's resignation,” several sources told us.

Our sources revealed that a seven-man panel led by Adamu Aliero, the disgraced former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, anchored Turai Yar’adua’s latest game plan. The Aliero team was in serious negotiations with Jonathan's group, led by Alaibo Graham-Douglas, a cabinet member under the Sani Abacha regime. “The two groups met at the instance of the Yar’adua team to discuss terms for Yar'adua's formal disengagement from power,” a source involved in the negotiations told Saharareporters.

Our sources said that Aliero and his group had even convinced Jonathan’s team to fire some of the recently appointed ministers and “to return some of the removed ministers to their former powerful positions.” One source told Saharareporters that, if Yar’adua had not died suddenly, the scam might have worked.

In a related development, Nigeria’s Chief Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, and current Attorney General Adoki Bello had also constituted themselves into a power bloc to make demands on and wrest concessions from Jonathan. Our sources indicated that the chief justice and attorney general informed Jonathan that members of Yar’adua’s cabal had told them that Yar'adua had recovered and was ready to resume office on May 29th 2010. But the duo promised Jonathan that they could use the law to frustrate Yar’adua’s return to office. The two men then insisted that Jonathan retain the current EFCC chairperson, Mrs. Farida Waziri, who hails from the CJN’s state of Benue.

In the wake of Yar’adua’s death, it is unclear what fate awaits Jonathan’s negotiations with the Aliero and Katsina-Alu groups. But late tonight, one of our sources, a member of the presidential advisory board, told Saharareporters, “with full presidential powers now in his hands, Jonathan may jettison all these deals.”

Yar’adua’s death last night validated our series of reports detailing the former ruler’s health troubles and exposing his cabals’ use of local and international media to deceive Nigerians into believing that Yar'adua was on a path to full recovery.

Turai Yar’adua personally oversaw the massive media blitz that bribed newspaper and television top shots to carry often-laughable stories about Yar’adua’s imminent reclamation of the presidency. The Abuja-based DailyTrust newspaper stood out among the newspapers that were used for Turai Yar’adua’s mindless games which ended up “degrading her husband,” according to an Abuja-based Northern politician. In numerous shameless reports, the Trust and such newspapers as The Nation and Daily Sun claimed that Yar'adua was playing with his grandkids, nieces, and nephews or that he took walks in the gardens of Aso Rock Villa, making stops to commune with birds.

Yar'adua will be buried in his hometown of Katsina at 2:00 p.m. (Nigerian time) today – Thursday May 6. His body will leave the Presidential Villa accompanied by his wife and family at 10:00 a.m. following the swearing-in of Goodluck Jonathan at 8:00 a.m.

Meanwhile, Jonathan has declared 7 days of mourning and also requested that flags be flown at half-mast across Nigeria. The acting president has also declared today, Thursday, as a public holiday.

Yar'adua died late yesterday evening after a crisis resulting from an autoimmune disease known as "Churg Strauss Syndrome".

He will be buried according to Muslim rites at a cemetery in Katsina.

Link:

http://www.saharareporters.com/news/6001-how-turai-yaraduas-group-almost-pulled-a-last-minute-political-scam.html

At long last Jonathan you again

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will be sworn in at 8am today as the substantive president following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua last night.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu will perform the swearing in ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
A press statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President, Mr Ima Niboro, said as a mark of respect for the late president, Jonathan has cancelled all official engagements.


He has also declared a national mourning for seven days. During this period, the Nigerian flag will fly at half mast.
He offered heartfelt condolences to President Yar’Adua’s widow, Hajiya Turai Yar’adua, the entire Yar’Adua family, the people of Katsina State, and Nigerians both at home and the world over.


Niboro said the Acting President received news of Yar’Adua’s passage with great shock and sadness.
Niboro quoted Jonathan as saying, “Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown, and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight.”
He said the Acting President described the President's death as sad, unfortunate and regrettable.


“As individuals and as a nation, we prayed for the recovery of Mr. President. But we take solace in the fact that the Almighty is the giver and taker of all life,” Jonathan was quoted as saying.
Niboro said "Nigerians are to observe the day as a work free day".

Link:

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=172681

The Ekiti State Election Tribunal on Wednesday declared the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Segun Oni as the winner of the 2009 re-run election in the state.

The majority of the tribunal members in a split decision claimed that, Mr. Oni defeated the Action Congress candidate, Kayode Fayemi with 3,000 votes.

Reading the lead judgment, the tribunal’s Chairman, Hamman Barka declared Mr. Oni as the winner with 109,000 votes to Mr. Fayemi’s 106,000 after deductions of 3 - 2 in favour of Oni.

The lead ruling upheld results of all polling units in contested wards except for 5 polling units in Ipoti A & 4 polling units in Orin/Ora Ward while it nullified results of unit 6 in Ifaki Ward.

It also disregarded the resignation of the state’s election commission, Ayoka Adebayo saying her resignation was “not valid and represents a mere assertion of the petitioners.” Mrs. Adebayo resigned during the collation of results in Ekiti state while the election results were being collated saying “she doesn’t want to go against her conscience.” The petition was filed by Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress (AC) against the re-run election in the state claiming the election was rigged in favour of Mr. Oni.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5564650-146/tribunal_retains_oni_as_ekiti_governor.csp

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, has officially withdrawn charges of non-disclosure of assets against Nuhu Ribadu, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The case was, therefore, struck out by the Acting Chairman of the tribunal.

Mr. Ribadu was being tried at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for failing to declare his assets when he was EFCC chair. He has always denied the allegations.

In dismissing the case today, the chair of the tribunal said that the attorney general of the federation has powers under Section 174, to discontinue any litigation relating to a federal offence, at any time before judgement. The tribunal also said that the notice of withdrawal of the case by the Minister of Justice takes precedence over the motion filed by the accused person asking for the dismissal of the charges.

The case was struck out and the bench warrant issued for Ribadu’s arrest was cancelled.

Present in court were Nasir el-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and other friends of the former EFCC boss.

Femi Falana, Mr. Ribadu’s lawyer, declined to confirm when he (Ribadu) will be returning to Nigeria.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5564642-146/government_withdraws_charges_against_ribadu.csp

Yoruba language comedian, Bolaji Amusan, popularly called Mr. Latin, was yesterday, involved in an auto crash along Abeokuta-Lagos road.

The accident occurred at Onipepeye village, about 15 minutes from Abeokuta, when the vehicle conveying him and six other members of his comedy group somersaulted several times on the highway, as a result of a burst tire.

Mr. Amusan and his group were returning from Lagos after securing a London visa for one of his member.

The occupants of the vehicle, who got thrown out on impact, were rescues by sympathetic commuters, and taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.

NEXT gathered that though Mr. Amusan did not sustain serious injuries, he complained of severe body pain and ache, after he received first aid treatment. Two other occupants, including the one that was just issued the visa, sustained injuries and were admitted to the hospital.

Scores of members of the Association of National Theatre Practitioners trooped to the Emergency Treatment Room of the hospital to visit their injured colleagues.

Shaken actor

The shaken actor told NEXT that all what he could remember when the tyre burst was telling the driver not to apply the brakes. “Before I could understand what was going on, our vehicle was somersaulting. It was some motorists who brought us to the hospital,” he said.

The comedian recalled that the passengers in the bus were all still in celebration mood at the granted visa, when the incident occurred.

“However, we are still full of praises to God for sparing our lives,” he said, and also thanked the hospital authorities for given the victims prompt attention.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5564318-147/comedian_mr._latin_involved_in_auto.csp

For more than nine hours yesterday, the former minister of the federal capital territory, Nasir El-Rufai was quizzed by detectives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who had declared him wanted for allegedly misappropriating N32 billion.

Dressed in white caftan and a red cap, Mr El-Rufai arrived the commission’s Abuja office at about 10am accompanied by his lawyer and family members. He was only allowed to go home a little after 7pm, although it was not immediately clear whether he would be required to go back for more interrogation today.

The former minister arrived the country over the weekend after more than one year in exile and the EFCC directed him to visit their office on Tuesday to account for his tenure.

On his arrival, EFCC spokesperson, Femi Babafemi told reporters that el-Rufai will be questioned over the missing funds which dates back to his time as minister of the federal capital territory.

Mr el-Rufai was only seen to come out of the EFCC offices about three times to observe his prayers at 2, 4, and 7pm.

Though he declined to talk to journalists, el-Rufai’s lawyer, Abdulhakeem Mustapha told reporters who had gathered at the EFCC headquarters since early morning, that his client had submitted written statements to the EFCC.

Efforts to make the former minister address the press as he had earlier promised failed and he just entered an SUV which drove furiously away. In the process, a number of journalists crowding around the car were pushed down.

When asked if Mr el-Rufai was gagged by the EFCC, Mr Mustapha said “only he can answer that question.” Mr Babafemi also declined to confirm if the EFCC has placed a gag order on the former minister. He equally denied reports that the charges against Mr el-Rufai had been reduced, saying there was nothing of such.

Asked to speak on the journalists who were almost run down, an aide to Mr el-Rufai said the vehicle was actually driven by an EFCC operative and that his boss will not like to comment on it.

NEXT learnt that Mr el-Rufai was given an administrative bail, though neither Mr Mustapha nor Mr Babafemi would say when he is expected back.

Cecilia Ibru, former managing director of Oceaninc Bank, was also at the EFFC office today for a routine appearance which was part of her bail conditions. Mrs Ibru, who came in a black Lexus Jeep, almost fell as her aides tried to shield her from journalists during the five minutes visit. She refused to answer questions thrown at her, until a reporter asked if she knew the whereabouts, or had contacted her former nanny, Nanashetu Abdullahi. She gave a bemused smile and hurriedly entered her car.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Crime/5564325-146/story.csp

The Egyptian child

married last month in Abuja by Senator and former governor of Zamfara

State, Ahmed Yerima is the 14-year-old daughter of M Eladly, his driver

in Cairo, Egypt.

Marim Maged M.

Eladly was brought into Nigeria alongside 32 members of her family for

the marriage to the 50-year-old Mr. Yerima because he could not marry

her in Egypt, as it is against Egyptian law for a man to marry a girl

who is under 18 years old.

A United Nations

official who was recently in Egypt told NEXT on condition of anonymity

that the Nigerian Senator literally induced the poor family of the

child to give her away to him.

Mr. Yerima had

loudly protested that the age of his new bride was not the much-talked

about 13, although he did not state the age of the girl.

“She is the

daughter of Yerima’s driver in Cairo - exploiting further their

vulnerability due to poverty,” the source wrote. “I couldn’t verify the

payment of $100,000 (to the bride’s family), although some money may

have been paid.

But, in this case,

there is no broker involved, unlike similar marriages of minors to

foreign men where the broker gets all the money and the victim and

their family a pittance.

Some people who

attended the marriage ceremony at the Central Mosque, Abuja, said Mr.

Yerima personally admitted to paying the said sum.

“The marriage took

place in Nigeria and there was no marriage in Egypt, as Egyptian law is

clearly against underage marriage of girls under 18 years of age.

Although,

unofficially through what is called “urfi marriage” or

seasonal/temporary marriage, such marriage to minors continues to

exist, particularly by older men from the Gulf States who come to Egypt

for such purposes,” the source said.

“Furthermore,

Egyptian law also forbids marriage where the man is more than 25 years

older than the woman, as is in this case. A Saudi Arabian man over 70

who married a girl under 20 years was prosecuted based on this law.”

Human rights petition

The National Human

Rights Commission (NHRC) had, Monday, forwarded letters to the United

Kingdom as well as all embassies to revoke Mr. Yerima’s visas. The

commission has also decided to re-draft and send another letter to the

Egyptian embassy, following what they called new discoveries.

Miss Eladly, who

entered Nigeria with a tourist visa, has returned to Egypt to continue

her education after what sources said was a consummation of her

marriage. She might, however, not be able to have her visa renewed, as

human rights groups also said letters would be sent out to the

immigrations office to demand such.

Link:
http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5564324-146/yerimas_bride_is_daughter_of_his.csp

The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, took a swipe at the former Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Yerima for allegedly marrying an Egyptian minor. Aliyu spoke as a guest lecturer during the maiden edition of “International Conference of Private Universities in Africa,” at the Babcock University, Ilishan.
The governor who described Sharia as an Islamic law that teaches morals, lamented the criticism against it.

His words: ‘’Many people are now bringing in issues that are making Sharia to look like an archaic system, whereas it is more modern than the Western legal system.”
Sharia, according to him, has taken care of many things including peoples’ culture. “It is sickness that would make a man to be looking for small, small things.”
He lamented that when the womenfolk were reacting to the issue, the males were silent about it. “So, it is a sickness for a grown up adult to be looking for small things. It is time we stopped some certain things so that we can join the league of 21st century nations.”

Aliyu, who is also the Chairman of Northern Governor’s Forum said there was nothing excellent in being a governor until he had been able to serve his people and charged his governor-friends to make people the centre of their programmes.
While challenging Nigerian youths to show interest in elective offices, Aliyu wondered why nobody who could be described as youths were among those who had so far expressed their interest in the presidential race.

His words: ‘’It is then wondered that the youths are not among those who have shown interest in the Presidential election. People that have shown interests so are people of the past. May be because the university is quiet, otherwise some people would have not shown their face even if they are invited’’

According to him if universities were alive to their responsibilities, leadership position would become a natural self-selection. ‘’Unless you are ready, you are prepared to subject yourself. Leadership must not be a way of making money. It must be a way of service. It must be a way of contributing to the development and progress of our dear country. We count on your for this’’, he stated.

The governor challenged Nigerian university professors to chart a way forward for our dear nations, not only through research but also through sustained, enlightened and broad-minded discussion and comments on national issues.
‘’You must keep the political class and indeed the society on its toes, as well collectively work towards the realization of our national aspirations’’, he concluded.

However, despite widespread condemnation Yerima, yesterday shunned an invitation to appear before an investigation team of National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).
Yerima was expected to appear before NAPTIP team of investigators in Abuja to answer questions on allegations bordering on his alleged involvement in a marriage with a 13-year Egyptian girl.
However, at about 6.00pm when Daily Sun left the NAPTIP Head Office at Wuse Zone 5, the Zamfara State Senator had not surfaced.

NAPTIP sources told Daily Sun that there was much doubts on the appearance of Yerima at NAPTIP office as expected because he was heard granting an interview on Egyptian radio on the alleged marriage.
NAPTIP had in a letter dated April 28, invited Senator Yerima stressing that his invitation was in compliance with section 5 and 58 (b) of the NAPTIP Act 2003 and 2005 as amended.
Sources at NAPTIP said the agency will still give Yerima up to end of this week to appear.

Link:

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/may/05/national-05-05-2010-001.htm

This is what future babies will do with you when you throw them in the air.

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That is life

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Vincent Ogbulafor, will be arraigned today at an Abuja High Court for allegedly defrauding the federal government of over N200 million.

Principal Legal Officer of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is prosecuting Ogbulafor, Paul Ahmed Bassi, told NEXT in a telephone chat, that Mr. Ogbulafor would have been arraigned yesterday but for the federal government’s declaration of Monday as Workers’ Day.

He said Mr. Ogbulafor has been personally served with the court processes and is expected to come and take his plea today.

“If he fails to come to court, we will apply for a warrant of arrest against him,” he said.

In the ICPC proof of evidence, a copy of which was made available to NEXT, Basil Momodu, an investigator with the Commission, would testify that the 2nd and 3rd accused persons refunded the various amounts they got as their share of the fraud at the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC) to the coffers of the federal government. The proof added that the accused persons conspired to verify some fictitious contracts purportedly executed by companies in which they had interest, and thereafter proceeded to ensure that these companies were paid for the non- existent contracts.

Specifically, the PDP chairman was accused of abusing his position as the Head of NEIC, established by the Federal Government to verify debts owed local contractors, to approve forged documents presented by contractors as genuine, with a view to defrauding the government.

ICPC further alleged that Mr. Ogbulafor relied on such forged documents to certify that three fake companies successfully executed jobs worth over N200m.

At the last sitting of the court, the judge, Ishaq Bello, granted leave for the ICPC to prosecute Mr. Ogbulafor and four others on a 16-count charge of corruption and money laundering. The other accused persons are: Emeka Ebilah, Henry Ikoh, Jude Nwokoro, and Emmanuel Bosah.

Ready to hear pleas

The judge denied the request of Joe Gadzama, Mr. Ogbulafor’s lawyer, who had made frantic efforts to get a stay of arraignment, when he ruled that no such application was before him.

Mr. Bello said that though an application was filed, it had not been brought before him and, therefore, was not ripe for hearing. He said the commission can approach the court for a warrant of arrest if it observed any attempt by the accused persons to abscond before the date of arraignment.

According to the judge, since no preliminary investigations were underway in any magistrate court and investigations into the party chairman and his colleagues had been completed, the accused persons must be present on May 3rd, 2010, for plea taking.

Link:

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5563722-146/icpc_to_arraign_ogbulafor_today_.csp

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