₦airaland Forum

Oga@TheTop:
Is that a bull dog

SURE......

wow..... i can stop LAUGHING...... i like this president die...... sooooooo SIMPLE

christ4mi: It only in the south, that a court can dethrone a King. While in the North, even the Chief Justice kneel before a king. SMFH

abi?

NoContract: https://s2.favim.com/orig/28/chamber-of-secrets-draco-malfoy-eduarda-m-harry-potter-Favim.com-240093.gif

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Nigeria Coach Steven Keshi is optimistic that the Super Eagles will fly after he saw his team demolish Ivory Coast 4-1 in a nervy first leg CHAN 2014 encounter played at the main bowl of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

Nigeria won the encounter through goals from Kano Pillars forward Gambo Mohammed, a brace from Sunday Mbah and a late Ifeanyi Edeh goal as the Super Eagles garnered a commanding lead into the second leg.

Keshi, who spoke to supersport.com after the game, was full of praises for his wards but warned that the tie is far from won and wants his players to maintain focus as they prepare for the return leg.

“I usually don’t like praising players, but I thought Benjamin Francis had a good game, he worked tirelessly. I’m also pleased with Sunday Mba.

“I missed Sunday Mba at the Confederations Cup. Today I saw the Sunday Mba that I know; he did pretty well,” Keshi said. The Super Eagles gaffer also made some pointers as regards some of his substitutions in the match.

“We lost our way a bit in the midfield, which allowed the Ivorians to dictate play for long stretches in the game. Ayo Saka was tiring and he also picked up a yellow card, so we had to do something to shore up that area.

The Ivory Coast were reduced to nine men, but the Super Eagles huffed and puffed before they could subdue the Elephants. Keshi was however full of praise for the Ivorian team.

“It didn’t matter if they were eleven players on the pitch. In fact it is more dangerous playing a man less in most cases. The Elephants were highly disciplined and compact, but I’m happy we won the game.”

The 53-year-old coach also stated his desire to win the return leg and turn focus to the September FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Malawi.

“I hope we can finish the job in the return leg, this will give us confidence going into the Malawi game which is the most important thing for us now. We need to keep focus for the final push towards qualifying for the World Cup, that should be our focus for now,” Keshi said.

The return leg of the encounter is scheduled for the weekend of 20/21 July in Abidjan. SOURCE: http://www.thenationonlineng.net/new/sports/keshi-we-must-finish-off-elephants-in-abidjan/

From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja

Fresh indications emerged at the weekend that the Senate may have dumped the House of Representatives in National Assembly’s face-off with the Presidency over amendment of the 2013 budget.

Daily Sun exclusively gathered last Friday, that an agreement had been brokered between the Presidency and the Senate which culminated in the U-turn in the Upper Legislative Chamber and a possible lay-off of federal civil servants in 2014.

Hitherto, federal lawmakers were on the war-path with the Presidency over requests to amend the N4.987 trillion 2013 Appropriation Act.

But Daily Sun investigations revealed that the lawmakers were angry that rather than prioritise areas of amendment in the budget, the Presidency brought “an entirely new budget which is N152 billion higher than the N4.987 trillion harmonized budget passed by the two chambers.

“Upon close scrutiny, we discovered that the first correspondence to us showed that instead of amending, the Presidency wanted an entirely new budget, while stylishly rejecting the one we passed,” a source said.

A breakdown of the amendment sought by the Presidency showed that statutory transfers is now N388, 063,000,000 as against N387,976,000,000 (an increase of N87 billion) passed by the National Assembly on December 20, 2012.

The recurrent capital expenditure had been increased from N2,386,024,770,349 to N2,418,976,391,494 (an increase of N32,951,621,145) while the capital budget was cut from N1,621,455,655,252 to N1,588,578,805,197 (N32,876,850,055) making a total increase of N152,828,471, 200.

The National Assembly rejected the first amendment proposal. The second time when the Executive asked for the review, a bulkier budget was presented for amendment.

The National Assembly source told Daily Sun that lawmakers were peeved that, “having passed the 2013 budget with just two volumes, the Presidency returned three volumes of the budget to us. To us, that meant they wanted us to re-work the entire budget which we flatly rejected.”

The matter was reportedly resolved when the National Assembly went on its annual June recess and officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office reportedly met with the Appropriation Committees of both houses and the areas needing urgent amendments in the budget were agreed upon.

On June 26, the President forwarded the prioritized areas of amendment to the National Assembly, making it the third version within three months. This time around, besides adjusting the recurrent expenditure to allow government meet its obligations in terms of paying workers’ salaries, the National Assembly will concentrate more on capital budget cuts.

Beyond agreeing on the amendments, however, it was gathered that the Executive would still have to sack some workers in the federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Based on that agreement, the National Assembly slashed salaries payment to some MDAs.

“We are in a quandary now because the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister has already rallied organized labour and the civil servants behind her. They have been told that it’s the National Assembly that cut their salaries and even the September deadline is too far for them to run out of funds to pay salaries.

“The Federal Government balked on carrying out the exercise in 2013, after reaching an agreement with the National Assembly that it reduces its recurrent expenditure by shedding weight in the MDAs this year. But the problem of ghost workers in the federal civil service still persist. We heard that ghost workers have been weeded out in just one third of the MDAs, while work is still on-going in the remaining two-thirds of the ministries..”

“As things stand today (Friday), Senate has agreed to go ahead with the amendments, return the salaries and also, effect cuts in the N1.621 trillion capital budget for the year. The priority areas to cut in the capital budget are already spelt out in just one volume which is already before the Appropriation Committee,” a source said.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, believes the present impasse can be resolved “through peace, patience and dialogue.”

Senator Emodi was emphatic that, “it is important for Nigerians to know that there is a budget already being implemented. The only thing is that the Executive wants amendments in some priority areas and this will be done through dialogue. There is no discord between the two arms of government,” Emodi reiterated. SOURCE: http://www.sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/fg-to-sack-workers/

By Christopher Oji

Suspected robbers struck yesterday in a hotel at Ajah in Lagos killing four staff members of the hotel including the owner, simply identified as Lanre. The incident which occured at the popular “O” Hotel, on Berger road promptly created confusion in the neighbourhood.

According to eyewitness account, the rampaging robbers also set ablaze vehicles parked inside the premises of the hotel by lodgers. It was further gathered that some people sustained injuries during tha attack. Daily Sun gathered that the robbers numbering about eight armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the hotel on revenge mission.

It was gathered that few weeks ago, men of the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS)on a tip off that some robbers were lodging in the hotel, raided the place and arrested two members of the gang including its leader.

The arrest, it was gathered did not go down well with the other members of the gang who suspected the owner of the hotel and his staffers as the whistle blowers.

Consequently, it stormed the place killing the owner and three members of staff. It was gathered that the hoodlums practically held the hotel hostage during the raid. Daily Sun gathered that after a gun battle with the police, one of the robbers was found dead while some of them escaped with bullets wound. An Ak47 belonging to the gang was also recovered at the scene.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ngozi Braide said: “When our men got a distress call that robbers who pretended to be lodgers in the hotel were wreaking havoc, they raced to the scene and during a fierce gun duel, one of the robbers was shot dead, others escaped . We also recovered one AK47 rifle at the scene”.

Braide said the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, has ordered men of the state SARS to fish out the hoodlums and that they would soon be arrested.

She urged the hospitals and medical practitioners in the state to report to the police any person with bullet wound, who comes seeking their assistance. READ MORE: http://www.sunnewsonline.com/new/national/robbers-kill-hotelier-3-others-in-ajah/

From JUDEX OKORO, Calabar

Barely one week after the Appeal Court nullified the selection processes of the Obong of Calabar, the Etubom Traditional Council of Obong of Calabar is set to elect another Efik king.

Penultimate week, the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar and presided over by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, nullified the selection process of the former Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and disqualified Etubom Anthony Ani, the former minister of Finance in the late Abacha military regime, from contesting for the throne.

Investigations by Daily Sun revealed that at the weekend, the kingmakers (mostly the Etuboms) and some prominent Efik personalities were at the palace of the Obong located along Effanga Ansa Street, Henshaw town, Calabar, holding series of meetings and consultations on how to elect a new monarch without rancour.

The kingmakers, it was gathered, though not happy at the way and manner their revered traditional stool was dragged before the court, have resolved to work in harmony to choose a new “Treaty King and Grand Patriarch of the Efik Nation.”

Sources close to the palace revealed that the kingmakers were in serious deliberations and are expected to make a pronouncement on the proclamation of the Obong of Calabar shortly in line with the ruling of the Court of Appeal.

Members of one of the oldest traditional institutions in the country were said to have reached out to all families in the kingdom sensitising them on the need to speak with one voice this time as well as contribute positively towards re-building the stool and enthroning a credible person that would protect the institution.

Article 5(a) (ii) (iv) of the constitution, bestows on the Etuboms’ conclave of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, the power and the right to carry out selection processes that would culminate in the emergence of a new Obong.

One of the Etuboms, who pleaded anonymity told Daily Sun that they would not waste time in the selection process as the court had already spelt out who is qualified to contest for the coveted throne.

The Etubom, who is a diehard supporter of the immediate-past Obong, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V said, “within the week, a new Obong will be announced,” and that it would be final because efforts were being made to reach out to all aggrieved persons and families. With this ruling, the position of the incumbent Obong of Calabar appears to have been further consolidated as he is the only challenger.

“For us, the Appeal Court ruling has simplified the matter with regard to those Etuboms who are qualified to contest and the selection processes involved. All we are doing right now is to hold some meetings and clink glasses to the landmark judgment that brought honour and respect back to our kingdom.

“We will not be deterred in electing our monarch, no matter the litigations we have been subjected to. We still believe that this is the time for all Efik sons and daughters to be united to restore the past glory of the Efiks,” he stated. SOURCE: http://www.sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/kingmakers-set-to-select-new-obong-of-calabar/

By Omoh Gabriel, Business Editor
Zenith Bank tops Nigerian banks in this year’s Top 1000 World Banks Ranking of The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group, London, United Kingdom. The 13 banks that made the ranking are Zenith Bank, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, First City Monument Bank, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Union Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.

Zenith Bank moved 35 places from 322 in the world last year to 287, First Bank moved from 338 to 367, Guaranty Bank moved to 417 from 455, Access Bank moved to 506 from 541 and UBA moved to 553 from 563.

In the capital asset ratio of soundness parametre, Zenith Bank came top at 17.70 per cent followed by Guaranty Trust Bank at 16.23 per cent. Third is Fidelity Bank at 15.67 per cent, Standard Chartered Nigeria is fourth at 13.38 per cent followed by FCMB at 12.00 per cent and First Bank at 11.96 per cent, Access Bank at 11.60 per cent, Stanbic IBTC at 11.55 per cent, Ecobank at 11.14 per cent, Skye Bank at 9.90 per cent, UBA at 7.65 per cent, Diamond Bank at 7.31 per cent, and Union Bank at 6.35 per cent. According to a press release from the Country Representative – Nigeria of The Banker, Mr. Kunle Ogedengbe, 13 Nigerian banks made the ranking this year and it saw the return of Union Bank to the league of top global banks.
Godwin Emefiele, Zenith MD

Godwin Emefiele, Zenith MD

These movements according to analysts are a good sign of the improvements of the soundness of the Nigerian banks among the world global banks and the robust monetary policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Ogedengbe stressed that the ranking is usually based on the definition of Tier–1 Capital as set out by Basel’s Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and that it aims to show global international banks’ soundness in relation to the Basel guidelines on capital adequacy. The percentage change in the Tier-1 Capital, which underlines the strength of banks, for Zenith Bank increased by 23.82 per cent, the highest in the wholly Nigerian banks that made the ranking.

According to the Banker magazine, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has leapfrogged two U.S. banks to top the 2013 global ranking of banks with the most capital, highlighting the growing size and importance of Chinese lenders. ICBC topped The Banker magazine’s annual list of the top 1,000 banks for the first time, relegating Bank of America to third from first, while JPMorgan Chase remained second. ICBC was third last year.

The rankings are based on Tier 1 capital as a measure of a bank’s ability to lend on a large scale and endure shocks. ICBC has for some time ranked as the top bank by market value. Britain’s HSBC, which gains much of its earnings from Asia, was fourth in The Banker’s list, with China Construction Bank (CCB) ranked fifth. China had four banks in the top 10 and 96 in the Top 1,000. Its top four lenders – ICBC, CCB, Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China – filled the top positions for profit in 2012. ICBC’s $49 billion profit put it top of the profit table for a third successive year. Total profit for the biggest 1,000 banks is now back close to levels achieved before the 2007/09 financial crisis, but the regional share has shifted significantly”, The Banker said.

Banker Magazine report said “In fact, Africa stands out as top performer this year. At 2.3 per cent, it now has a higher share of global profits than Western Europe, despite accounting for less than 0.8 per cent of global assets. Pre-tax profits are up more than 30 per cent in this year’s ranking, more than double the rise in China. Its return on assets is 2.1 per cent, far outstripping Asia-Pacific or Latin America.

“China and Brazil both recorded return on assets of below 1.6 per cent, with Brazil’s total profits actually falling in financial year 2012. Kenya is the top African market for return on assets, at more than 5 per cent, and enjoys a new entrant in the ranking – the Cooperative Bank of Kenya entering at 1000. Elsewhere, Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing markets, and it has a 43 per cent return on capital. Total assets per capita are not much more than $40, making this the most underbanked country represented in the Top 1000.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/zenith-leads-12-other-nigerian-banks-in-world-top-1000/#sthash.n4TWz1Fb.dpuf

The long Awaited © DJ WISDYTECH™ FIXTAPE NAIJA PLAYLIST EDITION Vol.3... 2013. Finaly Drops Today Sat. 6th-July-2013-. To God be The Glory. DOWNLOAD FOR FREE: @ http://www.hulkshare.com/9tx2t7domrcw | Share | Like | Comment |

Less than 10mins b4 d release of © DJ WISDYTECH™ FIXTAPE NAIJA PLAYLIST EDITION Vol.3 2013..... Are u READY?

xcolanto: The Hypocricy of the west and their allies! Millions of Egytians took to the streets to protest the "brotherhood" style rulership of Morsi as against the minor support received from his clan members ( the brotherhood).Thought in "U.S style democracy" majority carries the vote? If a higher populace mixed of all religious, traditional and ethnic background all come together to say they don't want their present goverment due to the rulership style favouring one fraction of the populace, what's undemocratic about that? Afterall this was the same method employed during the arab spring in which the west claimed To have supported the majority in having their say on who leads them. Now what wrong has the egytpian people done this time any different from before? The west just has an itchy mouth in favouring who would serve their intrest most, rather than who servers the intrest of the egytpian people. They the west should stop interfering with the politics and lives of soverign nations and face their internal problems as they clearly have much to speak on.

Nice Words...........

By AKEEB ALARAPE

A prosecution witness in the ongoing probe into abuse of the Petroleum Support Fund of the Federal Government, Mr. Mohammed Adedapo, has told a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, how three oil marketers allegedly forged documents to perpetrate N1.1 billion.

Adedapo, who testified in the trial of Messrs Abdullahi Alao, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, told Justice Lateefat Okunnu, how the marketers collected money for products not supplied.

The oil marketers, alongside their companies, Majope Investment Ltd and Axenergy Ltd are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraudulently obtaining N1.1 billion from the Petroleum Support Fund of the Federal Government.

At the resumed sitting of the court yesterday, Adedapo, who is an inspector of petroleum products of Q and Q Control Marine Services Nigeria Ltd, alleged that Alao and his co-defendants had imported about 4,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products but had obtained subsidy payment for 15,000 metric tonnes.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr. Francis Usani, the witness said Q and Q was contracted by Oando Oil and Gas Plc to inspect the quantity of products brought in by a vessel, MT Brief on behalf of Majope Investment Ltd. He stated that the discharge was done at Lister Jetty in Apapa between January 22 and 23, 2011, saying that the vessel brought 15,000 metric tonnes.

According to him, about 4,000 metric tonnes were discharged into the facility while the remaining quantity was taken away by the vessel. Adedapo said he wrote a protest letter to the captain of the ship as a result of the discrepancy witnessed in the transaction after which he issued a Shore Tank Certificate to the marketers indicating that only 4,000 metric tonnes were discharged in the facility.

Under cross-examination by counsel to the defendants, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN) and Mr. Oludare Falana, Adedapo maintained that he did not sign any document indicating that 15,000 metric tonnes were discharged.

“The Shore Tank Certificate showing that 15,000 metric tonnes were supplied was not signed by me. The signature looks like mine but this document did not emanate from Q and Q,” he added. Following the denial, Falana ordered him to sign on a blank paper for comparison of the signatures.

The paper was admitted by the court as Exhibit P6. At this juncture, the court adjourned till July 24 for continuation of trial. In a related development, the trial of three other oil marketers, Messrs Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ekeoma could not hold yesterday because the counsel to the defendants, Mr. Lai Babatunde, urged the court to allow him sort out some matters with his clients. During proceedings, Anosike’s counsel, Mr. Lai Babatunde (SAN), informed the court that he was contemplating his withdrawal from the matter based on recent developments.

He, therefore, asked the court for an adjournment to enable him discuss further with his client. The marketers and their firms, Anosike Group of Companies and Dell Energy Ltd. are facing trial before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo for an alleged N1.5 billion fuel subsidy fraud. The judge adjourned the matter till September 18, for mention.

------READ MORE: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/national/subsidy-fraud-how-oil-marketers-defrauded-fg-efcc-witness/

President Barack Obama yesterday urged Egypt’s military to hand back control to a democratic, civilian government without delay, but stopped short of calling the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi a coup.

Obama said he was ‘deeply concerned’ by the military’s move to topple Morsi’s government and suspend Egypt’s constitution.

He said he was ordering the U.S. government to assess what the military’s actions meant for U.S. foreign aid to Egypt.

Under U.S. law, the government must suspend foreign aid to any nation whose elected leader is ousted in a coup d’etat.

The U.S. provides $1.5 billion a year to Egypt in military and economic assistance that is considered a critical U.S. national security priority.

British foreign secretary William Hague said he had sent a rapid deployment team of diplomats to reinforce its embassy in Cairo, the Egyptian capital. The team is expected to give additional support to British nationals and prepare for any possible evacuation if the situation deteriorated.

Mr Hague said the military coup in Egypt sets a ‘dangerous precedent’ for the country’s future.

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, he said the British government did not support the deposing of President Morsi. We don’t support military intervention as a way of resolving disputes,’ he said.

‘There’s a dangerous precedent to do that. If one president can be deposed, then so can another in the future. But it’s happened, so we have to recognise the situation will move on.

‘We have to work with whoever is in authority in Egypt for the safety of British citizens – there are so many British companies over there.’

‘We make our views clear. This is a military intervention but it’s a popular intervention; there’s no doubt about that. We have to recognise there was enormous dissatisfaction with the government. Stability in the long term comes from democracy.’

Late Wednesday night, the supreme leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood was arrested over the killing of eight protesters during the uprising which toppled President Mohamed Morsi, security officials revealed yesterday.

Mohammed Badie was detained late Wednesday night in the Mediterranean coastal city of Marsa Matrouh, near the Libyan border, where he has been staying in a villa owned by a businessman with Brotherhood links.

He was flown to Cairo in a military helicopter, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

He, and his powerful deputy, Khairat el-Shater, are wanted for questioning over their role in the killing this week of eight demonstrators in clashes outside the Brotherhood’s Cairo headquarters.

A report by the official news agency gave no further details, but Mr Badie and Mr el-Shater are on a wanted list of more than 300 Brotherhood members and leaders of other Islamist groups.

The BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen reporting from Egypt tweeted that a chant secular Egypt loves to hear at demos is: ‘No more beards’, in relation to the beard-wearing Muslim Brotherhood.

Badie and el-Shater have been widely believed to be the source of real power in Egypt during the rule of Mr Morsi.

Morsi himself, the Brotherhood veteran who a year ago became Egypt’s first freely elected president, has been held in an unknown location since the generals pushed him out yesterday.

The Brotherhood announced it would boycott the new military-sponsored political process and called on its supporters to restrain themselves and not use violence.

“We declare our uncompromising rejection of the military coup staged against the elected president and the will of the nation and refuse to participate in any activist with the usurping authorities,”said the statement, which the group’s mufti Abdel-Rahman el-Barr read to the Morsi’s supporters staging a days-long sit-in in Cairo.

The arrest came as the chief justice of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court was sworn in as the nation’s interim president, taking over hours after the military ousted the Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

Celebrations took place across Egypt all on Wednesday night after the head of Egypt’s armed forces issued a declaration suspending the constitution and appointing the head of the constitutional court as interim head of state.

Gehad el-Haddad, a spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood party, said Morsi was under house arrest at a Presidential Guard facility where he had been residing, while 12 of his aides were also being held.

Earlier, the chief justice Adly Mansour took the oath of office at the Nile-side Constitutional Court in a ceremony broadcast live on state television.

According to military decree, he will serve as Egypt’s interim leader until a new president is elected. A date for that vote has yet to be set.

In his first remarks, Mr Mansour praised the massive street demonstrations that led to Mr Morsi’s removal.

He also hailed the youths behind the protests that began on June 30, saying they embodied ‘the nation’s conscience, its ambitions and hopes’.

‘The most glorious thing about June 30 is that it brought together everyone without discrimination or division,’ he said. ‘I offer my greetings to the revolutionary people of Egypt.’

Dressed in a dark blue suit and blue tie, Mr Mansour said the revolution must continue ‘so we stop producing tyrants’.

‘I look forward to parliamentary and presidential elections held with the genuine and authentic will of the people,’ he said.

‘The youths had the initiative and the noblest thing about this glorious event is that it was an expression of the nation’s conscience and an embodiment of its hopes and ambitions.

‘It was never a movement seeking to realise special demands or personal interests.’

Mr Morsi was Egypt’s first democratically elected president but was overthrown by the military on Wednesday after just one year in office.

The military, in a statement read by army chief General Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi on Wednesday night, also suspended the Islamist-drafted constitution and called for new elections. Mr Morsi has denounced the action as a ‘full coup’ by the generals.

Millions of anti-Morsi protesters around the country erupted in celebrations after the televised announcement by the army chief.

Fireworks burst over crowds in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, where men and women danced, shouting, ‘God is great’ and ‘Long live Egypt.’

But clashes erupted in several provincial cities when Islamists opened fire on police, with at least 14 people killed, security officials said.

Fears were also growing of further unrest as Islamists took to Twitter to organise a series of rallies to coincide with Friday prayers.

The fact that Egypt’s interim president comes from the Constitutional Court adds a symbolic sting to Mr Morsi’s removal.

The Islamist leader and his Muslim Brotherhood backers had repeatedly clashed with the judiciary while in power, accusing the judges of being loyalists of former autocrat Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted in a 2011 uprising, and saying they seek to undermine Egypt’s shift to democratic rule.

The judges, meanwhile, had repeatedly challenged the Brotherhood’s policies and what many in Egypt considered the group’s march to power. The Constitutional Court dissolved the Islamist-dominated parliament in June, last year, saying it was illegally elected.

Even with an interim leader now in place, Egypt remains on an uncertain course following Mr Morsi’s ousting, and the possibility of further confrontation still looms.

Beyond the fears over violence, some protesters are concerned whether an army-installed administration can lead to real democracy.

The army took control of state media and blacked out TV stations operated by the Muslim Brotherhood, while the head of the Brotherhood’s political wing was also arrested.

Social media continued to function normally, however, with both the former president’s aides and the opposition using Twitter and Facebook to provide updates.

‘Egypt remains online. So far no repeat of 2011,’ said Internet monitoring company Renesys in a Twitter message late Wednesday, according to IDG news service.

It was a far cry from the upheaval in January 2011 when President Hosni Mubarak ordered service providers to shut down all international connections to the internet.

Mr Hague insisted that the government did not make a mistake in supporting the original uprising and said Britain would continue to support Arab countries pushing for democratic reform.

‘Across the Middle East there’s a general debate taking place about the role of religion in the state, new political parties are being formed.

‘But it may well take a generation and there will be upheaval, there will be turbulence so we have to have the strategic patience. They are having debates we had in Europe hundreds of years ago.

‘I don’t think we should lose faith. Autocracy cannot be the way of the future in the 21st century.’ SOURCE: http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/obama-to-egypts-military-hand-back-control-to-democratic-govt/

Jezyfreezman: Abeq n0 dey upgrade sh1t wey n0 dey smell....dis niqqahz d0n fade....dem just dey dEm0...

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

slimyem: The scene that got me is not even here..
That scene where Paul grabbed his crotch while swinging his waist... oh la la

abi? even me... but it was not RATED.......

PICTURE NUMBER 5 & 6........

P-Square’s latest musical release is a video accompaniment to their song ”Personally,” which, in case you haven’t heard it, features them declaring the things they want to do and how they want to “deal with you,” among other things, “persona-personally.”

The video is as impressive as anything we’ve come to expect from the duo, the twins burning up the screen with charisma as compelling as the song is catchy, and below we present to you the top 5 take-aways from the visual.

- These guys can dance

Of course this goes without saying at this point, but really, it’s worth mentioning that their talent in this regard is not dwindling in the slightest.

- They are serious hard workers

Beyond the innate dancing ability that the video reminds us these twins possess, what stands out even more is their dedication to their craft. The video sees them pulling off moves that would have taken a time period we can even begin to imagine, to perfect. There’s lots of hip thrusting and fancy footwork, the intricacies of which are all pulled off with the kind of precision that doesn’t happen by accident. Just when we were beginning to buy into our own delusions of possibly one day being able to pull off the cardio routine disguised as the dance routine they threw at us in “Alingo,” they give us this.

- They’ve got great taste in suits

Picture 1

… or a great stylist. Either way, those suits and hats are looking mighty sharp. Oh, and did you notice the shoes?

- They’re Michael Jackson fans

Picture 2

And they want everyone to know it. The whole video plays out like some sort of belated MJ Tribute, (then again, any tribute to the late King of Pop is never untimely,) with the boys dressed in sequined suits and some of his other his signature outfits, recreating moves from some of his legendary videos, most notable of which would probably be Thriller.

Picture 3

And just in case we didn’t notice all of that, there’s also a picture right behind.

Picture 4

- Yes, that’s Kaffy.

Picture 5

Everyone’s favourite dancer/choreographer/World Record Holder Kafayat Shafau aka Kaffy rears her weave-laden head here again. Now, we love Kaffy, and we are in awe of her stamina, but it is exactly for this reason we are perplexed here. Seriously, she pops up in pretty much every video with a dance scene for a major Nigerian artiste. We’re not done appreciating her moves in Seyi Shay’s recently released Irawo video and here she is popping and locking again. Seeing the same face in every video can’t possibly not get old, can it? Ah well….

- Paw-Paw is still as hilarious as ever.

Picture 6

Osita Iheme shows up here and reminds us why he’s undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most recognizable comic actors. Seriously, he barely does anything here and it’s still a riot to see! SOURCE: http://www.ynaija.com/6-things-we-learnt-from-psquares-new-video-personally/

The Candy Shop singer kicked the mother of his child after breaking down her bedroom door during a row, it is claimed.
50 CentThe alleged victim and 50 Cent have a child together

Rapper 50 Cent has been charged with attacking his ex-girlfriend and trashing her Los Angeles home.

The star is accused of kicking and injuring his former partner after breaking down the door to the bedroom she had locked herself in.

He allegedly destroyed property worth $7,100 (£4,650) during the altercation with the mother of a child the pair had together.

Police say they found broken chandeliers and damaged furniture throughout the woman’s apartment.

Officers also found a ransacked bedroom closet and the woman’s clothes thrown all over the floor.

They said the rapper, real name Curtis Jackson, had left the scene before police arrived.

City Attorney Mike Feuer said the In da Club singer was charged with domestic violence and vandalism.

“Regardless of perceived celebrity or notoriety, domestic violence is a serious crime and alleged perpetrators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by this office,” he said.

“We will continue to look out for the safety of all victims of domestic violence and seek justice for the alleged crimes.”

If convicted of the charges relating to the incident on June 23 he faces up to five years in jail and $46,000 (£30,000) in fines.

Police say the woman had previously been in a three-year relationship with Jackson.

The 37-year-old’s representative has not responded to a request for comment, but the rapper himself said on his Twitter account: “I’m in the car I haven’t been arrested.” He is due to be formally charged in an LA court on July 22.
READ MORE: http://www.ynaija.com/domestic-violence-rapper-50-cent-charged-with-assaulting-and-injuring-ex-girlfriend/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Its sumhw FUNNY.... but REAL..............

From GBENGA ADESUYI, Ibadan

Uneasy calm pervaded Bodija market, in Ibadan and environs yesterday, as the corpses of 10 Beans traders allegedly killed by the dreaded Boko Haram arrived Ibadan from Mugunu, Borno State, where they had met their untimely death. The executive of the Bodija market union, at about 3pm, received the corpses at Egbeda tollgate.

The names of the victims, according to Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the market union, Mr. Akeem Emiola, were given as Seye Adegboyega, Jelili Popoola, Ojo Mosobalaje, Fatai Kareem and Femi Oyetunde.

Others were Ninalowo Saheed, Saburu Lanlehin, Lekan Oladokun, Sola Adeoye and Nurudeen Lawal. Emiola said two of the traders, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola and Taoheed Azeez narrowly escaped being killed by the sect.

Four of the traders had been allegedly killed in similar circumstances on May 5. Majority of the latest victims were said to be apprentices serving their various masters. On sighting the corpses yesterday, the families of the victims, traders and symphatisers who had waited for several hours, wept uncontrollably, lamenting the pains the sect had caused the family of the victims.

On the conflicting report that the sect killed about 25 people, Emiola said: “We cannot confirm that. What we know is that 10 of our people were killed. May be it is true, we don’t know.” Taoheed Adewuyi (32), one of the survivors of the attack, told Daily Sun that God saved him from the attack

“They stopped us along the way and asked us to come down from the car and lie down. They thereafter, started shooting us one after the other. I was the third person. I was also shot, but the gunshot did not hit me well. I fainted. It was after an hour when I regained consciousness that I discovered that I was still alive, when trailer came to pick the dead bodies. When I stood up, they were surprised,” he said.

On why he was not killed, he said: “When one of them discovered that one of us was still breathing, he went into their car and took out a knife, with which he used to slaughter him. I almost cried out, but I cannot because they must not know I was alive. I laid on one of the dead.”

Babaloja of Oyo State, Chief Dauda Adisa Oladapo, while commenting on the ugly incident urged the Federal Government to take drastic measure on the Boko Haram issue. SOURCE- http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/agony-in-bodija-as-corpses-of-slain-traders-arrive/

From Iheanacho Nwosu, Abuja

House of Representatives yesterday asked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to appear before it over her assertion that the economy will collapse in September if the National Assembly failed to approve the 2013 Budget amendment bill sent to it by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It said the minister’s claim could not be swept under the carpet because it had grave consequence on the well being of the country. The minister was quoted as saying during a radio programme that the incumbent administration may not be able to pay workers salaries if the lingering problems with the amended budget were not resolved quickly .

She said: “We have been able to implement the budget to a state that we now discovered that there has to be some amendment. So, Mr President sent the amendments to the National Assembly. I think we can continue for a little while longer; we need the amendment to pass because come September or October we may not be able to pay salaries.

“One important part of the amendment is the salary that was moved out of that category to other subheads, which has to be restored: We need to restore N36billion for salary that was carried out so that the country will not shut down.”

President Goodluck Jonathan forwarded a bill amending the earlier 2013 budget of N4.987 trillion to the National Assembly in March. The House, penultimate Wednesday rejected the amendment, claiming that the President was not precise on areas in the budget that he was seeking amendment.

However, President Jonathan forwarded a fresh budget amendment bill on Wednesday, listing the areas that should be amended. Faulting the views of the minister, Samson Osagie, in a motion under matters of national importance, accused Okonjo Iweala of raising false alarm . He argued that the minister was deliberately inciting the public against the National Assembly.

He said: “ The House notes with regrets, the assertion by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala to the effect that the nation will shut down by September 2013 if the National Assembly fails to pass the so called 2013 budget amendments.

“This assertion is intended not only to blackmail the National Assembly in the performance of its constitutional mandate but also to incite Nigerian workers against a legitimate and most important institution of government – the National Assembly.

“ Aware that there is a subsisting and valid appropriation Act duly signed into law by the President, which is the operating budget for the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the financial year 2013.”

He accused the executive of deliberately delaying the full implementation of the budget, alleging that the minister of finance had insulted the National Assembly with her comment.

“ Further aware that from available reports, the executive organ of government is deliberately delaying or exercising undue tardiness in the implementation of the 2013 budget . “Disturbed that pendency of an amended budget proposals before the legislature is not an excuse for non implementation of the substantive budget.

“Worried that the minister of finance had consistently insulted the sensibilities of the institution of the National Assembly through her constant umbrage and blackmail of this institution.” He said the executive must implement the budget passed into law and stop diverting the attention of the public from its failings.

Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the session agreed that the comment by the minister should not be swept under the carpet. He directed the committees on Finance , Appropriation and Legislative Compliance to invite her and find out if indeed she made the comment. Though no date was set for the summon, the committees were asked to report back to the committee on Tuesday next week. ---READ MORE: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/2013-amended-budget-reps-summon-okonjo-iweala-over-collapse-of-economy-in-september/

From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

A cleric that described himself as the chairman of bishops in Rivers State, Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl and sponsoring the abortion of the baby.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 2p.m on April 29, at Calvary Army Ministry in Rumuoji Eneka, in Obio/Akpor Local Goverment Area of the state.

The cleric allegedly admitted that he had a carnal knowledge of the victim (name withheld), but attributed the crime to a set-up by his enemies.

Bishop Nwabueze, who was paraded yesterday, at the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Port Harcourt, told journalists that anyone could fall victim under manipulation.

He alleged that it was his fellow bishop and the host where he went to minister as a guest preacher that planned the incident because there had been a tussle for the chairmanship seat of the communion of bishops.

“We have different colleges of bishops. I am the chairman of Communion of Bishops in Rivers State. Well, what actually happened was a set up. It was set up by my enemies. I have so many people who are my enemies. The man who is in charge of where I went to minister is my enemy. He is the person that set me up.

“He invited me to his church for a programme, claiming to be my friend and after the programme, he set me up because of what we were dragging. We are in a tussle for chairmanship of the communion and that was why he set me up.”

He told newsmen that it was after praying for the girl in his office on the fateful day that she allegedly seduced him into having sex with her, pointing out that he did not rape her. I was surprised when I saw her pulling off her clothes . But, before you knew it, I had carnal knowledge of her. That is the truth of the matter.

“She laughed at me and said ‘are you angry? I told her that I did not know what she had hypnotised me for and she said I should not bother. I was so angry that I called some of my pastors and made a confession that I did not know what happened.”

The suspect maintained that if he raped her as alleged, the girl would have raised the alarm, because many people were within the church premises.

According to him, it was after a month that the victim’s father called him on phone, saying that his daughter was pregnant.

Though, the cleric admitted funding the victim’s laboratory test and other hospital bills, he stressed that it was the girl’s father that insisted on abortion, adding that he took her to a clinic, where it was confirmed that the victim had aborted the child.

Meanwhile, the police have advised parents to carefully choose where their children worship and be wary of some clergies.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of SCID, Samuel Okaula, who paraded the bishop and a male nurse, said the arrest of Bishop Nwabueze should serve as a deterrent to other so-called clerics. :::. SOURCE: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/bishop-rapes-15-year-old-girl-in-port-harcourt/

As the alleged pictures of hemp displayed by Tonto Dike in the social media continues to generate buzz and gossips, the controversial screen diva has condemned those spreading the rumour without due confirmation, saying, the story was made up, based on some assumptions.

In a release made available to DailyPost, Dike had said that those photos did not originate from her, as they were originally sent to her instagram page on her birthday. She denied that those pictures were real, arguing that they were mere birthday designs made by a fan, which she responded with a “thank you” message.

Tonto stressed that in as much as she would have loved to remain mum over the matter, the magnitude of the rumour called for some clarification.

She said “As much as I would like to ignore the current issue on hemp, I think I owe well-meaning people some clarification. It is so easy the misconception that can come from a picture- the genius of technology. If you cannot find me holding a wrap of marijuana then you may want to slow down on your assumptions. We shouldn’t use our platforms to spread half-truths

“A fan wrote those words with herbs on my birthday on instagram, and I replied: “Thank you #teampoko”. Now, how does someone else’s action become my crime?” She asked.

In justifying her earlier post that she smokes ganja and weed while her haters smoke her gossip, she said ” If I said those words (‘Mi smoke ganja, mi smoke weed, while my hatez smoke ma gossip’ ) I will stand by them, but I didn’t, and just because it is convenient for people to believe the lies, still doesn’t make it the truth. The whole thing is falsified by people who just love to have fun at other’s expense” She condemned.

Stressing that the current pictures being circulated were falsified and not like the original one sent to her instagram page, she said “Let’s put some thought to some of the things we write. Don’t do cut-and-paste. The original pictures are there to see; but no! That is too boring to be the truth. We want the truth to be nasty and spicy for our enjoyment, even if it is a pack of lies. Visit my instagram page and see if the original picture is the same as the ones being circulated.

She affirmed that she is head strong and won’t let anything deter her, “Personally, I have moved on to more significant things, and I want you to join me. Do you know how many women suffer domestic violence in Nigeria? What can be done to stop it? Shouldn’t we try to revive the Nigerian homes, so we can groom happy and confident children? I am putting the weight of my voice behind domestic violence. What about you?

“Stop hitting, slapping, cursing, hurting your partner! Where is the love? Let’s restore the dignity of the society with the platform given to us by God. Use that platform of yours to build awareness for more important issues. She concluded.

Meanwhile, DailyPost had reported earlier that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, had said on Friday that it would investigate the act.

Most analysts have said that Dike’s latest reaction to the tittle-tattle may have come as a result of the recent threat by NDLEA, just to dissuade them from further investigation on the matter. SOURCE: http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/06/29/if-you-cant-find-me-with-marijuana-slow-down-on-your-assumptions-tonto-dikeh/

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Abdulwahab Abdulah & Dapo Akinrefon

ABUJA—A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, barred President from appointing Service Chiefs for the federation without the consent of the National Assembly.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed before the court by Lagos-based activist, Mr Festus Keyamo, Justice Adamu Bello, maintained that it was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void for the President to single handedly okay persons for appointment as Service Chiefs.

Though the court did not order their immediate removal from office, those whose appointment were adversely affected by the judgment yesterday were the Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval Staff.

The court also held that Section 18 (1) & (2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, is in conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and do not fall within the category of existing laws under Section 315 (2) of the constitution which any sitting President may by an order, modify its text to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the constitution.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, other Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, taking the salute during the Wreath Laying Ceremony to mark the 2013 Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Cenotaph, Eagle Square, Abuja, yesterday. Photo:Abayomi Adeshida

PHOTO BELOW SHOWS: The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, other Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police Photo:Abayomi Adeshida

Specifically, Keyamo had in his suit, urged the court to among other things, determine: “Whether by the combined interpretation of the provisions of Section 218 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Section 18 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the 1st Defendant can appoint the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Chief of Naval Staff without the confirmation of the National Assembly sought and obtained.

He also asked the court to determine “whether Section 18 (1) & (2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 is not in conformity with the provision of the 1999 Constitution so as to fall within the category of existing laws under Section 315 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, that the President, may, by Order, modify its text, to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the Constitution.”

Keyamo insisted that the practice of side-stepping the constitutional requirement of involving the National Assembly in the appointment of Service Chiefs began under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that subsequent administrations adopted the illegal practice.

Therefore, he beseeched the court for: “A declaration that the appointment of Service Chiefs for the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the President, without the confirmation of the National Assembly is illegal, unconstitutional and void.

“A declaration that Section 18 (1) & (2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, is in conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution so as not to fall within the category of existing laws under Section 315 (2) – of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, that the President, may, by order, modify its text, to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the Constitution.”

He also prayed the court for: “An order restraining the President from further appointing Service Chiefs for the Federation without first obtaining the confirmation of the National Assembly”.

Justice Bello in his judgment, yesterday, upheld his arguments and granted all the prayers that were sought by the plaintiff.

The judgement is a good one —Aturu

Reacting to the judgement delivered by the court, rights crusader, Mr Bamidele Aturu said it was a good one.

In a telephone chat with Vanguard, Aturu said: “If the court has looked at the papers and has ruled in his favour, it is a good one and that is what we encourage Nigerians to do. Nigerians should go to court more often and challenge such things. If President decides to appoint Service Chiefs without approval from the National Assembly, that is a breach of our democracy. I congratulate the plaintiff, Festus Keyamo for going to court and I think Nigerians should emulate him. Nigerians should do more of such because people cannot take laws into their hands. I expect that the President will quickly do what is right instead of filing frivolous appeals, which will just be an unnecessary waste of time.”

I commend the court’s decision —Emeka Ngige

“I commend the decision of the Federal High Court. It is sound and it is not surprising that the court ruled in that way. My reservation, however, is that the judgment is coming rather late after five years that the matter was filed by way of originating summons.

“That may have defeated the course of action. If this judgment has been delivered may be in 2009, it could have been better, when some of the service chiefs were in office. This is not relevant now because those appointed afterwards were confirmed by the National Assembly.

“So, the judiciary should endeavor to give judgment on constitutional interpretation timely, in order not to render the exercise a mere academic.”

It’s sound judgment —Femi Falana

The judgement is sound and it is commendable on the part of the plaintiff, my learned friend, Mr Festus Keyamo. The judgment has gone a long way to challenge the culture of impunity in our country, and it is also a challenge to the Senate to insist on full compliance with the provision of the constitution, with respect to its powers to screen candidates for the position of service chiefs.

This is not one of the cases that should be appealed by the government.”

It defends rule of law—Jiti Ogunye

“The decision of the Federal High Court is highly commendable and it is meant to defend the rule of law and our democracy. By the combined Sections 218 of the constitution, and section 18 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation, the President has the power to appoint the service chiefs, but subject to confirmation and the approval of the National Assembly.”

This decision of the Federal High Court is for the defence of the rule of law and it is to ensure among other things that the power of appointment of service chiefs by the president is not exercised in an arbitrary manner contrary to the provision of section 218 of the constitution.

So, the president has to consider the federal character in the appointment of the service chiefs including the Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, and the Inspector General of police.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/presidency-cant-pick-service-chiefs-alone-court/#sthash.qip0SZ6J.dpuf

54' Brazil 3 - 0 Spain

45' Brazil 2 - 0 Spain

24'

Foul by Dani Alves (Brazil).

24'

Jordi Alba (Spain) wins a free kick on the left wing.

24'

Sergio Busquets (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

24'

Foul by Fred (Brazil).

23'

Attempt missed. Sergio Ramos (Spain) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the right from a direct free kick.

22'

Foul by Luiz Gustavo (Brazil).

22'

Andrés Iniesta (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

21'

Sergio Busquets (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

21'

Foul by Oscar (Brazil).

21'

Foul by Sergio Ramos (Spain).

21'

Hulk (Brazil) wins a free kick on the right wing.

20'

Attempt missed. Fernando Torres (Spain) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Xavi with a cross following a corner.

20'

Corner, Spain. Conceded by Julio César.

19'

Attempt missed. Andrés Iniesta (Spain) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Fernando Torres.

18'

Foul by David Luiz (Brazil).

18'

Fernando Torres (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

15'

Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

15'

Neymar (Brazil) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

15'

Foul by Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain).

15'

Corner, Spain. Conceded by Dani Alves.

14'

Attempt missed. Fernando Torres (Spain) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Juan Mata with a cross.

13'

Attempt saved. Paulinho (Brazil) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.

9'

Marcelo (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

9'

Foul by Fernando Torres (Spain).

8'

Attempt missed. Oscar (Brazil) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Fred.

8'

Foul by Pedro (Spain).

8'

Luiz Gustavo (Brazil) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

6'

Foul by Dani Alves (Brazil).

6'

Andrés Iniesta (Spain) wins a free kick on the left wing.

6'

Xavi (Spain) wins a free kick on the right wing.

6'

Foul by Paulinho (Brazil).

2'

Goal! Brazil 1, Spain 0. Fred (Brazil) right footed shot from very close range to the top left corner.

1'

Foul by Sergio Busquets (Spain).

1'

Fred (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.



Lineups are announced and players are warming up.



First Half begins.

GOALS: 2Mins' [1 - 0] Fred