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6 March 2015

EFCC arraigns captain, 22 others for oil bunkering

The suspects

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday took 20 men including one Captain Daniel Lebile before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority.

The accused persons were arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba on three counts in relation to the offence.

Apart from Lebile, the others are Ala Ibanibo, Wole Ajayi, Adesunloye Fani-Kayode, Michael Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi, Johnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye and Kayode Ireti.

Others are Chuks Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos, Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy and Godwin Oputeh.

The accused persons were arraigned alongside their vessel, MV Long Island, and their companies, Afa Global Impex Services Limited and GFL Marine Service Limited.

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello

Nigeria is targeting over three million metric tonnes of imported cargoes from Niger Republic through improved seaport efficiency .

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, disclosed this at an interactive session with journalists in Lagos.

Bello said Niger Republic, a landlocked country, was annually importing the said amount of cargoes through Togo, Republic of Benin and Ghana.

He said, “We are talking with Nigerien shippers. We want them to import their cargoes through our ports. Already, we have lost a tremendous amount of money to other African ports through cargo diversion.”

Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State, Mr. Akin Orebiyi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that smartcard readers would be tested in 12 states chosen from across the six geo-political zones of the country to assess their efficiency ahead of the general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.

According to the INEC boss, Lagos and Ekiti states have been chosen for the exercise in the South-West which would feature voters presenting their Permanent Voter Cards for accreditation and verification.

Orebiyi explained that the exercise would enable the electoral body to identify challenges that may rear its head on the election days with a view to correcting them.

Tinubu and Fashola

In a bid to neutralise the effect of the visits of President Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos, chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, led by former Governor Bola Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola, will on Saturday hold a one-million-man march.

Lagos, which has the highest number of voters in the country, will be a major battleground between the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC.

Addressing journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the Lagos State coordinator of the APC Campaign Organisation, Mr. James Faleke, said the walk would begin from Maryland through Allen Avenue and end at Alausa, behind the Ikeja City Mall.

National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed

The All Progressives Congress says it has uncovered a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party to frame the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in order to justify his sacking.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday that the PDP was plotting to deposit a huge amount of money into the bank account of Jega and make it appear as if the money emanated from Tinubu.

Mohammed said since the PDP had been unable to stop the use of Permanent Voter Cards and card readers, the next step would be a plot by the ruling party to attempt to undermine Jega’s credibility in the eyes of Nigerians so as to get him sacked.

Editor's Report

Editor's corner

Former Nigeria coach, Adegboye Onigbinde

Former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, and ex-Golden Eaglets manager, Henry Nwosu, have knocked the Nigeria Football Federation for the lingering controversy over the appointment of a new coach for the national team.

Since November 2014, when Nigeria failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, the NFF has not been able to get a fresh coach for the national team or renew Stephen Keshi’s contract.

And since last week the federation has stuck in a controversy with Keshi over the details of contract proposal handed him.

Keshi’s agent was on Monday quoted as saying the new deal is a “slave contract” while insisting that the former Eagles’ captain would not accept it.

National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (left); former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Deacon Victor Durodola, during a novelty match organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library

It was a fun filled football match on Wednesday evening at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta when a team led by former president Olusegun Obasanjo of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library slugged it out with a team of Ogun State Government led by the governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

At the end of the novelty match which was to commemorate the 78th birthday of Obasanjo, OOPL team beat the state government team 2-1.

The two goals were scored by Obasanjo while the Special Assistant to the governor on Special Duties scored the only goal for the government team.

For the whole of 2013, 2014 and the first two months this year, a total amount of N1.43tn was recorded as the total petrol subsidy claims from oil marketers.

Out of this amount, the Federal Government is said to be owing marketers a total of N264bn. N164bn of this amount is the actual subsidy covering part of 2014 and the first two months of 2015.

The remaining N100bn, according to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, comprised accumulated interest on loans obtained by marketers from banks for petrol imports, and foreign exchange differentials occasioned by the devaluated naira.

Agitations by marketers last month had made the Federal Government agree to pay marketers a total of N264bn as subsidy arrears for the periods under review in March (this month).

Mrs. Patience Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation on Wednesday described the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan as “an incredibly crude woman.” The party also commended Nigerians for putting up with her.

The campaign organisation was reacting to a report that Mrs. Jonathan described the APC Presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as brain dead at a campaign rally in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Tuesday.

The President’s wife also warned women against voting for Buhari because, according to her, the APC presidential candidate would put women in purdah and trample on their rights.

Musiliu Obanikoro

The Senate had a rowdy executive session for about two hours on Wednesday as a result of attempt by Senate President, David Mark, to convince his colleagues to give Musiliu Obanikoro an easy passage, in accordance to the tradition of the upper chamber in the screening of former senators nominated for appointment as ministers.

The Senate had over the years adopted the “take a bow” treatment for nominee ex-senators. Obanikoro was a member of the upper federal legislative chamber between 2003 and 2007 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy. His name is among the eight new ministerial nominees before the Senate for consideration.

Members of the opposition All Progressives Congress in the Senate had, last week, vowed to oppose the confirmation of Obanikoro.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The Federal Government on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the current petrol scarcity being experienced in many parts of the country would be over before the end of the week.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated this shortly after meeting with members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria.

The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, was also attended by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, representatives of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency and depot owners.

President Idriss Deby

President Idriss Deby of Chad on Wednesday called on Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, to surrender or face death.

Derby told a news conference in N’djamena, that he knows the whereabouts of Shekau, who, according to him, was sighted in Dikwa , a village in Borno State two days ago.

“Abubakar Shekau must surrender. We know where he is. If he doesn’t give himself up he will suffer the same fate as his compatriots,” he said.

“He (Shekau) was in Dikwa two days ago. He managed to get away but we know where he is. It’s in his interests to surrender,” Deby added.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed and Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday engaged in a war of words over the fate of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the chairman of the the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Fayose began the verbal onslaught when he described the claim by the APC of a plot by the Presidency to fire Jega, as a “mere comedy.”

The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, advised the opposition party to stop acting as if Nigeria belonged to it.

“President Goodluck Jonathan can sack Jega if he wishes and if he does, heavens will not fall,” Fayose boasted, alleging that the APC had, by its actions, shown that it had a pact with the INEC chairman.

Pope Francis didn't make pets in heaven comment

Vatican City - It was a heartwarming story for legions of pet owners and animal lovers around the world.

Pope Francis, talking to a distraught boy whose pet had died, declared there was a place in heaven for the creatures we share our lives with. His comment was reported this week by many news media outside Italy, with dozens of articles in the United States. It was veritable catnip to social media.

However, it turned out the pope had not made the comment.

Lagos - A double bomb attack that killed 31 people in a crowded market in the central Nigerian city of Jos was likely to have been carried out by Boko Haram, the state government said on Friday.

"It's an extension of the terrorist acts that have been penetrating all states and cities," Pam Ayuba, spokesman for the Plateau state governor Jonah Jang, told AFP by telephone.

The blasts happened at about 18:00 on Thursday at a makeshift market near the Terminus bus station, not far from the site of a previous attack in May that left at least 118 dead.

Twin bomb blasts have rocked Jos

Abuja - Twin bomb blasts on Thursday rocked Jos, the capital of Plateau state in north-central Nigeria, killing at least 31 people, the newspaper Vanguard reported.

Reports said the bombs exploded at a makeshift market near a busy motor park and a fast food restaurant.

"The bodies recovered so far are 31, but rescue workers are at the scene and the figures may change," Vanguard quoted a spokesman for Plateau state governor as saying.

Yola - Dauda Bello came face-to-face with Boko Haram militants but managed to escape their hail of bullets, fleeing to safety after a marathon drive on a brutal mountain road.

"It was terrible... [Boko Haram] was firing in every direction," he told AFP in Yola, the capital of northeast Nigeria's Adamawa state, where he fled from the town of Mubi in late October.

Bello is just one of more than 1.5 million Nigerians forced from their homes by the raging Islamist insurgency, which has left 13 000 dead since 2009 and raised fears of a humanitarian crisis.

Sierra Leone doctors die of Ebola

Freetown — Two more Sierra Leonean doctors have died from Ebola, further depleting the West African country's ability to respond to the devastating outbreak, health officials said on Saturday.

The deaths bring the number of Sierra Leonean doctors killed by Ebola to nine. The disease is spread through the bodily fluids of people showing symptoms and people who have died of the disease. Because transmission requires close contact with those fluids, health workers are among the most at risk of contracting it and hundreds have become infected in this outbreak.

Los Angeles - Khloe Kardashian and French Montana have split for a second time.

The 30-year-old reality star is said to have called time on her on/off romance with the rapper, who she split from in September after eight months of dating before reuniting in November.

A source told Us Weekly: "Khloe just wasn't ready after Lamar and it was getting too serious."

Abuja - Nigeria on Friday said that a decision to cancel US training of its soldiers to fight Boko Haram was a logistical, not a political decision.

The US Embassy in Abuja announced on Monday that the Nigerian government had halted a training programme of an army battalion, which would have developed into a unit to take on the militants.

Los Angeles - Kim Kardashian West's wedding photo has become the most liked Instagram post.

The shot of the reality TV star and her husband, rapper Kanye West, has made history on the social media site after a photograph of them sharing a smooch while tying the knot in Florence, Italy, on May 24 attracted a huge 2.4 million 'likes'.

Lagos - A coroner on Friday put on hold an inquest into the deaths of 116 people in a church building collapse in Nigeria's commercial hub after hearing an application to suspend proceedings.

The inquest in the city has been hearing from witnesses involved in the investigation into the 12 September tragedy at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).

Mugabe alleges US plot against himHarare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has accused his vice president of plotting with the United States Embassy in the country to remove him.

Speaking at the ruling party Zanu-PF's annual conference on Saturday, Mugabe said Joice Mujuru has attended secret meetings at the embassy in Harare.

Nigeria detains Russian cargo plane

Kano - Nigeria detained a Russian cargo plane and its French-speaking crew on Saturday after it made an unauthorised landing in the northern city of Kano with military hardware bound for neighbouring Chad, a security source said. An air force spokesperson confirmed the plane had been detained but gave no further details.

The plane had been travelling from Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, to the Chadian capital N'Djamena but was forced to make an emergency landing in Kano because N'Djamena airport was closed, the security source said.

Abuja - Gunmen broke into a prison in the central Nigerian city of Minna, freeing around 200 inmates, a police spokesperson and security sources said.

The sources said the gunmen stormed the facility late on Saturday in Niger state, near to the capital Abuja. Islamist sect Boko Haram and al Qaeda-linked group Ansaru have been behind several prison raids in recent years, although it was unclear whether they had anything to do with this one.

Below is a press statement from the office of former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu...

For a while now, I have noticed and read many published political stories on Lagos politics in particular and the personalities involved that are either concerted, unsubstantiated, pure conjectures or outright falsehood. In this instance, I reference a recent story ran by a major newspaper concerning my successor and me.

Tracy Morgan is still fighting the road to recovery

Los Angeles - Tracy Morgan is still "fighting to get better" following his car crash in New Jersey in June.

The former 30 Rock star, who suffered brain injuries, a broken femur, broken nose and broken ribs when a Walmart truck smashed into the limo bus in which he was travelling in with friends in New Jersey, is trying to get back to the person he once was.

Los Angeles - Rosamund Pike is in talks to star in The Mountain Between Us.

The Gone Girl actress is said to have entered into early negotiations to appear in the Fox 2000 and Chernin

Entertainment adaptation of Charlie Martin's novel, which follows two plane crash victims as they attempt to survive in the mountains.

Nicki Minaj looks smoking hot on her latest mag cover

Los Angeles - Another week, and another magazine with Nicki Minaj on the cover.
Seems like nothing can stop this high flying mega star who seems to be very much in demand of late.

Los Angeles - Angelina Jolie plans to star in "a few more" movies.

The 39-year-old star, who previously revealed she wants to focus on directing and her humanitarian work in the future, says she isn't ready to retire from the big screen just yet.

Discussing her future acting plans, she said: "I'll do a few more."

Ex-pop star Gary Glitter denies child sex charges

London - Former British pop star Gary Glitter denied a string of sex offences against three underage girls as he appeared in a London court on Tuesday and will face trial in January.

The 1970s glam rocker faces a total of 10 charges related to the alleged crimes committed between 1975 and 1980.

The 70-year-old, whose real name is Paul Gadd, spoke to enter not guilty pleas at the Southwark Crown Court.

Los Angeles - Bono cheated death on Wednesday when a door fell off the private jet he was travelling in.

The U2 frontman was on board a Learjet 60 D-CGEO with four friends flying from Dublin, Ireland to Berlin, Germany when the tailgate of the plane became detached at 8 000ft, but the party - which did not include the rest of the group - didn't realise what had happened until they landed.

Argentina judge summons Justin Bieber for questioning over alleged attack

Buenos Aires - An investigative judge in Argentina is summoning Justin Bieber for questioning.

Bieber has been accused of sending bodyguards to attack a photographer outside a Buenos Aires nightclub during a South American tour last year.

Judge Facundo Cubas asked Interpol on Thursday to use all "necessary means" to notify the singer that he has 60 days to appear before the court in Argentina. The judge says that if Bieber fails to comply, an international arrest order will be issued.

Los Angeles - A lawyer for Bill Cosby says the comedian will not dignify "decade-old, discredited" allegations of sexual abuse with any comment.

In a statement released to The Associated Press and posted online, attorney John P Schmitt said the fact that the allegations are being repeated does not make them true.
He doesn't intend to "dignify" the allegations with a comment.

Los Angeles - Kim Kardashian West has reportedly banned sugar from her daughter's diet.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, who is married to rapper Kanye West, is said to have created a list of "forbidden foods" for their 16-month-old toddler, North, and has worked out a daily organic menu with a chef.

A source said: "Sugar is at the top of Kim's list of forbidden foods. She thinks dessert is just a recipe for disaster.

Los Angeles - Christopher Nolan will never make a comedy film.

The acclaimed director has revealed that he doesn't think he is cut out for the genre because it is so difficult to make people laugh. The filmmaker explained: "I would try anything, I think, except comedy or romantic comedy, those are very tough genres to work in."

David Beckham voted Britain's favourite tattooed star and we couldn't agree with them more!

Los Angeles - David Beckham has been voted the UK's favourite tattooed celebrity.

The retired soccer star is at the head of the leaderboard with songstress Rihanna in second place and Angelina Jolie coming a close third.

Tarzan and Jane Porter face a mercenary army dispatched by the evil CEO of Greystoke Energies, a man who took over the company from Tarzan's parents, after they died in a plane crash.

What we thought:

Tarzan 3D will be a trill to watch for fans of the story that has been told and retold time and time again through series and theatre releases alike.

Los Angeles - Kim Kardashian West doesn't think she'd exist without social media.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star believes the popularity of the show has "evolved" through the family's presence on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Cape town - In her latest movie Anne Hathaway grieves for her brother and falls for a hot folk singer.
This is the title of the film: Song One
This is the who will be starring in the movie: Johnny Flynn, Mary Steenburgen, Steve Antonucci, Al Thompson, Stefano Villabona and Walter DeForest.

Los Angeles - Gillian Anderson says there's a "possibility" a third X-Files film will be made.

The 46-year-old actress played FBI agent Dana Scully in the original sci-fi TV series and its spin-off movies and although the last film came out in 2008 she'd be up for returning to the franchise - which also starred David Duchovny as her partner Fox Mulder.

When asked about the chance of their being another movie or even another TV series, Gillian said: "Yes, there is a possibility. There is always a possibility, it's always a matter of it actually happening - and there's a lot that needs to happen between the idea and actually turning up on set, and I don't unfortunately have any control over that. But would I do it? I would, yes."

Los Angeles - Kim Kardashian West has reportedly banned sugar from her daughter's diet.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, who is married to rapper Kanye West, is said to have created a list of "forbidden foods" for their 16-month-old toddler, North, and has worked out a daily organic menu with a chef.

A source said: "Sugar is at the top of Kim's list of forbidden foods. She thinks dessert is just a recipe for disaster.

"Kim's not trying to slim her toddler down, just keep her healthy. But poor North never gets any treats, which upsets her when she's hanging out with other little kids whose parents let them eat what they want."

Khloe Kardashian aspires to be as adventurous as Kylie Jenner

Los Angeles - Khloe Kardashian "lives through" Kylie Jenner. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has revealed that she wishes she could be as daring with her hair colour as her 17-year-old step-sister.

Speaking at the launch of Hairfinity, she said: "I love that Kylie changes her hair all the time ... But, especially with Kylie dying her hair and doing all that stuff, I live through her and I wish I could dye my hair all those colours. I don't know if I could pull it off, but I love it."

The 30-year-old television personality also revealed that she "loved" when Kylie died her hair blue just before sister Kim Kardashian was due to marry Kanye West.

Los Angeles - Khloe Kardashian "celebrated life" with French Montana on Sunday night.

The 30-year-old reality star further fuelled speculation she has reunited with the rapper after attending his 30th Birthday Party Powered by CIROC Pineapple in Los Angeles, and gushed about her "baby boy" and the "timeless memories" they have created.

Los Angeles - Bruce Jenner is "not jealous" that Kris Jenner has started dating again.

The 65-year-old former athlete is reportedly couldn't be bothered about the dating profile of his 59-year-old ex-wife, who is currently with Corey Gamble, 33.

A source revealed: "There's no point in feeling jealous. He's not competing with Corey for anything.

Los Angeles - A judge has branded Rihanna's latest stalker a "ticking time bomb".

New York City judge Orlando Marrazzo fears Kevin McGlynn has the potential to become like Mark David Chapman - the man responsible for shooting and killing Beatles' star, John Lennon, in 1980, according to a report by Reuters.

The judge wrote: "He appears to be a ticking time bomb who is wholly fixated on Rihanna, and poses a direct threat of serious physical harm or death to her and anyone around her."

Freeport - A small plane crashed Sunday on approach to the island of Grand Bahama, killing all 9 people on board, the government of the Bahamas said.
The Lear 36 Executive Jet had taken off from the Bahamian capital of Nassau and crashed while attempting to land around 17:00 local time in Freeport, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.

Entertainment

Entertainment news

Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg reunite in new film Daddy's Home

Los Angeles - Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are to reunite on Daddy's Home.

The duo starred alongside one another in the 2010 comedy film The Other Guys, which also featured Eva Mendes, and they've got together once again for Paramount Pictures and Red Granite.

The new movie, directed by Sean Anders, tells the story of a mild-mannered radio executive - played by Ferrell, 47 - who wants to be the best possible stepfather to his wife's two children.

However, his ambitions are hindered by the freeloading biological father of the children - played by Wahlberg, 43 - who reappears in their lives.

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