Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuade is dead

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubose II,  is dead.  He was 85 years old.

The foremost Oba died in London at about 7:30pm last night.

He was reportedly flown to UK in an air ambulance after he became unconscious following his illness. The late Oba is survived by wives and children. May his soul rest in peace Amen.

There was primitive looting under Jonathan – Oshiomhole

 
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says there was massive looting of the commonwealth during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Governor said while he was in no position to determine if the former President was personally guilty, or if he acquiesced to the looting, but as President, he must take responsibility for what happened under his watch.


In an interview with Sahara Reporters TV in Washington DC, Governor Oshiomhole also said although he had raised many questions on the tenure of the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, he has nothing personal against her.

He said: “what is obvious is that so much money was diverted and unaccounted for from government treasury. Not just from excess crude account, but also from other agencies of government.  The numbers are huge.

For example, NNPC reports that they earned about N8 trillion within three to four years and over the same period, they claimed they spent N3.5 trillion and paid to the federation account about N4.1 trillion.

So the cost of running NNPC was as much as the cost of running the federation, both the Federal, State and local governments.  So that tells you the amount of primitive stealing that went on. The numbers are mind-boggling. So when we talk of Excess crude, that is just one element.”

He said his grouse with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was that as Coordinating Minister of the Economy, so much sleaze and malfeasance went on under her watch without raising an alarm, saying “she has to come clean. Having accepted the role of the Coordinating Minister, so many things went wrong with the Nigerian economy even to the extent that for the first time in our history, even the Federal Government could not pay salary, they had to borrow. The pension scheme has been drawn down, the social purpose of the pension scheme has now been defeated.

“So first of all we are saying, accept responsibility that you failed to manage the economy properly. Two, you never gave in even when we argued that the economy was in distress she was on record as always saying no, the economy was fine, the economy was strong, we are the largest economy on the continent. Of course, people are not fooled, just revaluing your assets and playing with the numbers. What has changed in the quality of life of the people? You have rebased the economy, have you rebased the quality of life? You haven’t!

“If you claim to have the largest economy, you can’t also plead insolvency at the same time. What we are simply asking her to do is to open the whole book. What the council has asked us to do is, the Committee of Four Governors is to just look at this excess crude thing, and show what went in, who took what, when and who authorized it. So at least we have a basis to start. But I think, going forward, we will need a forensic audit by competent auditors to look at the books so that the whole truth can be known even if we can’t retrieve some of the money but I believe a lot can be retrieved and it is good that we have a basis to identify who is responsible and who to be blamed.

“I think people need to recognize that from my own background, I am never intimidated. As a labor leader, I questioned authority, I interrogated power and the fact of being in government doesn’t give me much comfort as to be indifferent about gross abuse of power and criminal diversion of funds. What should I hate her for? What for? I am not a federal official, I am as privileged as any other governor but I am troubled by people saying one thing in the afternoon and doing another at night.

“People should ask the question, how come each time the issue of corruption and abuse or diversion of funds was raised, Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was the first to defend rather than show concern and have open mind. You remember when the CBN Governor whom you can’t dismiss talked about huge billions of dollars diverted, Ngozi was quick to say no, it is not $20billion, it is only $10.8 billion.

“Even that was offensive to good conscience and then later she said we are going to do forensic audit, NNPC books have not been audited. How could she preside over an economy in which the main player such as NNPC was not, as a matter of course, carrying out annual audit? Why should that happen under her watch? A lot of funds accruing to institutions like NIMASA were diverted. Why should that happen under her watch? Contracts were awarded without any bidding.

“If people say there was too much corruption in Nigeria, who was presiding over the economy? She is not on record as having raised any alarm on abuse of office. So there is nothing personal about it. If anything I consider her a friend but she knows that my friendship is subordinated to the bigger national interest. What do I stand to gain? I could as well play along, keep quiet, be a good guy but I will rather be a good guy to my conscience, not to any body’s face.

“So the truth is, she should answer the questions. She was reported to have said that because she didn’t approve the loan the Governor wanted to take to pay contractors and I said very good, I wanted to borrow money to pay contractors, not to pay workers but she was borrowing money to pay salaries but I have never borrowed money to pay salaries, I am up-to-date with the payment of salaries.

“So I am not grumbling because I am frustrated, I am making a point because that is the truth. She is not entitled to claim an honor that she doesn’t deserve in the face of these huge numbers that cannot be accounted for. I believe the President is quietly doing some works to determine what went wrong in the rot that he inherited, to determine who is responsible for what.

“When these numbers begin to come out, I will expect the minister to explain how she can claim to have been a successful Coordinating Minister of the Economy yet the economy suffered so much bleeding and diversion of funds.

“Here in Washington, everybody is talking about billions of dollars of Nigeria crude money that was taken. How could you supervise an economy, you are cooking the soup, the elephant leg is being stolen and you didn’t raise an alarm. People raised an alarm and you shut them up. So I think Nigerians should move away from sentiments. I have even heard people saying it is ethnic issues. It is the typical Nigerian issue when a public officer has no explanation, he seeks escape route by bringing in sentiments of ethnicity and religion.

“For people like me, that doesn’t disturb me at all. I am a union man, I have always interrogated power and when I was in the NLC, I challenged some of our policies. So she knows where I stand. I would rather be known for something that be known for nothing.

“On the issue of PMB decision to probe the immediate past administration of GEJ, Oshiomhole said, “I don’t think probe is the right word. For a President whose major campaign was hinged on ‘if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us’, it is only natural that he recovers what was stolen and I think it is only patriotic that we do that.

“More also when you inherited huge debts and you will be devoting huge resources to service those debts. If we recovered money from Abacha government even after his death, why should anybody ask questions if indeed he should probe.

“I don’t think it is about probing. Probe means investigating what is not obvious but when you can see a thief stealing and you can arrest him, ask him and recover what has been stolen, that is not probe. Probe is like finding what is not clear, it is so clear that so much money was diverted even we were told we are losing 400 thousand barrels a day. How can that happen?  Yes we have always had issues of illegal bunkering but then you talk of 10 thousand or 20 thousand barrels. How can anybody explain 400,000 barrels consistently for 2, 3 consecutive years and incidentally, this is the time that the government gave out contracts to people to protect the pipelines and huge sums of money was paid. So you are asking yourself, how come during the previous government under Yar’Adua, even at the peak of militancy, we didn’t suffer this huge demurrage.

“I think it is not about choice for President Buhari whether or not to recover what has been taken. I think he is obliged to do it in the national interest. I don’t see how he can shy away from it because it is like seeing something stolen from your household and you refuse to recover it; you can see the thief, and sometimes you even can see the stolen goods.

“A lot of stealing went on under President Goodluck Jonathan’s watch, there is no question about that but as for his own personal level of guilt, it is not for me to say. But every President, just like every Governor or Local Government Chairman must accept responsibility for whatever happened under his watch. Leadership is about responsibility.”

Bill Cosby 'offered women money' for silence after sex

  


American comedian Bill Cosby admitted trying to pay women to keep quiet after having sex with them, according to testimony obtained by the New York Times.

The newspaper says Mr Cosby made the deposition 10 years ago. A lawsuit was lodged by a former university worker in Philadelphia who claimed he drugged and molested her.

Mr Cosby, now 78, is facing a series of sexual assault accusations.

He has denied the claims.

Court papers unsealed earlier this month showed that he admitted giving drugs to women with the aim of having sex with them.

The New York Times says it has obtained the deposition on which those court papers were based, in which more details are given.

Mr Cosby was questioned for four days in 2005 and 2006 in a Philadelphia hotel, and the deposition of close to 1,000 pages was formed.

The case was brought by Andrea Constand, a former employee of Temple University - the Philadelphia college with which Mr Cosby was once closely associated.

After Mr Cosby intiated what he called a mentoring relationship, Ms Constand says he then gave her a powerful drug and molested her.

Mr Cosby says he gave her only the over-the-counter antihistamine drug Benadryl.
'These romantic sexual things'

After Ms Constand became upset and returned to her native Canada, Mr Cosby offered to pay for her further education.

"My wife would not know it was because Andrea and I had had sex and that Andrea was now very, very upset and that she decided that she would like to go to school," the New York Times quotes Mr Cosby as saying in the deposition.

He is also reported as saying he was skilled in reading women's reactions: "I think I'm a pretty decent reader of people and their emotions in these romantic sexual things, whatever you want to call them."

Mr Cosby also admits paying another woman he met in 1976 and to obtaining sedatives with the aim of giving them to women to have sex with him.
Mr Cosby says allegations against him are "fantastical"

And, still in the deposition, he says he asked a model about the cancer her late father suffered with the purpose of having sex with her.

Best known as Dr Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show in 1984-92, the comedian is facing a number of allegations dating back to the 1960s.

Most of the claims of sexual assault are barred by statutes of limitations. They restrict the length of time in which legal actions can be taken after an alleged crime has been committed.

The accusations, which Mr Cosby has described as "fantastical" and "uncorroborated", have led to some of his stand-up shows being called off and the cancellation of some TV projects.

Why we invaded former NSA, Dasuki’s houses – DSS

*We are probing Dasuki to prevent treasonable felony
* Incriminating items recovered

The Department of State Services (DSS), said it invaded the houses of the immediate past National Security Adviser, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, based on ‘credible intelligence’ linking him with “alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian state.”

In a statement last night and signed by one of its officials, Tony Opuiyo, the DSS said it recovered “several items, some of which are incriminating items, including seven (7) high caliber rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears.”

According to the statement, twelve new vehicles, out of which five were bullet proofs were also seized during the raid.

The DSS had Thursday laid siege to three properties belonging to the Col. Dasuki in Abuja and Sokoto which lasted for 24 hours with the former NSA accusing the agency of witch hunting him.

Responding in the statement, the DSS blamed Dasuki for unduly prolonging the search and for the stand off between his military guards and its officers.

Read full statement:

On 16th July, 2015, about 1650 hours, based on credible intelligence linking the immediate past NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd) with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted a search on the properties belonging to the former NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd).

The properties are on Nos. 13, John Khadya Street, Nos. 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State. The search operations was planned to be simultaneously conducted, but DASUKI, refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at No. 13 John Khadya Street, Asokoro, despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant.

Consequently, what was to last not more than two (2) hours, lasted more than ten (10) hours, up till the early hours of 17th July, 2015. Indeed if not for the sense of maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned this task and the very good understanding and timely intervention of the new Chief of Army Staff, Tsukur Y. BURATAI (Maj Gen), there would have been a clash between the Army operatives guarding the house and Service operatives, as SAMBO directed the soldiers on duty not to allow any movement into his house, despite the subsisting court order.

SAMBO thereafter raised a false alarm to the military authorities to come to his aid as he failed to correctly tell the military that his property was about to be legitimately searched.

Gentlemen, please recall that SAMBO retired from the Army as a Colonel, and therefore not entitled to have military guards, if not for the fact he was NSA. Even as NSA, such guards should have been withdrawn after his removal as NSA since he would not have been entitled. The search was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered, among which were some incriminating items.

These include seven (7) high caliber rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears. The team also recovered twelve (12) new vehicles, out of which five (5) were bullet proofs. These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles were retrieved from SAMBO’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership.

For instance, what could he be doing with five (5) bullet proof cars as a retired NSA? These cars which from all available evidence were purchased with tax payers money, were being kept for possible sinister enterprise. The Service would want to state categorically that this search operation is not a witch hunt.

The Service decided to move at this time in line with current Management resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the dark days. The Service is also aware that the lethal arms and the vehicles recovered were not reflected in SAMBO’s handover notes or what could a former NSA be doing with destructive weapons and bullet proof cars which put together could disrupt the peace of any city in Nigeria for a while?

On the search of his three (3) properties, including the Sokoto residence, the Service is aware that in his capacity and given his antecedents, he might decide to use any of his residences for such diabolical plans, rather than his main residence.

Gentlemen of the press, the Service Management would want to assure members of the public that it would not trample on the freedom of individuals or groups as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and emphasized by the current administration’s position on transparency, and probity underlined by justice and equity for all Nigerians. This is the driving force for all DSS operations.

However, the Service would not hesitate to go after any person or group of persons, no matter how highly placed once such individual (s) breach or attempt to breach the laws of the Federation. The days for impunity and indecisiveness in the face of unpatriotic acts by individuals operating against the State are over.

The Service hereby appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding and partner with it in ensuring a peaceful and secured nation. In the same vein, those that are bent on breaking the rules governing our peaceful co-existence due to either the huge ill gotten wealth they have acquired or imaginary hold they think they have on our nation’s survival, are being warned to rethink.

The DSS will use all constitutional means as defined by its mandate to deal decisively with such unpatriotic individuals. The Management want to seize this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for the tremendous acts of goodwill that is being extended to the new dispensation.

The Management also wish to assure Nigerians that the gesture and confidence being expressed will be reciprocated with more dedication and service to our dear country Nigeria. Happy Eid-el-Fitri to you and indeed, all Nigerians.
Thank you.
sgd Tony OPUIYO

Idrissa Gueye: Aston Villa to sign Lille midfielder for £9m

Aston Villa are set to sign Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye in a deal worth up to £9m.

The Senegal international, 25, arrived in Birmingham on Thursday for talks with the Premier League club.

He would become manager Tim Sherwood's third signing of the summer, following defender Micah Richards and forward Scott Sinclair.

Gueye has made 134 appearances in Ligue 1 with Lille and has been capped 18 times for his country.

12 die as Boko Haram attacks Borno villages

 No fewer than 10 people were feared dead with 7 others sustaining gunshots wounds when suspected members of Boko Haram invaded nearby surrounding villages of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

This is just as two suicide bombers, yesterday, blew themselves up at a village in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, at the time Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was visiting the city.

Sources said the terrorists, armed with AK-47 rifles were, fleeing from military bombardment by air force raid when they sneaked into the nearby villages, setting many residential buildings, mostly thatched houses, ablaze.

Last Tuesday, over 23 people including members of youths vigilante, were feared dead with scores injured when a bag filled with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) discovered by operatives of the youth vigilante (Civilian JTF) at a deserted camp of Boko Haram near Monguno village in Borno State had incidentally exploded.

Monguno is about 155km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital that was under Boko haram control before it was liberated by military early this year.

Residents and eye witnesses said: “The insurgents who were attempting to regroup around one of their destroyed camps were bombarded by a coordinated effort of the military and air force operatives, before some of them who escaped the onslaught stormed some of the nearby villages and killed 10 people with seven others seriously injured.”

A reliable source at the Accident and Emergency Unit of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) who is not authorized to talk to the press said seven people who sustained gunshot wounds in the  Monguno village attacks were brought in and admitted at the UMTH yesterday evening.

“We received seven victims of Boko Haram attacks in Monguno village today (yesterday), I was at the hospital when the victims were brought in by some security operatives with few members of civilian JTF,” the source stated.



Two suicide bombers blow themselves up in Maiduguri

Meanwhile, two suicide bombers, yesterday, blew themselves up at a village in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, at the time Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was visiting the city.

Osibanjo was in Maiduguri  to assess the security situation in the state capital, and visit the Internally Displaced Persons camps, before proceeding to Yola, another northeast Nigerian city plagued by Boko Haram insurgency, on a similar  mission.

The two suicide  bombers, a male and a female, who were suspected to have sneaked into town from Sambisa forest, blew themselves up in Molai Leprosy/General Hospital which is about 100 metres from a new market barely an hour after the vice president arrived the city at 10:45 am and was going about his assignment.

According to witnesses,  the first bomber, a female, suspected to be in her teens, had explosives planted around her body, concealed with her garment. She was seen near the main gate of Mulai General Hospital, 10 kilometres southwest of Maiduguri.

An eye witness, Samaila Babayo, who spoke with journalists said: “I saw the woman trying to find her way into the hospital. She covered herself with a hijab and wanted to enter the hospital but was forced to stop while approaching the facility.

“I strongly suspect that the explosives in her body were remotely controlled because while guards at the gate of the hospital were shouting at her, we heard a loud bang and that was all. She was completely torn to shreds by the explosive.”

The witness said immediately, the second bomber, who was riding a bicycle arrived a spot near the perimeter fencing of the hospital and immediately detonated the explosive on him.

One of the security operatives at the hospital said: “The two bombers wanted to enter the hospital, one was a lady and the other a man of about 20 years, who rode on bicycle, through the back of the hospital.

“But when the gate guards denied them entry, the explosives in their bodies detonated and killed them,” he said.

Two persons were said to have been injured by the explosions while residents, including staff and patients at the hospital, scampered for safety.

Mato Abdulmuminu, a trader who has a stall opposite the hospital, said: “From the way the lady was advancing towards the hospital, it was immediately suspected that the lady had a sinister motive. The people began to shout at her so she began to turn back and then the bomb went off. The second bomb blew almost immediately.”
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