Former Nigeria Air Chief, Accused Of Money Laundering, Wants Out-Of-Court Settlement

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday heard that a former Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Umar, had commenced an out-of-court settlement negotiation in the money laundering charge against him.

Mr. Umar is being tried on a seven-count charge of laundering N4.8 billion, while he was Chief of Air Staff.
He had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako on self-recognition.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Mr. Umar’s Counsel, Hassan Liman, informed the court of moves by his client to have the matter settled out of court.
Mr. Liman said his client held meetings with officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He said the first meeting, involving the head of the legal department of the commission, the prosecuting counsel and Mr. Umar, was held on May 31 while another meeting was held on June 3.
He said that in attendance at both meetings was a member of the EFCC’s task force, Ibrahim Musa, and the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir.
He said it was resolved that the defendant should send a formal communication to the commission.
Mr. Liman further disclosed that a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, dated June 6, had already been dispatched.
Confirming the development, the prosecuting counsel said he was aware that the defendant wrote to the chairman of the commission.
He said that in the letter, the defendant was seeking to engage the Federal Government in a discussion over the charge.
“I also confirm that there were meetings between the defendant and the commission where I was also in attendance,’’ Mr. Tahir said.
When the matter was called, the prosecuting counsel said they were ready for the trial, but Mr. Liman said that it would be prejudicial to commence trial.
Mr. Liman said this was in view of the ongoing attempt to settle out of court.
He urged the court to grant an adjournment to enable them proceed with the out-of-court settlement in spite of the fact that the matter had been set down for trial.
The prosecuting counsel, however, insisted that the out-of-court settlement was not a ground to stop trial since it was not a civil matter.
Mr. Tahir urged the court to order the commencement of trial.
Justice Nyako, however, held that trial could not commence since the condition precedent for trial had not been met by the defence.
Mrs. Nyako said the defence ought to have filed a summary of defence for the trial to commence.
She adjourned the matter till June 16 for commencement of trial.
Source: NAN

Buhari writes Senate, hands over to Vice President Osinbajo

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Senate, notifying the lawmakers of his 10-day trip abroad for medical treatment, and his temporary handover of the government to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr. Buhari left on Monday for London where the presidency said he would see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist for his “persistent ear infection”.
The Senate on Tuesday read a letter from the president communicating his decision to travel.
The deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided Tuesday, said the Senate wished the president quick recovery.
Mr. Buhari is officially transferring power to Mr. Osinbajo for the second time since the two leaders came to power in May 2015.
While the move would draw commendations, the president has come under intense criticism for his latest trip abroad.
Many Nigerians believe his condition could be handled in the country, especially since the administration had earlier barred government officials from foreign medical trips, except for cases that cannot be handled in the country.
The vice president of the Commonwealth Medical Association, Osahon Enabule, told PREMIUM TIMES that the president’s trip to London is a “tragic blot on Nigeria’s collective professional and national image”.
In a statement, he said the latest foreign medical trip “flies in the face of the Federal Government’s earlier declaration of her resolve to halt the embarrassing phenomenon of outward medical tourism, which as at the end of 2013 had led to a humongous capital flight of about one billion dollars, particularly from expenses incurred by political and public office holders and their accompanying aides”.
Describing most of the medical foreign trips as unnecessary, Mr. Enabulele said they were financed with tax payers’ resources.
“Undoubtedly, Mr. President has lost a golden opportunity to assert his change mantra through a clear demonstration of leadership by example, by staying back to receive medical treatment in Nigeria and thereby inspiring confidence in Nigeria’s health sector which currently boasts of medical experts that favourably compare with medical experts anywhere in the world, if not even better.”
He said Nigeria has competent ENT specialists in the country and, alternatively, that the country’s experts abroad could have been flown to Abuja to evaluate the President’s condition instead of travelling abroad.
Source: PremiumTimes

Makarfi-Led Caretaker Committee Formally Takes Over PDP

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has moved a step closer towards restoring the peace in its fold as the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee formally took over the affairs of the party on Tuesday.
The immediate past Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, performed the handing over on behalf of the dissolved National Working Committee at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja under the guidance of the Board of Trustees.
The Caretaker Committee is to run the affairs of the PDP until a national convention is held to elect new set of party leaders.
The formal hand over was sequel to a meeting held Monday night at the Ondo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja in which the BoT, Makarfi group, the Concerned Stakeholders led by former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana as well as some members of the immediate past NWC, under Ali Modu Sheriff, agreed to work together.
“We are here to formally hand over to the caretaker committee appointed by the convention and we assure you that all politics is local, our leaders must go back to the grassroots, it is not enough to be in Abuja”, Mr. Secondus said.
“We no longer have government, we no longer have security forces, we don’t have money, and so what matters now is the grassroots; the popularity of the leaders to be able to deliver”.
Prior to his formal taking over as caretaker chairman of the PDP, Makarfi, a former governor of Kaduna State and two-term senator, had told the press at the end of Monday night’s meeting that Mr. Sheriff would have been part of the gathering but for his trip abroad.

Is Kcee’s House The Most Luxurious Celebrity Crib In Nigerian???

I’ve shared photos from KCee’s crib before but with the expensive furniture and decor, you all deserve to take a glimpse again.

Millions of naira was pumped into the building and furnishing of this house and KCee sees no reason why he shouldn’t show it off.
Amazingly, his fans on Instagram have not been complaining about the show off, but instead tell him to show them more, and most of them even say they dream of visiting the ‘Five Star Mansion’ as Kcee calls it most of the time.
Check out part of the house, the outside view, its environs, all below and you might just agree KCee is one of the artistes that has the best homes in Nigeria.

Niger Delta Militants Vow To Bomb Aso Rock, List Specific Targets

THE Niger Delta Militant group, the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, on Monday reiterated its decision to unleash six missiles on the country.

The missiles, according to the JNDLF last week, would be released on Tuesday (tomorrow).
In a statement on Monday, the group named its targets, advising those occupying the buildings to vacate them.
Top on the list of the target of the militants, according to the statement, are the Presidential Villa in Abuja; the headquarters of the Department of State Services, also in Abuja; the Defence Headquarters, Abuja; National Assembly, Abuja; and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Towers, Abuja.
Others include the Police Headquarters in Abuja; Central Bank of Nigeria; headquarters of some multinational oil companies; and the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal headquarters.
The statement, signed by General Akotebe Darikoro, Commander, General Duties; General Torunanaowei Latei, Creeks Network Coordinator; General Agbakakuro Owei-Tauro, Pipelines Bleeding Expert; and General Pulokiri Ebiladei, Intelligence Bureau, said the decision to notify the occupants of the buildings to vacate them was because the aim of their struggle was not to destroy lives.
The statement, unedited, reads in full: “In our final meeting, it was resolved that the Nigerian Communication Satellite Orbit should be shut down so that it will avoid the cause of electronic radiation to human lives.
“Also, the followings occupants of these buildings should as a matter of urgency vacate in them immediately IN THEIR OWN INTEREST to save their lives because our fight is not for ANY HUMAN BLOOD but to destroy all those infrastructures that were built with our oil and gas monies in this country. We will make federal government and oil companies suffer as they have made the people of Niger Delta region suffers over the years from environmental degradation and environmental pollution. They include:
1. STATE HOUSE, VILLA- ABUJA
2. DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
3. DSS HEADQUARTERS
4. POLICE HEADQUARTERS
5. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
6. NNPC TOWERS
7. CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
8. SUPREME COURT/APPEAL COURT
9. AGIP HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
10. SHELL HEADQUARTERS, LAGOS
11. CHEVRON HEADQUARTERS, LAGOS
12. EXXON MOBIL, LAGOS
13. NLNG, LAGOS & ABUJA OFFICES
14. KADUNA REFINERY
15. ALL MILITARY FORMATIONS IN ABUJA, LAGOS, KADUNA, BENUE, ETC.
“We shall fire these Missiles’ simultaneously at the night, as this will enable every Nigerians to see the movement of the MISSILES and equally to believe us of our seriousness attached to the final breakup as predicted by the United States of America (USA).
“We equally advise the Diplomatic Community to be neutral on this issue as wrong comments against us will be seen as saboteurs. Where they are staying presently will not be affected which is not part of our targeted areas of destruction in the country.
“We shall embarrass the self-acclaimed Nigerian Air Force with their recent deployment of fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft when at this digital age, countries are talking about Missile development, and they still condescend so low of their present obsolete equipment. This is sad indeed!”
“Note, we are going to destroy the ones they have deployed to Escravos, Forcados in Delta State; Bonga oil field, Agbami offshore and Brass in Bayelsa; Bony in Rivers; Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, and Opuekeba in Ondo State if they fail to remove them before time. Our crack team has taken inventory of their equipment. Even the present suffering from a rare ear disease known as Meniere’s disease by President Muhammadu Buhari will not win any sympathy to save our action against the federal government. The name Nigeria as a country will come to an end this week.
“The so-called military operations code named ‘OPERATION PULO SHIELD’ in the Niger Delta region who our partners in the oil bunkering activities, because presently without been told the former JTF Commander, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe who was arrested by the EFCC last week over pipelines surveillance contract amounts to N8.2 billion in the region, is an eye opener to the federal government that the military are fully involved in illegal bunkering in the area. They only destroy those who could not afford their bidding and further lobby to come to the Niger Delta region because of what they are gaining from the area.
“Imagine, an Army private’s and corporals from the North could build business plaza of 3 storeys with several estate and other buildings including exotic cars to the detriment of the region? The Pharaoh of Nigeria (Buhari) should take the counsel of parasites and actors around him of the region especially Mr Ayiri Emami and Professor Ita Sagey who are presently in our searchlight.
The founder of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, Israel Akpodoro, is a dead man and that he should not hide for linking former President, Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson with the Avengers. We are not in ANY community, the Military can’t locate Tompolo but we have identified where he is now.
“Presently, Tompolo is in Libya and we’ll get him dead or alive for betraying us in supporting the federal government against us.
“Nigerian Military has weak intelligence gathering mechanism hence they could not identify our modu oparandi. Nigerian military is only good for carrying AK47 to harass innocent people and defiling young girls and women.
“If the oil companies especially Shell and Chevron spent billions of naira to only undertake repairs of damaged oil and gas pipelines in the region, when such funds were better channeled for the payments of Bonga oil spill in 2011 and Chevron gas explosion in Koluama, Bayelsa state in 2012 would have saved them from these bombing and their present predicament would have been a thing of the past. Since they don’t want to hear, we’ll continue to break the pipelines until they do the needful for our old parents at home because that is the only language the companies and federal government hears in the country from the region
when such funds were better channeled for the payments of Bonga oil spill in 2011 and Chevron gas explosion in Koluama, Bayelsa state in 2012 would have saved them from these bombing and their present predicament would have been a thing of the past. Since they don’t want to hear, we’ll continue to break the pipelines until they do the needful for our old parents at home because that is the only language the companies and federal government hears in the country from the region.
source:Breakingtimes

Names Of Looters Who Have Returned Stolen Funds Will Be Published Soon – Buhari

When President Muhammadu Buhari was in Iran on a working visit, he announced that some looters have started returning the public funds they stole. He promised, yesterday, that his government will soon publish their names.

According to The Cable News, the president said that the Central Bank of Nigeria will soon publicly name those who looted funds and who have returned part of what they wrongly appropriated.
He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was holding on from publishing the list in order to avoid jeopardising investigations and further recoveries.
Buhari, who spoke at the 15th session of the Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation lecture at the International Conference Centre, in Abuja, yesterday, said during electioneering, the issue that gained “higher currency” in the psyche of the people was that Nigerians needed leadership that could be relied upon to tackle the orgy of corruption in the country.
“We have taken steps towards recovering a reasonable amount of the money that was looted or misappropriated from public coffers. Investigations are ongoing on public officers who served, or are still serving, and those whose conduct are questionable will be compelled to accept the path of honour and surrender their loot,” he said. “As I stated recently, a good number of people who abused their positions are voluntarily returning the illicit funds.
“I have heard it said that we should disclose the names of the people, and the amount returned. Yes, in due course, the Central Bank of Nigeria will make information available to the public on the surrendered funds, but I must remark that it is yet early days, and any disclosure now may jeopardize the possibility of bigger recoveries.
“But we owe Nigerians adequate information, and it shall come in due course.
“It is part of the collective effort to change our land from the bastion of corruption it currently is, to a place of probity and transparency.
“Quite frankly, the anti-corruption war is not strictly about me as a person, it is about building a country where our children, and the forthcoming generations, can live in peace and prosperity. When you see dilapidated infrastructure round the country, it is often the consequence of corruption.
“Poor healthcare, collapsed education, lack of public utilities, decayed social services, are all products of corruption, as those entrusted with public resources put them in their private pockets. That must stop, if we want a new Nigeria. And that was why I said at another forum that people need not fear me, but they must fear the consequences of their actions.
“Corrupt acts will always be punished, and there will be no friend, no foe. We will strive to do what is fair and just at all times, but people who refuse to embrace probity should have every cause to fear,” Buhari said.

Read What Buhari Told Jonathan During Their Secret Meeting

Facts have now emerged on the reason behind the secret meeting held at Aso Rock Villa between former president Goodluck Jonathan and his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was learnt that the meeting was facilitated by former head of state Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, The Nation reports.
Abubakar headed the 2015 elections peace committee that paved way for peace before, during and after the 2015 general elections.
The meeting was coming on the heels of complaints by Jonathan that Buhari is not sticking to the peace accord they signed prior to March 28, 2015 presidential election.
Jonathan had hoped to stop the probe of his administration over alleged misappropriation of fund under his watch.
However, the president had insisted that all looted funds must be returned. A source who does not want to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue said the president told Jonathan that he had nothing to fear at all.
It was gathered that the outcome of the session between Buhari and Jonathan could have informed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s statement at the weekend. The VP said the anti-corruption fight of the present administration is not focused on Jonathan.
It is believed in some quarters that Jonathan was not happy that Buhari had moved against his ex-national security adviser, ex-chief security officer and some ministers.
The source said Jonathan prevailed on Abubakar’s committee to beg Buhari not to‘rubbish’ his administration.
He said: “For some weeks, Jonathan has been in the country to iron out some issues on his government. Based on Jonathan’s complaint, Abdulsalami made efforts – five times- to get in touch with Buhari but the ex-Head of State could not get through on time. I think Buhari already had security reports on Jonathan’s emissary.”
At some point, the former head of state met brick wall in securing audience with president Buhari but some past presidents had to prevail on Buhari to give the committee a chance to mediate.
The source added: “This was how Abdulsalami succeeded in securing an appointment from Buhari for Jonathan with a caveat that the immediate past President should feel free to bare his mind.
“Jonathan said he was hearing some of the allegations, especially financial sleaze, against his administration for the first time. He made it clear that he had nothing to do with some of these corrupt practices.
“He said whatever steps or actions the President intends to take; it should be within the framework of the peace accord the two leaders signed. Obviously, he wanted soft landing. He also pledged to cooperate with Buhari as much as possible on all steps he is going to take.”
Buhari had stated during the meeting that Jonathan had nothing to fear but insisted that there was no going back on the recovery of looted funds.
“The President reassured Jonathan that he has no personal agenda against him. But he insisted that whatever was stolen from the treasury must be returned,” the source said

See What PDP Has To Say About Buhari’s ’10 Day’ UK Trip

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party alleged last week that President Muhammadu Buhari was critically ill and would travel abroad for medical treatment.

Barely 4 days after they made the allegation, the federal government announced that President Buhari would travel to the UK on 10 day vacation and would also visit Ears, Nose and Throat (E.N.T) specialists for a persistent ear infection. INFORMATION NIGERIA brings you the things the PDP has to say about President Buhari’s trip and a certain cabal.
Read Also: Is President Buhari Critically Ill ?

FLASH: just like we said last week, president Buhari is going to London to see his doctors. He has been critically ill for 14days now.

— PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) June 5, 2016

FYI: President Buhari is very sick. It is not an ear infection. The presidency as always lied. He is in our prayers. — PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) June 5, 2016

The Same Buhari who detained Metuh, barred him from going abroad to seek medical attention is being ferried out to London. iMPUNITY/Tyranny

— The Nigerian Wailers (@NGRWailers) June 5, 2016

According to the PDP there is a certain cabal running the country and that the President is just a puppet in their hands. The cabal according to the PDP have warned Buhari not to reveal to Nigerians that he is sick and finally allowed him to travel so they can rule Nigeria for 10 days.

The cabal are the ones running the country. They have turned the president into a prisoner.

— PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) June 4, 2016

The cabal have convinced the president not to come clean and tell Nigerians that he is sick. They are managing the president secretly. — PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) June 4, 2016

The cabal will now get to run the country for 10days without interruption or dialogue with their prisoner “president Buhari”.

— PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) June 5, 2016

There is a cabal around the president who are trying to plunge Nigeria into serious crisis. Mamman Daura is the head of that cabal. — PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) June 4, 2016

What do you think?

Photos: Most Hilarious Pose Ever!!! Imagine This Pose……

This is not funny!!!! Can any of you pose like this??????

We know of pose of  life #PoseOfLife But now we are seeing #PoseOfDeath!!! (lol)

ladunliadinews.com

Toke Makinwa Files For Divorce From Estranged Hubby, Maje Ayida

Toke Makinwa and Maje Ayida

TV personality, Toke Makinwa has finally filed for divorce from her estranged husband, Maje Ayida. The couple have been separated for the better part of a year following reports that Maje cheated on Toke.
SEE ALSO: Amber Heard Files From Johnny Depp

Toke Makinwa is filing for divorce on the grounds of ‘adultery, cruelty and irreconcilable differences’. Maje who is said to have a child with another woman has repeatedly denied claims that he was cheating on his wife.
In the divorce papers filed, Toke alleged that Maje diverted funds severally to the account of his baby mama and was unable to pay the rent at the residence he shared with Toke.

Jonathan, Buhari Hold Secret Meeting In Aso Rock

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has met with his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The duo met on Friday at the president’s official residence.
The meeting came on the heels of heightened media speculations that the Buhari-led federal government was planning on arresting Mr. Jonathan over alleged massive corruption during his tenure.
It also came at a time a group known as Assembly of Concerned Niger Delta People urged Buhari to appoint Jonathan as his special envoy to the Niger Delta, to stem the rising tide of militancy and destruction of oil and gas installations in the oil-rich region.
However, details of the meeting were unknown as it was held away from the prying eyes of journalists.
There was also no official statement concerning the meeting by the two leaders.