APPEAL COURT GIVE CCT GO AHEAD ON SARAKI'S TRIAL

Justice Moore Adumen of the Court of Appeal this morning upheld the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Adumen, reading the unanimous verdict of the three man panel, said the tribunal, which docked the Senate President on 22 September and 21 October was properly constituted.
He said the tribunal led by Danladi Umar could sit with the chairman and one other member.
He relied on section 28 of the Interpretation Act to reach the decision.
He said the CCT and CCB Act and the constitution did not talk about a quorum.
Adumen said the judgment could not be delivered on 19 October as earlier planned because the justices have to struggle to reach a consensus.
Saraki wanted the appellate court stop his trial at the CCT, where he has been charged on 13-counts with false asset declaration.

Judgment was initially fixed for 19 October, but was postponed at the 11th hour, with the court promising to communicate a new date to parties.
Notices were sent to parties informing them about today’s date.
Arguing the appeal on October 16, Saraki’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the appellate court to set aside the entire proceedings before the CCT, including the charge before it.
He argued that the CCT was not properly constituted on when it assumed jurisdiction to entertain the charges because it was made up of two members as against three, which is provided for in Paragraph 15(1) of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.
Daudu contended that the provision of Section 28 of the Interpretation Act relied upon by the respondents to argue that the tribunal could validly sit with its Chairman and one other member, was a contradiction of the three-member provision in the Constitution.
He also argued that the tribunal not being a superior court recognised by the Constitution could not exercise criminal jurisdiction.

THE CHANGE WE ALL VOTED FOR

Without the ministers' involvement the petrol and electricity are now at the reach of ordinary people. The change is beginning to change the lives of people in the north, south, east and west. The electricity is beginning to transform our houses and communities. There will be more money in the pockets to buy other essential commodities, that is the reflection of multiplier effect on the consumption side.

If Buhari can restore the confidence of our people and bring about badly needed jobs to our people in general, then the old man deserves to be our hero. We have tried young man for six years and all we got back were poverty, insecurity, corruption, looting, kidnapping, interethnic distrust, interethnic disaffection, interethnic divide, etc. We have to stop wasting our collective lives unnecessarily.
PDP wasted 16 years of our life, we are beginning to look like liability to the world citizenry. Thank God for the timely intervention of some patriots that  never allow ed the destruction  of our dear Nation .
Thank God for the real change,
The  inevitable change has come to stay.
God bless Nigeria.

OLISEH PLAYING POKER WITH OUR FOOTBALL DESTINY

By :- GBENGA OLUMEKUN


I felt relieved when the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) finally decided to do what it had always wanted to do all along: get rid of Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (SOK). We all followed the rigmarole of contract renewal and all the tactical games played by all sides hence it didn’t need a clairvoyant to foretell that the ignominious departure of Keshi was a question of time. Apparently, greater powers within Aso Rock wanted to ensure the uninterrupted stay of Keshi as our Gaffer but as soon as there was change of power, I knew evening time had come for him.

What baffles me most was the fact that with all his experience and knowledge about Nigerian football Stephen, Keshi should have known so much about Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. Unfortunately there is so much wisdom in the word of God but only few ever manage to latch on. Thank God those who are wise will continue to seek wisdom and those who are foolish will continue to pursue inanities.
It is unfortunate that the issues in contention are not about whether Keshi knows his onions or not but they are issues bothering on the recognition of body language, spoken and unspoken language. I am an awfully proud man and if I were Keshi, I would have walked away after the African Cup of Nations in 2013. Well, he stayed because he felt there was unfinished business and the business is now finished, albeit on a sad note. The law of averages has caught up and to whom the music is played must dance the “dance of death”. I almost forgot that there was a report somewhere that SOK is demanding one billion Naira from the NFF. I wish him well but since some issues are sub judice, I must keep my pen from such.

It is unfortunate that many did not see imminence of the present scenario but I had seen it ever since SOK was appointed as the Boss of the Super Eagles. Ever since Keshi was appointed, a certain Sunday Oliseh had believed the job was his own and had never hidden his contempt for Keshi.
I remember reading several blistering comments from him (Oliseh) about him being the more suited for the job. It didn’t take a crystal ball gazer to see that Keshi's heels were being gnashed at by no less a personality than one of his boys. Whether he was a true boy or not, time will tell. However, I felt disturbed when I read those unforgiving comments which lucidly alluded to the fact that he, Oliseh, was more qualified and better placed to lead the Super Eagles. I find the superciliousness not the least uncharitable.
Originally I had thought the guy, brilliant as he was as a captain of the Eagles, was on an ego trip but as issues unfolded I saw that he was Keshi's nemesis and it was only a question of time for the issues to come to the market square. Bringing the issue into contemporary context, Oliseh was acting more like an opposition spokesman to the government of SOK. It was more like Lai Mohammed versus Femi Fani-Kayode. The battles had no clearly defined armaments but the theatre was no less a place than the television screens of Supersport on DSTV and our ever news hungry newshounds. Oliseh was always quick to let all and sundry know that he possessed the skills and requisite knowledge to coach the Super Eagles and when the deed was done, it didn’t surprise amateur pundits like me that we had reached the denouement.
Since the change of guards I have followed the comments of several football commentators and gurus like Clemens Westerhoff, Adegboye Onigbinde and Segun Odegbami. I had known Segun since our Polytechnic days when I played Badminton and he was playing football. I have always agreed with Segun on his tips and analyses. I have however been trying to find commonality with him on this Oliseh issue but there has been no grounds for concord. Segun hardly gets it wrong and one of my regrets is that people like him have never been able to come near piloting the affairs of our “House of Football”. I still believe in him but on this Oliseh issue I really must follow my own heart and disagree with his undisguised optimism that Oliseh is, for now, a suitable person for the position.
Westerhoff says Oliseh is inexperienced and I am in absolute agreement. Onigbinde says so too and it leaves me wondering that if Oliseh is the best we have, are we so short of good quality materials? Don't get me wrong. I am actually egging myself to display enough optimism to wish him unqualified success but the critical part of me is saying that Sunday Oliseh will be a failure. I am praying that he will prove me wrong but the pointers are there for everyone to see. If he succeeds, I will be one of the very few to take credit, not because I really like him, but because I have always believed that we need to patronise our local talents rather than import several has-beens or those whose qualification for appointment as our National Team coach is the lightness of their skin colour and the length of the bridges of their noses. It is only on this point that I feel obliged to throw my hat into the ring in support of Oliseh, otherwise my better judgement is saying a different thing because I see big failure looming. If I get my predictions wrong, I will be most happy and will gladly dig into the “humble pie” that will be laid before me.
I have spent several moments wondering why we have suddenly displayed so much limited optimism about a guy who admittedly has had robust experience in Europe playing in the best leagues and mixing it with the best players on planet earth. However, playing football and coaching are two different things altogether. Does a few hours of paid punditing on TV equate to ability to coach the national team? Where has he coached before or is experience never a consideration for appointments any more? I can still vividly recollect that one of the big guns pointedly screamed that “if coaching was determined by level of playing, Pele would have been the best coach in the world” and “Maradona has been running from pillar to post trying to become a prominent coach. Has he made it? On the other side of the fence, in which league or country did Jose Mourinho play football? But he is one of the best coaches in the world. So playing and coaching are two different things. We are saying all these things in the interest of Nigeria,” he said.
Over the years we have seen several of our national players transmute into coaches and they have earned their apprenticeship with the lesser national teams or with clubsides. Examples such as Henry Nwosu, Samson Siasia, Nduka Ugbade, Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amunike abound. We have followed their progress and have been able to see a few of them advance into top management by their deliverables. That should be the way.
There are too many arm-chair critics on football grounds and the best place reserved for them should be at the stands rather than on the pitch. Even in public issues, brilliant as they were critics, the likes of Tai Solarin and Gani Fawehinmi's deliverables when they had the opportunity to control affairs have demonstrated that critics and performers are too far separated in space and time in the performance index. Time will still tell.
As a scientist, I believe in experimentation and such bold attitudes are often rewarding. However the position of our national team coach in a season when football is big business and big politics, we cannot afford to play poker with our football destiny. In fact it is actually worse than poker; we are playing Russian Roulette and the omen is not good for our destiny.
One issue I have had irreconcilable differences with is the gargantuan pay attached to the position regardless of qualifications, experience and the reality of the Nigerian situation. I felt so terribly insulted when I learnt that the new coach was going to earn Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) per month whereas literate Nigerians like me, with all the big big degrees, don't earn that much in a year. Is he worth to the nation what I am worth? How much expenditure has he made on himself to warrant earning in less than two months what our President Buhari is going to earn in a year?
I have too often been critical of our value system which I believe is rotten; based on how performance is denominated or how importance is measured. The sort of pay doled out to other practitioners makes nonsense of our values and virtues and it makes hard-working folks like me want to throw in the towel and check out. I guess we'll have to revisit our reward system as I have always preached. The only problem is that much as I can shout, my voice may not be heard over the din of the moment.

ROBBERS RAID AIRPORT, ESCAPE WITH #20m

An unnamed micro finance bank located in the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri as well as the offices of Arik and Air Peace Airlines in Imo State, were Friday, reportedly raided by suspected armed robbers.
Reports claim that over N20m and other valuables were carted away in the robbery operation that

allegedly lasted just a few minutes.

An eye witness, whose name was not mentioned, alleged that the armed robbers, who besieged the airport in two unmarked vehicles, overpowered the security men attached to the bank.
According to the undisclosed source, the noise of banging of doors and windows by the robbers coupled with their gunshots scared people away from the scene.
In the same vein, an employee of Arik, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said their offices were broken into, while company and personal valuables of the workers were stolen.
He said, “We are still in shock how the robbers could have been able to operate freely without being challenged, with the number of security men at the Airport.
“This calls for serious concern because if the Airport cannot be safe, where else can be?” the Arik employee asked.
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the incident, said it was a case of burglary.
According to him, “We got the report that some hoodlums broke into a Micro Finance Bank at the airport, but we did not get any repo7rt that they removed cash and no one was killed or wounded.
“Already investigation is ongoing and the two security men attached to the bank are currently being interrogated,” Enwerem noted.

ITUNU AKOREDE ORGANIZED GREEN WHITE GREEN PRAISE IN DALLAS U.S.A

Nigerians based in Dallas stormed the RCCG winners assembly, Downtown Dallas U.S.A, on Thursday October 1,2015 for a concert tagged GREEN WHITE GREEN PRAISE BANQUET, Put together by Itunnu Akorede and his friends basically to praise Almighty God for the success milestones of a preceding year to commemorate Nigeria independent anniversary celebration.

The event equally featured Pastor Ralph Adebayo as a guest speaker on a
topic (THE POWER OF UNITY).

She event which marked the median edition of the annual celebration that saw big names from gospel acts in music industry in attendance, They include,  Dammie drums based in Dallas ,Derin Whyte , M.c Kanmi koncept , Meciah , Funke 77

See photos below

EFCC NABS TWO WITH 600 ATM CARDS, TRAVELLERS CHEQUES

Abuja—The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two Nigerians with a shocking 556 banking instruments, with which they had been using to commit unsuspecting large scale fraud.
The two men-Jonathan Odu Isikwei and Paschal Onuora Udeh were picked up operatives of the commission for unlawful possession of 448 travelers’ cheques and 108 Automated Teller Machine (ATM)/Debit cards.
Jonathan Odu Isikwei was found with 448 travelers’ cheques, while Pascal Onuora Udeh, 34, was arrested with 108 ATM cards on his way to China.

A statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson iUwujaren, said the two suspects would soon appear in court to account for their action.
The statement said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign one Jonathan Odu Isikwei for unlawful possession of 448 travelers’ Cheques.
“Isikwei 51, a native of Igbodo in Aniocha local government area of Delta State, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by the Operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during the outward clearance of passengers on a Belgium- bound flight.
“The case was transferred to the EFCC for further investigation.”

SUSPECTED ROBBER FALLS FROM BANK'S ROOF

There was drama on Friday at the Unity Road Branch of Guaranty Trust Bank in Ilorin as a suspected robber fell from the bank’s roof, throwing the banking hall into pandemonium.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the suspect was hiding in the roof of the bank while waiting for his accomplices to commence a robbery operation when he fell.
A security man attached to the bank told NAN on condition of anonymity that the suspected robber must have been hiding in the roof overnight.
He also said nobody knew how the suspect got into the roof of the bank as there was no sign of damage to any of the security doors in the bank.
The security man said the suspect was promptly apprehended by some customers inside the banking hall and later handed over to the police.

The Police Public Relations officer, ASP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident to NAN.
He said immediately the report reached the police command, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Esosa Amadasun, visited the bank.
The police spokesman said nobody was injured in the incident while interrogation of the suspect had commenced.
When NAN visited the bank, it was under lock while a security man was busy directing customers to the Taiwo Road branch of the bank. (NAN)

TIWA SAVAGE IS BACK ON HER GRIND !

Spotted Refueling Cars At Forte Oil Stations ;

The brand ambassador for forte oil joined in the customer appreciation week by selling fuel at some of stations in Lekki and Ikoyi  .

If you see her , be sure to say hi ;

SENATE IN ROWDY SESSION OVER AMAECHI

The senate broke out into a rowdy session on Wednesday after George Sekibo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator from Rivers east, presented a petition to the senate against Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi is one of the ministerial nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari. In the petition submitted on behalf of the three senators from the state, Sekibo accused Amaechi of fraud and corruption. As he rose to present the petition, some senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) shouted him down, chorousing “no, no, no”, “dead on arrival.” A shouting match then ensued between the PDP and APC senators and it took the intervention of Olusola Adeyeye (chief whip) to quell the melee.

 On Tuesday, TheCable reported that senators opposed to the inclusion of Amaechi’s name in the ministerial list might stage a protest. Amaechi’s case is akin to that of Musiliu Obanikoro whose nomination as minister was opposed by senators from his state, Lagos. But on the day of his screening, former Senate President David Mark asked him to simply take a “bow and go” amid protests from APC senators.

NIGERIAN PILGRIMS WILL END "STONING OF DEVIL" ~ Sanusi

The Emir of Kano and head of Nigeria’s 2015 Hajj delegation, Muhammad Sanusi II, has said that he would recommend that Nigerians stop participating in the Jamarat (symbolic stoning of the devil) rite of Hajj in Mina, except they are given accommodation close to the site.
He stated this Friday in Makkah when he led a delegation to visit to Sokoto pilgrims at their residence.
His comments followed the death of 769 pilgrims, in September, as over 2 million people made an attempt to “stone the devil”.
Emir Sanusi reiterated that blacks, particularly Nigerians, were not responsible for the Mina stampede that also left over 900 people injured.
Mr. Sanusi said Nigeria does not have any issue with the Saudi Arabian authorities, but that they must understand that no human being is superior to another in the sight of God, except those who fear God most.
He said the stoning of the devil was not worth the blood of any Muslim.

Emir Sanusi, who quoted several verses from the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, said refusal to even perform the stoning of devil rituals does not in any way invalidate one’s Hajj.
“During the era of Prophet Muhammad, he permitted pilgrims who came on camels to stay in Makkah after Arafat, instead of staying in Mina and sleeping at Muzdalifa. So, if the Prophet can give such grace to some people, just to protect their animals, why didn’t our scholars educate our people properly to avoid this untoward hardship and death,” he said.
“Therefore, it will be part of my recommendation to the Federal government that, if we cannot get accommodation close to Jamarat where the Arabs reside in Mina, then this year may be the last time we will sleep in Mina and Muzdalifa because we want to stone the devil.
“Besides that, if one deliberately refuses to even perform the stoning of the devil rituals, all he needs to do is just to slaughter a ram. So, if this is the situation, why do we go and suffer and die instead of sacrificing a ram.
“As it is presently, sleeping in Mina and Muzdalifa is not backed by any Hadith (sayings/deeds of Prophet Muhammad) or verse of the Qur’an. So, why do we continue to do it?” 

Mike Famiyesin's Blog: DAPO ROTIFA VS ARABIRIN DESINATU

Mike Famiyesin's Blog: DAPO ROTIFA VS ARABIRIN DESINATU: Does anybody know if Desinatu Orente 'aya Oga', Aya Alison-Madueke speaks Yoruba? Desinatu, boo ba ngbo mi, bogo ba nje t'Oloh...

DAPO ROTIFA VS ARABIRIN DESINATU

Does anybody know if Desinatu Orente 'aya Oga', Aya Alison-Madueke speaks Yoruba?
Desinatu, boo ba ngbo mi, bogo ba nje t'Olohun, o ni bo nbe o.... O faso penpe tuko l'oko oba'birin ilu eebo
"Dapooo.... Olopa ewo ntepe, amuni nje amuni, ewo niti o ni bo nbe?

Epe ko jare, talo nsepe? Awa i sepe o.... adua ni..... Tan rangun nse? Tie de ba niyen.... Abi kini mo so o ore mi journalist?
Dumb! Shouldn't Ibori had taught her a lesson not to run to Britain? Why didn't she run to Afghanistan, Somalia, or even China?

MORE SENATORS WITHDRAW VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON SARARI

More Senators for unknown reasons, have withdrawn the vote of confidence given to the leadership of Senate; Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu barely 48 hours after pledging fealty.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Babajide Omowarare backed out few minutes after the motion was raised reducing the initial number of 84 to 83 Senators.

Sabo  Sabo   Muhammed Nakudu representing Jigawa South-West Senatorial District and number 41 on the list Published on Tuesday by POST-NIGERIA has also purportedly withdrawn his endorsement.
Nakudu in a press statement said to have been personally signed by him, on Wednesday, stated he was not consulted before his name was included in the names of Senators who signed the vote of confidence on Teusday.

DIEZANI ALLISON ARRESTED IN LONDON

Ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Arrested In London
The immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources,

Diezani Alison-Madueke, was on Friday arrested in the UK National Crime Agency, PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively and authoritatively report.