Nigerian And World News

Friday, February 12

Beautiful Fashion Student Found Hanging After Boyfriend Dumped Her Through Text Message

Nina Paunova

A young student of fashion has cut short her own life after her boyfriend broke up with her via a text message.

A fashion student described as being "kind and beautiful" was found hanged after her boyfriend broke up with her over text.

After getting the message, Nina Paunova, 20, from Hull, drove her car at 60mph through a hedge. She was later found hanged less than a mile from boyfriend Samuel Scott's home after having cut herself.

Mirror Online reports that she had previously threatened to jump off a balcony following an argument with Scott. The pair had been due to fly out on a holiday together to Menorca on September 11 last year after rekindling their relationship in the summer.

Her family had previously warned her about the relationship.

In the hours before she was found dead, Nina sent a text to her mum which read: "I guess I should have listened sooner to you."

Mosquitoes carrying Zika virus exist in Nigeria —Health Minister

THE Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said that the mosquitoes carrying Zika virus are in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to protect themselves by using mosquito nets.

He also called on Nigerians to remain calm, be vigilant and report any suspected case of an acute febrile illness in pregnant women, in particular, to any nearest health facility.
Adewole made this disclosure at a press briefing, yesterday, in Abuja, where he explained that the mosquitoes were active and flying, adding that they bite during the day and early morning.

He said: “Nigerian scientists working in Western Nigeria in 1954 discovered Zika virus in Nigeria. Further studies in the years 1975 to 1979 showed that 40 per cent of Nigeria adults and 25 per cent of Nigerian children have antibodies to Zika virus, meaning they are protected against this virus.

“Despite the fact that some Nigerians are immune to the Zika virus infection as demonstrated by previous studies, it is important and advisable that Nigerians should be careful and protect themselves from mosquito bites.

“There is no vaccine for Zika virus, and no cure other than rest, plenty of fluids and perhaps over-the-counter medication to reduce fevers, aches and pains as previously mentioned. This, therefore, means that prevention is most effective means of preventing transmission.

“I advise all Nigerians, particularly pregnant women, to avoid travelling to countries infected by this virus in these periods. If however, you are to visit any country where Zika virus is now being actively transmitted, you are advised to protect yourselves from mosquito bites.

“Pregnant women considering travel to affected areas may wish to consult their health-care provider prior to travel and after return. They should also practice personal and household steps to prevent mosquito, including putting mosquito repellant on their clothes and skin, wear long sleeves and pants, and sleep underneath mosquito nets at night, where possible.”

Burglar’s head stuck between bars after operation

There was a mild drama on Wednesday at a plaza on Plateau Club Road, Jos, Plateau State as the head of a suspected burglar got stuck between burglarproof bars while he was trying to escape with items he stole from a shop within the facility.

It was learnt that the 32-year-old suspect, Solomon Clement, had entered the shop through the roof in the night.

He was said to have stolen seven pieces of suits, two blankets, 13 pairs of shoes and three pieces of bed sheets after which he tried to escape with the loots through the window. He had forced his body out of the window but was unfortunate as his head was trapped between the burglarproof bars.

Our correspondent gathered that he struggled in vain to free himself, until daybreak when the police were alerted to the incident. He was arrested, while the stolen items were recovered.

A trader, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on condition of anonymity, said there had been cases of burglary in the plaza before the Wednesday incident, adding that she suspected there was connivance between the perpetrators and insiders.

He said, “That was not the first time burglars attacked shops here. We normally close around 6pm. I suspect they connive with insiders, who might have been giving them information. Most times, they (burglars) break the bars. It was God that orchestrated the man’s (Clement) arrest. I learnt that he had entered through the roof. It was the security man who was moving around the complex that saw him with his head stuck. The shop is owned by one Daniel. I learnt he stocked the shop with suits and shoes recently.

“I want the police to handle this matter seriously and mete out appropriate punishment to the suspect. Maybe through that, others would learn to desist from the act.”

An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Julius, said Clement was freed after a welder was employed to cut the bars.

“He was there for hours. We called the police from the A Division who arrested him. We had to get a welder to cut the bars,” he said.

The Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abuh Emmanuel, said investigation was ongoing into the incident. He added that the suspect would be charged to court when the investigation was concluded.

He said, “The suspect, Solomon Clement, is from Agwa Mission, Gudu-Wada, Jos. People in that area alerted the police and he was arrested. Seven pieces of suits, two blankets, 13 pairs of shoes and three pieces of bed sheet, stolen from the shop, were recovered. The suspect is under investigation.”

Jonathan’s ex-ADC, seven top officers land in EFCC net

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

The Nigerian Army has interrogated Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, the Aide-de-Camp to former President Goodluck Jonathan, in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged arms procurement scandal.

The PUNCH reliably gathered on Thursday that Adegbe, who was arrested on Wednesday in Lagos, was taken to the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja popularly referred to as Abacha Barracks, where he was interrogated by some senior military officers.

It was learnt that the former ADC and seven other serving army officers were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at noon on Thursday.

Investigations revealed that the former ADC was undergoing a National Defence College course in one of the military institutions in the United Kingdom.

A source said he was recalled and arrested by the personnel of the Military Police and Directorate of Military Intelligence on his arrival in Lagos on Wednesday.

The source added, “The former ADC to President Goodluck Jonathan has been picked up by the Army.

“The man was recalled from a National Defence College course he is undergoing.

“He was arrested in Lagos and taken to the Abacha Barracks in Abuja on Wednesday. He was interrogated by some senior military officers.”

Another source said Adegbe was recalled from the UK course to respond to issues relating to the ongoing investigation into arms procured under the Jonathan administration.

The source stated, “The colonel was recalled from the course to answer certain questions in relation to the ongoing investigation into arms procured under the Jonathan administration.

“He was taken to the EFCC at noon in response to the allegations. Seven other army officers had also been taken to the commission.”

The source said the arrest of the officers marked the beginning of the EFCC’s investigation into the Nigerian Army’s components of the arms procurement scandal.

When our correspondent contacted the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, he said he did not have the information on Adegbe’s arrest, restating the support of the military for government policies to combat the menace of corruption.

He pointed out that anybody, whose name was mentioned in connection with the ongoing probe, was not above interrogation.

He added, “I cannot say whether he is arrested or not. But any person, who is involved in the arms matters, would be arrested.

“We are in support of the policies of the FG in tackling the menace of corruption in this country. We have said we will support the ongoing investigation into the diversion of public funds. We have to corroborate our stance.

“Whosoever is involved is immaterial. I don’t have such information now but whosoever is involved, we will support the relevant agencies to do their jobs. This is something that would be beneficial to the country.”

Checks at the EFCC revealed that Adegbe was taken to the Idiagbon House Head Office of the commission by a Lt.-Col and some lawyers whose identities were not disclosed.

A top operative of the anti-graft agency told one of our correspondents on Thursday that Adegbe was still writing his statement.

The source said Adegbe was being questioned by the EFCC because his name came up among those said to have distributed some money to politicians.

“The former ADC is here. He came with a Lt.-Col, some lawyers, and maybe, those who escorted him here. He must be writing his statement,” the source added.

Investigation revealed that the EFCC had opened effective investigation into the cases against officers of the Nigerian Army.

It was further gathered that there had been redeployments of Army personnel in relation to the development.

It was gathered that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, had removed the Director of Military Intelligence, Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Sa’ad, and replaced him with Maj. Gen. Tarfa. Tarfa was Nigeria’s Defence Adviser to Mali.

When one of our correspondents contacted the acting Director of Army Information, Col. Sani Usman, he said he would get back to him and had not returned the call as of the time of filing this report.

Similarly, all attempts to get an official confirmation from the spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, proved abortive as his phone indicated that it was switched off.

A source in the EFCC confided in one of our correspondents at 9pm on Thursday that the former ADC was released after writing his statement.

EFCC Recovers $1m in ‘Soak-away’ At Ex-Air Chief Amosu’s House In Badagry, Another N3bn traced Wife’s Account

Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd)

A huge sum of $3 million has allegedly been recovered by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the EFCC, kept in a soak-away pit at Badagry resident of the embattled past Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd) New Telegraph Newspaper reported

Another N3 billion also traced to his wife, Lara Amosu bank account, EFCC source revealed to New Telegraph Newspaper.

According to New Telegraph, the EFCC has arrested, Lara, the wife of the immediate past Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd), over the arms procurement scandal. Impeccable sources told New Telegraph that Mrs. Lara Amosu was picked up by the EFCC operatives last week in Abuja.

She has been in the custody of the EFCC in Lagos for the past one week. It was learnt that her lawyer has been battling without success to get her released. Mrs. Amosu’s arrest followed the alleged discovery of about N3 billion in her bank accounts. She was allegedly holding the money in trust for her husband.

A source informed New Telegraph that other properties traced to the former CAS were also being held by his wife and children.

New Telegraph had reported that the EFCC discovered N17.5 billion in the accounts of wives of three airforce chiefs. The monies were scattered in various banks accounts.

A source familiar with the investigation told New Telegraph that N13 billion was traced to the bank accounts of a wife of a retired Air Vice Marshal, who held strategic position in the Nigeria Air Force (NAF). In the bank accounts of another wife of a serving senior officer, N1.5 billion was found. New Telegraph learnt that the officers handled the finance, budget and accounts of NAF.

Amosu was arrested two weeks ago by the EFCC over his involvement in the arms scandal. “Shortly after Amosu was picked up in Abuja, his wife, Lara, was subsequently arrested. Investigations conducted showed that some of the monies the former Chief of Air Staff made through some contracts and procurements in NAF were traced to his wife’s accounts.

“About N3 billion was traced to the wife’s accounts while some assets acquired by the former service chief was in her name and some others in her company’s name. “So, Lara is an accessory to a crime. The proceeds with her are from the arms funds. As we prosecute her husband, she must also be held accountable,” a source told New Telegraph.

It was further learnt that the wife of Air Vice Marshal J.B. Adigun, Chief of Account and Budget of NAF, has travelled out of the country two weeks ago, shortly after the arrest of her husband. The hurried trip was said to have become necessary in the face of the arms probe. Adigun has been indicted by the presidential arms panel. He is in the EFCC custody. Several of his properties in Lagos and Abuja have been seized by the antigraft agency. Billions of naira was said to have been traced to Adigun’s wife’s accounts.

New Telegraph has also learnt that the EFCC retrieved $1 million cash in Amosu’s residence in his residence in Badagary, Lagos. A source told New Telegraph that the money, in foreign currency, was retrieved when EFCC operatives carried out a search on Amosu’s residence in Badagry.

According to the source: “In continuation of the investigation into the arms probe, the EFCC operatives took Amosu to his residence in Badagry. After a thorough search of the residence, a fresh small ‘soakaway’ pit was discovered in the compound. The operatives suspected foul play, which informed the breaking of the ‘soakaway’. Surprisingly, $1 million was found in it. The money was subsequently confiscated.”

New Telegraph also learnt that Air Commodore Akinwale (rtd) who manages the St. Solomon Health Care Limited, an ultra-modern diagnostic centre owned by Amosu, along Adeniyi Jones Avenue in Ikeja, Lagos is still in the custody of the EFCC. The retired airforce officer oversees the medical centre on behalf of Amosu.

The diagnostic centre has been sealed off by the anti-graft agency. Meanwhile, the EFCC is still keeping Amosu, Adigun, and Air Commodore O. Gbadebo in Lagos. A source said that the anti-graft agency has been taking the indicted officers to assets traced to them, considered to have been acquired through funds illegally realised from the arms procurement. Some of the identified properties have been sealed off.

Amosu, Adigun and Gbadebo were arrested two weeks ago in Abuja. Impeccable sources told New Telegraph that the trio were flown into Lagos in an airforce aircraft on a Sunday and discreetly kept in a hotel.

The arrest and interrogation of Amosu is coming after New Telegraph had exclusively reported in the November 30, 2015 edition, that the Federal Government had directed the EFCC to prosecute the ex-CAS. Amosu, Adigun, Gbadebo and other indicted officers are being investigated over 10 NAF contracts totalling $930,500,690 awarded to Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux (SEI) Nig Ltd. between January 2014 and February 2015.

The award letters, according to the arms probe panel, contained misleading delivery dates, suggesting fraudulent intent in the award process.

Operatives are also grilling the ex-chief of army staff and the two senior officers over the procurement of two used Mi-24V Helicopters instead of the recommended Mi- 35M series at the cost of $136,944,000. The helicopters were discovered to be excessively priced and not operationally airworthy at the time of delivery.

The arms probe panel established that a brand new unit of Mi-24V Helicopter goes for about $30 million. The helicopters were delivered without rotor blades and upgrade accessories.

The three of them are also being grilled over the procurement of four used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at the cost of $7,180,000. Whereas NAF paid for four used Alpha-Jets, the panel confirmed that only two of the Alpha-Jet aircraft were ferried to Nigeria after cannibalisation of engines from the NAF fleet.

They are also being investigated in the procurement of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar for NAF, which was awarded to GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd in April 2014 at the cost of $33 million under his watch.

The arms panel averred that the radars were excessively priced as a complete set of such radars goes for $6 million.

Acting on the recommendations made by the 13-man presidential committee auditing arms procurement between 2007 and 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari, had ordered the EFCC to conduct further investigation on the indictment of Amosu, former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd); Air Marshal M.D. Umar (Rtd), Maj- Gen. ER Chioba (Rtd), AVM I.A. Balogun (Rtd), AVM A.G. Tsakr (Rtd), AVM A.G. Idowu (Rtd), AVM AM Mamu, AVM O.T Oguntoyinbo, and AVM T Omenyi. Others were: AVM J.B. Adigun, AVM R.A. Ojuawo, AVM JA Kayode-Beckley, Air Cdre S.A. Yushau (Rtd), Air Cdre A.O. Ogunjobi, Air Cdre G.M.D. Gwani, Air Cdre SO Makinde, Air Cdre A.Y. Lassa, Col. N. Ashinze and Lt Col. M.S. Dasuki (Rtd). Badeh had been in the custody of EFCC since Monday. Over N29 billion and $2 billion had been expended on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) procurement activities alone between 2007 and 2015.

Women group commends Buhari on appointment of first female PPMC MD

An advocacy group, ‎ Children and Women’s Rights Network (CHRINET), has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing the first female Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC)‎.

The commendation is contained in a communiqué issued to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja at the end of a two-day meeting of the group.

The communiqué described the appointment of Mrs Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue as `well deserved.’

It noted that women were still under-represented in the Buhari-led administration and stressed the need for it to consider more qualified women for appointment into strategic offices.

The communiqué said that CHRINET was committed to fostering the Federal Government’s change agenda in its respective communities and organisations.

“The integrity and transparency being employed in the effort to reposition PPMC provides a stellar example of what capable and empowered women can do in leadership positions,’’ it said.

The group appealed to the media to improve on its coverage of women activities.

“Through deliberate and inadvertent means, the mass media, culture, religion, economic and political forces seem to mount perpetual conspiracy to hold back women in the society.

It said that women should be given appointments on merit, adding that there were qualified women in every field of endeavour in Nigeria.

“Women should not just be appointed for appointment sake.

“We note that Nnamdi-Ogbue’s over 30 years competence in Petroleum Law in addition to her vast experience in NNPC’s top management and administrative business were considered before Buhari gave her the current assignment late last year,’’ the communiqué stated. (NAN)

N24bn scam: How Esai Dangabar, Banks laundered Police Pension Fund

Mustapha Gadanya, the fourth prosecution witness (PW4) in the ongoing trial of the seven persons accused of complicity in the over N24billion scam in the police pension office, on Thursday, told the court that the accused conspired with banks to launder police pension funds.

They are standing trial before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja

The accused persons are: Esai Dangabar, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira, Uzoma Cyril Attang and Christian Madubuke.

Gadanya, whose evidence started yesterday, told the court while being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, that the first accused, Esai Dangaba’s bank statement was obtained and analyzed.

According to him, the analysis revealed that the bank statement did not reflect the investments as seen in the pay deposits advices recovered from the accused office.

“The bank was helping accused to launder money. Funds were kept in the bank’s suspense account and later fixed, never entering his company account”, Gadanya told the court.”

The witness further stated that several funds discovered in the first accused account (close to a billion naira) had been withheld by the Federal Government.

“Investigations revealed that several hundreds of millions fixed as investment deposits made by the first accused person through his companies AMT Global Concept and Damule Nigeria Limited were made when he was a director in the Police Pension Office”, he said.

Documents in support of the claim were tendered in evidence and admitted by the court as exhibits.

Giving further details of the complicity of Dangabar in the matter, Gadanya said, the accused was also discovered to be the managing director and the sole signatory of Damule Nigeria Limited, the company where he had his wife and two sons listed as directors.

The witness also named two properties located at Utako and Jabi which Dangabar bought worth hundreds of millions naira, one from a senator, in the name of his company Damule Nigeria Limited which he said had been forfeited temporarily to the Federal Government.

Justice Baba adjourned to March 17 and 18, 2016 for continuation of trial.

Globacom Chairman, Adenuga, Receives City People “Man of the Year” Award

Chairman of the Mike Adenuga Group, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr.

Africa’s accomplished business entrepreneur and Chairman of the Mike Adenuga Group, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., has been conferred with the City People Man of the Year award for the year 2015, for his philanthropic gestures in Nigeria and beyond.

The leading society magazine, while presenting the award to the Executive Director, Globacom Group, Mrs. Bella Disu, who received it on behalf of the Chairman at the Mike Adenuga Towers on Victoria Island, said Adenuga won the award ahead of other prominent Nigerians.

Notable Nigerians such as former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded defeat in the last general elections, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, who conducted successful elections in 2015, former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, and Alhaji Aliko Dangote who established Dangote Cement in other African countries had earlier been nominated for the same award.

The organizers explained that the award was conferred on Dr. Adenuga because of his “silent philanthropic gestures across Nigeria” and his leadership role in the business sector in Africa.

While citing the award, City People underscored that Dr. Adenuga had remained steadfast in giving to various charitable causes over the years, describing him as a “self-effacing philanthropist.”

“Last year alone, unknown to many, Dr. Mike Adenuga touched the lives of very many people from the Arts to Music, Politics and Business and even ordinary Nigerians,” the citation disclosed. It added that Dr. Adenuga had over the last 20 years made silent donations to about 5,000 elderly senior citizens as allowances on a monthly basis. And at the end of the year, he picked another 1,000 Nigerians across the country to endow and empower economically. “But as a rule, he does not talk about it. And those around him are expected to keep mum,” City People noted.

“Through his businesses in the telecommunications, aviation, real estate oil, gas and other sectors, he is helping to set the pace and contributing to the growth of African economies, providing direct employment to thousands of Nigerians and people from the international community, as well as millions of others in indirect employment,” the citation stated.

Dr Adenuga was described by the organizers as worthy of emulation for every potential African business person; acknowledging him as “a quintessential businessman” and glowing example of the irrepressible spirit of the African entrepreneur, passionate, committed, resilient and extremely hardworking.

Acclaimed as one of the wealthiest men on earth, Dr. Adenuga’s business empire spans across oil and gas, telecoms, aviation, banking and real estate, about the largest in Africa. In pursuit of its pan-African vision, his telecoms company, Globacom, which has operations in several African countries, in May 2015, made a $600 million bid for Ivorian mobile telecom operator, Comium Cote d’Ivoire, which has been grappling with debt and cash flow challenges.

Dr. Adenuga remains humble, down to earth and modest, despite his towering achievements.
Ends.

Land scam: Two men scam Bank MD of N300m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday February 10, 2016, arraigned one Victor Ochola before Justice A.R Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on a 27-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and forgery to the tune of over N300m (Three Hundred Million Naira).

Ochola allegedly connived with one Dayo Jimo (now at large) and obtained money from one Mohammed Jubril, Managing Director of Suntrust Ltd Micro Finance Bank in the guise of purchasing plots of land for him.

One of the counts reads: “That you Victor Ochola, Dayo Jimoh (now at large) and others still at large sometime in January 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among themselves to commit an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”

He pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Victor Ukagwu, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Responding, the defence counsel, Bernard Afu, prayed the court to grant his oral application for bail.

Justice Mohammed, however, adjourned the case to February 16, 2016 for ruling on the bail application and ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.

Kim Kardashian Is Fierce In Revealing Top And Classy In Cruella de Vil-inspired Fur Coat In Preparation For New York Fashion Week

Kim Kardashian looks absolutely amazing for a lady who only recently gave birth. It looks like she has her form back and quite frankly, she’s fierce in her revealing top and classy, while rocking her fur coat inspired by Disney villain Cruella de Vil as she arrived an event ahead of New York Fashion Week on Wednesday.

The KUWTK star, 35, revealed enough cleavage while rocking her hair in tight braids. Generally, she looked even more attractive than a basket of fruits.