Breaking: Finally! Senate passes 2016 budget

– The Nigerian Senate has passed the 2016 budget – It was passed despite the lapses and controversy trailing the budget – The Senate reduced the total budget sum from N6.07trn to N6.06trn The Senate on Wednesday, March 23, finally passed the long awaited 2016 budget submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari. The 2016 Budget of N6,060,677,358,277 was reduced by N17,002,641,773. While presenting a report, Danjuma Goje, the chairman senate committee on appropriation said the budget was filled with controversy. He added that there were many lapses in the budget and in the bid for the Senate to clear up the issues will add more problems. He said if the Senate insisted on clearing up the lapses, the committee would not have been able to meet up with the deadline of submission. “This budget is full of controversy and we did not want to have more controversy or else it won’t have been presented today and the National Assembly would be blamed. “The people would not understand it because people are even saying that we are playing politics,” he said. However, Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy Senate president while making contributions commended the committee and also urged for the lapses to be addressed. On Tuesday, December 22, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari laid before a joint sitting of the National Assembly the 2016 appropriation bill. The bill contained the estimates of revenue and expenditure of the federation for the 2016 fiscal year in the aggregate sum of six trillion. The Senate debated the bill on January 20, 21, 26 and 27 respectively. The bill was read a second time on January 27, and consequently referred to the committee on appropriations for further legislative actions. In preparing details of the bill, the committee adopted a benchmark price of 38 dollars per barrel on crude oil based on the Medium Term Expenditure framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP). The executive proposals of crude oil production of 2.2 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of 197 naira to one dollar was adopted. After which the highlight of the bill as recommended by the committee was an aggregate expenditure of 6.06 trillion naira.

Wizkid, Jidenna set to collaborate?

– Wizkid hangs with Nigerian-American rapper Jidenna in Los Angeles – The picture of them together in a studio suggests they might be working on a music collaboration – The collaboration is highly likely following Jidenna’s statements in a previous interview wherein he expressed admiration for the Afro pop star’s music Afro pop star Wizkid was recently spotted with Nigerian-American hip hop artiste Jidenna in a studio in Los Angeles and from all indications a new collaboration might be in the offing. The Ojuelegba star, according to several reports, has taken a break from performing at his world tour but from all indications he is not staying far away from the craft. The new photo suggests both stars are cooking something fresh for the fans. This seems very believable considering that in a 2015 Billboard interview, the Classic Man rapper stated that he has always fancied Wizkid’s artistry.

Jidenna said to Billboard in the interview: “I love his voice, I love his production team. I was just hanging out with them recently. “I’m looking forward to what’s to come, and I love his catalog already.” Recall that in June 2015, both artistes performed at the African Festival and the reception was massive. Wizkid will be back to performing at his world tour in a few days as he thrills fans in Zambia, Freetown and Malaysia among other countries. The former EME singer has managed to fly high in spite of being ruffled by a number of controversial issues such as baby mama dramas and allegations of song theft among other things.

EFCC arraigns Tompolo in absentia

– EFCC charges Patrick Akpobolokemi, others with conspiracy to commit fraud – Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, grants bail to all accused persons – Tompolo to be charged separately after he is arrested Following his failure to appear in court to answer charges leveled against him, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, March 22 arraigned former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) in absentia over alleged N35 billion fraud.

According to Vanguard, Tompolo was arraigned alongside former boss of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh. The accused persons were charges with conspiring to commit fraud between 2012 and 2015. They all pleaded not guilty and their lawyers requested the court to grant them bail. Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, granted bail to all the accused persons but Enisuoh’s bail condition differed from the rest as he was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one reliable surety in like sum. Justice Buba adjourned till May 23, 24, 25 and 26 for trial. Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, counsel to the EFCC, Festus Keyamo said Tompolo would be charged separately after he is arrested. “It is the duty of the security agencies and they are still making efforts to get him. He is on the run and he cannot continue to be on the run for ever. We will get him,” he said. READ ALSO: EFCC releases Amosu and others on bail and seizes passports Earlier arraignment of the accused persons had been stalled due to the inability of the EFCC to arrest Tompolo. Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court had ordered the arrest of the former militant leader for his failure to appear before him to answer 40 counts on an alleged N45.9bn fraud but all efforts by the nation’s security agencies to produce the former militant leader has been unsuccessful.

'Empire' star Jussie Smollet confirms he's gay

Actor and singer Jussie Smollett is one of the breakout stars of Fox's hit drama Empire, and while much of the buzz surrounding him has focused on his talents, there's also been plenty said about his sexuality. On the show, he plays Jamal Lyon, a gay singer and the middle son of Lucious (Terrence Howard) and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) battling his father's homophobia. In real life, Smollett's sexuality has been a topic of conversation, and now he's setting the record straight. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres conducted backstage at Ellen, he confirmed that he is gay and explained why he's never felt the need to discuss his personal life. "There's never been a closet. That I've been in. I don't own a closet, I got a dresser, but I don't have a closet, but I have a home and that is my responsibility to protect that home. ... So that's why I choose not to talk about my personal life. But there is without a doubt, no closet that I've ever been in, and I just wanted to make that clear, but it was most important for me to make that clear to you on your show at this time in the world. And that's where I'm at. ... So, let's not read into it in the wrong way when I say that I don't talk about my personal life, I'm saying that. But it is in no way to hide or deny who God made me. You know? My mama knows. My mama likes me a lot. And, yes, I take her to the Sound of Music sing-along every single year. So, any questions? But honestly, we're human and we love and we do all that good stuff. So I'm honored for this opportunity and I'm honored to be here with you." Until his conversation with DeGeneres, Smollett consistently refused to discuss his sexuality in interviews, telling Sway on his radio show a few weeks ago that fans shouldn't assume that he's gay. "I'm not willing to confirm or deny anything. I live my life. If someone is looking for a box to put me in, that's not going to happen," he said. "I live my life, and if you really want to know about me, just watch, because I don't hide anything. I just don't choose to talk about my personal life." Smollett's co-star Malik Yoba made headlines last week when several media outlets and fans accused him of inadvertently outing the actor during an interview with BlackFilm.com. In a statement to USA TODAY, Yoba denied that he had outed Smollett and was instead just referring to his character, Jamal.

In UK Muslims spill blood in a London mosque

The men are seen hitting themselves with chains.

A group of extremely groomed Muslims have taken to a barbaric practise which involved hitting themselves with knife knitted chains. Blood circulated the vicinity as the men engaged in the strange activities in the presence of curious onlookers.

To show how extreme it is, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, banned it in the country. Gruesome images show some of these men with their backs soaked in blood, as they wielded blade infested chains. This practice is far from universal among Shias and has been the subject of heated debate throughout the Muslim world. Similar ceremonies is performed in a handful of other Shia mosques around Britain.

Lil Kesh “Y.A.G.I” is a victory for the streets

Life on the street is filled with tales of hustle, love, wanton celebration and fights. Lil Kesh brings it all together on this album.

Album – “Y.A.G.I” (Young And Getting Up) Artiste – Lil Kesh Producers – Pheelz, Young Jonn, Shizzi Record Label – YBNL (2016) Duration - 65 minutes Nigerian Hip-hop is divided along a lot of lines, with each fragment competing within and without, to impose itself on the limited attention span of pop culture consumers. When they compete within each other, they take the form of intra-subgenre needless comparisons such as ‘Olamide is better than Reminisce’ or ‘M.I has more influence than Modenine’. When that competition happens against various cultures of rap, it becomes ‘M.I has more flows than Olamide’, or ‘Lil Kesh works harder than Yung6ix’. Two cultures and styles that have emerged and on the outside, are seen to be completely against each other are the Indigenous and Westernized rap groups. M.I is the leader of one, and Olamide sits on the throne. At the moment, the latter is regarded as overall king, due to the massive acceptance of his rap. Lil Kesh, is just next in line, learning from King Baddo at YBNL Nation, and his guidance is proving instrumental in the creation of the next street king.

In many ways, this grooming is a good thing. From his signing in 2012 to his first hit song, Lil Kesh has been growing organically, on the merit of his songs. This is no artiste pumped with financial steroids and packaged as a construct for gullible Nigerians. This is the real deal, rapping his way through barriers and challenges. Before our eyes, he has become successful, with the instruments of that success benefitting each of us in our parties, clubs, celebrations, and victory lap dances. That’s why this is different. That’s why Lil Kesh is winning. He is “Y.A.G.I (Young And Getting It)”. 19 tracks and brimming with the ubiquitous Yoruba language, Lil Kesh’s “Y.A.G.I” album is a victory for the street. Life on the street is filled with tales of hustle, love, wanton celebration and fights. Lil Kesh starts off with the former. In fact, the entire work is hinged on tales of his hustle, and the success that come his way.

Fuck shit up’ is a fitting opener, an arrogant reminder of why he is the best on his level. He beats his chest and reminds everyone of his hustle, and why he is at this level. He also deals with the controversial Headies 2015 loss and how popular opinion resides in his corner, “Every single was a hit, fuck the award I don’t care, Kesh is all about his cheese…They say Kesh is our next rated, f*** that, I think I am the best rated’. That same braggadocio wraps up this work in ‘Lyrically’, his first ever hit song. ‘Ishe’ appreciates his ‘Baby’, an affectionate term for his mother. ‘Semilore’ tells his come-up story with underlining talking drums and rattles. Here Kesh combines Fuji and rap to impressive effect. There are shades of these also in the introspective ‘Igba Iponju’, and the dance fiesta ‘Jabo’. Street fight and displays of machismo comes in as Lil Kesh brings on Ycee and Wale on two versions of ‘Cause Trouble’. Fierce words are exchanged and bottles are smashed in the background of both songs. You get riled up, all of a sudden it seems cool to be violent. This is the way of the street. Trouble is second nature. Ycee and Wale truly have no business on this track. Lil Kesh’s dynamism was sufficient. Wale struggles needlessly, and Ycee comes across as a cameo. You can still get this pugnacious vibe on ‘Abija Wara’, as Phyno and Chinko Ekun join the razz-matazz.

On thematic young and ghetto love, you get the hit song ‘Is it because I love you’, and the highly disappointing ‘For you’. At this point, you get the feeling that low-tempo is not for Lil Kesh. He is most vulnerable to mediocrity when he lacks the verve that comes with increase in Beats Per Minute. He also flounders spectacularly on a failed country song ‘Life of a star’. Even Adekunle Gold looks ordinary on that track. Dance tracks are Lil Kesh’s bread and butter, and that’s why his singles all come with it as a bonus. ‘Efejoku’ still makes a strong case. But Olamide barely comes alive on ‘Problem child’, a direct sample of Drake’s ‘Energy’. Lil Kesh stuck to the concept of being young and successful. Every song, becomes a piece of that big puzzle, each complementing the other and bringing out the bigger picture. In many ways, this is a journey through the life of a man who rose from the hood to riding through the hood.

Lil Kesh’s first effort is a win for him, and for the street life. Here is one of ghetto’s most loved exports, making it big with all the lessons learned from the hood. “Y.A.G.I” stands tall as one of the most relatable works from rappers. Unlike Olamide’s already-earned king status, Lil Kesh is on the rise, embodying the spirit and effort of many of his fans who are still hoping for a better tomorrow. He hustles, he fights, he loves, and he celebrates. In a nutshell, that’s what we are all about. We all hope to be young, old and still getting it.

WWE Hulk Hogan wins $115M in sex-tape suit

After deliberating six hours, the jury awarded Hogan $60 million for emotional distress and $55 million for economic damages

A Florida jury on Friday awarded Hulk Hogan $115 million with the possibility of more after finding the Gawker website violated his privacy by publishing a sex tape of the celebrity wrestler. After deliberating six hours, the jury awarded Hogan $60 million for emotional distress and $55 million for economic damages. "This is a victory for everyone who has had their privacy violated," Hogan's attorney, David Houston, said. As the award was announced, the 62-year-old mustachioed wrestling icon cried and hugged Houston.

The case has drawn attention as a digital-age test of a celebrity's privacy rights and freedom of the press under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Gawker publisher Nick Denton said the website would appeal the verdict. A Gawker attorney previously said a loss could put the website out of business.

"We all knew the appeals court will need to resolve the case," Denton said in a statement. "We feel very positive about the appeal that we have already begun preparing, as we expect to win this case ultimately."

The jury is to remain sequestered until Monday when it will consider punitive damages and other matters in the case. Hogan, whose legal name is Terry Bollea, had sought $100 million in damages over the edited video that Gawker, a New York-based outlet known for gossip and media reporting, posted online in 2012. The jury of two men and four women agreed with Hogan that his privacy had been violated, that the violation had caused him harm and that Hogan had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Clay Calvert, a professor of law and mass communications at the University of Florida and a First Amendment expert, said such a large verdict was almost certain to be pared back on appeal, if not reversed. "Juries generally do not like the media," he said after the verdict. "The appellate court is a little more neutral." Gawker's one-minute, 41-second video depicted Hogan engaged in sex with the wife of his then-best friend, radio 'shock jock' personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. Hogan, a longtime star of World Wrestling Entertainment, said he did not know the consensual encounter had been recorded when it occurred nearly a decade ago in Bubba's home. Gawker's video included excerpts from a 30-minute sex tape the company obtained without knowing its origin. Hogan testified that he still suffers from the humiliation of a video that went viral. The video was viewed 2.5 million times on the Gawker site. Hogan wore a signature black bandana during the two-week trial in St. Petersburg, Florida, near his home. Testimony touched on media ethics, website analytics and Hogan's statements about his sex life, including descriptions of his genitalia. Gawker said the posting was in keeping with its mission to cover true and interesting subjects, stressing that Hogan had made his sex life a public matter. Denton and the editor responsible for the post, A.J. Daulerio, were called as defense witnesses. Both were named in the lawsuit and they stood by the post, which Denton said "stands up to the test of time.

Goodluck Jonathan PDP chieftain says EFCC should go after ex-President

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has revealed that ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan should be queried for the corruption allegations levelled against many of his aides by EFCC. In a recent report by Punch Newspaper, a PDP chieftain disclosed that Sambo Dasuki, the embattled National Security Adviser to ex-President Jonathan, shouldn't be the only one invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Read: Top politicians threaten to expose Goodluck Jonathan The PDP chieftain, whose name was not disclosed further said that apart from the CBN, other government agencies such as Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation all provided funds for the Jonathan campaign. “Dasuki never acted alone. The Department of State Services knows that he got Jonathan’s approval. His trial is being stalled because of what he knows. The CBN also had approvals from Jonathan. The CBN transferred these funds based on a memo signed by the former Permanent Secretary at the Villa. “Let the EFCC go after Jonathan if they want the monies back. We cannot refund what we did not steal,” he told Punch Newspaper.

In Russia FlyDubai plane crashes, 62 people on board killed

The Boeing jet was flying from Dubai to southern Russia. Flydubai CEO says "too early" to determine cause. The crash happened as plane tried to land in strong wind. Most aboard were Russian

All 62 people aboard a passenger jet flying from Dubai to southern Russia were killed when their plane crashed on its second attempt to land at Rostov-on-Don airport on Saturday, March 19, 2016, Russian officials said. Russia's emergencies ministry said the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Dubai-based budget carrier Flydubai, crashed at 0340 (0040 GMT). Most of those on board were Russian. "The aircraft hit the ground and broke into pieces," the Investigative Committee of Russia said in a statement on its website. There were 55 passengers aboard and seven crew members. They all died."

Psquare ‘We don’t do collaborations because of Paul’ – Peter Okoye

On their failure to have a lot of collaborations, Peter revealed that Paul’s refusal to appear in music videos of his collaborations have been the reason why they don’t have a lot of them.

Peter Okoye has revealed that the reason why Psquare don’t do a lot of collaborations is because of Paul Okoye. The twins have been the subject of an ongoing drama, with Peter firing their elder brother and manager, Jude Okoye. He has also spoken to NET about the problems, stating a number of issues that have pushed Psquare to the brink of breakup. On their failure to have a lot of collaborations, Peter revealed that Paul’s refusal to appear in music videos of his collaborations have been the reason why they don’t have a lot of them.

“Something happened at Mavin Studios last year that broke my heart.” Peter told NET. “Now listen to this, Psquare featured on songs with J-Martins, Bracket, LKT, 9ice and these 4 songs were done by Paul alone, but guess what, did I appear in the videos, YES. “Now hear this, we have other collabos with Kaha, Darey, Ruggedman. I did these songs alone. How come they don’t have videos? Paul refused to appear in the videos’. “So I told Paul that when next he does collabo alone, he should be in the video alone, because it got a point where artistes began to feel if they do a collabo with Paul it gets a video but if it’s me it doesn’t get a video. “The last collabo we did was with Flavour and I refused to do another one. Even Flavour had to speak all the Igbo he knows to convince me before I agreed to do it. Only for my brother to come and tell me that ‘shey I thought you said you won’t appear in any video that I did the collabo alone? Why did you appear on this one?’. I was sad but I knew another one will come.

Peter further shared details on their recent collaboration with Tiwa Savage, and how difficult it was for him to record his verse on the song. “So Tiwa Savage called me, apparently Paul had gone to do a song with her, not the campaign song they are promoting now, another Psquare collabo entirely. So she called me that she’s been trying to reach Paul to get the CD of the song from him that he’s already done his part, so I went to Paul’s house to help ask for it and tell him that I want to go to their studio to do my verse and he said he doesn’t know where the CD is. “I went to the Mavin studio to meet Tiwa, when I got there, she asked for the CD and I told her Paul didn’t give me any CD, so I called him again and gave the phone to Tiwa and told her on phone that the CD is at Omole, so I got into the studio recorded my verse and when I finished, everybody was clapping. I was surprised only to realize that Paul had gone to tell them that I don’t sing or write songs. “I felt really bad and betrayed, but I covered up for him. I jokingly asked Teebillz if they gave him Red Label and he said yes, so I was like you guys caused it, and we laughed over it. So when my assistant went to pick up the CD, Paul and Jude started shouting at him to tell Peter that what is he doing at the Mavin studio? He knows how we work. The next day, I went to Paul and told him how I felt when I heard what he said. Only for Jude to say that he made Paul the lead singer of Psquare 8 years ago! A leader leads, he doesn’t destroy.” Psquare also have a collaboration with Yemi Alade on her forthcoming “Mama Africa” album, but Peter Okoye was not a part of the recording.

Peter Okoye 'I think Paul is weak,' says Psquare half

The father of two, who wants to be addressed as Mr P said he thinks his twin brother is weak.

Following the current rift among the Okoye brothers, Peter Okoye has referred to his twin brother as a weakling. In a recent post by The Netng, the father of two, who wants to be addressed as Mr P said he thinks his twin brother is weak. Read: Peter Okoye says current rift in Psquare is no publicity stunt ‘I remember I once told Paul something, when Jude was using the term ‘Our Money’ when he just became our manager, that was when we made our first 1million. I called Paul and told him that our former manager used to make about 15%, now that Jude is our manager, let’s think of a percentage that we’ll be giving him and put it on paper. Paul was like, it’s not necessary. Probably, he went to tell Jude about it,’ he said. Continuing, Peter said, ‘I’m sorry to say this, but I think Paul is weak. You know they say change is constant, you can’t stay at one spot, as the industry moves, you move. So I won’t say the problem we have is money. I think everybody is just dragging power unnecessarily. Imagine Jude telling me that he’s in charge of Psquare and there’s nothing Peter and Paul can do about it, and I look at Paul he’s quiet about it’.

Delta state police arrest Oghara Kidnap kingpin

– Police in Delta state have apprehended one of the gunmen behind kidnapping in Oghara – The apprehended suspect has given names of other members of the syndicate – Police are still investigating, in a bid to apprehend other members of the gang A gunman who is said to be a top member of a kidnap syndicate has been arrested in Delta state. The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday, March 16. Astonishingly, the 34-year-old suspect, Best Odeh in his confessional statement, revealed that members of his gang were responsible for series of abductions in Oghara community. According to The Vanguard, the suspect gave the identities one of their abducted victims simply as Candy, revealing that the sum of N500,000 was collected as ransom for his release.. Others according to him, were one Mrs Avi Omotie of Ovade village, Oghara and Mrs Rose Asuai. He said: “We kidnapped Mrs Omotie last year while Mrs Asuai who lives at Oghara junction was also kidnapped last year, precisely on October 8, 2016. Members of my gang are Alaba Gold, Godstime Ekwereme. They both live in Oghara village, while our leader is Onos Okerobo, he is from Otumara village in Oghara. Our targets are usually from Oghara and are usually those we know their financial status. I went into kidnapping because I had nothing doing, no hand- work , no job. “I did not even go to school” he said without any sign of remorse.

Confirming his arrest, spokesperson for the Delta state police command, Celestina Kalu said: “In the continuous manhunt for kidnappers terrorizing Oghara axis, detectives attached to Oghara division while acting on a tip off,arrested one Best Odeh of Otumara village. During interrogation, he confessed his membership of a notorious kidnap gang headed by a wanted kidnap kingpin, one Onos Okerobo of Otumara village, Oghara. Items recovered from him included an improvised single barrel cut to size gun. “Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing while manhunt for other members of the gang continues,” the police spokesman said. In the same vein, about 52 suspected criminals have been arrested and detained by the Delta state police command in connection with various crimes. The state commissioner of police, Alkali Baba Usman, who announced the harvest of the suspects while parading them before journalists at the command’s headquarters in Asaba, the state capital, disclosed that 27 of them were arrested on the night of March 2, during a raid in Asaba.

In Seme 11 suspected trans-border armed robbers killed

Owoseni said that the 17-man robbery gang was led by TK to attack banks and Bureau-de-Change at Seme border but their robbery attempt was foiled by security operatives.

No fewer than 11 suspected armed robbers, including a wanted ring leader, Tokiche, a.k.a. ``TK’’, were killed at Seme border after the gang exchange of gunfire with security agents. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who made the disclosure on Friday in Ikeja, said they were overpowered by the security agents, including policemen from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. Owoseni said that the 17-man robbery gang was led by TK to attack banks and Bureau-de-Change at Seme border but their robbery attempt was foiled by security operatives. According to him, TK had been on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police for various violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, cultism and pipeline vandalism among others. The commissioner said that TK had over 200 men which he used in various groups to carry out crimes, stressing that he also had properties at various places, including Isawo, Ikorodu in Lagos State. ``TK has his signature in various violent crimes in Ogun, Ondo, Edo and the Republic of Benin. ``They also intercepted a vessel in Niger/Delta Area. He shifts his base from one place to another depending on the operation he wants to carry out. ``On March 16, we got a report that TK and his gang were planning to attack banks and bureau-de-change at Seme border area. ``They were said to have come in three boats at about 3 a.m. and immediately started shooting sporadically in commando style,’’ Owoseni said. ``The Police, Customs, Immigration, the Joint Military Taskforce and Policemen from Republic of Benin who had earlier prepared for them foiled their operation. ``The gang surrendered to the superior gun power of the security agencies and fled. ``The security agents and members of the public pursued them and at the end of the day, 11 of them were killed, while six others escaped. We are on the trail of those at large.’’ He said that three boats with one of them having the inscription ``Castina Marine’’, 22 pieces of dynamite, six AK-47 rifles, two general purpose machine guns and 33,678 life ammunitions were recovered. Other recovered items, he added, were 22 empty magazines, eight life jackets, 350 litres jerry can of fuel, two 100 litres jerry cans of fuel, one military magazine, jackets and assorted pieces of charms. Owoseni said that the dead bodies had been deposited at the mortuary. He said that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, commended all the security agencies that were involved in the operation, including those of Republic of Benin for their cooperation. He added that the inspector-general called for more of such partnership among them. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, reports that three corpses of the suspected armed robbers, including TK, were paraded before the newsmen before being taken to the mortuary.

Hulk HoganFormer WWE wrestler goes naked

The former wrestling champion is furious that a funny video, filmed years ago featuring himself mocking Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’ music video, is now being used against him in his lawsuit against Gawker media! He says that "Hulk" was a character he played and doesn’t change the fact that they leaked a sex tape of him!10

Hulk Hogan's naked video in the past is now haunting him! The former wrestling champion is furious that a funny video, filmed years ago featuring himself mocking Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’ music video, is now being used against him in his lawsuit against Gawker media! He says that "Hulk" was a character he played and doesn’t change the fact that they leaked a sex tape of him!

The 62-year-old (real Terry Bollea) does not think it’s funny that a video of him wearing a thong as Cyrus was played in court during trial! The former WWE wrestler sat in a Florida courtroom and watched as Gawker’s defense team showed a video of him swinging on a wrecking ball and wearing a black thong.

Hulk is furious that attorneys are saying that he’s a public figure who has shown off his body before, so it’s okay that Gawker media leaked his sex tape with his best friend’s wife, Heather Clem in 2007. The outlet is claiming that it was their "First Amendment Right" to show the clip and they showed this clip of him mocking Miley to help their case but Hulk isn’t buying it. “I was completely humiliated,” he said while testifying.

"It was even embarrassing as my character. Hulk Hogan was embarrassed. Some still images came up and TMZ called me and said ‘hey, there’s a rumor that there might be a tape out there, a sex tape. I was pretty rocked. I felt numb. My hands started shaking violently when I got off the phone. I couldn’t quit shaking," he said.

Special report: How Nigerians languish in foreign jails

– Many Nigerians are currently being held for various offenses in foreign prisons – Chinese jails are particularly notorious for holding large numbers of Nigerians – Are these Nigerians innocent or rightly imprisoned?

A childhood dream: In search of the golden fleece Chukwuemeka Diobi had always had the dream of becoming a successful business man. He had grown up to believe in his dream and had worked hard and stayed focus not to derail from it. After secondary school, rather than proceed to the university, he told his parents not to waste their time as he had made his mind to go into business. READ ALSO: Factory workers in Chinese company narrate ordeal His big break came when he arrived Lagos in the wet season of 2005. His friend had invited him to try out the Chinese visa at their consulate in Lagos. He got the visa and the chance to go on a business trip to China.

A dream shattered “I arrived in China in December of 2005, but that fateful trip signaled the beginning of my troubles and my long journey to jail’’. But that was ten years ago. Having been deported after serving his years in prison, Chukwuemeka and other Chinese are relating their ordeals. After ten years in Guangzhou region, his dream of becoming an international businessman had gone up in smoke. His wife of ten years in Nigeria had left him. Back home in Nigeria, he was back to square one with nothing to show for his one decade abroad. Chukwuemeka’s journey into jail was something he did not expect. He left Nigeria with a huge sum of money to buy goods. In China, he said the police had burst into the apartment he was staying with others and hurled every one of them to jail.

“I had protested that I just came into the country and was showing them my papers. But they took them from me and threw them away. We were bundled into a police car and driven to jail”. “I requested for a lawyer but they said the state will provide one for us. When he came, his English was so bad that I just could not understand how the lawyer will prove my innocence’’. “At the court, they just read the charges and after some indecipherable arguments, I was sent to jail for ten years. That was how my life came crashing”. “I later learnt that the people I was staying with had committed credit card fraud. I stayed in prison and was made to work in their factory. It was hard labour that I will never wish for my enemy’’. Arriving in Lagos in January of 2016 after being deported, Chukwuemeka had not summoned the courage to go back to his village in Ihiala, Anambra state. Many Nigerians in foreign jails have always claimed that their arrest is due to mistaken identity. While Chukwuemeka may have been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, the case of another Chinese returnee was slightly different. Jones Ebuka said he was accused of beating his Chinese wife by the Chinese authorities. He also said he was jailed for 15 months under the most inhumane condition and treatment. His problem started from a false accusation he claimed led to an invitation to the police station and then the courtroom to prison. Read more: https://www.naij.com/767974-special-report-life-behind-bars-nigerians-languish-die-chinese-jails.html

His charge was that he allegedly assaulted his Chinese wife: “I was detained for a year and three months without making calls. I was not allowed to contact my people nor were they allowed to see me for an issue that I was asked to come and clear myself”. “I was accused of violating my wife’s rights; that I touched her, whereas I didn’t which did not warrant being detained for an hour. Whoever wants to go to China should be careful. Those people are dangerous”. Recalling his experience in detention he said: “Nigerians in Chinese prisons are used as labourers in producing most things made in China, yet they are not paid up to the minimum wage. They set targets based on what machines produce. If you don’t meet the target, your sentence won’t be commuted”. Like Chukwuemeka, Jones also confirmed that due to the challenge of language barriers, some Nigerians in detention do not know what is being said during their trial, since it is conducted in Chinese, adding that after that, long sentences are handed to first time offenders. Jones, who said he attended the rally because he had witnessed first-hand what Nigerians go through in Chinese prisons said: “What is happening there is really scary. I never pray for anyone to experience it, because it is hell on earth. What we read in the news is different from how the Chinese treat Nigerians there. They treat the black people like animals. They trade human organs”. “They subject people to hard labour. If you don’t work hard enough, your sentence will not be commuted. For instance if you’re given 20 years, if you’re very hard working, they could reduce the sentence”. “There are thousands of Nigerians in Chinese prisons being used as slaves. Most of them don’t know when they are coming back home because the government doesn’t care for them”. “China has prisoner exchange programmes with other countries where citizens return to serve prison terms in their countries. So, we’re calling on Nigerians to intervene for our citizens. Many have died. Sometimes they will execute Nigerians, claiming the embassy signed for their death”. But fate had also played a role in Jones life. He was released when his Chinese wife, who he was accused of beating, intervened to save him from a lifetime in Chinese gulag. “My Chinese wife helped me. I fired my first lawyer who wanted to collude with the Chinese to alter my statement. The Chinese hate blacks. All they want is our money. My wife used to pay through her nose for me to be a bit comfortable in prison – just to get fresh air. Sometimes my temperature would rise so high”. Like Jones, another returnee prisoner, Chidiebere Emeka, said close to 80 Nigerians died in Chinese prisons in 2015. He said: “Our people are going through hell in those prisons. I spent nine years and a month there. We’re pleading with government to do something urgently to release our people or bring them back home to serve their sentence. They treat us like animals, some are not even guilty of the crimes they are accused of. There is no fair trial”.

Unresponsive Nigerian embassy “Sometimes our embassy doesn’t believe the things we tell them. The embassy staff comes to the prisons once in a while but the problems persist. The Chinese authorities confiscated everything I had, all my sweat. I was set up with a Chinese woman”. “They discovered foreign currencies in my place and I was charged with money laundering. During trial they didn’t even allow me to make a call. They would intimidate you because you have nobody there to stand up for you”. “There’s no human right there. It’s like slavery. During trial, the people they bring to translate don’t even understand English. They mis-translate English to China”. More sordid tales have been told by Nigerians who have been found on the wrong side of the law in China. In 2013, some Nigerians in Chinese jails had sent an SOS to their families back home in Nigerian to pressure the Nigerian government to intervene. A Nigerian prisoner who had identified himself as Buchi to the Daily Sun newspaper had lamented the horrible condition of Nigerian prisoners in Chinese jails. Another prisoner, simply named Peter had lamented: “Please, my brother, we are dying. We are over 700 Nigerians in various prisons here. Our health condition is very terrible. If you are sick, nobody takes you to the hospital. The kind of food they serve us here is better not tasted. It is tasteless”. “In fact, I lack the proper word to describe the kind of food they serve us. We spend heavily on our feeding from the money our families in Nigeria send to us. It is really bad and I hope you understand what I mean when I say it is bad. What is bad is bad and it is bad”. Peter had said. Unlike Jones, Ebuka and Chukwuemeka who are today free men and have lived to tell their story, there are still many others like Peter who are still behind bars in different Chinese prisons. They say they are victims of unfair sentencing and trial, delayed cases, and are being treated as human machines.

How Bukola Saraki looted Kwara dry - EFCC, CCB

– CCB, EFCC said Saraki borrowed huge sums of money running into billions from commercial banks to acquire several landed property in Lagos, Abuja and London – Saraki was also said to have failed to declare his ownership of several proprieties across Nigeria

Details of how senate president, Bukola Saraki, a two-term governor of Kwara state looted the state dry has emerged. According to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Saraki allegedly syphoned Kwara state funds with the help of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) into his foreign account to buy property in London. This was contained in a joint response by the CCT and EFCC is contained in the counter-affidavit filed by the prosecution in the trial of Saraki on charges of false assets declaration. Saraki was said to have borrowed huge sums of money running into billions from commercial banks, particularly Guarantee Trust Bank and used the proceeds of the loan to acquire several landed property in Lagos, Abuja and London, while he was the governor of Kwara state. He was also alleged to have used public funds, running into billions from Kwara state government and lodged same in several tranches and in cash into his GTB account I GRA (Government Reservation Area), Ilorin, Kwara State. “Our investigation on the CCB Assets Declaration Forms for public officers filed by the defendant/respondent revealed the following: “The landed property listed as No: 42 Gerald Road, Ikoyi was visited by Mr. Ikechi Iwuagwu (Deputy Director, CCB), Miss. Geraldine Longsten (DSS) and Adamu Garba (EFCC) sometime in 2006 and discovered that the property was under construction. “Contrary to the declaration by the defendant that he was earning an annual income of N110, 000,000 from No: 42 Gerald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, there were no tenants in the property as same was an empty land as at the time of the declaration. “Contrary to the declaration by the defendant that he owned 15A and 15B Mcdonald, Ikoyi, Lagos as at the time of the declaration in 2003 our investigation revealed that the said property were acquaired in 2006 from the implementation committee on Federal Government Landed properties through his companies called Tiny Tee Limited and Vitti Oil Limited wherein he paid the sum of N396, 150,000 to the federal Government of Nigeria. “The defendant made an anticipatory declaration for the said 15A and 15B, Ikoyi, Lagos. The defendant acquired the property in the name of two companies because he could not buy two Federal government property in his personal name. “The defendant bided for and acquired 17, 17A and 17B Mcdonald, Ikoyi, Lagos from the Implementation Committee on Federal government Landed Property and paid an aggregate sum of N497, 200,000 to the Federal Government between October 2006 and 2007. Saraki was also said to have failed to declare his ownership of No: 3 Targus Street, Maitama, Abuja otherwise known as 2481 Cadastral Zone A06, Abuja which he acquired from one Alhaji Attahiru Adamu in his asset declaration form (of June 3, 2011.) and No: 42 Remi Fani-Kayode Street, Ikeja Lagos, which he acquired through his company, Skyview Properties Limited from First Finance Trust Limited on December 12, 1996. “Sometime in February 2010 the defendant obtained a loan of N375, 000,000 from GTB Plc in Nigeria, which he converted into 1,516,194.53 pounds sterling and gave instructions to the bank to transfer the entire sum to the united Kingdom in favour of Forts Bank SA/NV the purpose of which the defendant stated to be the full and final payment of mortgage redemption for the property he purchased in London,” Danladi said. CCT chairman, Danladi Umar has adjourned to March 24 for ruling and possible commencement of trial.

“We must produce what we eat”

Buhari made the comment on Thursday, March 17, 2016, while receiving the new Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Vesselin Blagoer Delcher in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria can no longer afford to import food items. Buhari made the comment on Thursday, March 17, 2016, while receiving the new Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Vesselin Blagoer Delcher in Abuja. ‘‘We must produce what we eat. We don’t have unlimited resources to continue the importation of food items that can be produced locally,” Buhari said. “Fortunately, some Nigerians have shown foresight by building factories that process agricultural products within the country. They have created a value chain that boosts employment, protects our foreign reserves and safeguards the economy from external shocks. “We will do all that we can to encourage others to join in the effort to achieve national self-sufficiency in food production,” Buhari added. The President also assured that his government would encourage Nigerian farmers to adopt modern, technology-driven methods of farming.