An issue with Sahara Reporters

I am an avid reader of your online magazine. Although am relatively new to your website, I found most of the articles written by Sahara Reporter’s journalists of national concern which elicit collective response as seen by the amount of comments you received.

Many of the discourses, especially the economic and political issues generate interests from people like me and those who live abroad as they update us of the state of the Nigeria’s politics. This punctuates the role of the media in contributing to social-political awareness and especially in the face of the new media. I am sure you know the binding principles of true journalism and the psychological effects on the people. As a journalist, be rest assured that I am not here to tell you how to run the trade, neither am here to brandish my digital thoughts as an internet warrior. No, that’s not my intention. My intention is to highlight the dangers of carefree attitude to reporting/writing or spreading of malicious piece whether online, electronic or print that could intoxicate some not-well informed, aggrieved, or maligned people who are ready to spit venoms at such opportunity.

Lagos State government! The ladies are Nudist! So what?

Early in the year the Lagos state environmental task force, carried out what it described as a “carefully planned and very well executed raid” on private clubs that were said to be “carrying out immoral acts” such as girls performing “nude dancing”. It is the responsibility of any government to make sure that clubs and entertainment centres operate within the confines of the law and a responsible government will also keep an eye on such clubs to make sure they do not engage the services of the underage, minors or ladies who are forced to perform without their consent. However the recent invasion of clubs by the Lagos government officials in a Rambo style manner is very unbecoming of a state whose governor is arguably one of the best performing public official Nigeria as ever witnessed in recent times. The way they subjected those young Nigerian women, to series of humiliation, by photographing them openly and making such available to the press almost naked is a violation of the rights of the citizens. If the officials involved in the raid must display the “captives” can’t they give them the choice of having their clothes on?

Purchase and installation of 47 MW capacity power generating units from China by the Ogun State Government: The Human and Environmental Impac

Dear Rt. Hon. Speaker: I write on behalf of the above-named organisation. QL&EF is an environmental consultancy primarily focused on preventing the continued degradation of the environment worldwide.It was brought to our attention via a publication titled “Ogun to spend N7b on power plant” written by Femi Shodunke in The Compass Newspaper dated Friday 13th November 2009 that the Ogun State government is planning to purchase the above mentioned generators from China. The manufacturer is CSI Ningbo Ltd., China (http://www.ningdong.com/en/index.php?page=3). The generators according to information provided on the website of the manufacturers run on ‘Heavy Fuel Oil’ (HFO) (see attached [dated] web page). HFO is the low quality ‘left over’ from the processing stages of crude oil. Some of the characteristics of HFO are: high viscosity (very thick), high levels of contaminants (e.g. Sulphur which becomes sulphur dioxide upon combustion) and requires heating at very high temperature before usage (adding to running cost and energy wastage).

Statement on developments with the Ibori trial at Asaba, Nigeria and the adjournment of the case against his associates at Southwark Crown Court

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Respect Nigerians Coalition as an organization believes in the inviolable principle of civilized justice, which states that every accused person is innocent until proven guilty. So, on that basis, we have no case against James Ibori, the former Governor of Delta State and his sister and associates on trial in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, because, as far as we know, they are yet to be convicted of any offence. However, we do have serious reservations about how the case against Ibori is being conducted in Asaba, Nigeria. We have followed the case closely and strongly believe that it is a sad example of how a case should not be prosecuted, defended or adjudicated.As citizens and stakeholders in the wellbeing of our nation, we, like most Nigerians, feel very strongly about the issue of political or public sector corruption and the obvious harm it’s done and is still doing to our body politic. Indeed, it is something that hardworking and law-abiding citizens of every nation must take seriously. For instance, figures released by the United Nations just a few days ago indicate that political corruption costs countries as much as £951 billion ($1.6 trillion) every year! It is nothing short of crime against humanity, because it not only kills development, it kills people en mass! As defenders of the integrity of Nigeria and Nigerians, be they at home or abroad, we believe that such a disease that has blighted the life of our nation so terribly must be fought to a standstill in any forum.

Hope and (some) fear in Anambra

Friday, November 13, will be remembered as a day of hope for the people of Anambra State, nay Nigerians. That day, the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal dismissed a misconceived lawsuit by Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba – widely known as Andy Uba – seeking to be foisted, via judicial fiat, as the governor of Anambra. The court’s five justices unanimously refused to grant what Justice Sylvester Nwani Ngwuta aptly described as “judicial blunder.” Had Uba succeeded – God forbid! – he and his coterie would certainly have assaulted logic and sought to give God a bad name by categorizing their triumph as ordained by divinity. They would have staged a fiesta of carefully orchestrated celebration to leave the impression that Mr. Uba’s ascendancy had popular appeal.

Maryam hangs on to life as IBB becomes scared about being sued in US court

Former Nigerian dictator Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida is reportedly jittery about the prospect of being sued in a US court following revelations by Saharareporters that he and his family are in California to be with his dying wife, Maryam. Maryam Babangida is terminally ill of cancer at the University of California (UCLA) Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. The rumor mill in Nigeria is that Mrs. Babangida has died, but one of our sources said the former First Lady remained under intensive chemotherapy and pain therapy in the intensive care unit of the UCLA cancer treatment center. Sources close to Babangida told Saharareporters that the former dictator joined his wife a few weeks ago. Last week, Mr. Babangida, a retired general, and his children were summoned to Maryam’s bedside as her condition deteriorated. “She has turned blacker than charcoal,” said a family source who saw Maryam last week.

How Naval Officers aid bunkering

• Own pipelines, refineries in S/Africa! • Merchant Navy boss vows to expose cartel
THE battle against uniformed officers in illegal bunkering business, may be far from over, as National Daily investigations have unearthed more unwholesome revelations regarding the nefarious activities of the supposed military guardian of the country's territorial waters. It has been discovered that the country, Africa's largest oil-producer and the seventh highest in the world, is presently losing more crude oil than it is officially selling, in view of the activities of naval men who are busy diverting unbelievable quantity of crude oil abroad daily via bunkering activities. Estimate made available indicated that the country loses $1.6 billion (£1.1 billion) a year to oil bunkerers. The Director General and Commandant of the Nigeria Merchant Navy, Commodore Allen Benson Edema, threw more light on this dastard act in an encounter with the newspaper in Abuja.

Petition over the involvement of Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour in ca/l/866m/2009: Chief Olabode George & ors v f.r.n.

We are solicitors to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that is the Respondent in the above-mentioned appeal (prosecuting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria). We write on its behalf.

My Lord, on Monday, October 26, 2009, a Lagos High Court (Criminal Division) presided by the Hon. Justice Olubunmi Oyewole gave judgment in Charge No. ID/71C/08 in which the Appellants above, (who were Defendants at the Court below) were found guilty on 47-Counts of offences bothering on abuse of office (by splitting contracts in public office), disobedience of lawful orders, and conspiracy. They were sentenced to two years for some of the offences and six months for some others - all to run concurrently.

Pursuant to their constitutional right, they have appealed to this Honourable Court by filing Notices of Appeal at the Court below. They also simultaneously filed motions for bail at the lower court, pending their appeal. However, on Monday, November 9, 2009, the lower court, presided over by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole dismissed all the applications.

Nkem Owoh "Osufia" regains freedom

Six days after he was seized on the Port Harcout-Enugu Expressway, the popular Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh, aka Osuofia, on Saturday regained freedom from his abductors.
Owoh‘s freedom was said to have been negotiated by members of his family who paid N1.4m, SUNDAY PUNCH gathered.The kidnappers, however, continue to hold on to the actor‘s car pending the payment of N100,000 balance, a member of the family told SUNDAY PUNCH on the condition of anonymity.The source said the family could only raise N1.4m out of the N1.5m demanded by the kidnappers.Our correspondent gathered that the family members pleaded with the abductors to release his vehicle but all efforts proved abortive.It would be recalled that the actor was abducted on Monday when a gang of kidnappers reportedly blocked his car as he made his way towards a film location in Enugu.

Yar'adua, jittery, orders arrest of Buhari aide, Buba Galadima

Buba Galadima, aide to former ANPP presidential candidate, Muhammad Buhari was arrested today and detained. Reason, the State Security Services (SSS) claims it found an interview he gave to ThisDay last weekend "offensive."
During an interrogation at the "Yellow House" headquarters of the SSS that lasted 9 hours, they accused Alhaji Galadima of calling for a Jerry Rawlings treatment for corrupt Nigerian politicians in the ruling PDP. He was later released, but is to return for further interrogation everyday until further notice.
The arrest of Galadima today has heightened fears amongst opposition politicians that the SSS plans to engage in the intimidation of opposition politicians of the newly established National Democratic Movement (NDM), also known as the "Mega-Party".It would be recalled that the Yar'Adua government recently withdrew the official cars attached to General Buhari, a former Head of State, and stopped payment of his pensions.

Maryam Babangida dying of cancer in Los Angeles; IBB, family, at her bedside

Maryam Babangida, Nigeria's former First Lady and chairperson of the Better Life for Rural Women during her husband's years in office, is dying of ovarian cancer at the UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles.
Mrs. Babaginda's condition worsened about six months ago after she attended the wedding of Umaru Yar'Adua's daughter, Nafisat, who married the 54 -year old governor of Bauchi State.Sources told Saharareporters that the retired ex-dictator was granted a US visa on compassionate grounds to be at the bedside of his wife, who may be in her last days as her cancer is suspected to have reached an advanced stage.

Former US congressman involved in corruption case with Atiku gets 13 years in jail

Former congressman William Jefferson has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for corruption that involved US companies and Nigerian officials.The ruling yesterday, by Federal Judge TS Ellis III of the US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, followed Jefferson's conviction for collecting bribes on behalf of Nigerian officials, speciafically, former Vice President , Abubakar Atiku. However, the FBI found $90,000 cash, which Jefferson said was meant for Atiku, hidden in a freezer.
But Atiku and his wife, Jennifer Douglas, did not accept summons and subpoenas to appear before the US court. Instead, they moved their family out to Dubai, and put their Potomac mansion up for sale.US Justice department officials told Saharareporters that arrest warrants have been issued against Atiku and his runaway wife, Jamila Jennifer Douglas-Atiku and that the duo would be promptly arrested if they step on US soil.Saharareporters sources said Atiku and his business partner, Otunba Fasawe, did not return the sum of $21 million taken from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to the Nigerian coffers.EFCC's 21-paragraph counter-affidavit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja on PTDF Scam

Governor Peter Obi should account for over N10Billion he has Collected as Security Votes from the Coffers of Anambra State

Governor Peter Obi should account for over 10 Billion Naira he has Collected as Security Votes from the Coffers of Anambra State -
The theme of the on-going ASA -USA Convention 'Securing lives and property in Anambra State - Strategy for sustainable Economic Development and Democracy' presents a unique opportunity for Anambrarians to access the performance of the Governor, Mr Peter Obi in this vital area of governance.2. The unacceptable high level of insecurity in Anambra state poses a real threat to sustainable economic and political development in Anambra state as investors and potential ones are fleeing the state in droves. 3. The matter has become so serious that even Anambrarians living outside the state are now reluctant to visit their homes and those living in the state are relocating to cities outside the state!
4. Mr Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra state collects between N300 Million and N400 Million every month as security votes, averaging more than N10 billion Naira since he came into office.
5. Can Mr Peter Obi explain to Anambrarians whether this huge sum has been exclusively deployed for security of lives and property in the state?
6. Can His Excellency explain the recent interception by the police of the sum of N255 Million Naira in cash in an Anambra state government vehicle on a Sunday in front of his private office in Apapa, Lagos without insulting our intelligence?
7. The Governor had claimed that the money was withdrawn by his in-law, a state government contractor, to buy cars for Anambra state government! But if one may ask, is there any car dealer in Nigeria that accepts cash for purchase of cars?

When reps debated a failing nation

During the Second Republic, 1979-1983, the popular television program, MASQURADE, in obvious dig at the excesses of the period, added a new character, EMPEE (MP), a voluble braggart with a distended belly from who carried himself with a swagger in the context of the politics of that era.
That MP regularly boasted that he would introduce “a very rowdy motion” in parliament! Well, last week, members of the Nigerian House of Representative set aside temporarily, more serious matters like sharing money and attempting to get themselves immunity, to move a “a very rowdy motion”, like Zebrudaya’s EMPEE! Hon. Saleh Minjibir, a member of the ANPP, had been rankled by the October 5, 2009 edition of TELL magazine, which had been titled “The making of a failed nation”.

Bata Company high profile crimes: EFCC, SEC and ICAN, please note

Since the reporting of the above-referenced case on behalf of the Bata Workers Cooperative Ltd, our phone line has been inundated with calls from stakeholders wanting to get an official response from the company now called FAMAD PLC.
We have decided to respond to this popular request by providing the additional information below to the above-referenced agencies and indeed all concerned stakeholders.
To all those who expressed anxiety over the refusal of Chief (Mrs.) Olakunri to either pick their calls or respond to their questions I’ll suggest that you either send questionnaires to her by e-mail on the matter: tolakunri@yahoo.co.uk or visit her corporate offices- Executive Nominees Ltd, 64B Raymond Njoku Street, S.W. Ikoyi Lagos.ALTERNATIVELY AND BETTER STILL READERS CAN DIRECT THEIR ENQUIRIES TO THE NEWLY APPOINTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WHO WAS UNTIL RECENTLY AN ALTERNATE DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD TO LOOK IN TO THE PETITION WRITTEN BY A STAFF OF THE ORGANISATION.
NAME: ALHAJI M.K. HARUNA. TEL: 08023331178. YOU MAY ALSO REACH HIM BY E-MAIL AT: goldenyabanya_kabirharuna@yahoo.com . Or Famad52@yahoo.com, which is the official company e-mail.

Abubakar Umar, Special Assistant to CAC boss, brutally murdered, burnt

Abubakar Umar, a lawyer and special assistant to Ahmeed Al Mustapha, registrar of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was found brutally assassinated yesterday in Abuja. Abubakar was trailed by unknown assailants after he left work last night, abducted, shot to death, and set ablaze. His badly burnt body was found near Utako Market in the opposite direction of his residence in Maitama.
Already, the Nigerian police has been quick to claim that Mr. Umar died in auto accident, saying that his body was burnt because it was trapped in his burning car. But family members suspect a cover-up, contending that Abubakar's body was riddled with bullets and that the police recovered expended bullet shells from the scene where his body was recovered

Appeal Court Panel Unanimously Dismisses Andy Uba's Petition

Andy Uba, the controversial former domestic aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, today lost his case at the special election's appeals panel made up of Court of Appeal justices sitting in Enugu. Spontaneous and widespread celebration broke out in the streets of Enugu and Anambra States as soon as word spread about Uba’s latest humiliating defeat.The five-judge panel led by Justice J. Sylvanus Ngwuta unanimously dismissed Uba’s application to be declared Anambra’s “governor-in-waiting” based on the fraudulent electoral exercise conducted by the Professor Maurice Iwu-led electoral commission in April 2007.“The justices have finally rescued their names from ignominy and Anambra from a serious constitutional crisis,” said a lawyer who was present in court to hear the panel announce its decision. The lawyer further stated that several reports by Saharareporters exposing massive behind-the-scene corrupt deals between Uba and some of the justices led to a massive public outcry, including a threat by Ikemba Nnewi, Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, who said the country could be embroiled in another civil war should the justices sell the judgment to Uba.

Andy Uba: Restating the nature of the evil

As we wait for the verdict, it is important to restate the nature of the challenge Andy Uba posses to a generation of Nigerian citizens yet unborn. Below is a piece first published on December 18, 2007.)
God comes in trinity. Evil comes in triplets. The triplets of Anambra evil are Chris Uba, Chuma Nzeribe and Andy Uba. Many are familiar with the two Ubas but Chuma Nzeribe, the most brutal of Anambra evils, operates under the radar. I met Chuma Nzeribe at the 2004 World Igbo Congress convention, in Newark , New Jersey . Before then, I had read a lot about his various exploits: How he led Chris Uba’s convoy that knocked Gov. Chris Ngige off the road. How he masterminded the kidnapping of Gov. Chris Ngige. How he worked as the commandant of the Uba gang of urchins who terrorized Anambra state. When I beheld Chuma Nzeribe, his stuffy bodyguard built, bloodshot eyes, arrogant and threatening posture, suited perfectly well with his records of alleged crimes and misdemeanors. During an Anambra Forum, when a participant asked Chris Uba, then the resident terrorist of the state, an uncomfortable question, it was Nzeribe who warned the participant that Uba gang would be waiting for him whenever he returned to Anambra State.

Nigeria Golden Eaglets Captain 7 YEARS ago

Adokiye Amiesimaka, former Green Eagles player, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers, former Chairman of Sharks Football Club has been castigated for saying that Fortune Chukwudi, captain of Nigeria's Golden Eaglets is at least 25 year old.
Mr. Chukwu registered as a youth player with Sharks in 2002, as an 18 year old (which could still have been above the age limit for this competition). Adokiye was Sharks Chairman at the time and knows the player very well.Please find attached photograph taken in 2002(7 YEARS AGO) at Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt of some members of the feeder team of Sharks. Standing 4th from left is current U-17 captain of Nigeria at on-going FIFA U-17 WC in Nigeria. To his immediate right is James Peter who played for Premier League Sharks until 2 years ago. To his immediate left is Oyinkuro Sinclair, son of coach Monday Sinclair. Standing 3rd from the right is Belema Fenibo who also played for the senior team of Sharks for several years and is now with Ocean Boys.Can those who insist that Chukwudi is U-17 provide proof? Chukwudi may not be the only over-aged in this team, but he is the one where is proof now.Nigerians should not allow some greedy, corrupt elements to waste our national resources on old people parading as U-17 players.All those involved in this should be explaining what they know about this scandal, including FIFA's silence.

PDP makes violent change inevitable

PDP in the event of violent change should be held responsible; for the avoidance of doubt CNPP has carefully reviewed Engr Buba Galadima's statement and agreed with him that PDP should acknowledge the great saying of Edmond Burke that, 'those who make peaceful change impossible, makes violent change inevitable.This is what we understand from his statement, a reflection of the thought of the voiceless Nigerians. PDP's Electoral Phobia is the greatest threat to peaceful change in Nigeria. It is our considered view that PDP has in the past ten years been subverting our nascent democracy; to the extent that both local and international observers have ruled out the possibility of free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria. This loss of confidence in our democratic process started when the PDP introduced Do-or-Die political culture and dreamt of ruling Nigeria for 60 years and by extension forever and went ahead to implement this ideology in the 2003 sham elections.