Saturday, 12 March 2016

Photos: Troops rescue 3 year old girl from Boko Haram camp

Photos: Troops rescue 3 year old girl from Boko Haram camp

Troops of 118 Task Force Battalion of 7 Brigade have rescued a 3 year old girl from a Boko haram camp located at Ma'ala Village in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The little girl was rescued during an operation on the sect in the village. One member of the group was killed while another was arrested during the operation. 



Friday, 11 March 2016

PHOTOS:  Prophet challenges lions, Almost lost his life

PHOTOS: Prophet challenges lions, Almost lost his life

A Zion Christian Church prophet who was filled with the Holy Spirit and thought the Lord wanted to use him to show His power over animals, recently challenged a pride of lions to a duel in the Kruger National Park.
Pretoria based man of God, Prophet Alec Ndiwane was with members of of his church in the Kruger National Park where they had gone sightseeing when he suddenly went into a trance and started to speak in tongues. Ahead of them were the lions busy eating their impala.
 
Prophet Ndiwane must have thought he was the biblical Samsom or Daniel as he opened the car door and charged towards the lions. On seeing the man running towards them, the abandoned their food and ran towards the prophet.
Ndiwane immediately came to his senses when he saw the predators. He turned and ran for his life. But before he could safely reach the confines of the car, one lion had snapped its paws on him causing serious damage to his buttocks. He was saved by the game ranger who fired shots into the air with his gun to scare the lions away.
The injuries the prophet sustained was so severe that he had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.
"I don't know what came over me," Prophet Ndiwane confessed,"I thought the Lord wanted to use me to show His power over animals. Is it not we were given dominion over all creatures of the earth?" he asked.
Source: Daily Post SA

Thursday, 10 March 2016

Late Minister, Wife and Son to be buried on the 18th March, 2016

Late Minister, Wife and Son to be buried on the 18th March, 2016

Minister for burial March 18
The late minister along with his wife and son will be buried on March 18 in Dekina, Kogi State.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal said: “The Service of songs will hold on March 17 at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja by 7 pm.
“The bodies of James Ocholi, his wife, Blessing, and son, Joshua, will depart the National Hospital Abuja same day (March 17) for his home town, Dekina, in Kogi state where a wake-keep will take place. Internment will take place on March 18 by 12 pm in Dekina”
We won’t let dad down, say Ocholi’s children

We won’t let dad down, say Ocholi’s children

We won’t let dad down, say Ocholi’s children
Aaron James Ocholi, son of the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi, said yesterday that the four children left behind by the late Minister will strive to fulfil their parents’ dream for them.

In a brief emotional remark when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, visited the family, Aaron said though they missed their parents greatly, they were not hopeless.
He said: “We are not hopeless; we are really proud of the man he was. We’ll continue to pray to God to comfort us. We will not feel dejected. We will strive to become in life what he always wanted us to be and taught us to be. The First Lady also came here yesterday and assured us we are not alone.”
He expressed the gratitude of the family, particularly his siblings, to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Vice President and the nation for their show of love since the death of their parents and brother.
Addressing the children, Prof. Osinbajo described the late Ocholi as a committed Christian and patriot who was always ready to make a sacrifice for the course he believed in.

The Vice President, who arrived at the No 4 Dagash Street residence of the late Minister at 4:45pm, said: “We have lost someone we held in high esteem who was well respected. It is unfortunate that this happened.”
Osinbajo recalled the late Ocholi’s role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accepting to take the position of Deputy National Legal Adviser even when the National Legal Adviser was not a lawyer.
He said such sacrifice and humility will not be in vain. “It is incredible that this happened. You really have to seek God’s comfort,” he told the family.
Signing the condolence register, the Vice President wrote: “My brother learned and spiritual, your memorial will live on and will be source of pride and joy to us all. May the Lord comfort these young children and give us cause to rejoice in them, Amen.”
The National Working Committee of the APC held a valedictory session in honor of the late Minister who was praised for his sacrifice towards the party’s formation.
Acting National Chairman Segun Oni who presided over the session directed that all flags at the party’s national secretariat be flown at half mast for the next three days in honour of the late Ocholi.
Oni said: “All we can do is to surrender to the will of God. Those who have come across James Ocholi should take one or two lesson from him. He was driven more by service. He took every opportunity for service without considering what will come out of it.
“He was the only member of Federal Executive Council who visited the secretariat frequently. Sometimes, he will meet us in a meeting and he will advise us on the legal implications of some of the decisions we were taking.
“He was always willing to give and was passionate about the party. If we can have a few more people to contribute like him, Nigeria will be much better for all of us. All we can do is to pray that God will console and condole the family he left behind.
“He gave a good example of what Christians should do generally. I Pray God stand in the gap for his family. I wish, as Nigerians, we will have no reason to sorrow over our stars again.
On behalf of the party, we send our condolences to the President, the Vice President and all members of the Federal Executive Council, the government and people of Kogi State through the governor and to his family. We pray God will abide with each of them and console all of us.”
Other members of the NWC took time to eulogise the late Ocholi, concluding that the party has lost one of the most accessible ministers.
National Vice Chairman, South, Prince Hilliard Etta described the late Ocholi as a “perfect gentleman”, saying “you could smell his humility miles away”. “He was one of the most approachable ministers in the cabinet,” he added.
APC National Secretary Mai Mala Buni said the late Ocholi lived a fulfilled life, describing him as a committed party member.
National Organising Secretary Osita Izunaso said most of the provisions in the party’s constitution were made possible by the late minister and recalled that he actually administered the oat of office on the NWC members.
The Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, pointed out that even though he was not a member of the party’s executive, the late Ocholi was prepared to offer his legal services to ensure that the party was well represented in court.
“He was always prepared to accept any kind of challenge. He once told me that if he had time, he would tell me how he survived after his parents died. We never sat to discuss that. He was always full of energy. Always ready to go about doing assignments given to him.”
National Treasurer Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa said: “The late Ocholi was a great party man and a frontline agent of change. We lost a friend at a time he was needed most.”
National Woman Leader Hajiya Ramatu Tijani Aliyu said: “We lost an illustrious son who always stood for progressive ideas.”

Source: The Nation
 Power generation drops to 1,580 MW

Power generation drops to 1,580 MW

Power generation in the country has dropped to 1, 580 MW in the last three days resulting in blackout presently being experienced in some parts of the country. Senior officials at Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, attribute the decrease in power generation to a partial system collapse at the Shiroro dam in Niger state and the activities of gas pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta region.


Residents of Lagos state have also been thrown into darkness in that last 4 days following a strike action by members of staff of the Ikeja Electricity distribution company who are protesting the disengagement of 400 of their colleagues who failed a competence test carried out by their management.

Wednesday, 9 March 2016

NNPC staff embark on nationwide strike After FG's announcement of NNPC's unbundling

NNPC staff embark on nationwide strike After FG's announcement of NNPC's unbundling

Members of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC have commenced a nationwide strike following yesterday's announcement by the Federal government that the oil corporation will be unbundled into 7 units (Read story here). The oil workers got to work this morning and could not access their various offices. The immediate impact of the strike will be nationwide fuel scarcity as NUPENG will not be able to lift fuel today.
Buhari Orders Re-negotiation Of Mtn’s N780bn Fine

Buhari Orders Re-negotiation Of Mtn’s N780bn Fine

 

ABUJA —President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, ordered re-negotiation of the N789 billion fine slammed on South African telecoms company, MTN, by Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC.

The President gave the order at a joint news conference with South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma in Abuja, following which Nigeria and South Africa signed over 30 bilateral agreements.

This came as the South African President promised to return Nigeria’s confiscated arms purchase funds seized by the South African government.

Buhari also said the reluctance of MTN to register all subscribers’ lines within the deadline, was the reason for the sanction imposed on it by the NCC, noting that the delay led to the death of no fewer than 10,000 Nigerians in battle against Boko Haram.


President Buhari with President Jacob Zuma and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as President Buhari hosts his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma to a State Banquet at the Presidential Banquet Hall on 8th Mar 2016




Also, the MTN Group has said that contrary to general perception, its Nigerian operation was running on a net debt of over N21 billion, adding that it was considering listing its Nigerian operations on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE.

It would be recalled that the NCC asked the Network to pay N1.04 trillion for failing to disconnect 5.1 million unregistered subscribers, but later reviewed the sum to N780 billion.

President Buhari said the concern of the government was not necessarily the fine, but security of lives and property of the people.

He stated that the unregistered lines were being used by terrorists to perfect plans before unleashing mayhem on the country.

The president said MTN’s resort to the law courts to contest the fine, made it difficult for him to intervene.

He said: “The concern of the federal government was on the security of the country and not the fine imposed on MTN. You know how the unregistered GSM lines were used by terrorists and between 2009 and today, at least 10,000 Nigerians were killed by Boko Haram.

“That was why the NCC asked MTN, Glo and the rest of them to register GSM subscribers. Unfortunately, MTN was very very slow and contributed to the casualties. NCC looked at its regulations and imposed the fine. Unfortunately for MTN, they went to court and once you go to court, you virtually disarm the government because if the federal government refused to listen to the judiciary, it is going against its own constitution. Therefore, the government had to wait.

“I think MTN has seen that and decided to withdraw the case and go back and negotiate with government agencies on what they consider a very steep fine to be reduced and maybe given time to pay gradually.”

The President also disclosed that both countries had identified areas of mutual interests and were ready to harness them for their benefits.

“I hope you will recall that even before the elections, our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, realised the state we were in and we articulated three areas – security, economy and corruption- and we realised where we can improve on our relationship with South Africa.

“In terms of the economy, we identified agriculture and solid minerals to come to the fore quickly so that we can provide jobs for the unemployed. South Africa is far ahead of us in agriculture and solid minerals. So in diversifying the economy, I think there is a great room for improvement which is for the better,” he said.

Confiscated arms purchase funds to be returned

Fielding questions from journalists on the confiscated funds meant for arms purchase and the xenophobic crisis that erupted in his country, which affected many Nigerians, South African President, Zuma, said his government and other relevant agencies were working with their Nigerian counterparts to resolve the matter.

He promised that immediately investigations were concluded, the funds would be returned to Nigeria.



“With regards to the things that were either confiscated or went to South Africa, the two governments are working on those matters. The relevant structures are working on it but there are some that the necessary departments are doing the investigations.

“We will appreciate if we succeed in recovering all other things in South Africa so that they will be returned.”.

On Xenophobia, President Zuma said: “It is unfortunate because all Africans are the same, but colonialists through borders have made them think that they are different, but we are the same Africans and that has been our view in addressing the issue of Xenophobia.”

Why I came to Nigeria—Zuma

Speaking earlier on why he came to Nigeria, President Zuma stated that the age long relationship which dated back to when Nigeria assisted South Africa in the apartheid liberation was the motivation he had.

“I am happy to be here with my delegation which comprises both Ministers and businessmen. We feel truly at home in Nigeria. The relationship between South Africa and Nigeria date back to the time Nigeria supported and contributed to the liberation of our country and people.

“Our brothers and sisters here were determined that they would not rest until South Africa was free. That history binds our two countries and informs our bilateral cooperation.

“It is in part due to this memorable and rich history that I accepted the invitation from my Dear Brother, President Buhari,” he said.

Nigeria, S-Africa sign over 30 bilateral agreements, MoUs

The President also disclosed that over 30 bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, ranging from trade and industry, transport, among others, were signed between both countries.

He said: “We have had very fruitful discussions today, as we reviewed various bilateral and multilateral issues. We have noted with satisfaction the ever growing cooperation in many sectors including trade and investment; defence and security; immigration matters; energy; mineral resources, to mention but a few.

“We have recognised the important role played by the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-national Commission since its inception in 1999. As we forge a strategic partnership between the two sister nations, we have decided to elevate the Bi-National Commission (BNC) to the level of heads of State.

“In this way, my brother and I will be able to lead as well as monitor progress in various areas of cooperation.

“Our two countries have signed over 30 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding.”

The visiting President also revealed that the two countries’ business co-operations had increased in the last 16 years.

According to him, there are over 120 South African companies doing business in Nigeria just as over 4000 Nigerians travel to the country on monthly basis.

“Prior to 1999, there were only four South African companies in Nigeria. Since 1999, the situation has changed dramatically.

“Over 120 companies are currently doing business in Nigeria, in various sectors, mainly telecommunications, banking, retail, property, entertainment and hospitality. We welcome this significant development.

“We also see great potential in boosting tourism between the two countries. According to Statistics, an average of 4000 Nigerians travelled to South Africa on a monthly basis in 2015.”

Joint forces against terrorism

While expressing gratitude to President Buhari for the reception granted him, President Zuma sympathized with Nigeria on the issue of terrorism, pledging the assistance of his country to fight terrorism in Africa.

We’re operating on net debt of over N21bn, MTN cries out

Meanwhile, the MTN Group has said that contrary to general perception, its Nigerian operation was running on a net debt of over N21 billion.

According to MTN, the Nigerian operation has a cash equivalent of approximately R24.6 billion (N319.5bn), but was in debt of some R26.2 billion (N337.9bn), meaning that it was running on a debt profile of R1.7bn (N21.9bn).

Meanwhile the Group has dismissed reports that it was planning to list in the Nigerian stock exchange, but clarified that it was rather its Nigerian operation that might be listed and not the group.

The Group’s Corporate Affairs Executive, Chris Maroleng, however, said the idea was still being considered and not that MTN Nigeria had finally concluded it was going to do so.

He spoke on unconfirmed reports, following the announcement of the Group’s financial results for the year ended 31 December, 2015 last Thursday.”

Maroleng said MTN was very concerned about the inaccurate media reports on some of the topics discussed with members of the media at a press briefing held after the results presentation.

He said the media session was addressed by Executive Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko, and his senior leadership team, where they used the opportunity to address a number of topics, and engage members of the media on matters of interest to them.

Of particular concern to the company, according to a statement from MTN, is a report purporting that MTN Group was planning to list in Nigeria Stock Exchange.

Maroleng said the report was grossly inaccurate, as the company Chairman only said MTN could consider listing the local operation, MTN Nigeria, not the Group.

He said: “Furthermore, the listing of MTN Nigeria, as indicated in the media briefing, remains a consideration, it is not a planned listing, as suggested in some of the media reports. Also important to correct is that the current shareholding in MTN Nigeria available for Over-The-Counter (OTC) trading constitutes approximately 10% of MTN Nigeria.

“Also worrying are reports that MTN has $US22bn stuck in Nigeria. This is completely inaccurate. MTN Nigeria has the cash equivalent of approximately R24.6bn with some R26.2bn in debt implying a net debt position of R1.7bn.’’

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/buhari-orders-re-negotiation-of-mtns-n780bn-fine/
 Buhari unbundles NNPC into 7 units, names new heads

Buhari unbundles NNPC into 7 units, names new heads

President Buhari has approved the immediate unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, into seven independent operational units. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, made this known today March 8th. According to Kachiukwu, the new units are Upstream, Downstream, Gas & Power, Refineries, Ventures, Corporate Planning & Services and Finance and Accounts.

He said each of the units would be headed by chief executive officers, namely Bello Rabiu for Upstream; Henry Ikem-Onih (downstream); Anibor Kragha (Refineries); Saudu Mohammed (Gas & Power), Babatunde Adeniran (Ventures), Isiaka Abdulrasaq Finance & Accounting and Isa Inuwa ‎Executive Head, Corporate Planning and Services.

All appointments take immediate effect.
Nigerian man arrested on multiple fraud charges

Nigerian man arrested on multiple fraud charges

A Nigerian man, Uchenna Azubuike has been charged with 13 counts of identity fraud and held at the Thomas County Jail, Georgia. Immigration personnel have interviewed the suspect and officials with the Diplomatic Division of the U.S. attorney’s office at Macon will interview Azubuike here in mid-March.
Azubuike, 29, of 1000 Barone Ave., Atlanta was arrested after allegedly attempting to purchase two cell phones from a Vericon store using a fake passport of a woman in New York.
Employees at the Thomasville Verizon store, 13915 U.S. 19 South, became suspicious when someone using a New Jersey woman’s identification purchased phones in late February. Personnel contacted the woman and learned she had never been in Thomasville.
Verizon employees were on high alert when a man — later identified as Azubuike — entered the business two days later and purchased two iPhones valued at a total of $1,700. Police were notified.
The suspect, who had filled out paperwork, was waiting for completion of the phone transaction when police arrived. As soon as Azubuike saw police, he got in his vehicle, a 2010 Infiniti, and attempted to leave, said police detective Scott Newberry.
Azubuike refused to identity himself and was taken into custody. He was transported to the jail, where his identity was learned through fingerprints.
"He was using a fake passport of an individual from New York, New York, and was attempting to buy cell phones on the New York person’s Verizon account," Newberry explained. "On him, we found the passport he was using. We learned his identity was a different name."
The Infiniti was seized and searched at the Jail-Justice Center impound yard. Officers found 12 more passports and additional documents related to identification fraud in the car.
"They were different names and dates of birth, but his photo was on all of them," said Capt. Maurice Holmes, commander of the Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division.
Also found in the vehicle were two iPhones purchased by Azubuike using another identification at a Valdosta Verizon store. An iPad purchased in Atlanta used yet another identification. An alert issued by Thomasville Police Department reached the federal level, including the Eastern Seaboard and the Midwest.
"The feds have decided they want to adopt this case and take the case over." Detective Newberry said.
The suspect will remain incarcerated in Thomasville until he is indicted by a federal grand jury. He will then be transported a federal facility.
"He’s of Nigerian descent," Holmes added, pointing out a “long history” of fraudulent activity with a Nigerian connection.
The CID commander said that in his decades-long career in law enforcement, he has never seen an identity fraud case of this magnitude.
"When he uses an identification, he gets rid of it," Newberry said.
Azubuike is believed to have bought cell phones from Kansas to North Carolina using fraudulent identifications. Officers said the suspect fraudulently obtained cell phones from Verizon and AT&T and had data transferred from phone to phone. It is believed some phones were being shipped overseas, where new service was obtained, and the phones were sold.
"There’s also a terrorist connection that could be involved with these phones. That’s why the feds are interested in it," Holmes explained.
Police Chief Troy Rich said the Thomasville Verizon store staff is an important aspect of the case in that employees were able to stop the transaction and notify police.
 

Tuesday, 8 March 2016

 Pictures: South African President, Jacob Zuma, received in Nigeria by Atiku

Pictures: South African President, Jacob Zuma, received in Nigeria by Atiku

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa arrived Nigeria last night on a two day state visit. He was received by former President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama. During his visit, Zuma will have bilateral talks with President Buhari, meet with the Nigerian business community and the South African community in Nigeria. His visit will end tomorrow March 9th. 
 
FRSC releases interim report on crash that killed Minister James Ocholi, wife, son

FRSC releases interim report on crash that killed Minister James Ocholi, wife, son

Photo Credit: FRSC

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, on Monday released an interim report on the auto crash that killed the Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi and his wife and son.
Mr. Oyeyemi attributed the accident to a busted tyre which resulted in the loss of control and somersaulting of the minister’s official car.
Giving details of what happened, Mr. Oyeyemi said the crash occurred at kilometer 67 Kaduna-Abuja road, after Doka village.
“The crash occurred at about 1500hrs and involved two vehicles: one Toyota Lexus LX570 car and a backup car,” he said.
“Three lives were lost in the incident. While the minister and his son died instantly, the wife later died at the Doka Hospital near Kaduna.”
The corps marshal further disclosed that as soon as the crash occurred, the FRSC rescue teams were mobilised from the ambulance point and unit command at Doka and Kateri respectively, to the scene where they carried out the rescue activities.
Saying Monday’s report of the incident was preliminary, Mr. Oyeyemi said he had “ordered full investigation into the causes of the crash to determine what led to the ghastly crash in order to prevent future occurrence.”

The FRSC boss commiserated with President Muhamadu Buhari, members of the Federal Executive Council and the family of the deceased persons over the tragedy.
“The death of the minister in the crash was a tragic incident that again challenged the road safety agency to step up its campaigns against accidents,” Mr. Oyeyemi said.
The FRSC boss said he was personally touched and would work with relevant stakeholders to develop appropriate strategies that could address future occurrences.
Mr. Oyeyemi said the FRSC remained determined to work with the executive and members of the National Assembly as well as other relevant bodies to work out appropriate modalities for ensuring crash-free roads.
He said training and retraining of government drivers was part of the immediate measures being taken by the FRSC to avert convoy crashes in the country.
He noted that when FRSC trained the drivers of the governors’ convoys, the benefits in terms of improved driving culture became immediately noticeable, saying the corps would be working with members of the Federal Executive Council to train and re-train convoy drivers.
“We are working with the minister of works, power and housing to install traffic signs at some strategic points along the highways.
“We are equally committed to working with the National Assembly to step up advocacy and enforcement strategies to curtail issues of speed violation and promotion of use of seatbelt,” Mr. Oyeyemi said.

 Swiss government to return fresh $321m Abacha loot

Swiss government to return fresh $321m Abacha loot

A delegation of the Swiss government led by its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, will arrive Nigeria today March 8th to discuss with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the repatriation of another $321 million Abacha loot. Confirming this to Premium Times, an official of the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria, Pascal Holliger, said
“Yes, our foreign Minister is on his way to Nigeria on Tuesday. He is coming on a working visit to Nigeria. During the visit, he would open the Consular General’s office in Lagos and meet with the Vice President of Nigeria and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss the issue of the repatriation of the second tranche of the Abacha loot”.

Monday, 7 March 2016

Sen.Ben Bruce reacts to Buhari's position on No Forex for students, medical trips abroad

Sen.Ben Bruce reacts to Buhari's position on No Forex for students, medical trips abroad

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce thinks it is insensitive for President Buhari not to allow the CBN provide foreign exchange to Nigerians studying abroad or people going on medical trips. Buhari had in an interview with Al Jazeerah said due to the present economic situation, his government will not continue providing Foreign exchange for these sets of individuals
 Late Joshua Ocholi's last personal message on BBM

Late Joshua Ocholi's last personal message on BBM

Joshua was a graduate of International Relations and Diplomacy at Salem University Lokoja, where his father was the Pro chancellor until his death and his mother one time Registrar of the University. Joshua was a corper at Abuja. He died alongside his parents in a fatal accident yesterday. His father, James Ocholi, is the late Minister for State, Labour & Employment. RIP, Joshua!

Sunday, 6 March 2016

Minister of state for Labor and Employment, James Ocholi, his son, die in a fatal accident

Minister of state for Labor and Employment, James Ocholi, his son, die in a fatal accident


Minister of state for Labor and Productivity, James Ocholi, died in a fatal motor accident along the Kaduna-Abuja express road this afternoon. He died along with his son while his wife who was in his car is currently lying in a critical condition in a hospital. Personal Assistant to President Buhari on New Media, confirmed Ocholi's death on twitter.


Friday, 4 March 2016

 Nigerian fraudster pleads guilty to scamming and blackmailing, faces 127 years in prison

Nigerian fraudster pleads guilty to scamming and blackmailing, faces 127 years in prison

A Nigerian man is facing federal charges in the U.S for preying on and targeting hundreds of them including residents of the St. Louis area, using fake dating profiles in order to extort money from them.
Olayinka Ilumsa Sunmola, 32, on Wednesday, March 2, pleaded guilty to eight counts of a federal indictment and admitted that he was the ringleader of a group that successfully wooed hundreds of women online, then convinced them to send cash to bail him out of phony emergencies..
Sunmola seduced women online by creating fake online profiles using photos and names of real American men, including claiming to a former U.S. soldier. He sent flowers, candies, stuffed animals and more to his victims, conning them into believing that each was his true love. Once the women were convinced of his love for them, he would request money from them claiming phony emergencies. Some of the women sent thousands of dollars.
The victims were not named but lived around the country, including in Mascoutah and Bond County in Illinois and St. Charles and St. Louis counties in Missouri.
In one case, Sunmola tricked one woman into cashing counterfeit or stolen traveler’s checks. She contemplated suicide when arrested. He lured another into performing sexual acts, which he recorded via webcam, they said. He then threatened to ruin her life by publishing the recordings online if she didn't send him cash, warning that by the time he was done with her she would want to kill herself.
A Bond County woman bought electronics and shipped them to Sunmola, reshipped items he’d bought using stolen credit card information and took out cash advances on a credit card, forcing herself into bankruptcy with debts of at least $98,000, the indictment claims.
The investigation included the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Trade Commission, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, as well as South African officials, who investigated Sunmola's activities there and started forfeiture proceedings for his assets there.
Sunmola was indicted in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis in 2013 on mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy, and interstate extortion charges. He was arrested in August 2014 by Scotland Yard as he was about to board a flight from London to South Africa, then extradited here to face the charges.
"Basically, the evidence established that Sunmola, a citizen of the federal Republic of Nigeria, was a ringleader of a criminal organization operating withing South Africa that targeted and stole from hundreds of women across the United States," Acting United States Attorney James Porter stated.
"Our office will continue to pursue justice for these victims in Sunmola's prison sentence and in our never-ending efforts to get restitution." Porter added.
Sentencing has been set for June 17, 2016. Sunmola could get up to 127 years and a fine of $250,000 for each counts he faces.
MTN Communications sets aside $600m to settle dispute with Nigerian Government

MTN Communications sets aside $600m to settle dispute with Nigerian Government

South African Mobile Telecommunications company MTN say they have set aside $600m to settle its dispute with the Nigerian government. The company announced on Thursday a surprise 5.2 percent increase in its dividend to 1,310 cents per share, posting a 50 percent drop in Annual profits and said while it has had a challenging year, it has set aside $600m to pay the Federal government after the company was issued a $3.9b fine for not ending sim card registration at the Nigerian Communications Commission stipulated time.

Last week MTN made a 'good faith payment' of $250m towards reaching an amicable settlement after the telecommunications giant withdrew a court case challenging the FG's $3.9b fine

Thursday, 3 March 2016

Mark Zuckerberg is now the 6th richest man in the world

Mark Zuckerberg is now the 6th richest man in the world

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is now the 6th richest man in the world, moving up 10 spots from last years Forbes' 2016 billionaires list of the world's richest people. According to Forbes, Mark made more than $11billion in one year, going from $33.4 billion in the 2015 ranking to $44.6 billion in the 2016 ranking. Bill Gates is still the richest man in the world. See top 20 after the cut...
FIFA rankings: Nigeria now Africa's 11th best team, while Cape Verde tops Africa

FIFA rankings: Nigeria now Africa's 11th best team, while Cape Verde tops Africa

FIFA this morning released it's rankings for the Men's football team, with Nigeria in position 62 as the 11th best team in Africa after climbing one position upwards in the month of February.

Belgium, Argentina, Mexico, Iran and New Zealand held their positions at the top of their respective confederations, with the only change in leadership at the confederation level this month taking place in CAF. Cape Verde Islands snatched the first place from Côte d’Ivoire to become Africa’s new number one team.

In Africa, Cape Verde is the leading nation on position 31, followed by Cote D'Ivoire on 36, Algeria on 37 and Ghana on 41 and Tunisia 47. Senegal, Egypt, Congo DR, Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria come 48, 53, 58, 59, 61 and 62 respectively.

Tuesday, 1 March 2016

JAMB Releases Over 200,000 Results – Registrar

JAMB Releases Over 200,000 Results – Registrar

JAMB Releases Over 200,000 Results – RegistrarThe Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB) said it has released the results of over 200,000 candidates who sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculations (UTME), CBT Examination, which began on Saturday.
The Registrar/Chef Executive, JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, who said this on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that candidates, who had sat for the examination should visit the website of JAMB to check their results.
He noted that a total of 1,589,175 candidates applied for the 2016 UTME, while the 343 prison inmates, who registered for the examination, will have access to computers at both the Kaduna and Ikoyi prisons. The figure of the candidates who applied for the examination in 2015 (1.47 million) increased by 113,673.
JAMB commenced full Computer Based Testing in 2014, after eliminating the Paper-Pencil Testing system. Visually-impaired candidates, numbering about 201, are expected to sit for the 2016 examination at designated centres in all state capitals and the FCT.
Ojerinde added, “Over 200,000 results have so far been released. We have always advised candidates to indicate the correct telephone number through which they could receive SMS and get their results. But some candidates continue to make the mistake of giving us the telephone number of the business centres where they registered for the examination.”
He stated that the Federal Government had mandated the National Communications Commission (NCC) to create at least four new CBT centres annually.
“The NCC has been mandated to give us at least four centres every year; meanwhile, the first four are fully completed,” he said.
“The next four would soon be built and with time, all the nooks and crannies of the country will have functional CBT centres” he said.
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