Bush; time to grab for straws

Bush; time to grab for straws

A report earlier this month by the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan agency that studies policy and legal questions for Members of Congress, found that President George W. Bush's recent assertions of 'executive privilege' to fend off Congressional investigators were dubious.

Morton Rosenberg, a Specialist in American Public Law at CRS, said that the assertion of privilege recently attempted by the White House went beyond restraints found in recent legal decisions.

"[R]ecent appellate court rulings cast considerable doubt on the broad claims of privilege posited by [the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel] in the past and now by the Clement Memo," Rosenberg wrote in the July 5 report.

'The Clement memo' refers to a document published by the White House and written by Paul Clement, the Solicitor General at the Justice Department, who must serve as 'acting Attorney General' for all matters dealing with the US Attorneys controversy.

Rosenberg wrote that a pair of Clinton-era federal court rulings, the so-called Espy and Judicial Watch cases, "arguably have
effected important qualifications and restraints on the nature, scope and reach of the presidential communications privilege."

For instance, he wrote that "the unavailability of the information elsewhere by an appropriate investigating authority" could overcome an assertion of executive privilege.

In related news, the Washington Post's Dan Eggen and Amy Goldstein provided details of a White House legal strategy that would expand the scope of executive privilege. They write that the Justice Department will effectively order the US Attorney for the District of Columbia to decline to file any criminal contempt charges against current and former White House officials who refuse to comply with subpoenas based on an assertion of executive privilege.

Blair, forever the good poddle

Blair, forever the good poodle
Tony Blair was told by the United States yesterday that he had no authority to tackle political negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians as he spent his first full day as special envoy to the Middle East.

Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, insisted that America would retain leadership of the "political track" while Mr Blair would work on raising funds for the Palestinians, as well as building their economy and infrastructure.

It was the clearest account yet of the former prime minister's role in the Middle East on behalf of the international Quartet - the European Union, United Nations, the United States and Russia. He will be more an envoy to the Palestinians than a peace envoy.

"I think his mandate was made clear by the Quartet when they issued the statement," said Miss Rice.

Ouch!

Ruff...ruff!! Such a good poodle, now sit boy!!!

How to become Africa's richest man

How to become Africa's richest man

Pointblanknews.com learnt during the week that Mr. Buba has been a regular caller at the Abuja headquarters offices of the ICPC where he has facing intense interrogation within that last few weeks over repeated annual loss of about N50 Billion within the last eight years. The duty/tariff waiver was introduced by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo purportedly to serve as a stimulant for importation business within the Nigerian economy. Already the rippling is effect of the comptroller General’s confessions to the ICPC is being strongly felt by corporate Nigeria. It is believed that the useful statement that was given to the ICPC and the threat by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC to expose Aliko Dangote maybe part of the reason why Alhaji Dangote of Dangote Group and Blue star Consortium made a volte-face over his interest in the purchase on his interest to buy the Kaduna and Port- Harcourt refineries aside the threat from Labor Union. Dangote among other powerful Nigerians was singularly alleged to have reaped a windfall of over N40 Billion from the so-called regime of waiver.

Other Nigerians who were said to have benefited from the waiver deal include such politicians and investors as Dangote, ex-Governors Saminu Turaki, Donald Duke, Governor Gbenga Daniel and Femi Otedola. Dangote was said to have been terribly disturbed by the gravity of the disclosure of his centrality to the whole deal that he had to hurriedly announce his interest in the Kaduna and Port-Harcourt refineries in order to maintain a low public profile both the media and the generality of Nigerians.

Apart from the statement made to the ICPC by the Customs Comptroller General, Dangote has a lot of things to worry about in the way he is being “regularly accused” of conniving with political office holders to literarily cream off the Nigerian economy by way of questionable concession often made to him by successive administration. Dangote has been a big campaign donor for many politician including ex-president Obasanjo and several Governors and Lawmakers. He reportedly gave close to a Billion naira for Obasanjo for president campaign in 1999 and 2003. More disturbing was the disclosure that he alone benefited over N40 Billion from the concession granted him to import sundry commodities into Nigeria. It was said that he enjoyed such concession because he had powerful political connection. His gains constitute terrible pain to the Nigerian economy. He was said to have bought a private Bombardier Challenger 300 Jet with registration number 3B-SSD which was registered in Mauritius and delivered through Ireland in June 2007 which he allegedly gave to ex-President Obasanjo to show gratitude. Obasanjo was said to have used Dangote as a front when he sold him a liquidated Federal Jet for an undisclosed amount. The said Jet bought from the Nigerian government is now the second in the fleet of Obasanjo’s private plane; Dangote is said to have since handed the plane back to the man who kept the plane with him in trust.

Deal or no deal? Odili, Igbenidion under the hammer

Deal or deal? Odili, Igbenidion under the hammer
... Attah on the run!

A deal brokered by Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki and President Musa Yar’Adua for indicted ex- Governors Peter Odili, James Ibori, Victor Attah and Lucky Igbinedion to return 70 percent of their stolen loots and be saved from prosecution may have crumbled. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC is said to have begun moves to prosecute them for embezzlement of public funds, money laundering and abuse of office in few days time.

This is coming on the heels of reports that Lucky Igbinedion and Victor Attah may have escaped the country while Odili is seriously considering an escape to a South American country. Igbinedion is rumored to be in hiding somewhere in London while Attah is said to be in the Caribbean where his wife is from.

Ibori and Odili are said to have used state funds to invest in the aviation industry, owning airlines and laundering several billions in foreign accounts. Igbinedion on his part is said to own one of the largest estate in South Africa using stolen funds and also laundering several billions in foreign accounts. Attah is also alleged to have inflated contracts running into several billions and laundering several Billions in the Caribbean.

The indicted South-South ex-Governors earlier had a sigh of relief when a truce brokered on their behalf by Saraki with President Yar’Adua would have seen them returning only 70 per cent of the money they had looted from their state treasuries. Ibori and few others had returned several Billions and forfeited some of their properties as part of the deal. Pointblanknews.com learnt that President Yar’Adua later had a change of mind and decided to prosecute his friends who had donated handsomely to his Presidential campaign for fear of being seeing as adopting ex-President Obasanjo’s selective style of justice. It was learnt that President Yar’Adua had consulted with some of his inner caucus members who pointedly drew his attention to the inherent dangers in leaving out some governors who are considered “beautiful brides” of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Ethics complaint filed against ex-DC Madam's client/Senator

Ethics complaint filed against ex-DC Madam's client/Senator

Senator David Vitter, the Louisiana Republican who has admitted to being a client of former 'DC Madam' Deborah Jeane Palfrey, was accused of violating the Senate's Code of Conduct by a government watchdog group Thursday afternoon.

"Senator Vitter's solicitation of at least one prostitute was not merely, as he has stated, 'a serious sin,' it was a violation of criminal law," said Melanie Sloan, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which filed a complaint with the Senate's Ethics Committee. "The Senate Ethics Committee should commence an investigation into Senator Vitter's conduct and hold him accountable."

Unlike the House of Representatives, Senate rules allow outside groups to file ethics complaints against members. Earlier in the year, the group filed a complaint against Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) for allegations of pressuring former US Attorney David Iglesias over a corruption investigation. The Committee subsequently took up the complaint.

Washington, DC and Louisiana authorities are likely unable to charge Vitter with any crimes, as he appears to have passed the statute of limitations in both jurisdictions. However, CREW said that the Senate could still punish the Republican Senator.

"That type of conduct by a Senator has been characterized as 'improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate,'" the group said in a statement. "This rule is intended to protect the integrity and reputation of the Senate as a whole."

Former Governor deported from Dubai

Former Governor deported from Dubai

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, has been deported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he was taken for medical treatment few weeks ago.

Alamieyeseigha’s deportation, about two weeks ago, by the United Arab Emirates authorities was allegedly prompted by a security breach involving the ex-governor.

However, the Ijaw Monitoring Group punctured the claim on Wednesday accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has been prosecuting him for alleged money laundering offences of being the mastermind of the ex-Bayelsa chief executive’s return to the country.

Alamieyeseigha, who is being detained at the Ikoyi, Lagos detention centre of the EFCC was flown to Dubai for proper medical treatment after his health deteriorated at the EFCC detention following multiple surgeries he undertook when he traveled to Germany in 2005.

An Ijaw activist and National Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), Comrade Joseph Eva, who spoke to Daily Sun on the development on Wednesday accused the EFCC of going to Dubai to harass UAE authorities to deport Alameiyeseigha even when he was still undergoing treatment.
According to him, "the Federal government of Nigeria through EFCC went to the extent of threatening the Dubai authorities with diplomatic row if they fail to deport someone that was still on the hospital bed."

Dapo Olorunyomi, Chief of Staff to EFCC chairman, though confirmed Alamieyeseigha’s return to the country, denied allegations made by the IMG that the commission instigated his deportation.
The Ijaw activist further disclosed that since he was forcefully evicted from his hospital bed in Dubai, the EFCC had taken hold of Alamieyeseigha and had since kept him in a cell without mattress at the commission’s detention centre in Lagos.

While alleging that Alamieyeseigha is presently chained to an iron rod in his cell and made to sleep on bare floor, Eva further alleged that the former governor had been denied access to family members and his doctors.

... and EFCC responds

EFCC spokesman, Osita Nwajah, said in a statement weekend in Abuja , that Alamieyeseigha, who is standing trail over alleged financial misappropriation and money laundering, was taken to the UAE for medical treatment and on completion of the course of treatment, was discharged by the hospital.
He did not, however, clarify whether the former governor returned to the country on his own, or if the Nigerian authorities including the EFCC, was involved in the process of his return to the country. The statement reads:

“ The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to newspaper publications of Thursday, 19 July 2007, relating to the alleged orchestrated ‘deportation’ and inhuman treatment of DSP Alamieyeseigha, former executive governor of Bayelsa State, who is remanded by order of court, in the custody of the Commission.

"Several of the papers led with the insinuation that the Nigerian authorities acting through the Commission, may have instigated the eviction of Mr. Alamieyeseigha, for ostensible 'security breach'.
"EFCC wishes to state in clear terms, that there is no strand of truth in these insinuations and allegations.
"The Commission wishes to further clarify that Alamieyeseigha, who is standing trial was taken to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for medical treatment and on completion of his course of treatment, was discharged by the hospital.

"The Nigerian authorities (including the EFCC) did not suggest or teleguide the UAE medical and other authorities to send the accused person back to Nigeria .
"Further, the Commission decries the attempt by one Joseph Eva ostensibly speaking on behalf of the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), to employ the instrumentality of cheap blackmail to railroad the judiciary into a predetermined position and confuse the Nigerian people.

"IMG’s allegation that since his return, Alamieyeseigha has been “chained to an iron rod in his cell, made to sleep on the bare floor and denied access to his family members and doctors,” is to say the least, tendentious and wicked.
"EFCC has NEVER chained anyone in its holding facilities, has no need to chain anyone and will never chain anyone, least of all, DSP Alamieyeseigha, who it must be restated, is in the custody of the Commission on order of court.

In the same vein, Alamieyeseigha, like any other accused person in the custody of the Commission is given all social, medical and legal facilities as stipulated by law.
"Attention-seeking and mischief-engineering individuals and groups are reminded of that cheap blackmail has never worked on EFCC. The Commission will continue to carry out its functions in the best traditions of law enforcement and fully within the ambit the Rule of Law”.

Hustlers on the run

Rendevous huggers



Hustlers on the run

Former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion, who is listed amongst the second batch of former governors to be arrested and tried for corruption, has apparently fled Nigeria. Igbinedion was sighted in London last Sunday, July 15, where he watched a live football match with some of his colleagues including former Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom. Our source indicated that the ex-governor of Edo State has chosen to keep away from Nigeria to avoid his certain arrest to answer to a lengthy corruption rap sheet. He now lives in his opulent “Kenwood mansion” in London.

Also former Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State has opted to settle in Barbados and watch the corruption trials of some of his colleagues who have been charged to court. Mr. Victor Attah and his wife were recently sighted at the highbrow Cromwell Hospital in London where his wife was being treated.

Sources told Saharareporters that the former Akwa Ibom governor, fingered by the EFCC as one of the wanted corrupt ex-governors, doesn’t plan to return to Nigeria anytime soon unless extradited by the EFCC. Attah, whose wife was on admission at Cromwell, recently moved her out of the hospital and they made a trip to Barbados—his wife's home country. The ex-governor’s wife is believed to be suffering from a kidney ailment similar to that of Umar Musa Yar’Adua.

Our sources revealed that Victor Attah owns a five-star hotel in Barbados. He reportedly retrieved his passport by telling EFCC officials that he needed to take his wife out of Nigeria for medical treatment.

Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, mired himself in corruption allegations, recently led a delegation to plead with Yar’Adua to spare serving and ex-governors the humiliation of answering for their corrupt acts. Saharareporters sources said that Igbinedion and Attah may not return to Nigeria unless Saraki’s intervention yields them the necessary reprieve from trial. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, facing rising demands for his own trial, is reportedly working on Yar’Adua and EFCC’s Nuhu Ribadu to soft pedal on trying some of the ex-governors—especially those close to Obasanjo.

I can't believe my ears!

Kalu in the middle... and EFCC all about!



I can't believe my ears!

The United States government has indicated plan to send several high profile judicial observers to the next court appearance of former Abia State governor and presidential candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

Also, the United Kingdom-based International Bar Association says it will send what officials called an assessment team to Nigeria on what is turning out to be an international fire-storm over Kalu's travails.

This is even as some influential lawmakers in the United States Congress are in touch with the White House to "hold Nigerian authorities accountable if Kalu comes to any harm."

The United States Justice Department said its team would be led by a special prosecutor from the office of Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales and would report its findings to President George Bush, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The team’s job would be to monitor the court proceedings, with the view to ensuring that it meets internationally accepted standards as well as to ensure that all defendants are accorded their legal rights.

Sources said the action underscores the concern of the United States administration for what officials described as the "seeming political nature of the trials."
A top aide to Mr. Gonzales said a legal review of the charges presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Dr. Kalu showed "inconsistencies based on tenuous conclusions not based on facts," adding: "How can a government investigative agency bring a 107-charge against a known critic of the administration, except it is a fishing expedition," the official said.

United States State Department officials also condemned the trial and wondered why the former Abia State governor would be remanded in prison when he is not a flight risk.
"The administration is concerned and hopes the rights of all those currently on trial, especially Governor Kalu will be respected," officials said.
They said that US administration officials had advised Dr. Kalu to put off his trip to Nigeria because of information of his arrest.

"He rebuffed our pleas and decided to return to prove his innocence. That is not the action of a man who has anything to hide," officials said.
It was also learnt that British authorities also failed to convince Kalu to reschedule his return. Sources said officials in the office of Under Secretary for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazier, were disappointed that the defendants were not granted bail when their pleas were taken. "This might be a delay tactic by the EFCC. If they are ready with the case, the defendants should be granted bail not remanded under the reason that their applications need to be studied by the same agency that charged them to court," officials stated.

It was gathered that the U.S. delegation could be enlarged to include human rights and pro-democracy groups, which believe Dr. Kalu's current troubles have roots in his opposition to some of the policies of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

... and now this disclaimer

The United States has denied that it is averse to the trial of the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In his valedictory press briefing on Wednesday, the outgoing US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, said it was not the business of the US Government to dictate to its allies how to run their judicial systems.

He was reacting to media reports in the wake of the arrest of Kalu, that the US opposed the arrest and trial of the ex-governor.

Campbell said, “This is a Nigerian judicial process, it is altogether improper for the United States to comment on such a process and as far as I know, contrary to press reports, we have not done so.

“The United States Government has made no statement absolutely ever about an entire judicial process that is now underway.”

He also noted that although the US regretted the poor conduct of the April general elections, it welcomed the call for reforms of the electoral system.

He said, “The United States will continue to walk beside Nigeria on its pilgrimage to democracy. We share with Nigerians their disappointment over the conduct of the April 2007 elections.

I would most certainly hope so, Mr Ambassador, but pray may I ask; what has the April elections got to do with corruption in office? And why the singular interest in Uzor's case? I still smell loads of fish here!
Won't someone please tell, what's going on here?

Who owns this plane?

Who owns this plane?

Saharareporters investigators contacted Bombardier
Aerospace office in Canada, but the aircraft
manufacturers refused to reveal the identity of the
private individual who purchased the Bombardier
Challenger 300 business jet. Nor would they disclose
the date of manufacture or delivery. The Challenger
300 seats 8 passengers, and often costs more than $20
million. Sources in Nigeria said Sawoe Dantata
purchased the jet for Obasanjo.

After the initial eyebrows raised by the jet, Obasanjo
seems to have decided to abandon it until things calm
down a bit. On his three-day trip to Tanzania on July
11, Obasanjo flew in Aliko Dangote's Hawker Siddelley
(HS) jet. The jet had just returned from a
comprehensive check. The HS jet with registration
number 5N DGN took Obasanjo to Tanzania where, one
source told us, he continues to look for ways to boost
his international relevance having been isolated as a
pariah by his erstwhile Western friends, he quietly returned to Nigeria on Saturday night, again unheralded.

The Bombardier Challenger 300 jet with registration number 3B-SSD suddenly flew in from Kano on Sunday money bearing Dangote. A source told Saharareporters that Obasanjo is playing hide and seek with the jet, for now it is part of the illegal pool of jets designated as the "Executive Jet Services" pool which uses the AOC belonging to EAS.

“Obasanjo is desperate to be embraced again by the
U.S. as well as British and European leaders,” said a
political scientist who lectures at the University of
Lagos. “But he realizes that he is bad news in the
capitals of Europe and North America. For now, he’s
making do with short forays into African and Caribbean
nations, but there’s no question he feels pained that
his western sponsors now treat him like an outlaw on
furlough. He’s waiting for the dust to clear, and for
him to be welcomed again in Washington, DC or London.”

Iran demands oil pay in yen not dollars - Times Online

Iran demands oil payments in Yen

"The dollar was driven down against the Japanese yen this afternoon, hit by the news that Iran had asked Japan to pay for its oil purchases in the Japanese currency and not in dollars.

Iran has sent a letter to Japanese refiners, signed by Ali A Arshi, the general manager of crude marketing and exports for Iran's national Iranian Oil Company, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The letter asks for yen payments 'for any/all of your forthcoming Iranian crude oil liftings.' The request is for all shipments 'effective immediately'.

Japan's oil payments to Iran rose 12 per cent last year to 1.24 trillion yen (£5 billion)."

Reverse phone lookup tool

FOR READERS SEARCHING THE DC MADAM PHONE RECORDS; THIS PHONE NUMBER REVERSE LOOKUP FINDS NAMES FOR PHONE NUMBERS GOOGLE SHOWS AS "UNLISTED."

Wiping whom off the Map??

Wiping whom off the map???

"Since the establishment of their terrorist state on usurped Palestinian land Israelis keep regurgitating their phobic mantra “Arabs want to wipe Israel off the map” in order to draw international sympathy, and to cover up their war crimes throughout the Arab World. To build their divinely racist “God’s promised Jewish only” state from Nile to Euphrates Israeli government is conducting the policy of graduated wiping Palestinians off their own existence. Israel had, so far, successfully wiped Palestine off the map. Palestine had become to be known as occupied territories, disputed territories, and finally West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine, a name used for the last three thousand years, to describe the land between Mediterranean shores west to Jordan River east, and from Lebanon north to Egypt south, can no longer be found on any modern map. PALESTINE HAS BEEN WIPED OFF THE MAP!!!"

Turaki sings

Turaki sings

Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Saminu Turaki, who is currently being held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has given details of how he released money to fund the tenure elongation project of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The ex-governor, whose aides had said that the N30 billion he was alleged to have misappropriated was used to finance the third term project, said in a statement to the EFCC that the money was handed over in the presence of sacked governor of Anambra State, Mr. Andy Uba, who was then working as a presidential aide.

In a press statement Monday night, however, the EFCC said no governor gave any money for the failed tenure elongation project.

A credible source told Daily Sun that Turaki, in his statement of defence at EFCC, said the former president was not only interested in continuing in office beyond May 29, 2007, but also got him to finance the plot.

In the statement to the EFCC, dated July 11, 2007, the former governor stated how he gave the sum of N10.4 billion as one of his interventions in the third term plot.
The statement, which was in Turaki’s handwriting, said the money was disbursed for what he described as "Security Use." He also wrote that the money was changed from dollars to naira and released in the presence of Andy Uba.



He also made clear reference to other financial commitments, especially relating to proceeds from oil deals, in excess of 50 million dollars, which was used to support the project.
It was not clear why the former governor decided to provide such awesome details, but the source said that it may not be far from the fact that he feels betrayed by some people, including Obasanjo, who was a beneficiary of the same resources he allegedly mismanaged.
Turaki’s aides had told Daily Sun at the weekend that the former governor was a mere victim of some vested political interests as the amount in question was invested in the failed tenure extension bid at the instance of Obasanjo.

THISDAY ONLINE

Turaki's Burkinabe passport with which he wanted to skip town

Gov. Turaki weeps in court

"He was the youngest Nigerian governor of his time. And he betrayed his youthfulness yesterday as he broke down in tears. Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, who marked his 44th birthday in EFCC’s custody last Saturday, wept uncontrollably as a Federal High Court in Abuja remanded him in prison custody over allegations of money laundering.
But his Abia State counterpart, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, was calm throughout his time in court. His face gave away little or nothing on whatever was going on in the inner recesses of his mind. He looked blank, his mien coded in unreadable body language.
Both men had been charged before the court last Friday by Economic and Financial Crimes Comm-ission (EFCC) before their trials began yesterday. They were both remanded in Kuje Prisons.
Similarly, another Abuja Federal High Court has remanded former Plateau governor, Joshua Dariye, standing trial for similar offences, in the custody of the EFCC.
The accused persons, who were arraigned yesterday before the respective courts, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Security in and around the court premises was very tight as every person who had a business with the court was frisked by security agents.
Turaki betrayed emotion publicly as he cried uncontrollably, wiping tears intermittently with a white handkerchief, shortly after Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako ordered his detention in prison."

Israel ready to bomb Iran

Israel ready to bomb Iran

"Friday the 13th has always been a bad omen, but this Friday 13 July 2007 sees the omen become a daunting reality. A Newsmax headline reports: 'Israel 'approved' to strike Iran'.

According to Newsmax, 'Israel’s minister of strategic affairs said he has received approval from the US and Europe for an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.'

Avigdor Lieberman is reported as having said, following a meeting with NATO and European Union officials, 'If we start military operations against Iran alone, then Europe and the US will support us.”

In other words, America and Europe are going to supply the money and weaponry for Israel to destroy Iran's nuclear power facilities. That gets all of the attack freaks off the hook: Israel convinces the West of its lies about Iran's nuclear ambitions; and America and the Europeans only support the lies and provide the armaments and funding.

Is anyone paying attention to what's going on in the Middle East?"

Nnamani found, arrested

Nnamani found, arrested

"Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commi-ssion (EFCC) yesterday traced former Enugu State governor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani to the National Hospital in Abuja and immediately put him under arrest in the hospital. This latest development brings to an end days of uncertainty over the whereabouts of the ex-governor.
THISDAY checks reveal that it was in the course of the anti-graft agency’s search for the former Governor’s actual whereabouts that he was traced to the Hospital in Abuja where the latter had allegedly gone for medical attention.
Said the source: “Yes, we have been able to locate his whereabouts. He (Nnamani) is in a hospital in Abuja. That is where we have traced him to and the place has been secured. Operatives have taken charge of the place and put him under watch. The hospital has been secured so that no one can play funny…”"

This confirms and resolves all speculations about the ex-governor's whereabouts

Jane and Omar Bin Laden

Meet Jane and Omar Bin Laden



"She had met his fourth son, Omar, on a riding holiday in Egypt and fallen madly in love. The fact that his father (Osama Bin Laden) was the most notorious terrorist the world has ever known was never something that was going to stand in Jane's way."

I found this write-up, in the Daily Mail U.K, and its accompanying comments most childish and petty. My conclusion was that its publication must have been for want of something better to do with the alloted space. Wholesomely, it is in itself distasteful, abusive and offensive and I still do not see how what the lady in question does with her life, or the choices therein, is anybody's business. And for fifty-one, even Elizabeth Taylor would be green with envy!

The tale told by an idiot... signifying nothing

EFCC arraigns 3 Governors

EFCC arraigns 3 Governors

The EFCC earlier today charged three ex-governors for money laundering and corruption, the fourth accused person, ex-governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State is believed to have escaped from Nigeria overnight.

The former governors are among the 15 ex-state executives who were invited by the EFCC to appear over allegations of money laundering and corruption, however Orji Uzor Kalu, whose mother, Eunice Kalu was also declared wanted did not honor the invitation by the EFCC claiming that he already obtained a court order from an Abia State High Court barring the EFCC from arresting or prosecuting him for corruption.
Shortly after, he traveled to the US and then the UK from where he flew to Abuja, Nigeria to participate in discussions with the ruling party in talks over the formation of a "Government of National Unity". He never made it past the airport as he was arrested at the airport and detained by EFCC operatives.

Two others, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State were also docked by the EFCC.

A source told Saharareporters that the former governor of Taraba, Reverend Jolly Nyame was not charged today because he agreed to refund N50 billion to the EFCC. Also the former governor of Enugu State and current federal Senator, Chimaroke Nnamani was said to have escaped from Nigeria overnight. He was interrogated by the EFCC yesterday but was allowed to go back home.

The three governors were brought before a Federal High Court judge at the Federal High Court complex Wuse II, Abuja.
Former governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu did not disembark from the Peugeot salon car that brought him to the court, his lawyers however met with him inside the car before he was driven back to the EFCC headquarters. The judge after taking their plea asked that they be remanded in prison custody, while adjourning the case till next week Monday and Tuesday respectfully.

The EFCC is expected to make further arrest and charge more ex-governors to court next week. Saharareporters learns that barring last minute hitches or official intervention, the former governors of Rivers State, Peter Odili, Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State, Zamfara State ex-governor and current Senator Sanni Ahmed Yerima and former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori are expected to be pulled in for trial by the EFCC.

Meanwhile, former governor of Ekiti State and fugitive, Mr. Ayodele Fayose might have abandoned his intended trip to Nigeria due to the recent developments at the EFCC, the ex-governor who also faces possible murder charges gave indications last week that he will be returning to Nigeria after a Lagos based High Court granted him a curious injunction, but in view of the recent clampdown on his colleagues, Mr. Fayose might have shelved his intended return.

[The case against Terry Waya-EXCLUSIVE

The case against Terry Wayas



"The
report further stated: 'the Metropolitan Police in London still seek
Alamieyesigha’s return to the UK in due course to stand trial for the charges
put to him by the Metropolitan Police Service. To this end his extradition has
been formally sought from the Nigerian authorities. It is expected the local
proceedings will be concluded before the extradition request is addressed"
One down, one more to go

See full exclusive here

The NEWS - News

The NEWS - News

Where evil dares...

... and party creep Terry too!

... And party creep Terry too!

Terry Waya, Nigerian Socialite and friend of most former Governors indicted for series of financial scam by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC is on his way to jail. A London court has found him guilty of money laundering. Total amount involved: £630,000.

Waya is associated with former Governors in the Obasanjo’s administration many of whom he had helped moved cash through phony means overseas. He is particularly linked with some shady financial deals with former Governors James Ibori of Delta State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State and many others who code-named themselves “Young Turk.”

Waya had in the heat of the battle for bail for Alamieyeseigha, announced in a paid advertisement that he was the one that coughed out the £500,000 needed as deposit to bail the self-styled Governor-General of Bayelsa State.

Although the amount involved was unknown but a source said it might be part of the £630,000 being investigated by the British Police.

He will be sentenced on August 7. 2007. Apart from the sentence, his assets will be confisticated.

The details of the judgment of the court were still being awaited as at press time on Tuesday.

Waya had in 2005 been arrested by the British Police for alleged money laundering.

About £630,000 was found in his account in 2005 by the Metropolitan Police. He was later released.
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A spokesman for the Met Police, Paul Dew, had on November 24, 2005 confirmed the arrest of Waya in a response to an e-mail.

He said he (Waya) had been bailed to return in June 2006.

In the last one year, the Nigerian socialite had been undergoing trial.

Waya had in October 2005 at Bow Street Magistrate’s Court in London offered to be one of the three sureties for a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

Although he made a £500,000 bail bond available, his surety application went awry.

It was learnt that there was a disagreement between Waya and the former governor over the bail process.

Despite the controversy, Waya issued a statement that he could not abandon a friend in need.

It was gathered that the role of the businessman in the bail saga led to a search on his business activities in London.

Rogue Governors arrested by EFCC

Govs Uzor Kalu and Saminu Turaki arrested by EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today arrested former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu and Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State.

An EFCC source told Saharareporters that the arrest of both former governors marks the beginning of a serious clampdown on former governors who were engaged in the looting of their respective state treasuries.

Orji Uzor Kalu was arrested as soon as he returned from London to Abuja. He was scheduled to meet with Umar Musa Yar'adua on the desire of his party, PPA to join the "Government of National Unity (GNU)" being put in place by Yar'adua. A source at the seat of government in Abuja, told Saharareporters that the former governor had wanted to be a member of the government of national unity as he already nominated himself and one other party member.

Both governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Saminu Turaki are detained at the Abuja office of the EFCC.
More to come...

World's Richest Black Person

World's Richest Black Person

I wouldn’t call myself the richest man in Africa. I would allow Forbes magazine to say so... I have seen them saying Oprah Winfrey is the richest black person in the world, and she is worth $1.5billion. I think by the grace of God I am much, much, richer than her. But the other one about Africa, I would wait for Forbes magazine to come out with their rating. I think the picture would become clearer towards the end of the year. And they would publish by February. So we keep our fingers crossed.-- Alhaji Aliko Dangote on his wealth.

When we realized that, we did not bother how much the refineries were valued at. We said, let’s go overboard. And we started with Port Harcourt where we agreed to put an enterprise value of $1.1billion. How much did the government spend in 1989 to build these refineries?--Dangote on the sale of the Port Harcourt refinery.

Yes, I believe in this country. I believe there is always going to be Nigeria. My faith and belief in this country is unshakeable. We have to live together in peace and not in pieces. Why are we important in the world today? It is because of our population. Population and our oil. It is not because the world loves the name Nigeria. No. When was the last time you heard about Kuwait or Brunei? The importance of Nigeria
is the market. The population is there. The money is there.--Dangote on love of country.



I like what
some Indian companies are doing. Companies like Reliance Group and the Tatas.
I think we have something in common with the Reliance Group. They think big and
they do big things. For example, they decided to go into supermarkets and they
are sinking $5billion into supermarkets. They have built a refinery of 660,000
barrels a day. It is a single refinery but the biggest in the world. And they
are doubling the refinery. These are the kind of things that we are talking about.
Ten years ago, they were not really that big. And in the ’70s, the person
who really started the business, their father, Ambani, was a petrol attendant.
He was filling people with petrol in their cars when they visited the station.
He used to live inside a small apartment with his family. And he dreamt of building
a refinery. He died three years ago, but he fulfilled his dream. My dream should
be translated faster than his own.--Dangote on business role models

Ha! I'm dying to see the look on Deinde Fernandez's face!Or did I hear someone say and Obasanjo's too...


See what I mean? The man would probably consider the quoted sum an insult, I mean, knowing him why settle for billions when one could still count in trillions? Now that's an example of how to 'dey kampe'!

Nigerian Village Square

Nigerian Village Square

DC Madam posts clients numbers online

'DC Madam' posts client numbers online

RAW STORY Published: Tuesday July 10, 2007
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Following the judge's lifting of a gag order, "DC Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey promised to release her phone records to selected sources. However, those records have now been posted in full to her website.

Because the website has suffered from a series of periodic outages since the records were posted Monday evening, the following message from Palfrey is being reproduced here:

"I have reason to believe the disk – containing a full set of the telephone records for the 13 year operational history of 'Pamela Martin & Associates' – already has been pirated. Despite our very best intentions to maintain control of the information, our efforts seemingly have been for naught. I am concerned about manipulation of the database with false and misleading information. Even though such falsifications can be refuted in time by comparing an altered copy with the original, my attorney, Mr. Sibley and I fear that in the intervening time period, considerable damage can and will be done to the reputations of individual and entities with no connection to the business. Additionally, the overall validity of the records’ contents will be diminished when one false accusation after another begins to manifest. Therefore, to thwart any possible distorted version and to ensure the integrity of the information, the records – in their entirety – are available for downloading."

The following links to Palfrey's records may only work periodically due to site outages.

AT&T 2000

Cingular 2005

Cingular 2004-05

Sprint 1994

Sprint 1999

Sprint 2000

Sprint 2002

Sprint 2003

Sprint 2004

Sprint 2005

Sprint 2006

Sprint 1995

Sprint 1995 (2)

Sprint 1996

Sprint 1998

You may use this phone number reversal tool to find names and addresses Google returns as "unlisted"

What would you like for weather today, Sir?

What would you like for weather today, Sir?

There are various methods used to control our weather in western Nations, unknown to us, in our so-called democracy! Last winter, it almost didn't snow in the East coast, and everyone realised the graveness of global warming, till some mysterious snow storms suddenly came that way. These storms are most evidently manipulative storms created by the weather diversion and manipulation methods below.

Many NGOs are observing this and complaining about it, but no legislature is in place in the US for instance, and nothing is done against this very serious issue of intentional weather manipualtion..

Last year for instance, high pressure domes created, doppler radar and other methods were possibly used to drive severe hurricanes away from landing on the US, hence we can easily imagine that the US hurricanes were diverted to unfortunate neighboring Nations, and much greater permanent consequences of weather tampering were created.

"..Fitrakis: We are at least supposed to live in a democracy and this stuff is all being done secretly. It's also being done without environmental impact statements and if the government is developing military warfare systems to dominate the globe through full spectrum dominance. We need to know, that's a policy decision. We need to know if we're moving toward a Roman style imperial world conquest and what's that going to cost and what's that going to cost to our health? What's that going to cost to our neighbors and our children.

One symptom of this Roman style imperial conquest is the domination of clear blue sky worldwide mainly over North America, Australia, Great Britain and Europe. As a result, each year less light reaches the surface of the Earth. Truly clear blue skies have been a rare sight as persistent contrails from aircraft exhaust and NATO aerosol programs have virtually dimmed incoming sunlight.

Tens of thousands have documented this airborne spraying. To be clear we're not talking about the normal condensation contrails that quickly disperse. And not the normal contrails that sometimes persist in the sky, because of one or more variables such as temperature difference, the change from JP-4 to JP10 aircraft fuel or design styles of jet engines..."
in the United States in the middle nineties and as more money has come into this project and the weather has gotten more severe, you see more and more planes active, especially ahead of a front.

This attempt to steer jet streams and large storms works in conjunction with HAARP and chemtrail marking. "HAARP" "High-frequency Active Auroral Research Project". An array of antennas located 200 miles northeast of Anchorage, Alaska. 360 towers, 72 feet high that direct high-frequency rays into the ionosphere.



Researchers say this focused energy will lift an area of the ionosphere miles into space, where then a vacuum is created and filled in by surrounding atmosphere. This can not only change weather say researchers but HAARP also has the power to create storm-related catastrophes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.In terms of moving storm fronts, scientists can monitor by weather satellite where the jet aircraft are marking aerosol trails and direct energy beams to nudge the storm front. Jerry Smith author of the recently published book, Weather Warfare says a combination is also at work. Doppler radar and HAARP are used together to influence weather..

"... Smith: There is evidence that Doppler radar does not merely illuminate clouds but actually affects the charges of clouds and that by how you stroke the clouds with radars is one way that you can manipulate and massage a storm front. Now, it looks like HAARP is being used to pull Arctic air down and the Dopplers are being used to drive moist air up. This produces storm fronts. With storm fronts you can drive temperatures down.

Smith says the process can be reversed in the summer so that cold air is pushed further north. This is civilian weather modification of which many benefit including heating oil companies says Smith. He says with this technology, high pressure zones can be maneuvered into place with large scale effect.

Smith: Another aspect of this is the hurricanes. There's evidence that an artificial high pressure was created during the 2006 hurricane season. So as to be a force field if you will, to keep the hurricanes from making landfall. If you noticed, not one hurricane made landfall in the US, compared to 2005 when an unprecedented number of hurricanes succeeded in making landfall.

Can't you just hear the butler to the English gentleman:I think you'll look just great in that new blazer Sir and I've made sure the weather will be just right for it!

I just love these guys!

How to write about Africa

How to write about Africa

Among your characters you must always include The Starving African, who wanders the refugee camp nearly naked, and waits for the benevolence of the West. Her children have flies on their eyelids and pot bellies, and her breasts are flat and empty. She must look utterly helpless. She can have no past, no history; such diversions ruin the dramatic moment. Moans are good. She must never say anything about herself in the dialogue except to speak of her (unspeakable) suffering. Also be sure to include a warm and motherly woman who has a rolling laugh and who is concerned for your well-being. Just call her Mama. Her children are all delinquent. These characters should buzz around your main hero, making him look good. Your hero can teach them, bathe them, feed them; he carries lots of babies and has seen Death. Your hero is you (if reportage), or a beautiful, tragic international celebrity/aristocrat who now cares for animals (if fiction).

Bad Western characters may include children of Tory cabinet ministers, Afrikaners, employees of the World Bank. When talking about exploitation by foreigners mention the Chinese and Indian traders. Blame the West for Africa's situation. But do not be too specific.

Broad brushstrokes throughout are good. Avoid having the African characters laugh, or struggle to educate their kids, or just make do in mundane circumstances. Have them illuminate something about Europe or America in Africa. African characters should be colourful, exotic, larger than life—but empty inside, with no dialogue, no conflicts or resolutions in their stories, no depth or quirks to confuse the cause.

Describe, in detail, naked breasts (young, old, conservative, recently raped, big, small) or mutilated genitals, or enhanced genitals. Or any kind of genitals. And dead bodies. Or, better, naked dead bodies. And especially rotting naked dead bodies. Remember, any work you submit in which people look filthy and miserable will be referred to as the 'real Africa', and you want that on your dust jacket. Do not feel queasy about this: you are trying to help them to get aid from the West. The biggest taboo in writing about Africa is to describe or show dead or suffering white people.

Animals, on the other hand, must be treated as well rounded, complex characters. They speak (or grunt while tossing their manes proudly) and have names, ambitions and desires. They also have family values: see how lions teach their children? Elephants are caring, and are good feminists or dignified patriarchs. So are gorillas. Never, ever say anything negative about an elephant or a gorilla. Elephants may attack people's property, destroy their crops, and even kill them. Always take the side of the elephant. Big cats have public-school accents. Hyenas are fair game and have vaguely Middle Eastern accents. Any short Africans who live in the jungle or desert may be portrayed with good humour (unless they are in conflict with an elephant or chimpanzee or gorilla, in which case they are pure evil).

After celebrity activists and aid workers, conservationists are Africa's most important people. Do not offend them. You need them to invite you to their 30,000-acre game ranch or 'conservation area', and this is the only way you will get to interview the celebrity activist. Often a book cover with a heroic-looking conservationist on it works magic for sales. Anybody white, tanned and wearing khaki who once had a pet antelope or a farm is a conservationist, one who is preserving Africa's rich heritage. When interviewing him or her, do not ask how much funding they have; do not ask how much money they make off their game. Never ask how much they pay their employees.

Readers will be put off if you don't mention the light in Africa. And sunsets, the African sunset is a must. It is always big and red. There is always a big sky. Wide empty spaces and game are critical—Africa is the Land of Wide Empty Spaces. When writing about the plight of flora and fauna, make sure you mention that Africa is overpopulated. When your main character is in a desert or jungle living with indigenous peoples (anybody short) it is okay to mention that Africa has been severely depopulated by Aids and War (use caps).

You'll also need a nightclub called Tropicana, where mercenaries, evil nouveau riche Africans and prostitutes and guerrillas and expats hang out.

Always end your book with Nelson Mandela saying something about rainbows or renaissances. Because you care.


... and what is she looking at?(!)