Kanu finally bows out, drags football greats to Lagos

Teslim Balogun Stadium will today go agog as King Kanu brings to a close his memorable three
decades of footballing career.

Today’s game would see ‘Friends of Kanu’ and Super Eagles “All-Stars” at logger heads to mark the end of Kanu’s illustrious football calling. The game is being put together to honour Kanu’s contribution to the Super Eagles as well as his colourful playing career.

Nwankwo Kanu

Commenting on Kanu’s career and his personality to Saturday Vanguard Sports, former Real Sociedad of Spain midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju said “everybody knows that he was a good player. He won so many laurels for himself and the country. He is a good ambassador, this will show in his testimonial match.

“On the pitch he is a fantastic player, one that when you pass the ball to, knows how to hold on to it and nobody can take it from him. You are always sure of getting the ball back or him giving a quality pass up-front. He is an exceptional player on and off the pitch. He is very nice to be with as a person,”

On whether he would be missed and has been replaced, headmaster, as he is fondly called by his fans, said “it is going to be difficult to replace somebody like him in the team. He cannot play forever, so he has to leave the stage for the younger ones to show their own stuff,” Adepoju added.

The game will see the likes of Cameroonian skipper Samuel Eto’o, George Weah, the only African to have won the World, European and African Footballer of the Year awards in 1995, former Cameroonian captain, Rigobert Song, who played in four World Cup finals between 1994 and 2010 and his cousin, Arsenal’s Alex Song in attendance.

Others billed for the tie are, Emmanuel Eboue, Ghanaian World Cup defender John Paintsil, Bafana Bafana forward Teko Modise and Uruguayan star Roberto Solano.

Former Togolese captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, former Bafana Bafana and Leeds United captain Lucas Radebe will also thrill Lagosians with exciting football. Chelsea and Ghanaian midfield powerhouse Michael Essien and former Dutch marksman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank will also entertain King Kanu’s fans.

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Woman delivers seven babies in 11 months

IN a strange manner, a woman has delivered a set of seven babies within a space of 11 months, three males and four females.

The woman, Mrs Precious Donatus who lives in Aguda, Suru-lere, Lagos, gave birth to her first child in August, 2009, after 11 years of childlessness but the baby died five days later.

Ten months later, Mrs Precious conceived and delivered the seven babies within intervals of one month . When Saturday Vanguard visited the home of the family, the husband Mr Donatus Ogbonna, a business man from Imo State was at home.

He told Saturday Vanguard that at birth of the first baby, they did not know that would be the beginning of her journey to delivering seven babies.

Narrating her story, Mrs Precious told Saturday Vanguard that the first baby died after five days of birth adding that “immediately after putting to bed the first baby, the doctor told me that there was another baby in my womb.”

The babies are :first baby, August 25 2009, Amarachi (died after five days); second baby, May 6, 2010 (Conqueror, female); third baby, June 3, 2010, (Chizitere, female); fourth baby, August 16, 2010 (Ekpereamaka, male); fifth baby, September 19, 2010, (Fineseed Angel, female); sixth baby, October 19, 2010 (Evidence, female); seventh baby, January 13, 2011,( Flourish, male), eight baby, April 2, 2011, (Ebenezer, male) .

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Police arrest eight-man robbery suspects

Last month, a suspected leader of a notorious robbery gang identified as Charles Okon, was arrested. The 34-year-old suspect from Cross Rivers state was apprehended following a confessional statement by his girlfriend, Miriam, who was arrested earlier, with arms and ammunition at Amukoko garage, on her way to Koko Delta state, for a robbery operation by her boyfriend’s gang. Although Charles who fled to Ghana to avoid being arrested , but could not get over the temptation of robing as he stormed Nigeria again, where he carried out a robbery operation at Our Lady of Fatimah Catholic Church, Sururlere , carting away several Millions and other valuables.

Charles, as gathered met his waterloo at Tin-Can first gate while sharing the loots from the church with other members of his gang, with the sum of N7Million recovered from him, while his colleagues managed to escape.

The good news however, is that other members of the eight man gang have been arrested by Policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Lagos State Police Command. The suspects according to spokesman of the Command, Mr Samuel Jinadu were arrested at different areas of the state. Charles according to him, “ divulged all he knew about his gang and the police worked on his information which materialized into the arrest of his colleagues. He spoke to them as if they were friends.. The phone numbers he gave to us were working and the names, addresses and descriptions he provided were all accurate. I don’t think he held back any thing.” He said. His confessional statement led to the arrest of the followings; Godwin Dams, Chima Okuchibike, , Muniran Ilegiumo, Richard Ogodo and he confessed to have carried out over forty operations”

For one of the suspects, 29-year-old Godwin Adams, he claimed to have joined the gang out of frustration, following his deportation from Germany.

Hear him: “Before I traveled to Germany, I met Charles at Tin-can Island Port. Then,he told me he was a clearing agent and I told him how badly I needed a job. After hanging out with him for a long time and we did not get anything meaningful, he opened up to me that he was an armed robber and would want me to join his gang. I had no option because I was in dire need of money to fend for my self and my family. I joined his gang and started going on operations with them. My first operation with his gang was at a company in Ikeja, where we took large sum of money. But I was given only N30, 000 because I was new. We also robbed a shopping plaza at Ajah area and many other places.

When I made enough money, I traveled out of the country to Germany. But I was intercepted by the immigration over there and thrown into a refugee camp where I stayed for nine months before I was repatriated to Nigeria . On getting home, I continued from where I stopped with members of my gang. I did not know that the police were everywhere looking for me over my previous exploits, until I was arrested”, he said.

On the part of Richard Ogodo, an Ordinary National Diploma holder, from the Ondo state Polytechnic, he confessed to have taken part in four robbery operations with the gang while in school. He disclosed that he used the money realized from the operations to train himself in school. According to him, “ My plan was to use it to at least get a HND before I would quit because I am from a poor background” But at a point, he broke down in tears , begging those he might have disappointed particularly his parents, to forgive him for dragging the family’s name on the mud.

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D’Banj seals deal with Kanye West’s Good Music

Finally the ice is broken and Nigerians can heave a sigh of relief as the much needed breakthrough to a new dawn for the music industry has come.

Early Thursday morning, social network twitter was awash with excitement following news that Don Jazzy’s Mo’Hit record has signed a record deal with Good records owned by the American Superstar musician, Kanye West.

The deal followed months of negotiation between both executives of the record companies.

Although detail of the deal remains sketchy, the initial content of the contract Showtime gathered will witness the subsequent release of works of Mo’Hits frontl ine musician, D’Banj on Good records.

News of the deal was confirmed on twitters by D’Banj who described the development as the perfect gift to celebrate his birthday.

Said he “ Just like yesterday, myself and my brother, Don Jazzy did Tongolo, seven years later, Mo’hits signs with Good Music”

In a prayer of gratitude the Koko master was full of praises to God for his blessing while thanking his fans for their support over the years.

“Lord I thank you for being so good to us. On such a special day you have decided to humble us more. I’m speechless”.

He was also full of praises for his boss and partner at Month’hits, Don Jazzy. “Congrats Bro.. It’s time to move on to the next level. And this is the best birthday gift ever.”

Meanwhile moments after he shared news of the record deal, D’Banj announced that he would no longer honour performance by promoters he called amateurs.

“ No more shows for me by amateur promoters and I am sorry if my new decision will hurt my fans. If anyone wants to have me on stage such persons should get a professional promoter henceforth.

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Tambuwal begs PDP leaders

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The crisis of confidence within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the election of Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Emeka Ihedioha as his deputy, contrary to the party’s decision, was resolved Wednesday with Tambuwal formally apologising to the party for their action.

Tambuwal and Ihedioha arrived the national secretariat of the party in Abuja at 1.50 p.m. and few minutes after their arrival, the acting national chairman of the party Haliru Bello, came to join other members of the party’s National Working Committee who were already seated inside the conference room.

Tambuwal, who was dressed in flowing blue gown contrary to the South-South outfit on the day he was elected, told Bello and other party leaders “we are here this afternoon to pay you your due respect and to say here and now that all that we did was not intended in any way to either undermine our party or out of disrespect for our party.”

Nigerian president says bombings not tied to election

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said Wednesday that deadly bomb attacks on the night of his inauguration were in no way linked to his election victory.

"We have these challenges but it has nothing to do with the election," Jonathan told reporters on the sideline of the global conference on AIDS, refuting claims that the bombings were to express disaffection at the polls.

Bomb attacks in different parts of Nigeria on the night of Jonathan's inauguration, particularly on the outskirts of the capital Abuja and in the northern states of Borno and Bauchi, left at least 18 people dead, according to official figures. Unofficial tolls said there were more.

Jonathan, a Christian from the oil rich south, defeated his main challengers, mainly Muslims from the north, in a contest adjudged as free and fair by local and foreign observers.

Nobody claimed responsibility for the attacks. Jonathan said they were the work of terrorists and not the result of ethnic or religious divides in the country which have been a source of friction.

"Initially we as a nation, we didn't believe that we have terrorists among ourselves until it became so obvious that we have some elements of terrorism," Jonathan said.

"This issue of explosion has been with us and we are doing all we could to contain it. As a government, we are committed to bringing it down and we will bring it down," Jonathan said.

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Court remands Bankole in custody

A Federal High Court, Abuja, this morning refused an oral bail application filed by the embattled former Speaker House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole, ordering him to remain in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bankole is facing a 16-count charge of contract inflation and award of contracts amounting to N894 million without recourse to the Procurement Act slammed against him by the EFCC.

Attempt by his counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) to move the oral bail application was frustrated by the EFCC counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo who objected. Keyamo argued that the allegations against the former Speaker were weighty and required that materials be placed before the court.

Justice Donatus Okorowo upheld the objection.

Before adjourning till June 10 for hearing, he directed the defence to file a formal bail application.

He also fixed July 26 and 27 for trial.

Meanwhile Bankole’s lawyer faulted the mood of his client arrest by the anti-graft agency complaining that the incident was over bloated both on national and international media even when the trial was yet to commence.

But the Judge said the court lacked the power to restrain the press from its job.

He however pointed out that courts have power to punish for contempt.

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IGP hands-over 6 gunboats to Lagos police command

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim, on Tuesday, handed-over six refurbished gunboats to the Lagos police command as part of measures to further beef up security around the coastal areas of Nigeria’s economic hub. Ringim, who arrived at the Marine Police Headquarters on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the company of Governor Babatunde Fashola for the event, said the release of the gunboats was in recognition of the special place of Lagos, as the nation’s commercial centre and its huge population who must protected and secured.

He also mentioned the need to secure the various federal and private properties in the city, citing in particular the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) facilities along the coastal line at Atlas Cove, Ibafon, Badagry, Epe, Apapa, Ijora Coal, Marina and nautical miles offshore.

According to Ringim, “consequent upon the tour of NNPC facilities and tank farms in January 2011, it has become imperative to add additional six back-up boats for effective patrol of the facilities.

And with the commissioning of these six gunboats, it is my expectation that the police in Lagos will be able to provide adequate security around all federal government installations, vital public and private assets along the riverine areas of Epe through Marina to Badagry,” the IGP said.

While soliciting the continued cooperation of the Lagos State government, the police boss, however, acknowledged Governor Fashola’s massive support to the Lagos police command since 2007. He noted that this support has put the command ahead of other states.

In his remarked, Fashola commended the IGP for acceding to the demand of the Lagos command for additional gunboats. Pledging his continued cooperation with the Federal Government and the police, Fashola disclosed that plans were afoot by the state through the Lagos Security Trust Fund to purchase additional gunboats to the police.

He reiterated the determination his administration to fight crime headlong, warning that criminals bent on making lives unbearable for the residents were in for a fight with the government.

Earlier, the commissioner of police, Lagos, Yakubu Alkali, said the additional gunboats became necessary in order tame hoodlums who have chosen to attack from the water having “realized the danger involved in attacking on land”.

“In the face of this daunting challenge, it became imperative to support the marine police so that it could save Lagosians, particularly Ikoyi, Victoria and Lekki Peninsula residents, the harrowing experience of devastating incidents of crimes,” Alkali said.

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Two senators miss oath taking

Two senators, Alphonsus Igbeke and Abdu Umar Yandoma, were on Monday walked out of the National Assembly by security officials while others took their oath of office.

The senators -elect were denied oath taking following a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to bar the duo because of a subsisting court order on their elections. INEC asked the National Assembly to discountenance the certificates of return issued to both aspirants the previous day.

Mr Igbeke was stopped due to a notice of appeal challenging his emergence as the elected representative of the Anambra North Federal Constituency.

Mr Igbeke is accused of forging the documents he presented to the court which led to a judgment that declared him the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the April 9th National Assembly election.

Mr Yandoma, a CPC senator elect from Katsina North Senatorial District, was denied oath taking on similar grounds. According to the June 4th letter from INEC signed by its secretary, Abdullahi Kaugama, Mr Yandoma was issued certificate of return contrary to an order of a Federal High Court in Abuja which is challenging the authenticity of his nomination as the party's candidate for the election.

Both men were sighted in the National Assembly on Sunday when the senators resumed for verification and identification and were subsequently issued with invites for the inauguration.

Brutal security force

Meanwhile, some people sustained injuries after security agents brutally forced back several journalists and hundreds of visitors from Monday's inauguration of the National Assembly conducted under extreme security.

Police used tear gas on journalists caught in an adjoining room to the venue of the event, and used batons on visitors, injuring at least two women.

Ahead of the inauguration that featured the swearing in of 469 lawmakers and hundreds of visitors,

Sergeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly said last week that the ceremony will be conducted under stern measures and warned that media coverage may be disallowed in many areas.

The police had six check points and shut all banks and food outlets within the vicinity for most part of the day.

As is becoming customary with key government functions in which brutish measures are adopted by the government, roads within the Three Arms Zone were shut, frustrating commuters while many repeated clashes between police and journalists created minor stampedes within the complex.

Hundreds of anti riot police and Nigeria Civil Defence team mounted security. Police officials said they were carrying out orders, not stating whose orders.

A middle aged woman was injured after being manhandled by police officials who were ordered by their superiors to double their efforts.

For hours, journalists who arrived as early as 8.30am were refused entry after valid accreditations were issued; only to be allowed by about 3pm. Former governor, Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State was also denied entry and one new senator-elect was manhandled. Officials refused to comment on the incident.

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Five killed in Islamists sect attacks in Nigeria

Bomb attacks by members of an Islamist sect targetting a church and a police station in Nigeria's troubled city of Maiduguri killed five people on Tuesday, police said.

"There were attacks by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram in which five people in all were killed and three injured including two policemen," police spokesman Lawal Abdullahi.

He said the attackers "hurled an explosive device into the premises of the police station which went off but did not cause any causalties."

But gunbattles broke out between the police and the attackers "in which the police succeeded in killing three of the gunmen," he said. Two policemen were injured in the shootout.

"In the second attack another group of sect members hurled a bomb apparently targeting St Patrick's (Catholic) church, but missed the target and landed on the street outside," said Abdullahi.

It went off and killed two passers-by and injured another.

Another bomb went off near the same church last week but with no casualties.

On Monday a gunman killed a Wahabbi cleric and imam of a mosque in Biu town who was critical of Boko Haram ideology especially its rejection of Western education and its resort to violence, his neighbours said.

Ibrahim Birkuti was shot by a motorcycle-riding gunman thought to be a member of Boko Haram sect outside his house Biu, 2OO kilometres (120 miles) south of Maiduguri, which is in Borno state.

The sect which launched an uprising in 2009 and has been blamed for dozens of killings in the northeast where it targets security forces, community leaders and government institutions.

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Jonathan arrives in US, to address UN Security Tuesday

President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in New York on Monday night to attend the UN high level meeting on HIV and AIDS.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President, who arrived at J F Kennedy International Airport with his wife, Patience, is expected to address the Security Council on Tuesday and the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

He arrived at 10.40 p.m. local time (3.40am Nigerian time) and was received by the Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Joy Ogwu, and Nigeria's Ambassador to U.S., Ade Adefuye.

Also on hand to receive the president were the Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs Ministry, Martin Uhomoibhi, and the President's Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Thaddeus Hart.

Mr Jonathan will address the Security Council meeting on the impact of HIV and AIDS epidemic on international peace and security. The meeting is expected to be chaired by the President of Gabon, Bongo Ondimba. The county holds the Rotating Presidency of the Security Council for the month of June.

He will also deliver a statement at the opening ceremony of the high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS at the General Assembly.

The President will also pay a visit to U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House, Washington D.C., on Wednesday afternoon and return to New York to attend a meeting of Heads of State and Government on AIDS, health and sustainable development.

Mr Jonathan is also scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with the President of Gabon and a luncheon and interactive session with Nigerians in the UN system.

The President, who is making his first visit outside the country after his inauguration last month for a four-year term, is expected to launch the Global Plan for the Elimination of HIV mother-to-child-transmission with former U.S. President Bill Clinton on Thursday.

After the launch, Mr Jonathan would depart for Abuja same day.

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Kalu blames NFF for Eagles draw

While football egg heads celebrate Eagles’ draw in Addis Ababa,former Abia state governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu Tuesday hit the nail on the head blaming the Glass House for the near disaster.

Kalu wondered why the NFF should be content with a draw, when the match could have been won by the vastly improved Eagles who were made to look breathless by the crisis ridden soccer house.

He said,”That game was bungled.How could anyone fly Eagles into Addis on the day of the match?They did not think of altitude,nobody saw the fatigue.Mauling Argentina 4-1 did not mean Ethiopia would be given another 4-0 drubbing.I think we should ask for specialised departments in the NFF toAFCON fourth-round qualifying clash that ended goalless in Yaoundé on Saturday.

Hayatou is a Cameroonian but is not directly involved in the designation of match officials, a source at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, said on Monday.

Angolan-born referee Martins de Carvalho Helder came under fire in Dakar immediately after the face-off for booking four Senegal players and expelling two others, Issiar Dia and Lamine Sané.

The Teranga Lions coach, Amara Traore, was also sent off for contesting the referee’s decisions, while a late penalty was awarded to the home side but was fluffed by team skipper Samuel Eto’o.

Ndiaye judged the referee’s actions as a “distant complicity” with CAF, according to the Senegal Press Agency, APS. “Hayatou no longer deserves to run African football. He silently watched while Carvalho Helder gave a negative image of African refereeing,” Ndiaye said.

He further urged Senegal FA President Augustin Senghor to take the necessary actions in contesting the legitimacy of Hayatou at the helm of the African football governing body and to press for sanctions against the Angolan referee.

Carvalho Helder was dropped during the 2010 African Cup of Nations after being given a poor evaluation by assessors following his performance during the Group C second match between Nigeria and Benin. However, coach Amara played down the incidents and urged all to look forward.

“The referee is a human being and can make mistakes. The most important thing is that we picked one point from Cameroon and we are looking forward to our qualification for the 2012 showpiece. That’s all,” Amara said at a press conference in Dakar on Monday.

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WAEC lauds Mimiko over conduct of exams in Ondo

THE West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has commended Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration of Ondo State over the conduct of incidence-free public examinations in the state.

Commissioner for Education, Dr Pius Osunyikanmi, said this during the inspection of 57 projects renovated by the Governor at St Peter’s Unity Secondary School, Akure.

This came as the state government reviewed upwards the scholarship and bursary awards to students of the state origin.

It equally approved the establishment of Overseas Scholarship Scheme for PH.D and other specialised post graduate programmes.

The scheme, which commences from 2011/2012 academic session, will be an annual award for 30 beneficiaries covering tuition fees, books and accommodation.

According to Osunyikanmi “WAEC specifically praised the state government on the last Senior Secondary Certificate Examination as the best organised in the recent years in terms of organisation and conduct. The Ministry of Education was able to achieve this feat through various steps taken to make a clean break from the past.

What we did was to prepare the schools and ensure their strict adherence to the rules governing the conduct of such examinations. Moreover, we made concerted efforts to stamp out incidence of malpractices in all forms at the so called ‘miracle centres’ and they have almost been completely eradicated” .

The Commissioner added that such centres had earlier been identified and sanctioned while the Supervisors found culpable during the clean-up exercise were given the appropriate punitive dose

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Zoning: Why we can’t congratulate Tambuwal – PDP

SHOCKED by the dumping of its zoning formula and the emergence of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as Speaker at the election of principal officers in the House of Representatives , yesterday, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that it cannot congratulate the newly elected speaker.

According to the Party, it became imperative not to congratulate him because consultations were still on with leaders of the party, National Assembly leaders and other stakeholders.

In a statement, Tuesday, by the National Secretary of the PDP, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Party noted that , consultation is on course and the party will soon come up with its position.

The statement read, ‘’the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) notes with great concern the unfolding developments in the House of Representatives especially the outcome of the election of principal officers on Monday, 6th June 2011.

‘’While the Party believes in, and indeed encourages the exercise of freedom of choice for all Nigerians including members of the National Assembly, it is important to reiterate that the principle of zoning is still an integral part of the PDP Constitution.

‘’The idea of zoning is a well thought-out philosophy for National stability and integration. It is the only guarantee that every segment of Nigeria enjoys a sense of belonging by being represented in all the decision making organs of the government of Nigeria.

‘’Consequently, prior to the election of Principal Officers that took place in the Senate and the House of Representatives on the 6th of June 2011, the NWC in collaboration with other decision making bodies of our Party made spirited efforts to build a consensus around the zoning formula. ‘’The NWC is currently consulting other organs of the Party to re-assess the entire scenario and will come up with an appropriate policy in due course.’’

Tambuwal, who hails from Sokoto State, North-West was massively elected as Speaker with 252 votes compared to 90 votes garnered by government and PDP-backed Mulikat Akande-Adeola, who hails from the South-West.

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Ajimobi proscribes Oyo NURTW activities •To restructure motor parks.

JUST as reported on Monday by the Nigerian Tribune, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Monday, banned the activities of the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and directed security agencies to dislodge its members from all the motor parks in the state.

Henceforth, the 33 local government areas in the state are to take over the management of the parks, which statutorily belong to them.

The state transport union had been bedevilled with a series of crises over the control of the motor parks, occasioning violent clashes between factions with the resultant loss of life and property, as well as breach of public peace.

The ugly crises in the union had necessitated its proscription by the immediate past administration, with a reversal of the ban at the twilight of that administration.

The decision to have a ban slammed on the union by the new administration in the state was reached at a security council meeting held in the executive chamber of the Governor’s Office. The meeting was attended by heads of the army, immigration, police, civil defence, senior members of the administration and other stakeholders.

In a communique read to newsmen by the governor at the end of the meeting, Senator Ajimobi said the council met to review the recent mayhem unleashed on the state by the feuding factions of the NURTW and noted that the body posed a major security risk to the state.

He said the root of the danger constituted by the union included, among other things, the politicisation of its activities, contending attempts to control the revenue from the parks, alarming access to arms and ammunition, abuse of court processes and ineffective enforcement of the law, violent succession crises and lack of political will of previous administrations to take appropriate decisions as and when necessary.

According to the communique, “security agencies have been directed to arrest all the perpetrators of crimes leading directly or indirectly to the recent mayhem in the state and recover all illegal arms and ammunition.

“The government hereby bans all the activities of the NURTW at the motor parks pending the investigation of the mayhem and prosecution of all the culprits which will be done immediately.

“All the motor parks will be identified by a committee set up by the state government to look into the restructuring and management of the motor parks with a view to preventing violence in future and to generating the much-needed revenue for the development of the state,” the governor said.

The governor assured citizens and residents in the state of the determination of his administration to maintain law and order while promoting peaceful co-existence among all, imploring them to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation.

He sympathised with victims of the mayhem and their families and prayed that God console them.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police command has invited the factional leaders of the NURTW, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, known as Tokyo and Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary, to the command headquarters today, between 8.00 a.m and 4.00 p.m.

In a release signed by the deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Okanlawon, the police threatened to declare the invitees wanted if they refused to appear at the headquarters in Eleyele.

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EFCC seizes Bankole’s passport

Ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole’s passport was seized yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission obtained a court warrant after which it sent a team of operatives to search Bankole’s 8, Clapperton Street, Asokoro Quarters, Abuja, home.

The ex-Speaker was allowed access to a lawyer, Margaret Onyema.

Bankole, who was arrested Sunday night, underwent about four hours interrogation.

He was questioned about how the House spent N25billion between January and March; his alleged involvement in the N2.3billion car scam; and abuse of due process and corrupt practices associated with the N9bilion capital budget of the House of Representatives for 2008/2009 session among others.

A source in the commission said: “During interrogation, a lot of allegations were put before him and he wrote his statement to respond to all these issues.

“One of the issues we are seeking clarification from the Speaker on is how N25billion was spent by the House within three months.

“According to records available to the EFCC, the House received its statutory budget allocation of N15.3billion on January 24, 2011 and two days later, it secured the controversial N10billion loan for allowances.

“The Speaker has been asked to explain how N15.3billion was spent within two days. We want to know the whereabouts of the budgetary allocation.

“Bankole will also explain his alleged involvement in the N2.3billion car scam; and abuse of due process and corrupt practices associated with the N9bilion capital budget of the House of Representatives for 2008/2009 sessions among others.

“After his initial statement, our operatives also asked him some follow-up questions but we are not done with him yet.

“We may still engage Bankole on Tuesday on other issues and certain gaps in his statement.
“So far, the ex-Speaker is in safe custody but his traveling documents have been impounded pending the conclusion of our investigation.

“In the interim, the ex-Speaker cannot travel out of the country except with the consent of the EFCC and eventually a court if he is arraigned in court.

“But a special team went to conduct a thorough search in his house to retrieve some vital documents.

“We made sure that we conducted the search in the presence of his counsel, Margaret Onyema, so that she can take a proper inventory of what we retrieved.

The Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the seizure of Bankole’s passport.

He said: “It is part of the process. As soon as we are through with the process of interrogation, we will release his passport.

“The search on his house is normal to conduct such a search during a high-profile investigation like this. And that was done with a valid search warrant from a court.

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Tragedy averted in Ogun Assembly •As police detect explosive device

OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, newly-inaugurated 26 members of the state House of Assembly, friends and well-wishers, on Monday, escaped death as a substance described as Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was discovered a few metres from the Assembly complex.

The device, Nigerian Tribune learnt, was detonated by the officers of the Nigeria Police Anti-Bomb Squad, as the yellow light in the explosive was blinking when it was detected.

Some members of the Gateway Television (GTV) Outside Broadcast (OB) van crew told the Nigerian Tribune that the explosive was spotted inside the grass very close to a window pane at about 11.45 a.m. when the inauguration of the seventh session of the House was under way.

A member of the police anti-bomb squad was said to have discovered the explosive while combing the assembly premises.

A source, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on condition of anonymity, said, “immediately this was spotted, he alerted his colleagues, who combed the spot and discovered the explosive, with the yellow light blinking. It was immediately cut off and was taken into the van and they drove away.”
The detonated explosive was taken away in a police van marked NPF 1756C to the police headquarters, Eleweran.
Governor Amosun, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Communication , Funmi Wakama, while speaking on the development condemned the act, saying, “this action depicts the height of desperation and wickedness by some agents of violence still prowling the state.
“This development is alien to the state and the administration will not allow agents of violence to peddle their trade in the state.”

He directed all relevant security agencies to investigate and unmask those behind it and bring them to book.

Also, commenting on the development, a member of the assembly, Honourable Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo, said, “why would anyone think of killing people, innocent people for that matter?

“What could be the motive behind it? This could have been a tragedy to the state. We shall continue to pray and this shows that our governor has God’s backing and we shall continue to rely on Him to take this government to the land of progress.”

Governor Amosun, in his inaugural speech, called for genuine collaboration from all the tiers of government in the mission of rebuilding the state.

He promised to uphold and strengthen the principle of separation of powers needed for checks and balances for the nation’s democracy.

Reacting to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the nature of the device, saying “it is an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).”

Adejobi described the incident as unfortunate, saying “we have to commend the officers and men at the scene of the incident for being vigilant enough to detect the explosive early.”

He hinted that the state Commissioner of Police, Musa Daura, had directed that proper investigations be carried out on the incident.

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S-West loses in new political setting

The South West region yesterday lost out in the nation’s first four political ranking for the first time in the last 12 years as Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, PDP, Sokoto State emerged as the new Speaker of the 7th Session of the House of Representatives.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the region’s Ogun State was Nigeria’s number one citizen between 1999 and 2007 while from that time to last Friday, members of the House of Representatives from the region—Hon. Patricia Etteh, then Dimeji Bankole, at different times held sway as Speakers of the House.

By the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s arrangement, the position of the number four citizen— Speaker of the House of Representatives— would have gone to the region but Hon Tambuwal defeated Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola who was popularly tagged as the candidate of the PDP and the presidency.

Tambuwal was a Deputy Chief Whip in the sixth session of the House of Representatives. He ran against Hon. Mulikat Akande in defiance to the endorsement of the ruling PDP.

As things stand, the President is from South-South; Vice President from, North-West; Senate President, North Central and Speaker, House of Representatives from North West

Meantime, the main political party that is governing five of the South West’s six states, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, says it’s not worried about the development.

According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, “we are not bothered since we are a national party with national and not ethnic agenda.

“We voted for a candidate that will advance our political agenda which includes devolution of power, Physical federalism and review of revenue sharing formula among others.

“We did not vote on ethnic grounds and this is the beginning of the re-birth of democracy.”
“Come to think of it, what did the South West gain from Obasanjo Presidency and a Dimeji Bankole Speakership in the last 12 years?”

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