Finally, Fayose survives impeachment plot

Omirin and Fayose

In this piece, TOLUWANI ENIOLA reviews the travails of the embattled 19 Ekiti All Progressives Congress lawmakers as their tenure ends today

As the tenure of the 4th House of Assembly in Ekiti State officially ends today, one person who will be breathing a deep sigh of relief is Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Having an understanding of the proverb, “Once bitten, twice shy,” Fayose, who was impeached by the 2nd Assembly on October 16, 2006, was desperate to ensure that history did not repeat itself. It was for this reason that when he took oath of office on October 16, 2014, his plan was to ensure a total control of the Assembly by all means.

Immediately after swearing to uphold the constitution, Fayose announced the defection of six lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party. This implied that seven out of the 26 lawmakers were PDP members while the remaining 19 were members of the APC.

But the governor did not have control of the House since two- thirds majority of the Assembly (18) was still under the control of the APC and thus had the power to remove him from office.

Expectedly, fresh trouble began between the governor and members of the Assembly over issues relating to the budget and the screening of commissioners. Fayose alleged that the lawmakers demanded a bribe to screen his nominees and were scheming to remove him and his deputy from office so that the Speaker, Dr. Wale Omirin, could take over.

The lawmakers denied the allegations as the political atmosphere in the state continued to heat up. At a point, the governor even ordered the closure of the Speaker’s filling station in controversial circumstances.

However, the crisis reached a climax on November 17, 2014, when the seven PDP lawmakers secretly sat in the Assembly to pass the budget and screen Fayose’s nominees. The PDP lawmakers appointed the representative of Ikole Constituency II, Mr. Dele Olugbemi, as protem Speaker to preside over the plenary as early as 7am while armed policemen were stationed at the Assembly with an Armoured Personnel Carrier blocking the entrance to the Assembly to prevent the 19 APC lawmakers from entering the Assembly.

The PDP lawmakers cited the absence of the Speaker, Omirin, and his deputy, Taiwo Orisalade, as reasons for the appointment of the acting Speaker for the day’s business. For such a move to have been legal, the law required that at least 10 lawmakers must be present in the Assembly to form a quorum. While the PDP claimed that 10 lawmakers sat, the APC maintained that it was impossible for 10 lawmakers to have sat since there were only seven PDP lawmakers in the Assembly.

As the crisis continued, the 19 lawmakers were forced on self-exile while the seven PDP lawmakers in the Assembly were given police protection and were recognised by the Fayose-led government. The seven lawmakers subsequently impeached Omirin and his deputy just as Olugbemi was made the Speaker. The 19 lawmakers accused Fayose of sponsoring the crisis and threatened to impeach him but they were never allowed to sit.

There were concerns that the APC lawmakers might want to use “federal might” to unseat the governor who constantly attacked the personality of the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, during the presidential election campaign. The highpoint of the crisis bedevilling the 4th Assembly was last Tuesday when the 19 APC lawmakers failed to gain entry into the state to impeach Fayose. Roads leading to the state wereblocked by thugs suspected to be loyal to Fayose. The lawmakers claimed the police failed to provide security for them to perform their constitutional duties.

Omirin, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Thursday took stock of the 4th Assembly and called for an end to what he described as “reign of terror and impunity” in Ekiti State.

Omirin said despite the crisis, the achievements of the 4th Assembly were unprecedented in the country, saying that out of the 150 bills that were passed into law in the history of the state, 72 were done during his tenure.

He said, “I have no regrets serving as Speaker. In fact, none of the 19 APC lawmakers have any regrets. Of the 150 bills that were passed into law in the history of the Assembly, 72 were done during our tenure. That made us the most productive lawmakers in the country. I read in the papers today that Nassarawa State passed 48 bills into law in four years. So, our achievements are unprecedented.”

Omirin, however, said the legislatives activities of the Assembly were marred by the leadership style of Fayose whom he accused of promoting impunity and disregarding the rule of law.

He said, “As far as I’m concerned, I know Fayose’s antecedents. He had the backing of the GoodluckJonathan-led Federal Government. It was under Jonathan that the governors’ forum split and 16 was a majority while 19 was a minority. This culture of disrespect for democratic ethos reared its head in Ekiti when seven PDP lawmakers, with the backing of the Federal Government, “prevailed” over 19. How can Fayose use seven members of the Assembly to clear three commissioners and special advisers? How can he use seven lawmakers to dissolve council chairmen in the state and constitute an illegal caretaker committee to head the councils? The constitution says before you pass the budget, you require two-thirds, majority but Fayose went ahead with just seven members of the House to pass the 2015 budget.”

The medical doctor said the 19 APC lawmakers could have impeached Fayose on Tuesday but were not allowed to gain entry into the state. Omirin also claimed he called a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sotonye Wakama, to provide the lawmakers security but the police boss said he could not guarantee them security. “Proceeding without police escort was tantamount to walking into a moving train,” he said.

Omirin also berated Fayose for paying the lawmakers’ peanuts out of N2o million the state government “owe lawmakers.”

Recounting his ordeal, he said, “Fayose denied us our entitlements. Our running grant is N1.2 million monthly which was not paid for seven months. Do the maths. Our severance allowance of N4 million each was also not paid. Fayose lied that N2 million each was paid into our accounts. How much is N2 million out of N20 million?”

The lawmakers, however, said what pained him was not Fayose’s refusal to pay the entitlements but denying the members their rights to perform their legislative duties.

Another APC lawmaker, Ayodeji Odu, also recounted his ordeal to our correspondent.

Odu, who represented Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency II, said Fayose cannot get away with his “impeachable offences.” He spoke with our correspondent in a telephone interview.

The lawyer said, “Ever since November last year, I have left my constituency and my legal business only to be sleeping at mosquito-infested hotels. I have been denied my constitutional rights and denied access to my state. Fayose can only run, he cannot hide. His victory is temporary. A leopard cannot change its spots. If he gets away with this, he will still commit impeachable offences. God does not sleep and justice will take its course.”

Odu said although the tenure of the 4th Assembly ends today, the lawmakers would use available means to get justice and ensure the payment of their entitlements.

He said, “Fayose lied that he has paid us our entitlements. He claimed he paid N2 million each into our accounts at WEMA Bank. The accounts, as you know, have issues because we took loans from the bank. Whatever he claimed to have paid was not even up to N20 million that he owes each of us. Whatever he claimed to have paid would have gone into the servicing of debts.”

Asked why the APC leadership and President Buhari could not assist the lawmakers to gain entry into the state and impeach Fayose on Tuesday, Odu said, “The impeachment failed because of the time constraint on our part. The APC leadership tried its best for us. We can now be thinking of petitioning the Presidency to intervene. President Buhari was inaugurated on May 29, a few days to the expiration of our tenure. It was too early for the President to make certain changes. The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, was installed by President Jonathan. The security agencies were planted by the previous government. On Tuesday, we were at Igbara Odo, trying to again entry into the state for hours. We called the police to provide security but they refused. Before you impeach a governor, you have to serve him a seven-day notice and the Chief Judge of the state would have to set up a panel. So, we had to back down.”

On his own part, Fayose described his relationship with the APC lawmakers as unfortunate. While bidding them farewell on Thursday, he said he had forgiven them for attempting to remove him from office.

Fayose, who said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, promised that the lawmakers would not be victimised after leaving office.

He said, “The last few months have been traumatic, especially this week. I was not given room to concentrate, but I had left the battle for God to fight. I told those planning to impeach me that they will succeed if they can impeach God.

“I did not bring myself back to power; my coming back after eight years was divine. I defeated the APC totally in all the elections, still they did not want to concede victory easily until when the Ekiti people rose to defend that June 21 mandate.

“I will now face the business of governance squarely.”

He explained that he would not waste time on revenge, noting that he was not ready to muscle anyone since God had given him victory in all of the battles that confronted him.

The governor, who praised the people of the state for preventing the lawmakers from gaining access to the complex, urged them to meet him at Ijigbo junction on Friday for a ‘victory walk’ to the complex where he will inaugurate the next Assembly which will comprise 26 members of the PDP.

N8bn scam: Suspects tricked CBN to deliver N1.6bn, says EFCC

More of the N8bn currency fraud suspects being taken to a court in Ibadan, Oyo State ... on Wednesday.


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arraigned the last batch of the accused persons in the hearing of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N8bn mutilated currency fraud suit at the Federal High Court in Ibadan.

The EFCC told Justice Adeyinka Faaj that the accused persons, conspired with other two suspects, Onabanjo Olumayowa and Tijani Olusoga, who are now at large, between 2011 and 2012 in Ibadan and tricked the CBN to pay N1.6bn to theZenith Bank Plc, instead of N159,431,700.

The five accused persons who were in court on Thursday are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola, Kayode Philip, Ajuwon Bolade and Samuel Ogbeide.

The lead counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacob (SAN), told the court that the accused violated the anti-graft agency’s Act.

Jacobs told the judge that the accused had claimed that the 106 boxes containing the supposed mutilated N1,000 notes they took to Ibadan branch of the CBN on behalf of Zenith Bank contained N1, 060, 000, 000 instead of N159,431,700.

By this, Jacobs argued that they tricked the CBN into paying the commercial bank N1.6bn.

The charge sheet read that the accused persons, “Induced the Central Bank of Nigeria to deliver property to the Zenith Bank Plc, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1,060,000, 000, as against the actual sum of N159,431,700 on the false pretence that the 106 boxes containing the supposed mutilated N1,000 notes which you took to the Ibadan branch of the CBN on behalf of the said Zenith Bank Plc contained a total sum of N1,060,000,000. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.”

Jacobs said the accused persons committed a financial crime punishable under the laws of Nigeria.

A total of 14-count charge was preferred against the accused and they all pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

After turning down oral bail application from the counsel for the accused, Justice Faaj later fixed June 12, 2015 for hearing of the motion on bail applications while also ordering the accused persons to be remanded in prison.

Arraignment of the accused persons in the suit began on Tuesday and by Thursday, 22 bank officials had already been brought to the court and remanded in prison custody. But one of them, who is a nursing mother, was ordered to be kept in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Ibadan.

EFCC counsel expressed happiness at the court proceeding so far but feared that counsel for the accused persons could employ delay tactics in the suit.

He also said that the EFCC was doing everything possible to ensure that those who are at large would be apprehended and presented before the court.

How to dress for a heatwave

Britain has been promised one of the hottest starts to June on record. Whether or not that promise bears fruit, don't let it cause a wardrobe meltdown. Here's our failsafe guide to heat wave dressing



Rule one: you’re not legally bound to dress like Sienna Miller circa 2004 just because the sun is outPhoto: finerylondon.com

For obvious reasons, Appropriate Heatwave Dressing is not this country's forte. But as an outward-looking international player, it behooves us to get it right - especially in the office. Reaching for your credit cards the moment the temperature hits 18C might seem rash, but investing in good foundations that can be marshalled for several years to come is actually a sound principle. A heatwave may only last a week, but those five days of sartorial solecisms will be remembered by your work colleagues for ever.

What should those heatwave foundations be? I'd start with the shoes, because they're such a source of torment if you get them wrong. They should look summery, but that doesn't mean they have to be open-toed. Prism's rope-soled, animal-print espadrilles (£145; Prism) are a good example. A low block heel, flatform or a realistic wedge/platform are non-negotiables.

It's hard to determine how much straps will rub, although as general rule, if it's the teensiest bit snug in the shop, it will hurt like hell by the end of the day. Keep a pair of wooden shoe trees handy or try a spray to soften leather (£3.75; Timpson) and make friends with silk-cotton ankle socks in a range of good colours.

As for your Heatwave Style Statement: you're not legally bound to dress like Sienna Miller circa 2004 just because the sun is out. Look for super-lightweight trouser suits in mid-blues and greys (fresher than black): H&M, M&S, J Crew, The Kooples, Joseph, Max Mara, Atea and Whistles are all reliable sources. If you can't find an exact match between your jacket and trousers, a cream jacket will work with everything. Mixing different textures means you can cheat with colours that aren't exactly the same.


Linen pinstripe blazer, £195 and trousers, £175, both Whistles ; Edie Campbell in a cream Atea jacket, £465, Atea Oceanie

Bold, simple patterns are useful for making serious pieces - pencil skirts, shirt-dresses - seem more playful and summery. Stripes, geometry and flowers are all classics (see Zara, Marni and E Tautz). Black and white embroidery and prints (Edun and Talitha) are an elegant way to break up those all-white outfits that look amazing on the catwalk but are hard to pull off in real life.


Denim dress, £295, MiH Jeans

Pinstripes are especially good in the summer (see the Whistles suit, above) because you can wear them with T-shirts, espadrilles and plimsolls, creating a stylish yin-yang. The best T-shirts, by the way, generally come from James Perse (hefty prices but lovely quality), Gap and Vince. Whatever you paid, when they're greying, sagging, snagged or speckled, it's time to ditch them. T-shirts should always look immaculate.


Michael Michael Kors cotton-nylon mix dress, £180, Harrods

Fine cottons, jersey and even linens are the cool (in every sense) option - and if you starch them when you iron, the crispest. Button-through shirt dresses are versatile and range from full-skirted, Fifties-style versions to more boyish, straight incarnations. Maxi skirts? Fine, and fashionable for evenings, but a bit too bohemian for most offices.


Max Mara woven linen jacket, £505, Matchesfashion.com

Above all, be flexible: light layers are essential. Even in a balmy spell, keep a fine knit in your bag. If celebrating what may or may not turn out to be a 48-hour-long heat wave seems childishly short-termist then you haven't lived in this country long enough.

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SUMMER SHOE FAQs with Marcia Kilgore, founder of FitFlop

What fabrics should you look for?
Rubber if you're going to be in the water; canvas if your feet tend to sweat; and leather or cotton linings because they allow the foot to breathe.

How can you ensure perfect fit?
Buy shoes in the mid- to late afternoon, when the fluid from your body has had a chance to settle and your feet aren't at their worst, but they're not at their "just woken up" slimmest either.

When it comes to holiday packing, what three pairs must you take?
An easy pair of inexpensive, waterproof pool slides (it doesn't matter if you ruin them); a brilliant pair of sandals with a backstrap that can double duty from daytime to sundown; and a pair of cool canvas ballerinas, to deploy in case the status of your pedicure suddenly plummets! Don't forget to put sunscreen on your feet, either.



Clockwise from top left: leather espadrilles, £90, Ugg Australia; flip-flops, £90, Fit Flop; block heels, £129, Boden; jewelled sandals, £290, Marni; jewelled heels, £75,Dune; espadrilles, from £142, Prism

***
THE UNMENTIONABLES (THAT NEED TO BE MENTIONED)

Beset by sweat? Avoid wearing colours that show sweat patches more noticeably (grey, white) and pick loose-fitting styles in breathable fabrics, such as cotton. Keep blotting papers in your handbag to blot away excess oil, along with one of Mio's Clean Slate Wipes (£21; Space NK), a body towelette with a hint of cucumber, to deploy in emergencies. If your perspiration is at geiser pitch, only Perspi-Shield patches will do: their self-adhesive shields can be stuck to the inside of shirts or dresses, and back-ups in sealed pouches slip into pockets discreetly if you think you might need more than one (£5.95 for 10; Perspi Guard).

Facial mists come into their own in a heatwave, and Avène's thermal spring water spray (£10; Boots) brings relief to irritated or sunburnt skin. Keep it in the fridge for a quick cooling spritz; otherwise, it's perfect for sensitive or allergic, eczema-prone skin.

A new pair of summer sandals will likely mean a complementary blister . As a preliminary measure, Savlon antiseptic spray plaster (£3; Amazon) should be applied all over feet before you put on shoes to ward off the inevitable rub, and a bit of Vaseline underneath a leather strap or across toes can work wonders. Apply baby powder to soles and arches to alleviate the burning feeling that is an occasional side effect of rope espadrilles.

If you're steering clear of sandals, but your winter socks are too hot to handle, you need "invisible", or low-cut, socks. & Other Stories calls its low-cut versions "ballerina socks", and these can be worn with low-cut shoes or ballet flats (£4 for 2 pairs; & Other Stories). Ellie Pithers

***
LINGERIE THAT WON'T LEAVE YOU IN A TWIST

The best VPL-eliminating knickers
We generally swear by M&S's seamless knickers (£6; Marks & Spencer) but Cos has a pair in a more palatable rose, rather than nude, colour (£10; COS).

The best multi-way bra for migrating necklines
M&S's offering has clear straps and a low back converter for halterneck, asymmetric and strapless necklines (100 way multi-bra, £22.50; Marks & Spencer).

The lightest lace bra
& Other Stories stocks lace and mesh bras in zingy colourways (from £17; & Other Stories).

The last-minute solution
Got to work only to discover you've worn the wrong bra and your straps are on show? Clip in a strap converter to alter straight straps into a racer back style that's less visible (strap converters, £3.50, Topshop). EP

***
WARM WEATHER FUEL

Stave off the sweats by eating food that will hydrate you. Fresh fruit and vegetables such as berries, tomatoes and leafy greens are all nutrient-dense and more than 80 per cent water.

Eat slowly and steadily. If you've ever needed an excuse to graze, the heat is one. Large meals take more energy to digest and raise body temperature. Small meals are another way to ensure you're getting enough water, and keep energy levels up.

Going heavy on the liquor during post-work drinks will only dehydrate you. Say "yes" to more ice, and avoid anything with a high sugar content, sticking to a dry white or mixed spirits. Sara McAlpine

David Cameron told ministers not to say they would give pay rise to charity

The Prime Minister used a Cabinet meeting this week to tell ministers not to publicly say that they would donate their 10 per cent salary rise to charity.



David Cameron, the Prime Minister Photo: PAUL GROVER

David Cameron warned his Cabinet ministers not to publicly say that they would give a proposed pay rise to charity just hours before Cabinet split over the issue.

The Prime Minister earlier this week used a Cabinet meeting to set out the Government's position on a planned 10 per cent pay rise which will take MPs' salaries to £74,000.

Mr Cameron has said that he opposes the pay rise and officials have written to Ipsa, the independent pay body, making clear his objections.

However, Downing Street has made clear he will accept the £7,000 salary increase.

A number of Cabinet ministers, including Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, have said that they will give some or all of the money to charity.


Number 10 has repeatedly refused to match those commitments.

Mr Cameron previously described the £74,000 proposed pay packet, which comes at a time when the rest of the public sector is restricted to 1 per cent, as "unacceptable".

Sources told the Telegraph that Mr Cameron on Tuesday instructed his ministers to “fall into line” over the issue and not make any public statements about giving the money to charity.

There are fears amongst senior Tories that any instructions to refuse the pay rise could anger backbenchers, putting the Prime Minister’s slender Commons majority at risk.

“The Prime Minister told everyone to fall into line that although the pay rise is opposed, there were to be no public statements about giving the money to charity or things like that,” a senior source said. “Then Nicky went out the next day and said she was giving the money to charity.”

Chris Grayling, the Leader of the Commons, on Thursday wrote to Ipsa and said that pay rise is “not appropriate”.

"The Government opposed the suggestion that there should be a pay rise of this nature at that time, and the view of the Government remains that a pay rise of this nature at this time is not appropriate," the letter said.

"You will be aware that as part of the Government's commitment to cutting the cost of politics, the Prime Minister has announced that we have frozen ministerial pay for a further five years, saving an estimated £4 million.

"While the Government notes the welcome economic indicators since December 2013 ... we continue to believe that despite the welcome signs of progress, the continuing structural deficit shows the job is far from done.

"The Government has an ongoing commitment to responsible fiscal policy and returning the public finances to a sustainable position."

Fifa's scandal-hit executives - where are they now?

What happened to the men who voted for the corruption-plagued 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids?

It is an image which sums up how ethical standards at the body charged with upholding football's moral standards have plummeted.

Our graphic highlights how no fewer than 10 members of the Fifa Exco that voted for the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia, and the 2022 tournament to be staged in Qatar, have either been charged with corruption or forced out of the institution over suspected wrongdoing.


A further four members have been subject to an investigation over alleged malpractice while the organisation's kingpin, Sepp Blatter, became the latest executive to leave office last week after yet another corruption scandal engulfed his organisation.

Just six executives who voted are still on the ExCo board, and even some of them have been accused of wrongdoing, even if they deny the allegations.

Click on our graphic to see what happened to all the men who were responsible for two of the most controversial decisions made in sport.

A history of Fifa corruption

Cash for votes exposé October 2010

Reynald Temarii, president of the Oceania Football Confederation, is recorded telling Sunday Times reporters that two bids had offered "huge" payments for his support in the 2018 World Cup bidding process and that he had received offers of between $10-12 million (£7.5 million). Amos Adamu, a Fifa executive committee member from Nigeria, says he wants $800,000 (£500,000) to build four artificial football pitches, which contravenes Fifa's rules. Both men tell reporters they could facilitate access to the men who’ll decide where the tournaments will be held. Adamu and Temarii are provisionally suspended from all football-related activity pending the outcome of an investigation. Sunday Times also exposed the referees committee, Ahongalu Fusimalohi and former executive committee member Ismael Bhamjee.

Blatter promises investigation
October 2010

Fifa president Sepp Blatter writes to all 24 executive committee members promising a full investigation into allegations. It emerges that the Spain-Portugal and Qatar bids could face expulsion from the contest for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments if the duo are found guilty of colluding. Spain-Portugal’s bid leader accuses England of doing a deal with the USA in breach of Fifa regulations.

Temarii and Adamu are banned
November 2010

It is reported that the Spain-Portugal and Qatar World Cup bids could escape censure over the allegations of collusion, after Fifa executive committee member Chuck Blazer confirms that no hard evidence had been passed to its ethics committee. Adamu is suspended for three years and fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£6,341) while Temarii is banned for a year and fined 5,000 Swiss francs (£3,170). Panel concludes there is insufficient proof of collusion between the Spain/Portugal and Qatar bids.

Russia and Qatar win World Cup bids
December 2010

English FA is humiliated as Russia is handed 2018 World Cup finals; Qatar gets the 2022 tournament. Roger Burden, acting chairman of the FA, stands down after relations between FA and Fifa descend into acrimony. Burden said he “wanted nothing more to do with them [Fifa]”. Swiss government prepares to investigate risk of corruption in sports bodies based in the country following Fifa’s controversial award of the two World Cup finals.

Telegraph reveals Qatar corruption
January 2011

Documents seen by Telegraph Sport reveal that Qatar offered to relocate the headquarters of the Asian Football Confederation to Doha.

Evidence emerges of Qatar and Spain-Portugal collusion
February 2011

Blatter confirms that the Qatar and Spain-Portugal World Cup bids colluded to trade votes in the contest for the 2018 and 2022 finals.

FA and Fifa at loggerheads
May 2011

Geoff Thompson endorses Sepp Blatter’s campaign to retain the Fifa presidency despite having been chairman of England’s failed World Cup bid. Telegraph Sport discloses that England football officials hired a “corporate investigations” company to investigate their rivals during the failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Six of Fifa’s executive committee are accused in Parliament of “improper and unethical behaviour” during World Cup bidding. Fifa demand the FA provide evidence to support allegations of corruption and “unethical” behaviour against six executive committee members. Blatter vows to complete the inquiry before presidential election. The FA reveal they will hold independent inquiry into Lord Triesman’s allegations of corruption against four Fifa executive committee members. The FA board agrees to abstain in the forthcoming Fifa presidential election because of doubts over the probity of both Blatter and his challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam. Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid committee accuses Parliamentary committee of “insulting” behaviour as it launches attempted fight-back against allegations of corruption leveled against it. The FA call for the June 1 Fifa election to be postponed and for an independent review of the world governing body’s structures.

Blatter runs for re-election
March 2011

Reports say the FA will support any challenger to Sepp Blatter in forthcoming Fifa presidential election. Fifa presidential challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam considers striking deal with Michel Platini that would see him step aside in favour of the Uefa president after just one four-year term if he is successful in his campaign to unseat Sepp Blatter. Blatter promises to hand out $1 billion (£610,000) in “development” funds to the 208 members associations that will decide his fate as president in the forthcoming Fifa election.

Bin Hammam and Warner are suspended
May 2011

Fifa presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam says Amadou Diallo, a Guinean national accused in Parliament of facilitating bribes on behalf of Qatar’s World Cup bid, is a close friend of his but not involved in any wrongdoing. Amadou Diallo, the man accused of facilitating bribes on behalf of Qatar’s successful 2022 World Cup bid worked for Fifa for at least six years as an advisor to Mohamed Bin Hammam, the governing body confirms. It then emerges that Bin Hammam and Jack Warner, a Fifa vice-president, are to face disciplinary action for allegedly offering bribes to members of the Caribbean Football Union in exchange for votes in forthcoming election. Fifa's ethics committee suspend the pair from all football-related activity pending the outcome of a full inquiry into bribery accusations. Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke confirms that an email in which he made the sensational allegation that Qatar "bought" the 2022 World Cup is genuine after Warner, the recipient, reveals it to the press.

Qatar dismiss bribery claims
July 2011

The whistleblower in FIFA 2022 corruption claims, Phaedra Almajid retracts her claims. Hassan Al-Thawadi, the secretary-general of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, dismisses bribery claims. He then outlines the nation's plans to construct air-conditioned stadiums.

Telegraph reveals FBI investigation
December 2011

The Daily Telegraph reports that the FBI are investigating alleged hacking into email accounts for England and America’s World Cup bids.

Fifa launches investigation into corruption practices
July 2012

Fifa employ American attorney Michael J. Garcia to investigate allegations of corruption in world football. A month later, Garcia declares his intention to investigate the bidding process and decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar

Blatter insists Qatar World Cup will be held in the summer
March 2013

Blatter claims that Qatar will host the World Cup in the June-July summer slot as planned, amid growing speculation it will be moved to the winter.

Fifa begins to turn on itself
July 2013

FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger labels the decision to award Qatar the hosting rights of the 2022 Cup as a "blatant mistake."

Blatter’s admission
August 2013

Blatter confirms that that the FIFA executive committee will meet to decide on when the 2022 World Cup should be held, due to Qatar's hot climate. He admits that playing the World Cup in the summer there is "not rational and reasonable''. Blatter goes onto say that Fifa made “a mistake” when appointing Qatar as the host nation for the 2022 World Cup.

Fresh bribery allegations emerge
June 2014

Millions of new documents are made public by the Sunday Times, showing how bribes changed hands in order to secure Qatar the 2022 World Cup. Fifa claims it is taking the claims seriously.

Garcia report is blocked
September 2014

Garcia delivers his 350-page report, but Hans-Joachim Eckert, the head of the adjudicatory arm of FIFA's ethics committee, declares that it will not be made public for legal reasons. Instead, Eckert reveals that he will produce a summary of the report ready for public consumption by November 2014.

Eckert releases his summary and Garcia resigns
November 2014

Eckert makes public the 42-page summary of his findings after reviewing the Garcia's report. The summary clears both Russia and Qatar of any wrongdoing during the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Critics denounce Eckert’s summary as ‘a whitewash’, while Garcia denounces it as "materially incomplete" with "erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions". FIFA's Appeal Committee then dismiss Garcia's appeal against the Eckert summary. Garcia resigns a day later, before FIFA's executive committee agree to publish a "legally appropriate version" of the Garcia report.

Sponsors withdraw from Fifa
January 2015#

Following Sony and Emirates ending their sponsorship contracts with Fifa, Castrol, Continental and Johnson & Johnson withdraw as pressure mounts on Blatter to quit.

Blatter faces new challenger
January 2015

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan announces he will run against Blatter in May Fifa presidential elections. Later in the month Greg Dyke announces that his bid has the FA’s support.

Telegraph reveals Warner was paid millions by Qatari firm
March 2015

Documents show that the former Fifa vice-president and his family were paid millions by a company controlled by a former Qatari football official shortly after the country won its bid for the 2022 World Cup. Warner appears to have been personally paid $1.2?million (£720,000), while payments totalling almost $750,000 (£450,000) were made to Mr Warner’s sons. A further $400,000 (£240,000) was paid to one of his employees.

It’s a Winter World Cup
March 2015

Fifa confirm the Qatar World Cup will be held in November and December 2022. Premier League clubs demand compensation for the disruption.

Figo quits Fifa presidential race
May 2015

Former footballer Luis Figo withdraws from the race, due to Blatter’s "dictatorship". He also claims to have seen incidents that "should shame anyone who desires soccer to be free, clean and democratic".

Fifa officials arrested in US corruption investigation
May 2015

Dawn raids see six Fifa executives arrested in Zurich, with 14 detained overall. The charges against those arrested include fraud, racketeering and money laundering and relate to World Cup bids as well as marketing and broadcast deals. Amongst those arrested are vice president of the executive committee Jeffrey Webb of the Cayman Islands, Uruguay's Eugenio Figueredo, who is also an executive committee vice president and until recently was the president of South America’s football association and the notorious Warner of Trinidad and Tobago, a former member of the executive committee who has been accused of numerous ethical violations.

CORRUPTION SHOCKER: First Lady Aisha Buhari’s Inauguration Wristwatch Cost £34,500 (N10,453,000)

Investigations by Breaking Times on Monday revealed that Aisha Buhari, wife of the President of Nigeria wore a Cartier Baignoire Folle 18-Carat White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch that cost £34,500 to President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration on Friday, May 29 2015.

The equivalent of this at the current Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange rate of N303 to £1 is N10, 453, 000 (Ten Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand Naira).

The Cartier Baignoire Folle 18-Carat White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch comes in a case made of rhodiumised white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds. On the side of the case is an octagonal crown set with a diamond. The case is 44mm high, 35mm wide and 10mm thick and is covered by glare-proof sapphire crystal glass.

President Muhamdu Buhari was elected riding on the wave of strong anti-corruption, integrity and pro-masses sentiment.



This shocking extravagance by Mrs. Buhari runs contrary to earlier indications that the Buharis are modest and the President, a pastoral farmer with 150 cows, barely raised the money to pay for his presidential nomination form.

Many Nigerians have expressed confidence in the ability of the new President to fight corruption by cutting government waste and running a lean government.

Again, Buhari’s appointment on Sunday of two Spokesmen has drawn criticisms from some Nigerians who say one spokesperson is enough for a Government that preaches change and a radical departure from the alleged wastage of past administrations.

Senate Presidency: Saraki Consolidates as Lawan’s Group Hits the Rock

Sen. Bukola Saraki

Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara pledge support for ex-governor

The battle for the Senate leadership appears to have assumed a new twist as one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, was said to have begun to lobby some of the outgoing governors of the party to prevail on former Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki, to step down for his candidate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, since efforts to outwit the Saraki group have continued to hit a brick wall.

The former Lagos governor was said to have taken further steps in his push for Lawan when a majority of the APC senators, even in the South-west were said to have signed up for Saraki and efforts to convince them otherwise through their governors have not yielded the desired result.

It was against this backdrop that Tinubu, early last week, allegedly met with two outgoing North-west governors – Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State and Ibrahim Wamakko of Sokoto State, whom he pleaded with to support Lawan and also speak to their senators to do same.


But the former Sokoto State governor, according to sources, told him it was late because they had not only given their words, but also signed an undertaking to that effect, adding that any attempt to act otherwise could elicit a moral debate; but, with Kwankwaso he was able to extract a commitment.

Also last week Thursday, the North-west caucus of

senators-elect met, except Kano caucus and Senator Kabir Marafa in Sokoto, where they all agreed to work with Saraki.

At the meeting, the former Governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima, volunteered to speak to Marafa and Kwankwaso to join other North-west caucus in supporting Saraki.

The seeming inauspiciousness of the Lawan project allegedly became pronounced when the unity forum, a group of the APC senators-elect under the chairmanship of Senator Barnabas Gemade, who are promoting Lawan, hit the rock with other APC senators-elect, in their efforts to swell the numbers of the party’s senators supporting their candidate.

The Lawan group had promised to make public, the signatures of senators supporting Lawan but the reality on the ground showed that they did not have the numbers.

Thus, in an effort to save face, Tinubu was said to have started a new leg walk with a view to wooing more senators into their fold by directly speaking to the governors.

It was gathered that although some of the senators were approached and pressured by their governors to reconsider their stand, especially those from the South-west states and shift allegiance to Unity Forum, they have refused to yield.

Sources hinted that most of the senators that were approached for support and signature declined based on the fact that their integrity would be at stake if they shift allegiance to Lawan after having giving their commitment to Senator Saraki’s aspiration.

According to a source, one of the senators approached said, “We’ve already committed our support to Senator Saraki, a signed letter has been sent to the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the document is already in the public domain. How do you want people to see us, as treacherous beings and inconsistent fellows?”

THISDAY learnt that since the Tinubu’s trip to the North-west failed to yield results, especially knowing full well that the Saraki list is not a fluke, coming from the party chairman, who presented it to the other leaders, the Lawan group has been worried and have begun to ponder other strategies to contain the Saraki group.

Also, THISDAY gathered that Wamakko, who is a senator-elect, has urged Tinubu to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari who has elected to be neutral in who emerges as the next senate president.

Wammako, who spoke when Tinubu and the former interim National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande visited Sokoto State, said Tinubu should as the leader of the party be neutral and allow the senators to chose their leaders.

The meeting that has in attendance the new governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, told Tinubu that it would be in the overall interest of the ruling party to allow the senate choose their leaders and avoid unnecessary interference

The decision of the three states of North-west to vote for Saraki, it was gathered, has depleted the ranks of senators supporting Lawan quest for senate presidency.

THISDAY reliably gathered that at meeting held in Sokoto last Thursday with all the elected and returning senators to the eighth senate, the three states of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara said they had decided to vote for Saraki due to his leadership qualities.

The only abstention at the meeting, it was gathered, was Senator Kabiru Marafa who is a known supporter of Lawan, but the former governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima, was mandated by the meeting to speak to Marafa to retrace his support for Lawan and join other senators from the three states and support Saraki.

According to the source that spoke to THISDAY, “We chose to support Saraki because he had once held executive powers as a governor for eight years and has therefore shown his ability to manage people. The senate is an assemblage of matured and senior citizens and therefore needs the head that can manage people and with proven ability on leadership. This we found in Saraki.”

It further gathered that the meeting of the senators was attended by the three governors of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

With this latest development of support for Saraki, the support base of the former governor has now extended to the North-west, South-east, South-south, South-west, North-central and North-east with more than 70 senators across the political parties rooting for Saraki as the next senate presidentam.

THISDAY

Ambode, tackle menace of street gangs

JUNE 1, 2015 : PUNCH EDITORIAL BOARD



DARING rival gangs are on the rampage on the streets of Lagos. This is, however, not particularly new. Seemingly uncontrollable, they are laying lives and property to waste. It is a real cause for concern. Last week in the Somolu area of Nigeria’s sprawling commercial capital, rival gangs hacked two people to death in a community market in broad daylight. Residents fled and locked up their shops. The police were, as usual, nowhere to be found, though they later appeared to evacuate the remains of the dead victims.

The lawlessness of these gangs taints the image of Lagos. Its lofty dream of becoming a megacity by 2030 is being gravely undermined. Achieving it depends on how focused the new government of Akinwunmi Ambode is. In the same week in Ojota, one of the new playgrounds of the hoodlums, criminal gangs vandalised 25 private vehicles overnight, injuring scores of people while carrying out attacks and reprisals.

Many people and businesses are relocating in the face of the uncontrolled brigandage, with the state looking on helplessly. Regrettably, the administration of Babatunde Fashola, which won wide acclaim for its success in several areas in the past eight years, curiously failed to rein in the gangsters.

Fashola’s long-term vision to convert the army of miscreants through sports, as he explained in his valedictory interview, is too feeble an effort to resolve this quagmire. A governor who subdued the market and transport conundrum at Mushin, Oshodi and Ojuelegba, had no excuse for not taming the street gangs. Ambode is left with no choice but to decisively exert himself in the task of curbing this menace as soon as he takes office. No serious government cedes its power of coercion to gangsters.

Ambode’s mandate includes making Lagos safe for residents and businesses. Fortunately, he can build on the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012, which prohibits touting and collection of fees at motor parks and bus stops. In spite of the law, touting, carried out by miscreants who double as gangsters, is still rife. This practice is abnormal. It should be eradicated. Having been a part of the establishment since 1999, he should make it his priority to get to the root of the misdemeanour.

Often wrongly referred to as cultists, the criminal gangs – mostly unemployed youths and motor park touts – portray themselves as political actors or thugs. This is only a false mask for their nefarious activities. They collect illegal fees from hardworking commercial bus drivers, as well as tricycle and motorcycle operators in a pervasive protection racket.

Because the state looks on seemingly helplessly, especially when election periods come around, these deviants transform into hardened criminals, who terrorise neighbourhoods, maim and kill the innocents. But crime thrives when perpetrators are not promptly apprehended and punished. Many Lagos residents and businesses are counting their losses as the violence rages.

Just before the last elections, these gangs wreaked havoc in several parts of the state and the victims are yet to recover. In Oshodi, the gangs not only threatened to wipe out those who would not vote for a particular party, they unleashed violence for several days. When the dust settled, many people had lost limbs and arms, while five people died. Mushin, the epicentre of gangland turf wars, is off-limits for many, a fact acknowledged by political, business and community leaders.

In Ojota, the military had to be drafted to the streets as gangs conducted large-scale violence after the results of the March 28 governorship and state assembly polls were declared. Three people reportedly died there, five vehicles vandalised and property savaged. Elections are held in other climes, as was the case in the United Kingdom on May 7, without any report of violence. We might have had only 16 years of unbroken democracy, but we must start to tame these felons at some point in order not to jeopardise our collective democratic investment.

Different countries deploy various means of solving gangland wars. Even in the United States, with its permissive gun culture, a city like Chicago, in Illinois, is making headway. By deploying new tactics, infiltration and profiling, a city once notorious for gangland wars has been able to correct itself. These are measures that can be imbibed by the government and security agencies.

Likewise, the United Kingdom is dealing seriously with criminal gangs in London to a great effect. Early in 2014, the Metropolitan Police, after identifying 250 criminal gangs in the English capital, conducted “sting” operations against the most notorious ones. Through these aggressive, intelligence-driven schemes, street-level crime was reduced by 20 per cent.

Violence is a strong disincentive to socioeconomic and political progress. And, the new governor cannot hide from its overwhelming spectre. If he doesn’t deal with it, the state will go to the dogs under him. In concert with the police, Ambode should crush these gangs.

But that might not be enough, as the gangs are firmly entrenched. He needs to go further by targeting their sponsors, who operate through the transport unions. He has to muster the courage to do so, bearing in mind that Lagos cannot attain its megacity status when gangs subvert the law with impunity and threaten the peace of their neighbourhoods.

Copyright PUNCH.

Declare your assets publicly, civil groups tell Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

Civil society groups and activists on Sunday faulted the failure by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to publicly declare their assets as promised by them during their electioneering.

They have therefore demanded that the assets be made public in the best interest of transparency and accountability.

The groups and the activists are the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, the Civil Societies Legislative and Advocacy Centre, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa and Smart Ajaja.

A statement by the head of Buhari’s media team, Garba Shehu, on Saturday had indicated that the President and the Vice-President had submitted their assets declaration forms separately to the Code of Conduct Bureau on Thursday. The contents of the forms were however not disclosed.

Shehu’s statement immediately sparked controversy over the willingness of the President and the Vice-President to make their assets known to the public. The statement had indicated that by the submission of their forms to the CCB, they had fulfilled their electoral promise.

According to the statement, the CCB, through its Chairman, Sam Saba, had on Friday acknowledged the receipt of the forms.

Buhari’s declaration identity number was given as “President: 000001/2015.”

The statement had read in part, “By declaring their assets, President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo may have not only fulfilled the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution, but also fulfilled the first of their many campaign promises.

“While seeking election into the highest office in the land, the President had promised Nigerians that he would publicly declare his assets as soon as he took over government.”

But SERAP, in a statement by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, argued that the “declaration before the CCB alone fell short of the commitment to publicly declare their assets.”

It said, “SERAP recalls that the President had said before the election that he would publicly declare his assets and liabilities, and encourage all his appointees to publicly declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment.

“We now expect the President to fulfil this promise to the Nigerian people. We trust that the President and Vice President will move swiftly to publicly declare their assets and to publish widely the information on a dedicated website.

“Public disclosure of assets will give the general public a true picture of the assets of the President and Vice President and will send a powerful message that it is not going to be business as usual with this government.

“This will also follow the best practice by former President Umaru Yar’Adua, boost this government’s fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators.’’

The group maintained that the public disclosure of assets was crucial for ensuring that public officials’ personal interests, including that of the President and Vice President did not conflict with their duties and responsibilities.

It stated that public disclosure provided a baseline and means for comparison to identify assets that might have been corruptly acquired and that a public official might legitimately be asked to account for.

SERAP also “urged the President to urgently take measures to seek amendment to the law relating to declaration of assets to include the requirement of public disclosure so as to bring it in line with international standards and best practices such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.”

Also, CISLAC said Nigerians were requesting that President and the Vice President make public their assetdeclarations to increase transparency.

Its Executive Director , Awual Musa, said even though the two top government functionaries had fulfilled the constitutional requirement of submitting their asset declaration forms, they needed to take it a step further by making it public.

Musa added, “Nigerians appreciate the fact that they have complied with the constitutional requirement of asset declaration.

‘What Nigerians are saying now is that making it public will take it a step further because when they make their declaration public, other public officers will have no excuse not to follow suit.

“It will go a long way to mark a departure from the past by improving citizens participation because the CCB does not have the manpower and resources to investigate the over 10,000 public officers we have. Citizens can assist.”

Ajaja, a United States -based activist, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said, “ This act must be made public for all Nigerians to see, in order that they may be taken seriously, going by what they stand for and their campaign promises.

“Public service is a moral and spiritual call to duty only designed for those with the hunger to serve and make names for their people and themselves, and certainly not for those who are driven by the inordinate ambitions to loot the people’s commonwealth to amass ill gotten wealth at their expense and at the detriment of the state and its future.”

Another human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said that it was unfortunate that the assets were not made public.

“Government is run on trust and integrity; and this was one of the selling points for Buhari during his campaign, when he made a solemn covenant with Nigerians. There is no reason to turn away from that path of honour which he has promised Nigerians,” he added.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Norrison Quakers and Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje , said the President and his vice had done all that the constitution required by submitting their asset declaration forms to the CCB.

They added that any citizen, with sufficient locus standi could apply for them under the Freedom of Information Act.

Agbaje said, “It is a no issue, and as far as I am concerned they have complied with the constitution. But the problem is if Buhari had made it a campaign promise that he is going to publicly declare his assets, he must keep to his words because we all respect him as a man of honour. So, it is too early in the day to act contrary to his campaign promises.

“But any citizen of this country who has sufficient locus standi can go to court and compel that that information be made public, but I must warn that the court does not write the constitution, all that the court does is to interprete the constitution. So if you go to court under the FOI Act, can you ask the court to compel him to declare his assets publicly? There is no such provision in the constitution and the court cannot under the guise of interpretation expand the law. The court can only expound on the law.”

Quakers said, “The most important thing is that the asset has been declared, even though he had said earlier that his assets would be declared publicly. Now public declaration simply means that the information made available to the CCB can also be made available to the public.

“Whether he declared it publicly or not is not relevant. The most relevant thing to me is that the information is now in the custody of a public institution and this can be obtained by any individual who is interested.

“Any Nigerian who is interested in the assets that have been declared by the President can request for it from the Code of Conduct Bureau under the Freedom of Information Act; you can request for it, it is a public document.”

The PUNCH however gathered in Abuja that Buhari and Osinbajo had not foreclosed public declaration of their assets.

A source close to the new administration said in Abuja that the two leaders might declare their assets publicly within the first 100 days as they promised during their electioneering.

The source said, “Don’t forget they promised to declare their assets publicly within 100 days. What they have done so far is to comply with the provisions of the law and within three days they told that to the public.

“They promised to publicly declare the assets within 100 days and I can assure you that they will do so.”

Buhari had during his campaign released a document in which he outlined what he would do at the start of his administration.

The document titled, “My 100 Days Covenant With Nigerians” read, “I pledge to publicly declare my assets and liabilities.

“Encourage all my appointees to publicly declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment. All political appointees will only earn the salaries and allowances determined by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission.”

Buhari, who also pledged to inaugurate the National Council on Procurement as stipulated in the Procurement Act, said he would review and implement audit recommendations by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, including those on remittances and remediation.

PUNCHNG

Mayweather's Marriage Proposal

I'll Love You Forever ...

It's what every little girl dreams of ... a marriage proposal over text message ... complete with crazy Hollywood bribes and a demand that you change your crappy attitude, stat.

And that's exactly what Floyd Mayweather fired off to Shantel Jackson back in April '14 ... according to new court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

Jackson put the proposal on display in new legal papers filed in her nuclear war with her ex-fiancee ... which shows how Floyd tried to convince Shantel into getting engaged for a 2nd time.

"This is what I offer to you. Let's get married move in together you can go back in forth to L.A and stay at the condo."

"I promise I will get you in 3 A list movies this year and I'm willing to go to counseling to make us work and you can get the stuff you want and I'm willing to change but I need you to have a better attitude."

How romantic, right?!

Shantel says she shot down the offer (shocker) ... and included several text messages dating back to April 2013 to show why Mayweather wasn't exactly her knight in shining armor.

Among the highlights ...

-- "I had your phone traced. I hired a detective. Your not slick."
-- "I got nasty videos too that I can put on Instagram and twitter"
-- "I took you from rags to riches now you back to rags bitch. that's why your out selling shit going on petty ass auditions fronting to people like your doing big sh*t."

Shantel also says Floyd got upset over a photo of her with rapper Nelly from April '14 ... with Floyd texting her the picture and saying, "Just tell me this didn't mean anything."

In the legal docs she also claims, "[Floyd] threatened that if I didn't take down the photo of me and Nelly, he would post 'naked photos' of me on social media."

BTW, Shantel and Nelly began dating ... and are still together.



TMZ

Kim Kardashian: I'm Having a Winter Baby!

Kim Kardashian will be giving birth this winter ... because OOB has learned she is three months pregnant.

According to our sources, Kim conceived some time in March ... which means she should be popping out a little West in December.

In Sunday night's "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," psychic John Edward told Kim he saw something with the number three, but wasn't sure what it meant. We're told Kim's a believer and thinks it means getting pregnant the third month of the year.

As for the mother-to-be, Kim was seen out Sunday afternoon in New York City.

BTW ... how awesome if they named the kid South West.

Why I won’t enter Govt House until September –Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

The RIVERS State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said on Sunday that he would stay away from the Government House in Port Harcourt for the next three months as a result of the vandalisation of the property in the place by the immediate past administration.

Wike, who spoke at the post-inauguration thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt, disclosed that all the vehicles in the Government House had been taken away.

The governor disclosed that he noticed that the bullet proof doors, furniture, cars, crested carpets, curtains and windows were not left behind by the former administration.

Wike explained that he was able to observe the missing items during an inspection of the Government House after he was sworn in as the state’s chief executive.

He said, “As I speak with you, everything has been vandalised. I will not enter the Government House in the next two or three months. There is no vehicle in Government House, not even one. Yet the former governor (Rotimi Amaechi) talks about corruption.”

The governor assured the people that he would not disappoint them and the Peoples Democratic Party.

In his remark, the Senate President, David Mark, expressed optimism that the PDP would return to power at the federal level in 2019 as Nigerians would yearn for the party after four years of the APC regime.

Mark noted that most of the party’s achievements would be glaring to Nigerians within a short period.

The post inauguration thanksgiving service reception was attended by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senators-elect from the South-South and South-East, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus and members of the National Working Committee of the PDP.

Meanwhile, the former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, has described Wike’s claim that the facility was vandalised by the Amaechi administration as false.

Okocha maintained that the property in the Government House were intact before the immediate past administration left.

Pregnant woman, 49 others die in Onitsha tanker fire

Scenes of the Onitsha tanker fire ... on Sunday
| credits: HotExclusive.com

Tragedy struck at the Upper Iweka Roundabout in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, on Sunday when a fuel tanker rammed into a building and caused an inferno.

It was gathered that no fewer than 50 persons, including a pregnant woman and some children, were burnt by the fire, which also consumed about 15 buses.

Our correspondents learnt that some “ newspaper free readers”, at newsstands were among the victims.

Eyewitnesses said that one of the buses was loading passengers in a park near the scene of the incident when the flames consumed it and three motorcycles at about 3pm.

One of them, who gave his name simply as Okechukwu, said the driver of the tanker was descending the Upper Iweka Road from the Enugu-Nkpor Road when he lost control of the vehicle.

He added, “We learnt that the tanker suffered a brake failure and the driver lost control.

“I think he tried to stop the vehicle with some of the barriers on the road, but unfortunately the tanker rammed into a building and fell.”

Okechukwu said the tanker caught fire 10 minutes after ramming into the building. He added that the tanker was on its way to Asaba in Delta State when the incident happened.

It was gathered that the inferno attracted many residents of the city who were helpless. Many of them reportedly resorted to crying.

Another eyewitness, Joseph Ugwuanyi, on his Facebook page wrote, “At about 1pm to 2pm, a fuel tanker rammed into the busy Asaba Park in Upper Iweka Road, Onitsha, and went up in flames, maiming scores. The fire lasted for approximately an hour before firefighters were able to control it.

“Many of us initially thought there were no casualties, though some people sustained serious injuries while fleeing the scene.

“However, it was later learnt after the fire subsided that there was a massive carnage of victims who were either caught unawares or those who were already seated in the now charred buses in the park.

“They reportedly were burnt beyond recognition in the hour-long intense fire.”

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Hosea Karma, who visited the scene of the incident with senior police officers of the command, could be seen directing the evacuation of the charred remains of the victims.

As of 5.15pm, charred bodies were still being evacuated from the area by security and para-military operatives as well as officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Karma described the incident as “tragic and unfortunate.”

He said the tanker was coming from Oguta Road and was trying to link up with Owerri Road when the driver lost control .

The Commissioner of Police said, “All the persons inside the buses ─ I think about 12 buses ─ were burnt beyond recognition.

“Scores of other victims, who were still alive, were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

“We cannot state the number of those involved in the incident because we are still working. The number will come after the end of the evacuation.”

It was gathered that the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, broke down in tears at the scene of the incident.

The state Commissioner for Transport, Chief Chuma Mbonu, described the incident as unfortunate.

He said the information with the government was that 14 vehicles were burnt, while scores of people were trapped.

Beijing bans smoking in public spaces

Tough anti-smoking measures have gone into effect in the Chinese capital, where smoking is now banned in restaurants, offices and on public transport.

Under the law rolled out on Monday, anyone in Beijing who violates the bans, which include smoking near schools and hospitals, must pay $32.25. The current fine, seldom enforced, is just $1.60.

Anyone who breaks the law three times will be named and shamed on a government website. And businesses can be fined up to $1,600 for failing to stamp out smoking on their premises.

The government will also no longer allow cigarettes to be sold to shops within 100 metres of primary schools and kindergartens, according to state media.



China has more than 300 million smokers, and more than 1 million people die each year due to smoking-related diseases, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

More than half of Chinese smokers buy cigarettes at less than $0.80 a pack.

Previous attempts to ban smoking in Beijing, the latest in 2011, have ended in failure.

Al Jazeera’s Adrian Brown, reporting from Beijing, said enforcement would be a major challenge but noted that the campaign around the new law had been more high-profile than previous anti-smoking measures.

The Bird’s Nest Stadium, the symbol of the 2008 Olympics, has beem draped in vast anti-smoking banners and on Sunday, a large event was held to promote the ban.

Bright red banners, typically used to display government slogans, have also been posted around Beijing with anti-smoking messages, the Reuters news agency reported.

At least 1,300 inspectors will be dispatched to enforce the ban, supported by volunteers.

Governor Wike Swears In Acting Chief Judge In Rivers

River State Governor, Nyesome Wike, has sworn in as acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daisy Okocha and an acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christiana Nwankwo.


The swearing-in of the judicial officers, Governor Wike’s first task, held in the Council Chamber of the GovernmentHouse in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, South-south Nigeria.

This appointments are coming nearly a year after courts in the state shut down following the controversy that engulfed the judiciary in the state, caused by the legal tussle that ensued between the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the former State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as to who should be appointed as the Chief Justice.

According to Governor Wike, the newly sworn in acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal is a replacement the suspended President, Justice Peter Agumagu.

Governor Wike while giving his charge took a swipe at the NigeriaBar Association (NBA) and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), for allowing the judiciary to be grounded without any fight.