Breaking News:Indian management insisted faulty plane should fly!

A Dana Air McDonnell Douglas MD-83 with registration number 5N- RAM that finally crashed, yesterday, killing about 153 passengers on board, was a disaster waiting to happen.
The ill-fated Dana plane had been under repair for several weeks and the airline's station manager protested its use but the Indian management insisted it should fly!
The German stations are reporting that the plane which just crashed should never have taken off because of its write off state and that its a wonder the plane even made it to lagos.
Prior to the crash of the Dana air plane on sunday,several other crashes have been avoided in the past.It was reported that an MD 83 aircraft belonging to Dana Air, with 86 passengers onboard from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday evening, made an emergency landing at the 19-R runway and was towed away after it blocked the international runway of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
The aircraft ran into problem while preparing to land at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, as it suffered hydraulic pressure, a situation that forced the pilot to declare an emergency landing.
The aircraft was cleared for landing in 19-R, the longer runway, but after landing, passengers were panicky, as most of the evacuation buses did not arrive on time.
Corporate Communication Manager of Dana Air, Mr Tony Usidaimen, confirmed the incident.
“Our flight from Uyo with 86 passengers lost hydraulic pressure

African Air Disaster Timeline, Major Crashes during the past 10 years

The recent Dana Air plane crash has once again brought to the forefront how Africa which accounts for only about 4% of global air traffic, its accident rate is 25%, which is six times worse (less safe) than the average world rate.
African Air Disaster Timeline, Major Crashes during the past 10 years!

2012
3 June: A Dana Air passenger plane with about 150 people on board crashes in a densely populated area of Nigeria's largest city, Lagos.

2011
26 July: Some 78 people are killed when a Moroccan military C-130 Hercules crashes into a mountain near Guelmim in Morocco. Officials blamed bad weather.

8 July: A Hewa Bora Airways plane crash-lands in bad weather in Democratic Republic of Congo, killing 74 of the 118 people on board.

2010
12 May: An Afriqiyah Airways Airbus 330 crashes while trying to land near Tripoli airport in Libya, killing more than 100 people.

25 January: Ethiopian Airlines passenger jet crashes into the sea with 89 people on board shortly after take-off from Beirut.

2008
2 May: South Sudan's defence minister is among 22 people killed after engine trouble causes a plane carrying a military delegation to crash about 400km (250 miles) west of Juba.

15 April: Some 40 people die when a DC-9 skids off the runway while attempting to take off in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma during heavy rain, smashing through a wall and into a busy residential area.


2007
5 May: A Kenya Airways Boeing 737-800 crashes in swampland in southern Cameroon, killing all

Full List Of Dana Air plane crash Manifest

It is no longer news that a commercial airliner operated by DANA Air has crashed in the Iju area of Lagos. The aircraft was arriving from Abuja on a local flight when it crashed into a powerline in the area.The plane had 153 passengers on board.
Femi Oke-Osanyinpolu, Lagos state emergency state manager, said Sunday that casualty numbers are unknown.
Harold Demuren, head of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the crash. He said the Dana Air flight was heading from Lagos to Abuja in Nigeria. He said federal authorities were on their way to the site of the crash.
This news gives me shivers. Just minutes after reporting news of the bomb blast in Bauchi, now this.
The number of casualties has not been ascertained, but I pray for the lives of all those that were on board that plane and people that were in the area where it crashed.
Airplane involved in accident was reportedly Dana Air MD-83 5N-RAM, a former Alaska Airlines plane built in 1990.

Dana says it is working with NCAA and FAAN to release flight manifest.

Ehime Aikhomu, son of former Vice President

Shame!Goodluck Jonathan Refuses to say Amen to prayers against corrupt leaders

It was with great shock that Nigerians watched how their president, governors, ministers and many of those managing the nation's resources failed to demonstrate a public commitment to the fight against corruption on Sunday in Abuja.

At the service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to commemorate the 2012 Democracy Day, We observed that the guest preacher, Most Reverend Peter Akinola, in his sermon, challenged Mr. President and his entourage to pray against politicians stealing Nigeria's wealth but, unfortunately, they went blank.

The congregation, including the President, his wife, Patience, the Governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson and Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dameshi Luka, as well as ministers failed to respond to prayers to take corrupt officials “to the court of God.”
Apparently, expecting to hear a thunderous YES from the congregation, the Reverend, who instead got a deafening silence, exclaimed: “There you go! Oh, corruption! So, you are not ready to fight it, because you are all beneficiaries of it. Whether you steal in a small or big way, stealing is stealing.”

Apparently disappointed with the response he got, the clergyman shot angrily at President Jonathan

Soyinka Blasts Jonathan Over UNILAG: "It Is An Act Of Disrespect"

This is one gift horse which, contrary to traditional saying, must be inspected thoroughly in the mouth. Primary from all of us must be a plea to the MKO Abiola family not to misconstrue the protests against the naming of the University of Lagos after their heroic patriarch.

Issues must be separated and understood in their appropriate contexts. The family will acknowledge that, among the loudest opposing voices to Jonathan’s gift horse, are those who have clamoured tirelessly that MKO Abiola, the Nigerian nation’s president-elect, be honoured nationally, and in a befitting manner.

Next is my confession to considerable shock that President Goodluck Jonathan did not even think it fit to consult or inform the administrators of the university, including Council and Senate, of his intention to re-name their university for any reason, however laudable. This arbitrariness, this act of disrespect, was a barely tolerated aberration of military governance. It is totally deplorable in what is supposed to be a civilian order.

After that comes the bad-mouthing of MKO Abiola and the Nigerian electorate by President Jonathan who referred to MKO as the “presumed winner” of a historic election. While applauding the president for finally taking the bull by the horn and rendering honour unto whom honour is due, the particularities of this gesture have made it dubious, suspect, and tainted.

You do not honour someone while detracting from his or her record of achievement. MKO Abiola was not a presumed winner, but the President-elect of a nation, and thus universally acknowledged.

It is sad, very sad, that after his predecessor who, for eight full years of presidency, could not even bear to utter the name of a man who made his own incumbency possible, along comes someone who takes back with the left hand what the right has offered.

However, there is hope. Legalists have claimed that there is a legal flaw to the entire process. The university, solidly backed by other tertiary institutions nation-wide, should immediately proceed to the courts of law and demand a ‘stay of execution’. That should give President Jonathan time to re-consider and perhaps shift his focus to the nation’s capital for institutions begging for rituals of re-naming.

After all, it is on record that the House of Assembly did once resolve that the Abuja stadium be named after the man already bestowed the unique title of “Pillar of African Sports”.

He deserved that, and a lot more. What he did not deserve is to be, albeit posthumously, the centre of a fully avoidable acrimony, one that has now resulted in the shutting down of one of the institutions of learning to whose cause, the cause of learning, President-elect MKO Abiola also made unparalleled private contributions.

Let me end by stressing that my position remains the same as it was when the University of Ife was re-named Obafemi Awolowo University.

Uproar Over Sexual(Child) Abuse Video

Today is celebrated in Nigeria as Children's day,but the title and perhaps if you get to watch the said video is not palatable at all to say the least.
Nigerians have unanimously condemned the video of an 11-year-old girl sexually molesting a 4-year-old boy in Iyara, Warri, Delta State. The explicit video has gone viral on the internet as the two minors did almost every sexual act that adults do.
We are not trying to promote the said video but to bring us all to the reality of the moral decadence that pervades our society and how adults who should be role models have thrown morals to the wind.The way the girl in the said video acts clearly shows shes aware of the video and maybe an adult must have paid her to act the different scenes.
 Celebrities, including Segun Arinze, Fidelis Duker, Esse Agesse, Gloria Young and Kaffy have endorsed a campaign to apprehend the adult who recorded the video.

Coordinator of the campaign, Omonitie Omozele, described the video as the greatest form of child abuse imaginable and is insisting that the relevant authorities must investigate it so that the video’s recorder must be brought to book.
Please join the campaign to bring to book the said adult(s) that are behind this dastardly act.
Viewers discretion is strongly advised


Video
Viewers discretion advised
 http://www.twitvid.com/GQQ5A
 

Shame EFCC says Ibori will still another face trial in Nigeria

After failing to get a conviction on a 110 count charge in Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said ex-Governor James Ibori will still face trial in Nigeria after serving a 13-year term in a UK Prison. 
It also said with the conviction of Ibori by the Southwark Court in London, Nigeria’s judicial process needs to be reassessed. 


The EFCC spoke in a statement in Abuja by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren. 
The statement said: “The EFCC received with happiness news of the conviction of former Governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori, who was this morning sentenced to a 13-year jail term by a Southwark Crown Court in London. 
“The Commission welcomes the conviction, which is the icing on a tortuous investigative and legal odyssey for all actors involved in the Ibori saga. 


“It is reassuring that today’s sentencing of Ibori was based on the foundation of the case built by the EFCC in 2007 which, unfortunately, was thrown out by the Federal High court, Asaba for lack of merit. 
“The same fate has lately befallen other EFCC cases, notably the Erastus Akingbola, Ndudi Elumelu, Dimeji Bankole and Gbenga Daniel matters. They were all thrown out by the courts, purely on technical grounds, without consideration of the substantive issues. 
“The fact that a case which supposedly lacked merit in Nigeria could fetch a 13-year jail term in the UK after a landmark guilt plea brings to fore the need for a reassessment of the nation’s justice delivery process. We must strengthen our judicial institutions, if we are to make any headway in the anti- graft efforts. 


“More interesting to the Commission in the Ibori conviction is the opportunity for the repatriation of the array of properties and assets amassed overseas by the convict. 
“Once again, his fate has proven that there is no safe haven abroad for politically – exposed persons who looted state funds entrusted in their care. 
“The Commission expects Ibori to serve his term in the UK and return to Nigeria to face other criminal charges pending in courts, arising from his eight-year rule of Delta State.
“The EFCC wishes to restate the fact that the offence for which Ibori was jailed in London is only a fraction of the array of criminal infractions committed by the former governor. 


“The Commission remains committed in its determination to bring Ibori and other alleged corrupt politically exposed persons and corporate titans to book in Nigeria, no matter how long it takes.”

James Ibori Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison in UK

James Ibori, former governor of Delta state has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for corruption and money laundering charges at the Southwark Crown Court 9 in London. His sentence was announced at about 3.20pm yesterday by Judge Anthony Pitts. Earlier on, his lawyers had tried to make a case for a lenient sentencing.

His lawyer, Nicholas Pernell blamed Badrash Gohil and former Akwa Ibom state governor, Victor Attah, for the V-Mobile scam saying they were the architects of the fraud. He further credited his client with every development in Nigeria, and especially in Delta state, from the banking reforms, to peace in the Niger Delta, education, and building of low-cost housing. Also in hid defence, he stated that his client, James Ibori, played a part in supporting British industry even before he became governor. As evidence, he cited a letter from British Airways, thanking Ibori for restoring direct flights between Nigeria and Britain.

Mr. Pernell, in his conclusion, asked the Judge to consider the pressure that his client has been under since investigatons began in 2005, and also the accused’s children who now have both their parents in custody before passing his sentence. Also in his defence, veteran sportsman, John Fashanu, made an appearance in the court yesterday.

He testified saying the former governor achieved a lot in sports, and was instrumental to the end of militancy in the state. He told the court that Ibori built nine mini- sports stadia and three Olympic-sized stadia in Delta state and also built the first shooting range in Nigeria. The court went for a recess at about 12.30pm and reconvened at 2.25pm after which his sentence was read. James Ibori had earlier pleaded guilty to a number of corruption and money laundering charges against him put at about $250million before Judge Pitts. This includes the V-Mobile and Bombardaire scams which amounted to $50million.

Ibori and Victor Attah, former Akwa Ibom state governor also formed a phantom company called ADF to siphon US$37.5million from Delta and Akwa Ibom states’ shares in V- Mobile. He was accused of embezzling these funds during his tenure as governor and using most of them to live a lavish lifestyle and acquire property and assets around the world. Judge Pitts said that the sentencing will not be the end of the matter as his property will also be confiscated.

Ibori gets 13years in jail

In the last few minutes, a Southwark Crown Court in London has sentenced James Ibori, former governor of Delta state to thirtheen years in prison on 10 counts of crime bothering on fraud and money laundering.



At the resumption of the sentencing on Tuesday, with several Nigerians inside the court room to show their support for the former Delta State governor, amongst whom was former footballer and member of the Nigerian Football federation, John Fashanu. At 11:05am the court resumed sitting with the court clerk requesting everyone within switch off all mobile devices, and not long afterwards James Ibori was brought into the court room by the bailiff.

Ibori's Counsel, Nicholas Pernell started by telling the court that Ibori was not to be blamed for the V-mobile telecommunications scam, but all the blames should be laid at the feet of Gohil, his past lawyer and the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Victor Attah.The lawyer further went ahead to publicly declare that the former governor was responsible for supporting British industry even as far back as before he became governor, however Ibori's countenance did seem not too impressed as his gaze was constantly shifty and a scowl constantly surfaced on his face. Probably in order to impress his client, Mr. Pernell told the court house that Ibori was responsible for all the development in Nigeria, including the banking reforms to Attention of Low-cost houses and the shaky peace that currently exists in the Niger Delta today.

To support his assertions of Ibori's meek nature, Pernell called upon Fashanu to tell the court of this good side of Ibori seldom seen and reported. Fashanu duly proceeded to informing the court that Ibori build the first shooting range in the country. He also added that he built 12 stadia across Delta state during his time as governor, thereby helping the careers of Nigerian soccer players such as Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha and current Nigerian coach, Stephen Keshi, who had long hung his playing boots before Ibori became governor. At 12:30pm, the Judge had heard enough from the defense team and called for a 2 hour recess period.

On resumption the judge pointed out that the sentence was not the end of the trial as the British legal system was also going to confiscate the properties of James Ibori in the UK.

Prosecution on Monday shockingly revealed at the sentencing of James Ibori that there was no plea-bargain but a voluntary confession of crimes committed by the accused. The sentencing of former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, commenced today with a large turnout outside the Southwark Crown Court 12. The crowd was alleged to have been rented by the Delta State government to give support to the Ibori and they were quite unruly, with a part of the crowd harrasing an official of the Nigerian High Commission just outside the court. The London Met police had to deploy 20 armed personnel to disperse and restore order. The defendant, James Ibori, clad in a black suit and a gold watch was brought into at 11:11am and he seemed in a favourable disposition waving at his family members sitted at a part of the courtroom.

The prosecutor in her closing statements described Ibori as a 'common thief' and declared that "The amount of money James Ibori stole is unquantified". She went through a list of the crimes committed by Ibori in the UK and Nigeria, dating as far back as 1991. She went ahead to list the several bank accounts held by the defendant including 6 in Barclays, 2 in Citi Bank and several othersin the Channel Island, accusing Ibori of listing his 4-month old baby as a director in one of the companies he allegedly used to defraud the oil-rich Delta State.

The lead prosecutor also accused Ibori of colluding with another former governor, Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State, of forming a phantom company called ADF which they used in siphoning over US$37 million from Akwa-Ibom and Delta State's shares in V-Mobile Telecommunications. Astonishingly, the prosecutor told the court that there was no plea bargain but a honest and voluntary admission of guilt by James Ibori.

Counsel for the defendant, Nicholas Pernell, agreed with the submission of the prosecution that Indeed the amount siphoned in the V-mobile and Bombardaire scams amounted to over $50million, but rather pointed out that the Nigerian Military was responsible for creating conditions that encouraged Ibori to perpetuate the corruption crimes he was accused of.

Pernell urged the court to temper justice with mercy, and in an attempt to show the soft side of Ibori, he declared that the former governor was responsible for gaining freedom for several hostages held in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria.

For Governor Timipre Sylva,The Die Is Cast

Finally, the PDP has shut out Timipre Marlin Sylva, incumbent governor of Bayelsa state from contesting the gubernatorial primaries under its platform.Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali, PDP National Publicity Secretary, in a statement made available to huhuonline.com,

said that four of the aspirants did not scale through the Party screening process and have therefore not been cleared to contest the primaries.

Specifically, those not cleared are Alaibe Ndutimi, Ben Murray Bruce, Timipre Marun Sylva, Igali Godknows Boladet.

Timipre Sylva Dares PDP and Jonathan, Declares On Saturday in Yenegoa

In spite of his exclusion in the gubernatorial race by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Poeples Democratic Party (PDP), embattled Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, says he will formally declare for his re-election on Saturday in Yenagoa.

Governor Sylva remained uncleared as the PDP has so far cleared seven governorship aspirants which include, Fred Ekiyegha, Francis Doukpola, Austin Ogionwo-Febo, Seriake Dickson, Bolobo Orufa, Christopher Enai and Michael Kalango for the November 19 primaries.

Huhuonline.com sources have disclosed that over 300 political groups loyal to Governor Sylva in the state have concluded arrangements to participate at his formal declaration at the popular Samson Siasia Sports Complex.

Forensic Report Exposes Election Fraud In Delta Gubernatorial Election

A forensic report prepared by a team of experts has revealed in detail the fraud perpetrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party during the April 26, 2011 governorship elections in Delta state.
See detailed report below:
Prepared and Submitted on behalf of the Petitioners by:
CLIFFORD KOKOGHO
(MSc, ACA, CFA, ACTI)
Dated Monday, September 12, 2011
A.    INTRODUCTION, SCOPE AND RESTRICTIONS
1.0    This is a report on the physical inspection and observation of electoral materials used for the April 26, 2011 Delta State Governorship Election carried out pursuant to the May 13 and 24, 2011 orders of the Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal.
2.0    I worked with a team of forensic consultants, accountant, assistants, and technical personnel representing the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and carried out the inspection jointly with representatives of the Peoples Democratic (PDP) at INEC State Headquarters in Asaba from June 3 to July 22, 2011. Officials of INEC and government security agencies were present throughout the exercise.
3.0    The report is in respect of Polling Units where results declared by INEC are in dispute in the whole of Warri North, Burutu, Bomadi and parts of Warri South, Ethiope West and Warri South West Local Government Areas.
4.0    The report is based on material facts available to me up to the time of filing. In the event that new material information that could impact on the findings is made available to me, I reserve the right to review the findings set out here.

Timipre Sylva:Is Goodluck Jonathan Behind The Maladies?

Sir Winston Churchill was right, when he said “the truth is incontrovertible, panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, and malice may distort it, but there it is”At a time like this, when Gov. Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State is seeking re-election,   it is to be expected that critics and the so called opposition would be poised to play the spoiler. The most important strategies are rather predictable: "What has the governor done to deserve re-election?" He has foreign bank accounts, and owns a conglomerate of companies and business concerns.

 It is very easy to be a critic. Also when you crave relevance, simply pitch tent with the opposition as a critic, you can be assured of being treated as a celebrity. "What is the government doing?", "Does this governor expect us to endure this rubbish?" are some of the catch phrases you must learn how to deploy once you set out to be a critic.

Bayelsa State Guber Race: PDP 2nd Batch Out…Timipre Sylva Omitted

In continuation of the review of the reports of the Screening Committee and the Screening Appeal Panel for the gubernatorial primaries in Bayelsa State, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party has approved the clearance

 of the second batch of aspirants to contest the primaries scheduled to take place on

Saturday 19th November 2011 along with those earlier cleared.



“Those in the second batch of cleared aspirants are:-


More Troubles For Timipre Sylva

Those who fail to learn from history are bound to repeat it. The drama created during the power vacuum resulting from President Yar`adua health crisis vis-à-vis death, is still fresh in our memory. President Jonathan and his men, who were at the receiving end at that time, appear determined to hand that same bitter pill to his fellow kinsman, Timipre Sylva. But it remains to be seen if this unfolding comedy will thrive.

Constitutionally, Timipre Sylva is guaranteed a second term bid at the governorship seat of Baylesa state. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is determined to stop him, based on allegations raised in a petition authored by John Idumaghe.<!--more-->

NYSC Bars Corpers From Borno And Yobe

The orientation course for Batch ‘C’ of the National Youth Service Corps in Borno and Yobe states has been put off indefinitely in order to protect corps members from Boko Haram attacks.

The NYSC  in a statement on Wednesday announced the indefinite suspension and asked corps members already posted to the two states harried by members of the violent Islamic sect last Friday to remain in their homes to await further directive.

The statement, a copy of which was made available to THE PUNCH on Wednesday, reads, “Owing to security reasons, (the) orientation course WILL NOT hold in Borno and Yobe states until further notice.

“Prospective corps members posted there should await further directives.<!--more-->

“All serving and new corps members are STRONGLY advised to strictly adhere to the contents of the security tips distributed to them.”

Seven Weirdest Things About Libyan Leader Moammar Gaddafi

Col. Moammar Gadhafi, the dictator who ruled Libya for 42 years, was killed by rebels in his hometown of Sirte on Thursday. A dictator who oppressed his own people and sponsored terrorism abroad, Gadhafi's legacy will be stained by violence. But beyond his brutality, Gadhafi will be remembered for something else entirely… being a first-class weirdo.

1. The "Bulletproof" Tent: When Gadhafi was at home in Tripoli, he lived in a well fortified compound with a complex system of escape tunnels. But when he travelled abroad, this "Bedouin" brought a bit of the desert with him, camping out in the world's capitals. The tent was so heavy it needed to be flown on a separate plane, wherever the dictator travelled. To complete the Arabian Nights theme, Gadhafi often would tether a camel or two outside.

Babatunde Omidina AKA Baba Suwe To Sue NDLEA for N1billion

Foremost Yoruba movie actor, Babatunde Omidina, aka `Baba Suwe' plans to slam a N1 billion suit against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over his recent arrest and continued detention for allegedly trying to transport cocaine to Paris.

Baba Suwe, who was arrested by NDLEA officials on October 12 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, following allegations he had ingested substances suspected to be cocaine has decided to sue the anti-drug agency due to lack of substantial evidence and having defecated thrice, under close observation.

EFCC Accuses Fayose of Delaying Trial

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, accused a former governor of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, standing trial on an 80 count charge bordering on corruption and money laundering, of employing delay ploys and antics all aimed at frustrating his trial. Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, told a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, presided over by Justice E.A,. Obile, that the refusal of the defence counsel to allow trial to proceed owing to an application brought before the court seeking the quashing of the charges preferred against Fayose’s co-accused persons- Spotless Investment Limited, Fayerio Nigeria Limited and Hoff Concept Ltd was a deliberate attempt to prolong his trial.

N40bn loan scam: Why Keyamo should not prosecute me – Bankole

FORMER Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, yesterday, adduced reasons why trial Justice Suleiman Belgore of an Abuja High Court sitting at Apo, should not allow counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Festus Keyamo, to go ahead and prosecute either himself or his former deputy, Usman Nafada Bayero, over the alleged uncanny roles they played in a N40 billion loan scam.
Bankole who is answering to a 17-count criminal charge preferred against him and his erstwhile deputy, Nafada, by the EFCC, prayed the trial judge, yesterday, to disqualify the prosecuting counsel, Keyamo, from the matter forthwith, saying it was the only way the court could protect them from unnecessary persecution in the hands of the anti-graft body.
In a preliminary objection entered in court by his lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, Bankole, alleged that the EFCC lawyer ab_initio vowed to bring him down whilst he still presided over the proceedings of the House of Representatives, adding that the disaffection the prosecuting counsel had for him culminated to a petition that sought his probe in 2008.