Two Young Sisters Killed By Father Who Was Suicidal

A suicidal Oregon father shot dead his two daughters before ultimately killing himself in a confrontation with officers. Jaime Cortinas, 42, shot his two daughters, Janet Cortinas-Duran, eight, and Jasmine Duran-Cortinas, 11, before turning the gun on himself after he set his Land Rover on fire in a shootout with police.

Now, the girls have been pictured for the first time since their murders after memorials took place in Gresham, Oregon. Both girls attended Glenfair Elementary School, and students were told about the tragedy on Friday morning.

Additional counselors and teachers were on hand to offer support to students. The deadly altercation with police took place after Jaime's wife frantically called 911 informing officials that her husband had kidnapped her daughters on Wednesday morning.



When an officer spotted his dark Land Rover at a gas station parking lot and approached Jaime, the man fired at him with a handgun before setting his SUV on fire with his children inside the car.

The Gresham Police Department said on Thursday that an autopsy confirmed that Jaime had shot his daughters Janet and Jasmine multiple times before the blaze.

Officers smashed the car window to try to pull the children out of the back seat, but both were already dead. Jaime died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound from his .32-caliber handgun, according to the autopsy.

The girls' mother reported to police that her husband was armed, dangerous and suicidal, and had disappeared with their daughters early that morning, according to authorities.

A neighbor of the family never noticed any signs of brewing trouble.Robert Forthan said: 'There wasn’t anything abnormal and they seemed happy. I was really saddened, mainly [for] the kids. Their future is gone.'

Photos: Footballer Kalu Uche's Wife Steps Out For Easter In Style

Stephanie kalu Uche is married to footballer Kalu Uche, but she is not lazy, she is also into string of businesses. She just added Stephanie Nicholas Beauty & Wellness into her chain of business. And well, Kalu Uche is the same guy actress Uche Jombo dated and everyone thought they were going to tie the knot especially at the rate they went, but it turned out different partners were waiting for them.

Two more photos below... We love the way Stephanie has kept being a beauty queen, despite she has passed on the crown.

Corruption, Recession Will Soon Become History – CAN President

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has assured Nigerians that the power of resurrection of Jesus Christ would not only end corruption but would also bring the economic downturn to a standstill.

 Ayokunke said this in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, on Sunday in Abuja.

The CAN president, who gave this assurance in his Easter Message to the nation, prayed God to bring to end the economic hardship facing the country. “I wish all Nigerians a happy Easter in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. It is a season of hope, joy and restoration.

“The Lord that rolled away the stone from the mouth of the tomb to put the enemy to shame will roll away all causes of economic hardship from our nation.

“Corruption will be a thing of the past as earthquake came to help in removing all hindrances to the resurrection of Christ for a glorious dawn to emerge.

“The God of heaven will divinely intervene to bail our nation out of economic downturn in the name of Jesus.”

Ayokunle expressed optimism that the future of the country would be characterised by abundance, joy and celebrations.

“As the resurrection morning brought a day of joy and laughter back to the disciples, the future years shall be full of abundance in Nigeria.

 “It will bring back our joy and celebration in our streets in the name of Jesus. “Our challenges of today will become the ladder to our testimonies tomorrow in the name of Jesus.

“It is well with you, our leaders at all levels of government and our nation in the name of Jesus Christ,’’ he said.

He therefore admonished Nigerians to sustain praying for the country and her leaders as they confront the challenges facing the populace.

 Mr Daniel Kadzai, the National President, Youth Wing of CAN, also urged youths to be drivers of peace and nation building instead of being accomplice of massive looting and corruption.

He also called on the church to be agents of change so as to help transform the nation from its present predicament to a better living condition for all.

“Nigeria cannot arise until the church decides to arise and take her original responsibility of soul winning, than too much emphasis on money, questionable miracles and dirty fight over positions.

“We all need to think of bringing a positive change in our various capacities because we can change the nation,’’ he said. 

Oba of Akoko Kidnapped In Ondo

The Oniyani of Iyani Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Joel Daodu, has been kidnapped.

People suspected to be kidnappers had abducted him on Saturday night. According to a source, the traditional ruler was abducted on Ikare-Owo Expressway at Oba Akoko.

After being kidnapped, the source said Oba Daodu was taken to an unknown destination by his abductors.

The source said, “A few hours after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family of the traditional ruler and demanded for a sum of N15m before they would release him. ”

It would be recalled that the former Regent of Akungba Akoko, Princess Toyin Omosowon, was kidnapped on the same route in 2015.

The police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident but yet to give the full details at the time of this report.

He however said the police was on the move to rescue the traditional ruler.

The PPRO said, “We learnt that the Oba was kidnapped and our men are already on the trail of the abductors while investigation is also ongoing.”

On the issue of ransom, Joseph said he was not aware whether the kidnappers demanded for ransom or not.

“On our part, we will not encourage payment of ransom; but we will ensure that the victim is rescued alive, hale and hearty.”

In his reaction to the incident, a fellow traditional ruler, the Owa of Ogbagi Akoko, Oba Victor Adetona, condemned the abduction of his colleague.

He called on the state government to provide adequate security for traditional rulers in the state.

If Tiwa Savage & I could marry again, I'll put God first, no big wedding – Husband Teebillz

Teebillz has for the first time spoken about how things would be different if he and Tiwa Savage could have done it all over again.

He was speaking as a panelist at Mind the Gap X, a love and relationship class for single, married and divorced people organized by Pastor Wale Adefarasin and life coach, Lanre Olusola.

Tiwa Savage's husband said, "If I have the chance of doing my marriage over again, I will put God first and not have an elaborate wedding."

He went on to describe the tendency for men to want to be in control of the relationship as wrong.

"It’s the 21st century and as men, most of us want to live like we are the lords of the marriage. You’re a partner. It’s about our weaknesses, we’re here to help each other."

The couple had an extravagant traditional wedding in 2013 before topping it up with a destination wedding at the Armani Hotel, Dubai in April 2014.

But if not for God and the intervention of pastors and Lanre Olusola, there marriage would have become history. Both of them have reportedly been undergoing serious marriage counseling.

Tiwa was present to support her husband as he spoke at the event.

30 Yahoo Boys Arrested In Ghana, 29 Of Them Are Nigerians

The suspects are also linked to a dead body that was found wrapped at the Apenkwa neighbourhood two weeks ago.

A suspected cyber crime syndicate was last Saturday busted by the Achimota Mile 7 Police in Accra. In all, 29 suspects, all Nigerians, were arrested in an early morning swoop on a house at Alhaji Tabora in Accra.

Retrieved from the suspects were 34 laptops and 48 mobile phones they allegedly used in committing crimes.

The suspects are also linked to a dead body that was found wrapped at the Apenkwa neighbourhood two weeks ago.

The suspects are aged from 21 to 30.
Another suspect, Peter Konadu Frimpong, 34, who was on top of a storey building videoing the police action, was also arrested.

The suspects
Among the suspects rounded up were Ike Ogu, 24; Ike Iduozi, 23; Blessing Adebayo, 25; Awudu Abdul Razak, 23; Daley Emmanuel, 26; Moses Madjaki, 30; Onaghnise Osahou, 24; Peter Andrews,25; Benjamin Akumeze, 25; Kelvin Osayi, 23; Oforufemi Adrigu, 25, Anthony Irughe, 22 and Kelvin Uche, 22.
Others were Timothy Irughe, 22; Elvis Uzeogbu, 24; Owen Zakari, 24; Joe Steve Obozu, 29; Festus Owubu, 25; Abraham Femi, 24; Suleman Abudu, 25; Abraham Femi, 24; Age Michael, 25; Philip Aghariaha, 25; Nathaniel Owobu, 27; Teddy Atigbin, 23; Henry Onege, 27; Daniel Ukuokolo, 21; Osas Uhuns, 22; Kelvin Ola, 23, Lucky Osahou,21 and Yakubu Dido, 26.

Tip-off
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Osabarima Oware Asare Pinkro II, said the police, acting on a tip-off, kept the house under surveillance before conducting the swoop.
He said the police met almost all the suspects busily engaged in fraudulent cyber activities during the swoop around 7 a.m. last Saturday.
“The suspects were all living in one big house where they undertake their nefarious activities,” he added.

Link to dead body 
On the dead body found at Apenkwa which was linked to the suspected cyber fraudsters, DCOP Pinkro said a search on the body revealed that the victim had been killed somewhere and dumped at the place.

Information gathered by the police indicated that the deceased was one of the Nigerian suspects who had gone missing.

“The information was that he was beaten to death and wrapped and dumped there for leaking the group’s activities to a third party whom we cannot name. They saw it as a betrayal. We are investigating this case, in addition to the cyber crime cases,” he said.

The suspects will be put before court today, pending further police investigations.

Simultaneous swoop
In a related development, the Accra Regional Police Command, on March 10, 2017, simultaneously carried out swoops in all 14 of its divisions in parts of the city believed to be dens of criminals.

In the process, 112 suspects were arrested in areas including Adenta, the Odorkor Market, Kwashieman, Gbawe, Anyaa, Sowutuom and its environs, the Achimota Charcoal Station, Aborfu, the Santana Market, the Abeka Market, Kissieman, Akweteman, the Madina Market, the Redco Flats, Madina Zongo, the Madina Lorry Station, Madina Firestone, Adabraka, Tuobodom at Adabraka, the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Accra New Town.

Apart from the items, including electronic gadgets, retrieved from the suspects, the police found wrapped  substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

At Accra New Town, for instance, the police collected 179 wrapped dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 61 wrapped whitish substances suspected to be narcotic drugs and 65 wrapped rock-like material suspected to be narcotic drugs.

Danger
Commenting on the suspected narcotic drugs seized, DCOP Osabarima Pinkro said: “It tells you the danger of people abusing drugs in the city. 

This is a contributory factor to the violent crimes, including murder, suicide and robbery.”

He said it was, therefore, important that the police conducted those swoops to get rid of criminals to make the communities safer.

“Police work thrives on information. What we want the public to do is provide us with information. They should give us information on the hideouts of these criminals. They know them; they live with some of them. If possible, they should come to me personally,” he appealed.

He urged the public to erase the perception that when they reported crime to the police, the police would turn around to reveal the identities of the informants to the criminals.

http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/cyber-fraud-30-arrested-one-ghanaian-29-nigerians-involved.html

Radio Journalist Murdered In Bayelsa

Famous Giobaro, a journalist with Bayelsa Radio Corporation, Glory FM 97.1 Yenagoa, popularly known as the ' Famous Man on Radio' has been shot dead by men of the unknown gunmen who stormed his apartment on INEC Road, Kpasia in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the suspected armed robbers stormed his apartment at about 5 a.m on Sunday, where they had stiff resistance from the late journalist who barricaded the door as they tried to forcefully gain entrance into his house. The gunmen later shot through the door which hit him in the stomach .

The gunmen still went ahead with their operation after busting open his house and shot him several times before they left the area.

The Bayelsa state Police Public Relations Officer DSP Asinim Butswat who confirmed the incident however said he was yet to get full details of the incident.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State Council have received the new of Famous Giobaru with rude shock while calling on the Police to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to book. - SR

Mother of Four Wins Mountain Climbing Competition In Jos

A 26-year-old mother of four, Anya Ashom, has emerged winner in the female category of the maiden Jos mountain climbing competition.

Kaze Samuel, a 35-year-old security guard, who was the oldest participant, won the male category held on Saturday in Jos as part of the ongoing Jos carnival.

Plateau State commissioner for culture and tourism, Peter Mwankon, said mountaineering was featuring as competition for the first time in any carnival in Nigeria.

He implored people of the state to guard their heritage.

John Kaze, a leader in the community that hosts the Shere Mountains, lauded the government for initiating the carnival.

Shere Hills, located in Jos east local government, is about 1000 feet above sea level and has served as training ground for military and paramilitary agencies over the years.

The mountaineering competition recorded five casualties out of the 48 persons that registered.

Two had bruises while three had cases of respiratory distress but were quickly resuscitated.

The Jos carnival continues with a musical festival on Easter Sunday and a carnival procession on Easter Monday.

Speaking to NAN, Samuel, winner of the male category, said he had never participated in any mountaineering competition before.

He said he decided to try his luck at the maiden edition of the Jos Carnival.

“I am a security personnel with three children, I have never competed on a big platform like this but decided to try my luck and I am grateful for emerging winner in this category.

“I urge the government to sustain this competition to give us platform to compete even on bigger levels both locally and internationally,’’ he said.

On her part, Ashom told NAN that she had grown up climbing hills to gather firewood to cook for her family.

She added that she enrolled for the competition since the feature and terrain of a hill was similar to a mountain. (NAN)

Looters Bury Stolen Funds In Deep Forests, Burial Grounds -Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government says its anti corruption agencies have been inundated with information of how looters have resorted to burying stolen funds in their backyards, deep forests and burial grounds.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, said the whistle blower policy is working and has led to the recovery of more looted funds in many currencies.

Mohammed assured in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Mr Segun Adeyemi, that all the recovered looted funds were safe and government will give full account to Nigerians.

The minister thanked Nigerians for their enthusiasm and commitment in helping the government to tackle corruption through disclosure of useful leads to appropriate government agencies.

“Since we launched the whistle blower policy, we have received immeasurable support from Nigerians.

“Yes, there is monetary reward for any information that leads to recovery of looted funds, but from what we have seen, most of the Nigerians who have come forward with useful leads were driven by patriotism rather than reward.

”Nigerians, fired by a fervid resolve to help banish corruption from their country, have daily inundated the offices of the appropriate government agencies with valuable information.

“We have been told how looters have resorted to burying stolen funds in their backyards, in deep forests and even in burial grounds.

”Thanks to whistle-blowers, it is now clear that a rapacious few have pillaged the nation’s wealth through a vicious orgy of corrupt practices,” he said.

The minister, however, noted that more funds were in the possession of looters than were available to government at all levels to meets its obligations including paying workers’ salaries and providing social amenities.

He stressed that the government will not abandon the policy for whatever reason, but will continue to rejig it and make it more effective as a tool for fighting corruption.

The minister assured that as soon as the necessary reconciliation process and the litigation in some of the cases were concluded, government would give full account of the recovered looted funds to Nigerians.

Mohammed re-assured Nigerians who have useful information on looted funds that the government will protect their identities and give them their stipulated reward.

NAN

UNILAG Female Student Who Went Missing After A Party Found Dead

As shared by Bayodele Plato...

'Pretty Lady missing after leaving for a party at Lagos Island, discovered to have died in an accident.  

A news broke over a week ago about a lady that was missing after leaving for a party in Lagos Island, she was discovered to be dead in a car accident.

The lady who was identified as Remilekun wasn’t missing, but she died in an accident a day after she left her hostel. Our Sources revealed to us that her body was found at a morgue by her family, and she was buried today at Yaba cemetery'.

Senators Angry With Osinbajo For Supporting EFCC Boss

Indications have emerged that some Senators are angry with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over his recent comment that the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission did not need legislative approval.

Osinbajo’s comment, going by reactions from angry senators, may frustrate the reconciliatory move by the Presidency on the recent crisis between the executive and the legislature.

The lawmakers also hinted that the Senate may seek the help of the judiciary on the enforcement of its rejection of Magu.

According to them, the upper chamber of the National Assembly may need to approach the judiciary for the correct interpretation of the rejection of Magu’s nomination.

Some of those who spoke to Punch said they were already studying provisions of the constitution to prove that the acting EFCC chairman should be removed.

They specifically said they wanted to determine who was right on Magu between the executive and the legislature.

The Senate had twice rejected Magu’s nomination by President Buhari, citing a security report by the Department of State Services, which indicted the nominee.

The senators claimed the rejection of Magu meant that he could not continue to act in the capacity.

But Osinbajo, last week, ruled out the possibility of President Buhari replacing Magu with another nominee. He said the President did not find the DSS report, which is the basis for Magu’s rejection, a strong reason to replace him.

According to the Vice President, despite being rejected twice, the government was still at liberty to renominate Magu.

Senator Shehu Sani (APC/Kaduna Central) berated Osinbajo for his comment, when he was leading a peace committee seeking to manage the crisis between the two arms of government.

He said, “As far as I am concerned, given his position as the chairman of the reconciliation committee, he should have concentrated on ensuring harmony and mobilising support from the Senate, other than making further statements that may further worsen the situation.”

Similarly, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP/Enugu North) faulted Osinbajo, saying, “Any lawyer who says that what the Senate did or its stand is unconstitutional is not telling the whole truth; it is half-truth,” he said.

Utazi, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, which has the oversight of the EFCC, stated that Section 60 of the Constitution empowered the Senate to take its action on Magu.

Also, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP/Abia North) said he was studying what the provisions of the EFCC Act on nomination and confirmation of the agency’s chairman.

He said, “I want to clarify the fact about whether we have the powers to say he shouldn’t act (as chairman of EFCC) because acting appointment is within the powers of the executive. Ours is to confirm the nominee and make the appointment substantive. And I don’t think there is anything in the Act that talks about acting. That is their business.”

Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (APC/Kwara South) said Osinbajo spoke as the Vice President and not the President. He said the Senate would take a step when Buhari himself speaks on Magu.

Newly Employed Driver Absconds With Boss' Car In Lagos

As shared online by a lady... her friend's newly employed driver fled with his boss' car in Surulere area of Lagos. She wrote;

"My friend's mint green venza with registration number LSR 301 BP was taken away by her newly employed driver at Surulere this evening. All the details he provided had not been verified prior to this time and happen to be invalid as we speak. Attached is his picture and drivers license"

Some generals wanted to blow up plane carrying Obasanjo

Col. Olusegun Oloruntoba (retd.), one of the military officers arrested, jailed and tortured by the regime of Gen. Sani Abacha for the 1995 phantom coup, tells Bayo Akinloye about his view of Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi’s book, calling it a tissue of lies.

When did you join the Nigerian Army?  
I belonged to the Nigerian Defence Academy Combatant Army Corps 11. I joined the Nigerian Army as a cadet of the Nigerian Defence Academy in January, 1972 and I had a very successful career in terms of performance and promotions in the army until I was falsely accused of plotting a coup to overthrow the government of Gen. Sani Abacha – a coup that never was. It was a phantom coup.

How were you involved in that phantom coup?  
I think I was implicated as an organiser of the coup out of sheer malice and blackmail. In 1993, our brother, Chief MKO Abiola, won the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was peaceful, free and fair but was annulled anyway. In the army, I was singled out as one of those officers who were highly and vehemently opposed to that annulment.

Did you make your stance public?  
Yes. I was one of the officers in those days that questioned the military hierarchy concerning the annulment of the June 12 election. We wanted to know what led to the annulment of the election. I remember my then General Commanding Officer at Jos; he is still alive, Brig Gen. Ahmed Baku (retd.). He called all of us who were commanders and commanding officers and told us on a particular day that he wanted our views on the annulment; that he was going to attend the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council meeting. I was one of those who made an observation that the then Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, who annulled the election, should make a very clear broadcast to the nation if he had cogent reasons for annulling the election. And, if there were no reasons, he should call Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (Chiarman of the defunct National Electoral Commission) to announce the results of the election. That observation of mine was supported by most of the military officers present at the meeting – in 1993.

I think from that period onward, it appeared I had been labelled as somebody who was not friendly with the military government. Therefore, when it was time to frame up people in 1995, it did not take them a second to add my name to the phantom coup plotters’ list. Back in 1993, I think shortly after the annulment, there were series of meetings. Then, towards the end of 1993, I was posted from Jos because they felt it was dangerous for me to remain a commander. They then posted me to Jaji to teach. It was while I was a teacher in Jaji that a gang-up occurred and my name was put on the list of alleged coup plotters trying to oust Abacha’s government.

But all I had as a soldier was my marking pen and my students. Then, as an alleged coup plotter, I wonder how I would have organised troops and weapons to execute the coup by invading Aso Rock. I was accused of being the one to actually capture Abacha. As of that time, I had never set my foot in Abuja. How could a commander capture a city which he didn’t even know the direction (of)? You can see that it was a clear case of malice and blackmail.

What do you know about Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi?  
I served with Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd) when I was in the army; he was my brigade commander in Ikeja, Lagos State. I am surprised about what he wrote in his book (Vindication of a General) that the 1995 coup was real and not a phantom coup. Left to me, what would anybody have expected from Gen. Bamaiyi who was the mastermind of the phantom coup of 1995? But be that as it may, anybody can access the Oputa Panel report on the Internet and see what Oputa said. Oputa stated categorically that after a very thorough investigation, it was very clear that there were no coup plotters; that it was nothing but a power play and an attempt to eliminate some people considered as enemies of the government.

For Bamaiyi, who was a former chief of army staff, if I were to meet him face to face, there were certain questions I would want him to answer if there was a coup plot: One, were he and his group able to confirm that few or more people discussed a coup plot? The answer is no. Two, were they able to identify what we call ‘O’ group (that is, Order group); people who are given order or administrative instruction of an impending coup? Three, was there any coordinating conference by any set of people or officers? Four, was there any operation order for the so-called coup? And five, was there any task allocation document? Once you are going for an operation, people must be given information on what to do. Then, was there any target or hit list found on anybody during their search of officers and their homes? Was there any contingency plan found in anybody’s house? And, was there any indication that there was an attempt to mobilise troops? How could you carry out a coup without having troops?

Next question is: was there any indication of any set of troops deployed as of the time we were arrested? Because they claimed we were to strike the following day. I don’t know how I would have carried out such an operation without the necessary things being put in place. Then, there is something we call H-hour (time of operation) and D-day (date of operation); did they see any of such document during their search? Did they find such document on anybody? Was there any weapon retrieved from anybody that suggested preparation for a coup? The last question I would ask Bamaiyi is: what were the findings and recommendations of Oputa panel in relation to the 1995 phantom coup? Oputa stated very clearly that there was nothing like coup plot by anybody, and he made some far-reaching recommendations for the Federal Government to grant us appropriate compensation. And not only that, when Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar took over the reins of power, what action did he take? He gave orders for all of us to be released immediately. After that, Abdulsalami gave instructions to the army headquarters that the four years we were detained in prison should be converted to active years of service and all our entitlements be paid. If indeed there was any coup by anybody, would such an instruction come from the then head of state?

Do you think Gen. Bamaiyi wrote the book to draw attention to himself?  
If Gen. Bamaiyi wants to draw attention to himself, there was no reason for him to come out and claim that the 1995 phantom coup was real. Bamaiyi should know that a coup d’état isn’t a tea party, neither is it a disco party – it is not a picnic. A coup d’état is a dangerous and serious business which can result in death. For Bamaiyi to come out and give such submission is very unfortunate, uncalled-for and unbecoming of a senior military officer. For the fact that he was my former commander, and for the fact that he retired as a lieutenant general, I will have to reserve some of the comments I would have made. I wouldn’t talk much. To me, for any general to come out (to say what he said in his book) after the revelation of the Oputa panel on the phantom coup is sad. Since he was part of Abacha’s government, what do you expect him to say? In the wake of that coup allegation, initial investigation revealed that there was no coup and that all of us should be released back to our units. A second investigation was set up and I was visited in my torture cell by Maj. Gen. Muja Pero. He said, ‘Oloruntoba, you’d better tell us the truth.’ I replied, ‘Sir, you’re a brigadier-general and as one, for the past 90 days you have been searching for evidence of a coup plot and you couldn’t get any. Sir, even me, as a colonel, if I am given such a stupid assignment, I would have turned it down and would have told Abacha that there is no coup anywhere. Why must there be a coup plot?’ I added, ‘I am ashamed of you as a brigadier-general.’ He’s alive; let him come out and contradict what I have said.

There was one Col. Omenka and others who tried to force me to implicate Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua, and Gen. Kazir. They said that if I could implicate Obasanjo and others, they would turn me into a state witness. I said, ‘Jokers! If you don’t know me, Col. Oloruntoba, go and find out.’ I told them that I was not the one they would use to implicate anybody. They threatened to ‘waste’ me and I urged them to go ahead. I told them, ‘At my age (I was 40-something then), I could not be threatened with death.’ They are all alive. I long for a day, in a conference, where I can meet with all these jokers – all those Goebbels and mistakes of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

After Gen. Abdulsalami had ordered for our release, can you believe that some of those devilish, so-called army generals were planning to gather all of us accused of the coup in Lagos, put us in an aircraft to take us to Abuja to meet with the then head of state. Their real plan was to blow us up in the aircraft and blame everything on Abdulsalami. But that plan leaked. I know them; I’ll just assist them by not mentioning their names.

Was Bamaiyi among those who conspired to blow up the aircraft that would have conveyed you and others?  
Let us give him the benefit of the doubt. If the occasion arises, we will name all those devilish plotters who wanted to kill all of us for no reason.

Was Hamza Al-Mustapha one of the plotters?  
At the appropriate time, we will let Nigerians know them. So, Abdulsalami was informed about the plot. He was advised never to allow us to be brought to him in Abuja for any briefing. It is stupid for anyone to come out and be opening old wounds – we knew what we went through. Up till now, I am still nursing the injuries I sustained while being tortured in prison.

Please share the experience.  
At a time, I was being interrogated, while they were looking for a coup plot at all costs; there was no type of torture I didn’t go through. Several times, I was suspended in mid-air; they tied my left leg to my left hand and I was suspended like a fowl for roasting for a very long time. My wrist and ankle were completely battered in a bid to have me implicate people in a coup that never existed. But I was determined to put them to shame to the extent that whenever I was let down, I would walk like I had not been tortured at all, singing heartily, ‘Who go suffer? Na dem go suffer!’ with my colleagues joining in the chorus. There was nothing they didn’t do to us.

Though Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo was also a victim of the phantom coup, he was said not to have cared for the welfare of his co-accused after he became a civilian president. What do you know about that?  
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was twice our commander-in-chief; first as a military head of state and later as civilian president after our release from detention. It was unbelievable and beyond any reason whatsoever that the same Gen. Obasanjo that was detained along with us would become president and commander-in-chief and all the reliefs recommended by the Oputa Panel, he did not implement them. It was very sad and unfortunate. I am very sorry to say: if it were Gen. Yar’Adua that found himself to be president after our release, we won’t be begging anybody for compensations. Yar’Adua would have implemented everything (Oputa panel recommendations) in our favour. I shared the same ‘Death Cell’ with Gen. Yar’Adua. He told us, ‘Gentlemen, be assured that nobody can kill you but be ready to face torture for some time. No matter how long it takes, those of you who want to go back to the Army will be allowed to do so. And if anyone of you does not want to go back to the army, we’ll find better jobs for you.’

If such a person were to be alive and was to become the nation’s president, there would have been no need for any panel in the first place. All the recommendations made in our favour were purely administrative. Gen. Obasanjo didn’t need any panel to compensate us adequately. He knew what we went through but for reasons best known to him (he never did that) for eight years that he was in power. There was a particular year that he invited us all for a dinner – that should be February 2006. He assured us that the government would take good care of us, urging us to be patient. He even promised that July 14, which happened to be the day we were all sentenced to death, the government would invite all of us and our family members for a state dinner and that after the dinner, the Federal Government would then unveil its plans for us. Well, for the dinner (and the plans), maybe that will happen tomorrow, I don’t know – nothing happened. It is unfortunate. I know though that if God says we’ll be duly compensated, no human can stop it.

Do you think that you and others can get justice from the Federal Government under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari?  
Our President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari, is known to be highly principled and honest. He is not somebody who will condone injustice against anybody, from the little we know of him when we were in the army, though he was far ahead of us. We are urging him to flip through the files of the recommendation of the Oputa panel and grant all the reliefs recommended in our favour. I am personally convinced that if he looks through the document, he would cause justice to be carried out on our behalf because he too was a victim of injustice – after his dethronement as a military head of state, he was detained for about five years. I appeal to him to please ask for that document.

Do you regret making your view known to the army establishment concerning the June 12, 1993 presidential election?  
If another June 12 comes up and another set of cabal decides to annul it, as a retired officer, I will still rise up to speak against such a development. Concerning Gen. Bamaiyi’s phantom coup, my greatest regret is that at the time we were all shipped off like chickens, there was no comprehensive plan of a coup by anybody and for the fact that a fellow Nigerian, Chief MKO Abiola, was deprived of his victory and not only that, they went ahead to imprison him until he died in detention. If there was a well-coordinated plan to sack Abacha as of that time, I would have been 100 per cent ready to be part of that. If I were captured in action in 1995 and had to die, I wouldn’t have given a damn. But it’s unfair and immoral to sentence people to death over a packaged tissue of lies.

Let Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi go to the Army Headquarters and search for the letter written by the Army Headquarters on our behalf that we remained serving officers of the Nigerian Army from the day we were arrested in 1995 till March 4, 1999 and all our entitlements should be paid and those years we were incarcerated should be converted to active years of service and Gen. Abdulsalami, a godly man, ensured that was done. Abdulsalami would have been retired by Abacha; he knew what injustice meant. But there are other reliefs the Federal Government has yet to implement.

Gen. Bamaiyi claimed in his book that Gen. Abdulsalami has a case to answer concerning Abiola’s death. Do you believe that?  
I will consider Bamaiyi’s word on that as loose talk. I don’t expect a general to talk in that manner. But if he has concrete evidence against Gen. Abdulsalami, let him tell Nigerians, instead of asking the nation to ask Abdulsalami about how Abiola died in detention.

I’m Not A Witch - #BBNaija TBoss

Taking time off her schedule, Tokunbo Idowu, aka T-Boss, 2nd-runner of Big Brother Naija reality show who generated so much buzz and controversy, speaks to The Nation's Joe Agbro Jr. about her experience and relationships in the house and other issues.

Two months in the Big Brother Naija house. How does it feel being outside?
Actually, it was almost three months. It feels amazing. It’s still very unreal and the love I’ve been getting so far is absolutely humbling. I mean, people came to wait for me, receive me at the airport and they were wearing my face on their T-shirts. And it was so… these people love me and waited there for me. It was really humbling. It’s been very good so far.

A lot of people were rooting for you. And on the last day, while you were dressing, you wore a crown. How did it feel that you didn’t emerge winner? 
I really appreciate the efforts they put in. I’ve heard some of the supports… I appreciate and I say to them all, thanks. I did not get the grand prize but I am a winner. I am absolutely a winner and I am an absolute queen. I went there as Tokunbo Idowu, just a simple girl, but right now I’m a queen. And that crown, that’s my crown, it’s befitting of how I feel right now. So, Efe is the grand prize winner but I’m also a winner. Bisola is a winner, everybody is a winner. So, I don’t feel bad at all.

You made it to the top three despite several challenges. Before going into the house, did you have a strategy to win, to get votes? 
Absolutely not. Before I went into the house, I did a little bit of research with the limited time I had…to go through some previous winners and see, maybe, what it is they did that made them likable, what strategy they applied.

Just before I went into the house, I’m like, ‘abeg, it’s too much for me, I cannot.’ The only thing I know how to do is to be myself. I will be nice. I will get angry. I will scream. I will cry. I will laugh. I just went in there and I was myself. That was my only strategy…..who loved me loves me, who hates me… I have seen some of the comments and it’s sad.

Now that you’ve come out and you’ve seen the comments. Which of those comments have pained you the most? 
None.

You also received the most nominations for eviction from fellow housemates. How do you feel towards them for getting that title of being the most nominated housemate for eviction? 
It was a game. People need to understand that it was a game. Everyone went in there fighting for themselves to get that prize money. It was a game. But truth of the matter is, being enclosed with people, you’re forced to live with them, cry with them, laugh, eat, shout with them, fight with them, doing our tasks, you start bonding with them and you start liking them.


Okay, every week it changes. Today, I like you, tomorrow, I don’t like you too much. It happens. Husband and wife, they fight every day. But I don’t have any bad energy or bad feelings towards any of them. They did what they felt they should do under the circumstances. And it’s fine. I love them all. They’re all talented, crazy people but I love them all.

Of the housemates, who is your favourite? 
I don’t have favourites per se. but the person that I would say I really connected with and really bonded the most with would be Debie-Rise because she stayed to the end with me. But off and on, I like everyone.

Could boredom have been responsible for some of the crazy moments in the house? 
What is crazy moment in your opinion?

Like the moments when you exposed your breasts, about twice… were they intentional? 
I was showering. Did I come to the living room? Where did I expose my breasts?

The first time, you were in the dressing room and you took off your top. 
So, I was in the bathroom…

You were not in the bathroom. 
I was in the private area. Was I in the lounge?

You were in a place that was being recorded. There were videos capturing those moments... 

I actually saw videos of us in the bathroom but not shower hour.

There were two instances that the internet has captured that you took off your top. Weren’t you aware of what you were doing then? 
See, the Big Brother house is a place where you showcase yourself. You’re free to be T-Boss. Whoever T-Boss is, you show the world who T-Boss is. And in my own life, in my normal day-to-day life, I don’t like to wear clothes when I’m walking around in my house. I like to be free, here (pointing from her waist downwards), covered here (pointing upwards from her waist), what’s the point? Or I’ll just wear one small blouse. The Big Brother house was like my house at a point.

So, I would just be very very very free. I didn’t do it out of boredom. No, I was just being myself and walking around without clothes… I didn’t go to the kitchen, you know, because, then, that is like really seeking attention or go out into the garden or to the arena. No, I didn’t do that.

Those actions really created a buzz. 
Everything creates a buzz. Even when I burb, it creates a buzz. People want to judge, people want to comment. And it’s fine, you know. Just don’t read too much into it.

A columnist, Reuben Abati, wrote a piece where he said you could have won, and were the most worthy to represent Big Brother Naija brand but you lost because of your arrogance. What’s your response to that? 
I do not feel I’m an arrogant person. I’m sorry he has that opinion of me. I read the comments. My people actually were afraid that I would get emotional and sad about it. But I’m not. I was actually quite amused when I read his comments about the ‘mango’ part. It was actually quite comical.

Also during the show, some of the housemates described you as ‘manipulative’ and some commentators also used that word and called you a ‘white witch’. 
I heard now… Oh, what do I have to say to that? I don’t know. (Asking another person) ‘Oga, was I manipulative?’ You (to the interviewer), do you think I was manipulative? Those were the comments of people

I don’t know. If they saw me like that, it’s sad. I’m not a manipulative person. And I’m definitely not a witch. Oh my God. And my bed is really not cursed.

Magu Speaks As EFCC Celebrates 14th Anniversary

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, stated in an interview session with staff to mark it’s 14th year anniversary that the commission will always fight in ensuring that corruption is completely wiped out in Nigeria, a development that will ensure Nigeria retains her position in the comity of nations.

He urged the staff to uphold the core values of the agency and said it was necessary to put more efforts in the fight against corruption as that's the only way succour can be brought to Nigeria.

He said, "We will continue to fight corruption whether anybody likes it or not. Because, we know that, that is the only way we can bring succor to this country. Now that we have found ourselves in this position, please, let us put heads together."

He also encouraged that the public should furnish him with information on how the Commission can move forward; information on the wrong things they are doing, in order for them to be addressed so that the image of the Agency will not be tarnished.

He said: "My door is completely open. If something is going on wrong, please come and tell me. If you don’t want to show your face, just write a letter to me. Information is very important. I am alone, if you don’t tell me what is wrong, I would not know."

Magu who said that efforts being made by the Commission in fighting corruption, is fast gaining recognition in the international communities, charged the staff to shun the wrong things and be part of the success story. He urged them to always put the interest of Nigeria first

Bisola's Baby Daddy Denies Ever Abandoning Her On The Altar

Bisola Aiyeola's baby daddy has denied ever abandoning her on the altar saying they never got to one. He admits having a child with her but says it couldn't work due to their personal differences. Olanrewaju Malcolm, who is an artiste manager and showbiz promoter spoke to Sunday Scoop saying;

“It is a big fat lie that I dumped Bisola at the altar; there was nothing like that. In fact, I’m still looking for the person who wrote that story online because it is malicious. We split because we had some personality traits that could not complement each other and there was never any marriage.”

Expressing his opinion of her conduct while in the house, Malcolm said, “I think she was able to go there, represent herself well and also showcase her talent. She was lively and full of fun while in the house and I guess that’s what viewers want.”

On if he had ever haboured thoughts that Bisola would one day participate in a reality show of that nature, he said, “I have always known her as a very talented person and she always goes for what she wants. In fact, she had been in reality shows before Big Brother.”

Speaking about Bisola’s closeness to Tony while in the house, he said, “She is a grown woman and whatever she did on the show is her business.”

He also said that their daughter, Leyla hasn’t really said much about the show, but “naturally, she’s happy that her mother won.”

Responding to a question on whether they would still get back together, Malcolm said “Everything still remains the same. It doesn’t mean that because she was successful at Big Brother Naija, we are coming back together. There was a reason for our break up, which is personality differences, and those differences are still there.”

N13bn In Lagos: Investigators probe Goodluck Jonathan Link

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s name again came up on Saturday during investigations into the seized N13bn ($43.4m, N23m and £27,000) by EFCC at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the National Intelligence Agency claimed ownership of the money which was recovered at a private apartment on Thursday.

A source familiar with the case said some documents belonging to Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation were recovered from the scene. Why?

The organisation was responsible for the failed re-election campaign of Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo. What is the connection between NIA and PDP campaign?

A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, was the Director General of the organisation.

But a source familiar with the case told Punch on condition of anonymity on Saturday that the huge sum was not the only item recovered from the seventh floor of the building.

The source said, “The huge sum of money was not the only thing recovered from that building, although that is what has remained in public domain since that EFCC operation.

“I can confirm to you that some documents and campaign materials belonging to the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation were also recovered alongside that money. This is being investigated.

“A Ghana-must-go bag full of those documents was taken from that building.”

 

El-Rufai under fire over Tinubu, Yoruba role in PMB's victory

The controversial memo sent to President Muhammadu Buhari by Gov Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State is still generating reactions from within and outside the ruling party.

El-Rufai had, in the leaked memo, complained about certain things in the way the country and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were being administered.

Barely 48 hours after the Kaduna governor’s visit to the presidential villa where he took a swipe at unnamed presidency insiders who he alleged leaked the memo, which was written as a private correspondence to the president, reactions are again trailing his comment on the contributions of the various legacy groups within the party to its victory at the 2015 presidential election.

In the memo, El-Rufai had posited that, “the Lagos group more or less led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the most organised and proactive. This group made a key contribution in our electoral success, but like all groupings it naturally exaggerates its role in order to increase its influence in the coming administration. The group will use the media to promote its own “GMB Boys” or suggest “Northerners” of their choice that they think would do their bidding.

“Some already are boasting that they will choose the next petroleum minister and the executive leadership of the NNPC. They will seek direct control or great influence over key economic portfolios, including agencies involved in revenue generation (NNPC, FIRS, Customs, etc.) law enforcement (Attorney General, EFCC, etc.) and financial services regulation (CBN, SEC, PenCom, etc.). This group will seek an alliance with some GMB family members to help strengthen their pre-eminent position in these areas.”

The memo, according to sources, was written by El-Rufai, and received by the President, sometime in 2015, before the nomination of ministers by President Buhari. 

Consequently, many of those who spoke with The Nation accused El-Rufai of fanning the ember of discord with his argument.

Some prominent Nigerians including politicians, expressed dissatisfaction with El-Rufai’s attempt to water down the roles played by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the South West in Buhari’s victory at the polls and hoped that the Kaduna governor as well as those commenting on his controversial memo will not create problems for President Buhari and the ruling APC.

Former Governor of the old Kaduna state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, who's also the National Chairman of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), cautioned El-Rufai and his likes against causing unnecessary friction within the ruling party. According to him, it is very true and undeniable to say that Asiwaju Tinubu and the South-West won the presidency for the APC in 2015.

While admitting that the various legacy groups played significant roles in the victory, Balarabe insisted that Buhari could not have won the presidency without the support of Tinubu and his camp. He therefore warned against any attempt by anybody to deny Tinubu his dues.

“It is undeniably true that Asiwaju Tinubu and the South-West won the presidency for the APC in 2015. Buhari could not have won the presidency without the support of Tinubu and his camp. I therefore want to say that nobody or group within the party should attempt to deny Tinubu his dues.

“Come to think of it, it is actually Tinubu and his people in the South West that galvanised the entire nation to support the candidacy of Buhari in the last election. They led the way and others followed. It is therefore a statement of fact that Tinubu facilitated the eventual victory of APC and Buhari in that election. So, I disagree with El-Rufai’s position on that matter."

Also, PDP chieftain and former gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Mrs. Remi Adiukwu, asked El-Rufai to tell Nigerians the role he played in the victory of both the ruling party and President Buhari in the 2015 general election before his statement about Tinubu can be taken seriously.

The female politician described the Kaduna governor as someone who is fond of seeking attention at all times. “That is the reason why he usually talks balderdash,” she said while submitting that rather than contributing to Buhari’s victory, El-Rufai merely benefited from the political success that the likes of Tinubu turned APC into in 2015.

“I will want El-Rufai to tell Nigerians the role he played in the victory of his party and President Buhari in the 2015 general election before I can take his statement about Tinubu serious. I’ve known the Kaduna Governor as someone who is fond of seeking attention at all times. That is the reason why he usually talks balderdash. There is no way Buhari could have been President without Tinubu or the South West behind him.

“El-Rufai contributed nothing to Buhari’s victory even in his home state of Kaduna. He merely benefited from the political success that the likes of TInubu turned APC into in 2015. Without Buhari and the APC platform in 2015, he wouldn’t have even contested not to talk of winning the election. He benefited from the politics of Asiwaju Tinubu. He is not qualified to question Tinubu’s place in the party or government,” Adiukwu said.

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, said while it is true that all parties to the victory played one role or the other in the presidential victory of the ruling party, it is on record that Tinubu and his people from the South West worked exceptionally hard for the emergence of Buhari as President in 2015.

“All the people involved played their parts well. I think victory should not be attributed to one person or group. But it is important to state that Tinubu worked hard to see Buhari win the election. The fact that he agreed to the merger that led to the formation of APC should give him a lot of credit. They should give him credit. I think El-Rufai is talking too much. He should know better than to say such things."

Being Yoruba and Igbo Has Helped Me – Yemi Alade

In a brief chat with Sunday Scoop, Yemi Alade expressed how being from the Yoruba tribe and at the same time from Igbo has helped her. She believes it's being a plus and has helped her connect easily.

Her words; “You cannot underestimate the importance and role of tribes in Nigeria as it is taken very seriously. I am very proud of my heritage as an African and I try to portray in every way that I can and everywhere I go. Being partly Yoruba and Igbo is a big plus for me as it has helped me to connect with both cultures. However, I believe that both cultures are inextricably intertwined because they share a lot of similarities.”

Yemi also stated that her first hit, Johnny was released by mistake. She said, “I was in the studio with Selebobo and we were just goofing around trying to come up with a nice sound. The first line for the song just came out playfully and I continued. I never thought that it would become a hit and if not that the song was leaked, I may never have released it.”