College provost jailed for 4 years over N3.3m fraud  

A day after Nigerians expressed outrage over the light sentence given to a former director of the Police Pension Fund,John Yakubu Yusuf over a N27billion theft, a court in the Western Nigerian city of Ibadan has demonstrated the partiality of justice in Nigeria, with the jailing for four years of the Provost of the Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan over a N3.3million fraud.

The provost Ruth Aweto, was jailed without the option of fine by the state High Court sitting in Ibadan. Justice Mohammed Talba of the Federal High Court Abuja gave Yusuf two year jail sentence, with the option of fine.

Also sentenced to four years imprisonment without option of fine was the Bursar, Adekanye Komolafe.

The duo were sentenced by Justice Moshood Abass who found them guilty of four out of the eight-count charge of fraud leveled against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The judge, however, said the sentence would run concurrently on each of the four-count charge.

The convicts between October 2005 and January 2006 were said to have conspired to mislead the Federal Government by submitting a defective budget proposal for the year 2006.

In the budget proposal, the convicts claimed that 41 casual workers were permanent staff of the college and entitled to N7million rather than the N3.7 million they were genuinely expected to collect.

Delivering his three-hour judgment, the judge said the prosecution had proven that both principal officers of the college betrayed the trust vested in them by government.

“You have used your positions to mislead and defraud the government of the money put under your custody for the smooth administration of the college,” he said.

The convicts had told the court that they agreed to present and submit the misleading budget proposal of N7million based on the fact that an interview had already been conducted for the said 41 casual staff.

The said interview was purportedly conducted under the leadership of one Mr Ubedie in preparation for the conversion of the casual workers to full staff of the college.

The convicts, however, admitted not returning the balance of N3.3million to the coffers of the government, saying it was used to off-set the outstanding salaries of 2004.

Abass, however, said that the convicts failed to show any document or give the name of a superior officer of the Federal Government who might have given them the authorisation to convert the balance as claimed.

The convicts committed an offence contrary to Section 26 (1) ( c ) and punishable under Section 17 (1 ) ( c) of the ICPC Act 2000.

The judge said that although the offence carried a five-year jail term without an option of fine, he took into consideration the fact that they were both first time offenders.

College provost jailed for 4 years over N3.3m fraud  

A day after Nigerians expressed outrage over the light sentence given to a former director of the Police Pension Fund,John Yakubu Yusuf over a N27billion theft, a court in the Western Nigerian city of Ibadan has demonstrated the partiality of justice in Nigeria, with the jailing for four years of the Provost of the Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan over a N3.3million fraud.

The provost Ruth Aweto, was jailed without the option of fine by the state High Court sitting in Ibadan. Justice Mohammed Talba of the Federal High Court Abuja gave Yusuf two year jail sentence, with the option of fine.

Also sentenced to four years imprisonment without option of fine was the Bursar, Adekanye Komolafe.

The duo were sentenced by Justice Moshood Abass who found them guilty of four out of the eight-count charge of fraud leveled against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The judge, however, said the sentence would run concurrently on each of the four-count charge.

The convicts between October 2005 and January 2006 were said to have conspired to mislead the Federal Government by submitting a defective budget proposal for the year 2006.

In the budget proposal, the convicts claimed that 41 casual workers were permanent staff of the college and entitled to N7million rather than the N3.7 million they were genuinely expected to collect.

Delivering his three-hour judgment, the judge said the prosecution had proven that both principal officers of the college betrayed the trust vested in them by government.

“You have used your positions to mislead and defraud the government of the money put under your custody for the smooth administration of the college,” he said.

The convicts had told the court that they agreed to present and submit the misleading budget proposal of N7million based on the fact that an interview had already been conducted for the said 41 casual staff.

The said interview was purportedly conducted under the leadership of one Mr Ubedie in preparation for the conversion of the casual workers to full staff of the college.

The convicts, however, admitted not returning the balance of N3.3million to the coffers of the government, saying it was used to off-set the outstanding salaries of 2004.

Abass, however, said that the convicts failed to show any document or give the name of a superior officer of the Federal Government who might have given them the authorisation to convert the balance as claimed.

The convicts committed an offence contrary to Section 26 (1) ( c ) and punishable under Section 17 (1 ) ( c) of the ICPC Act 2000.

The judge said that although the offence carried a five-year jail term without an option of fine, he took into consideration the fact that they were both first time offenders.

Nigeria, Burkina Faso qualify for q/finals, Zambia out  

Bamidele Olowosagba

Nigeria finally took its place in the elite league of African soccer, by qualifying for the quarter finals of the African Nations Cup, by defeating Ethiopia 2-0.

The two goals via penalties were scored by Victor Moses.

Zambia, the defending champions failed to make it, having earned only three points from three matches. It played a goalless draw in its last game with Burkina Faso, which qualified, along with Nigeria in the group.

Both Nigeria and Burkina Faso ended up with five points, but Burkina Faso led the group with goals advanatge, having netted four goals against Ethiopia in the second game of the group.

Victor Moses: brace saved Nigeria

Nigeria had waited for the last game of the Group C to make its qualification, having wasted its lead in two previous matches, against Zambia and Burkina Faso, conceding late goals to

Nigeria’s Echiejile struggles with the ball against Ethiopian players

Nigeria started on a bright note as the Eagles made two incursions into the Ethiopians’ defence within the first two minutes of the match.
The first attack came through Celtic of Scotland defender, Efe Ambrose, who connected with a header a free kick taken by Victor Moses from the far left of the field, but his shot went over the crossbar.

In less than a minute afterwards, Chelsea’s Victor Moses took a free kick, about 35 yards outside the Ethiopians’ penalty box, only to be deflected by the opponents’ wall into the waiting hands of Ethiopian goalie.

Biyadglign Eliase of Ethiopia was the first player to be cautioned by the centre referee when he got yellow carded in the 21st minute after he fouled Emenike.

With over half of the first 45 minutes already played with no serious threat from the Eagles, the Ethiopians increased in confidence and after getting their first corner in the 17th minute, threatened the Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama in three quick successions but to no avail.

In the 33rd minute, Nigeria responded well to the Ethiopians’ threats as some swift exchange of passes among the attackers saw them go beyond Ethiopia’s defence for the first time in the match, but the final pass from Elderson Echiejile was too poor for Ike Uche to connect.

In the last seven minutes of the first half, caution was thrown to the dogs by both teams and this resulted in counter attacks from both teams.

Ethiopia got their second caution of the match in the 42nd minute when defender Degu Debebe was cautioned for a foul tackle on Mikel Obi, just outside their 18 yard box.

Nigeria could not utilize the resultant free kick as Moses’ kick was blocked into touch.

Nigeria’s brightest chance of the half, surprisingly, came the way of Eagles’ defender Kenneth Omeruo, who had a half chance inside the Ethiopians’ half, but his half volley went over the crossbar.

With few infringements and substitutions in the match, the centre referee ended the first half after the expiration of the one minute added time.

The second half started with both sides coming out to attack. Interestingly, the first real chance to score in the second stanza came the way of Omeruo, whose header from 12-yards out was way over the crossbar.

Nigeria’s desperation for goals began to show on the players as the players got three cautions within ten minutes through needless tackles by Godfrey Oboabona, Sunday Mbah and Fengor Ogude.

The Eagles got two goal scoring chances, in quick succession, in the 61st and 62nd minute through Emenike and Moses, respectively. In both cases, the Ethiopian goal keeper cleared the ball.
Both teams made their first substitution of the match, with coach Stephen Keshi bringing in Ahmed Musa to replace Ikechukwu Uche in the 66th minute, while Ethiopian coach Bishaw Sinet replaced Yusuf Saleh with Berhanu Bogale in the 68th minute.
With less than a quarter of the match remaining, Nigeria made their second substitution with Brown Ideye coming in for Emmanuel Emenike.
The substitutions inspired the Nigerian side as the two time champions increased their attack, though with some holes at their backline.
In the 78th minute, Nigeria were awarded a penalty after Moses was brought down by an Ethiopian defender in the box.
Moses took the resultant spot kick that beat the Ethiopian goalie to record Nigeria’s first goal of the match.
In less than a minute later, the Ethiopians almost got their equalizer but Nigerians had goal keeper Enyeama to thank as he parried the shot from Ethiopian striker into touch.

Nigeria’s Mikel and Ethiopia’s Alula Girma were cautioned in the 79th and 84th minute of the match.
When Nigerian fans inside the Royal Bafokeng Stadium were already calling for the Eagles kill the remaining time of the match, Nigeria got another penalty in the 86th minute, again through Moses who was brought down by the Ethiopian goalkeeper after he rounded him inside the box.

After about three minutes of delay after the referee sent off the Ethiopian keeper, Sisay Bancha, and was replaced in goal by a player because they had completed their maximum number of substitutes, Moses converted the penalty to record the second goal for Nigeria.

In the 94th minute, Ethiopia had a great chance to pull one goal back, but Kebebe fired over the Nigerian crossbar from close range.

After the seven minutes of injury time were exhausted, the centre referee ended the match with Victor Moses of Nigeria selected as Man of the Match.
Nigeria finished second in group C behind Burkina Faso who topped the group after they played a goal less draw with Zambia.. Nigeria will play the winner of Group D, Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter final.

Messi-Ful: Barcelona Ace Creates Double Record In One Night

Posted by: usman on January 28, 2013 in Sports Leave a comment

Setting and breaking records just happen to be Lionel Messi’s hobby beside scoring goals and mesmerizing his football opponents. Messi made history again by becoming the first player to score in 11 consecutive Spanish La Liga matches when he netted four goals in Barcelona’s 5-1 demolition of 10-man Osasuna Sunday.

Messi, who is the first soccer player to haul in four consecutive Ballon d’Or trophies, proved once more why he’s undoubtedly the greatest soccer player of all-time following another record-smashing feat.

The 25-year-old Argentine also by his feat last night became the youngest player in La Liga history to surpass the 200 (Messi has scored 202 La Liga goals) goals thresh-hold.

The Argentine now has 33 La Liga goals, twelve more than his arch rival, Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid who also scored his 19th La Liga hat-trick following their 4-0 thumping of Getafe on Saturday. But his achievement appeared to be dwarfed by Messi’s superlative performance.

Emir Of Kano Attack: Kano Govt Donates Three-Bedroom Flats, N1m To Families Of Slain Aides

Posted by: usman on January 28, 2013 in Nigerian News Leave a comment

KANO STATE GOVERNOR, RABIU KWANKWASO WITH THE EMIR OF KANO, ADO BAYERO

Although no amount of money can bring back the dead, it can at least help to offset some burden occassioned by the loss of a loved one. Perhaps that was what the Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had in mind when he donated a three-bedroom flat and N1 million each to the families of three members of staff of the Kano Emirate who lost their lives protecting the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, when gunmen attacked his convoy one week ago.

Also benefitting from the governor’s largesses are three other staff of the Emir, who suffered gunshot wounds during the attack. They were given the sum of N250,000 each while their medical bills will be offset by the state government. The governor’s Special Adviser on Emirate Council Affairs, Alhaji Tijjani Mailafiya Sanka, who announced the gesture Saturday, said it was made out of Kwankwaso’s sympathy and concern for the victims who had demonstrated heroism in protecting Bayero.

Beneficiaries of the houses and N1 million are families of the Bayero’s orderly, Ado Bala, 34 (Dan Morin Sarkin Kano), the monarch’s driver, Kabiru Shuaibu, 35 (Barde Sarkin Ruwa) and Ahmadu Magayaki (Maji Dadin Dan Rimi), the rider of the emir’s horse-driven carriage.

The wounded victims are Garba Zagi, Musa Umar Zagi and Abubakar Zagi who are assistants to Bayero and two of his wounded sons, Alhaji Sanusi Ado (Chiroman Kano) and Alhaji Nasiru Ado (Turakin Kano) who accompanied their father to the United Kingdom for medical check-up after the attack.

Nigerian Army Reshuffles, Appoints 4 GOCs, Redeploy Others

Posted by: usman on January 28, 2013 in Nigerian News Leave a comment

The Nigerian Army, Saturday night, released a list of new postings affecting the ranks of lieutenant-colonel to major-general. The postings also affected four General Officers Commanding (GOCs) while only the GOC 1 Division, Kaduna, Major-General Abdul Wahab, was unaffected as he retained his position.

Not unaffected in the reorganisation are Principal officers at the army headquarters.

The new postings saw Major-General A. T. Jubrin, a former Director, Military Intelligence, appointed as GOC 2 Division, while General E. B. Awala, former commander, Armoured Corps, Bauchi, was appointed GOC 3 Armoured Division.

Major-General A. A. Olaniyi,  former commander, Engineering was appointed GOC 82 Division, while Major-General Obi Umahi, former brigade commander, Benin City, became  the new GOC 81 Division.

The former GOC 2 Division, Major-General M. D. Abubakar, was transfered to Army Headquarters as Chief of Administration; former GOC 82 Division Major-General Olayinka Osinowo proceeded on retirement, while the GOC 81 Division, Major-General Kenneth Minimah, was appointed Commander Infantry Corp, Jaji.

Also, the former GOC 3 Armoured Division, Major-General Jack Nwaogbo, moved to the army headquarters as Chief of Training and Operation (CTOP).

Former Director, Army Public Relations, Major-General Mobolaji Koleoso, became the chief of military-civil relationship; Major-General Bitrus Kwaji became Managing Director, Nigerian Army Holdings Ltd; Major-General Lawrence Ngubane moved to Defence Headquarters as CTOP, while Major-General T. J. Isang became the Chief of Standard and Evaluation (CASE), among others.

UTME: Over 1 Million Candidates Have Registered -Ojerinde

Posted by: usman on January 28, 2013 in Nigerian News 3 Comments

PROF. DIBU OJERINDE DISPLAYING SOME OF THE UNCANNY METHODS USED BY CANDIDATES TO SMUGGLE MOBILE PHONES INTO EXAM CENTRES

Registrar of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, has disclosed that over one million candidates have registered for the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with about half that number expected to further register.Ojerinde made this known on Saturday, at a press conference in Lagos, while outlining the achievements of the board, especially the e-testing method that will debut this year.

According to Ojerinde, JAMB had secured 77 centres where the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) would be held.

Accoring to him, the CBT was not compulsory, as every candidate would have the opportunity to choose either the paper-pencil testing (PPT) or the dual-based testing (DBT), where candidates would read the question on the computer and answer on the paper with pencil.

He, however, noted that by 2015, the CBT would become mandatory for all candidates, adding that out of the over one million registered candidates, only about 4,000 had registered for the CBT so far.

“The idea is that 30 minutes after a candidate has finished his or her examinations and left the hall, a graphical result of the test will be sent to the candidate’s phone, while the specific scores will be released in four days.

“By graphical result, I mean a text will be sent to the candidate stating the subjects he or she passed averagely, which is between 50 per cent and 59; above average 60 and above; and below average, which is 49 and below,” Ojerinde said.

The PPT and DBT would be held on April 27, after which if the PPT and DBT centres become exhausted, other candidates would have no other option but to take the CBT.

The JAMB boss also reiterated the examination body’s resolve to encourage reading culture among Nigerian students, by ensuring every candidate read, at least, two books, with questions to be set from them.