I didn’t send anybody to receive bribe – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said he did not send the Chairman of AA Oil, Abubakar Aliyu, or any other person to collect bribe   in the $1.3bn Malabu oil deal.
Jonathan, who stated this in a statement in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, said that the negotiations and transactions for the $1.3bn oil  deal involving oil giants ENI and Royal Dutch Shell,  predated his Presidency,  which began on  May 6, 2010.
He stated, “We make bold to point out that the former President never sent any Abubakar Aliyu, as the innuendoes in the false report suggest, to ENI, the IOCs or any indigenous operator to seek favour or collect any gratification on his behalf.”
Jonathan faulted  news reports, which indicated that   he  received kickbacks in the $1.3bn oil block deal involving oil giants ENI and Royal Dutch Shell.
He stated, “We wish to make it clear that former President Jonathan was not accused, indicted or charged for corruptly collecting any money as kickbacks or bribes from ENI by the Italian authorities or any other law enforcement body the world over.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, had a few weeks ago filed seven counts bordering on the Malabu scam against nine defendants, including the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN).
Other accused persons named in the charges, filed by the EFCC, are Etete, Aliyu Abubakar, Malabu Oil & Gas Limited, Rocky Top Resources Limited, Imperial Union Ltd., Novel Properties & Development Company Ltd., Group Construction Ltd. and Megatech Engineering Ltd.
The Malabu oil scam, which has been under investigation for over four years, relates to the billions of dollars paid by oil giants, Shell and ENI, into a Federal Government account, for OPL 245, considered the richest oil block in Africa.
The money was allegedly diverted by Adoke and paid into private accounts
Details later

Who Do Abians Stand With?

WE STAND WITH GOVERNOR OKEZIE IKPEAZU

Our Sincere Prayer is that our dear state Abia will have unprecedented Peace and for the state to progress with the speed of light.

We pray the state Governor will have no further distractions from the courts or anywhere to deal with after tomorrow.

Our prayer is that henceforth, people will see reasons to join forces with Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to ensure Abia Develops rapidly.

Our prayer is for our people to realize that if you are not Governor today, you can become Governor tomorrow(if you are destined to).

All of us cannot be Governor at the same time.

Our prayer is that we realize that power belongs to God, and he chooses who to place in position of trust without consultations.

Our prayer is that we begin to play politics by it rules, devoid of rancor and bitterness, exhibiting sportsmanship and accommodating one another.

Abia must move forward.

Federal High Court redeploys Justices Liman, Abang, nine others

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has redeployed 11 judges in different divisions of the court.

Two prominent judges of the court, Justice Mohammed Liman of Port Harcourt Division and Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Division, are affected by the posting.

The Chief Judge, in a circular dated December 21, 2016 and addressed to “All Judges of Federal High Court,” redeployed Justice Liman from Port Harcourt to Enugu Division, and Justice Abang redeployed from Abuja to Asaba Division, Delta State.

The circular obtained from a lawyer close to the Chief Judge’s office directed the affected judges to resume at their new stations by January 30.

The Chief Judge gave “the recent developments in the court” as the reason for the posting.

Details of the said “recent developments” were not stated in the circular.

According to the circular, the posting would not affect the criminal cases the affected judges are currently handling.

It read in part, “In view of the fact some divisions are currently short of judges following the recent developments in the court, it has become necessary to take urgent steps to fill in existing vacancies.

“Affected judges are expected to resume in their new divisions by January 30, 2017.

“The judges shall continue with the hearing of criminal cases currently before them, as well as at least two witnesses have testified.”

Others affected include Justice S. Saidu (moved from Lagos to Port Harcourt); Justice A.O. Faji (from Asaba to Lagos); Justice R. M. Aikawa (from Sokoto to Lagos); Justice B.O. Quadri (from Port Harcourt to Abuja); and Justice Mallong Hoommuk (from Port Harcourt to Lafia).

Others are, Justice K.K. Dagat (from Lagos to Kano); Justice Saleh Idrissa (Kano to Sokoto); Justice H.I.O. Oshomah (from Lafia to Port Harcourt) and Justice J.K. Omotosho) from Kano to Port Harcourt.

Mikel Leaves Chelsea To China

John Mikel Obi has today moved to Chinese side Tianjin TEDA following 10-and-a-half years with Chelsea in which time he won every major club honour.

The 29-year-old is one of a select band of five foreign players in our history to have reached the 300-game landmark – alongside Chelsea greats Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Branislav Ivanovic and Gianfranco Zola.

His finest moment came in 2012 in Munich, when his incredible discipline in midfield protected the defence and helped us to claim our first Champions League triumph.

Silverware was a regular theme of the Nigerian’s stay in west London. Mikel was Chelsea Young Player of the Year in his debut 2006/07 season, having arrived from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo. He ended that campaign with two winners' medals: the League Cup and FA Cup. He lifted the latter trophy four times in our colours.

Having learned the trade of defensive midfielder from one of the best in the business - Claude Makelele - Mikel gradually filled the boots of the old master and was a regular choice under a series of Chelsea managers. He won medals while working with Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benitez.

Mikel played his part in two Premier League successes. The first in 2010, when he was the holding figure in a free-scoring side which won the Double. The second came five years later, when he continued to make important contributions and helped close out vital victories throughout the season. In the same campaign he added a second League Cup triumph.
His close-range volley against Fulham in September 2013 ended a goalless run dating back to January 2007. The uninhibited joy among his team-mates was mirrored by those in the Stamford Bridge stands, highlighting his cult status among fans.

On the international stage, Mikel captained Nigeria to African Nations glory in 2013 and led them in the Confederations Cup that summer. He again wore the armband at the Rio Olympics, guiding them to a historic bronze medal.
In total, Mikel played 372 times for Chelsea, scoring six goals. He leaves with our very best wishes and we thank him for his exceptional service.

See what A Yoruba woman said about Biafria..

See what A true Nigerian said about Biafria..