Pope John Paul Letters Reveal Intense Friendship With married Woman

Hundreds of letters and photographs of the previous pope’s relationship with a married woman have been revealed.

The relationship between Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka and Pope John Paul II lasted more than 30 years.

The letters to Polish-born American philosopher, Tymieniecka, had been kept away from public view in the National Library of Poland for years.

The documents revealed a rarely seen side of the pontiff, who died in 2005.

There is no suggestion the Pope broke his vow of celibacy.

His Emotional Life

Pope John Paul II was one of the most influential figures of the 20th Century, revered by millions and made a saint in record time.

Nine years after he died, the BBC saw letters he wrote to a married woman,  Tymieniecka, that shed new light on his emotional life.

Mrs Tymieniecka was a great hoarder and she seems to have kept everything relating to her 32-year friendship with Saint John Paul.

The friendship began in 1973 when Mrs Tymieniecka contacted the future Pope, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, then Archbishop of Krakow, about a book on philosophy that he had written.

The then 50-year-old travelled from the US to Poland to discuss the work.

Image copyright Photograph provided by Bill and Jadwiga Smith Image captioned Tymieniecka at the time she met Cardinal Wojtyla.

Shortly afterwards, the pair began to correspond. At first, the Cardinal’s letters were formal, but as their friendship grew, they became more intimate.

The pair decided to work on an expanded version of the Cardinal’s book, ‘The Acting Person’. They met many times – sometimes with his secretary present, sometimes alone and corresponded frequently.

In 1974, he wrote that he was re-reading four of Mrs Tymieniecka’s letters written in one month because they were “so meaningful and deeply personal.”

Photographs which had never been seen before by the public revealed Karol Wojtyla at his most relaxed.

He invited Mrs Tymieniecka to join him on country walks and skiing holidays – she even joined him on a group camping trip. The pictures also showed her visiting him at the Vatican.

Court Warns FG, DISCOs Not To Disobey Subsisting Orders

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has warned the Federal Government and the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) not to disobey subsisting court orders on electricity tariff, according to Channel News.

The court also warned the government not to act in a way that showed disdain for the court in a constitutional democracy.

Presiding Justice, Mohammed Idris,  gave the warning while ruling in a suit filed by a lawyer and rights activist, Toluwani Adebiyi, over the recent hike in electricity tariff on Monday.

Justice Idris fixed Friday, February 19 to hear an application by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) seeking a stay of proceedings in the suit.

The judge fixed the date after listening to the arguments of lawyers representing parties in the matter over the order in which pending applications should be taken by the court.

Mr Adebiyi filed a suit seeking a perpetual injunction restraining NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff without significant improvement in power supply for at least 18 hours a day in May 2015.

He also wants an order restraining NERC from foisting compulsory service charges on pre-paid meters until “the meters were designed to read charges per second of consumption and not a flat rate of service not rendered or power not used.”

Multiple Long-term Financing Approach

Mr Adebiyi wants the service charge on pre-paid meters not to be enforced until there is visible efficient and reliable power supply like those of foreign countries where the idea of service charge was borrowed.

He further asked for an order of court mandating the NERC to do the needful and generate more power to meet the electricity use of Nigerians, emphasising that the needful should include and not limited to a multiple long-term financing approach, sourced from the banks, capital market, insurance and other sectors of finance to power the sector.

Throat-cutting Bill

The lawyer also asked the court to mandate the NERC to make available to all Nigerians within a reasonable time of maximum of two years, prepaid meters as a way to stop the throat-cutting indiscriminate estimated bill which must be devoid of the arbitrary service charge, but only chargeable on power consumed.

In an affidavit in support of the suit personally deposed to by the applicant, the lawyer lamented that despite the motto and mission of NERC which were expressly stated as “keeping the lights on and to meet the needs of Nigeria for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity,” most communities in Nigeria do not get more than 30 minutes of electricity supply, while the remaining 23 hours and 30 minutes were always without light and in total darkness.

“Nigeria’s poor masses are paying an estimated and indiscriminate residential bill ranging from 5, 000 Naira to 18, 000 Naira, spending an average of 15, 000 Naira to 20, 000 Naira for fuel to maintain generating set.

“Businesses had collapsed, industries had closed down, and residents cannot sleep comfortably at night due to inefficiency of our power industry.

“Companies and commercial houses are groaning under throat-cutting power bill which they are paying for, yet not getting the benefit for such payment,” Adebiyi stated.

Poor Power Supply

He stressed that the proposed increase in electricity tariff came amidst the tangled web of poor power supply with no reasonable proof of improvement.

“The situation is self evident, it readily speaks for itself because everyone is suffering from poor power outrage.

“Bringing further increase amidst this tangled web of hardship and without any improvement in power supply will be highly unjustifiable and will be an economic burden on Nigeria populace. It is totally absurd and not for the good of the people and therefore must be stopped,” Adebiyi submitted.

Justice Idris had made an order directing parties to maintain status quo and for NERC to suspend all actions relating to any increment in electricity tariff pending the hearing and final determination of the suit.

But while the suit was pending, NERC in conjunction with the Electricity Distribution Companies commenced the implementation of the new electricity tariff on February 1.

Protests by labour unions had since trailed the new power tariff.

At the proceedings, the plaintiff drew the court’s attention to an application seeking to commit the NERC’s Chairman and the CEOs of the Distribution Companies (Discos) to prison for allegedly flouting the order.

But NERC’s lawyer, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), said he had filed an appeal against the order by Justice Idris.

He also said he had a pending application for a stay of the proceedings pending the determination of the appeal.

Mr Idigbe mentioned that the plaintiff had not effected service of the contempt proceedings on the alleged contemnors.

The two lawyers were divided on which application should be heard first.

Mr Adebiyi said the contempt charge should be heard first since NERC had undermined the court’s authority, but Mr Idigbe said the application for stay of proceedings should take precedence since an appeal had been lodged.

In a short ruling on the issue, Justice Idris, held that it was in the interest of justice to first hear the defendant’s application for a stay of proceedings pending the determination of their appeal against the court’s order.

The plaintiff then asked for a short adjournment to enable him file his response to the application.

Justice Idris subsequently adjourned till Friday for the hearing of the application for a stay of proceedings.

President Buhari Sacks 20 Heads Of Federal Agencies And Parastatals

The Presidency has issued the following statement announcing the removal of 20 more heads of federal parastatals and agencies.

The list adds to the six heads of agencies under the Ministry of Information and Culture that were sacked earlier today.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate disengagement of the following Chief Executive Officers of the underlisted Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions.

He has also approved that the most senior officers in the Parastatals, Agencies and Councils oversee the activities of the organizations pending the appointment of substantive Chief Executive Officers.

(i) Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)

(ii) Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)

(iii) Voice of Nigeria (VON)

(iiii) News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

(v) National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)

(vi) Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)

(vii) New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

(viii) Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)

(ix) Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB)

(x) Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN)

(xi) Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)

(xii) National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

(xiii) Petroleum Equalization Fund

(xiiii) Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC)

(xv) Bureau of Public Procurements (BPP)

(xvi) Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)

(xvii) Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA)

(xviii) Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)

(xix) National Agency for Food and Drugs
Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

(xx) Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC)

(xxi) Bank of Industry (BoI)

(xxii) National Centre for Women Development (NCWD)

(xxiii) National Orientation Agency (NOA)

(xxiiii) Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

(xxv) Nigerian Export-Import Bank

(xxvi) National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic In Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP)

Mr. President, however, thanked them for their invaluable services to the Nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

N3.1bn Fraud: Witness In Court Testify How Ex-Gov Suswan Laundered N1bn

The trial of Gabriel Suswan, a former governor of Benue State and his Commissioner of Finance, Okolobia Okpanachi, continued on Monday, February 15, 2016, with a prosecution witness, Brijid Shiedie, managing director and chief executive officer, Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, telling Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja, how the sum of N1bn was allegedly paid to Elixir Security Limited, after a meeting with Okpanachi.

Suswan and Okolobia are facing a nine-count charge bordering on diversion of N3.1 billion during his tenure as governor.

At the resumed hearing today, Shiedu, who was led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, further told the court that Elixir was invited by the state government to carry out a check of where the state’s shares were domiciled and consolidate them in one stock- broking firm.
She added that the state government consequently needed BIPCL, as the custodian of the shares, to sign, in order to enable Elixir achieve the mandate of consolidating the shares.

She also told the court that both Suswan and Okpanachi directed BIPCL to pay Elixir the proceeds of Benue State shares, into two accounts, provided by the ministry of finance letter head.

However, she said that no specific amount was indicated in the correspondence.

‘‘When Elixir called me to find out what was to be paid into each of the accounts, I said that since the money was going to the Benue State government, a request should be forwarded to the Commissioner of Finance. It was communicated on the Company’s letter head,’’ Shiedie explained.
The court had earlier admitted in evidence, the certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation of BIPCL from the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, asked for an adjournment to enable him cross-examine the witness, saying she is crucial to the case.

Consequently, the case was adjourned to February 16, 2016.

President Buhari Sacks And Appoints News DG Budget, Special Adviser Planning

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria President

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Tijjani Mohammed Abdullahi as the Director-General (Budget).

Mr. Abdullahi, a fellow of the Certified National Accountants of Nigeria, and a banker of repute with experience in managing public finance, will replace the current Director-General (Budget), Mr. Yahaya Gusau.

The new Director-General (Budget) is expected to work with the Minister of Budget and National Planning to efficiently deliver on the mandates of the Budget Office of the Federation.

President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Mr Ben Ifeanyi Akabueze as the Special Adviser on Planning to the Minister of Budget and National Planning.

Mr Akabueze who is the immediate past Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State, has worked in senior management positions in Citi Bank, Fidelity Bank, United Bank for Africa, NAL Merchant Bank, Sterling Bank and BIA Consulting Limited, among others.

He is Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers; Fellow, Institute of Credit Administrators and Honorary Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Buhari appoints Abike Dabiri as SSA on foreign affairs

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Abike Dabiri-Erewa as Senior Special Assistant on Foreign and Diapora Affairs.

Dabiri-Erewa, a former member of the House of Representatives from Lagos, received her appointment letter at the State House in Abuja few minutes ago.

She was born in Jos, Plateau State and a former member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Constituency in Lagos State.

She was the Chairman of the House Committee on Media & Publicity. She was also the former Chair of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs.

She was elected for the first time in 2003, and re-elected in 2007 and 2011.

Dabiri-Erewa worked for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for fifteen years, anchoring the weekly NTA Newsline programme and taking a particular interest in poverty and social justice issues.

She retired from her position at Nigerian Television Authority to stand for election in the House of Representatives, winning with a substantial majority. While in this role, she stood against the third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Dabiri-Erewa sponsored a number of significant bills that were passed by Parliament, including:

1. The Freedom of Information Bill

2. A bill for an act to ensure full integration of Nigerians with physical disabilities and eliminate all forms of discrimination against them.

3. The Nigerian Infant Health Welfare Bill (ensuring every child under five receives free medical care)

4. Nigerian Diaspora Commission Bill

5. A bill to repeal Nigerian Press Council Bill and replace it with the Nigerian Press and Journalism Council Bill (strengthening the NPC and promote responsible journalism and protect the welfare of journalists in Nigeria).

The appointment takes immediate effect.

With AIT News

NCC may regulate use of WhatsApp, BBM, Facebook, Skype in Nigeria

The Nigerian Communications Commission is considering a framework for the regulation of over-the-top services in the Nigerian telecoms market, according to a report by Premium Times.

Over-the-top services, otherwise known as OTT, are services carried over the networks, delivering value to customers, but without any carrier service provider being involved in planning, selling, provisioning, or servicing them.

OTT services are offered through Internet communication.

In Nigeria, the most common OTT services are WhatsApp messenger, BlackBerry Messenger, Facebook, and Skype which are classified under social media applications.

In other words, telecom operators such as MTN, Etisalat, Glo, and Airtel lack direct control or influence over WhatsApp messenger, BBM, Facebook or Skype.

Internet telephony and live streaming are also part of OTT services.

The growth of OTT services is encouraged by the access to 3G and 4G networks which offer mobile broadband and high speed IP data.

A report, ‘An Overview of Provision of Over The Top [OTT] Services’ published recently by the Policy, Competition & Economic Analysis Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission, says OTT services were becoming a threat to the traditional telephone network operators.

This development, the report said, is a global issue.

The threat, according to the NCC report, comes from the fact that Internet telephony is not only cheap, and free in some cases, but it also offers many features previously unavailable with telephones, therefore making it more attractive to consumers.

And unlike the traditional telephone network operator, the operators of Internet telephony don’t pay tolls for their services.

The report also stated that since telecom operators such as MTN, Etisalat, Glo and Airtel do not have control over WhatsApp, BBM, Facebook and the rest of the social media applications, they (the telecom operators) do not generate revenues from services offered through these applications.

The report said, “Many traditional telecom service providers are of the opinion that traditional telephony and SMS revenues are under threat from newer, IP based alternatives like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber etc.

“Similarly, third party web content and social networking companies such as Google and Facebook are increasingly generating huge revenues and driving high levels of data traffic which ride on the broadband networks of traditional telecom operators’.

“To further worsen this issue, the traditional operators still have to make significant investments in upgrading their networks to handle the increasing volume of data generated by the same providers of OTT services.

“Most traditional telephone network service providers therefore argue that unless there is a revenue flow to them from such services, they do not have an incentive to continue to maintain or upgrade the networks,” the report said.

The NCC also believed there is need for some kind of regulation because OTT services portend security risks to the country.

“Because VoIP relies on your Internet connection, it may be vulnerable to many of the same problems that face computers,” the report said.

“Attackers may be able to perform activities such as intercepting communications, eavesdropping, taking control of phones, making fraudulent calls from an account, conducting effective phishing attacks by manipulating one’s caller ID, and causing service to crash.”

With AIT News

Boko Haram militants trained in Somalia: President

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, speaks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 14, 2016. (Reuters)

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says Nigeria’s Boko Haram militants have been trained in his country before going back to West Africa.

Mohamud said at a security conference in Germany that militant groups in Africa are associated and that the African states need to be organized to be able to deal with their threats.

He noted that his country, which is plagued by attacks by al-Shabab militants as well as corruption and political infighting, has only made limited progress in setting up a working political system.

Somalia has not had a functioning central administration since civil war erupted a quarter of a century ago.

"Without a stable Somalia, the whole region of the Horn of Africa will remain unstable and by and large, the African continent. There are proofs and evidence that (for) some time Boko Haram has been trained in Somalia and they went back to Nigeria," Mohamud said.

"The terrorists are so linked together, they are associated and so organized, (that) we the world we need to be so organized," he added.

Al-Shabab militants, which have link to al-Qaeda, have frequently staged attacks against government officials and civilians over the past years.  

Boko Haram, on the other hand, has pledged allegiance to the Daesh Takfiri group, which is wreaking havoc in Syria and Iraq.

Boko Haram terrorists have killed more than 1,650 people since the inauguration of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2015, and claimed the lives of over 17,000 people since the start of their insurgency in Nigeria in 2009, AFP figures show. They have since forced over 2.6 million others to flee their homes.

FG Sacks Heads Government Owned Media

Nigeria’s federal government has announced the sack of the heads of the six information-related parastatals under the ministry of information and culture.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the disengagement during a meeting he held with the Chief Executives of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Monday .

The Minister directed the disengaged Chief Executives to hand over to the most senior officials in their various establishments.

He thanked them for their service to the nation and wished them  "best of luck" in their future endeavours.

The affected Chief Executives are the Directors-General of NTA, Mr. Sola Omole, FRCN (Mr. Ladan Salihu), VON (Mr Sam Worlu), NOA (Mr. Mike Omeri), NBC (Mr. Emeka Mba) and the Managing Director of NAN (Mr. Ima Niboro). 

In a statement made available to this effect by Segun Adeyemi, SA to the minister, he directed the disengaged Chief Executives to hand over to the most senior officials in their various establishments.

Mohammed thanked them for their service to the nation and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavours.

INEC Declares APC Winner Of Adamawa Rerun Election

Announcing the results, the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC) constituency returning officer, Dr. Pascal Timtere said  Yohanna of APC polled 24,126 votes, Micheal Zidon of the People Democratic Party (PDP) got 11,513 votes, and Kabiru Garba of the  Citizen Peoples Party (CPP) scored 222 votes.
‎

Others were Bitrus Alkali of the Kowa Party who got 400 votes, Dr. P.P Power of the People Democratic Movement (PDM) scored 6,320 votes while Anslem Olam of Labour Party (LP) scored 154 votes respectively.  

However, Laori, who had defected from SDP to re-contest in KOWA party after his election was annulled, had reportedly secured an injunction from an Abuja Federal High Court, restraining INEC from conducting the election for failure to include his name as the candidate of his new party.

But the Commission’s spokesperson in Adamawa, Rifkatu Dikku, said INEC was not aware of the injunction as they were yet to receive such communication from their national headquarters in Abuja.

APC Pressure Mounts on Buhari to Sack Heads of Parastatals

With the agitation by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on President Muhammadu Buhari to replace several heads of federal government agencies whom he inherited from his predecessor reaching fever pitch, there are indications that Buhari, who resisted the clamour to remove them on the grounds that their tenures, some of which are backed by law, had not expired, may have succumbed, according to THISDAY.

In this regard, it was learnt that Buhari late last week approved the sack of no fewer than 35 chief executives and directors-general‎ of some agencies of government.

The presidency, which has communicated the president’s approval to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal, is expected to announce their removal this week, in the report.

Prior to the approval, Buhari, it was gathered, had resisted pressure for the ouster of some of the heads of parastatals he inherited from the Goodluck Jonathan administration, arguing that their tenures had not expired and in some cases is backed by law.

However, there has been mounting pressure from members of his party to remove the parastatal heads and replace them with APC loyalists as compensation for their loyalty to the ruling party and contributing to its victory in the 2015 general election.

A notable case was that of the APC candidate in the April 11, 2015 Rivers State governorship poll, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, and some APC chieftains from his state, who after the Supreme Court dismissed their election petition against Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, met with the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun recently.

At the meeting, they pleaded with Oyegun to make a case for their compensation at the federal level owing to the sacrifices they had made and the fact that they had been branded “traitors” in Rivers State for siding with the APC.

Some of the affected agencies, according to the report sources, are the Nigeria‎ Railway Corporation (NRC), the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Industrial Trust Fund (ITF), among 32 other agencies, THISDAY reported.

According to sources, the complete list of agency chiefs would be announced this week by the SGF who at the weekend asked the supervising ministers of the agencies to inform the affected persons of their removal, told THISDAY.

Lawal chose to wait to make the announcement because he did not want to spoil their weekend, more so since the Valentine’s Day celebration fell at the weekend.

But ahead of the announcement, he asked the supervising ministers of the affected agencies to inform their heads ahead of time, which some of them were believed to have done.

Although Buhari, sources said, is yet to announce replacements for any of the agencies, their letters of disengagement will instruct them to hand over to the most senior persons in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new substantive heads to run the parastatals.

Victoria Beckham on bringing back the corset - and being a working mum - at her New York Fashion Week show

A corseted look from Victoria Beckham's latest collection CREDIT: REX

Given that it's -14 currently in New York it feels apt that Victoria Beckham is offering stealth knitwear solutions for next winter, and debuting them on herself. Backstage before the show, with the model line-up still being tweaked an hour before the unveiling, VB is sporting a cosy pale hued roll neck, loose grey flannel cropped trousers and a pair of bright white Stan Smith trainers (which, unusually, she didn't swap for heels for her post show bow).

Beckham took her bow in box-fresh white trainers CREDIT: REX

Having posted a £9 million turnover increase on the previous year's taking in December and with her second store due to open in Hong Kong in three weeks this is a buoyant time for the label, which launched with a collection of 10 dresses in 2008.

For AW16 Beckham took the opportunity to take stock. She describes it as “an evolution of my personal style. I looked back at the clothes I've worn and designed and decided to rework key elements.” The central piece was the corset. “I used to wear a lot and it felt very sexy and feminine,” she explained backstage. “I wanted to find a way to bring that back and feel new and fresh.” The key take home in her modern take on the corset is the lack of boning. These are 'easy' pieces, with the fitted basque shape created in knitwear and as bodices on the dresses, but without that forced rigid, constricting structure.

Models backstage sporting the new collection CREDIT: REX

The dresses, some knitted in navy, orange and khaki green check, reflect her 'signature silhouette' which is a figure flattering, female friendly one, but updated with a cool, low key attitude, with the sort of understated elegance her customers have come to expect. The shift and move on comes from the elevated techniques used: a heritage houndstooth coat that uses a waxed cord running through it to act as an embroidery took five days to make.

Victoria Beckham AW16 collection CREDIT: ISIDORE MONTAG

Masculine houndstooth and check fabrics are used to good effect in coats: added design details of knitted cuffs and hems left raw, bringing a neat contrast to the femninine dress shapes. Bold stripes are used to add definition and a keen sense of modernity, and lend that all important “freshness” Mrs Beckham is so keen on.

Victoria Beckham AW16 collection CREDIT: ISIDORE MONTAG

Skirt lengths are just above midi. Knitted tops, bodices and skirts are layered over each other, or cut to give the illusion of layers. Trousers are knitted and close cut, dresses (some featuring a cute bubble hem) and tops are spliced open gently to reveal slithers of flesh - “something we know our customer loves,” says VB. The pieces are given an added punch a quirk with oversized buttons and silver metallic brooch details.

Victoria Beckham AW16 collection CREDIT: ISIDORE MONTAG

The easiness continues into her footwear, flat pointed monk strap brogues and hefty block heeled ankle boots. For evening and red carpet (perhaps a niche concern) Beckham offers a high waist trouser worn with a cream satin bustier layered under a knitted black top. “It feels like a chic, modern take on red carpet,” she says.

Victoria Beckham AW16 collection CREDIT: ISIDORE MONTAG

It's half term so the Beckham clan were in full effect (next to their usual front row mates Anna Wintour and her daughter Bea) on the front row. Harper sat on her father's lap, doing a military look, with a single breasted gold buttoned navy pea coat with red collar detail and Gucci shoes. Cruz and Romeo were suited and the eldest, Brooklyn was working a T-shirt under his tailoring, his quiff flattened to the side.

The Beckham family on the front row CREDIT: AP

The children had given their mother “some beautiful flowers” for today's Valentine's Day. She bought them balloons. “We'd spent the whole day with these balloons for the kids and I got out of the car after we'd been working all night, and I said to the driver, ‘Be careful of the balloons!' and he got out the car and said what? And a bunch of them flew up into the air. I was like, no!”

A comforting thought that even a Beckham can't have it all run smoothly.


With The Telegraph

Past Director of Finance and Budget of the Nigerian Air Force returns N84m looted fund to EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered N84m from the immediate past Director of Finance and Budget of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore O. O. Gbadebo, The PUNCH reported.

A reliable source in the EFCC on Sunday said that investigations revealed that the money was diverted from the account of the Air Force, in the report.

The source said the money was part of the money budgeted for the procurement of weapons.

Last week, the commission seized houses belonging to Gbadebo; the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.); and the Chief of Accounts and Budgeting of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal J.B. Adigun, all worth about N5bn.

The source revealed that after sealing off the houses, the EFCC continued to trace the money with a view to recovering the sums.

The source added, “After we sealed some properties last week, we continued to grill the three officers. Gbadebo finally confessed to diverting N84m into his company account. The money was swiftly recovered.

“We have also seized a large fish processing company belonging to Adigun. He also manufactures fish feeds, which he sells to end users.”

The source debunked reports making the rounds that the anti-graft agency recovered $1m from Amosu’s Badagry home when it was searched.

He explained that about $117,000 was recovered from the home of the ex-NAF boss.

The source added, “There have been reports that $1m was recovered from a soak away in Amosu’s Badagry home. This is not true.

“The actual amount recovered was about $117,000 and it was kept in a safe in the house and not in a soak away. The money is currently in our exhibit room. We also recovered N200, 000 in cash from the house.”

Explaining the modus operandi of the suspects, the EFCC detective explained that the suspects usually used their wives to carry out the shady deals.

He said before transferring money, the Air Force officers would use third parties to set up companies and bank accounts, to which their wives would be signatories.

It was learnt that the military officers would then make phantom transactions and transfer money into the bank accounts of the companies while their wives would take possession of the sums.

“Amosu’s wife, Omolara, was arrested when she came to see her husband in detention. She cooperated with us and we have also recovered money from the company. Adigun’s wife, Helen, also did the same.

“They have both been released,” the source stated.

About 11 Air Force officers are currently under investigation by the commission

The source said Adigun had been released by the EFCC but did not say whether the NAF chief was released on bail or if he had returned any money to the anti-graft agency.

However, the spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, was unable to confirm the recoveries when  contacted him on the telephone on Sunday, in the report.

“The investigation into the arms scandal is still ongoing and I am not able to comment on specific recoveries,” he said.

Amosu and 10 senior officers are being probed by the EFCC as part of investigations into the $2.1bn arms scam, especially in relation to the 10 contracts of the NAF, said to be worth $930,500,690.00.

Last week, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.), was detained by the anti-graft agency.

Both Badeh and Amosu are answering questions on the non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

Meanwhile, there were indications on Sunday that the EFCC reached a dead end on Saturday in its interrogation of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ex-Aide-de-Camp, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe.

The PUNCH reported that the former ADC insisted on the presence of his lawyers during the interrogation by the operatives of the commission.

It was also gathered that Adegbe, as he did last week, refused to name the beneficiaries of N10bn he allegedly got from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The money was said to have been diverted by the ONSA, under the stewardship of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), from the Signature Bonus Account in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

An operative of the EFCC, who was part of the interrogating team, said, “We have not made any progress. The man is insisting that he can only make statements in the presence of his lawyers. He has also refused to name the Peoples Democratic Party chieftains who benefited from the N10bn.”

Another source explained that the EFCC decided to detain Adegbe and two other personnel of the Army since no lawyer was available to be part of the investigation.

The source added, “The man, I mean the former ADC to Jonathan, is still being detained by the men investigating the $2.1bn arms deal.

“The operatives are asking him to mention how much he received from the former NSA and to provide a list of politicians who received the funds from him but he has not done so. He is with two others.

“He requested that he could only make his own statements in the presence of his lawyers.

“So, the operatives investigating the case, decided to keep them (suspects) over the weekend.’’