DasukiGate: Metuh files an application for variation of the terms

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday opened its case with two witnesses against the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in the charges of money laundering involving the sum of N400m which he allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014, according to The Punch.

The trial commenced before a Federal High Court in Abuja after the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, overruled objection by Metuh’s lead counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) to adjourn the trial.

Ikpeazu also informed the judge on Monday that since Metuh had been unable to meet the bail conditions granted him on January 16, the defence had filed an application for variation of the terms.

He urged the court to adjourn the proceedings as the inability of his client to meet the bail conditions had adverse effect on his preparation for the defence.

The prosecution led by Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application for adjournment and his objection was upheld by the judge.

Tahir then proceeded to open the prosecution’s case on Monday with the testimony of an employee of Asset and Resource Management Company Limited, Nneka Ararume, who narrated how she collected a total sum of $2m cash from Metuh at his house in Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja.

Ararume who described her position with the company as Wealth Manager, said the instruction given to her by Metuh was that the money should be invested.

She explained further that she went ahead to change the money to its naira equivalent through two bureau de change operators she engaged.

She said, “He gave me the sum of $2m in $100 bills. It was taken to bureau de change operators who would then transfer the money to ARM. From there (Metuh’s house) I proceeded to Mr. Sie Iyenome’s office at Wuse 2 where I gave him the sum of $1m.

“I also invited Mr. Kabir Mohammed and I also gave him the sum of $1m to transfer the naira equivalent in favour of Destra Investment Limited. Later on the same day, December 2, 2014, Mr. Kabir and Mr. Sie Iyenome confirmed the receipt.”

The prosecution also called Iyenome as its second prosecution witness, who also narrated how he changed the $1m to its naira equivalent and paid it to ARM.

Both witnesses were cross-examined by the defence counsel.

Trial has been adjourned till tomorrow for the prosecution to call more witnesses.

The prosecuting counsel said he had 16 more witnesses.

Mavin first lady,Tiwa Savage make a statement

Mavin first lady, Tiwa Savage, has made a comeback to the music industry, following her one-year leave to have and cater for her son, Jamil.

When asked about how she felt when it became clear she had been replaced as the queen bee in the music industry while on maternity leave, she replied:

 I don’t think I was really bothered. I know how entertainment is and sometimes you need that kind of news so I didn’t take it personally and I wasn’t really moved by it because when you’re having a baby that’s one of the biggest joys that you can ever imagine.

Tiwa also talked about her comeback, stating her number one priority.

"My priority was just to make sure that I was healthy and that my baby was healthy and that we had a safe delivery. So at that time I was taking time away from music and I knew I had to take time off but my focus was really my baby…and I had worked while I was pregnant. I had recorded my album so I also knew that I had something when I was going to come back and I was going straight back into work. I also believed in the grace of God over my life and I guess that helped me."

With AIT news

Wayne and Coleen Rooney announce birth of third son

The wife of Manchester United and England captain gave birth to their third son on Sunday, naming him Kit Joseph, according to BBC Sport.

Wayne wrote: "Our gorgeous little boy arrived today. Kit Joseph Rooney. 8Ib 1oz. We are over the moon."

The childhood sweethearts, who married in Italy in 2008, already have two sons - Kai, six, and two-year-old Klay.

It's thought that Coleen, 29, was admitted to the Liverpool Women's Hospital on Saturday ahead of the birth.

Wayne, 30, captained Manchester United at Old Trafford in a 1-0 loss to Southampton.

Like the Kardashians - the Rooneys have given their children names beginning with a K.

The couple simultaneously announced that Coleen was expecting in July with the same tweets.

Last week Coleen wrote that she was still waiting to go into labour.

On Monday she tweeted: "No baby yet!! .... Hurry up!! ..... Too comfy."

The footballer also posted a photo of the family when Klay was born.

In an interview before the birth, Coleen told OK! Magazine they would "definitely not" find out the sex of their baby.

But she told the magazine that she would "love a girl because it would complete the family".

"Hopefully the anticipation of the sex will make the labour go a bit quicker."

CHAN 2016:Ivory coast join hosts Rwanda in the quarterfinals

The Ivory Coast qualified for the knockout phase of the African Nations Championship CHAN 2016 in style after an emphatic 4-1 win over Gabon at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday afternoon, according to AIT News.

The Elephants took the lead in the 19th minute after a beautiful long-range drive from Essis Aka sailed past Gabonese keeper Yves Moto into the bottom corner.

Gabon levelled the tie after 51 minutes when Franck Obambou met a teasing corner kick from Knox Younga, leaving goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare stranded in the Ivory Coast goal.

Cote D’Ivoire came back stronger in the second half and regained their lead through Djedje Guiza in the 65th minute, before substitute Koffi Boua scored a fine solo run, side-stepping two defenders to make it 3-1 and pit the game beyond the reach of Gabon.

The ruthless Ivorians put a gloss to the score in the 84th minute when Ble Treika made it 4-1 with a beautiful first touch to go lose his marker before beating the Yves Moto with a low shot.

In the other Group A match, hosts Rwanda fell 4-1 to Morroco but it was too little ,too late for the Atlas Lions who were knocked out as the hosts and Ivory Coast took the quarterfinal berths from the group.

Buhari Tasks Stakeholder for solution on Pipeline Vandalism

According a report shown at a meeting between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and executive of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities (TROMCON) in Port Harcourt, President Buhari directed the NDDC to quickly intervene and explore every avenue that would help bring back peace and stability to the region.

It was a consultation and negotiation meeting, one that was seen as very necessary to ensure there are no further acts of vandalism and criminality in the Niger Delta region.

At the meeting, the NDDC Acting Managing Director (MD), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, appealed to the traditional rulers, led by Eze Akuwueze Ikegwuruka, the paramount ruler of Ngbirichi in Imo State and the National Chairman of TROMPCON, to engage in serious sensitisation of their subjects against oil theft, vandalism and other acts that could cause a breach of security.

She tasked the royal fathers on engaging in five critical areas and promise to support TROMPCON, as critical partners, in its activities and in the commission’s efforts to facilitate the sustainable development of the Niger Delta, where Nigeria’ major source of revenue, crude oil, is mined.

The National Chairman of TROMPCON, Eze Ikegwuruka, assured Mrs Semenitari that the traditional rulers in the region were ready for partnership and collaboration with the NDDC, pointing out that TROMPCON had been longing to join hands with the NDDC and other development agencies.

He reaffirmed their stake in the affairs of the Niger Delta.

It is the view of TROMPCOM that all stakeholders as well as service providers should collaborate to ensure coordinated and accelerated development of the Niger Delta region. This imperative has been underscored in the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan which provided for Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Forum,” Eze Ikegwuruka stressed.

He said that TROMPCON would do whatever was necessary to ensure the maintenance of peace and provide the conducive environment for the NDDC and other agencies of development, including contractors.

He further said that the royal fathers would visit the National Assembly to discuss the NDDC budget and rub minds with them to see how to provide more employment opportunities and avoid a situation where contracts were hijacked to the detriment of the people of the Niger Delta.

TROMPCON is currently in court with the Federal Government to press home the demand for proper funding of the NDDC in line with the commission’s enabling law.

With Channel Television