Breaking: Chocolate city boss ,Audu Makori has been released by the police

Audu Maikori, lawyer, founding CEO of Chocolate City Group and Nigerian music industry mogul, who was arrested Friday by the Nigeria Police on charges of alleged criminal conspiracy and incitement over the Southern Kaduna crisis has been
by the Police, SIGNAL can report.

Sources informed about the development told SIGNAL on Saturday Audu’s release followed efforts by Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung who was at the Nigerian Police Force headquarters in Abuja on Saturday to make a case for his release.

More to come.

Source Signal

Tenants Of U.L.O. Plaza Storm FCT High Court Over Justice Aladetoyinbo's And Contradicting Rulings

Some aggrieved tenants at U.L.O Plaza in the Abuja have accused a Judge who has wreaked great hardship on them by issuing conflicting orders that have sent them evicted twice from the premises in which they carry out their legitimate businesses and earn their livelihood.

Some tenants of U.L.O. Plaza, a property located at No. 34, Sokode Crescent, FCT Abuja sealed by the police and court officials on the 3/2/2017 at about 5.00am in the morning pursuant to a Warrant of Possession issued by Hon. Justice S.E. Aladetoyinbo in the case of Bil Construction Ltd. V. Gazi Construction Ltd., stormed the FCT High Court today to challenge their forceful eviction from the property owned by U.L.O. Consultants Ltd.

The tenants, in a motion filed by their lawyers, are seeking an order restoring them to possession on the grounds that the Hon. Judge had made a previous order restoring possession of the property to U.L.O. Consultants Ltd. back in 2014 when an earlier warrant of possession had been issued by the same judge in the same case of Bil Construction Ltd. V. Gazi Construction Ltd. The judge had made that previous order acknowledging that the Warrant of Possession he issued did not bind U.L.O. Consultants Ltd. who was not a party in the case, and also that fair hearing was not extended to U.L.O Consultants when the eviction was made in 2014. Bil Construction Ltd. appealed against this Ruling and the matter is still pending before the Court of Appeal.

It therefore came as a shock to the tenants and occupants of the U.L.O. Plaza (which includes Core TV) when court officials and a truck-load of heavily armed  policemen stormed the Plaza in the early hours of Friday, 3rd February 2017, and forcefully evicted the tenants pursuant to a Warrant of Possession exactly similar to the same issued and set aside in 2014 and still in the same case of Bil Construction Ltd. V. Gazi Construction Ltd. This Warrant was signed by the same Judge who gave the Ruling setting that of 2014 aside while the Court of Appeal is yet to determine the Appeal filed against his Ruling. It would then seem that the Hon. Justice Aladetoyinbo is setting aside his own order, an act which can only be done by the Appeal Court. The Tenants were not given any prior notice or warning before the eviction on 3/2/17 and suffered substantial damage to their properties as a result.

Another angle to this peculiar series of events, according to the application filed before the court, is that there is another subsisting Order of Injunction from High Court 25 (FCT) restraining the Deputy Sheriff and Bil Construction from interfering with the possession of the property by U.L.O. Consultants Ltd. pending the determination of the issue of title between U.L.O Consultants Ltd. and Bil Construction Ltd. which the Hon. Justice Aladetoyinbo (Court 3) is well aware of. It would now seem that the Hon. Justice not only overturned his own previous Ruling, but also that of another High Court Judge who had been (and is still) hearing the matter of title between U.L.O Consultants Ltd. and Bil Construction Ltd.

The tenants, who attended the court in their numbers, went home very disappointed as they were informed by the Registrar of Court that their case (which was fixed and listed for hearing on this day 15/12/2017) has been postponed to 20/3/17.

Take a look at the ruling.

Photo : Uncertainty mounts over statue of a Cow erected in Mkar round about in Gboko,Benue State.

Uncertainty is mounting over a Cow statue that is currently been erected around Mkar round about in Gboko Benue state, many people are raising alarm over this project , a facebook user Prince Sarwuan posted this

"Pls I saw someone post here yesterday that the statue of a cow is built and mounted on Mkar roundabout in Gboko, can someone confirm this? And probably give me a picture."

Any one has any clue about this cow ?

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson Okojie and her husband cover maiden edition of Media Room Hub Val edition.

The maiden edition of the Media Room Hub valentine edition has Nigerian sweetheart,Mercy Johnson Okojie on the cover with her amiable and supportive husbanHere they reveal the connection they both have for each other and how they managed the brouhaha that trailed their marriage.

She also talks about her new programme which is springing up soon.

All these and more with pictures on
http://www.mediaroomhub.com/february-cover-a-new-world-of-mercy/
A big thank you to the amazing team who made this possible 👏👏👏
Photography by Bamiyo Emina
Makeup by @davesucre
Styled by @moashystyling
Hair by @ferdinandshair
Graphic designer @poetmmtobias
Outfit by @ndidiobioha @enthystfashionklinik
Creative director @zukiliciouz @mr.dbentley
#mediaroomhub#MRH#MRHlogo#MRHcelebs
@mediaroomhub - #regrann

Social Media Week Lagos to showcase female entrepreneurs

Social Media Week Lagos has partnered the Dangote Group and She Leads Africa to run an African Women In Tech Startup Alley at the event, showcasing innovative women-led tech startups.

The African Women in Tech (AWIT) Startup Alley will take place at SMW Lagos on March 1, featuring five selected startups.

“Women make noteworthy contributions to the tech space and all industries for that matter.  Yet, women are often not given the same consideration as their male counterparts,” said Ngozi Odita, co-Founder and executive director of SMW Lagos.

“As an organisation, we believe that continued African progress and sustainable economic development can only be achieved if all citizens are empowered and given the capacity to move Africa forward. This is why SMW Lagos has made it a priority to put forth programming that is inclusive and more gender balanced.”

4 arrested over illegal revenue collection in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested four suspected illegal revenue collectors, who specialised in extortion and terrorising members of the public by disguising as environmental officers in Enugu.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, on Friday in Enugu.

Amaraizu noted that the suspects were nabbed on Feb. 15 at Upper Chime Avenue axis of Enugu metropolis.

He said that the operatives of the New Haven Division of the command, through intelligence information, caught the suspects red-handed.

“The suspects, who gave their names, are helping police operatives of the state’s Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (CIID) in their investigations.

“The suspects are regretting their nefarious activities.

“They maintained that they are not Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) officials but once worked in the agency before they were laid off and that they needed to get life going as they faced economic hard time,’’ he said.

Amaraizu said that two fake ESWAMA identity cards, two ESWAMA emblems and suspected receipts with ESWAMA inscriptions were recovered from the suspects.

Smoking hot pictures of Maria Carey and her boyfriend Bryan Tanaka at the Clippers game.

Mimi obviously doesn’t live on the sidelines,she exists in the spotlight. Check out hot hot pictures from their outing last night.

'We are working to secure his release'. | Audu Makori's partner issues statement.

The arrest of Audu Maikori by operatives of DSS following comments he made about Southern Kaduna killings continues to generate more reactions from Nigerians. Now, his partner of many years, Paul Okeugo has just issued a statement to say: 'We are working to secure his release and have reached out to friends who realize the importance of sustaining democratic ideals in a country as fractured as ours'. Read his full statement after the cut..

Dear Friends,

My name is Paul Okeugo and I have been Audu Maikori's  friend  & Partner for years and know him to be a very honorable and passionate  man.  Audu genuinely cares about Nigeria and everyone in it . He is not one to spread false information or advocate violence . Together we have strived to create a better future for all young people in Nigeria. Audu exemplifies the kind of qualities we sorely need in this society. 

Today Audu has been picked up by law enforcement agents over his advocacy about the killings in #SouthernKaduna and he is presently being held in custody. 

I would like to reach out to fans and friends of Audu and our company that we all should please exercise patience and remain calm.

We appreciate the massive love and support we have received and continue to count on that goodwill . There is no Chocolate City without all of you! 

We are working to secure his release and have reached out to friends who realize the importance of sustaining democratic ideals in a country as fractured as ours.

God bless

Paul Okeugo

#FreeAudu 

Eric Arubayi was a passionate worshipper who showed dedication to God | Pastor Paul Adefarasin mourns gospel singer.

 The clergyman described the late gospel singer as someone who was dedicated in his service to God.
Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the head of the House on the Rock church has mourned late gospel singer, Eric Arubayi in his latest Instagram post.

In his notes posted on Friday, February 17, 2017, the clergyman described Arubayi as a passionate worship who showed dedication to God.
He further urged Christian worshippers to be cautious of how they live their lives as earth is but a temporary place for everyone.
Adefarasin extended his heart felt condolence to the family of the deceased, particularly his wife, Chinonso and son.
“It’s been 6 days since we suffered the colossal loss of a greatly gifted son of House on the Rock, Eric Arubayi.
“Eric was a soul-stirring worshipper with an intense zeal for the Lord and though we do sorrow, we do not sorrow as those with no hope.
“We will certainly all see Eric with Jesus again. We celebrate the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.
“I’m convinced Eric is walking the streets of gold, singing with the angels, worshipping our one true King.
“We are warmly consoled by the fact that he is in a much better place with the other saints of the gospel where
pain can reach him.
“Let us remember his lovely wife, Chinonso and their adorable son, Jayden in our prayers; that the almighty God will grant them the grace to bear this loss.

“Dear family, I urge you to
that while this is not our home, our purpose here is to bring God’s kingdom to Earth. May we never tire in this work of salvation.
“Eric, thank you for the gift you are to my family, to House on the Rock church and to the body of Christ; we would miss you greatly. Adieu to a noble Nigerian.”


Arubayi passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital.
He died after ingesting an expired drug which he took for malaria and typhoid treatment

My wife is smarter than I – Cobhams tells it all in new interview!

Talk of Nigeria’s Stevie Wonder, Cobhams  Asuqo readily comes to mind. Cool and composed, the visually-impaired artiste from Akwa Ibom State is many things rolled into one. He is a songwriter, producer and  a deft instrumentalist.

While this artiste has been an inspiration to many, he admitted in this  interview with Effects that his maiden album was much delayed because he deployed a great deal of time nurturing budding talents.

In this interview the visually impaired musician told us about his music, fatherhood, valentine experience with his wife and other things.


It took you so long to come out with an album, why was it so?
I did that for two reasons.The first  reason is that when I started, I didn’t like my voice very much. So, I felt that the best way that I could express music was to use other people’s voices to do the things that were in my head. Then on the other hand, I was going on with production, interpreting the things in their heads as opposed to the things in my head. So, I learnt that and realised it was fascinating to help others berth their dreams and help create someone’s sound.
So, I did that for a long time and I enjoyed it while I was doing it. I still do it, every now and again but over time, I have come to accept my voice for what it is. I also realised that there are certain emotions and truths that must be said by me or should be said by me. Other people are going to say it how they want to say it but I control how I say it. And so, I decided that I would go into the studio and create it.
Also it comes to me naturally to write music and I think I am able to master my voice better now.
The message in this album, I guess must be very deep first of all, my position on the typical Nigerian music is that millions of people cannot be wrong. There are millions  of people who love and embrace afrobeat. It is a sound that has come to stay.
However, Nigerian music space should accommodate other genres and other forms of music.This album was not created to fit into a box, it was created to be my musical expression and I don’t know if I have heard songs in the album played in clubs. The sounds are definitely true to the kind of sounds that I would create and I don’t want to say that it is not a mainstream because really, anything can become mainstream.
Can you reflect on other artistes you have worked with?
I have worked with a lot of artistes and for me to work with an artiste, then I’ve got to like something about that artiste.
Those artistes must be unique and be able to  bring something different to the table. The first person I worked with, I can’t really remember. I started about 15 or 16 years ago and it was about me saying,  I was a producer even before I entered the studio. The first song that made me really go commercial happened after I worked with the group called, MAINTAIN.
You mean Olu Maintain?
It was not just Olu, Maintain was a group in 2002 or thereabout. I was 21, young and excited and Big Bamo, who was their producer took a chance with me. Something a lot of established acts were afraid to do at that time. For a number of reasons, number one, they thought I was too young.The number two reason was, could you trust a blind guy with your stuff? So, big Bamo took a chance and we made that song, put it out there and it became a hit. That was my first major commercial success.
You wife. What does she mean to you?
She is special. She is my friend. There is absolutely nothing we don’t talk about. There is nothing we can’t pray about. She is someone I’m not afraid to be vulnerable with. We have a very special relationship and she is someone that I am not afraid to disagree with because disagreement does not always mean lack of love. You are safe with a person when you can agree and disagree. She is the smarter of the two of us; she is super smart and super humble. She is a good lesson to anyone who would want to allow her; she is very creative, very artistic. She is definitely my best friend.
 How did you meet her?
We met at the library, the public affairs section of the United States Information Service (USIS) in 2001.We were studying ahead of traveling to the US and she eventually ended up going.
She left two years later and I stayed behind. We became great friends; we were friends for many years. We were just friends and we were good friends for many years; about eight or nine years. Then we realized that it was time to take the relationship to the next level.
What were the qualities that you saw in her then?
Her honesty, sometimes brutal but always necessary. She is someone who generally is not afraid to speak her mind especially when it concerns me. Someone who is not afraid to tell you the truth with the hope of helping you be better. Then she is a very kind person, considerate of others. I  think that I have a very interesting temperament and I know that I am not the most perfect person. I can be easy enough to get along with just anybody.
Obviously because of the grace of God upon my life, in a place where I can be a lot to a lot of people and I can add value and when you add value people can tolerate you more. So, your relationship a lot of time is based on what you can give. My relationship with her is not based on how she treats me alone, but how she treats other people who cannot be what I’m to her. I think that is the  sense of true compassion and kindness. When you are fair with how you see things and how you see people and you respect people not because of what they can be to you but because they are people. She is that way and everyone else in her family is like that. They are amazing people.
How are you spending this valentine with her?
Ha! That is not for me to reveal. I am not  going to reveal the surprise. All I know is that it is an interesting time for us as a family. We’re working together on the album and getting ready for the 12th  of March when the album would be dropped at a launch. She is a big part of that; she is a part of everything that I do. In the midst of all of that, we  recognise the season that we are in. We would do our best in our own little  private way.
Let’s talk about the memorable moments in your life and career?
I have had a few; one of them is in the time of recording this album and the kind of emotions that you deal with creating a project like this. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. There are very good days and  sometimes there are down days and putting all that together.
Also working with musicians around the world and creating the projects, the recordings were live I spent.
Nikky Laoye described you as a source of inspiration, what is your impression of her?
I think she is a bundle of talent. She is a strong woman and I have so much respect for strong women. People who are able to hold their own and stand out in an industry that is male-dominated. She was always striving to create her own sound, she is a hard worker and the honest truth is that the principle of hard work and consistency is that you get good results. And I think that she is someone who strives to do that. For the fact  that her music has been placed where some of her contemporaries struggle to reach, not necessarily being as successful. She has done amazing things, she is a gospel artiste who won at the Headies, it is a feat when your music is not boxed in because of your beliefs, and on stage people can recognise you and the brilliance of your work. I think that is something that Nikky Laoye has been able to earn for herself, I respect that very much.

Source: SUN Newspaper

Actor Pete Edochie Visits Ex-Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings In Ghana

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie was recently in Ghana for Press Conference of Kofas Media’s New Movie.

While in Ghana, he also paid a visit to the former president of Ghana, John Jerry Rawlings at his residence.

Below are some more photos from the visit:

Excited family back in Iree speak about Olajumoke’s good fortune as she travels to South Africa to mingle with #BBNaija housemates

The ‘local girl who flew on a plane’ for the first time in the weekend of February 26, 2016, to Abuja, will soon become a well-travelled ambassador.

The Abuja trip, courtesy of the Iwuanyanwus who own Shirley’s Confectionery, saw the rural lass ensconced in a suite at Transcorp Hilton for the weekend.  Pictures of her in the hotel’s white robe in the suite trended.
With Payporte, Olajumoke Orisaguna will undertake a trip to China for a shoot as its ambassador.
And now, she’s also set to jet to South Africa to mingle with the housemates of Big Brother Naija.

Meanwhile, her family members are excited for her!

From her mother to mother in law, younger brother and mentor, Olajumoke Orisaguna’s people in the polytechnic town of Iree (Osun) are as excited as they are grateful about her fame and fortune.

When ENCOMIUM Weekly’s Shukurat Alimi spoke with them on Thursday, January 26, Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, 2017, they were ecstatic that she now speaks passable English…


‘I am now reaping the fruits of my labour’ – MRS. RAMOTA KAMORUDEEN (Olajumoke’s mother)
Have you been hearing from your daughter?
Yes, we talk on phone. She even called me yesterday night.
Has she come home to visit you?
No. Because of her schedule she doesn’t have the opportunity to come home.
Have you gone to her place?
Yes, I have been to her place. Even, during the last holiday, I went there with her younger sister. She is now living in her place.
How do you feel now that success is coming her way, she can now speak in English?
I can’t express how happy I am that my daughter is now educated. I pray God should not stop His mercy on us.
Has she been sending something to you?
Yes, I am now reaping the fruits of my labour. I pray to God for long life, so that I can enjoy this more and more.
What is your advice for her? 
My advice for her is that she should be humble, kind, respectful and most importantly be prayerful.

‘Prayer should the first thing in everything’ – MRS. JANET ORISAGUNA (mother In-law)

Have you been hearing from Olajumoke and her husband?
Yes, we talk on phone. Her husband even came home to check on us in December 2016.
Have you gone to check on them?
Yes, I have been there twice.
How do you feel now that success is coming her way, she can now speak English?
I feel excited. Now that she can express herself in English, it’s a good achievement for someone to be educated.
Have they been sending something to you?
Yes, they have been doing that.
What advice do you have for them?
My advice for them is that they should not allow a third party in their relationship and they should put prayer first in everything they are doing. I believe with this God will continue to guide them through.

‘For her, it’s a great achievement’ – KAMORUDEEN ABIODUN (younger brother)

Have you been hearing from your sister?
Yes, we have been talking on phone.
Have you gone to visit her?
No, it’s only my sister that has been there. But my mummy promised to take me to her place whenever we are on holiday.
Has she been sending money or some items to you?
Yes, she has been sending some parcel to me.
How did you feel about your sister achievement?
Indeed, it’s a great achievement. Now that she can express herself in English, I am happy for her. God will continue to guide and protect her.

‘God should bless her more’ – Mrs. Lawal Rasheedat (mentor)

Have you been hearing from Olajumoke?
Yes, we used to talk on phone before I lost my phone, and I am yet to retrieve the line.
Have you visited her?
No, I have not visited her. But myself and her boss are planning to visit her soon.
How do you feel now that she can speak English?
Yes, I am happy for her. She can now express herself in English. God should bless her more and more.

KFB

'The doctors said my wife had blocked fallopian tubes'| Man gives testimony of how his wife beat doctors report and delivered a baby .

Within the confines of marriage, it is God’s will for you to conceive and give birth to a healthy wonderful child. Read the testimony of Mr Collins Uma and his wife,and how they refused to give up on God.

For about 5 years after our daughter was born we tried to have another child to no avail. My wife just could not take in. We saw several doctors, spent lots of money, got several diagnosis. Nothing. Each doctor came up with a different opinion of what had caused her infertility. The last doctor we went to runs one of the topmost fertility clinics around. He recommended some tests and directed us to a very reliable lab.
When the results came in, after very painful and costly examinations, we were told Cash has bilateral non-patent tubes (both fallopian tubes blocked). He recommended IVF if we really wanted a baby.


My wife cried. I made up my mind to accept the 'fact' that Nicole Chisom was going to be an only child. Then we decided to go see our pastor, Abel Uloko to give him update on the situation.

Pastor Abel rejected the doctors' report and prayed a simple prayer for us. Then he told me "Go and make love to your wife."

I did.

All the conditions they said my wife had, disappeared.
Blocked fallopian tubes burst open.
She took in.

Yesterday we named our son Mario Chikumnaka Terdooyum Enyo Akachukwu Uma.

Collins Uma

He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD! Psalm 113:9You can leave comments, suggestions and shout-outs in this page. If you have a question to ask, kindly shoot it here,Follow www.fabmimi.com @Fabmimiblog on facebook,@Fabmimiblog on twitter,@Fabmimiblog on Instagram,

Man almost beaten to death for stealing water truck.

As seen on Facebook .A Facebook user recounts how he saved this man from mobs.


"Am happy to have saved a life this morn on my way to work. I saw a mob; 80% Hausa guys close to my house in Ifako trying to lynch the guy in the pix,they had beaten the guy to a pulp,he had defecated and urinated on his body,blood was gushing out from his mouth, because he stole a water truck.

When I got there I was thinking of how to get this crowd to stop this barbaric act until I got very close and spotted our gateman; Ali hitting the guy mercilessly. I was happy cos at least I know someone I can talk to, so I called him out, told him how wrong what they were doing is, got him to stop his brothers from beating the guy and take him to lfako police station instead. Though it made me run late for work but twas worth it. According to them this is the 4th time he's coming all the way from Shomolu to steal their truck and it costs them 20k to buy a new truck so they were really angry. But hey! 20k is not worth a human life that Jesus died for.
#SayNotoJungleJustice.

‘Jonathan shouldn’t have contested’-Senator Bent

Senator Grace Bent, who represented Adamawa South in the Sixth Senate, has said that fielding Jonathan cost the PDP the presidency. Bent said, “Of course, it did. In all fairness, Jonathan should not have had the ticket, especially when you see the need to go by our zoning policy.

“With adherence to our zoning formula, we would have been able to look around for a credible candidate from the northern part of the county, to contest for that office.

“With the way things are going in the party now, I am afraid that the issue of zoning is going to be rubbished. Everybody now wants to give it a shot; Igbos are beginning to agitate for it, the North is insisting that they must do their own second term and there is so much agitation.

“For the executive office, believe me, I am completely for zoning; it is a must that zoning or rotation must be practised for executive office.

“It is compulsory that we must maintain zoning policy and adhere strictly to it, especially when we consider the complexity of our mosaic nature – our multi-ethnic, multi-religious setting. With such, we do not have a choice.

“That was one of the reasons why president Obasanjo insisted that a South-South person should have a shot at the presidency and that is why he and other party people supported Goodluck Jonathan so that the Ijaws can feel that sense of belonging.

“The country belongs to all of us and no particular group can claim its leadership as an exclusive right. No! We must stand by zoning policy always, otherwise, we are going to create unnecessary chaos in the country”.

Airlift of 2016 outstanding pilgrims to Israel begins Monday

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr Tor  Uja, said the transportation of over 1000 pilgrims who could not make the pilgrimage to Israel in 2016 would commence on Monday.

He made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Uja said that the pilgrims, who were from seven states and different organisations, could not travel last year because the commission could not process their documents.

“There were two delays last year; first, the Israeli Nation was on holidays throughout October, which was the time we would have started our pilgrimages.

“They were not available to process our visas and make arrangement for our coming. They ended their holidays in October. So, it was only from November that they started processing our visas.

“So, many people could not catch up with the short time.

“Secondly, some of the states couldn’t pay for their pilgrims in time due to the economic crunch. They paid late in December and we have a law from the Federal Government to end every pilgrimage by Dec. 31.

“After Dec. 31, we wrote to the Federal Government to complete the pilgrimage with those who paid but couldn’t go.

“They include persons form Rivers, Taraba, Nasarawa, some from Plateau, Katsina and a few other states, about seven states and some private groups, making a total number of about 1000 pilgrims,’’ he said.

The NCPC boss said that pilgrims from Adamawa may have to wait to be transported to the holy land at Easter.

He said this was in view of the fact that Adamawa had no fewer than 1000 pilgrims.

“We are scheduling them for Easter because if we want to take everybody now, it will run into Easter.

“So we are taking these ones for now and Easter pilgrimage will still run after the airport is opened,’’ he explained and assured the pilgrims that the trip was at no extra cost.

On the 2017 budget defence of the commission before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, the executive secretary disclosed that it had been scheduled to hold on Tuesday.

He said this was in view of some issues that required the presence of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Police deploy tracking machines in Lagos, Rivers to check kidnapping

The police are establishing tracking units in Lagos and Rivers states immediately to check the growing rate of kidnapping in the country.

The facilities for the purpose are already being installed and should be active in the next few weeks, Police  Inspector General  Ibrahim Idris told reporters and activists in Lagos.

He said the installation of the machines in both states would help in reducing the pressure on those in Abuja and also enhance the police anti-kidnapping drive.

The tracking machine, he said, is already proving its worth by helping to resolve about 90 per cent of kidnap cases so far,with victims rescued and suspects arrested.

The Port Harcourt machine will handle cases in the Southsouth and Southeast, while that of Lagos will take care of the Southwest.

 He solicited the support of the public in dealing with crimes in the country.

 On plan to check insecurity, he said: “Very soon, we are going to have a national security summit. Kidnapping seems to be a community problem.

“Over 90 per cent of victims have been rescued. I agree that it is becoming a major challenge. It cuts across the entire country. It has to be addressed in various forms.

“It is not just the police or security agencies. Take, for instance, when the Turkish School students were kidnapped. That school is situated at the foot of a swamp. Despite that parents paid a huge amount of money, the school didn’t invest much in security.

“So, we are going to use the summit to address these issues as well as others like the herdsmen and farmers issues.

“These issues are further dividing us as a nation and we need to solve them.

You cannot have the maximum support of security in an area without the support of the public. Everybody has one thing or the other to make our society safe.”

Idris hammered on the need for the media and civil society to be advocates of improved funding for the police through the Police Trust Fund.

He said: “The funding of the police is costly. What we are trying to do is pursue 50 per cent of our budgetary requirement from other sources. We are also looking for other avenues where we can address the problem of the police.

“We are hoping that the National Assembly would pass the Bill establishing Police Trust Fund in order to open up other sources for the police to generate money. It is possible. It is already happening in Lagos (Security Trust Fund) and has been working wonderfully.

“We are aware that the federal government is financially constrained and so, we don’t think it is right to overburden the system by creating other agencies which would require funding and creates rivalry. But if more money is provided and more people recruited, we can achieve so much more.”

Idris also stated that there were plans to professionalise the police by establishing specialised schools for training.

He urged civil society organisations to support the police in training its personnel on professional conduct.

Appealing for better funding, he stated that of the N300 billion allocated to the police in the 2016 budget, only N4billion was eventually released.

PDP governors reject Sheriff …as Appeal Court sacks Makarfi

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vowed yesterday to have nothing to do with Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff moments after the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt reinstated  him as the rightful chairman of the party.

The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) led by Senator Walid Jibrin is similarly not disposed to doing business with the former Borno State governor as  party chair.

The Appeal Court, by a split decision, yesterday dismissed Senator Ahmed Makarfi as chairman of the caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and nullified the party’s  national convention in Port Harcourt that established the caretaker committee.

The process that led to the  creation of the caretaker committee ,it said, was   an abuse of court process.

Senator Sheriff was restored as the rightful national chairman of the party.

Reaction  from the PDP Governors Forum to the court verdict was swift in coming.

Its chairman and ardent opponent of Sheriff,Governor Ayodele Fayose   Reacting  on behalf of the PDP governors in Abuja, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State said the judgement was an assault on  the will of the people.

“If the people truly symbolize what a party is, then the machinations of ýdetractors and the anti-democratic forces will not prevail at last”, Fayose said.

ýThe governors however commended the minority judgement on the issue and expressed the hope that truth would prevail.

“Thank God we have another opportunity to seek justice at the Supreme Court, which I believe will not be delayed or denied.

“The party will appeal the judgement as we believe in the ability of the judiciary to do justice”.

On his part,Jibrin said the party was making high level consultations over the judgment and that the various organs of the party would come out with a statement on Tuesday.

“This judgement is not a threat but rather it is going to put us together. I appeal strongly to every member of the PDP to remain calm, not to panic, ýnot to move to any other party as all efforts are on to ensure that PDP remains strong.

“Those who are crying today will laugh; those who are disturbed and worried will smile”, Jibrin declared.

The BoT chair expressed the hope that the matter would soon be resolved by the party

But Sheriff, flushed by the verdict, vowed to restructure the party “such that characters like Wike and Fayose cannot find a way through to attain any position of prominence in our party in the future.”

He was referring to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State both of whom initially backed his ambition to lead the party  only to back out a few hours to the commencement of the  botched Port Harcourt convention.

The two governors, he said in his first reaction to the court’s ruling,  ” have brought shame and agony through the application of their crude and godless politics which is at variance with the principles upon which our founding fathers built our great party. We must find a way to sieve things so that only men of character and integrity can come through for positions of responsibility at all levels of our political engagement in the country.”

Makarfi in  his own reaction at a press conference in Kaduna described the court  ruling as a temporary setback.

He said the PDP  would overcome the set back politically and legally and would come out of it strongerý and bigger.

“We have utmost respect for the judiciary. So we are not going to take the laws into our hands. We might not agree with the judgement but there is a process and procedure if you did not agree with something,” he said.

Counsel to his faction of the party,Mr.Oladeji Lamikanra (SAN) said his clients would head to the Supreme Court on the issue.

Two out of the three members of the  Appeal Court panel  – Justices B.G Sanga and A.B Gumel –  said the Port Harcourt  convention where Makarfi was picked as caretaker committee chairman of the party was in contravention of a court order and the court would not close its eyes to such illegality.

They thus upheld the judgment of Justice Ibrahim Buba and set aside the  judgment of Justice Muhammed Liman of Port Harcourt Federal High Court  which had pronounced the convention as legal.

Sanga who read the lead judgement said that PDP convention of 21 May 2016, did not follow the provisions of Article 47(3) of the party’s  constitution in the removal of the Sherrif-led National Working Committee.

For instance, he said  no vote of confidence was passed on Sheriff or the committee as provided by the said article, and the national working committee was not put on notice.

He stated that Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, held in error when he said that the appellant committed abuse of court process by postponing the PDP convention.

Justice Gumel, who is also the Presiding Judge of the court aligned with Sanga.

He said that the preliminary objection filed by the PDP was incompetent.

He held that Sheriff and his executive could not be removed until August, 2017, except the party held an election.

Gumel described the originating summons in the suit at the Federal High Court as over-reaching, and ordered the parties to maintain the status quo.

The judges said that the convention disobeyed a court order and that the court would not close its eye to such illegality.

They upheld the judgment of Justice Mohammed Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and set aside the judgment of Justice Mohammed Liman of Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which upheld the convention and its outcome.

The court awarded N100, 000 to Sheriff, to be paid by the nullified national caretaker committee’s Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inspector-General of Police and Department of State Service (DSS).

However, Justice T.S. Orji-Abadua, in his dissenting rulingt, upheld Justice Liman’s judgment, saying that the Port Harcourt convention was legal.

According to her, the PDP national convention was in line with the 2012 amended Constitution of the party and not an abuse of court process.

The judge held that Ali Amodu Sheriff had no powers to cancel the party’s national convention.

She said that Sheriff was only appointed in an acting capacity, pending election.

Justice Orji-Abadua said “going by Article 33(3) of the PDP Constitution, Sheriff does not possess overriding powers over the PDP National Executive Council and therefore, had no right to unilaterally cancel the May 21, 2016, convention.

She said that Sheriff erroneously and unwittingly absented himself from the May 21 convention after being screened, which prompted the party to invoke Article 31(1) of its Constitution and set up a caretaker committee.

She also held that Article 47 did not make it mandatory for the PDP to pass a vote of confidence before removing its officers and therefore, upheld the outcome of the convention and the caretaker committee.

Orji-Abadua stated that Sheriff had no powers to cancel PDP national convention.

She awarded a cost of N100, 000 against Sheriff.

Speaking to reporters later,counsel to the Makarfi faction, Mr. Laminkanra (SAN)  said his client would  go to Supreme court to appeal  the judgement.

Ali-Modu Sheriff said in his   reaction that he will “urgently steer the ship of PDP clear of the path of infamy which Wike and Fayose has brought our party.

“ That is the urgent task we have. We cannot continue to advertise thug brand and expect Nigerians to take us seriously”.

Senator Makarfi ,speaking in Kaduna said: “as an individual, I cannot decide for the party until the party stakeholders meet and take a definite decision.

“The party will meet on Monday to take a decision of the Court of Appeal Judgement. Every person concerned has been notified. The governors, members of the National Assembly, members of the Board of trustees and Party officials.”

He asked  party members to remain calm.

He added: “We will not allow opposition to be killed. We must strive to ensure that we survive for the sake of democracy and the country. ”

Asked whether the  Sheriff faction would allow him to use the PDP national Secretariat on Monday,Makarfi said  he is not in a position to tell the world what Sheriff will do.

But he said he would  be surprised if security agencies will allow him Sheriff access to the party secretariat.

“When a court ruled in our favour sometime ago, we were not allowed to occupy the secretariat. So, we are going to see what happens this time around” he said.

Counsel to Sheriff,Prince Ajibola Oluyede said ysetrday’s judgement is a vindication of an earlier ruling of Justice Abang of the Federal High Court  on the illegality of the Makarfi faction.

He said: “Our preliminary objection raised before Liman J. which he rejected has now been upheld by the court of appeal and Liman J.’s judgment set aside in a unanimous decision.

 ”It is an all round victory for justice and truth.

 “One can only hope that the PDP will take this as a clean slate to rebuild a party that can stand the test of time.”

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, asked PDP members and supporters not to worry over the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, on the lingering party leadership tussle.

Ekweremadu stated this while reacting to the Court judgment which declared Ali Modu Shariff authentic chairman of the PDP.

Ekweremadu said,”There is no cause for alarm. The party leadership will meet as soon as possible to take a decision on the best way forward.

“I enjoin party faithful to remain steadfast as we will surely emerge stronger from the present challenges. Those dreaming about the death of the opposition in Nigeria will have to sleep much longer, and still wake up to meet us much stronger because a vibrant opposition is the beauty of democracy”.

Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani- Kayode said on his Twitter handle that  ”It’s time for us to gut the PDP, leave its carcass for Sheriff and form a new party.”

He also tweeted :”The decision by the Court of Appeal in PH to recognise Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the Nat. Chairman of the PDP is a victory for @MBuhari.”

Join Me In Looking For Tonto Dikeh: Her Husband Cries Out on Instagram

Tonto Dikeh’s husband Olakunle Churchill insists he hasn’t seen Tonto since she left their marital home last week.

Olakunle’s auto company on Instagram shared a photo of an empty chair on Instagram to celebrate their child’s birthday. A curious follower asked why a vacant chair was used. Below is the conversation between the two.

Hmmm…..pls r u happy with the fact that his throne is empty. Mind u an empty chair doesn’t make a throne…it takes a King to sit on it before it can be called a real throne…real men apologises to their wives even wen they r at fault….if truly u luv ur son then u shud luv the one daT gave birth to him….be a man and say sorry to ur wife..she still luvs u….u r a role model to soo many people….don’t disappoint them…gud day

Below is his reply

Would appreciate if you can join me look for them I don’t have access to her and the nanny doesn’t pickup, the throne is waiting for my son, means he will take over his company someday.

9ice joins Temple Management Company

Determined to grow and expand his brand, 9ice aka Abolore Akande. signed a deal with Temple Management Company on Thursday, February 17,2017 joining the likes of Mavin Record, Don Jazzy, Iyanya and others. 

Founder of the fast rising company, Idris Olorunnimbe had this to say about the musician’s decision to join the company.

“We recognize the foundation that 9ice has built and established, together we can build on and take it to newer heights”

“At Temple Management Company, we do not gamble but believe in strategy and pinpoint execution,” 

He explained further, “With our team and structure, we are here to support 9ice to actualize his career goals. In 9ice, we see a brand that has an important and strategic core that we can expand.”he said


9ice had this to say about the deal.

“For me, this is the right thing to do at this stage in my career and indeed for any forward thinking artiste. When we started music, we grew with the knowledge that everything was all about the artiste; you are the manager, owner of the record label etc. We did this to the best of our ability.”

“This is the time to give experienced professionals the chance to take care of you because one will become the better for it. Temple Management are like our own Sony or BMG in Nigeria. Any artiste who plans to grow need to work with the right people such as Temple Management Company. 

Lagos State Government launches war against movie pirates

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The Lagos State Government in a bid to support the movie industry destroyed equipment and illegal movies worth N10m.

The movies destroyed according to Dele Balogun, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Film and Video Censor Board included pirated and unclassified local movies,international movies and duplication machines.

“The burning of the confiscated illegal movies was done to discourage people dealing in such items. It will be a continuous exercise to rid the state of the sale of such items. Those that were caught with the illegal films have been prosecuted,” he said .