GRINGORY OF THE NEW MASQUERADE FAME DIES AT 69

Long standing Nigerian actor and cast in the now rested soap opera New Masquerade, James Iroha aka Gringory Akabogu has died at 69.

The actor died on Tuesday, although the circumstances and place of his death are yet to be made available.

His son, Akwari James Iroha,  in a post on Facebook confirmed his passing.
The post read “Sept 1942- Feb 2012. Not long ago, a man we have all come to love, a man that has made us laugh, a friend to all but will always be Dad to my little sister Ugonma, my brothers Chiemela, Uche, Kelechi and me passed on.

“Chief James Udensi Akwari Iroha OON has passed on. May his cheerful soul rest in the Lord. Akwari James Iroha ( for the family).”

Gringory had played a prominent role in the New Masquerade which was immensely popular in the 1970s and 1980s and had become a house hold name.
Before his death, Gringory was reported to be suffering from an eye ailment and had cried repeatedly for help.
None came.

Other departed members of the cast are Christy Essien-Igbokwe (Apena) and Claude Ake (Jegede Sokoya).

National confab is call for anarchy, says Senate

WITH a dispiriting verdict that the raging agitation for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is an invitation to anarchy, the Senate left no one in doubt yesterday that it would not yield to the  clamour.

The Senate, which is riled by the perennial failures of  the  handlers of the nation’s sports, has also begun an investigation into the corruption in the sector.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Enyinnaya H. Abaribe, disclosed the position of the upper chamber at a press conference in Abuja yesterday.

Abaribe also debunked claims that the Senate was afraid that an SNC would adversely affect the status of the National Assembly. According to him, the lawmakers believe that  the procedures stipulated in the nation’s constitution towards its amendment should be strictly adhered to.        

“What the National Assembly feels is that we are all working under the 1999 Constitution and when you work under it, necessarily, you must follow stipulations in that constitution and method of amendment as stated therein.

“What we are saying actually is that if you say you want to have people somewhere to decide on a sovereign national conference, it means they don’t have confidence in the democratic system and anyone who says that seeks anarchy,” he said.            

Senate President David Mark, who lamented over the confusion in  the Sports  Ministry, especially the lingering power tussle between the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigerian Football Association (NFA), described the sports’ bodies as “truly the centres of corruption in Nigeria.”

Mark, who maintained that the selection of players should be based on merit as against a federal  character system, added that the corruption in the administration of football was not limited to financial misappropriation but also in selection of players.           

“The corruption in football is not just financial corruption but also in the selection of players. We need to catch them young. The confusion between the  Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and  the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) is not helping matters. The truth is that as we speak today, Nigeria is at the bottom of sporting activities worldwide whereas these were the things we were known for  in  those days.            

“There is no way you will go to a  sporting event without seeing Nigeria on the medal board. Football is the strongest uniting factor in the world today. If we do well in that sport, we will be much better. I also don’t think we should bring federal character into football. We should go for merit rather than federal character”, Mark said.           

As the world prepares for the Olympic Games in London,  Mark worried about Nigeria’s readiness.

“We are playing Rwanda today and we are worried, that tells you the state we are. That we are not there in the Nations’ Cup is bad enough but the fact that we are jittery over playing Rwanda is another issue entirely”, he said.    

In a motion entitled: “The dwindling state of Nigerian football – the need for a  decisive action to reclaim its lost glory,” Adamu I. Gumba (Bauchi South), who was supported by 15 others, regretted that over the years, the nation’s football had continued to slide despite the huge resources that the Federal Government invested in the game.

Gumba decried the disorganised state of local premier leagues, which have been running with no definite football calendar. “Fixtures are constantly altered on the excuse that there are clubs playing continental matches as if other African countries don’t have teams on the same assignment,” he said.           

He based his argument  on the country’s inability to qualify for the African Championship, noting that “that those two editions have gone without Nigeria qualifying is a pointer to the depth that the game has sunk into.”         

The motion attracted a lot of contributions from the members of the Senate. The lawmakers unanimously called for the  overhaul of  the sports’ bodies as a way of checking inept officials. They also called for intervention in the cases between NFA and NFF.         

“We need an NFA that is properly constituted. Even though it was legally constituted, its officials are NFF. Another problem is that those, who are managing sports today, are members of Lulu’s Exco. So, there is no way we can make meaningful progress with the present Excos.            

“The first problem to solve is to get qualified people to manage our football. If we want to get football right, we must bring the right people to manage the sector. No nation is half as corrupt as NFA. Any time one tries to bring them to book, they try to blackmail the person. The second thing is to see how to check the high level of corruption.”        

Other problems facing sports in the country include lack of sponsorship of the local football league as well as  the falsification of age by players.       

On the petrol subsidy probe, which the Senate started after the House of Representatives had begun its own on the heels of the petrol subsidy removal crisis, Abaribe said there was no conflict as both Houses were  pursuing distinct mandates. According to him, the time spent by the Senate on the probe would be justified by the outcome, which he believed would be in the interest of the public.

“I feel that what we do complements each other. I don’t know the mandate they have but ours is specifically to investigate the management of fuel subsidy from N240 billion to N1.3 trillion and which has gone up to N2 trilliion today”, he said.          

Speaking on the London Court case, where the former Governor of Delta State, James O. Ibori, pleaded guilty, he said it had nothing to do with Nigeria’s legal system. He said that it was rather an indictment of the individual judge, who did not find any case against Ibori in his earlier judgment.       

“If Ibori decides to plead guilty in London, it is not the problem of Nigeria. We should not denigrate our legal system,  our investigative system is also working well. We have to talk about individual legal officers, who did not see anything wrong with Ibori,” he said.

Tribute as Aba receives Odumegwu-Ojukwu

THE torrent of tributes pouring in for the Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, continued yesterday in Aba, Abia State where the remains of the late Igbo leader laid in state at the Aba Sports Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State government has declared tomorrow a public holiday in honour of Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Funeral ceremonies for the deceased are scheduled to hold at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.        

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sullivan Chime, Chukwudi Achife, disclosed that President Goodluck Goodluck would attend the event.

Also, members of the House of Representatives from Anambra State have embarked on legislative holiday for one week in honour of the late Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

The lawmakers wore a special burial attire to the House yesterday where they called on the Federal Government and the South-East governors to immediately immortalise the late Igbo leader.

The caucus led by Uche Ekwunife stated: “The entire week is devoted to Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu who is the former military governor of the south east. Members of the Anambra State Caucus decided to enter the House of Representatives today in a symbolic manner and as a kind of national recognition considering the calibre of person he was and his contribution to development of this nation.”

And, Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Jigawa State, Sardauna Elleman Yaro has eulogised Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the founder of the party, as a detribalised nationalist. Yaro spoke with The Guardian in Dutse.

Speakers at the Aba event harped on the deceased’s commitment to the people as a leader, stressing that he would live on in the memories of all Nigerians.

At the lying-in-state were the host Governor Theodore Orji and wife; his Anambra counterpart, Peter Obi and wife; and Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and wife.

Widow of the late Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Bianca and two of his children, Emeka and Mimi, also attended.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s remains were brought into the arena in a military helicopter at 11.50a.m. accompanied by Prof. Alphonsus Nwosu, Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

A short service was conducted at the event by the Catholic Bishop of Aba, Vincent Ezeonyia.

Stating that the late Odumegwu-Ojukwu inspired Igbo to joining the military, Governor Orji said: “Nigerians are mourning and celebrating this Igbo icon to demonstrate our love and compassion for him both in life and death. His love for Aba and Abia State informed his will that his body be brought to Aba.”

Elder Emma Adaelu who chaired the Aba occasion, said that late Odumegwu-Ojukwu stood for the ideals cum liberation of the Igbo, giving his life and resources to it.

He prayed God to provide Ndigbo a worthy successor.

Deputy Chairman of the national/central burial committee, Chukwumerije said God created the late Odumegwu-Ojukwu in order to use him to change Nigeria for good.

He stated that the greatest honour Igbo could do to the deceased was to unite in pursuit of the ethnic group’s interests in Nigeria.

Chairman of the Abia State Burial Committee Prof. Joshua Ogbonnaya thanked Nigerians for the honour done the late icon.

The remains of the late Igbo leader Odumegwu-Ojukwu left Aba for Abakaliki, Ebonyi State as part of the scheduled itinerary preceding his burial on Friday March 2, in his Nnewi home, Anambra State.

ANGER IN POLICE AS OFFICERS DRAG COMMISSION TO PRESIDENCY, N/ASSEMBLY OVER PROMOTIONS

Aggrieved senior police officers have dragged the Police Service Commission [PSC] to the presidency and the National Assembly, alleging acts of corruption and procedural irregularities in the conduct of the recent promotion exercise to the ranks of AIG and DIG, announced last week by the Commission.

In separate letters of protest dated February 24, 2012, the officers said to be within the ranks of Superintendent and AIG described the promotions as strange, ridiculous and suspicious, contending that the elevation of five junior commissioners of police to the rank of DIG ahead of their superiors has created disaffection in the police force.

The letters were addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President, David Mark, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal. The disenchanted officers also took their case to the Committees on Public Petition and Police Affairs in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Recall that seven police officers including two AIGs and five commissioners of police were elevated to the rank of DIG last week Wednesday by the PSC. The beneficiaries included Suleiman Fakai, Atiku Kafur, both AIGs, as well as Emmanuel Udeoji, Haruna John, Peter Gana, Marvel Akpoyibo, and Abdurahaman Akano, all of whom were commissioners of police.

Similarly, the Commission also lifted 13 CPs to the rank of AIG. Those elevated were: Solomon E. Olusegun, Michael E. Zuokumor, Orubebe Gandhi Ebikeme, Philemon I. Leha, Jonathan Johnson, and Dan’azumi Job Doma. Commissioners of police, Joseph Ibi, Muktari Ibrahim, Suleiman Abba, Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, Saliu Argungu Hashimu, Solomon E. Arase, and David O. Omojola, also made the AIG list.

But the protests which had trailed the exercise shortly after beneficiaries were announced by the PSC heightened at the weekend, as some angry senior officers coalesced under the aegis of Concerned Senior Police Officers [CSPO], to trade tackles with the Commission chaired by Mr. Parry Osayande, a retired DIG.

The officers alleged in four separate petitions entitled: “Fraudulent and Dishonest Promotion in the Nigeria Police”, that the promotions were marred with corruption, nepotism, favoritism, bias and high-handedness which, according to them, had further created disharmony in an already disenchanted police force.

While accusing the PSC of making a mockery of the recent promotion exercise, the aggrieved officers said basic criteria which included seniority, experience, educational qualification, pedigree, merit and geo-political expediencies, were jettisoned in the selection process.

Consequently, they urged President Jonathan to suspend the decoration of officers promoted, and direct a review of the exercise with a view to redressing the perceived injustice and other anomalies to boost the morale of police officers and men especially at this time of daunting security challenges occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency.

The petition, a copy of which was sent to the National Security Adviser [NSA], General Owoye Azazi [retd], reads in part: “The Federal Government of Nigeria in its bid to reposition the police, appointed Parry Osayande DIG [retd], as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission with the responsibility of bringing a radical change in line with Mr. President’s transformation agenda. Rather, he has complicated and created more problems by his activities in the PSC, especially in relation to the recent promotions.

“Seven officers were promoted to the position of DIG; out of these, only two by all standards, are qualified to be so appointed based on seniority, experience and merit. These are Suleiman Fakai and Atiku Kafur, who were thus qualified. While the others by any standard and practice were not qualified to be promoted AIG, talk less of DIG. For Instance, Marvel Akpoyibo who was No. 38 in the order of seniority among the 90 Commissioners of police in the Federation, was elevated to the rank of DIG far and above some of his seniors who were promoted AIG, and others who were not promoted at all.

“The promotion of CP Abdulrahaman Akano who is ranked 51st in the order of seniority of commissioners, was promoted above AIG Chris Ola who is a sitting AIG. Also, CP John Haruna was promoted above AIG Bkar Maina, just as CP Emmanuel Udeoji was promoted above AIG Johnson Uzu-Egbunam who is the most senior police officer from the Southeast.  In the case of the AIGs promoted recently, a very junior Commissioner of police who is ranked 87, and by no means, not the most senior officer from the South-South zone, was promoted up and above so many senior and qualified officers based on favoritism.

“These promotions are strange, ridiculous and suspicious, as they are not the most senior officers from their respective geo-political zones. The apparent reason for their promotions lies in the fact of corruption, favoritism, as well as bias, and we are surprised that the PSC and the Acting IGP could endorse such promotions, which has brought a sour taste in the mouths of Nigeria police officers and the generality of Nigerians. It is now obvious that the PSC under the leadership of Parry Osayande has no regard for the transformation agenda of Mr. President, and clearly, has lost its bearing in handling the affairs of the Nigeria police”.

President, VP, Governors to Pay Tax from April 1

Following the signing into law the Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan, the president, vice-president, governors as well as their deputies are to pay tax on all their official and non-official earnings effective April 1, 2012.

Before now, only their non-official income was subject to taxation.
Also, income from bonds issued by government and corporate entities are to be taxed.

The new regime took effect from June 14, 2011 when the amended Act was passed, but administrative formalities delayed the implementation.

Speaking Monday  in Abuja at a press briefing to explain the implications of the Amended Act, Chairman, Joint Tax Board (JTB), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, also unveiled new income tax regime which suggested a cut in tax payment for low and medium income earners.

She said some of the major changes in the new tax reforms were expected to bring out “a more reflective and efficient personal income tax administration at the state and federal levels”.

In the new income tax rates formulation, a first earning of N300,000 would attract 7 per cent tax, while subsequent income in same amount would be taxed at 11 per cent.

Those who earn N500,000 would be made to pay 15 per cent of it as tax in the first instance, while 19 per cent would be charged in the next earning of same amount.

In addition, earnings of N1,600,000 would attract 21 per cent tax, while income above N3,200,000 attracts 24 per cent in tax.

But under the old rates, an initial income of N30,000 attracted 5 per cent in tax and 10 per cent of same amount subsequently.  Also, 15 per cent was deducted as tax from earnings of N50,000 at first and 20 per cent in same amount the next time.

A tax payer who earned N160,000 had to part with 25 per cent of that amount in tax under the former rates.

The new Act also witnessed an increase in Minimum Tax Rate to 0.1 per cent from 0.05 per cent for lowest possible income earners. But this would not be a burden to the low income group, according to the JTB boss.

The new Act also provided for a consolidated relief allowance of N200,000 plus 20 per cent gross income as deductible allowance from income before computing tax on the balance, a method of calculation which replaces the outdated and cumbersome process of computing allowances under the old Act.

This is the basis of the new income rates and tax table which provided closer income bands and lower income tax rates leading to reduction in tax payable by low earners.

Omoigui-Okauru said one of the objectives of the amendment was to ensure that the incidence of taxation was not borne by an individual more than once.

She described the reform as unprecedented in the history of tax administration in the country where there is an effort by government to give back to the low income earners.

She said those who had been honest in declaring their real income would realise a drastic reduction in tax payment.

The JTB boss, however, warned those in the habit of circumventing tax to turn a new leaf or face the wrath of tax administrators who are further empowered to search, seize and embark on risk-based audit of any organisation.

She said: “As we commence the implementation of the Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2011, let me invite everyone to partner with the Joint Tax Board, State Boards of Inland Revenue, Federal Inland Revenue Service and government at all levels to ensure the successful implementation of the law.

“Without a doubt, this is a milestone in the area of personal income tax in Nigeria and we believe it is a step in the right direction for Nigerian tax system and one which gives us a platform to work towards ensuring that taxation becomes the pivot of national development in Nigeria.”

Omoigui-Okauru added that the law was conceived to make up for the lapses in the old Act “especially with respect to its impact on the take-home earnings of low and middle income earners, which is the band within which most of us fall”.

Continuing, she said: “With the new Act, government has demonstrated that it has a listening ear and reduced the overall burden on low and middle income earners, while recouping these from high net individuals who will be expected to bear a higher burden given their level of earning.”

She further stated that the amended Act, which introduced a simplified process of compliance expected to induce higher rate of voluntary compliance and widen tax payer base of tax authorities would in turn lead to higher yield in personal income tax collection

Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s body arrives in Abuja for final rites

THE journey to the final burial of the former Biafran leader, Dim Chikwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on March 3 began at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday afternoon as his body was received amid full military honours.

Wrapped in Nigeria’s national colours, the golden brown casket was taken off the British Airways aircraft from the international airport wing into an ambulance, which conveyed it towards the Presidential Wing. It was received by pall-bearers who included brigadiers-general, colonels and lieutenant-colonels.

On top of the casket was a pair of military shoes and a ceremonial cap. The pall-bearers were led by a Nigerian Army funeral party, which provided solemn military music as the body was taken to the Presidential Wing.

Vice President Namadi Sambo and the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, led the President of the Senate, David Mark, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha, other members of the National Assembly and Federal Executive Council, governors, other top Federal Government officials, traditional and cultural leaders to welcome the body of Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Members of Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s family, including his widow, Bianca, were on hand at the airport reception.

Sambo, who spoke on behalf of President Jonathan, described the late Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a worthy example of public accountability, probity, good governance and fervent advocate of justice.

He said “no words can adequately express the nature, character, legacy and lessons bequeathed by this soldier and gentleman.”          

Sambo described the late Ikemba as an advocate of a united Nigeria, noting that the legacies he bequeathed to the Nigerian Army as its first quartermaster-general “are now the hallmark of military processes and procedures which till date are in use. Let it not be said that Odumegwu-Ojukwu died when the country needed his services most. Let it rather be said that Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu lived and served with all his might when the Igbo and Nigerians needed him most. He stood up and fought for what he believed. He stood for justice. He refused to compromise. He challenged man’s inhumanity to man. Faced with the pogrom of his kith and kin, he stood his ground and fought until the last plane left Biafra. His bravery, courage and sacrifices live after him. Whatever perceived mistakes he made, or people think he made will for forever be interred with his bones.”

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika, led the Army High Command to the event.

The army’s funeral party later performed the full military honours for Odumegwu-Ojukwu, including the last post (ceremonial gun-salute) and reveille. After the ceremony, the body was moved by the military pall-bearers to the Nigerian Air Force C-130 Transport Hercules for its journey to Owerri, Imo State.                

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who effectively left the Nigerian Army on May 27, 1967 as a lieutenant-colonel when he declared independence for Biafra, is receiving full military burial following the pardon granted him in 1982 by former President Shehu Shagari. Based on that, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, along with other officers and men of the Nigerian Army who fought on the side of Biafra were approved for benefit from military pensions.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu had in 1957 joined the military as one of the first and few university graduates to join the army. The first was O. Olutoye (1956), followed by Odumegwu-Ojukwu (1957), Emmanuel Ifeajuna and C. O. Rotimi (1960) and A. Ademoyega (1962).

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who was not an active participant in the first coup of January 15,1966, was appointed the military governor of Nigeria’s Eastern region on January 19, 1966 by Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. Lt.-Col. Odumegwu-Ojukwu held the position and rank till he declared Biafra’s independence on May 30, 1967. This precipitated the Biafran war that lasted from May 30, 1967 to January 15, 1970. Odumegwu-Ojukwu led the Biafran forces and after the defeat of Biafra in January 1970, he left the country.

After 13 years in exile, the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Shagari granted him pardon, opening the road for his triumphant return in 1982.                 

Tomorrow when the remains of Odumegwu-Ojukwu will be brought to Aba, Abia State, in compliance with his will, has been declared a work-free day to enable residents of the state pay their last respects to him.

Besides, the Igbo community in Benue State has restated its commitment to remain peaceful despite the persistent killing of their relations in some parts of the country.

Gunmen kill three, wound woman in Kaduna, Yobe

SUSPECTED Boko Haram gunmen yesterday and on Sunday shot dead a vigilante group leader, Muhamadu Wanzam (60) at his Potiskum residence in Yobe State.

Wanzam was trailed to his house from a community mosque after the evening prayers.

They also killed two men in Kaura Local Council of Kaduna State, and wounded a woman.

Chairman of the council, Mrs. Florence Aya, told journalists that security agents had commenced investigation into the incident.

Confirming the killing yesterday in Damaturu, Yobe State Police Commissioner, Tanko Lawan said four suspected Boko Haram gunmen walked to Wanzam’s house and fired several gunshots into his head and chest.

Lawan added: “Wanzam could have been the target of the Islamist sect because any individual or group of people that assists the police and other security agents in arresting suspected Boko Haram gunmen would become targets of the Islamists sect.

“No arrests have been made yet. The information provided by some residents indicated that four suspects came on foot with some rifles and fled towards Gashua road after the killing.”

Meanwhile, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged members of the Boko Haram sect to seize the opportunity offered for dialogue with the Federal Government in the interest of unity, stability and economic development of the country.

He made the call yesterday following renewed attacks by the sect in Jos and Gombe which led to the loss of lives at the weekend.

In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja, he said nobody will take the group or its agenda seriously if it continues to remain faceless.

Atiku spoke just as gunmen yesterday unleashed violence in some communities in In his statement, Atiku said it was high time members of the group stepped out in person to articulate their grievances and thereby open a window for dialogue. He reiterated his earlier position that there can be no justification for the killings of Nigerians under any guise.

He decried the killings and destruction of properties, noting that the activities of Boko Haram amount to a declaration of war on the Nigerian state.

“If Boko Haram and its leadership have something to say; if they have any grouse against the Nigerian state, the proper thing for them is to come out in flesh and state it, so that a process of dialogue that will eventually lead to the resolution of the crisis,” he said.

He expressed his condolences to the affected families and governments and people of Plateau and Gombe over the weekend killings.

And worried by the continued killing of policemen in the state by unknown gunmen operating on motorcycles and the general security situation in the state, the Niger State government has restricted the operation hours of both private and commercial motorcycles in Minna the state capital and its environs.

Announcing this in Minna yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Abdulhameed Umar, said the motorcycles operating in Minna and its environs would only be allowed on the roads between 7a.m. and 7p.m. every day until further notice.

The commissioner also said that plans were on the way by the government to phase out commercial motorcycles in the state and replace them with tricycles, which would be sold to current operators at subsidised cost.

And, disturbed by the incessant attacks and killings in the state, Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, has said that the motive was to spark crisis in the state.

However, he urged all residents to be law-abiding as government was poised to fish out those perpetrating the attacks with a view to prosecuting them.

Yakowa stated this in a statement yesterday by his Media Aide, Mr. Reuben Buhari.

Ibori Pleads Guilty To Money Laundering Charges In London Court

Former governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State today entered a guilty plea before a Southwark Crown Court in London where he was being tried on fraud and money laundering charges.Ibori pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud, money laundering and corrutption charges before judge Anthony Pitts.
Mr. Ibori's guilty plea  has closed a chapter to a long judicial and political saga pertaining to his massive money laundeering activities in his eight years as governor of one of Nigeria's major oil producing state.
Mr. Ibori faces up to 10 years in UK prison during sentencing, which will take place after the completion of the trial of his accomplice and financial advisor, Elias Preko, a Ghanaian national.

Today the judge ordered that the remaining charges would remain on file.
In a short submission, Crown Prosecution Service lawyer, Sasha Wass, QC said the prosecution does not seek to go ahead with Mr. Ibori's trial anymore saying, " Mr. Ibori has accepted the entirety  of the prosecution's case as it has always been set out"

SEC takes capital market operators to police, EFCC

SEC takes capital market operators to police, EFCC

Jonathan, others hail Imoke’s victory in C’River

Jonathan, others hail Imoke’s victory in C’River

Rage in Jos as suicide bomber strikes

Rage in Jos as suicide bomber strikes