THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014
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CITYBEATS Insecurity worries Farmer held for ‘impersonating monarch T IG, Okonjo-Iweala •Man caught with fake Dollars A HE Ojora of Ijora-Iganmu Kingdom in Lagos State, Oba Fatai Aremu Aromire, is disturbed by the continued harassment of his subjects in the Ijora-Badia area of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state by hoodlums. He has, therefore, urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and the Commissioner of Police Umar Manko, to put adequate measures in place to safeguard the lives of the residents. The monarch called on the police authorities to redeploy all the policemen attached to the Ijora-Badia Police Station for allegedly aiding the hoodlums. Oba Aromire, who described the situation in the area as frightening, said life had become miserable for the residents since last year, when a group of hoodlums laid siege to the community, threatening to wipe out all the residents should they refuse to support their claims. The traditional ruler blamed the development on the high rate of unemployment, adding that the police personnel in the area were incapable of handling the onslaught of criminals, robbers and other miscreants who terrorise the area due to lack of committment, shortage of patrol vehicles and insufficient weapons. Oba Aromire urged the police to strengthen manpower at the station to handle the very demanding situation, which most times, results in death: "I had to employ the services of members of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) to complement the efforts of the police," he said. He said most of the police personnel in his domain had over-stayed their welcome as they “have been there for over 10 years.”
THIRTY-four-year-old fish farmer has been arrested for allegedly impersonating the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The suspect, Victor Kakong, was said to have used the IGP’s letterhead with a forged document bearing his name and signature. He is also accused of using the name of the Minister of Finance, Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and other prominent Nigerians to defraud his victims. Kekong allegedly forged other highly confidential documents to
By Jude Isiguzo and Ebele Boniface
perpetrate the act. The Lagos Police Command's spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), who paraded the suspect, said other incriminating documents found on him include: A Federal High Court certificate of legality, a Central Bank cheque, a Ministry of Tourism's contract award certificate, and an antidrug and money laundering clear-
ance certificate. Braide said the suspect, who lives at 5, Sand Avenue in Ifako, a Lagos suburb, confessed that all the documents also were counterfeit, adding that he confessed to impersonating an American in a bid to perfect the planned fraud. The suspect was arrested by police operatives from Area 'G' Command in Ogba, while attempting to defraud another victim. Also, a 55-year-old man, who claimed to be a graphic artist, was
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By Adebisi Onanuga
• Ajudua
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OPULAR lawyer, Mr Fred Ajudua, yesterday urged an Ikeja High Court to order the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to charge a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, (rtd.) with money laundering. Ajudua made the request in an
application filed by his counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, before by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye. Ajudua challenged the competence of the 14-count charge preferred against him for allegedly defrauding Bamaiyi of about $5.9m (about N1billion). Ajudua's request stalled his trial for the alleged offence. His counsel opposed a request by EFCC's counsel Mr Seidu Atteh that Ajudua should take his plea yesterday. Citing previous Supreme Court decisions, Ojo said an application challenging the competence of the charges should be taken before the arraignment. The court ruled in Ajudua’s favour.
Ajudua’s fresh application is also praying the court to quash the charges against him. He is seeking an order "directing and compelling the prosecution/respondent to prefer a criminal charge and/or arraign the underlisted persons for the offences of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, money laundering and corrupting of public officers: Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd.), Lawal Danladi Yaro, Abdullahi Garba, Martha Bamaiyi, Garba Tagda, Mohammed Abubakar, Lt. Col. Timothy Chechet, Sam Kwendo Bandi." In a written address filed in support of Ajudua's application, Ojo argued that it was clear that Bamaiyi, from his statements, engaged in diverse acts of criminal-
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•Private party for few guests Stories by Victor Akande
prize-based fan campaigns. She promised the winner and guests an intimate concert in Mimi's home. "Hi darlings, it's Mariah here! I'm excited to be here on Prizeo, doing something that I've never done before. "You all know that this is my favourite time of the year, and so I've decided to give back and raise some funds for the incredible St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a cause close to my heart as a mom.
"In exchange for a small donation, you will be entered to win a trip to New York City (I'll fly you from WHEREVER you are in the world) to visit me in my home, where I will give you and a loved one your own private concert... on Valentine's Day! "I wanted to do something extra special for such a magical organisation, and I thank you dearly for your support. I look forward to meeting and sharing a special moment with you. xo Mariah Carey ," she posted online.
• Mariah Carey It is not clear if her twins and husband, Nick Cannon, will be part of that home show.
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• Sheifunmi interviewing Lloyd fashion, events, health, etcetera. The objective is to get the hosts to discuss issues people are/aren't talking about in ways nobody else would, featuring celebrity and non-ce-
lebrity guests and giving fans an opportunity to see and listen to the side of celebrities they don't know. The programme, which is set to start on Friday, will be streamed live on http://
ity. The EFCC arraigned Ajudua for allegedly swindling Bamaiyi of $5.9m (about N1bn) between November 2004 and June 2005. The commission alleged that Ajudua defrauded Bamaiyi while they were remanded at Kirikiri prison in Lagos, adding that the money represented the professional fees charged by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to handle Bamaiyi's case and facilitate his release from detention. Justice Ipaye ordered EFCC to respond to the application within seven day. The defendant was ordered to file his reply, if any, within two days of EFCC's counter-affidavit. The case was adjourned till February 27 for the hearing of the application.
For Valentine, Toke Makinwa turns bartender
Google returns with celebs 'Hangout Series' FTER a successful first edition, Media Personality Sheifunmi Yusuf is back with a Googlepowered online interactive talk show called 'Hangout Series.' The show, a creative content programme in pop culture and lifestyle, would be co-hosted by MTV Shuga actress Sharon Ezeamaka to discuss issues from the viewpoint of young people. Going by the previous edition, the show will feature a guest or two every episode, to treat and debate topics ranging from music to movies,
• IGP Muhammed Abubakar also paraded for being in possession of fake US Dollars. Braide said his arrest followed a tipoff, adding that the suspects would soon be charged to court.
Ajudua seeks Bamaiyi’s trial for alleged money laundering
NEWS (SHOWBIZ) Mariah Carey plans Valentine concert fundraiser for charity N her modest way of showing love to the needy, Grammy Award winner Mariah Carey is planning a private concert for a few guests at her home for the Valentine's Day celebration. The singer, who said a huge concert is not necessary, noted that the show would give her the opportunity of getting close to few cherished fans. Carey is vending tickets to the private performance via Prizeo.com, a platform where influencers raise money and awareness for their chosen causes with
CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888
gplusid.com/hangoutseries and on Youtube http:// bit.ly/1m3n1zt after the show. The previous edition had guests like Emma Nyra, Lola Rae and Saeon, among others.
FTER what looked like a shocking secret wedding to Maje, her beau of 12 years after several break-ups, socialite and OnAir-Personality Toke Makinwa is out with another stunt; planning to play the bartender around Lagos, on Valentine's Day. The beautiful lady is not alone in this deal, being bankrolled by beverage brand, Fayrouz. The brand is contracting celebs, including Uti Nwachukwu and Isio Wanogho to delight couples with Fayrouz 'original' cocktails. The three 'cocktail bartenders', according to organisers, would be in premium bars around Lagos mixing Fayrouz cocktails so fans can see their favourite celebrities mix up exciting and refreshing cocktails. The razzmatazz is part of the brand's plan to reward and thrill consumers with exciting activities this Valentine. The 'Original Mixer' will be giving loyal consumers and their loved ones in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos the opportunity to taste the Fayrouz Cocktails; Champagne De Fayrouz, Omoge, Fay Martini, Tatoo, Royalty, Virgin Royalty, Ultimate lady and many more tomorrow and Friday. "I'm so excited about being one of Fayrouz mixologists on Valentine’s day. I can't wait to go into a sexy bartender mode," Toke Makinwa said. According to Fayrouz Senior Brand Manager
Nnenna Ifebigh-Hemeson, "the Fayrouz Valentine’s Cocktail activation is our own little way of rewarding consumers during this season of love and following what Fayrouz represents, we are bringing something unique as usual to couples who are original in a way that is classy, innovative and unconventionally fun." Interestingly, the brand has its hand in a lot of activities this season, having also been announced as official sponsor for Darey Art Alade's Love Like A Movie 2, a Valentine concert featuring international music star Kelly Rowland at the Eko Hotel & Suites on Saturday.
• Toke Makinwa