Explosion Rocks CBN Office In Calabar

Two persons were confirmed dead by official sources while others sustained third degree burns in an inferno at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, following an explosion at the premises of the Bank located at Calabar Road by the Millennium Park on Friday.

The explosion which took place at about 11.45am set the main edifice of the bank on fire thus trapping many staff and visitors which occasioned for the casualties.

A team of mobile policemen and soldiers assisted by nurses and personnel of the Nigeria Security and civil defense Corps were seen keeping guard over the place while Fire Service officials were putting out the fire and rescuing those trapped in the building. 

“I cannot give exact figures of how many people are dead but many people were burnt beyond recognition while many sustained third degree burns; rescue operation is going on to ensure everyone is brought out soon,” an official of the Federal Fire Service at the Calabar Airport said. 

He said the source of the explosion is not known but OluFamous.Com gathered from CBN sources that it was a gas explosion and may not be related to terrorism.

Billionaire Lekki Gardens MD Goes To Court In Handcuffs

Those who know this man, Mr. Richard Nyong, the MD of Lekki Gardens, owners of the collapsed building in Lagos which killed about 35 people early this week, say he's a good man who has made housing much more affordable in Lagos Island through his many building projects.

But the incident that landed him in this trouble is tragic. See more photos...

An Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate Court on Friday granted the request of the Lagos Police Command to keep the Managing Director of Lekki Gardens, Richard Nyong in custody pending the conclusion of on-going investigation into collapse of a five-storey building under construction on Kushenla Road, Ikate Elegushi area of the state which killed no fewer than 35 persons.

He will be in custody for 30 days, pending the conclusion of investigation, then they will return to court.

Sources say the lady, Wuraola is not only from Benin, she also has Ife roots. See more photos...

See Photos from Ooni of Ife's Marriage to Wuraola in Benin

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) is going for his woman, Wuraola Otiti, despite the reports about her. He believes he has found love and everyone should respect his choice.

The marriage for Oba Ogunwusi is necessary as it is believed his first wife is not in the palace and the Oba is not expected to be lonely at any time, for any reason whatsoever. Congrats to the couple!

Court Orders Documents on British Police Corruption released to Ibori

This is a signed press statement by Tony Eluemunor, Media Assistant to Chief James Onanefe Ibori.

A British Crown Court has ordered the immediate release of documents and other materials uncovered by James Ibori's former solicitor Gohil Bhadresh suggesting that British Metropolitan Police Officers investigating James Ibori, fraudulently obtained materials and documents against Gohil Bhardesh and James Ibori.

A press statement from Tony Eluemunor, Chief Ibori’s Media Assistant, said that His Honour Judge Tester of Southwark Crown Court on Friday directed the prosecution to comply with his order made on January 21st this year and release to James Ibori's counsels the documents. The prosecution had initially refused to release the documents and other materials which suggested police involvement in corruption and fraud in the James Ibori's and Gohil Bhadresh's case.

This order followed the dramatic turn of event in the case brought by the Crown Prosecution against Gohil accusing him of attempt to pervert the course of justice but which the crown prosecution dropped following damaging and incriminating documents uncovered by Gohil Bhadresh which the Prosecution had lied ever existed.

The allegations of corruption and documents suggesting thousands of pound sterling were paid into the bank account of the investigating police officers involved in the case and attempt by both the crown prosecution and the British Police to cover up this grave misconducts have greatly damaged the credibility of materials and documents relied upon by the crown and police in this case. Subsequently, all the crown prosecutors and police officers handling the case have been removed from the case.

According to the statement, a new vista has opened in the Ibori London trial, as James Ibori's former solicitor, Gohil Bhadresh has approached the court of appeal to quash his conviction because the Police and the crown prosecution may have misled the court and have been neck deep in corruption. This new development may totally change this whole case as the new documents suggesting Police misconduct in the handling of the case may mean the last has not been heard in James Ibori's trial in London.

Photos: Nigerian drug dealer arrested in Pattaya, Thailand after leading police on a car chase.

A Nigerian drug dealer, Odunze, 29, was arrested by Pattaya, Thailand police on Monday, March 7 with two packs of crystal methamphetamine.

According to Pol.Lt.Col.Chitdecha Songhong- deputy superintendent of Na Jomtien police station, a sting operation was set up in order to apprehend him after the authorities learned of his activities. 

 

The police officers had oreviously arrested a local drug agent who claimed that he bought the drug from Chinedu. Later the police officers planned to buy the drug from Chinedu in front of a McDonalds shop. The police’s spy met Chinedu who was accompanied by his Thai wife.

However, Chinedu realized that he was tricked and attempted to escape with his car and crashed into two villagers injuring them. The police officers chased him until they finally arrested him in Soi Sukhumvit 46 road. His Thai wife fled away with packs of drug.

 

During interrogation, Chinedu confessed that he and his Thai wife have dealt with drug for a long time. Investigation is ongoing and if found guilty, he will be prosecuted according to Thai law.

Appeal Court upholds Ibinabo Fiberesima's five year jail term

Let me start from the beginning so it's easy to understand. In 2005, actress and mother of three Ibinabo Fiberesima was involved in a vehicle accident on Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos that cost a man his life. She vied off her lane and hit the car of a doctor, Giwa Suraj, who was a staff of Lagos state hospital. Ibinabo was arrested for dangerous and reckless driving and charged to court.

The case went to court and the Igbosere magistrate court sentenced her to five years in prison with an option of N100k fine. Ibinabo apologized to the man's family, paid the N100k fine and thought the case was over but the Lagos state government objected to the fine and took the case to a high court...

The High Court then said that the Magistrate court was reckless when they gave Ibinabo an option of fine for such an offence. The High court judge tossed out the N100k option and sentenced Ibinabo to five years in prison, saying that such an offence - reckless and dangerous driving which causes another person's death is liable to 7 years in prison. Ibinabo's N100k was subsequently given back to her.


So she and her lawyers took the case to court of Appeal, asking the court of appeal, Lagos Division, to set aside the prison sentence and restore the sentence she received from the magistrate court (N100k) but unfortunately, at the judgement that took place today March 11th, the court upheld the high court ruling and dismissed Ibinabo's appeal, saying it lacked merit.

Ibinabo was in court today and reportedly wept when judgment was passed. She and her lawyers are now heading to the Supreme court to appeal. If they fail at the Supreme Court, the AGN president will be spending the next few years in prison.

Photos: Rotimi Amaechi arrives Port Harcourt to a rousing welcome by supporters

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi arrived Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital yesterday evening and was given a rousing welcome by a crowd of supporters and APC chieftains.

Ciara & Russell Wilson are Engaged!

Singer Ciara and football player Russell Wilson are engaged!

They got engaged during their vacation. The Christian couple has been celibate and are waiting until marriage to consummate their union.

Russell says he knew Ciara was the One since day One.

Newcastle appoint Rafa Benitez as new coach

In what could be termed the most shocking managerial appointment of the year, relegation threatened Newcastle have this afternoon appointed Champions League, Premier League and Spanish League winner Rafa Benitez as new coach after sacking Steve McClaren.

With 9 games to go,  Benitez has a huge job on his hands if he is to steer Newcastle to safety but with an annual salary of £4m one can see why he accepted the three year contract offered to him.

Speaking of his appointment, Rafa Benitez who has coached Valencia, Liverpool,  Inter Milan, Napoli and Chelsea said:

“I have the pleasure to confirm I have committed to a legendary English club, with the massive challenge of remaining part of the Premier League.

“It will be a challenge not just for me and my staff but for the players, the Club and the fans. All of us must push together in the same direction and with the same target in mind. This is the reason why I’m going to ask for your total support to successfully complete this task.

“Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I can’t be happier.C’mon Toon Army! The club and I need your total involvement!”

Guinness resolves dispute with NAFDAC

Guinness Nigeria can now confirm that a Notice of Discontinuance of the court action instituted against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Attorney General of the Federation has been filed. The action was started following the receipt by the company of a letter dated 9th November 2015 from NAFDAC which, among others, imposed administrative charges of one billion naira (N1billion) on the company.

The termination of the court action was predicated on the letter dated 15th February 2016 from NAFDAC to the company which was stated to “supercede the decisions contained in the Agency’s letter dated 9thNovember 2015”. As part of the resolution,NAFDAC would be present during the destruction of the expired raw materials in its rented warehouse and both parties agreed that this would be the procedure for the exercise in future.

Guinness Nigeria also agreed to pay administrative and service charges to NAFDAC to cover the cost of the investigative inspection of raw materials carried out by the Agency as well as the supervision by NAFDAC of the destruction of the raw materials which would be carried out by Guinness Nigeria. The administrative and service charges of approximately N11.4m has since been paid to NAFDAC. Guinness Nigeria is home to some of the most iconic brands in Nigeria including Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.

As part of the Diageo group of companies, Guinness Nigeria operates to the highest standard of quality in its production and processes, being guided not only by Nigerian but global best practices. Guinness Nigeria acknowledges the support received from the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah and from the former Director-General and senior management of NAFDAC towards the amicable resolution of the matter and expresses its commitment to maintaining and fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with NAFDAC.