miss cross river Isabella Wins Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2012

The much coveted crown of the most Beautiful girl in Nigeria 2012 pageant has been won by Miss Cross River Isabella Agbor Ayuk.

Isabella 25, a former Miss Nigeria contestant (2004), Ex Beauty Queen Of The South-South Nigeria (2007/2008), Miss Global Nigeria (2009/2010), , and delegate Miss Global international (World) in Jamaica ( 2010) finally achieved her ultimate dream tonight, as she was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria.

Also, it’s not the first time she’s contesting for the MBGN. Past contestants who spoke with NET tonight say she had contested more than once before now, including in 2010. We could not immediately confirm at what stage she was eliminated.

The new MBGN is a native of Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, and an alumnus of the University of Calabar. She will be representing Nigeria in the Miss World pageant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China come August 15.

At the event held in Benin tonight, and broadcast live on STV and AIT, Miss Rivers, Miss Abuja, and Miss Kaduna are Miss Universe, Miss Tourism and Miss ECOWAS respectively.

Also, Antonnette Igebu ( Miss Gombe) was crowned Miss La Casera, Miss Select Pro went to Tomi Salami (Miss Kwara). Miss Photogenic: Omobhude Omoye Mary (Miss Edo), while Miss Amity was won by Onuoha Grace (Miss Taraba). The best traditional costume was won by the MBGN world herself, Isabelle Ayuk.

The MBGN gets a brand new Toyota Corolla from the Edo State Government, N1m Cartier wrist watch from Polo and an all expense paid trip

Behold lagos benin express way criminal syndicate busted, Terrors of Edo Highways! ⁠

t all started about four years ago at a football field in the heart of Benin city, the Edo state capital where Lucky Iyamu 23, Kingsley Ofeya 31, ShakaYakubu Oseki 28, Kelvin Omotuemhen 26, Onyeka Joseph 42 and Jude Egumahe 24 met.

That evening meeting was originally for the purpose of playing football but something remarkable happened while awaiting the arrival of others with a view to forming a formidable team. These six jolly good friends soon discovered that they were joined together by fate: no good parental background, no credible means of livelihood and they all dropped out of school and were into petty stealing.

Except for Lucky Iyamu who was relatively new in the group, the remaining five had been meeting at the same field where after playing football, they would go their different ways at dusk to either steal money or foodstuffs at the open market in order to feed for the next day.

But the coming of Lucky Iyamu into the group changed the tempo of their illicit activities into a much more sophisticated dimension. Incidentally, Lucky had on the previous day gone into one of the pentecostal churches near Oba market in the city to steal a rug when he was confronted by those who later became his friends and colleagues- in- crime.

In fact, it was the confrontation that necessitated the meeting the following day at the field and rather than play football which was originally the plan, they decided to take their destinies in their hands by going into full scale highway robbery. Though the idea was unanimously agreed upon but the group was confronted with one major problem; the guns.

How to procure guns and ammunition became a draw back to their mission and aspiration. However, Onyeka Joseph, the Isiala-Ngwa born father of three was on hand to provide solution for that. He immediately got some money from the gang, traveled to Awka, the Anambra state capital and soon, the gang could boast of three locally made pistols and several cartridges. Thus, a highway armed robbery gang had been formed!

Confessing how he became what he is today amid tears, Lucky Iyamu, the last man to join the gang who later became their leader for his dexterity in arms handling blamed his ordeal on poor parental upbringing. “If I had a good father who cared for his children, I would not have been here today.

I was in Edo College but dropped out not be cause I was dull but because I could not pay my school fees. I started pushing cart and making little money to take care of myself. From there, I started picking pockets and stealing both money and food stuffs.

It was one evening that I wanted to go and steal carpet in a church that I met Kelvin and others who initially confronted me but when they discovered that I was into what they equally do, they invited me to a field where we formed the gang of highway robbers .

That was how we started. But sir, robbery or kidnapping is not a good thing to do. If I have an opportunity in my next world, I shall campaign against crime and criminality. It is not the best. So when we eventually got the three guns from Awka, we were happy and ready for real business.

I took one, Kelvin held one while Onyeka held the third one. Other members of the gang carried cutlasses and jack-knives. So we decided that we should start from the Benin/Sapele road. That night, we robbed three buses and made N3m and snatched one Toyota Camry.

The vehicle was sold to a man who gave his names as Barrister Nwosu for N400,000. The following week again, we robbed along Benin/Auchi road and later went to a bank in Aganegbode where we killed a Police inspector and collected his AK47 Assault riffle.

There, we also snatched another Toyota Camry 2008 model which we sold to the same man for N600,000. We had money everywhere and realized that we wasted years doing petty stealing. We go to clubs, enjoy ourselves and spent money but it was Saka who sold the idea that we should settle down and get accommodation for ourselves and perhaps, invest the money we made while we still continue with the business.

That was how I rented two bedroom flat, bought a car and picked a girlfriend who now has a baby boy for me. Saka and others went to Onitsha and started poultry business; but we normally communicate through GSM phones when to converge and strike. After about two weeks, Saka and Onyeka brought the idea that we should strike at Agbor/Asaba road but I was afraid because there used to be many roadblocks along that highway.

During the day, we surveyed the road and discovered that immediately after the boundary between Delta and Edo state, roadblocks are not so much and policemen are not many along the road.

We went and carried some logs and kept them by the bush and decided that Kelvin and Jude will go to Upper Iweka in Onitsha to board a bus while we will mount road block as if we were policemen and when the luxury bus drives to a stop at the checkpoint mounted by us, we will quickly deflate the tyres, jump into it and quickly throw arms to our guys in the bus.

So that was how we were operating and it was fetching us good money. But when the new Oga of police came, he banned roadblocks and our business became affected. We could no longer mount road blocks anymore, so we decided to change our operations to kidnapping.

We kidnapped one business man in Benin and he paid N5m and after collecting my share, I decided to travel outside the country. I went to Libya while my members continued the job. But when my girlfriend put to bed, I came back to the country not knowing that some of my guys have been arrested and they mentioned my senior brother’s name. He too was arrested but because I know he was in the police cell for my sake, I decided to surrender myself only to discover that all my guys have been arrested.”

Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Edo state, Mr. Olayinka Balogun said when he was posted to the city, he was greeted with the menace of kidnapping and armed robbery and therefore, decided to put certain measures to checkmate the menace in place. The measure Balogun said, “is already yielding dividend.

The fact is that I met an anti-kidnapping department in place in the command but I decided to invigorate it through credible hands and provision of logistics to work with. I am one police officer who believes that productivity can be greatly enhanced through provision of incentives and clean environment within which to operate and that is what we are doing, and we are poised to sustain that till we leave here.”

EFCC arraigns Nollywood producer for N8.8m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, arraigned a Nollywood movie producer, Ifeanyi Onyeabor, for allegedly defrauding a Lagos-based company of N8.8 million.

Onyeabor, 41, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge of stealing and fraudulent conversion filed against him before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Ikeja High Court, Lagos.

EFCC prosecutor, Cosmas Ogwu, at the sitting called his first witness, Johnson Oshodi, an EFCC Investigative Officer.

Oshodi testified that he was mandated to investigate the matter following a petition sent to the commission by Steve-James Investment Ltd.

"According to the petition, Onyeabor collected a total sum of N8.8 million from Steve-James Nigeria Ltd. in December, 2008. The money was for the purpose of producing two movies titled ‘Young Amazon’ and `Tribes’," he said.

"The money was collected in instalments from the complainant." 

The witness said that Onyeabor, who is the Managing Director of Igo Motion Pictures International, collected the money for movies he failed to produce.

He was invited to the EFCC Office in Ikoyi to defend himself against the allegations but could not explain what he did with the money he collected from the complainant, Oshodi testified.

"The accused only showed us photographs of some people on horses, which he claimed was a scene from the movie," the EFCC witness said.

After the witness' testimony, Justice Abiru adjourned the case to June 4 for continuation.

Nollywood Actress Cassandra Gabriel Dies Of Cancer

Nollywood has again been thrown into mourning just months after the death of popular actor, James Iroha popularly known as Gringory.

Cassandra Gabriel was taken away by death yesterday.



Cassandra is was popular in the TV comedy series, Face2Face where she played the character, Sisi Carol.

she died after a battle with illness believed to be cancer (breast) related.

Cassandra hails from Okpuje in Igueben local government of Edo State.

May her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen

Ke$ha talks her next album: Some will be shocked

Ke$ha isn’t the typical glamour girl pop star, but as she tells V magazine in a new issue, she’s completely cool with that.

The 25-year-old singer says unlike most other female stars — who drop lots of dough on stylists and trips to the beauty salon — she embraces her wild and crazy looks and is happy to drive in a lane designed just for her.

“There are the pop stars of the world and then I’m like their dirty little sister,” Ke$ha says, “running around with s*** on my face in combat boots because I can’t walk in heels.”

The Tennessee native adds, “I do feel like there is an element of what I’m doing that is about where I come from, which is working-class. I was never the cool kid, I was never hot in high school. I was never popular. You don’t have to be perfect to be rich and you can still be successful.”

Ke$ha, who sold 15 million units of her first album — is now toiling on her second one, which she says she’ll drop later this year.

“The first record was all me living in L.A., trying to pay my rent, [and] have a really good time and look good on nothing,” she says.

But since those days, she continues, “I’ve seen how many people my music can reach, and I’ve realized that I have somewhat of a social responsibility to make sure everything I say is positive. The underlying theme of this next record is warrior — with the positive message behind that everyone has a warrior inside.”

Some fans, she predicts, will be “shocked” by the new sound.

“Some will also be excited to know that I don’t just do silly white-girl rap,” she adds. “I’m from the South. I have a lot of soul. But trust me — it’s not going to be some avant-garde jazz record. I innately write pop songs. That’s just what I do.

SCANDAL Edo State Gov. Sex Blackmail Scandal

Hidden camera shot of the former NLC leader taken by one of two girls.  The sum of N100million was requested to destroy this photograph. Negotiations have been ongoing for about 3 months after which he paid up to 5Million Naira but refused to dole out any more money.

Brothers That Stole $80 Million In Pharmaceuticals Caught!

Two brothers who were responsible for the biggest pharmaceutical theft in American history were finally caught because of  a water bottle!  Amaury and Amed Villa took 5 hours to steal $80 million in drugs in Connecticut, but one of them made the mistake of handling a bottle while there.  They are being charged for the theft in 2010.

Two brothers arrested for the biggest pharmaceutical drug theft in U.S history might have got away with it had one of them not touched a bottle of water at the scene of the crime.

Arrested in Florida on Thursday, Amaury Villa, 37 and Amed Villa, 46 are accused of stealing $80 million in drugs from a Connecticut warehouse in an elaborate scheme that could have come straight out of a Hollywood heist movie.

Brought in after a three-year FBI investigation, the crucial piece of evidence was a small bottle of water Amed touched, recovered from the 70,000 square-foot warehouse they robbed in Enfield, Connecticut.
‘As far as we know, this brazen crime was the biggest theft in the history of Connecticut and the largest theft of pharmaceuticals in the United States,’ said Connecticut U.S Attorney David B. Fein.

The cross-state investigation dubbed, ‘Operation Southern Hospitality’ led to the Villa brothers being charged in Connecticut with theft and conspiracy related to the warehouse robbery.
One of the brothers, Amaury is also charged along with 10 others in Florida with selling and conspiring to sell stolen pharmaceuticals.

And in another related charge, federal authorities in Illinois have accused Amed Villa with the theft of 3,500 cases of cigarettes, which are valued at more than eight million dollars.

‘This investigation represents the largest take-down in U.S. history involving cargo theft. The theft involves more than $100 million, including $80 million worth of pharmaceuticals,’ said John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge for FBI Miami.

Flo Rida Got Served Legal Papers Through Facebook!

So now courts serve legal documents through Facebook??  Well apparently, Flo Rida was served with some legal papers from Australian promoters via the social network. He was served the legal papers because he was compensated with $55,000 for a performance he never showed up to! Unclear if the papers were posted on his wall or inboxed to him …

Flo Rida has been served legal papers by an Australian music festival promoter through Facebook.
In March, the NSW District Court in Australia imposed a freeze on assets that the rapper has in the country. Since Flo has yet to respond, the court allowed the claim to be served to him via Facebook rather than in person; this all according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Flo Rida now must respond with a legal defense in the next 28 days and a judgment may be given if he refuses.
“We’ve painted him into a corner, now we’re confident the matter is coming to a close,” said Brett Lean, who runs Australian festival promoter Mothership Music, to the Sydney Morning Herald. “All we’ve ever wanted is an explanation and our money back and an apology.”
According to the publication, the claim seeks damages for breach of contract for his non-appearance at the concert.
The 32-year-old rapper, real name Tramar Dillard, received a $55,000 fee to perform at the Fat as Butter festival last October, but failed to show up, sparking a legal dispute.
“We tried to serve him physically on several occasions when he was out here but he got wise to it pretty quickly,” Lean said. “We couldn’t get near him in the end because he was constantly surrounded by an entourage and security so we looked into ways of serving him via Facebook because he’s very active on social media.”

New Spray That Gets You Instantly Drunk For 2 Seconds!!!

Have you ever been somewhere and needed to take the edge off for a couple seconds!? Well Here is you answer it’s called the WA|HH Quantum Sensations and it will get you drunk for a seconds.

While we’re still scratching our heads over the actual point of this latest invention, we’re also rabidly curious. The rather uncomfortably titled spray will get you automatically drunk once it’s been sprayed in your mouth and it will only last for a few seconds. Once it’s gone, you’ll be able to pass a breathalyser with flying colours. Each time you spray it in your confused mouth, you’ll be getting 0.075 mililetres of alcohol. It’s created by a French American scientist called David Edwards who claims that the specially designed spray mechanism ensures that the effect is instantaneous. The device itself was designed, and modelled above, by Philippe Starck.

Man pleads guilty to assaulting policewomenThe officers were trying to arrest him for beating up a pregnant woman

A 25-year-old man, Tunde Adebayo, on Friday in Lagos, pleaded guilty to assaulting two policewomen.



Adebayo, a sewing machine repairer, told an Ogudu Magistrate court that he beat up the police officers and prevented them from carrying out their duties.

The officers, Pauline Gabriel and Ekpe Michael, were assaulted by the suspect who was resisting arrest for allegedly beating a pregnant woman.

The prosecutor, Gbenga Salami, told the court that the incident occurred at Elebiju street in the Alapere area of Lagos.

"In an attempt to arrest the accused by the officers, he pushed them down and slapped their faces. He also tore one of the officers' uniform and attempted to run away before being re-arrested by other police officers who came on the scene," he said.

Salami added that the pregnant woman who was earlier assaulted by Adebayo, was still receiving treatment at a hospital.

Magistrate Bola Folarin-Williams adjourned the case to May 25, 2012 for sentencing

George Clooney's Barack Obama Fundraiser Drums Up Record-Breaking $12 Million

 

We all knew George Clooney could rake in dem big box-office bucks.
Apparently, he's not too shabby at pulling in political cash, either.
The superstar actor-cum-activist-cum-overall awesome guy will reportedly rustle up $12 million at his May 10 fundraising dinner for President Barack Obama in Los Angeles, scoring a record as the biggest U.S. presidential campaign fundraiser in history,
Or, let's put it this way: That's more money than what the heavily hyped The Five-Year Engagement recently made on its opening weekend.
About 150 guests are expected to attend the sold-out shindig, which is being held at Clooney's Studio City home and is costing folks a cool $40,000 a pop. (Hey, that rare house tour alone should justify the steep price tag, yes?)
The dinner itself is projected to rake in $6 million from paying guests plus an estimated $6 million from online donations, bringing the final tally to about $12 million.
The demand for tickets was so strong that the guest list was reportedly limited only to those living in Southern California. That doesn't mean the average joe can't partake, though: The Obama campaign recently announced a contest offering grassroots supporters a chance to be a guest
Clooney knows a thing or two about politics, having directed the politically charged Good Night, and Good Luck in 2005 and playing a presidential candidate in last year's The Ides of March. But his political activism extends well beyond Hollywood lip service: He was famously arrested in March for protesting outside the Sudanese embassy but was released a few hours after.

POLL: Which summer movie are you looking forward to the most?

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Are you about ready for the summer movie season to start? It's shaping up to be another huge summer at the movies, and it looks like things are kicking off early this year with The Avengers, followed by Dark Shadows and Battleship, all in May before the Memorial Day weekend. At least that's one way to beat the busy summer schedule.
So which sci-fi or fantasy movie are you most excited about seeing? The Avengers? Men in Black 3? The Amazing Spider-Man? The Dark Knight Rises? Or maybe one of the less splashy offerings?
Here's 24 of the top movie offerings this summer. Sound off and tell us what you really want to see.

poll

Which summer movie are you looking forward to the most?

The Avengers, May 4

Dark Shadows, May 11

Battleship, May 18

Men In Black 3, May 25

Chernobyl Diaries, May 25

Snow White and the Huntsman, June 1

Piranha 3DD, June 1

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, June 8

Prometheus, June 8

Jack the Giant Killer, June 15

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, June 22

Brave, June 22

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, June 22

G.I. Joe: Retaliation, June 29

The Amazing Spider-Man, July 3

Ice Age: Continental Drift, July 13

Ted, July 13

The Dark Knight Rises, July 20

Neighborhood Watch, July 27

Total Recall, August 3

ParaNorman, August 17

The Apparition, August 24

7500, August 31

The Possession, August 31

None of the above

Australian Billionaire Designing Titanic Replica

For those inclined towards superstition, an Australian billionaire is tempting fate. For those who went to view James Cameron’s Titanic 3D on opening weekend, an Australian billionaire is financing the opportunity of a lifetime.
Either way you see it, Clive Palmer announced Monday he has embarked on a voyage to develop an exact replica of the RMS Titanic–to be named Titanic II–just a few weeks after the original commemorated the 100th anniversary of its sinking.
“It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic, but…will have state-of-the-art 21^st-century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems,” Palmer told Associated Press. 
Palmer, named the fifth richest man in Australia with $5.2 billion dollars by BRW Magazine, distinguishes himself from prior attempts at recreating the iconic cruise liner by reporting he has already commissioned the Chinese CSC Jinling Shipyard to build Titanic II (he claimed in a press conference his predecessors failed to fund-raise enough for this step, The Christian Science Monitor reports).
Titanic II will be the first of four cruise ships the former real estate and mining mogul will build under the name of his newly-developed shipping company, Blue Star Pty. Ltd. Palmer and a historical research team have already begun designing the luxury liner, which will have the original’s four signature smokestacks on top for looks only. Differentiations largely occur in the ship’s underbelly, where welding will replace rivets and the ship will sport “a bulbous bow for greater fuel efficiency and enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for increased maneuverability,” Palmer said at the press conference.
Meant to be “a tribute to the spirit of the men and women who worked on the original Titanic,” Titanic II will chart her maiden voyage from England to New York–just like the original.
But while the RMS Titanic claimed the title of being the largest luxury liner at its time, its 883-foot, 1,680 passenger proportions are dwarfed by the likes of today’s title-owners–Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas boasts 1,180 feet and 2,700 cabins.
General manager for Australia and New Zealand in the International Cruise Council Brett Jardine doesn’t think size will matter in Titanic II‘s case.
“If you’ve got a niche, it’s going to work. Why go out there and try to compete with the mass market products that are out there now?” he said.
Titanic II is due to set sail sometime in 2016. No word yet on ticket sales.

Whitney Houston Hooked Up With M.J.: Pal

Michael Jackson had quite the sexual appetite, according to one of his former bodyguards. He apparently had an affair with Whitney Houston and even hooked up with Lisa Marie Presley after they divorced. Guess M.J. had "it" in more ways than one.

Over the years, Michael Jackson gained a reputation as a Peter Pan character that cherished the childish side of life. This caricature was perpetuated — understandably so — by his Neverland Ranch and penchant for hanging out with prepubescent boys. However, some people "close" to the singer are now saying that he was very much a man with a sexual appetite to match.
The latest story? One of his former bodyguards said he had a torrid affair with another dearly departed icon, Whitney Houston.
"One of the many stories that has never been told about Michael is that he had an ultra-secret affair with Whitney Houston that he never got over," Matt Fiddes told the U.K. gossip magazine The Sun (we know, we know). "They met because they were two of the biggest recording artists on the planet and mixing in the same circles. They instantly connected as kindred spirits because they understood each other’s massive fame."
The pair reportedly met in 1991 when Houston was 28. She was besotted with him — and M.J. reportedly wanted to marry her, but it ended when he found out that she had an affair with his older brother, Jermaine Jackson.
That's not the only recent revelation about the King of Pop. Jackson's ex-wife, Lisa Marie Presley, revealed to Elle in a new interview that she continued to hookup with Jackson for years after their divorce — it only stopped when she remarried in 2000.
So, it seems Michael Jackson was actually quite talented in the bedroom, apparently. We're not sure we're buying all of this (and sadly, we'll never know the absolute truth), but some of his other bodyguards wrote in a 2010 book that he had plenty of ladies circling in and out of his life.
"Being a man… men know men, and we [were] around him long enough to know he was a man," bodyguard Bill Whitfield said while promoting his book with other M.J. bodyguards, In Defense of the King.
"[He had] desires of women like we do. He had lovers," Mike Garcia added. "In the cars that we had, we had a curtain that covered the back seat. You couldn't see in the back seat. They talked back there, they didn't do nothing out of bounds… you can hear the kissing."
Interesting.

53 Year-Old Tim Karaker Fights a 21 Year-old

The other night something incredible happened. It all went down when 53 year-old Tim Karaker showed up to watch a cage-match fight, and volunteered to fill-in for a fighter that didn’t show up. Tim’s oppenent was a 21 year-old. Guess who won? Find out in the video below.
This is what decades of marriage can do to hone your fighting skills.

5 Tips for better Instagram photos

If you're like me and you're more than just a little bit addicted to Instagram, you know that some photos truly stand out in the stream. Here are 5 simple ways make your Instagram photos even better.

How to make your Instagram photos pop

Start with a clean image

Instead of taking your photos from within Instagram, take the original photo with your phone’s camera. By taking your photos with your native phone app, you will be able to keep a completely untouched photo, just in case. This frees you up to try all sorts of different effects. You’ll also be able to zoom in and crop, whereas Instagram itself doesn't offer you that flexibility.

Here are even more great iPhone camera apps >>

Play around elsewhere

Before you import your photos into Instagram, try tweaking them with another fun photo editing app first. There are a ton of great photo editing apps, but some of our favorites have built-in timers, offer a great variety of interesting effects, allow you to create collages and help you to merge photos into one panoramic image. Some of our go-to apps are Camera+, Snapseed, 100 Cameras in 1, Diptic, Dynamic Light and AutoStitch Panorama.

Layer it up

Here’s how to double or triple up on your filters within Instagram to make your photo unlike the others in your stream:

1. Import your raw photo into Instagram.
2. Apply a filter of your choice.
3. Minimize the filter options bar with the arrow on the bottom right.
4. Take a screen shot (press your off button and home button at the same time).
5. Click the x to cancel the edits and go back to the home screen to choose another photo.
6. Import the screenshot, which will have the filter you already applied.
7. Add another filter.
8. Repeat until you find the right combination.

Here are 5 fast tips for better photos >>

Rethink and reframe

When taking photos that you'll import into Instagram, try looking at your world as a square.
Once you’ve taken your photo, try taking it again from another angle — hold your camera high above your head or scoot down and take the shot from below. Your subject can look dramatically different when taken from an unusual angle.

Spot the small details

Yes, your entire subject is wonderful. Take one great shot of your subject in its entirety to capture the moment, but then take another where you capture just one small detail. Think tiny, perfect hands, cute shoes or a pretty necklace.

Don't miss these 10 photographs to capture of your kids this spring >>

Put it all together

It will definitely take a bit longer to take your photos up a notch, but by trying some or all of these helpful tips, your photos are sure to stand out in the stream.

Ex-Nigerian striker, Rashidi Yekini dies 

3m360 can confirm this evening that former African Player of the year, Rashidi Yekini is dead. He died at the age of 49,
Family sources said he died after a brief illness.
P.M.Sports gathered that Yekini would be buried in his hometown, Offa, in Kwara State Saturday.

PROFILE OF LATE RASHIDI YEKINI

Rashidi Yekini (born 23 October 1963) was a Nigerian retired footballer who played as a striker. He scored Nigeria’s first goal in a FIFA World Cup. He died on 4 May 2012.
Club careerYekini was born in Kaduna. After starting his professional career in the Nigerian league, he moved to Côte d’Ivoire to play for Africa Sports National. From there he went to Portugal and Vitória de Setúbal, where he experienced his most memorable years, eventually becoming the Portuguese first division’s top scorer, in 1993–94, as his performances (32 matches, 34 goals) earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1993, the first ever from the nation.In the 1994 summer, Yekini was bought by Olympiacos FC, but did not get along with teammates and left. His career never really got back on track, not even upon a return to Setúbal, which happened after another unassuming spell, in La Liga with Sporting de Gijón. He successively played with FC Zürich, Club Athlétique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before rejoining Africa Sports. In 2003, at 39, he returned to the Nigerian championship with Julius Berger FC.In 2005, 41-year old Yekini made a short comeback, moving alongside former national teammate Mobi Oparaku to Gateway FC.International careerScoring 37 goals for Nigeria’s national side in 58 appearances,[1] Yekini is the national record goalscorer. He was part of the team that participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup (where he scored Nigeria’s first-ever goal in a World Cup, in a 3–0 win against Bulgaria) and the 1998 World Cup.Additionally, Yekini also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also topped the goal charts, and participated at Olympic level, in Seoul 1988.

Years Team App and Goals
1981–1982UNTL Kaduna1982–1984Shooting Stars1984–1987Abiola Babes1987–1990Africa Sports1990–1994Vitória Setúbal108(90)1994–1995Olympiacos4(2)1995–1996Sporting Gijón14(3)1997Vitória Setúbal14(3)1997–1998Zürich28(14)1998–1999Bizerte1999Al-Shabab1999–2002Africa Sports2002–2003Julius Berger2005Gateway

Video : Dbanj’s Interview On MAXTv (Uk)

D’banj’s interview from a week ago. he doesnt say anything about the controversy , during the interview with MAX on her radio show on Choice, they spoke about Kanye, Big Sean. Sneakbo and Kokolettes etc

AP Plaza "Car Bomb" In Abuja Plaza A Hoax

By SaharaReporters, New York

Police authorities have dismissed as a hoax a car bomb threat reported at the AP Plaza in Wuse 2 area of Abuja, Nigeria's troubled capital.
The police anti-bomb unit said nothing was found in a car parked in the premises of the AP Plaza which was reportedly rigged with bomb explosives.
A bank security alarm went off in the area after a suspicious car was parked overnight in the area, police sources said.

Deeper Life Pastor Nabbed By FBI For Conning An Elderly Woman

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed reports linking New York-based pastor and lawyer, Eric Abakporo, to “despicable” fraud: the theft of the life savings of an elderly African-American woman through deceit and lies.



Eric Abakporo, a Deeper Life pastor and attorney, and a cohort, Latanya Pierce, were arrested for swindling the 78 year-old woman and stiffing a bank with a phony $1.8 million mortgage loan. Abakporo was arrested on Monday in Queens, NY, while Pierce surrendered voluntarily.

“Through lies and deception, these individuals abused the trust of an elderly woman in order to perpetrate a multimillion dollar fraud. Now that their despicable scheme has been exposed, they will face justice,” said New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Abakporo first came across the SaharaReporters radar screen in 2010 in another case involving contracts for renovations at the Nigerian Mission in New York City. The contracts, linked to Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, were inflated, according to a petition signed by whistleblowers calling themselves “The Patriots.” SaharaReporters reported on this a few months after New York Daily News was reporting on the fraud perpetrated against the elderly woman.

The SaharaReporters story prompted the ethically challenged lawyer to turn his fury on the citizen reporting website with a lawsuit raising libel, emotional distress and other charges for which he demanded $30 million. A U.S. District Court dismissed most of Mr. Abakporo’s claims in an April 2011 decision.


The story behind the current FBI charges began in March 2006 when Abakporo cultivated a relationship with the victim who owned a Harlem apartment building. He offered to help her collect rents but actually, he pocketed them.

The two alleged con artists then persuaded the woman to sell her property for $3.1 million, giving her multiple fake and fraudulent checks which they later took back, promising to give her a “private mortgage” in the property. After weaving a web of lies around their actions, the two swindlers brought their act to a local bank, claiming they owned the building “free and clear”. For this lie, they obtained a $1.8 million mortgage which they failed to repay.

Ultimately they obtained all of the elderly woman’s assets and $1.8 million by defrauding the bank.

Charges against the two include multiple bank and wire fraud which together carry a maximum prison term of 100 years behind bars.

Abakporo is currently cooling his heels in detention until payment of a $1 million bond secured by an interest in property and co-signed by three people and secured by two properties.

UPCOMMING EVENTS: THE STAGE

THE STAGE
A monthly platform for talents to showcase and express themselves. Its open to MUSIC, COMEDY, POETRY, RAP, DANCE, SPOKEN WORD, VISUAL ART, FASHION.

Guest: DIPP, LACE, CEE Y, MAYtronomy, DJINEE, JEDI

Host: MC Ohis
Date: Sunday June 24
(Every last sunday June - Nov)
Venue: The Lounge, Koga entertainment, 2 Bolaji close, besides Mobil/Mr Biggs, Alausa ikeja

To participate send details to:
thestage@ghillsentertainment.com

Man Jailed For 1 Million Years For Child Pornography

An Iranian judge yesterday sentenced a 24-year-old man to 1 million years imprisonment for possession of child pornography.

Mohammed Kenare was sentenced Wednesday morning by a local judge who in his ruling held that possession of child pornography (video) is an act that could only be committed by a despicable and satanic person and that he (Kenare) should be locked up “for as much years as the devil should be locked up”.


The move was seen as a lenient move by some international political analysts who said the sentencing (which logically means life) is a lesser one compared to the maximum death penalty such an offense would have carried at any Iranian upper court.

Mahmud Zakari, a clerk of the court told local radio that although the sentencing could be appealed, it is unlikely Kenare’s lawyers will file for one.
Is this really justice?

“Fake Doctor” Remanded In Prison Custody For Alleged Murder

An Ebute Meta Magistrates' Court in Lagos on Thursday remanded Femi Bejide, who allegedly killed one Blessing Friday, by administering fake drugs on her.

Bejide, 35, who was docked on a charge of murder, was said to have claimed to be a medical doctor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant’s plea was not taken as the court has no jurisdiction to try the case.

Magistrate M.O. Olajuwon, ordered him remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The prosecutor, ASP Emmanuel Essien, told the court that the accused, who claimed to be a doctor, on Feb. 12, killed Friday as a result of the drug he gave her to use.

“The deceased, who complained of malaria to the defendant, died after she used the fake drugs given to her by the defendant,’’ Essien said.

He told the court that the accused, who owned a clinic called Shasha Medical Centre, lives at No. 23, Adegboyega St., Shasha Idimu, Lagos.

He said that the offence contravened Section 231 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The case has been adjourned till May 30.
(NAN)

Nigerian Singer Goldie Harvey, to be an housemate on Big Brother Africa Season 7

Big Brother Africa yesterday afternoon announced that 7 celebrity housemates would be part of the seventh season of Africa’s biggest reality TV show titled Big Brother Africa - Star Game. And among the stars is Nigerian singer, Goldie Harvey.

The winner of this year's BBA will take home $300, 000.

 Other contestants are:

Stylish entertainer, stand-up comedian and television pro DKB from Ghana (26)

Tough, talented rap icon Prezzo from Kenya (32)

Award-winning songstress Lady May from Namibia (25)

Boldly dramatic pop music sensation Goldie from Nigeria (28)

Famed socialite, model and businesswoman Barbz from South Africa (34)

Unforgettable, highly successful R and B diva Mampi from Zambia (25)

Unique and hugely popular, soulful musician Roki from Zimbabwe (27

Miami cult who tattoo themselves with 666 say the world will END on June 30

According to them, the end of the world is approaching, on the 30th of June to be precise and the obscure Christian sect is erecting billboards across the United States to let everyone know.

Growing in Grace International have stepped up their global campaign to announce the 'transformation' at the end of June, a day of final reckoning which will wipe out most of humanity, except their followers.

Adding their voices to the already noisy 2012 apocalypse brigade, Growing in Grace International are led by the charismatic Jose de Luis de Jesus, who openly calls himself the antichrist and makes his followers tattoo 666 onto their bodies.
Preparing for the end of the world: Growing in Grace International have begun to put up billboards heralding the end of the world on June 30 this year

The Puerto Rican national states that calling himself the antichrist is appropriate because it is wrong to worship the 'Jewish teachings' of Jesus, but rather to study the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who de Jesus claims to be in direct contact with.
Antichrist according to de Jesus means 'no longer following Jesus of Nazareth as he lived in the days of his flesh.'

Spreading the word about June 30th has seen the Miami based-group invest in billboards featuring a smiling de Jesus and his 666 symbols prominently displayed imploring people to phone up his group and repent.
Inspired by the teachings of Jose Luis de Jesus the group is looking forward to the 'transformation' which will see his followers endowed with superpowers

'That day, the body of Jose de Luis de Jesus, who is a human like you and me, his flesh is going to be immortal,' said Alex Poessy, the bishop of Growing in Grace International in Canada.

'He's going to be living forever.
'And that will happen to him, but also his followers.'

'All those that are not believers are going to be destroyed.'
With followers in 35 different nations, 287 radio stations and a 24-hour Spanish language television network, Growing in Grace International is not the first group to pick a date this year as the end of the world,
Growing in Grace International followers have 666 tattooed onto their bodies as a mark of the antichrist
The famous Mayan 'Long March' calendar ends on December 21st 2012.

In addition to surviving the 'transformation', de Jesus promises his followers that following that apocalyptic event they will be given superpowers.

'We can run and not get tired,' said Axel Cooley who is the daughter of bishop Poessy.
'Go through fire and not get burned.
'I could be talking to you right now and then I could go through that wall.

'So, you'll know there is a difference.'
Antichrist: Jose Luis de Jesus calls himself the antichrist because he believes he is the true incarnation of the Messiah as opposed to the one written about in scriptures

Basing their beliefs on passages from the Bible, Growing in Grace International followers are excited about the end of the world as far as we all know it.

'The world's not going to end,' said Cooley.

'What is going to end is the system.
'All the governments and the currencies will fall.

'The new government of the 666 will take over.'
Projecting the image of de Jesus with messages such as '666, number of wisdom' or 'Countdown to the transformation June 30, 2012', billboards are up in the United states, Brazil and eight other countries.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1946, de Jesus insists on all his followers calling him 'dad' and has stated that his conversion occurred in 1973 while living in Massachusetts.

The former petty-thief witnessed two angels coming down to him, 'The body of Christ manifested in Jose de Luis de Jesus, and all of sudden, that's when he knew,' said Cooley of the transformation.
With the billboards being erected in ten different countries including the United States and Brazil, Growing in Grace International is being very vocal in its apocalypse prediction

Founding Growing in Grace in 1986, its success has attracted some criticism, with some claiming that the group is little more than a cult.

'They're stupid people who believe in stupidities,' said Regina Albarracin who lives in Pembroke Pines in Florida who says she has lost a son, Alvaro to the group.

There have also been queries raised about the correct use of funds at Growing in Grace International, with some money reportedly being syphoned off to a Colombian bank account in the name of de Jesus.

However, members are quick to deflect any criticism of the group.

'All our lives have been enriched with this, If we were a cult then I guess we're a pretty awesome cult,' said Ana Guevara, who is a Canadian member.

Attending meetings called 'tracings', followers watch a sermon style broadcast from de Jesus before singing 'We're the ones who will live eternally,' in Spanish.
When the world ends on June 30 this year Jose Luis de Jesus will assume control of the planets government when everyone but his followers has perished

Retreating from public view on April 22 of this year to prepare for the 'transformation', de Jesus is readying for his groups eventual takeover of the world.

'A government where we will govern everything with a perfect order,' described de Jesus in his goodbye address.

'This is my last farewell for you. The time is finished.

'We will see each other soon in Armageddon.'

Religious and sociological experts have expressed concern about this latest prediction of armageddon.
Transformation: Growing in Grace International are just one of many groups claiming that 2012 is the year of the apocalypse


University of Waterloo sociologist Dr Lorne Dawson explained that a deadline is a sign that the 'movement is starting to run into trouble'.

'It's a strong indicator that their authority is slipping, they're losing followers, not acquiring followers at a level that they used to.

'And nothing galvanises a group and galvanises attention like a new mention of an apocalypse.'

The June 30 prediction is very similar to that of Californian preacher and broadcaster Harold Camping who infamously declared the apocalypse would occur on May 21, 2011.

It didn't and in the embarrassment that followed he retired from the public eye.

However, in the run up to the last day of June, Growing in Grace International members are totally sure that we have entered the last days on this earth.

'We are sure that it's going to happen,' said Poessy.

TRAGEDY : REVERED FILMMAKER,HELEN UKPABIO’S 3 BROTHERS ALLEGEDLY MURDERED BY POLICE

There was shock and consternation when the news filtered out about how Nigeria’s most successful female preacher,Lady Apostle(Mrs.) Helen Ukpabio loses four of her siblings –same father and same mother on Sunday,March 25,2012 in Mbente,Ini local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

As the story goes,the three brothers(Charles,Emmanuel and Joseph Akpabio) were allegedly shot by Nigerian police before their aged mother (Mrs. Etim Akpabio) and their younger sister,Elizabeth,upon hearing the sad news,slipped into coma and also died.

We learnt the three brothers were accused of armed robbery and kidnapping.

According to sources three brothers were allegedly first crippled with gun shots.And as they wailed and queried what they had done to deserve what they were doing to them,they were taken back to the village.

Now in their father’s compound,their mother immediately took to crying upon seeing her son’s condition-in their broken state and with broken legs.

They allegedly dragged them down and beside a nearby plaintain tree finished all of them,with their mother and some family members weeping,wailing and watching.

Findings revealed that the Police team was allegedly led by one Noel Nduka.

And since then,the family of the three brothers has been crying themselves hoarse,wanting to know what exactly their sons did as well as why they were not charged to any court to defend themselves before judgement was pronounced and they were immediately executed.

In a recent chat with newsmen,Helen Ukpabio said I have never seen anything like that in my life before.Four corpses,from one family.Ah ! Even if they had something against them,they should have taken them to court and not waste them like that.

I still can’t believe my brothers and sister are no more.In Fact,I hardly sleep since the incident

On the family’s next line of action,she said We will not follow them illegally.We will follow them legally.And that is why we are crying out,begging all conscionable people all over the world to hear us and ensure that justice is done on this issue

Married Abuja Big Girl Caught In Adultery Mess In London

I got a call last week from Mr. Olaitan Iwalewa, a London based Nigerian businessman, who complained bitterly about how the wife of a top government official in Abuja deceived him into believing that she was single, started a relationship with him and spend several nights with him in his London home.


Mr. Iwalewa furthermore explained that he visited Nigeria to spend time with his woman only to discover that Ajoke Tolani, who is the owner of Bubble Boutique and Accessories in Abuja, is indeed a full-time house wife. He thus stopped the unholy affair. But there is a big problem now; the crux of the matter is what you will read below:

We gathered, a melodrama is currently playing out in the adultery scandal between the wife of a topshot at Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Mr. Iwalewa who is bitter after discovering that his beloved woman was actually a wife to another man. Their long rosy and romantic relationship has gone sour and the man seems ready for a showdown.

The woman is denying her “ex-lover”, while the man has everything at his disposal to prove that they were romantically involved in a serious relationship that could have been altar bound if not that he discovered she was married.

Mr. Iwalewa who before now had misunderstanding with his wife and separated was planning to make Tolani his second wife legally until he got winds last year August that Tolani was a married woman. “It was when I came to Nigeria last year that I got the gist at the hotel she lodged me when one of the staff whom I have been good to told me that the woman that brought me here is married and known by lots of people.

“Immediately I heard that, I was shocked and scared of my life. I had to leave the place and left for London. Since then, she has been begging me because I refused to pick her calls.”

Now, Mr. Iwalewa wants Mrs. Tolani Afolabi to repay all the money he borrowed her which is about 3,000 pounds for her business and another sum of about N800,000 which he gave to her to use to lodge in an account in Nigeria. He said he met only about N100,000 in the account.

While trying to cover her acts, Mrs. Afolabi had told a soft-sell magazine that the man was her pastor and used to pray for her whenever she’s in London. But Mr. Iwalewa said it is a BIG lie. “I am not a Pastor, I don’t know what she meant, she stays in my house in London anytime she’s in town, I will provide you some of the text messages she has been sending to me including the one she sent when I refused to pick her calls after getting to know she is married.”


Anyway, below her some romantic SMS she sent to Mr. Iwalewa while their relationship lasted, as published in Global excellence, with her personal numbers:

(1) “Honey Mi, olowo ori me, I will always luv u do have a beautiful day at work. Missing u and feel like wrapping u round my body luv u.”
From: +2348161665517

(2) “Honey pls forgive me its all beyond me.”
From: +2348127124488

(3) “missing u will call u as soon as its safe, luv u.”
From: +2348033200607

(4) “Honey I can’t write much am on drip.”
From: +2348033200607

(5) “Honey am missing you I love you so much don’t ever leave me alone, am so lonely here.”
From: +2348127124488

(6) “Honey thanks tot u were angry with me. Cld not sleep—-Iluv u so much, I need you to make luv to me and make me feel like a woman.”
From: +2348127124488

(7) “Honey u need 2 be in my place 2 know how I fee, when we meet I never knew ur marital status, it was much later I knew I was already in luv wt u. Pls take it easy wt me I hv my own mind and I knw wat I want. I luv u and will never leave u unless u ask me to.”
From: +2348033200607

Woman sets co-wife ablaze in Ebonyi

ABAKALIKI—TRAGEDY struck on Monday at Akpoha community in Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State as a woman (names withheld) allegedly set her co-wife ablaze over marital acrimony.



The assailant whose name was identified as Ogeri, Vanguard learnt, has already been arrested by the police.

Explaining the reason for her action, the woman stated that she was surprised and angry to discover that her husband, after all she had contributed towards their livelihood, could have the conscience to bring in another woman into their matrimonial home as her co-wife.

It was gathered that the victim, who hails from Abomege in Onicha LGA of the state, was married on Sunday only to meet her death the next day.

Meanwhile, as a result of the ugly incident, the village had remained in a pensive state as members of the community, especially women, were seen at different spots discussing the incident.

An eyeswitness, who gave his name as Peter Imo, told Vanguard that the victim was set ablaze by her co-wife around 3.45pm on Monday when she was taking a nap in the afternoon.

He said nobody knew that she (first wife) had made plans on how to kill her co-wife, adding that when she noticed that her co-wife was sleeping on the fateful day, she quickly locked the doors and windows of their apartment and set fire on the building.

He said: “So when we started seeing smoke and someone shouting for help from the building, we rushed and put out the fire from the building, then rescued the woman and took her to a nearby native doctor, only to discover that she was already dead.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi State Police Command, ASP John Eluu, confirmed the incident, adding that both the first wife and her husband were being interrogated to ascertain the motive behind the killing of the victim

source: vanguardngr.com

Court jails gardener for stealing BlackBerry phone

⁠

An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced a 22-year-old gardener, Idris Yusuf, to three months in jail for stealing a BlackBerry phone belonging to a Mr Umaru Ndanusa of Baze University, Abuja.

In the alternative, Senior Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana asked Yusuf to pay a fine of N5,000.

Police prosecutor, Paul Anigbo, told the court that the case was reported at the Lugbe Police Station by one Ahmed Usman, a student of the university, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The prosecutor said the accused committed the crime three weeks ago and that the phone was worth N130,000.

Anigbo added that the accused was caught with the phone, adding that during police investigation, the gardener confessed to stealing it.

Benin Man throws step-daughter into well

A Benin man identified as Monday will face charges for attempted murder of his step-daughter

The police in Edo State are investigating why a man, identified as Monday, allegedly threw his step-daughter, Favour, into a well.

The attempted murder was allegedly carried out in a forest at the Agricultural Development Programme grounds on the outskirts of Benin.

Favour, an eight-year-old pupil of Ukhegie Primary School, was in her uniform when she was rescued.

It was gathered that the suspect took his step-daughter away under the pretence of going to buy her confectionaries before taking her to school.

But, Monday took the victim to the forest and allegedly threw her into the well.
A ‘Good Samaritan’, Festus Aimebinomo, said he was passing by when he heard a faint voice calling for help and was shocked to find someone struggling inside the well.

He said the little girl was saying: ‘I dey die o.’ Aimebinomo said he jumped inside the well to rescue her.

Favour’s mother Christiana Monday said she was at a loss over the dastardly act.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Mrs Inumidun Idehen said the suspect has been handed over to the police.

The victim has been taken to a hospital for treatment.

Bomb scare rocks Lagos airport

THERE was pandemonium, yesterday, at the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, MMA2, Lagos, after rumour went round of imminent bomb attack.
The commotion was compounded by heavy presence of policemen inside the airport terminal and outside the airport beefing up security.

As soon as the rumour became widespread, the police Anti-bomb Squad and security personnel of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, managers of MMA2 Terminal, swung into action and subjected all vehicles entering into the airport to through check with metal detectors.

The situation caused a heavy traffic to and from the airport, forcing road- users, especially intending travellers to trek long distance in order not to miss their flight.

Speaking, the Police Commissioner in charge of the airport, Mr. Olatunji Caulcrick, said the exercise was necessitated by the bomb scare.

Caulcrick added that the police did not leave anything to chance in ensuring a seamless travel for airport users, affirming that the police had been ordered to carry out checks whenever the needs arise.

Omawumi’s Bottom Belle Falls Out: Singer Accused of Copyright Infringement, 50Million Naira in Damages Sought

Celebrated singer and 2007 Idols West Africa finalist, Omawumi, released the song ‘Bottom Belle’ a few months ago. From all indications in the marketing, promotions and packaging of her hit single, this was an original song by Omawumi featuring Flavour. Indeed I have read numerous news reports on websites and blogs in preparing to share this case with you all and they all say essentially the same thing and do not attribute the song to persons deemed the original owners, The African Rhythm Messengers.This group comprising of Nigerian musicians released the song in 1998 under the same title and the song is sold on Itunes among many digital stores.
(NOTE: I do know that there were two prior singers who sang this song i.e. Herbert Udemba, first, and subsequently Sunny Bobo. However, for our purposes, African Rhythm Messengers recorded and currently sell the song. It is unclear the license they may or may not have. Hence the legal issues I focus on of cover songs and sampling. Africa as a whole has not been the best place to protect the intellectual property rights of artists. Further, the question of when a copyright song lasts comes into play specific to Nigeria.
” Literary, musical or artistic works other than photographs:  70 years after the end of   the year in which the author dies;

• Cinematograph films and photographs: 50 years after the end of the year in which the work was first published.
• Sound recordings: 50 years after the end of the end of the year in which the recording was first made.” – Quote from COSON)

(Back to the case at hand) Here is the essential gist of the release put out by Omawumi about the song:

“Bottom Belle is a special song,” the feisty diva explains. “It is my witty way of telling the story of an opinionated young Nigerian woman who wants and fully intends to enjoy her life. This is a song you’ll rock to at the local hangout, the club or even the village square!”
Bottom Belle has a feel good vibe, which is driven by a smooth highlife beat. The song has an unmistakable club feel, merging native sounds with a cosmopolitan edginess that would prove irresistible to music lovers. The song tells the story of a young woman being wooed and how expensive she is to maintain. She tells her ‘toaster’ to prove himself a ‘chairman’ by taking her shopping and buying her a pair of bell-bottom trousers and other things that would make her happy.
Kporokoto master Flavour never fails to impress, and he does the same in this single. Playing the role of the ‘Chairman’, Flavour’s vocals take the listener straight to the dance floor as he boasts of his wealth in different currencies and how he plans to spend it on her as long as she makes him happy and dances to his tunes.”

I saw the circulation of the song when it  initially came out but unfortunately, I was too busy to pay attention to it until now. I absolutely adore Omawumi and believe she is one of Nigeria’s few really talented artists. However, adoring an artist and even rocking to him/her has nothing to do with the legal issues that stem from allegations of copyright infringement. Besides the alleged copyright infringement by the artist from Benin reported below by Questionmark Magazine, there is a bigger and seemingly clearer infringement on the work of African Rhythm Messengers going on.
This is where I pause so you all can listen to both versions:
African Rhythm Messengers, Bottom Belle
Omawumi – Bottom Belle

Clearly, at least on the hook, a substantial portion of this song was used. The obvious question is, did Omawumi obtain clearance for the song?
Folks,  there are three key legal issues of high importance you all need to focus on in this case:
1. Performing Cover Songs: What is required of you if you perform a cover song live?
2. Recording Cover Songs on Your Album for Sale: what is required of you if you will place a cover song on your album for sale?
3. Clearances for samples of recorded songs used to create your own work: What do you need to know about sampling other people’s work?
AML Legal Commentary
Anytime we discuss copyright infringement cases, your starting point has to be:
What is copyright law? What rights do I as a copyright owner have? If I want to use the copyrights of others, what do I need to know? For answers to the foregoing questions, click here.
Now we get into the original questions I posed. NOTE: These are all complicated topics that I have tried to simplify here. I am working on my book which is a lot more comprehensive and you all can purchase it when it is released for more indepth discussions. I don’t have a release date, yet. 
1) Can I play cover songs when I perform live?
AML Commentary: USA = Yes. Nigeria = Yes.
Who pays when I perform live at a venue?
AML Commentary: USA = Venue owner. The venue owner pays a “licensing fee” which is already negotiated to a performance rights organization such as ASCAP and BMI. ASCAP and BMI in turn pay the lawful copyright owner.
Nigeria = Venue owner. The venue owner pays a licensing fee to COSON, Nigeria’s performance rights organization. COSON in turn pays the copyright owner of the song.
2). Can I record cover songs on my album?
AML Commentary: USA = Yes. But you need to pay mechanical royalties for the song of the artist you are recording.
Who Do You Pay Too? The Harry Fox Agency, a mechanical licensing, collection and distribution agency.
What is a mechanical license? In simple terms: it is when music is licensed to be used on CDs, records, tapes  and digital configurations i.e downloads, streaming etc.
How much do you pay? In the USA, a statutory fee is mandated through a mechanical royalty fee.
Who typically pays for this license? The Record label who seeks the song for its recording artist. It is subdivided into 1) mechanical royalty payment for the writer/publisher; and 2) mechanical royalty payment for the recording artist.
Does Nigeria Have a Fixed Mechanical Royalty Rate and Harry Fox Like Agency?
To my knowledge, there is no fixed mechanical royalty rate. I believe COSON has been advocating, in recent times, for that. COSON would be looking to also take on HFA’s  role of mechanical licensing, collection and distribution in Nigeria.
Okay what’s really good with this Omawumi story? As to the Benin artist, we need more facts. We really don’t know enough despite the report. We need to hear his rendition and compare with Omawumi’s. Read the story below.
As to Omawumi’s seeming infringement of African Rhythm Messengers, we need to discuss sampling.
What is sampling?
Sampling is when you take someone else’s song or recorded performance and incorporate into your incorporate into your newly recorded song/performance. If you will use their work, then you need to pay them.
Here, there is no denying that Omawumi incorporated African Rhythm Messenger’s song into her own.  Was this cleared i.e. she paid them and also agreed on how she would attribute credit etc. We don’t know. All we know right now is there is a third party, independent of the claim that African Rhythm messengers could have against Omawumi and her label (assuming it is not cleared), claiming copyright infringement.
Let’s narrow in a bit on clearing samples.
Samples are so common in hip-hop music today. Whether you reside in Nigeria or the USA, under both laws, you need clearance to use the music of another person. However, especially in hip-hop, sampling is a notorious phenomenon. Do artists get sued? Yes they do. Jay-Z, Kanye West are just examples of many artists sued for alleged sampling who have settled their cases and kept things moving.
Our Nigerian music industry is still young particularly when it comes to suing to preserve their legal rights. People tend to think “shake it off” and God will be the one to administer the revenge. I say there is a reason why God created the lawyers.
I presume as time goes on, the industry will become even more educated and Nigeria’s legal industry will also become more knowledgeable; which needless to say will lead to an increase in litigation over issues like these. We are already seeing an increase in litigation. I got virtual stares when I first began AML (AML is not even one year old, yet) because it was so foreign both on a cultural and business context. These days, I am receiving your releases and many heads up on ensuing legal battles.  Many of you also email me to let me know you are setting better music law and business practices so your careers can flourish. I am happy to hear all of these. This is a good thing because if you as an artist work really hard, you should have something to show for it, especially as you age.
Legal Action By Lawyers When Sampling Occurs
1. The Attorney representing the party whose copyright you infringed will contact you to stop, effective immediately. Never ignore ANY correspondence from lawyers, the police, courts or judges. Bad mistake.
2. Lawyers ask you to stop  through a “cease and desist” letter. It is no Kumbayah let’s all get along kind of letter. It is a “you’ve got 5days to quit with the mess, any and all mess, relating to infringement of my client’s work” kind of letter.
3. If you happen to have sold the infringed work, the lawyer should make a demand that such products currently on shelves, in digital stores, youtube stores etc. be recalled immediately.
4. Lawyers will also demand that profits and damages be made and for proper accounting.
An all out war takes place if you disagree with the alleged infringement accusation and decide to fight back. Otherwise, if you infringed and you cannot refute the evidence, then your lawyer would work out a settlement with the lawful copyright owner and you all keep it moving.
QUESTIONMARK MAG. STORY
“Months after singer Omawunmi released her stunning new single which she titled Bottom Belle where she duet current wave making Afro centric act Flavour,the story reaching us has it that once upon a time popular Ajegunle act, called Xperience Oligbese now based in Edo State capital Benin City, has threatened to drag the song diva Omawunmi to law court for what he termed copyright breach.
The handsome seven footer,popularly known for his trademark Oligbese for sale told us that Omawunmi lifted some lines from his song he titled Do Something which is contained in the album he titled Givam Chance,released sometime in early 2004 and was produced by Nelson Brown for Progressive Sound Park a Lagos based Recording company.
The Delta State born Dancehall act said before Omawunmi recorded her song we have met several times at shows,where I performed my songs in her presence and the only thing she told me was that she loves my style of song but she never told me that she was planning to lift some lines from my song titled “Do Something” until in February this year when the label owner that released my album called me to ask why I allowed Omawunmi to lift some lines from my song without permission or credit to me and I was surprised. . . ” Full story on Questionmark magazine.