Oil Subsidy Fraud Suspects Funneled Nearly $1billion To Jonathan Election Campaign

Ada Ugo-Ngadi-MD of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited yesterday
By SaharaReporters, New York
Some of the high profile suspects arraigned on Wednesday for stealing $6.8 billion oil subsidy funds have sent a strong warning to President Goodluck Jonathan to desist from prosecuting them or face a full disclosure of how they funneled close to $1 billion towards his 2011 presidential campaign through the oil resources minister Diezani Allison-Madueke and the Minister for the Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe.
 
SaharaReporters sources say that operators of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, whose Managing Director, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, was docked along with 20 others, have compiled information that was sent to President Jonathan that includes:
 
• How they specifically handed over $300 million through the Minister for Petroleum Resources, Allison-Madueke, towards the election of President Jonathan in 2011; and 
• That they bought a mansion for Mr. Orubebe in Abuja worth N600 million.
 
Saharareporters learned that the accused Ontario Oil chieftains were shocked by the public humiliation brought upon them by the EFCC. The most powerful member of the Ontario clan, Walter Wagbatsoma, reportedly left Nigeria for Paris shortly before the commencement of prosecution by the EFCC. 
 
Meanwhile, EFCC officials have confirmed to SaharaReporters that Mr. Wagbatsoma has not written any statement or appeared before the agency even though he was listed as one of those to be arraigned by the EFCC. He is believed to have the key to unlocking the involvement of Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke in the oil subsidy fraud. 
 
Specifically, Wagbatsoma is reportedly in possession of a private jet bought last year that he is holding in trust for Mrs Allison-Madueke. A source in Abuja also said that Mr. Orubebe is on the board of Ontario Oil, although he may not be publicly listed. Wagbatsoma is listed as the owner of several companies used to siphon off funds from the oil industry, they include: Ontario oil & gas Ltd., Ontario trading Ltd, Ontario storage terminals Ltd., ontario vessels Ltd., Ontario Drilling and Engineering services.
 
In Lagos today, the prosecution suffered another setback as the court adjourned following the failure of Wagbatsoma to appear  at the trial. The proceedings were equally stalled yesterday by the absence of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke.
 
Sources knowledgeable about the intrigues surrounding the trial have already predicted that due to the current threat to expose President Jonathan and some of his most powerful ministers, the case will fizzle out over time.

Uche Jombo's Wedding Pictures in WOW Magazine

Uche Jombo got married to Kenny Rodriguez in a low key destination wedding (Puerto Rico) on May 16, 2012. WOW magazine, run by Julie Odia who was on the bridal train, exclusive rights to the wedding pictures and has just published the pictures. Enjoy the few shots here...
Don't forget to get your current edition of WOW magazine for the real deal...

Wedding Ceremony Photos: Rafael
Cover Shoot: Angel Nieves
Courtesy: WOW Magazine

EXCLUSIVE: Katherine Jackson -- Could Lose Millions in Perks

The plot to turn Katherine Jackson against the Michael Jackson Estate has backfired in the most ironic of ways ... because the money grab could end up costing Katherine millions in perks.When Katherine was appointed guardian of Paris, Prince and Blanket, the Executors gave an allowance of $60,000 per month for the care of the children ... that's $720,000 a year.  Less than a year later the judge increased the 60k to 70k, and that would make the yearly take $840,000.The judge is now in position to strip Katherine of guardianship altogether.  If that happens, the executors will almost certainly petition the court to funnel the money in TJ's direction, since he would be caring for the children.Katherine never had control of the money for the kids, but she enjoys a lot of the perks the kids get, and that goes away if she loses guardianship.  She would still, of course, retain the allowance he personally receives from the Estate.Short story ... Randy, Jermaine, Janet and Rebbie set out to turn Katherine against the estate so she could get more money during her lifetime -- money she could dole out to them -- but the plot may have actually screwed Katherine.When she realizes what hit her, mama's gonna be pissed.

Photo: Woman Finds Live Python In Her Toilet

A 74-year-old Pensioner from Schwanstetten in southern Germany  could believe her eyes when she lifted  her toilet sit and found a live Python in her Toilet, immediately she called the police, who tried to flush the serpent from its hiding place.
“However, the reptile was in no mood to show itself to the officers so the fire brigade was called in. They opened a manhole in the garden and were able to remove it from the plumbing,” a police statement said.
A snake expert was then calledto access the situation, and Sse identified the serpent as a two-year-old royal python, normally not dangerous to humans, and offered to take it home until the owner steps forward.

PDP Chairman In Trouble Over Son’s Involvement In Subsidy Fraud

The new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bamanga Tukur, may soon become the former chairman of the party following the embarrassing involvement of his son, Mahmud in the oil subsidy scandal.
Indications to effect emerged in Abuja today when the members of the National Working Committee of the party met at the party secretariat in the city.
A source told SaharaReporters that members of the NWC were of the view that the President may soon ask Tukur to vacate his position on account of his son’s involvement in the oil subsidy mess.  He is listed among the first suspects to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
We also learned that Tukur’s aides have already been asked by members of the NWC to steer clear of both the party’s National Secretariat and its Presidential Campaign office, popularly called “Legacy House”.
One of the key decisions of today’s NWC meeting, which lasted for five and half hours, was that Alhaji Tukur be shielded from the press tomorrow when the party plans to speak on the move by the House of Representatives to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan.
Worried that Tukur may be roughed-up by the journalists at the event with questions about corruption and his son, the NWC decided that his deputy, Dr. Sam Jaja, should handle the sensitive assignment.
Earlier, the NWC asked Tukur’s former aide, Alhaji Habu Fari, to resign his position following a media war in which he had engaged with the party’s National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.  The NWC blamed Fari, accusing him of rudeness.
Perhaps as another sign of Tukur’s fading popularity within the top levels of the PDP, the NWC also told that he would be the one to pay Fari and the other aides from his personal purse since he recruited them himself.
Besides, all of those aides had earlier been told to report at Tukur’s own campaign office, located in the Central Area of Abuja. Many of them, we were informed, resigned their appointment in anger.
Earlier today, Jonathan’s government showed it was rattled by the threat of the House of Representatives to impeach him for poor implementation of the 2011 budget.  Following the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, took the place of Information Minister Labaran Maku to plead with the Representatives that the government was doing its best.
“I think the point is that Mr. President is determined to implement this budget as fully as possible and therefore we will be moving towards the figure of as full implementation as we can by the end of the year because the budget was made for the whole year,” she told State House correspondents.

20 houses burnt over youth’s death in Rivers

PORT HARCOURT -  NO fewer than 20 houses, were, yesterday, set ablaze in Omudioga community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, when irate youths reportedly went berserk over the death of a youth, who was simply identified as Benjamin.

Details at press time were hazy but community sources said the rampaging youths speculated that the death of the late Benjamin might have been caused by some members of the community.

Effort to stop the rampaging youths from venting their anger on the property of innocent community folks was futile.

However, attempt to get the reaction of the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ben Ugwuegbulam, was futile, as his mobile lines rang out.

Meantime, community sources said security men had been deployed to quell the riotous situation. Some victims of the attack, said they had to flee their houses when it became clear that the rampaging youths were out of control.

Chairman of the council, Mr Allen Nma, confirmed the incident, adding that the development had been brought under control.

“Several houses were burnt and property worth millions naira destroyed.  The Police had taken over the place to prevent any further attacks, but the youths, responsible for these evil acts must face the wrath of the law,” he said.

P-Square's mum will be laid to rest on August 2nd

The body of the mother of multiple award-winning singers, P-Square, Mrs. Josephine Okoye, 62, which is currently in a Lagos private mortuary, will be laid to rest in her husband’s house at Ifite-Dunu, Akwa Village, Anambra State on Thursday, 2 August, 2012.

Shortly before the burial, there will be a lying-in-state at her Umunachi, Umudioka Village, Anambra State and a church service at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, before the proper burial at Ifite-Dunu, which will also be the reception venue and is expected to be attended by colleagues of P-Square in the entertainment industry and some state governors amid tight security.

Late Mrs Okoye is survived by her husband, Mr. Moses Okoye and eight children namely Christopher, Henry, Jude, Lilian, Tony, Peter, Paul and Mary.

A$AP Rocky Pleads Not Guilty Following Fight With Photographers

A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his alleged assault on two photographers in New York City, last week.

The Harlem native is accused of second degree robbery—likely for trying to snatch one the photographer's cameras. His associate, Bigga Bar$ was also involved in the scuffle, and pleaded not guilty as well.
The incident went down when Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, was got into in a rift with another person. The two unsuspecting characters whom he blessed with the fade, were bystanders looking to snap some amateur shots of the rapper. What they were met with was a vicious (and probably embarrassing) two-piece, which resulted in Rocky's arrest.

Null of releasing a debut album, Rocky is no stranger to letting his anger get the best of him. He and the A$AP Mob are being sued for reportedly inciting a brawl at the Fader Fort last year, and who can forget his colorful words for the Kickdrums.

Both Rocky and Bar$ are due in court Wednesday July 25

Rick Ross' Tour Bus Burglarized In Detroit

Rick Ross' tour bus was left in burglarized and destroyed Saturday as Rozay made a stop in Detroit. According to 3m360, Ross' camp filed a police report early Saturday morning, claiming the bandits made off with thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, clothes, and other personal property.

No members of Rick Ross' entourage was in the bus when the burglary took place, as they were staying in a nearby hotel. As of now there are no suspects. Ross' fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't will be hitting stores next Tuesday, July 31st under Def Jam Records

$15 Million Dollars Unclaimed Property Up for Grabs for whoever is Interested

The cash was said to have been deposited into the strong room No 1 of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on April 26, 2007, by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the instructions of the former boss of the commission Nuhu Ribadu.
The money was said to have been given to the EFCC as bribe by former Delta State Governor James Ibori through an agent. However, Ibori has since denied giving the cash to either the EFCC or any of its officers.
Thus, the Federal Government, via an ex-parte originating summons it filed in court on Tuesday has requested the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to order the immediate forfeiture of the $15 million allegedly given to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by the jailed former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, as bribe.
According to the FG’s, they are requesting “an interim order forfeiting the sum of $15,000, 000 (Fifteen million dollars) being an unclaimed property in possession of the Central Bank of Nigeria, to the Federal Government of Nigeria pending the publication and hearing of the motion on notice for the final forfeiture order of the said property… an order of this honourable court directing the publication in any national newspaper of the interim order under relief one above, for anyone who is interested in the property, to appear before this honourable court to show cause within 14 days, why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Therefore, the judge hearing the case, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, maintained that if by September 17, 2012, no one showed up to lay claim to the money, the $15 million bribe would be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Below is an excerpt of an affidavit by Bello Yahaya who was one of the investigators assigned by the EFCC to investigate the criminal case against Ibori EFCC official present at the hearing, about the genesis of the money:
“while the investigation was going on, on 25th April, 2007, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the then Executive Chairman of the EFCC called the investigation team headed by Mr Ibrahim Lamorde the then Director of Operations, to pick up cash in the sum of USD 15, 000, 000. 00 (Fifteen Million Dollars) given to him and the Commission through an undisclosed agent of the said James Ibori.
“That upon picking up the said USD 15, 000, 000. 00 (Fifteen Million Dollars) we deposited same on 26th April, 2007 with the Central Bank of Nigeria which was duly acknowledged and signed for by one M.M El-Yallud, a staff working in strong room 1 of the CBN.
“That from the said 26th April, 2007, the money remained in the custody of the CBN till date. The issue of giving bribe was raised by me in my affidavit sworn to on 9th January 2008 in opposition to James Ibori’s bail application when he was eventually charged to court for Money Laundering Offences.
“James Ibori denied through his reply to counter affidavit dated 10th January, 2008, of giving the sum of USD 15, 000, 000. 00 (Fifteen Million Dollars), to EFCC or its officials. That ever since April, 2007, no one has claimed ownership of the said sum and it has since remained unclaimed money in the strong room of the CBN.
“That the said sum if left untouched and unspent in the state it was kept in the strong room since April, 2007, may eventually be destroyed, defaced, mutilated and become useless.

Man has penis stolen by masked intruders...Bizarre

Thieves stole a man's penis while he slept, according to police.
Fei Lin, 41, of the Niqiao village near Wenling City, in east China’s Zhejiang province, told police He was sleeping in his house  when at about 4am a group of men broke in, put a bag over his head and cut of his penis.
"They put something over my head and pulled down my trousers and then they ran off," Lin said. "I was so shocked I didn't feel a thing - then I saw I was bleeding and my penis was gone."
Fei Lin, is a worker in a small village and has been accused of affairs with local women. Although he denied his infidelities.
Police believe the attackers were jealous lovers of several local women whom Lin was having affairs with. Lin denied taking part in any infidelity.
Emergency services and police searched for the severed organ, however failed to locate it and belive it was stolen by the attackers.

BET bans Rick Ross’ ‘Hold me back’ video

Fans who are anticipating Rick Ross’ new video (for the single ‘Hold me back’) shouldn’t bother looking for it on BET when it drops as the network has banned the soon-to-be released video.
Reports say BET has watched the full clip and are  ’adamant on keeping the raw and intense footage’ of Ross’ latest visual production off their network.
Video director TAJ_TKP who is responsible for the footage took to his personal Twitter account to express his disappointment.
So BET rejected Ross’ ‘Hold Me Back’ video. It’s incredibly sad, because the video is incredibly special & real. You’re killing US BET. Smh. Everybody ask BET why it’s ok for them to play ‘Boyz N The Hood’, ‘Menace To Society’, and ‘South Central’, but not Ross’ video. What does BET stand for? You should have two answers for that question’, TAJ_TKP said.
The director later tweeted at BET President Stephen Hill in a bid for the exec to reverse the decision;  ’Please tell BET to play Rick Ross’ ‘Hold Me Back’ Video. It’s a work of art and it’s as REAL as it gets. Support it’s honesty‘.
Guess Ross was wrong by saying no one could ‘hold him back’, yea?
Watch the trailer to ‘Hold me back’ below…

Cossy Orjiakor flaunts her latest on twitter

Controversial actress/singer/businesswoman Cossy Orjiakor who loves showing pictures of herself in various stages of undress (particularly her bust) recently tweeted a picture of the tramp stamp she got – an eagle strategically positioned over the strings of her skimpy bikini bottoms.
I can’t wait to hear people’s comments about this…becos i still don't understand this Tatoo madness in naija...even 1 seems to think tatoos are the in thing....
Please wassup with Tatoos really!!!!

Ritualists kill seven year old boy in Nasarawa

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the State Security Service (SSS) has paraded two men who allegedly killed a seven year old boy in Nasarawa state for ritual purpose.

Assistant Director, Operations of the Service, Mister Ibrahim Halilu said the two men, John Yakubu and Ishaya Dakulung were arrested on Sunday afternoon in the Asokoro district of the FCT with the fresh human head while they were looking for a buyer.

Mister Halilu who said the suspects will soon be charged to court, warned parents to closely monitor the movement of their children during the holiday period in order to forestall the activities of evil minded persons.

One of the suspect, John Yakubu who spoke in Hausa said the victim who is an only child of his parents was lured to a river side in New Karshi, Nasarawa state, before severing his head from his body while his partner, Ishaya Dakulung claimed that he was only helping his friend to get a buyer with a promise of being paid  N250,000 (Two hundred and fifty thousand naira)

Sherman Hemsley, Star of 'The Jeffersons,' Dead At 74

Sad news for fans of groundbreaking TV show "The Jeffersons," star Sherman Hemsley died on Tuesday (July 24). The television icon was at his home in El Paso, Texas, where he is believed to have died of natural causes, according to TMZ.
The 74-year-old actor began his career on Broadway in the early '70s, where he was spotted by legendary TV producer/ sitcom godfather Norman Lear, who asked him to audition for a role on his wildly popular show. The series, "All in the Family," would make Hemsley a household name. Although it took him two years to accept Lear's invitation, Hemsley became an instant favorite upon joining the cast in 1973, thanks in large part to the magnetic chemistry and hilarious banter between Hemsley and his TV wife, Isabel Sanford.
George (Hemsley) and Louise "Weezy" Jefferson (Sanford) were given their own show in 1975, spinning off their characters into "The Jeffersons," which aired on CBS for 11 seasons and 253 episodes. The onscreen couple were working-class Harlem, New York, natives who moved up the economic and social ladder after George opened and expanded a chain of dry cleaners. The show went on to garner countless award nominations and is considered a landmark program in television history. It is still the longest-aired sitcom with a predominately African-American cast. According to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, it was also the first TV show to feature a married interracial couple.
After the end of "The Jeffersons," Hemsley continued to act on multiple television shows and in films, including the hit '80s sitcom "Amen," on which he played a church deacon. But George Jefferson will be Hemsley's enduring legacy, a role he often reprised alongside Sanford. The fictional couple appeared in the series finale of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," an Old Navy campaign and took home a TV Land award for "Most Cantankerous Couple." Sanford passed away in 2004.
Send your condolences and share your TV memories of Sherman Hemsley in the comments section