Welcome to Geophilworld's blog: 06/24/15

Wednesday 24 June 2015

EFCC arraigns two suspected fraudsters For $2.25m scam

Find the EFCC Press statement below

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Alhaji Yerima Suleiman and Mr. Uwem Essien Antia before Justice Lawal Akapo of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and forgery. Yerima and Antia ran into troubles, when they were arrested in March, 2015 by operatives of the EFCC for allegedly stealing the sum of $2,250,000 (Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) from two bankers: Aginwa Gladys and Ale Dennis.

The suspects allegedly approached Aginwa and Dennis in February, 2015, offering to sell foreign exchange to the tune of $10,000,000 USD to them. After agreeing on the exchange rate, a sum of N672, 750, 000 (Six Hundred and Seventy Two Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) was transferred from BlueBeam Capital Investment Limited and Capital Field Investment and Trust Limited into the account of one of the bankers: Smiles and Light Limited.

It was from the banker's account that the entire sum was moved into Antia’s account: Kafisto Oil and Gas Limited. Findings showed that the entire sum of N672, 750,000 actually hit Antia's account. A Bureau de Change operator who changed the money into its dollar equivalent, told EFCC's investigators that he went with Antia to his bank, along Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the transaction was confirmed. The Bureau de Change operator further revealed that, Antia subsequently transferred the sum of N666, 250,000(Six Hundred and Sixty- Six Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) into his own account.

He said he worked out the dollar equivalent of the money, which was $3,127,000 (Three Million, One Hundred and Twenty- Seven Thousand United States Dollar). He said he could only give $3,124,000(Three Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand Dollar) to Antia, leaving a balance of $3,000(Three Thousand Dollar), which he promised to give him the next day. Immediately Antia collected the foreign exchange, he reportedly headed for Number 17A, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the two bankers and his accomplice, Suleiman were waiting for him. However, rather than handing over the entire foreign exchange to the bankers, he only gave them $1,000,000(One Million Dollars), claiming that he could not source the entire amount. He allegedly promised to give them a balance of $2,250,000 (Two Million, Two Hundred and Twenty- Five Thousand Dollar) the next day.

This balance would be the dollar equivalent of the entire sum of the transaction (N672, 750,000). The bankers said that, since the day Antia and Suleman gave them the initial $1,000,000, all efforts to reach them had proved abortive. "Their cell phones were turned off", they said. However, they lodged a complaint with the EFCC and operatives of the Commission eventually arrested the two fraudsters. The fraudsters, upon their arrest, claimed that they had given one of the bankers, Dennis the balance of the money at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, but investigations by the Commission, showed that no such transaction took place.

Count one of the charge read: "Alhaji Yerima Suleiman and Mr. Uwen Essien Antia on or about the 5th day of February, 2015 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain money by false pretence from Dennis Ale and Aginwa Gladys. Another count read:"Alhaji Yerima Suleiman and Mr. Uwen Essien Anita on or about the 6th day of February, 2015 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, with intent to defraud and in order to facilitate your obtaining money by false pretence from Dennis Ale and Aginwa Gladys, forged acknowledgement of receipt dated 6th February, 2015 purported to have been made by Dennis Ale." When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Gbolahan Latona prayed for a trial date and the remand of the accused person in prison custody. He told the court that the 1st accused person was also a defendant in another fraud charge before another court.

However, 1st and 2nd defence counsel, Ali Adams and Kabril Akingbolu said they have filed applications for bail and prayed the court for a short adjournment for argument on their bail applications. Justice Lawal Akapo adjourned the matter to November 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, 2015 and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kirikiri maximum prison. Media & Publicity 24th June, 2015

NASS: Senate President, Bukola Saraki blocks moves to read APC’s letter

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a move by some APC Senators to read the letter from the APC leadership recommending some senators to occupy specific principal officers of the senate. Gbenga Ashafa (APC-Lagos East), who relied on Order 15 of the Senate Standing Order, urged that the President of the Senate should read on the floor of the chamber the letter from the party.

“Yesterday, most of the media houses carried a letter that was written by the chairman of our great party, the APC. “We were expecting that that letter which has been received in your office will be read in order to see to the resolution of the party’s leadership tussle,” he said.

He backed the decision of the party leadership to recommend persons to occupy the other positions exclusively preserved for the party. Quoting from Order 28 (1) he read: “There shall be a Majority Leader of the Senate.

The Majority Leader shall be a senator nominated from the party with the highest number of senators. “I believe that that letter should have been read to the hearing of all senators here present. Perhaps that will be the solution to the leadership tussle in the Senate,” he said. The APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, had in a letter dated June 23, recommended Senators to occupy the other principal positions.

The letter recommended Ahmed Lawan as Senate Leader; George Akume, Deputy Senate Leader; Olusola Adeyeye as Chief Whip; and Abu Ibrahim as Deputy Whip. However, Ibn Na’Allah (APC-Kebbi South) immediately countered the point of order and explained that the nomination should be made “from” the party not made “by” the party.

“By the ordinary principles of interpretation of documents that have been agreed by parties, the ordinary letters and words used must be given their effective meaning. “Order 28 used ‘from’, not ‘by’. What this seeks to do is to deter the minority party from nominating the Majority Leader,” he said.

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who presided over plenary, ruled Mr. Ashafa out of order and declined to read the said letter. He said: “I have listened to Senators Ashafa and Na’Allah. Going by the rules and what has been said earlier, I think I will just note what Senator Ashafa has said. “We will leave the matter as that and in that case, rule that out of order.” Another attempt was made by Kabir Marafa (APC-Zamfara Central) to question the June 9 election of Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu, but that too was ruled out of order by the President of the Senate.

Mr. Marafa, relying on Order 110 and 3 (e) (i), of the Senate Standing Order, sought to know which of the Order Books (2011 or 2015) was being used to coordinate the activities of the 8th Senate. He described the 2011 Senate Standing Order as ‘genuine and authentic’ thereby countering the authenticity of the Senate Standing Order 2015. “I am still referring to the events of the 9th of June, 2015, in this chamber. I have two Order Books and I am running into confusion, and I think there’s a need for the President to rule. “Which of the Order Books are we going to use to coordinate the activities of this Senate?’’ he asked.

Mr. Marafa insisted that there was a conflict in the two books as to the procedure that should be taken for election of presiding officers of the senate. Proffering explanation, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, said that from 1999 till date, the Senate had come with its own rules. “There was Senate Rule of 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and now 2015.

The reason is quite simple. “If you look at Section 64 of the 1999 Constitution it says that the Senate and House of Representatives shall each stand dissolved at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date of the first sitting of the house. “So, the implication is that the rule he was referring to ended with the Senate on the 6th of June,” he said. The President of the Senate thereafter ruled Mr. Marafa out of order.

Source: NAN

79 year old Lover of Football Left £300,000 To Amateur Club

Wow! A lifelong football fan has left his favourite amateur club more than £300,000 in his will. Colin Rowell was an avid Bishop Auckland FC supporter and left the bulk of his estate to the club following his death in January at the age of 79. Stunned officials said the bequest would help secure the County Durham club's future.

Burna Boy Renewed His Edorsement Deal With Glo (Photo)

Congrats to him

See How 'Chinco' Guys Make Fake Alcohol (Photos)

See how they make fake alcohol and package it. One needs to be careful.

Rob Kardashian Sends Kim Kardashian Voice Notes to Help Her Pregnancy Nausea

This dude is delusional and needs help ASAP! Guess what? He resurfaced on twitter just to tweet at his big sister, Kim K. According to his confused tweets, he said he's got a cure for pregnant Kim K's early morning sickness and Kim Replied asking what was the cure, guess the cure? Please guess? Lol, apparently the cure is French Montana's song Lyric, lol.

Kim K is still suffering from morning sickness and apparently her brother, Rob K , has found a possible cure. Kris Jenner’s only son, 28, who has been battling weight gain and depression for months, returned to Twitter on Tuesday, June 23, to offer his pregnant sister help with her nausea.

PHOTOS: Kardashian family album

“@KimKardashian I sent u that voice note. It should help,” Rob wrote in reply to the reality star’s tweet: “Wait wait wait I thought this nausea thing was supposed to be gone by now!!!! UGHHHHHH.”

Although it’s unclear what Rob’s “voice note“ was, it might have to do with French Montana’s music.

PHOTOS: Celebs on Twitter

“Should I post it? I think people would love to hear the voice notes u send me!” Kim, 34, replied, prompting Rob to tweet back lyrics from Khloe Kardashian’s ex-boyfriend’s track “Hard Work.”

“@KimKardashian HARD WORK GONE PAY OFF!! I BE HIGH OFF THIS MONEY I DUNNO WHAT THEY BE ON!!” he wrote, leaving his followers understandably a bit confused.

“Rob is in a dark place,” an insider explained to Us of the bizarre tweet. “His post was about how she seems caring in public, but he feels ignored,” a second source added.

Rob was last photographed making a late-night In-N-Out run on June 18.

Imagine! Student of DELSU Commits Suicide After Her Boyfriend Dumped Her (See)

Pandemonium and tears at the weekend enveloped Abraka community in Delta State when a 26-year-old microbiology student of the State-owned University (DELSU) identified as Evelyn Mogekwu allegedly committed suicide after being jilted by her fiance.

Reports said the end of the seven-year relationship traumatised the girl as all plans to walk down the aisle failed to materialise.

Sources said the girl was in high spirits in her hostel but her mood changed dramatically and she became dejected after her fiance called her on phone to declare their relationship over.

She was said to have bought some drugs, claiming she was having a head ache and went into her room, leaving a message for roommate that they might not see her again.

Few minutes later, her roommate who sensed something terrible was going on, raced into the room and found her lying lifeless on ground. The roommate then raised an alarm that attracted other students to the room, but before help came the girl's way, she had given up the ghost.

Confirming her death, some senior police officers at the Abraka Police Division, who did not want their names in print, said they recovered particles of drugs on the ground beside the deceased, adding that her roommate is currently being detained for interrogation.

Chai!!! See what thugs did to this woman in Igando...

The woman pictured above was attacked by hoodlums suspected to be robbers along Igando in Ojo, Lagos state, on her way to work yesterday morning.

EBOLA: Fresh cases reported in Sierra Leone

The National Ebola Response Centre (NERC) in Sierra Leone's says it has recorded fresh cases of the deadly Ebola virus that ravaged the country and some other countries in West Africa last year.

Six people are under observation after the first person with symptoms of the disease was admitted on June 17th. 3,900 deaths were recorded in Sierra Leone alone during the last Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Sierre Leone was declared Ebola free in May by the World Health Organization.

See customers sitting on the floor of a bank in Yola

Imagine, customers in a bank in Yola, Adamawa state sit on the floor as they wait to be attended to. See more below

Photo credit: Bash Bello

See the mysterious Islamic tribe where women have multiple sexual partners

Behind the ancient way of life for the Tuareg tribe of the Sahara is a culture so progressive it would even make some in liberal western cultures blush. Women are allowed to have multiple sexual partners outside of marriage, keep all their property on divorce and are so revered by their sons-in-laws that the young men wouldn't dare eat in the same room.

What is even more surprising is that even though the tribe has embraced Islam they have firmly held onto some of the customs that would not be acceptable to the wider Muslim world. It is the men, and not the women, who cover their faces, for example.

Photographer Henrietta Butler, who has been fascinated by the Tuareg since she first followed them through the desert in 2001, once asked why this was. The explanation was simple.

'The women are beautiful. We would like to see their faces.'

But this is certainly not the only place the Tuareg, related to the Berbers of North Africa, differ from the Muslim world of the Middle East, and even other parts of their own continent.

Before a woman marries, she is free to take as many lovers as she wants.

'They turn a blind eye,' explained Butler. 'The young girls have the same great freedoms as the boys.'

For years, the men of the Tuareg have been able to ride to a young woman's tent, and sneak into the side entrance - while his well-trained camel stands quietly and waits.

There, they will spend the night together - while the family, who all live in the tent, politely pretend not to notice.

Should the woman choose to welcome a different man into her tent the next day, so be it.

However, there is also a code of practice which none would dare break. Privacy is all important for this centuries old tribe of nomads, who once crossed the desert bringing dates, salt and saffron south, and slaves and gold north.

The idea of breaking the rules of courtship would be mortifying; as a result, the man is always gone before sunrise.

'The Tuareg are utterly discreet. Everything is done with utmost discretion and respect,' said Butler.

The relaxed customs around sexual partners has resulted in the girls getting married later than they may otherwise do, with the age of 20 not being uncommon.

Although, before then, they will have been wooed with poetry written by the men, who spend hours carefully crafting the words which they hope will win their beloved over.

But it is not a one-way street: the women are just as capable of putting pen to paper, using their own alphabet, taught to them by their mothers.

'The women also make poetry eulogising the men,' says Butler. 'There is high romance and idolatry.'

Unlike in so many other cultures, women lose none of their power once they marry either.

Any visitor who goes to a camp would be vastly underestimating the power of the women in the tent if they believe their sole duty is to make the food and look after children.

In fact, she owns the home and the animals. And the animals are an invaluable resource to the Tuareg in the middle of the Sahara.

Journalist Peter Gwin recalled an elderly nomad once telling him: 'Animals are everything to a Tuareg. We drink their milk, we eat their meat, we use their skin, we trade them. When the animals die, the Tuareg dies.'

Many marriages end in divorce among the Tuareg. And when it happens, it is the wife who keeps both the animals and the tent. And it is she who normally decides that she’s had enough.

It is the men who cover up their faces, while the women are happy to show off their faces - although they often cover their hair

The Tuareg women, seen here arriving at the Tuareg Political Party speech in 2006, may not obviously be part of political life, but their opinion is highly valued by the men, who will likely discuss issues with their mother or wife.

It is unlikely there will be any quibbling over who gets what. Pre-nuptial agreements are the norm.

In practice, this often means a man is forced to return home to his mother, possibly with just his camel and nothing else.

His wife, meanwhile, will keep possession of everything she brought to the marriage and that includes the children.

The mother's camp, Butler explains, is the root of the community, the home everyone returns to - and this arrangement ensures it stays that way.

And there is no shame in divorce. Families will often throw their daughters a divorce party, to let other men know they are available once more.

But this is not a matriarchal society, where the women are in charge.

Butler explains it is still the men 'who sit and talk politics'. But even here, the women can be deferred to. They are often consulted for their views by their sons or husbands, and are quietly pulling the strings behind the scenes.

However, Tuareg society is matri-lineal, which means the families trace their lines through the women, rather than the men, right the way back to their first queen.

So, Butler explained: 'Traditionally, the man would belong to the woman's group, rather than the other way around.'

The preference for the women's line goes as far as man leaving his possessions to his sister's son as it 'is considered a stronger link to your family than to your own son'.

In other words, it can be guaranteed that your sister's child belongs to your sister, rather than a man's son, who cannot be absolutely guaranteed to share his genes.

But there is one tradition which is certainly far more unusual: it is highly rude for a man to eat in front of a woman who he cannot have sexual relations with, or any of his elders.

In front of his mother-in-law it is especially shameful.

'I didn't realise this until the I was having dinner with a Tuareg woman, who had brought her son-in-law as her travelling companion,' Butler recalled.

'We were all sitting down to dinner, and the man has his back turned. She said the poor man was completely horrified because he has to eat with his mother-in-law.'

But it is unlikely he would have ever complained about it, or felt sorry from himself. The very idea is horrendous to the Tuareg.

'You would shame yourself. The Tuareg will go to great lengths to maintain personal dignity. They will suffer,' said Butler.

'If they are not offered water, they won't ask for it - even if they are thirsty.'

Perhaps for this reason, the Tuareg welcome is legendary. They never forget to offer water, and travellers who appear on the horizon will always be 'treated like a king'.

Source: UK Daily Mail/ Henrietta Butler's new book

"Sometimes it can be morally necessary for parents to separate" Says Pope Francis

Pope Francis says it may be “morally necessary” for some troubled families to split up so that the weaker partner or the children can be protected. He said this today June 24th while addressing Catholic faithfuls ahead of a global meeting on family life in October. He said;

“There are cases in which separation is inevitable. Sometimes, it can even be morally necessary, when it’s about shielding the weaker spouse or young children from the more serious wounds caused by intimidation and violence, humiliation and exploitation”

He went on to say that after separations, it is important that the couple is counseled so that the 'child does not become daddy or mummy’s hostage”. He noted that there are many families with 'irregular situations' in the world.

Chai!!! Rita Ora steps out again without a bra... her nips almost seen!

Rita Ora stepped out braless once again in New York. The British singer showed extreme sideboob in a daring LBD as she went about in the city yesterday. Nice way to stay in the news. Nice boobs too...:-). More photos after the cut...

Photo credit: Shutterstock/splash news

APC forwards names of candidates for principal positions in NASS to Senate President & Speaker

Chairman of the APC Chief John Odigie-Oyegun yesterday forwarded names of the party's chosen candidates to ocupy principal positions in the National Assembly to Saraki and Dogara. The names which was contained in a letter signed by Chief Odigie-Oyegun reads;

"Please find below for your necessary action names of principal officers approved by the party, after excessive consultations for the 8th Senate as follows: Senator Ahmed Lawan(Majority Leader)–North-East; Prof. Sola Adeyeye( Chief Whip)–South-West; Sen. George Akume (Deputy Majority Leader)—North-Central; and Sen. Abu Ibrahim(Deputy Chief Whip)—North-West."

A similar letter written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives reads

“Please find below for your necessary action names of principal officers approved by the party after extensive consultations for the eighth House of Representatives as follows: Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (House Leader) South-West; Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa(Deputy House Leader)—North-West; Hon. M. T. Monguno(Chief Whip)—North-East; and Hon. Pally Iriase(Deputy Chief Whip)—South-South. This comes with the assurances of my highest regards.”

The party believes that aggrieved National Assembly members such as Senator Lawan and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila who were sidelined by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the June 9th National Assembly elections should be compensated with principal offices in the National Assembly.

Source: The Nation

Nigeria's King of Comedy, Alibaba turns 50 today

Nigeria's King of comedy, Alibaba Akporobome turned 50 years old today June 24th. We wish him many more years ahead.

Check Nubi Education Fair 2015

Nubi Educational counselling is one of the leading Educational Consultancy services in Nigeria, established in 2004. We work with over 40 universities and Colleges in UK, Canada, USA and Ireland at all levels from GCSE to Postgraduate. We also provide excellent visa counselling services as well as offering consultancy services to educational institutions both locally and abroad.

In addition, Nubi ensures all our applicants receive clear and accurate information that would assist them in making informed decisions on their career and university choice. Nubi Education placed over 100 students in September, 2014 with 100% visa success rate and there have been great records of high academic achievements from our previously placed students.

You are just one step away from making the best decision of your life. It is a life time opportunity that should not be missed. We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming Education fairs, hosted at different specified locations from 10am -5pm:

· Lagos

Saturday 27thJune, 2015

Southern Sun Hotel

Alfred Rewane Road,

Ikoyi, Lagos.

· Port Harcourt

Monday 29^th of June, 2015

Novotel Hotel

3 Stadium Road

Port Harcourt,

Rivers State

· Abuja

Wednesday 1^st July, 2015

Sheraton Hotel

1Ladi Kwali Street,

Wuse

Website: www.nubieducation.com, Twitter: @nubieducation

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nubieducationalcounselling, Email: info@nubieducation.com

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Iftar on the streets of London yesterday (Photos)

According to Islamic religion, 'Iftar' means 'the meal eaten by Muslims to break their fast after sunset during Ramadan'. Pictured here is what went down on some streets in London yesterday. See another picture below

Photo Credit: @MrAlMubarak

See the Traffic Warden everybody loves

Anyone who plies Herbert Macaulay, Jibowu, Yaba definitely knows this woman named Josephine Okeme. She's a police officer, traffic warden extremely diligent and dedicated to her work. Her attitude is always pleasant, inspiring and she's definitely a worthy ambassador of the Nigerian Police Force.

See Photos from the bank robbery That occurred in Ikorodu this morning

Here are some photos from the robbery incident that occurred at the Ogolonto area of Ikorodu this morning where armed robbers reportedly trailed a bullion van to one of the banks, attacked the bank, moved over to the next bank, robbed them and then burnt the vehicle that they used for the robbery. They left the scene using a speedboat that ferried towards Iyan Oworo. See more photos below

Oby Ezekwesili discredits ex minister's claim that GEJ left $30bn in treasury

The former Minister disagrees with the immediate past Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman who claims former President Jonathan left $30 billion in the national treasury. See more of Oby Ezekwesili's tweets below