ALUU 4: Judge Withdraws From Case

The trial of 11 suspects in the murder of four undergraduates of the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPOT, was stalled on Thursday, when the Judge handling the case, Justice T. S Oji announced her withdrawal.

Justice Oji of the Port Harcourt High Court said at the resumed trial in Port Harcourt on Thursday, that her hands were tied because she had close relationship with the two parties in the matter,(some accused persons and victims) .

According to Oji, it was safer to the matter back to the Chief Judge, rather than favouring any of the parties, saying she knows both the accused persons and the victims.
"It is safer to send the matter back to the Chief Judge for reassignment than favour any party in this matter. The accused persons I know. The victims I know. My hands are tied in this matter. I am sitting between the devil and deep blue sea," she said.
The students lynched by a mob in Aluu, on October 5, 2012 are Ugonna Obuzor, Lloyd Toku Mike, Tekenah Elkanah and Chiadika Biringa.

The accused were Lawal Segun, Ex-Sergeant Lucky Orji, Ikechukwu Louis Amadi, David Chinasa Ogbada, Abiodun Yusuf, Joshua Ekpe, Abang Cyril, the traditional ruler of Umuokiri-Aluu (Alhaji Hassan Welewa), Okoghiroh Endurance, Ozioma Abajuo and Chigozie Evans Samuel.

Justice Oji expressed her displeasure when she discovered that one out of the 11 accused persons Ikechukwu Louis Amadi, being tried for the case did not have a lawyer to defend him, saying she would return the case file, to the Chief Judge
She Justice pointed out that she would rather return the case to the Chief Judge than try it because she would not take side on the matter.

The Director of Public Prosecution DPP, I. Otorubio, who led his team and other lawyers announced their appearance in the matter, but no counsel mentioned the accused name Ikechukwu Louis Amadi, a situation which attracted the attention of Justice Oji.
She explained that her decision on returning the case to the Chief Judge was not because she lacked the competence to handle the it, but due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Justice Oji further said the case had received widespread publication and had attracted much attention, adding that the image of the judiciary should be protected.
She said, "It is a matter of widespread publication. The judiciary wants to maintain its image. It is not a matter of incompetence, but because of its sensitive nature."

She expressed confidence in the Rivers State judiciary to try every case, stressing that the vital point in the Aluu case was not that justice was done, but it must be seen.
"I will not satisfy anybody. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to have been done. The Rivers State Judiciary has very capable hands to try all matters," Justice Oji stated.

The case which was originally at the Port Harcourt Magistrate Court was transferred to the High Court because the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case, but the Chief Magistrate Court had on Thursday, February 28 discharged seven, out of the 18 persons arrested in connection with the killing of the students..
Trial judge Chief Magistrate, Emma Woke had said the decision of the court was based on the advice from the Rivers State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

After reading the DPP's advice dated January 25, 2013, before the court, the judge discharged the seven explaining that they were arrested and charged to court based on mere suspicion.
The advice however, indicted the traditional ruler of the Umuokiri-Aluu, Alhaji Welewa and 10 others for negligence in preventing the wicked act and for active participation in the killing.

-
Source: Hope For Nigeria

Pastor Caught Sleeping With Church Members

An estranged housewife, Abosede Fasina, has told an Agege Grade 'A' Customary Court sitting in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, that she caught her divorce seeking husband, Pastor Segun Fasina, having sex with a church member who had come for deliverance on their matrimonial bed.

Abosede disclosed this while responding to a divorce suit instituted against her by her 35-year-old husband, Pastor Fasina, who is seeking the dissolution of their four-year old marriage over his wife's alleged wayward life.

The 30-year old house wife said the pastor is adulterous and that she once caught him having sex with a church member on their matrimonial bed.

"My husband is adulterous. He counsels his church members at home, and I discovered that most of them are ladies. One day he was inside the room counselling a woman when I dashed in.

"But to my surprise, my husband and the woman were both naked in our bed. When I confronted him, he beat me and threw me out of the house.

"When I reported the case to his father, he said I should not disturb his son.

She however told the court that despite Pastor Fashina's adulterous lifestyle, she is still in love with him.

Her husband, Pastor Fasina, had earlier told the court that his wife, Abosede, had lost her sense of dignity, and was now smoking and drinking alcohol.

The pastor who resides at 4, Moses St., Alagba, Orile-Agege, also said that his wife was a gossip and troublesome.

According to him,"Abosede possesses all the bad habits one can think of. She was accused of stealing a phone in our house. I believed she actually stole it because of her behaviour. She goes to other co-tenants' apartments to gossip. And whenever there is any fight in the house, my wife's name is always mentioned.

"As a pastor, I have prayed for her deliverance from the evil acts but my effort was in vain. Since the marriage is childless, we owe ourselves nothing. So, I want the court to dissolve the union," he pleaded.

The Court President, Joseph Adewusi, after listening to both parties, told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the case till 10 May for judgment.

Gov Amaechi Stranded In Akure As Jonathan Grounds Bombardier Jet

The political disagreement between Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi took a new dimension today as aviation agencies prevented the aircraft of the governor from leaving Akure Airport in Ondo State shortly after the governor and his aides returned from the burial of late deputy governor of Ekiti State, Olufunmilayo Olayinka.

It was gathered that National Airspace management Authority operatives refused to give clearance to the governor's jet to take off leaving the governor and his aides stranded.

It could not be confirmed whether the Governor and his aides were later allowed to take off from the airport or not.

Policeman Strips Himself Naked Over Unpaid Salaries

A police constable, Leke Obaba, on Thursday evening stripped himself naked at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, to protest over his unpaid salary.

The police officer, who told P.M.NEWS that he joined the police force in 2003, complained that he had not been given his salary since he started working with the force.

"You won't believe that I have no access to my account since I was demobilised from the Mobile Police Force, MOPOL, 53 Akwa Ibom State. For over 11 years I have worked I was not paid any salary. I was later transferred from Kaduna Command to Lagos last year. Though when I was in Kaduna I was taken to a psychiatric hospital, I have wife and children, how do I feed them?"

When contacted, the Provost Marshal of the Command said there was nothing he could do about it.

It was also gathered that the constable had earlier been detained but later freed so that he will not disturb suspects in the cell.



A police source at the command said the constable was transferred to Lagos last year, but another police source was skeptical about the constable, saying that he has not seen him before and that he poses a danger to other officers at the command because of his unruly behaviour.

"I'm seeing this man for the first time in my life. If they eventually give him a gun, I hope he will not kill the whole people at the command," a police officer said.

When contacted the Lagos Command Police Public Relations Officer,a Deputy Superintendent of Police Mrs.Ngozi Braide did not pick her call.

[PM News]

Nnamdi Azikiwe University ASUU Factions Lock Horns Over Suit

A recent legal suit against the administration of the Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) by a faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) led by the executive of the body led by Prof Ike Odimegwu without due consultation with its members has balkanized the union.

However ASUU leadership under Odimegwu told journalists yesterday that they made wide and urgent consultations as allowed by the constitution of ASUU. That they even had an emergency executive committee meeting and contacted the national headquarters of the body and got their approval and permission before embarking on the law suit.

According to him, "in every organization, the elected executive by virtue of its elected mandate take some urgent decisions and actions on behalf of the body or they will be swallowed up by emergencies. The action that necessitated our court action came up during the university's sessional exams and in an effort to avoid disrutption of the exams, the executive of the union then took the emergency move to save the day, after due consultations.

"Anyone trying to opt out of our actions at this time is merely attempting to arrogate undue powers to himself or themselves, Prof Odimegwu noted.

He poited out that the kernel of the matter was that the Vice Chancellor appointed some persons who in their views were not supposed to sit in the Senate of the University. So they went to court to have the action reversed.

Reacting bitterly over the suit yesterday in a press briefing at the main auditorium of the Post- Graduate School, a faction which called itself "The UNIZIK ASUU Progressives"

Said that the Prof Odimegwu acted against their briefs and mandate by going to court on a serious issue as that without first calling a congress of the ASUU to seek their approval.

But in a 3-page written brief read to journalists by Prof Maduabuchi Dukor and signed by himself, Profs E.O Akusoba, Ken Nwogu and Edmund Egboh, stated that the matter was a purely union matter that do not concern the VC or the University authority at all. Prof Egboh said that any attempt to drag the VC into the issue was an effort to demean the institution.

Prof Nwogu, who is the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Law, said they were not satisfied by the way ASUU was being run or the way the members were being dragged into a legal action they never authorized or permission sought from them at all. He said that they would not comment on the matter as it is already before the court.

The protem chairman of the faction, Prof Dukor said, "ASUU is a legal body and we disagree with those who want to use us as cannon fodders. We therefore call for objectivity…"

PHOTOs: Beyonce, Jay-Z nad Blue Ivy in Paris

Jay-Z missed the TIME 100 gala so he could be with his wife Beyoncé and daughter Blue Ivy in Paris. The happy family was spotted having lunch at Septime restaurant on Thursday. 

The 15-month-old was cute as can be, wearing adidas sneakers and a "Pump Up the Volume" graphic tee, as her mom held her. Doting dad Jay-Z kissed his daughter as the paparazzi swarmed the restaurant to get a shot. If you ask me, Bey looks sooo tired.

Jonathan Awards $40Million Contract To Israeli Company To Monitor Computer, Internet Communication By Nigerians

The Jonathan administration secretly, and in open violation of lawful contracting procedures, has awarded an Israeli firm, Elbit Sysems, with headquarters in Haifa, a $40million contract to help it spy on citizens' computers and Internet communications under the guise of intelligence gathering and national security.
Elbit announced the contract award Wednesday in a global press release but was silent on the Nigerian destination of the contract. Its general manager, Yehuda Vered, opaquely announced that "Elbit Systems will supply its Wise Intelligence Technology (WiT) system to an unnamed country in Africa under a new $40 million contract announced on 24 April for Intelligence Analysis and Cyber Defense," but effusively claimed, in the statement, that his company is "proud to be selected to supply this unique system, which is already field-proven, fully operational and customisable.

Arsenal make early £25m move for Fiorentina striker Jovetic

Arsenal have taken a big step towards signing top summer transfer target Stevan Jovetic after opening talks with Fiorentina.

The news emerges as manager Arsene Wenger admitted he is 'afraid' of Chelsea's planned summer splurge.

The Gunners have watched Jovetic, 23, since 2011 and while the Serie A club value him at around £25million, Arsenal — who have around £70m to spend — are determined to agree a lower fee.

The club's decision to make an early move for Jovetic is significant as Manchester City and Juventus are both keen on the forward. Any deal would depend on Arsenal qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Wenger, also looking to sign a new first-choice goalkeeper, has tracked Hamburg's Rene Adler since March. Sportsmail understands a senior scout will run the rule over the 28-year-old again on Sunday against Schalke. Having been quoted £15m for Stoke's Asmir Begovic and Sunderland's Simon Mignolet, Arsenal see the Germany international's £8m fee as a more viable option.



Wenger will want to strengthen his squad given Chelsea's transfer plans. Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Andre Schurrle is close to arriving at Stamford Bridge, while it looks increasingly likely that Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falaco will also sign.

Wenger told Eurosport: 'I'm afraid of what Chelsea can do in the summer. We have to be prepared for them to be one of the biggest movers in terms of investment.'

Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has admitted he has found it hard to live up to the hype.

The winger has struggled to cement a place in Arsenal's first team and has started just 11 Barclays Premier League games this season. 'The hype was created after my first season (2011/12) with Arsenal and you're expected to be a world beater the following campaign,' said the 19-year-old.

'This season there have been good parts, but there have been frustrating parts which I have learnt from.' 

[UK Mail]

3 dead, 200 injured while writing WASSCE as school building collapses

3 pupils, including a girl, were killed and hundreds injured on Wednesday when a building in which they were writing the West African Examination Council School Certificate examination (WASCE) collapsed on them.

The incident occurred in Alpha Academy, a private secondary school in Mararaba, Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Some 560 candidates were writing the examination in Alpha Academy. Many of them complained of the cracks before the building came down on Wednesday.

Of the 200 injured candidates, 30 are said to be in critical condition at the CRCN Hospital, Takum, where doctors are battling to save their lives.

One of the survivors, Godiya John, 22, who sustained a spinal cord injury, was immediately referred to the National Hospital, Abuja.

Donga council chair Capt. Douglas Ndatse (rtd), who confirmed the incident, described the examination hall as a one-storey building.

He said the examination was taking place upstairs.

Another survivor, simply identified as Ezekiel, said they were waiting for the Biology question paper when the building suddenly came down on them.

Ezekiel, who is seriously injured, said the incident occurred at about 6:48pm, more than three hours behind the time scheduled for the examination.

"The paper was slated for 3:30pm," Ezekiel said, attributing the delay to officials.

Some 560 candidates are writing the examination in Alpha Academy.

- The Nation

Photo: Davido tattoos himself on his back?

Word making rounds this morning is that Pop-star Davido is that the teen star had tattooed a picture of himself on his back.

The picture is of a man's back with the All Of You crooner's face on it and titled "See Gobe".

While it's yet unconfirmed if it's Davido, what do y'all think of the ink work? Frankly, I find it tacky.

UTME May Not Hold In Troubled Northern States

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Wednesday said the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination might not hold in troubled states in the North.

The examination, in which over 1, 735,720 candidates are expected to participate in will hold on Saturday.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the JAMB Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. 'Dibu Ojerinde, said the board "may not hesitate to stop the examination if there is any security problem".

Responding to a question on security challenges in the country, Ojerinde said, "Yesterday it was a big discussion among some agents as well as JAMB. We believe that things will be all right. You see, we believe that we will surmount the problem.

"If however, there is any problem, we may not hesitate to stop the examination in those areas to the extent that we will now give the children a chance of doing the examination on CBT only.

"If you miss Paper Pencil Test in a challenging area that you cannot do the examination, then you will have to do the next one and that will have to be as from May 18.

"With God, we shall not experience any problem. We have put everything humanly possible in place, we have put this before God, and we believe he is not going to sleep on that day. But if there is a need for postponement in those places, we shall not hesitate."

There have been reported cases of violence occasioned by the activities of the insurgent group, Boko Haram, in many states in the north in recent time.

Meanwhile, Ojerinde, said the Board had concluded arrangement for its first Computer Based Test in 70 centres across the nation from May 18 to June 1.

The CBT, he said, was an alternative to the Dual Based Test and PPT scheduled for Saturday.

Ojerinde said 1,629,102 candidates applied for the IPT, 15,008 candidates for the Dual Based Test while 91,610 candidates applied for the CBT.

He said the figure for 2013 showed an increase of 231,789 applicants when compared with last year's figure of 1,503,931 representing an increase of 13.35 per cent.

Ojerinde said 145 visually-impaired candidates registered for the examination while 196 inmates registered for it from Kaduna and Lagos prisons

Couple In Prison For Selling Their Twins At N400,000

An Asaba Chief Magistrate Court has remanded a couple who sold their twins last week in prison.
The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Augustine Agbona, based in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta state,are standing trial along with two others identified as Okolie and Ebere for the sale of the babies to a Lagos-based woman, Okogwu for N400,000.00.
Mrs. Agbona allegedly connived with her husband to sell the set of twins (a boy and a girl) who she was recently delivered of at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Delta State.


Members of the Asaba Community Police apprehended them and handed them over to the police for further investigation.
Speaking on the case, Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, ASP Lucky Uyabeme said confessions of the couple led to the arrest of other suspects, adding that the babies, who were recovered from the alleged buyer, have been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Asaba for proper care.

The court granted bail to Okolie, of the Welfare Department in the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Ebere, based in Ogwashi-Uku, who allegedly facilitated the sales of the infants, after fulfilling the conditions, while the couple was ordered to be remanded after failing to meet bail demands.

The court remanded the husband Augustine in Ogwashi-Uku Prisons, and sent the wife, Ebele to Agbor Prisons, while further hearing in the case was adjourned to 16 May 2013.

Northern Govs Beg Boko Haram To Accept Amnesty

The Northern Governors' Forum on Thursday lamented the effect of the Boko Haram insurgency on the North and pleaded with members of the violent Islamic sect to accept the planned amnesty for them by the Federal Government.

The Chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, stated this while receiving the report of the forum's Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security, in Abuja on Thursday.

Aliyu, who said the activities of the insurgents had led to destruction of many lives and property, also advised the Federal Government to complement the resolve of the forum by taking into account, the findings and recommendations of its committee.

"Members of the insurgent group are called upon for immediate ceasefire; accept the offer made by the Federal Government and come forward for dialogue and eventual submission of arms," the governor said.

Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau had 0n April 10, said the sect members did not need anmesty because they believed they had done nothing wrong. He stated that it was the Federal Government that needed pardon by the group whose activities in the past few years had led to the loss of at least 3,000 lives and property worth millions of naira in parts of the North.

"Surprisingly, the Nigerian government is talking about granting us amnesty. What wrong have we done? On the contrary, it is we that should grant you (a) pardon," Agence France Presse had quoted him as saying in Hausa language.

But Aliyu, who said the governors were determined to ensure that the amnesty succeeded, explained that "the formation of the Reconciliation, Healing and Security Committee was as a result of recurring incidence of violence and wanton destruction of lives and property which crippled the economy of Northern states and paralysed socio-political activities of the region."

He therefore urged "the Federal Government to operationalise and streamline critical components of the (proposed) amnesty in line with conclusions of this committee (Northern governors' committee) towards successful and sustainable achievement of the noble objectives of the peace process.

"This will no doubt go a long way in evolving a robust framework for peace building and enforcement, wealth creation, and economic regeneration in providing practicable solutions to the security challenges."

The chairman said it was time Northerners began to see themselves as one because they were treated as such in other parts of the country irrespective of their ethno-religious backgrounds.

He also decried what he called an increase in the fraud associated with fuel subsidy payments which, according to him, was now a case of outright stealing with nobody asking questions.

The forum's chairman noted that the masses believed that governors were doing nothing over the development.

He said, "Today, we were asking a question when reports of issues came ( at the National Economic Council meeting); we were asking: 'how many of you people have gone to the filling stations and bought fuel at subsidised rates?' Very few, where is the subsidy going?

"There were some people discovered to have lied and collected money in the name of subsidy. Where are they? Today, we are told that there is more thievery in our oil sector than before.

"The illegal bunkering and the stealing of oil are affecting what comes to the federation account. Why because, if you catch one thief and you do not punish him, an honest man will think that it is better to become a thief than to be honest. We must as individuals, as parents and administrators, stop these things. We must punish those who have been caught."

Giving a background of the formation of the Northern Governors' Forum Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security, Aliyu said, "You may wish to recall that concerned about the destruction, killings and instability in the northern states, and in response to these challenges, the committee was set up on July 26 , 2012 and inaugurated on August 22 in Abuja."

Aliyu said the first step towards peace process begins at the family level through proper upbringing of children and adherence to moral obligations.

He added that the governors would soon meet in Kaduna to study the recommendations contained in the report with a view to implementing them.

In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, said, "We have investigated enough, we have killed our people enough, the entire northern Nigeria is filled with our own blood, that of our wives, our parents and our grandparents without reason.

"We must appreciate that in the Nigerian nation, we are talking about 400 tribes and only 20 are from the South . The remaining are in northern Nigeria. I have about 50 tribes in Bauchi.

He said Islam got to Southern Nigeria first before it came to the north and pointed out that Muslims in the South were living in peace with Christians.

"Why are they not killing themselves? he queried, saying there is a lesson those in the north must learn from the South.

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State said, "The north is a sleeping giant. It has potential in terms of human and material resources. Its eminent sons and daughters have performed credibly well in the affairs of this nation for decades. There is no excuse for the north to keep hurting itself."

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, observed that the insecurity in the north had dire consequences for the corporate existence of Nigeria.

He recalled that the committee submitted its interim report on February 14, 2013 and requested an extension of time to enable it to complete its assignment.

Zakari said, "The north has suffered very serious economic, social and psychological devastation with relationships among the people severely fractured. Specifically, the underlying sources of insecurity in the northern states are deeply rooted in the following:

• Economic inequality and narrowing opportunities, conflicts and unhealthy competition among ethnic and religious identities , ownership and access to resources (land and territory), unequal access to political power among groups and the feeling of lack of respect; and

• Appointments into traditional headship positions, the deterioration in personal and inter-group relationships, poverty, illiteracy and ignorance, widespread impunity, injustice and disregard for the rule of law."

Zakari said those factors were surmountable if serious consideration was given to some of the recommendations in the committee's report.

He added, "Your excellencies, the people of the north are tired of having committees formed every time a crisis erupts, while the recommendations of reports of the committees are hardly implemented.

"It is the collective view of the committee members that the north must get its act together. For too long, it has been seen by the rest of the country as lagging behind despite its huge human and natural resources."

New York Magazine Names Twenty Most Hated Celebs

According to Star's poll, these are the twenty most hated celebrities:
1. Gwyneth Paltrow
2. Kristen Stewart
3. Jennifer Lopez
4. John Mayer
5. Katherine Heigl
6. Matt Lauer
7. Madonna
8. Justin Bieber
9. Anne Hathaway
10. Kris Jenner
11. Kim Kardashian
12. LeAnn Rimes
13. Ashton Kutcher
14. Jay Leno
15. Angelina Jolie
16. Lindsay Lohan
17. Shia LaBeouf
18. Taylor Swift
19. Jesse James
20. Chris Brown

Last week, Star released the results of its annual "Most Hated Celebrities" poll, revealing Gwyneth Paltrow as the most reviled person in Hollywood and Chris Brown merely the twentieth most hated. (More people hate Taylor Swift and Matt Lauer. See addendum.) Hating celebrities is obviously a cherished online activity, but why do we do it? Are we projecting anxiety? Attacking symbols? Bullying? To more precisely understand the phenomenon, I considered the most loathsome attributes of each celebrity. I found that each fit into one of three overlapping categories: Tries Too Hard, Doesn't Try Hard Enough, and Crimes Against Other Celebrities.

Tries Too Hard is the category of do-gooders, poseurs, strivers, and phonies. Cultural aversions to inauthenticity and shamelessness — which we often believe to go hand-in-hand — cause us to revile those whose lives and mannerisms seem rehearsed. Seventh most hated celebrity Madonna has a fake accent and talks too loudly about yoga; ninth most-hated Anne Hathaway seems like she's playing the award-winning role of Anne Hathaway, instead of just being herself. The worst offenders are those believed to pair falseness with condescension. Cluelessly condescending Gwyneth Paltrow believes she can improve the lives of others by telling them how to eat, sleep, groom, even poop. She's a "rich white woman with an eating disorder turned into a branding opportunity," critics say. She tries too hard at acts that should be effortless, like digesting. Tries Too Hard, it should be noted, is a category dominated by females. Male offenders are those who overstep assigned roles, like Ashton Kutcher (No. 13 on the list) striving for tech-world relevance or Justin Bieber (No. 8) trying to rap.

Doesn't Try Hard Enough describes the opposite problem. Kristen Stewart (No. 2) slouches and doesn't wash her hair. Lindsay Lohan (No. 16) sleeps through court dates and doesn't brush her teeth. Most egregiously, Lindsay Lohan may be wasting her talent — not trying hard enough when trying hard could result in greatness. Alternately, she may exhibit signs of entitlement — showing up late on movie sets while remaining "indignant she was not considered for Black Swan." Those who hate Lohan the most view her very being as an assault on the values of hard work and merit-based achievement.

Just as the line between working hard and trying too hard is razor thin, the line between doesn't try too hard (beloved celebrity Jennifer Lawrence) and doesn't try hard enough (hated celebrities K.Stew and LiLo) is narrow but significant. (Note that I'm speaking about public perceptions, not my own inclinations. I adore Lindsay and Kristen.)

Eighth most-hated celebrity Justin Bieber, meanwhile, is a paradox of effort. Contrived hairdos and words like swag suggest he tries too hard. But the narrative he sells is about luck against the odds — or, as a critic might put it, success that is unearned. An informal survey I conducted of Bieber haters yielded the following complaints: "conceited teen prick," "drop-crotch pants," "perpetually open mouth," "swag," "swaggy," "squirmy dance move that is like a figure-eight moonwalk," "scrawny but thinks he is big, the kind of guy who watches himself in the mirror at the gym while lifting two-pound weights." His bravado is simultaneously affected (trying too hard) and ineffectual (meaning he needs to try harder).

Crimes Against Other Celebrities is our final category. It is male- and adultery-dominated. Angelina (No. 15) stole Jen's man. LeAnn Rimes (No. 12) stole Brandi Glanville's man. K.Stew cheated on R-Patz.  Jesse James (No. 19) cheated on Sandra Bullock and is an ex-Nazi, to boot. Leno (No. 14) backstabbed Conan; Lauer (No. 6) backstabbed Curry; LaBeouf (No. 17) beefs with everyone. Taylor Swift (No. 18) and John Mayer (No. 4) are serial celebrity heartbreakers.

The only celebrity to exhibit characteristics of all three groups — the heart of celebrity darkness — is girlfriend-beating, chair-throwing, eye-shitting misogynist Chris Brown (No. 20). He attacked Rihanna, Drake, Frank Ocean, and many others. His overzealous feuds and weird boasts suggest he tries too hard. Backslides into violence and rage suggest he doesn't try hard enough to change. (Or have the decency and discipline to walk away from fame.) He may have ranked low on Star's hate list, but as the only celebrity to embody all three categories of celebrity loathsomeness, Chris Brown may be the most categorically hateful celebrity in the world. He is a Renaissance man of hatefulness. America's most well-rounded specimen of human revulsion. 

-NYmag-

Student sentenced to death by hanging for stealing N2000 in Delta

An Ogwashi-Uku High Court in Delta State has sentenced a 23-year old student, Aruhor Ezekiel, to death by hanging for robbing another student of N2,000 at gunpoint.

The convict was arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms punishable under sections 1 (2)a and 3 (1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R.II Vol. 14 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Prosecution led by Deputy Director in the state Ministry of Justice, Mr. E. Ferdinard, told the court that "Aruhor Ezekiel, on or about the 26th of July 2010 at Umu-Otu quarters within Ogwashi Uku judicial division robbed one Idakpo Friday of his Nokia handset, MP3, wallet containing N2,000, school identity card, clearance card and some complimentary cards while armed with a gun."

He was also charged for "robbing one Ijie Theophilus of his phone and wallet while also armed with a gun."

All victims, according to prosecution, were students of Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, while the convict was a student of Ozoro Polytechnic Ozoro, Delta State.

- Vanguard

Sanusi Urges FG To Create An Unemployment Compensation Policy To Assist Unemployed Youths

The rising insecurity in the country has left a lot to be worried about for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor Mallam Sanusi Sanusi, who has now called on the Federal Government to create an Unemployment Compensation Policy to assist teeming unemployed youths. This he believes will discourage them from crimes and other deviant life styles and hence reduce the insecurity the country is facing.

He also suggested the creation and maintenance of biometric and forensic data base for all Nigerians.
Speaking yesterday in Umuahia, at the first Abia State Youths Empowerment Summit, where over 200 vehicles, 700 tricycles and other equipment would be distributed to youths in the state, Mallam Sanusi said the high level of poverty is the basis for desperation and criminality in the country.

Sanusi who was guest lecturer spoke on the topic, 'Youth Empowerment as a Panacea for Insecurity,. He said, "The government should adequately fund the security agencies through competitive remuneration, provision of modern security equipment and gadgets, training and retraining all security personnel to meet modern day challenges.

"In the South-South and East, the act of kidnapping, youth restiveness and other violence have become rampant. Specifically, the spate of kidnapping across the country, the incessant wave of crime and armed robbery point to the fact that insecurity is a big challenge to development in Nigeria.
"Related to the above is the challenge of poverty level. Governments at all levels are unable to address this because there is no realistic social security programme in Nigeria to meet the people's basic needs. This often provides the basis for desperation and criminally minded activities."

Sanusi also called for the provision of conducive environment and other logistics for security personnel.
The CBN governor noted the importance of youths in any nation and need for them to be provided for, especially when not employed, and added that there was need for the Federal Government to emulate developed nations where social safety nets were provided for unemployed youths.

Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji had earlier stressed the importance his administration placed on youth empowerment, noting that it helped the state to effectively tackle the menace of kidnapping. He also commended the youths for their role in combating kidnapping, as he flagged off the distribution of 200 vehicles, including buses and township taxis, 700 tricycles and other equipment such as computers, sowing machines, among others.

Everton To Cough Out €5.5m For Onazi

Everton are expected to produce €5.5m if they are to get Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi from Serie A club Lazio.

The Toffees are reportedly close to concluding talks on the 20-year-old.


According to Mercato, Everton have already contacted Lazio regarding the Nigerian midfield international who has played nine times for Nigeria.

Onazi is far from a regular for Lazio, he has made just five appearances for the club in Serie A games, but he has been a regular for them in their Europa League campaign.

With South African Daylon Claessen already on trial at Goodison Park and transfer rumours linking Everton with a summer move for Real Betis midfielder Juan Carlos in the summer, the possibility of the Africa Cup of Nations hero going to England is not being ruled out.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are hopeful of fending off interest from Arsenal to secure a summer deal for Nigeria international Godfrey Oboabona.

The 23-year-old is desperate to leave current club Sunshine Stars at the end of the season, and his agent has been actively offering him around European clubs.

Oboabona already has a number of potential suitors, but was expected to undergo a trial with Arsenal last month in a bid to try and win a contract with his boyhood club.

The Gunners eventually decided against offering him a deal - yet have maintained their presence at his matches and continue to monitor his progress.

Lille and Rennes from the French league are known to have approached the defender, who can play centre back or in midfield, but it's thought that Newcastle are now the front runners for his signature.

Magpies manager Alan Pardew is desperate to add to his defensive options in the summer with a reported £1m on the cards.

Oboabona has 16 caps for Nigeria and Newcastle know they face a battle with the Home Office in order to secure a work permit to wrap up the transfer.

Kebbi to Complete N13 Billion Airport by August

The Kebbi state governor, Seidu Dakingari has assured that the new Kebbi International Airport in Birnin Kebbi will soon be ready for commissioning.

Dakingari said this while taking the National Good Governance Team on a tour of the airport.

He said the airport will be ready for public use by August.

According to him, the commissioning of the airport will open the state to investors and also enable people, especially farmers, export their farm produce. He added that the airport will be an avenue for job creation to absorb unemployed youth in the state.

The governor said the upgrade of the facility, which is currently an airstrip, was approved by the Federal Ministry of Aviation. He said the contract was awarded in August 2011 at the cost of N13.5 billion.

A representative of the firm handling the project, Jiang Wei reportedly said work on the airport is almost reaching completion promising to deliver on schedule.

This will be a welcome development in otherwise lackluster Kebbi. Got a friend who'd find this new exhilarating.

Photo: Rihanna Takes Off All Her Clothes To Have Her Hair Styled By A Man

If Rihanna ever needs a new hair stylist, she’ll be inundated with job applications.

The singer has posted an image of herself having her locks preened by a man as she kneels down wearing only her knickers.

She stops short of putting her bare b**bs on display, using a towel to protect some modesty instead.

However, Rihanna ensures she leaves a titillating portion of her b**bs uncovered – no doubt with her Twitter followers in mind as she posed for the snap.

Adding to the appeal of the arresting image, the clothes removed by the attention-seeking superstar just sneak into the frame.

Another addition to her arsenal of flesh-flashing shots sees the chart-topper flaunting her bum as she rests on a lilo in a swimming pool

President Jonathan nominates 5 EFCC board members

President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated five persons; Barr. Micheal Ebong , Uwasomba Udochukwu, Emmanuel Ibitolu, Dr Ismaila Mohammed Dukku, and Adesojo Olaoba-Efuntayo, into the board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC .

In a letter he sent to the Senate President, David Mark, he said the appointments were pursuant to the provisions of section 2(3) of the EFCC Act which provides for the appointment of the chairman and members of the commission.
In a similar letter, President Jonathan requested for the confirmation of appointment of two members of the