Banker Faces Court Charges for Forging WASCE, University Results

A banker, Daniel Makanjuola has been arrested by Lagos State Police Command and arraigned in court for using a cloned West African Senior School Certificate and Lagos State University’s statement of result to secure employment at the Wema Bank Plc, Marina branch, on the Lagos Island. The police said Makanjuola had paraded himself as a degree holder in marketing with Second Class, Upper Division, before his arrest.

He was also said to have tendered a forged National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate and a reference letter to the bank. He claimed to have obtained the letter from United Bank for Africa, his purported former workplace.

The suspect, who hails from Ijero Local Government Area in Ekiti State, had joined the bank in 2013, before he was sacked in July 2015 after the documents were confirmed to be fake.

The fraudulent act was discovered after the management sent a letter to the UBA to verify the genuineness of the reference letter. The UBA was said to have denied knowledge of Makanjuola and the letter.

The discovery prompted the bank to write West African Examinations Council and LASU, which also disclaimed the results. The suspect was arrested after the case was reported at the Lion Building Police Station. The bank’s Public Relations Officer, Emela Esohe, said Makanjuola owned up to the act before a disciplinary committee.

The suspect, in a statement he made to the police, also confessed to the crime and explained how he obtained the forged certificates. He said he resorted to the act to alleviate the poverty in his family, adding that it was one Vincent who helped him to get the reference letter.

He said, "I am actually a National Diploma holder. I secured the fake WASCE and LASU results, using a search engine and CorelDraw application. I scanned an NYSC certificate and used some applications to edit it. I did it in order to put an end to the suffering of my poor family. I am the only son of my father. I want the authority to be compassionate with my case. I was only trying to live a better life."

A police prosecutor, Inspector I. Okeke, arraigned Makanjuola at a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court on three counts of forgery.

The charges read in part, "That you, Daniel Makanjuola sometime in September 2013, at Wema Bank, Marina, Lagos Island, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did forge West Africa Senior School Certificate, dated December, 2005 with candidate number, 5250209357 and certificate number, ASSCP 3841537.

"That you forged notification of final year examination result 2008/2009 academic session from LASU with reference number, LASU/E&R/405, dated March 11, 2010 and use it to secure employment at Wema Bank Plc."

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges before the presiding magistrate, Mr. A. Adefulire. Adefulire admitted him to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case till October 22, 2015.

Pistorius released from prison but placed under house arrest

South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been released on house arrest nearly one year after he was jailed for killing his girlfriend, prison officials say.

He is expected to spend the remainder of a five-year prison sentence at his uncle’s home in Pretoria.

Pistorius, 28, shot Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door but said he thought she was an intruder.

Ms Steenkamp’s relatives say they think Pistorius is “getting off lightly”.

Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, in October last year.

A case lodged by the prosecution appealing that decision is due to be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal on 3 November. State prosecutors say Pistorius should have instead been convicted of murder.

The athlete was released on Monday evening, a day earlier than expected, a spokesman from the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre said.

His parole conditions include gun ownership restrictions and continued psychotherapy sessions. The disabled sportsman is also expected to do a period of community service, according to the BBC’s Karen Allen in Pretoria.

Speaking earlier to the BBC, Reeva Steenkamp’s cousin Kim Martin said the family might consider visiting Pistorius when the time is “right”. But she also said she felt he was “getting off lightly”.

Her parents have previously said that the time served by Pistorius was “not enough for taking a life”.

Under South African law, the double amputee was eligible for release under “correctional supervision” having served a sixth of his sentence.

Meanwhile, a close family friend of the athlete said he was in poor physical shape, adding that his return to athletics would be unlikely.

If the prosecution is successful with its appeal next month, Pistorius could face a lengthy sentence back in prison.

Emenike retires from Super Eagles… Says it is for the sake of ‘national peace’

Emmanuel Emenike, attacking striker, has announced his retirement from international football.

Emenike announced on Monday night via his Instagram page, his decision to retire from the Super Eagles.

His retirement is coming less than two weeks after former captain, Vincent Enyeama, quit the national team, after a fracas with team coach, Sunday Oliseh.

While writing his reason for leaving the team, Emenike apologised to Nigerians for failing to rediscover his goal-scoring form for the Super Eagles.

Emenike: No more Eagles career! "After 5 great years, I am happy to announce that I have put full-stop to my Nationa team career for the sake of national peace." "Its a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I never regretted it and I think its the best time to end it. Millions thanks to all the fans who have been very supportive during the good and bad times." "I am very proud of my performance, I am proud of my team mates and I am very proud of the nation called 'Nigeria'. My AFCON gold medal is a sign of great achievement, My AFCON topscorer award speaks a lot about my commitment and dedication to the team. Super Eagles is a camp not a family house, and it shouldn't be a threat zone for any individual. I have done according to our national anthem. "All my dreams came true in the national team, I dreamt to win Nations Cup for Nigeria after 20-years, I dreamt to played at the World Cup as well as to make a name for myself... In the space of five years, I got them. I'm a winner! "For every dissapointing fans, maybe due to my inability to re-establish my goal scoring instinct for Super Eagles, I will like to say I'm sorry but the ones I had scored counted well for the team. As long as Nigeria remains, you and I will always remember the name 'Emenike'. "Finally, I am happy to make a bow and continue supporting the team everytime. Up Eagles, God Bless Nigeria!

Mikel Obi, baby-mama and the twins all in one adorable photo

Mikel Obi and his entire family were spotted in picture shared recently online.

The Chelsea player and his Russian baby-mama, Olga celebrated as their twins turned one month old.

Falae identifies his kidnappers(Photos)

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, who was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen on his 77th birthday and released after paying N5m ransom four days after, has identified his abductors who were paraded before him by the police. 

According to Vanguard,  Falae on Tuesday, identified three of the suspects as those who kidnapped him and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the ransom. Chief Falae, according to a police source, also identified one of the kidnappers who was kind to him.

The suspects confessed to receiving N100,000 each out of the N5 million paid for the ransom of the Afenifere Chieftain.

One of their leaders , Abubakar Auta, who served as the middle man, was arrested with the sum of N823, 093.

The trio confessed that the remaining money was carted away by their leader, identified as Baba Uro, who is now at large.

Caroline Danjuma slams Cynthia Morgan for posing with child while 'smoking''

Actress and mother of three, Caroline Danjuma took to her instagram page to slam Cynthia Morgan for posing with a child while holding a cigar..She wrote  

"It takes a child 5 years to fully grow perfectly... This is absolutely wrong... I always mind my biz but this baffles me ... When wiz kalifa did a similar thing with his own son he was called to order by child support and he apologised.. Chris brown can't get into Australia because of what he did to Rihanna.. Pls how is it ok to smoke In front of a child who is barely 2 yrs old.. Like seriously ... A lot of kids are dying from VSD and ASD... A little sniff of nicotine is a huge damage to a child... And yet this picture is circulating and being praised....
A baby mama who is a BOSS will never put her child through harms way... This ain't art... To hurt a child ain't music .. I speak for that innocent child... This is absolute rubbish . You can't do this abroad... Child agencies in Nigeria should take note... It should never be a normal thing.. Soon child pornography will be a norm... In the name of art."

Who agrees with her? 

Lamar Odom's children have released a statement asking for "prayers" for their father

Lamar Odom's two children, daughter Destiny, 17, and 13-year-old son Lamar Jr.,13, have released a statement asking for "prayers" for their father. 

In a statement to CNN the pair said:"Thanks for your outpouring of prayers and support for our dad. We are here with our family and friends. We appreciate everyone respecting our privacy at this time. We ask for your continued prayers." 

Odom's children arrived in Las Vegas accompanied by their mother Liza Morales on Wednesday night. Morales and Odom were together for 10 years before ending their relationship in 2008. 

A source tells PEOPLE that the former NBA star is currently on a ventilator and Khloé Kardashian is said to be preparing for the worst. 

Odom was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel on Tuesday and has been on life support since arriving at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas.

Senate postpones ministerial screening

The ongoing ministerial screening at the Senate, has been postponed till Tuesday October 20.

Senate president, Bukola Saraki, announced this at the commencement of plenary session on Thursday.

Thus far, 18 ministerial nominees have been screened and confirmed at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

See photos from Ubi Franklin and Lilian Esoro’s court wedding

A few hours ago, the latest Nigerian celebrity couple said ‘I do’ in a marriage registry.

Ubi Franklin, shared the photos on his Instagram page with the caption: ‘Done. Over to November 1’.

Their church wedding is expected to hold on Sunday November 1, 2015.

Omoni Oboli wows for Genevieve magazine latest issue

The Nollywood actress/producer and mother of three is the cover star for the October issue of Genevieve magazine. 

Lamar Odom Reportedly 'Used Cocaine And Viagra' Before Collapse

Former basketball star Lamar Odom, the estranged husband of reality TV star Khloe Kardashian, had used cocaine and herbal Viagra before he was found unresponsive in a brothel, according to 911 calls released by police.

He was taken to hospital on Tuesday after being found by staff at the Love Ranch legal brothel in Crystal, Nevada.

Odom had been using cocaine on Saturday and had taken as many as 10 performance-enhancing tablets in the three days before he collapsed, employees at the brothel told emergency services.

Kardashian and her sisters Kim and Kourtney, her mother Kris Jenner and half-sister Kendall Jenner are all reportedly at his bedside at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas.

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On Wednesday, Kendall tweeted: "Please don't go."

Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly said on Wednesday that a worker at the legal brothel reported Odom was found unresponsive with blood coming from his nose and mouth.

Nevada authorities have taken a blood sample to establish if there was anything in his body.

US media report that although Kardashian filed for divorce in 2013, it had yet to be processed and she was making decisions about his medical care.

As President, I Enjoyed Being Insulted — Obasanjo

Olusegun Obasanjo has confessed that when he was a sitting president of Nigeria he enjoyed being insulted by political opponents or critics.

Vanguard reports that Obasanjo made his surprising statement on Wednesday, October 14, speaking at the first international conference of the African Studies Association of Africa. The conference entitled “African Studies in the Twenty-First Century, Past, Present and Future” was held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, Oyo state.

The former president revealed that all those published insults were kept in the archives at his presidential library.

“If you visit the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, you will find thousands of archived newspaper comics and columns meant to spite and insult my person even as a sitting president. No individual or group of people was ever queried or jailed or repressed for expressing this freedom. Rather, I encouraged them because I derived fun and pleasure from the humour as I know who I am and nobody needs to tell me who and what I am not,”he said.

Khloe Kardashian by Lamar Odom's bedside as he 'remains in a coma and his organs begin to fail'

Khloe Kardashian is by her ex Lamar Odom's bedside, as it's now reported his organs are beginning to fail.

The former NBA star is in a critical condition after being found unconscious at a brothel in Pahrump, Nevada.

According to TMZ, Lamar is still in a coma, and breathing "with the assistance of machines".

But the gossip website claims his heart is failin and he "is having serious problems with his kidneys and lungs".

E! News claims Khloe is "heartbroken", and the news has left her feeling "completely inconsolable and heartbroken".

The former NBA star was allegedly at the ranch for a number of days partying with girls and taking a herbal substitute for viagra, TMZ quoted sources as saying.

Hof reportedly told the site that 35-year-old Odom was found unconscious in a VIP suite with fluid streaming from his mouth.

Khloe and Lamar split in 2013 after four years of marriage.

The couple - who tied the knot after just a month of dating - had been separated for several months before the Kardashian beauty filed for divorce in December that year.

It was rumoured at the time that Odom was struggling with substance abuse issues and had cheated on his wife.

Senate unveils full list of Buhari’s second batch of ministerial nominees

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday announced the names of 16 new ministerial nominees submitted to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The list of the nominees was presented to Mr. Saraki on Monday by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

Mr. Kyari was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Affairs (Senate), Ita Enang.

The new nominees are a member of the House of Representatives from Yobe State, Kadija Bukar Ibrahim; a former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and ex-senator, Heineken Lokpobiri; the legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress, James Ocholi, SAN; and the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Isaac Adewole.

The others are Thaddeus Omoleye Daramola, Anthony Onwuka, Jeffery onyema, M. Dan Ali, Zainab Ahmed, Okechukwu Elelema, Muhammadu Bello, Mustapha Baba Sheturi, Aisha Abubakar, Adamu Adamu, Pascal Husseini and Abubakar Bawa.

Mr. Buhari had earlier sent a list containing 21 nominees to the senate for confirmation as ministers.

The senate commenced the screening of the nominees Tuesday.

Amaechi, Fashola, others for ministerial screening today

The Senate yesterday began the screening of the first batch of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees.

Similarly, the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, also read out the names of the 16 fresh ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate on Monday evening by the chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari.

Those on the second batch of the list include Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Claudius Omoleye Daramola, Prof Anthony Anwuka, Geoffrey Onyeama, Brig-Gen M. M. Dan-Ali, Barrister James Ocholi, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Okechukwu Enelamah, Muhammadu Bello, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Ms Aisha Abubakar, Heineken Lokpobiri, Adamu Adamu, Prof Isaac Adewole, Pastor Usani Usani Uguru and Abubakar Bwari Bawa.

The screening of the initial nominees, which commenced around 11am yesterday, lasted about six hours with senators grilling the nominees on various national issues.

Nominees screened yesterday were Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Lt-General Abdurrahman Dambazau (retd), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Mrs Amina Mohammed, Sulaiman Adamu and Ibrahim Usman Jibril.

Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; his counterpart part from Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State in the last general election, Senator Aisha Al-Hassan, are among the 11 other first-batch nominees yet to be cleared by the lawmakers.

Senator Udo-Udoma was the first to take the stand yesterday during the ministerial screening. As a former senator he was asked to take a bow and go after the Senate president asked him few questions as is the tradition and convention of the Senate.

Former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during his screening was asked to render an account of his tenure as the chief executive of Ekiti State. He defended his records, adding that Ekiti is number 35 on the revenue list of Nigeria and with an average of N3bn from the federation account, with salaries alone standing at N2.4bn a month at the time.

He also disclosed that he built the Ekiti Government House with N2.5bn, the cheapest in Nigeria, and refuted allegations that he purchased a N50m bed.

The former Ekiti governor identified teacher quality problem and mismatch between career need and enrolment as the biggest problems bedeviling the nation’s educational system.

On issues of poverty, corruption and the Nigerian economy, Fayemi said: “Poverty is not indomitable; China has lifted her citizens above the poverty level. The major problem in Nigeria is that the gap between the mindlessly rich and the hopelessly poor is too wide and must be bridged.

“There is too much concentration of power at the centre; therefore, there is need for devolution of power in Nigeria. Corruption must be tackled head-on. The amount of leakages in our revenue system is unacceptable, and must be promptly addressed. We have to reduce our recurrent expenditure and increase our capital expenditure in this country; otherwise we won’t be able to develop meaningfully.

“We have to diversify our economy, and it is achievable. Our criminal justice system has to be revisited. People don’t get punished for committing crimes in Nigeria. Our prisons have been saturated by those who are denied Justice.”

On his part, APC chieftain, Chief Audu Ogbeh, a well-known farmer, was grilled on issues relating to agriculture and on why politicians easily move from one party to another.

In his responses, he explained how the government would revamp the agricultural sector and create millions of jobs for the youths, but he lamented that banks’ high interest rates were mitigating against the growth of agriculture in the country. He blamed lack of internal democracy as the reason why politicians find it easy switching political parties at will.

“The major problem of agriculture in Nigeria is bad seedlings. We have the worst seeds to plant. Agricultural extension workers should be engaged in the local government areas to teach farmers on the best seeds to plant to improve our agricultural production.

“Nigeria is facing great danger if our agricultural production continues to go down. We have to work hard to stabilize agriculture. The greatest problem facing the development of agriculture in the country today is the high and indeed outrageous interest rates being charged by the commercial banks in Nigeria,” he stated.

Hajj stampede: Nigeria death toll rises further, now 168

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Tuesday said the number of Nigerian pilgrims killed during the Sept. 24 stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, had risen to 168.
More than 769 pilgrims from across the world were confirmed dead and 1,000 injured during the stampede on one of the roads leading to the Jamarat Complex (stone throwing site) in Mina.

Speaking to newsmen on the incident in Mecca, Uba Mana, the Director, Public Affairs of the commission, said the number of Nigerians who died went up following ongoing analysis on the corpses by the Saudi Government.

He said that the number of pilgrims earlier declared missing had reduced from 165 to 144 due to the discovery of additional bodies.

He said that seven out of the 42 pilgrims injured during the stampede were still on admission in Saudi hospitals.

On the ongoing airlift of pilgrims back to Nigeria, Mana said 47,128 pilgrims were transported back to their respective states in 123 flights. (NAN)

Why I deleted my Twitter account – Zahra Buhari

In an interview with Maryam Laushi, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari- Zahra, revealed that she abhors overt attention.

Zahra Buhari, was once the victim of a fake Twitter account, that tweeted an offensive swipe at the President of Gambia.

During the interview, she spoke on the experience of that episode and the backlash she got from Nigerians.

“I don’t feel good at all because the first question that comes to your mind is ‘why would someone want to be me?’ And why would you want to taint someone’s image?

I knew many people would be tricked into thinking it was me, that bothered me and when the fake controversial comments came out about me talking about a president, I was hurt because this wasn’t an insult to my family only, it was to the whole of Nigeria because it is just like saying members of the first family don’t have a proper upbringing.”

“Why would I insult a president? Why would I insult any person in general? It’s just not right. So I asked them to come up with that press release because that was the only way it would get out to people as soon as possible. That was not me and I wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Speaking further, Zahra explained the rationale behind her decision to delete her Twitter account, after she had become a cult hero on Nigerian Twitter.

She said: “Yes it did. I was getting too much attention and naturally I do not like attention like that.”

“I would always try to quietly do my thing but then I realized that anything I said was a topic and that was exam period, there was a lot of stress and I just didn’t want any of that and obviously there were a lot of comments –good and bad and so I was just like maybe it’s time to step out of this for some time.”

Lamar Odom fighting for life as he is found unconscious at brothel in Las Vegas

Basketball player Lamar Odom is reportedly in very critical condition after being found unconscious on Tuesday afternoon (October 13).

According to TMZ, the 35-year-old was found unconscious at a brothel called the Love Ranch South in Nevada and he is is currently being airlifted to a Las Vegas hospital for treatment.

According to sources, Lamar checked into the ranch on Saturday and allegedly partied with girls for days. At one point, sources say he was seen taking an herbal substitute for Viagra.

When someone entered Lamar‘s hotel room on Tuesday, he was found in a state of unconsciousness and fluid was seen coming out of his mouth. He was taken to a local hospital and was not able to breathe on his own.

Three ‘huge’ explosions rocked Maiduguri last night

Three bomb explosions rocked Ajilari Cross area of Maiduguri on Tuesday night.

According to the Red Cross, scores of civilians were killed in the bomb attacks.

AFP reports that the “huge explosions” happened in quick succession from 8:10 pm.

Bashir Mohammed, whose house is near the scene of the blast, was quoted as saying: “We are all confused and people are running helter-skelter.”

Similarly, a cleric in the area, Sheriff Ahmad, said: “Many people have been killed. I don’t know how many and I don’t think anyone can tell you now.”

Ahmad would also reveal that he had seen human body parts on his house.

Hafsat Sani, a nurse at the Umaru Shehu Hospital, said: “There are many houses around the area and the blasts have affected many of them.”

Former VP, Namadi Sambo has been hospitalized in the US for kneel surgery since leaving office

Former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, has reportedly undergone a knee surgery in the United States.

According to Sahara Reporters, Sambo went under the knife to repair a severe knee ligament disorder that almost resulted in the amputation of one of his legs.

Sambo is said to have been undergoing rehabilitation and physical therapy for the past few weeks after the surgery took place in the middle of August.

A Nigerian diplomat was quoted to have said:

“The former Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo, visited or consulted several hospitals in the US before he was admitted by a DC-area hospital for an extensive ligament reconstructive surgery. He was not able to walk for some weeks due to the nature of the surgery.”

The former Vice President is believed to be in Maryland, US, where he is recuperating.

We Abducted Falae to Get Money for Sallah ─ Suspects(Photos)

Two suspects were paraded on Monday, as the abductors of Chief Olu Falae, by the Department of State Service.

The former Secretary to Government of the Federation, was abducted on his farm at Ilado village, Akure, Ondo state on September 21, by Fulani herdsmen and was released four days later after ransom payment had been made.

Abdullahi Garba, who presented the suspects to the public on behalf of the DSS, revealed that they were arrested on October 5 at J. Zebra hotel in Lokoja.

The two suspects; Babawuro Katoand Abdullahi Usman, were paraded by DSS operatives at their headquarters in Abuja.

One of the suspects, Usman, also known as Kadiri, would reveal that he helped to identify a ‘big man who goes to his farm in Toyota Hilux van’ for kidnapping.

Usman confessed that Olu Falae was abducted in order to get money for Sallah celebrations.

He revealed that he was approached by some of his friends during a wedding ceremony in Kwara State shortly before the last Eid El-Kabir.

Usman stated that a certain Datijo lamented to him that he was cash-strapped, and as such, would not be able to celebrate the Sallah festival unless he got information on any big man that could be abducted for ransom.

“I then told him that I know one man who used to bring a Hilux vehicle to his farm and I used to see him as I move my cows about”, he said.

Drake shares fun PHOTOS with his dad, Dennis Graham

Rapper, Drake, recently spent some quality time with dad, Dennis Graham who was also a musician in Memphis back in the days.... 

The new fun photos dispel any rumors of a strained relationship between the father and son. Drake’s dad captioned one of the photos, ‘My Baby and me just kicking it, Beautiful Moments’.

Chrissy Tiegen Is Pregnant! The model and John Legend are expecting their first child

After much trying, one of the Internet’s most loved couples, John Legendand Chrissy Teigen are finally expecting their first child.

The couple have spoken about their struggles with fertility, with Teigen once saying she was tired of the questions about when the baby would come.

But in an Instagram post on Monday night, Teigen revealed that finally, they had a bundle of joy on the way.

She shared a cute photo of the both of them with the caption: “John and I are so happy to announce that we are pregnant  As many of you know, we’ve been trying to have a baby for a while now. It hasn’t been easy, but we kept trying because we can’t wait to bring our first child into the world and grow our family. We’re so excited that it’s finally happening. Thank you for all your love and well wishes. I look forward to all the belly touching! Xx”

Congratulations!