NEWS UPDATE 27th MARCH 2012

From the Army came an assurance yesterday that soldiers would no longer truncate democracy. Giving the promise was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika, who described the long period of military involvement in governance as unfortunate and illegal. He disclosed that the military had resolved never again, to do anything that would undermine democracy. Ihejirika, who stated this in Abuja during the commissioning of some Army officers and soldiers’ accommodation as well as the newly- introduced dog section to tackle Boko Haram, noted that the military was better off within the short period of democratic governance in the country than the long years of military dictatorship. The COAS stressed that “the Nigerian Army has continued to witness tremendous progress since the return to democratic governance. The dilapidation in infrastructure and equipment which was commented upon recently in the Press was brought about by the unfortunate long period of military involvement in governance in this country. Efforts to transform the Army commenced with the return to democracy in 1999. For those who do not know or may have chosen to forget, serious attention was never paid to welfare, while the Army hardly trained during the dark era of military dictatorship due to mutual distrust. “For instance, the armoured vehicles were left to deteriorate as they were hardly involved in exercises for fear of their being used against the government of the day. A Commanding Officer would be queried or even arrested if he dared to warm or drive around an armoured vehicle without authorisation from AHQ (Army Headquarters). Hence, most of the equipment were allowed to deteriorate. “In the ECOMOG days, units were hurriedly assembled and rushed into battle sometimes without knowing where they were going. Some Commanders met their troops for the first time at theatre of operation. Available records and published books described how troops wore rags in the name of uniform while allowances were never paid. All these have changed with the return of democratic governance. Several of the armoured vehicles we see today, not less than 100 have been refurbished, in-house and several ones supplied through the efforts of MOD (Ministry of Defence). Units now observe a mandatory two months pre-induction training before being launched into operations. As I speak, divisions are being supplied with tetron uniforms. By the end of April when we would have received the Naija Camo on order, I would have purchased nothing less than 100,000 pairs for troops. We are witnessing all round improvements in training, operations and troops’ welfare since the advent of democracy,” Ihejirika stated. Lauding the support and professionalism the military is enjoying in a democratic government, the COAS reiterated that the Army has surrendered to civil and constitutional government and had also given its “unalloyed loyalty to the President and Commander-In-Chief and absolute support for democracy and constitutional governance in this nation.” Noting with dismay the present security challenges in the country, Ihejirika said that the military will address them, stressing that the induction of the dog section that was also commissioned, was to address this contemporary security challenges. Among the projects commissioned by the Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, were Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Officers’ Quarters, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) Quarters and the Dog Kennel at the Mambilla Barracks. Others were the soldiers’ transit camp at the Mogadishu Cantonment and officers quarters at the Camp WU Bassey Barracks, all built through direct labour by the Engineering Corps of the Army. Shots Fired At The US Embassy In Abuja ! BOTH the police and officials of the United States Embassy in Abuja, on Monday disagreed over shooting in the vicinity of the embassy. While the embassy informed reporters that there was shooting in the embassy, police authorities said that there was no official report on shooting at the embassy at their disposal. The US embassy told reporters: “We believe there were shots fired in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy” without providing detailed information regarding what actually happened. The embassy also sent e-mails through its information office on the incident to that effect, to diplomatic correspondents. An e-mail was also sent to the Nigerian Tribune. It equally posted the press statement on its embassy website, which was visited by Nigerian Tribune. In the statement by Deb MacLean, US embassy information officer, the embassy claimed that: “The Nigerian authorities have two individuals in custody.” The statement went on to say, “We refer you to the Nigerian Police for further information.” The statement reads: “We believe there were shots fired in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy. The Nigerian authorities have two individuals in custody. We refer you to the Nigerian Police for further information.” However, when contacted by phone, the spokesman for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Jimoh Moshood, said there was no official report on shooting at the embassy. He said: “No complaint of report of shooting was received in or around the American Embassy in Abuja today. “Senior police officers from the FCT police command visited the premises and met police mobile force personnel and other police teams performing their duties. No such incident was encountered by them and the situation at the embassy was peaceful.” He went further to say that nobody was in police cell over any shooting incident at the embassy and maintained that if any shooting occurred at the embassy, embassy officials should report the matter to the police. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that eyewitnesses said they saw teenagers set off fireworks on an undeveloped plot located a few metres from the well-guarded American embassy. Also, some policemen at the Diplomatic Zone, which houses several embassies, told the NAN that the “panic and confusion” was started after fireworks went off. A petty trader at the location told NAN that although he was not sure what the thunderous noise he heard was, he thought it was fireworks and only ran because everyone else did. “I hear noise and see smoke; people dey run and I think say na knockout and people say na gunshot, na im I pick my egg roll and kunu and run too,” he narrated. Nigerian Tribune contacted the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ogbole Amedu Ode, to know whether the embassy had sent an official report regarding the shooting and he said he had not heard of the incident. He said: “Shooting, here in their embassy in Abuja? I am just hearing it from you.” Prior to the shooting controversy, security was beefed up within the embassy. As part of the security measures, the Diplomatic Zone, where the US embassy and some other embassies are located, was blocked, metres away from the embassy and specifically in front of the Nigerien Embassy. Persons and motorists who had anything to do beyond the point were interrogated, frisked and thoroughly searched with some either sent back or asked to take alternative routes. Also, following threats of attacks against the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCulley, security has been beefed up at his residence. Hembe, deputy admit collecting estacode for trip TWO key actors in the N44 million fraud allegation rocking the House of Representatives – former Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market and Other Institutions Herman Hembe and his erstwhile deputy, Chris Azubogu - have confessed that they did not attend a workshop for which they got money from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Hembe and Azubogu told Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogators that they collected estacode from the SEC to attend a capacity building workshop in Dominican Republic but never did. Their confession came on a day the EFCC launched a probe into the N30 million hotel bill allegedly incurred by SEC’s Director-General Ms. Arunma Oteh. But the anti-graft agency is still trying to ascertain who between SEC and the House Committee actually initiated the N30 million bribe. The two parties have persistently accused each other of initiating the scandal. Hembe’s and Azubogu’s confessions were the highpoints of the interrogation of former House Committee members and Oteh. The EFCC obtained a statement from Oteh last Thursday. It grilled Hembe, his deputy and three members of the committee, including the Clerk, Mr. Femi T. Ogunsanya, last Friday for about seven hours. A source, who spoke on what transpired during the drilling of Hembe and the others, said there were “frank confessions”. The source said: “Hembe and his deputy admitted that they were sponsored by SEC to Dominican Republican for a capacity workshop but could not attend. They also confirmed that they collected all allowances accruable for the four-day capacity training. “Hembe said he travelled to the United States (U.S.) and by the time he arrived in the U.S., he realised ‘I will miss the conference. I informed SEC and returned home’. “Azubogu also admitted that he did not attend the workshop in Dominican Republic but he collected the estacode. “Azubogu said although he did not use the air ticket, he got the accruing allowance from SEC.” Asked why he did not return the estacode, said the source, Azubogu told the interrogation team: “I collected estacode for the workshop but I did not go…I was expecting SEC to demand the return of the estacode before I do so. It is still intact with me…’ But there are more hurdles ahead for Hembe as his trip to Dominican Republic has forced the EFCC to raise fresh posers. The posers, according to the commission’s source, are: “How did Hembe route his ticket? Shouldn’t his ticket take cognisance of the days set aside for the workshop? Is it necessary for Hembe to fly to Dominican Republic through the U.S.? Assuming he preferred to go to Dominican Republic through U.S., why did he arrive in the U.S. late? “We will certainly re-examine Hembe’s itinerary, stamps on his passport, flight schedule and movement in the U.S. I think we may still interact with Hembe after meeting with travel agency and SEC staff.” The source explained that a major challenge of the probe is getting to the roots of which of the party actually initiated the bribe scam. The source went on: “We are talking to other staff to see at what stage the bribe was demanded. Each party is accusing the other of initiating the bribe. We will certainly unravel who made the request. Investigation can lead to any direction; we are conducting it with an open mind. “We have invited more staff of SEC to appear before our investigation team on Monday. We have interacted with the Clerk of the House Committee and other staff. We will get to the root of how the bribe was offered.” Responding to a question, the source said: “The EFCC has granted Hembe, his deputy and the staff of the committee administrative bail. “But we have asked the House Committee to bring documents; we are awaiting their response.” On Oteh, the source said: “We took her statement on Thursday, based on her bribe claim but she needs to also respond to counter-allegations from Hembe and others. So, we may still take more statement from her. “But we have started probing the N30 million she allegedly incurred on hotel bill. That is another vital angle to the row. “The EFCC has retrieved some documents relating to Oteh’s hotel and feeding bills. More SEC employees have also been invited for questioning.” Legal Battle Begins over 2015 Presidency ! Can President Goodluck Jonathan seek re-election in the 2015 presidential race, having already been sworn in twice into the same office? This question, coming on the heels of a recent pronouncement by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, that Jonathan is just spending his first term in office, is now the subject of a legal battle. A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cypriacus Njoku, has dragged the president, his party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Abuja, seeking to stop Jonathan from contesting the election. Njoku wants the court to determine whether the president, having sworn to the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office as president for the second time on May 29, 2011 after the first on May 6, 2010 is eligible to contest the 2015 election. He prayed the court to declare that Jonathan cannot take the Oath of Allegiance and Oath Office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria more than two times, thereby restricting him from contesting the race. The party stalwart, through his counsel, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, observed that President Jonathan would be swearing to the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance for the third time should he be allowed to contest (and win) the next presidential election in 2015. He also urged the court to grant an order of injunction restraining Jonathan from further contesting or attempting to contest the 2015 presidential election. According to the court process obtained by THISDAY, Njoku prayed the court to interpret Section 137 (1)(b) and 135 (2)of the 1999 constitution. The process reads: “Whether Section 135 (2) of the constitution which specifies a period of four years in office for the president is only available or applicable to a person elected on the basis of an actual election or includes one in which a person assumes position of a president by operation of law as in the case of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan i.e. the 1st defendant. "Whether Section 137(1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which provides that a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of the president if he has been elected to such office at any two previous elections applies to the 1st defendant who first took Oath of Office as substantive President on May 6 2010 and took a second Oath of Office as President on May 29 2011.” Njoku, in a two-page affidavit filed in support of the originating summons, described as erroneous, the statement credited to Abati that Jonathan was currently spending his first term in office, “which implies that Jonathan can contest in 2015”. The suit, with number PV/2749/12, has not been slated for hearing yet. There has been opposition from some Northern politicians over alleged plans by Jonathan to stay beyond 2015. It was alleged that the president’s proposal of a single, seven-year tenure was aimed at making him stay in office, while accusing the Justice Alfa Belgore-led Presidential Committee on the Review of Outstanding Constitutional Issues of trying to keep Jonathan in office “for a third term”. Waziri Asked to Return Official Properties. The House of Representatives yesterday gave the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, 14 days to return official vehicles belonging to the commission and vacate government properties. Chairman of the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba, who issued the warning, said the committee might be forced to summon her for questioning if she fails to comply with the directive. In a letter dated March 19, Jagaba alleged that the immediate past chairman of the EFCC was in possession of official vehicles and unnamed residential properties belonging to the commission and should have relinquished all government property in her possession on leaving office. The letter read in parts: “That despite the handing-over process you undertook when you were leaving office, Monday 28th November, 2011, the House committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes discovered during one of its oversight visits, that you are still in possession of the Commission’s official vehicles, still occupying a residential property belonging to the Commission and other government properties. This is in contravention of laid-down government regulations. “In view of the above therefore, the committee hereby advises that you hand-over all that were listed above and any other government property in your custody within 14 days, on or before 2nd April 2012. Failure to comply will make it pertinent to summon you to the National Assembly for you to explain to the committee and the general public,” the letter stated. Waziri, the first female to head the anti-corruption agency was relieved of her appointment on November 23, 2011. Although no specific reasons were given for her sack, her exit came after several months of controversy and allegations that she had compromised her office. THREAT TO BAN VIRGIN, BA: Britain warns Nigeria ! The British government yesterday warned that it would take retaliatory steps against Nigerian airlines, if the federal government bans carriers over fare disparity. This came as British Airways said in a statement last night that all its fares were competitive and on a sound commercial basis. Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Odua, had weekend threatened to ban any foreign airline which failed to adjust its fares to reflect equity with their prevailing fares on the West Coast. She gave the airlines one month ultimatum. Reacting to the ultimatum last night, Britain said banning private airlines would amount to a “heavy-handed action that would be catastrophic.” Consequently, Britain said it would not hesitate to retaliate if the federal government goes ahead with the threat to ban after 30 days. Britain said only business and first class fares were more expensive to Nigerians than neighbouring countries because of high demand for those seats. It also said banning BA and Virgin would break a bilateral air services agreement. between both countries. “It (the ban) would cause potential foreign investors to question whether they want to put their money in Nigeria and have a long-term and damaging effect on Nigeria’s growth,” a British High Commission spokesman said. “The Prime Minister and President Goodluck Jonathan signed a joint communique last year pledging to double bilateral trade. Action against BA and Virgin would damage that strategic aim,”a British High Commission spokesman. The fare dispute is running parallel to another row between Nigeria and Britain over airport landing slots. Nigeria’s biggest carrier Arik Air actually stopped its daily flights between Abuja and London Heathrow yesterday because it was being prevented from getting arrival and departure slots at UK airports. “It is wrong to suggest that Arik has been prevented from flying into Heathrow. Our understanding is that Arik is just unwilling to pay for the cost of renting or buying landing slots,” the British spokesman said. He added that it was something all airlines who want new slots into Heathrow needed to do. The Aviation Minister had argued that it was unfair for BA and Virgin to charge more to fly Nigerian than passengers from neighbouring West African countries. “We are seriously concerned and worried by the reluctance to restore parity within the region by the foreign airlines,” Aviation Minister Stella Oduah said in a statement. “They have been using all kinds of delay tactics, this is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. We will resolve this issue once and for all,” she had said in a statement Monday night. Also reacting to the threat, British Airways said in a statement that its fares were competitive and were based on a sound commercial plank. We ‘ve been flying to Nigeria for 75 yrs — BA The airline said: “British Airways is fully legally compliant with the requirements of the Air Services Agreement between the UK and Nigeria. We remain committed to Nigeria and continue to serve the country with daily flights to Lagos and Abuja. “We have been flying there for more than 75 years and pride ourselves on offering competitive fares, a choice of products and connections to our Nigerian customers. “All of our fares are set on a sound commercial basis and remain fully competitive with other carriers in the region including Arik Air.” Meanwhile, stakeholders in the aviation industry have commended the aviation minister for issuing foreign airlines a 30-day ultimatum, stressing it was long overdue. Aviation Consultant, Mr Chris Aligbe, noted that the minister, as the number one stakeholder in the aviation industry, was now speaking the minds of Nigeria-based passengers who were usually extorted whenever they flew in foreign airlines. “With the ultimatum given by the minister, the Federal Government is taking the issue of disparity in fares paid by passengers from Nigeria seriously. “The Federal Government is now showing concern about the plight of Nigerians and others who opt to fly with foreign airlines,” Aligbe said. He alleged that his findings had revealed that all the European airlines flying into and out of Nigeria were involved in the international flight fare disparity. Aligbe advised that Nigerians should exercise patience until the expiration of the minister’s ultimatum. Mr Kelvin Umoh, a UK-bound passenger, lamented the high air fares usually charged by foreign airlines, describing them as cut-throat. “One continues to wonder why the foreign airlines charge higher fares from Nigeria, compared to what they charge in Ghana,” he said. “What is the distance between Nigeria and Ghana, that foreign airlines are charging between $1,000 and $2, 000 from Nigerian passengers, above what they charge in Ghana,” he queried. Mrs Patience Olayiwola, another passenger, said the ultimatum was a welcome development, aimed at stopping the fleecing of Nigerians of their hard earned money. “Most passengers planning to fly international routes now prefer doing that from Ghana, instead of Nigeria, thus causing capital flight and reducing revenues derivable to the Federal Government from such flights,” she said. New number plate/licence: Why we didn’t consult NASS - FRSC THE Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Osita Chidoka, on Monday, disclosed that the National Assembly was not consulted before the introduction of new number plates and driver’s licences because the relevant committee of the House had not been set up in September 2011 when the inauguration was done. This came to the fore during House of Representatives committee on FRSC organised public hearing to examine the planned phasing out of number plates and driver’s licenses by the FRSC. The FRSC boss, however, told the committee that the last session of the House of Representatives had been briefed on the policy, noting that the additional security features in the new plates and licences would help checkmate the spate of road accidents and death rate caused by reckless drivers on the road. According to him, about 5,000 deaths were being recorded on daily basis, adding that the facilities available at the commission, including central database, were “obsolete, cumbersome, fraught with irregularities, chaotic and portend risks to national security.” He added that the commission had produced 231,876 new number plates at March 1, 2012 and had, so far, discovered that 47 per cent of driver’s licences renewed were fake, noting that 154 individuals attempted but fail to obtain licences with multiple identities. Addressing the committee, chairman of the Joint Tax Board, Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, on her part supported the decision by the FRSC to phase out old number plates and licences, noting that it had potential to reduce racketeering and loss of revenue to government. According to her, the new number plate, as approved by the Joint Tax Board (JTB), including all the state tax boards, sho-wed the sum of N3,000 against N750 for motorcycle; N15,000 as against N2,500 for vehicle; N20,000 as against N3,000 for articulated vehicle, while the JTB approved an upward review of driver’s licences prices from N3,000 to N6,000 for vehicles and N3,000 for motorcyclist. Dominion Air: Parking And Maintenance Fees Force Bishop Oyedepo To Commercialize Private Jets The rising cost of maintaining four private jets has forced flamboyant Nigerian pastor, Bishop David Oyedepo, to set up a commercial airline that uses four airplanes that had hitherto served as part of his private fleet. Last year, as staff costs, fuel prices and landing fees escalated, Bishop Oyedepo had contemplated selling two of the jets. But when no buyers were forthcoming, he turned to Plan B: to set up Dominion Air and put the jets to commercial use. A senior church source told Saharareporters that each of the jets cost Bishop Oyedepo some $1,000 per hour in parking fees and maintenance. Oyedepo, whose specialty is “prosperity ministry,” has amassed a huge personal fortune with vast holdings in real estate as well as investments in education. Last year, he achieved international notoriety when SaharaReporters highlighted a Youtube video in which he slapped a hapless young woman who said she was not a witch but “a winch for Jesus.” Bishop Oyedepo, who is called “Papa” by his church members, is also planning to build a multimillion dollar college in upstate New York, according to a source familiar with the pastor’s desire to expand his business empire across the world. Already Bishop Oyedepo owns one of the most expensive universities in Nigeria – Covenant University – where students are banned from using mobile phones or wearing “sinful” dresses to class. Oyedepo has become stupendously rich by collecting tithes and hand-outs from wealthy congregants, many of them public officials whose source of wealth is questionable. Forbes magazine recently estimated that the bishop is worth $150 million. Ironically, most members of Bishop Oyedepo's congregation, especially indigent worshipers who are ferried from the slums of Lagos and other cities in American school buses converted to “Holy ghost” transportation, cannot imagine much less afford the luxurious lifestyles reserved for the bishop and his household. Most Nigerians, including members of Bishop Oyedepo's congregation, live on less than a dollar a day. A source involved in the setting up of Dominion Air disclosed that the airline will offer executive jet services that would charge users up to $10,000 per hour. The source said that Oyedepo has plans to purchase additional aircraft to expand his profile in the aviation business. Dokpesi to pay N7.5bn debt to Fidelity Bank A Federal High court in Lagos has ordered Chief Raymond Dokpesi and his Daar Communication Plc, to pay the sum of N7.5bn debt to Fidelity Bank Plc. Justice Mohammed Idris, in his judgment on Monday, ordered that the company should pay the debt with all its accrued interest as claimed by the bank in its writ of summons. According to the writ of summons, the plaintiff asked the court to order the defendant, Daar Communications, to pay the debt with the accumulated 21 per cent interest per annum on the indebtedness from May 31, 2011 until judgment and another 21 per cent interest per annum from the day of judgment until final liquidation. The bank, through its counsel, Joseph Nwobike, filed the suit seeking the recovery of an outstanding debt of N7.5bn of a loan, it said it granted the company to enable it to broadcast the FIFA Under-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria in 2009. Daar Communications Plc is the parent company of the Independent African Television and Ray Power radio. The facilities were said to have been secured by Dokpesi’s personal guaranty and by all assets debenture on the fixed and floating assets of Daar Communications valued at N21.3bn. Also said to have been put forward as security for the loan is a legal mortgage over a property located at 34, Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos belonging to Baldok Shipping Limited. The judge said, “I am of the view that the plaintiff thereby is entitled to judgment against the defendants.” Dokpesi had said he only owed Fidelity Bank about N3bn and not N7.5bn. But the judge said, “The claim of the plaintiff relates to principally simple uncontested liquidated monetary claim for interest is within the formal agreement of the parties. “The matter appears uncontentious and suitable for judgment in favour of the plaintiff. “In conclusion judgment is hereby entered in favour of the plaintiff against the defendant in terms contained in the writ of summons filed herein.” Exclusive! After Jail Term, Convicted Banker, Cecilia Ibru Resumes Work At Aero Contractors Airline ! It is no longer news that the convicted former Chief Executive Officer of Oceanic Bank PLC, Mrs Cecilia Ibru has completed her six months prison term. What is however new as exclusively uncovered by ireports-ng.com is that the banker is now starting a new life at Aero Contractors, an airline wholly owned by the Ibru family. Mrs Ibru was convicted of bank and securities fraud on October 8, 2010 by a former chief judge of the federal high court, Justice Dan Abutu in Lagos after she was arrested, detained and arraigned in court on a 25 count charge by the Farida Waziri-led EFCC. Beside her plea bargain induced conviction, Cecilia forfeited over N190 billion assets to the government. The forfeited assets are now being managed by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON. While her bank, Oceanic Bank PLC where the Ibrus have the controlling shares has been sold to Ecobank PLC, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) last December banned her from the banking profession by striking out her name, Cecilia Ibru who was until then a Honorary Fellow of the Institute, from its register of members as provided by Section.16 of CIBN Act. According to the CIBN, the development is in furtherance, maintenance and observance of ethical standards and professionalism among practitioners of the banking profession in Nigeria. The institute had earlier removed its former president and former CEO of Intercontinental Bank Mr. Erastus Akingbola, from the board. According to the CIBN, the decision to bar Ibru was taken in line with the CIBN’s Disciplinary Tribunal on Monday, December 12, 2011, which was confirmed by the Governing Council of the Institute, at its meeting of Tuesday, December 13, 2011. The Disciplinary Tribunal, comprising eminent members of the banking profession with a retired Justice of the Supreme Court as an Assessor, in a unanimous decision, granted the CIBN’s request that: the name of Cecilia Ibru be struck out of the list of members of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (as provided by S 14(2) of CIBN Act), and that Cecilia Ibru should cease from being a member of the banking profession (as provided by S. 22(1) of CIBN Act). Faced with total ostracism from her banking constituency, Cecilia who was said to have completed her jail sentence last March, has no option but to step into the family airline business where she presently controls the affairs of the 51 years old Aero Contractors airline. A competent source in the airline who confirmed the development to ireports-ng.com said “madam has since last year resumed here in our local airport office after a major restructuring that saw Captain Akinlawon George emerge as the MD late last year. Though Captain George is the MD but madam(Cecilia) is the ultimate or final approving authority as we speak.” Responding to another question, the top Aero official added that “madam does not really come every day because of health issues and to avoid being seen frequently by passengers, but more often than not she spends quality time in the office two or three times a week.” According to the information provided by the airline “Aero Contractors of Nigeria was formed in 1959 as a wholly owned by Schreiner Airways B.V of the Netherlands. It became a company with initially 40% Nigerian holding in 1973 and subsequently 60% in 1976. “In January 2004 Schreiner Airways was bought by Canadian Helicopter Corporation(CHC) who acquired 40% holding of Aero contractors while 60% majority share remained within the Ibru family group. Currently, Aero is wholly owned by the Ibru family. The Company started in the early 1960′s as an air charter operator. From this humble beginning in the 1970′s,Aero has gone-on to provide both rotary and fixed wing services to all the major oil,gas and related support companies working in Nigeria and in West Africa sub-region. The airline which commenced scheduled commercial operation in 2000 “currently operates passenger services with the Bombardier Dash8 Q300 aircraft(a modern 50-seat pressurized turboprop aircraft) and the Boeing 737-400 and 500 variants with 104 to 144 seat.” The EFCC had through the October 2010 court conviction of Cecilia Ibru confiscated a long list of assets which include (A) List of Property in US 1. 4155 Chariot Way purchased for $452,508,00 on March 12, 2009 and registered to Anita Da silva Ibru, 2. 4145 Chariot Way purchased for $440,105.00 and also registered Anita Da silva Ibru on April 14, 2009. 3. 4139 Chariot Way purchased for $451,629.00 and also registered to Edesiri Onatejerohene Ibru on April 21, 2009. 4. 4149 Chariot Way purchased for $473,657.00 and registered to Obaro and Hirut Ibru also on April 21, 2009. 5. 4141, Chariot Way purchased for $441, 790 on April 13, 2009 for her self. 6. 4143 Chariot Way Purchased for $439,362.00 on April 13, 2009 for self also. 7. 14605 Hawley Lane purchased for $3999,990.00 on July 22, 2008 and registered to her daughter, Janet Ibru, 8. 14630 Hawley Lane purchased for $ 460,703.00 May 17, 2008 and registered to Janet Ibru. 9.14721 Argos Place purchased for $457,950 and registered to Janet Ibru on October 28, 2008. 10. 14719 Argos Place purchased for $451,840.00 on November 26, 2008 and registered to Janet Ibru. 11. 11300 Dappled Grey Way purchased for $987,949.00 on October 7, 2008 and registered to herself. (B) List of Confiscated Property Elsewhere: 1. Good Shepherd House, IPM Avenue , Opp Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos (registered in the name of Ogekpo Estate Managers) 2. Residential block with 19 apartments on 34, Bourdillon Road , Ikoyi (registered in the name of Dilivent International Limited). 3. 20 Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Victoria Island (remainder of lease or tenancy upto 2017). 4. 57 Bourdillon Road , Ikoyi. 5. 5A George Street , Ikoyi, (registered in the name of Michaelangelo Properties Limited), 6. 5B George Street , Ikoyi, (registered in the name of Michaelangelo Properties Limited). 7. 4A Iru Close, Ikoyi, (registered in the name of Michaelangelo Properties Limited). 8. 4B Iru Close, Ikoyi, (registered in the name of Michaelangelo Properties Limited). 9. 16 Glover Road , Ikoyi (registered in the name of Michaelangelo Properties Limited). 10. 35 Cooper Road , Ikoyi, (registered in the name of Michaelangelo Properties Limited). 11. Property situated at 3 Okotie-Eboh, SW Ikoyi. 12. 35B Isale Eko Avenue , Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi. 13. 38A Isale Eko Avenue , Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi (registered in the name of Meeky Enterprises Limited). 14. 38B Isale Eko Avenue , Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi (registered in the name of Aleksander Stankov). 15. Multiple storey multiple user block of flats under construction 1st Avenue , Banana Island , Ikoyi, Lagos , (with beneficial interest therein purchased from the developer Ibalex). 16. 226, Awolowo Road , Ikoyi, Lagos (registered in the name of Ogekpo Estate Managers). 17. 182, Awolowo Road , Ikoyi, Lagos , (registered in the name of Ogekpo Estate Managers) 18. 12-storey Tower on one hectare of land at Ozumba Mbadiwe Water Front, Victoria Island . 19. 5, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos (registered in the name of Casi Properties & Investment Ltd). 20. 18A, Adetokubo Ademola Street , Victoria Island, Lagos (registered in the name of Casi Properties & Investment Ltd). 21. 270, Ozumba Mbadiwe , Victoria Island, Lagos (registered in the name of Casi Properties & Investment Ltd) 22. 270, Ozumba Mbadiwe , Victoria Island, Lagos (registered in the name of Ogekpo Estate Managers Limited). 23. 15,000 square metres of land at Okunade Water Front, Lekki Peninsula . 24. 7,000 square metres of land at Okunade Water Front, Lekki Peninsula – (registered in the name of Melake Properties Limited). 25. 8,000 square metres of land at Okunade Water Front, Lekki Peninsula – (registered in the name of (Casi Properties Limited). 26. 1,000,000 square metres of land in Lekki. 27. 101 hectares of land along Lekki Expressway behind Chevron Nigeria . 28. 103 hectares of land bought from Dom Gas 29. Plot 5, Igbo-Efon, Off Lekki/Ajah Expressway, Victoria Island, Lagos by 1004 (registered in the name of Casi Properties & Investment Ltd) 30. Block 6, Flat 1 &2, Femi Okunnu H/Scheme Phase IV- Lekki (registered in the name of Oceanic Homes Savings & Loans Ltd) 31. One storey building at 50 Marina , Lagos . 32. 10 storey building at 60 Marina , Lagos . 33. 60, Marine View, Apongbon, Marina , Lagos (registered in the name of Dele Oye & Associates) 34. 10, Sobo Arobidu Street , Ikeja, GRA (registered in the name of Jeedab Fibre Limited). 35. Property at 10A Sobo Arobiodu Street , Ikeja (registered in the name of Chiaroscuro Limited). 36. AP Filling Station (Beside Former Hotel Bobby) Onipanu Lagos , (registered in the name of Vivi Oil Investments Limited). 37. Building at 154, Ikorodu Road , Lagos (registered in the name of Casi Properties & Investment Ltd). 38. Ilemba Hausa Road , Ajamgbadi, Lagos (registered in the name of Vivi Oil & Gas Company Limited). 39. Land at Iyana Ipaja Round About, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos , (registered in the name of Vivi Oil Investments Limited). 40. Building at 7, Randle Road , Apapa, Lagos , (registered in the name of Ogekpo Estate Managers Limited) 41. Block 34, Flat 6, LSDPC Housing Estate, Ebute-Metta Lagos (registered in the name of Ogekpo Estate Managers Limited) 42. Three residential towers at Port Harcourt , GRA. 43. 22 Sani Abacha Way, Port Harcourt, GRA (registered in the name of Velvox Investment Company Limited). 44. Metro Plaza Building , 991/992 Zakari Maimalari Street , Central Area, Zone 5, Abuja , (registered in the name of Abinof Food Company Limited). 45. The 4 Floor Building at Herbert Macaulay Way , Wuse Zone 6, Abuja (registered in the name of Casi Properties and Investment Ltd). 46. Metro Plaza Building, ANNEXE B, Zakariya Maimalari Street, Cadastral Zone, AOO, C.B.D, Abuja (registered in the name of MST Properties West Africa Ltd). 47. Flats 1-4, Block D33, Abuja Games Village , Abuja (registered in the name of Convent Trade & Services Limited). 48. Block D33 (Flat 1-4) Games Village , Abuja (registered in the name of Casi Properties and Investment Ltd). 49. Block B40, Flat 5 & 6, Zone 3, Gymnastic Games Village (registered in the name of Oceanic Homes Savings & Loans Limited). 50. Executive Guest House, 4 bedroom Bungalow, Ndanuba Street , Maitama, Abuja (registered in the name of Ogekpo Estate Manager Limited). 51. Executive Guest House, Ali Akilu Crescent , Asokoro, Abuja , (registered in the name of Ogekpo Estate Managers Limited). 29 Real Estate Propert in Dubai 7 52. Residential Property: Dubai 15 Real Property: South Africa Real Property: London, England. (C)List of Abridged Shares In listed Nigerian Companies: 1. Access Bank Plc – (44,800,000 ordinary shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 2. Africa Petroleum Plc – (3,252 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Ltd) 3. BGL Plc – (8,140,500 shares held by Eniofor Limited) 4. First Bank of Nigeria Plc (275,795,139 shares held through Cloudy Heights Limited, Circular Global International Limited and Bliss Bloss Integrated Services Limited). 5. Dangote Flour Plc – 8,140,500 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Ltd. 6. Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc – (12,480,000 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited). 7. Fidelity Bank Plc – (12,500 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Ltd). 8. First City Monument Bank Plc – (7,142,800 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited). 9. Glaxo SmithKline Consumer Plc – (119,740 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 10. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc – (110,000 ordinary shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Ltd) 11. Japaul Oil Plc – (25,316,400 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 12. Nestle Nigeria Plc (1,915 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 13. Nigerian Bottling Company Plc – (11,383,000 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 14. Oando Plc – (334,367 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited and 13,200,000 shares held by Velvox Investment Company Limited) 15. Oceanic Bank Intercontinental Plc – (254,100 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited and 431,201,702 shares held by Africa Lloyd Limited) 16. Oceanic Vintage Fund – (100,000,000 units held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 17. Bank PHB Plc – (93,800,100 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 18. R T Briscoe – (585 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 19. Total Nigeria Plc – (24,118,588 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 20. Transcorp Plc – (200,000,000 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 21. UAC of Nigeria Plc – (1,125, shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 22. UPDC Nigeria Plc – (4,029 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 23. Unilever Nigeria Plc – (145,850 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 24. United Bank for Africa Plc – (109,121 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 25. Union Bank of Nigeria Plc – (13,300,000 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 26. Vitafoam Nigeria Plc – (1,197 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) 27. Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc (23,142 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited). 28. Zenith Bank Plc – (10,280,000 shares held by Prisky Gold Nigeria Limited) Cars, and personal assets at 20 Oyinkan Abayomi Street , Victoria Island Two aircrafts worth $100 million N4.56b pension scam: Efcc seizes ex-director Shuaibu’s properties The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it had effected an interim seizure of properties belonging to a former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, who is standing trial in a N4.56 billion pension scam. A statement from the Commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwajaren, said the interim forfeiture was sequel to an order of Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja made on July 11, 2011. The court granted the order “restraining all persons including persons hereinafter referred to as receivers in the schedules hereto attached, by themselves directly or through another, (whether natural or otherwise) including , but not limited to all parties listed in all the schedules hereto attached, whether or not named in Charge No FHC/ABJ/ CR28/2011, that is to say and such other persons yet to be identified, from removing, alienating, disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of, assets or properties being suspected proceeds of crimes or otherwise, held or owned by or in the names of persons suspected of the alleged Financial Crimes in Charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011. “That the Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is hereby permitted to seize and retain custody of all such properties or assets of persons listed in the schedules attached to this motion, which assets are suspected proceeds of crime or the value thereof until the final determination of Charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.” The court also granted an order permitting the Executive Chairman of EFCC to seize and retain custody of all the properties or assets of persons (as listed in the attached schedules) though not yet charged but found to be connected with the transaction or allegation contained in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011. List of schedules of properties/assets of Shuaibu which the court ordered taken over by the EFCC are No 24, Ahmadu Musa Crescent, Jabi, Abuja; Brefina Hotel at plot 1106, (Beside MTN) warehouse, adjacent to Vines Hotel, Durumi, Abuja; A house at No 1, Shuaibu Close, opposite Governor’s House, Idah; and Riba-ile Petroleum Ltd. Others include a filling station, M.R.S Ajaka (registered as Riba-Ile oil Ltd); M.R.S Idah Station, Idah, registered with Hammo oil, Nigeria; NNPC Mega Station, Idah junction, Ayingba, registered with Hammo oil, Nig. Ltd; and another MRS Filling Station at Ganaja, Lokoja. A property registered as A.Y Ted Oil Ltd; a mansion at Idah, opposite Federal Polytechnic, Idah; SunTrust Properties Company Ltd; Plot B59, Dawaki Extension Layout, Bwari Area Council, Abuja; an Estate of about 10 bungalows, lying and being at Dantata Street, Nyanyan, FCT, Abuja, were also seized. The properties, which were taken over by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the EFCC during an operation at the weekend, included two choice buildings and four filling stations. Furthermore, one of the assets located at No.1, Shuaibu Close, G.R.A. Idah, Kogi State is an imposing eight-bedroom twin duplex, a five-units of two bedrooms apartment, two-room security house and a mosque, all scattered in the expansive compound. The EFCC also said it had taken possession of a property at the Polytechnic Road , directly opposite Federal Polytechnic, Okenya, Idah, Kogi State, is an unpainted one-story duplex with multiple sitting rooms and an apartment built within it. The third property that was seized, according to the statement, was a non-functional filling station, located 100 meters away from Ajaka Police Station. It has a small office building with four rusted and non-functional fuel pumps and a leister generator in a small generator house. At Agbeji in Ayingba, Kogi State, a thriving MRS Filling Station located at Agbeji along Ayingba Road , a few metres from Confluence Fertilizer Company Limited was also seized from Shuaibu. An NNPC Mega Station along Lokoja-Enugu High Way, Ayingba and a Texaco Filling Station with a shopping mall along Ganaja Road, opposite Ibra Petroleum and Petrochemical Limited, Lokoja, Kogi State were among the properties seized from Shuaibu. Shuaibu, Mrs. Phina Ukamaka Chidi and 30 other suspects are facing trial on a 134-count-charge bordering on diversion of pension funds, abuse of office, using ghost pensioners to pay N2 million and N3 million into their accounts monthly and diversion of the same amount through award of fictitious contracts to companies which they manage. Chidi was a deputy director (finance and accounts), in the pension office, while Aliyu Bello was a personal assistant to Shuaibu. Other accused persons are Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Abdullahi Omeiza, and Computer Plaza and Essential Gadget Ventures. Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures, Mof Investment Ltd, Zumba Resources, Pam Investment and Properties Ltd, Moshfad Enterprises, Newgate Projects Ltd, RedWings Energy Ltd, RedWing Procurement Services Ltd, Woodland Industries NIG Ltd. were also accused. Others are Nwab Tessy O Enterprises Nigeria, Chris J. Junior Ventures, Uthaka Nigeria Ltd, Bashinta Nigeria ltd, Haleath Enterprises, Gozinda Enterprises, Omozua Ventures, S.S Badejo Enterprises, Lopee ventures, Fafama Oil and gas Ltd, Fafama estate Developer Ltd and Riba-Ile Petroleum Count one of the 134-count charge reads: “That you Dr. Shaiubu Sani Teidi, Phina Ukamaka Chidi Computer Plaza, Essential gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures at various times, between 2008 and 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to induce the pension department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, to deliver to you, various sums in the aggregate N176, 910, 650 property vide the medium of a contract induced by false pretences, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.” Men who consume sugary drink risk heart disease — study Most people find it easy to drink sugary substance than take any bitter liquid. But a new research has revealed that individuals especially men who drink sugar-sweetened beverage a day increase their risk of heart disease. It shows that naturally, sugar-sweetened beverages cause many health problems- including obesity and diabetes. And that taking one daily adds one more potential risk to the list: coronary disease. According to the study, men who drink one sugar-sweetened beverage daily have a 20 per cent higher risk of heart disease than men who drink none. The researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health tracked nearly 43,000 participants in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, which included male dentists, pharmacists, physicians, veterinarians and other health professionals ages 40 to 75, almost all of whom were of European descent. For 22 years, the men filled out surveys about their diets and other health habits. The researchers also collected blood samples from more than 18,000 men who were demographically similar to those in the survey. The results, published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, discovered that drinking 12 ounces of regular soda, fruit drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages daily was associated with a higher risk of heart disease. This, it adds, is even after taking into account other cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol use and a family history of heart disease. A professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and the lead author of the study, Dr. Frank Hu, said the findings were significant because even relatively modest consumption of sugary beverages – just one drink per day – was associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Hu says, “These drinks should be treated as a treat, not for all the time.” The study specifically categorised sugar-sweetened beverages to include regular soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and sugar-sweetened water. Also, a 2011 report from the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 25 per cent of Americans drink the equivalent of more than one can of soda each day. The study states that men who drank daily sugar-sweetened beverages had certain markers of cardiovascular disease in their blood, including higher levels of lipids like triglycerides and lower levels of HDL, or “good,” cholesterol. Hu adds that increase in these markers could show certain revelations about the biological mechanisms that may connect sugary drinks and heart disease. It is however not only men’s affair as previous researches have indicated that the link between sugary drinks and heart disease may also exist for women. The latest study’s findings observe those of a study of nearly 89,000 women, the Nurses’ Health Study, which Hu and his colleagues published in 2009. That study discovered that women who drank one or less than two sugary drinks per day had a 23 per cent increased risk of a heart attack It is vital to state that the new study didn’t find a nexus between diet drinks and cardiovascular disease, and past studies didn’t link diet drinks with an increase in diabetes risk or weight gain. This, the study suugests, may be because people who choose diet drinks might be more likely to develop better diets and healthier lifestyles overall. According to the study, men who drank diet soda often got more exercise and smoked less. Some nutrition experts however hesitate to suggest that people simply replace sugar-sweetened beverages with diet drinks due to the lack of evidence about the prolonged effects of artificial sweeteners. Some researches also suggest that diet soda can condition the taste buds to crave sweets, leading to higher sugar intake in other parts of the diet. It is even stated that growing soda habit leads to untimely death for many Americans. According to an analysis from the University of California, San Francisco, about six thousand deaths over the last decade could have been avoided if Americans drank less soda and sugary beverages. The analysis found out that America’s growing addiction to sweet drink has increased health outcomes such as heart disease and diabetes including higher health care costs. The new analysis, presented at the American Heart Association’s 50th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, gives an insight into the extent of damage the consumption of sugary drinks can be. Employing the use of a computer model and data from the Framingham Heart Study, the Nurses Health Study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers estimated that the increasing consumption between 1990 and 2000 of soda and sugar-sweetened beverages, which they shortened as “SSBs,” led to 75,000 new cases of diabetes and 14,000 new cases of heart disease. They note, “ What’s more, the burden of the diseases translated into $300m to $550m increase in health care costs between 2000 and 2010. The model is really important because it gives us a big picture that might serve as a more effective impetus for health policies to curb consumption.” The lead author and internal medicine resident at the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Litsa Lambrakos said, “A lot of people drink these drinks on a daily basis and they have little to no nutritional value. We want the public to know that they should not be considered a staple of the American diet.” Besides, Lambrakos said date from Soda Pop Culture show that more Americans are drinking soda or other sugary drinks on a daily basis- and having larger contents, more consistently- than ever before, Lambrakos said. The analysis noted that 21,000 years of potential life were lost to Americans over the last decade when increased consumption of the drinks led to premature death. There is also a disclosure that it is not just the amount of sugar in the beverages that matter, but its kind. Lambrakos added that a study noted that people drinking soda or SSBs had an increased risk of diabetes while those drinking similar calorie and sugar loads of 100 per cent fruit juice had no such increased risk. The beverage industry however faulted the claim, saying, “Heart disease and diabetes are complex problems with no single cause and no simple solutions. Consuming sugar-sweetened beverages is not a risk factor” for either condition.” Drama! As grandmother auditions for Big Brother Africa It is indeed time for drama and intrigues as preparations get in full gear for the seventh edition of the popular reality show, Big Brother Africa. And going by revelations at the three-day audition in Lagos, this edition tagged ‘Stargame’ will indeed be a blast. FAITHFUL viewers of popular MNet television reality show, Big Brother Africa had wondered what the organisers would do to make a difference in the reality show this time round. So when the ‘Double up’ order came, several people, including sceptics, who believed that nothing better could be added knew this edition would be with a difference. The fall out of the ‘Double up’ order shows that the show will, indeed, be more entertaining than all previous editions going by the eclectic mix of personalities that turned up for the recent audition in Lagos. The double up order forced intending contestants to look for the best people that they think will blend well with them and give them an edge in the auditions and finally if selected to the BBA house. The auditions, which kicked off across the continent, were a proof that this edition will be full of surprises. Nigeria’s audition which was held in Lagos for three days at the Protea Leadway Hotel, Maryland, showed that the interest in the show, rather than waning is on the increase, considering the thousands that turned out daily throughout the three day period of auditions. From across the federation, thousands of hopefuls gathered at the audition's venue to try their luck and immediately, the drama this season portends began to play out. Thousands of people jostling for the slot to represent Nigeria when the show starts in May, converged on the Protea Leadway, clad in the best of their attires they thought could give them an advantage over others. This is however not surprising, considering the fact that the show had been won majorly by Nigerians. Starting from Kevin Chuwang Pam in 2009; second-time lucky Uti Nwachukwu in 2010, and Karen Igho, a joint-winner in 2011. The exact drama was, however, in the line-up of the people that came as partners to compete. Grandmothers came with their nephews, some ladies came with their mothers, boyfriends partnered girlfriends, and a popular act, Trybson (who acted as Dagrin in Ghetto Dreams) came with his manager. Also, there were cases of boyfriends or girlfriends who had waited in vain for their partners to show up at the venue but when it became clear that their partners would not make it before end of the audition, they hooked up with jilted but available partners on ground. How will all these elements play out when the show eventually starts.The intending housemates in their thousands were a sight to behold as they turned out in different styles. In fact, it was a kind of competition on the craziest dress, hair colour, swag while one wondered who the lucky pair would be amongst the multitude. There was a parade of mum and daughters, sisters, lovers, friends and even nephews and nieces. There were also music stars, reality show stars, doctors and even herbalist who were auditioned for the show. From the thousands, only a pair would be picked to represent Nigeria and this is what makes the competition very keen. There was a parade of semi nude contestants and an array of colourful hair, ranging from blue to blonde, yellow and red. The various creative appearance might not be unconnected with M-Net’s advert for interested participants for this season, as with previous seasons,to be fun-loving, vocal, creative, original and articulate. In addition, entrants are expected to demonstrate the social flexibility to live in close proximity with others and must be tolerant of views and lifestyle choices other than their own. The piece of information supplied, it was gathered, was vital in the view of previous episodes and encounters with housemates who showed strong objections to the views and behaviour of other housemates leading to altercations and violence, resulting in such housemates’ consequent disqualification; as in Uganda's Hannington and Tanzania's Lotus in Big Brother All Stars and Big Brother Amplified, respectively. One of the intending housemates is Dr May Blossom Brown nee Okafor, a herbalist who holds a Ph.D degree in Theatre Arts. The grandmother, who said she loves being an herbalist is doubling up with her nephew, Munachimso Ejiofor, who is also married and is a computer logistics officer. The duo became a centre of attraction to all including other intending housemates as their camaraderie reflected what they could offer in the house and the fact that they would represent Nigeria well. According to the duo, one needs an infusion of youth energy with the younger ones and this they believe BBA can offer. The grandmother herbalist believes that she will not feel out of place among the youth and if her attitude at the audition is considered, it is indeed going to be dramatic if she actually gets into the house. All hands are in deed on deck to see whether the duo would be selected to show their creative energy to the world. It is however obvious that it is only BBA that can bring out such an eclectic mix of people and according to the MNet African Managing Director, Mrs Abiola Alabi, “The really big news this season is that entrants must enter as pairs. In the past, we’ve seen a natural and continuous cross-over between individuals and their families, their friends. So this year, we decided to include that as part of the game. It will definitely make a dramatic addition to the series, so we urge people to enter and experience what will be a unique different Big Brother Africa show. “The show is built on the idea that, given the chance, anyone can be a star, anyone can find himself shot to stardom. This year, we’re honouring this essential element of the show directly in the title, putting the concept of rising stars and dreams of stardom right at the front of what is a challenging, fun and dramatic game.” The seventh edition of Big Brother Africa by M-Net, known as ‘Stargame’ starts on Sunday, May 6 'I was gnawed by a rat in my hospital bed': Patient's horror after nurses find rodent with teeth sunk into his neck A rat gnawed away on a terrified vulnerable patient as he lay sedated in his hospital bed, his parents have claimed. Jason Ketley, 42, was left with painful injuries after being bitten by the rodent more than a dozen times on his back and neck. But hospital staff only discovered what was happening when Mr Ketley, who has a mental age of two, was spotted stumbling around a corridor with the rat hanging from his neck by its teeth. Nurses at the specialist care unit rushed to Mr Ketley's aid and knocked the rat off him before killing it, the Daily Mirror reported today. Mr Ketley's outraged mother Pat Boardman, 64, told the newspaper: 'I was horrified. He was quite heavily sedated and wasn’t able to defend himself. 'He was completely helpless and terrified. It’s a disgrace. He was very scared and the staff had to show him they had killed the rat to prove it could no longer hurt him. 'I’m appalled that this sort of thing could happen to my son in an NHS hospital in this day and age.' But hospital bosses have claimed the rat was in fact a field mouse. On average, most adult rats are about 10 inches long and weigh between 350 to 600 grams, whereas mice are generally around four inches long and weigh just 30 grams. Mrs Boardman was disgusted at hospital staff's 'outrageous' suggestion her son was attacked by a field mouse because of the size of the bite marks. Mr Ketley, who suffers from bi-polar disorder - was attacked by the creature shortly after going to bed at a specialist care unit in St Ebba’s hospital, Epsom, Surrey. But Mrs Boardman, who lives with Mr Ketley’s stepdad Tom, in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, only heard about the incident after calling the unit to see how her son was doing. Mr Ketley was taken to Epsom General Hospital where he was given injections against diptheria, tetanus and polio before being returned to the unit. His parents have made a formal complaint to the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust about the incident in November. Jo Young, Director Quality and Nursing at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'The events described here are genuinely shocking and I would like to reassure Mrs Boardman that we are taking her concerns extremely seriously. 'This is why we have logged the events as a serious incident and are conducting a detailed investigation. 'Our records indicate that a mouse was seen in the house in November and that pest control was alerted immediately but we are unable to provide a complete response to all the concerns raised until we know the outcome of our investigation. 'I would like to stress that the reported incidents are extremely unusual and that we took urgent action to ensure the safety of people using services on the site. 'We take our responsibility for caring for vulnerable people very seriously and we will act on any findings from our investigation to ensure our high standards of care and support are maintained.' A month after, police fail to arrest corporal who shot girl four times Corporal Emmanuel Okuju, a police officer serving in Lagos State Police command, in February this year, went berserk. He was alleged to have gone to the Bariga resident of his girlfriend, identify as Patience, shot the elder sister, called Blessing and eloped with Patience. Police authorities, obviously embarrassed by the media reports over the incident, vowed to track down the reckless police officer as soon as possible. But, there are strong indications that a month later after police authorities boasted that Okuju would be arrested, the officer is still enjoying with his love- bird at their hideout, while Blessing is daily praying for divine intervention as she is lying critically ill at the intensive unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH) Ikeja, without fund to cater for her surgery. Blessing’s jaw and fingers were shattered when corporal Okuju attached to the Ifako Police Station attacked her and kidnapped her sister. The pains the 23-year-old Blessing is undergoing through is better imagined than experienced as the doctors stated that she had to undergone plastic surgery to fix the damaged face. How to raise money for the surgery in hellish for Blessing, who incidentally is a widow, who abandoned her nursing job at a crèche to cater for her sick daughter. Mrs. Doris Isabor, the mother of the victims said she is suffering double tragedies with the kidnap of her younger daughter and the attempted murder of the elder one by a police man who is supposed to protect them. She also lamented the lackadaisical attitude of the police towards finding corporal Okuju, who according to her, should be declared wanted for attempted murder and kidnap. “I am a widow and these two children are all I have in this world and for the past one month that corporal Emmanuel shot my daughter Blessing and kidnapped the other Patience, the police have not been able to locate him. “We heard that the DPO of the Ifako Police Station has been in constant contact with corporal Emmanuel, so why have they not arrested him so that they can free Patience from this bondage , because Emmanuel locked her up in a room and would not allow her to go out,” claimed Mrs. Isabor. She further stated: “The government has not shown us any concern, as if we are not citizens of this country. My immediate family and neighbours have been the ones, catering for Blessing’s medical bills and feeding. We have spent a lot of money and we have not started yet, as each day, we spend in the hospital, we have to pay for food which is N700 everyday. “Her beverages and medications have also finished, while the doctors are just cleaning and treating her wound, because we cannot afford the money for her surgery yet. My brothers are running about to get money for us to feed but it has not been easy “Blessing’s face will never be the same again even after the surgery. The family has been footing her bills and we still do not know where Patience is. The police on their part do not seem to be taking this matter serious; we do not want Corporal Emmanuel to kill Patience or starve her to death. We are desperately appealing to the government , human right groups, the IGP and the Lagos State government, the Ministry of Woman Affairs and well meaning Nigerians to come to our rescue before it is too late! “Patience and Blessing’ lives are in grave danger and we need the help of well meaning Nigerians to help us foot the medical bill for the facial plastic surgery and to locate Patience and rescue her from corporal Okuju hideout.” It was gathered that corporal Okuju before the incident, was dating Patience. On that fateful day, Blessing’s refusal to allow him take Patience out without their mother’s consent infuriated corporal Okuju , who in a bid to run away with Patience, shot Blessing four times on her cheeks and fingers and left her in the pool of her own blood ; Corporal Okuju went on to kidnap Patience and is said to be holding her hostage in a lock up room at Ikorodu. Fidelis Isabor , another uncle of the victims said corporal Emmanuel called the family on several occasions threatening them to forget about Patience as he was not prepared to release her. “He called me on the phone and said he was going to Okokomaiko to see one of his friends, that Patience is fine and he was ready to foot Blessing’s medical bill but he said he would not release Patience, so you can see that the murderer and kidnapper is roaming free in Lagos and the police are saying that they cannot locate or track him down; “We are looking for him and we are trusting God to help us but we are appealing to the IGP to act fast to rescue Patience.” Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police spokesman, Jayieoba Joseph said that corporal Okuju had been declared wanted by the police. “We have declared him a deserter and he has been dismissed by the police. We have also declared him wanted and a manhunt to arrest him has begun,” Joseph said. Lagos robbers change tactics, now operate in heavy traffic ! THE traffic situation in Lagos State has always given the centre of excellence a notorious name as even those that had never lived in Lagos have a tale or two to relate concerning the stress of moving from one area to the other in traffic snarls, most especially at peak periods -morning and evening. Residents in many areas within Lagos experience this terrible traffic situation daily though it is more peculiar to some areas like Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Obalende, Lagos-Badagry Express road, Lagos - Abeokuta expressway, Apapa, Ikeja, Akowonjo, Oshodi, Iyana-Iba and Okokomaiko Maryland and Ikorodu road among others are marred with this situation. The traffic snarl now has a far reaching effect on motorists than that of stress and heat as some criminally minded youths and miscreants now use the opportunity to rob motorists of their belongings. It was gathered that hardly would a day pass without an unsuspecting motorist being robbed in many of these areas. The mode of operation is that the miscreants mix with street hawkers to make motorists unsuspecting of their motives until they strike,more often than not, they pretend to beg for money before 'flashing' their unsuspecting victims with their weapons,mostly guns,hidden under their shirt before asking for phones, money and jewelries. A civil servant, Shola Afuwape who recently fell victim of this told Inside Lagos that these traffic robbers had perfected the art of intimidating victims in the traffic without calling attention to what they are doing. “Those guys are so perfect that no one knows that they are robbing you except few vigilant ones and even those that know will only turn their face away and feign ignorance to save their own necks. What I just saw that day was a guy tapping my mirror frantically that I had to roll down the glass; the only thing he did was raise up his shirt and show me a pistol before asking me to bring my phones. “He even asked me if my ear -rings was gold, took it, asked for my wedding rings before requesting for my wallet. He made sure he took everything valuable and was even asking for the third phone because we were three in the car and he expected all of us to have phones. It was indeed a painful experience,” she stated. Another victim who pleaded anonymity revealed his more dramatic experience. According to him, someone just jumped into his car while in traffic along Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway. "Before I could recover from the shock of having a sudden stranger in my car, he showed me a gun before asking me to cooperate and submit all my valuables which I had no choice than to comply with to save my life. "They are just taking advantage of the traffic jams to dispose people of their valuables and because people are like sitting ducks in the cars as they can’t speed off in the bumper to bumper traffic with heavy crowd of street hawkers," he said. Now, many Lagosians are becoming wary of the situation and find it difficult to buy things in traffic like they were wont to do. According to a girl that sells clothing materials at Alade Market, Cynthia, “leaving one’s glass down for fresh breeze to enter the vehicle is now a dangerous thing to do as one is unwittingly leaving oneself open to a robbery attack. I do not know what can be done but I think the police needs to do something.” Another victim, Bisi Alogba, who was robbed on the Iyana Ipaja bridge was however skeptical that the police can do anything to curb the menace. According to her, they will only turn the other eye even if they are around. “When I was being robbed, it was some feet to the police and LASTMA officials stand around the Iyana Ipaja round about but they pretended not to see us but stopped me after the robbers had left,” she explained. Motorists in Lagos have now regarded driving in the Lagos traffic as being a dangerous experience. BUSINESS & ECONOMY Bauchi Sugar Cane sellers In quick Business,makes between 3m to 10m daily ! Sugarcane sellers in Bauchi are making quick profit as no less than N3 million worth of sugarcane is being sold daily both on the wholesale and retail market. Chairman of the Sugarcane Sellers, Alhaji Nuhu Idris ,who spoke on this at the Bauchi Sugarcane Market, said at the peak of business, daily sales sometimes hit N10 million. Bauchi is among the top states that produce sugarcane in Nigeria and coupled with our large market, we have buyers from Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano and other states as well,” he said. Idris mentioned that the farming activities took place throughout the year, thereby keeping those that dealt in the produce busy all year round. He said that people from various communities came to the market in their thousands to buy the produce, adding that the majority of those who bought sugarcane for sell to earn a living, were unemployed youths. Idris said that sugarcane farming did not require rainy season or water-logged areas to thrive. He explained that modernisation had paved way for farmers to engage in the business as source of water was no longer a problem. “Development has made sugarcane farming easier because all one needs to do is just construct boreholes and start farming. He then called on the Bauchi State Government to partner with his association to reduce unemployment in the state. Canadian firm to manage power transmission Barring last- minute change, a Canadian firm, Manitoba Hydro International, is to take up the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) as part of the power sector reform. Mr Atedo Peterside, a member of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), who briefed State House correspondents after the Council's meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday, said the financial negotiation with the firm will commence soon. He noted that three firms- Manitoba Hydro International of Canada, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and ESB International of Ireland - were invited for bid by NCP but ESB pulled out. According to Peterside who briefed the correspondents alongside the Director-General of BPE, Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa, at the deadline for submission of the technical bid and financial proposals on February 29, 2012, two bids presented by Manitoba and Power Grid were opened. "The result of the evaluation of the technical proposals showed that only Manitoba Hydro International of Canada met the benchmark, which led to its being appointed as the management contractor for TCN," he announced. NCP, he said, also approved the constitution of a six-member team to negotiate with Manitoba Hydro International. Founded in 1961, Manitoba, an electric power and natural gas utility in the province of Manitoba, Canada, has considerable experience in managing transmission systems via management contract in many parts of the world, including African POLITICS I won’t run for public office again – Obi Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has said he will not run for elective public office or hold any political office after his tenure as governor in 2014. In a statement in Awka on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said Obi would retire to his family and private life after completing his tenure. Obienyem, who was reacting to reports that Obi was having issues with his Imo State counterpart, Chief Rochas Okorocha, said the governor had a passion to serve his people faithfully. The report said the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh, had declared that Okorocha would replace the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu as the leader of Igbo, instead of Obi, many had suggested for the role. Obi has also been linked with an aspiration to run as Vice-President in 2015 after his tenure. “The governor himself has said it for the umpteenth time that after serving the people of the state that he would not go for any other political job, senate, ministerial appointment or any other,” Obienyem said. He insisted that Obi and Okorcha were not at loggerheads, saying the reports of their brawling were unfounded. He called on the media to reject one-sided stories and ensure that the views of all sides to a story were reflected in the interest of objectivity. Obienyem said, “I am sure if the writer of that story had contacted either of the governors’ aides, they would have got the right position, except he was clearly out for mischief.” Appeal Court Rules out Akunyili’s Case The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu yesterday ruled out the formal Information and Communication Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili’s appeal filed against the election petitions tribunal in Awka. Akunyili who ran for the post of Senate under the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in the last election, appealed against the judgment of the tribunal, which declared Senator Chris Ngige of Action Congress of Nigeria as the winner. In response to Akunyili’s suit, the tribunal said the time for the hearing of the case had elapsed after 180 days of the election and was no longer valid to be treated by the tribunal. Meanwhile, the formal Minister had accused the tribunal of delayed tactics while appealing at the court. However, the Court of Appeal has refuted Akunyili’s argument while adhering to the verdict of the tribunal, by striking out the suit against the election of Chris Ngige. In a decision of the appeal Court, it was held that “the appellants are in serious misapprehension of the finality of the Supreme Court decisions and the doctrine of Stare Decisis.” “Once the Supreme Court gives a verdict, every decision of the subordinate courts gives way,” the court said. The Court concluded that the decision of the Tribunal for striking out the matter on the 21st February can no longer be faulted due to the fact that “no order can bring to life a petition which is dead.” With this last decision of the Appeal court, Akunyili’s effort is said to have hit the rocks CRIME FILE Pandemonium as masquerade kill Anambra poly student Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has been shut down, following a two-day riot between the students and indigenes of Oko community in Aguata Local Government. No fewer than 100 soldiers and anti-riot policemen were yesterday drafted to the institution to quell the violence. Trouble reportedly began on Sunday when a student of the polytechnic was allegedly beaten to death by some masqueraders from the community after an altercation. Our source said that yesterday, the students moblised to avenge the death of their own, but again, two of them were said to have sustained gunshot wounds in the outing and are lying critically ill in a hospital. Yesterday's violence paralysed social and economic activities in and around the school environment, compelling the authorities to close down the institution apparently to forestall further breakdown of law and order. Public Relations Officer of the school, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, however, denied any death in the clash. Onuchukwu disagreed that the school was closed because of the riot. Rather, according to him, the students were asked to proceed on a two-week Easter vacation. But, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the death of one person in the riot. According to the PPRO, “one person was said to have been beaten by the masqueraders and was taken to the hospital and he died later”. The police spokesman, however, said that normalcy had returned to the institution as law enforcement officers had been drafted there to maintain peace. Efforts to get the traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, could not yield any result as he was said not to Strange Tortoise causes Panic in Calabar Pandemonium broke out last weekend near the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, IBB Way in Calabar when a strange tortoise was found walking majestically around the premises of the Calabar Urban Development Authority in the afternoon. The sight of the mysterious creature drew a large crowd who were curious to know more about it. The people became panicky when they saw that the strange animal carried fresh leaves which were carefully tied on its back. The leaves contained some substances which could not be immediately verified due to fear noticeable in the onlookers. They could only watched in amazement the slow moving creature that was heading towards the University of Calabar road. Some of the passers-by who, too, were attracted by the creature said it was really strange as no normal tortoise could carry load on its back or walk majestically on the road without fearing for its safety. According to residents of the neighborhood, similar event had occurred about three years ago, and which also caused pandemonium. They scenario however caused the people to suspect a certain landlord in the area who was said to be given to strange habits. “It is that landlord that has sent this strange tortoise as a sign to his tenants whom he has been having problems with”, most of the people chorused repeatedly. Some of the panic-stricken onlookers also recalled that before now a vulture had delivered a letter to a tenant in the area, which fueled their belief that a serious danger was in the offing. The residents also expressed the belief that the tortoise must have been going on an errand or going to send clear signal to its victim(s). A onetime chairman of Odukpani Local Government Council in the State, Samuel Inok confirmed that three years ago, a vulture that was tied with colourful materials was sent to deliver a warning letter, written in red ink, to him but that God spared his life. The crowd did not however spare the life of the mysterious tortoise as some hardened ones amongst them stoned, smashed and set it ablaze. For being given quit notice, tenant stabs landlord’s son to death WHEN Mukaila Ajadi was ejected from the house he was living in by his landlord’s children, little did the landlord’s family know that this directive did not go down well with their tenant, as a fight resulting from a reaction to the quit notice ended the dreams and aspirations of one of the lanlord’s son, 42-year-old Musiliu Sogunro on March 8, 2012. Ajadi, a 51-year-old father of three was reported to have packed into the house at Sanyo area of Ibadan, Oyo State in 2007. His landlord died in January 2011 and since then, he was alleged to have refused to pay his house rent, owing the landlord’s family a year’s rent. Not only this, another female tenant who was brought into the house by Ajadi was also owing some rent. When all overtures to make the two tenants pay up the money failed, the landlord’s children decided to give them quit notice but Ajadi was alleged to have refused to quit the one room he was living in with his wife and three children, saying that he would remain there until he would be able to secure another accommodation. The female tenant however decided to comply with the landlord’s children’s directive and started packing her things in bits. At a point, she had moved all her belongings from the room she occupied, leaving behind her mattress. Miffed by the action of the woman who continued to lock the room she occupied, Sogunro, on sighting her in evening of the fateful day, challenged her on this, demanding to know why she locked the room up, unknown to him that her mattress was still in the room. Tempers flared between Sogunro the woman and in no time, they started exchanging hot words with each other. It was at that point that Ajadi, who was around at the time, interjected the quarrel. However, his contribution did not go down well with Sogunro and before anyone knew what was happening, a fight ensued between the duo. The outcome was that Sogunro slumped, covered with his own blood which was flowing from different stab wounds on his body. According to information gathered by Daily Tribune, Ajadi claimed that it was Sogunro who brought a bottle, broke it and injured him on the back of his hand with it. In annoyance, Ajadi claimed he wrested the broken bottle from Sogunro but did not know that he stabbed him until he saw his picture with the different points where he was stabbed on his body. When Ajadi saw that his landlord’s son had slumped, he went to Sanyo Police Station to report that he and someone fought and stabbed themselves. He was advised to go and treat himself. It was after he left that the deceased’s wife came to report at the station that Ajadi had killed her husband. The woman was said to have informed the police that she received a call from an unknown person who told her to come and see her injured husband. On getting home, she was shocked when she met her husband on the ground, stone dead. The police at Sanyo police station had reportedly traced Ajadi to the hospital where he went to treat himself and promptly arrested him. Daily Tribune further gathered that his case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, for further investigations, after which he was charged to court. He is currently being remanded in Agodi prisons while his case has been adjourned. SPORTS Drogba — Chelsea can overturn any deficit CHELSEA striker Didier Drogba has insisted his side has the confidence to overturn any deficit at Stamford Bridge ahead of the first leg of its Champions League quarterfinal against Benfica. The Blues travel to Lisbon tonight having not won away from home in European competition for 13 months. The team lost 3-1 at Napoli in the last 16 but went through after a 4-1 home victory after extra time, and Drogba believes it is capable of progressing to the semifinals even if it was to suffer another defeat on its travels. “There are teams who you know can do it whatever the challenge — even if they lost by five or six away,” the 34-year-old told The Times. “There are a few teams that you know can do it in those situations and Chelsea is one of them. With the players we have and the mentality we have here to fight and fight until the last minute, we can do anything. "I believe that’s why we’ve had these moments in so many seasons, because we all believe we can do it and when we do something, we do it as a team, as a group.” Chelsea's victory over Napoli made it only the fourth club in Champions League history to overturn a deficit of two goals or more in the second leg. And after the team's revival under caretaker boss Roberto di Matteo, Drogba admitted Chelsea is now brimming with confidence. “We have started to believe a little bit more in ourselves and there is a little bit more confidence now,” he said. “The only thing that can change a dressing room is winning games and going on a good run of results. “Even if you have the best atmosphere in the dressing room to begin with, when you lose games everyone will be down. That’s just human. However, when you win games everything is better. Now we want to win again and give ourselves confidence for the coming weeks.” The Blues striker insists his side has recovered its confidence ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal with Benfica and will fight 'until the last minute' this season. APOEL continue fairytale run against Madrid REAL Madrid is next in line for APOEL Nicosia, the small Cypriot club that has reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in its history. APOEL advanced by beating Lyon on penalties, and some have labeled the victory a miracle. For the quarter-finals, the team would probably need another act of intervention to knock nine-time European champion, Madrid, out of the competition. The first leg will be played today in Nicosia, while Madrid hosts the second leg on April 4. “The time has come for our team’s most historic game,” APOEL’s midfielder Nektarios Alexandrou said. “We must all be absolutely prepared to give everything in this game for us to play our best game on the pitch and for the fans in the stands.” However, APOEL’s coach, Ivan Jovanovic, admitted that the challenge posed by Madrid would stretch his players’ abilities to their limit. He said: “In this case, surely we have to play the perfect game. But we don’t know if that will give us the result we want. We can learn a lot of things from Real.” For some perspective on the gap between the teams, consider the numbers. APOEL’s 10 million euros ($13.24 million) annual budget is one 45th of Madrid’s - or about one-tenth of what the Spanish club spent to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United three years ago. By contrast, APOEL’s most expensive signing was Brazilian forward Ailton Almeida, who cost the club 1 million euros ($1.32 million). On the field, Madrid has won seven of eight matches in this Champions League campaign. Also, coach Jose Mourinho has won all four quarter-final matches in the tourney since joining the club after leading Inter Milan to the 2010 title. Then there is Ronaldo, who has scored 35 goals in the pre-eminent Spanish League - almost as many as the entire APOEL squad (39) in one of the weakest domestic competitions in Europe. Madrid also received a boost over the weekend, beating Real Sociedad 5-1 after a difficult week in which its league lead over second-place Barcelona was trimmed to six points following back-to-back draws. But no one expected APOEL to make it out of a group that also had FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Zenit St. Petersburg, let alone knock out Lyon. “The main reason is the confidence and the willingness of my players to achieve something that no one else had done before,” said Jovanovic, whose team drew 0-0 with fierce rival Omonia last week. “We’re a small club in Europe, but we have a big heart.” APOEL’s defender Savvas Poursaitides said the players were fully aware who they were up against, but certainly not afraid. Inter Milan sack Ranieri ! Inter Milan are searching for their third coach this season, after sacking Claudio Ranieri yesterday. “President Massimo Moratti and Internazionale wish to thank Claudio Ranieri and his staff for the professionalism and commitment they have shown through these past months,” the statement said. The former Roma and Chelsea manager was shown the door after a 2-0 loss which leaves Inter’s qualification for European competitions in serious doubt. Immediate past coach of Chelsea, Andre Villas-Boas remains the favourite to replace him, but youth team coach Andrea Stramaccioni has been handed the reins for now. “Inter also announce that they have entrusted the team to Andrea Stramaccioni, the coach who won the first edition of the Next Generation Series,” the statement also said. Muamba up, eating Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba is making “encouraging progress” in his recovery from a cardiac arrest, doctors said on Monday. The 23-year-old remains in intensive care in the London Chest Hospital, where his condition is described as “serious but stable”, after collapsing during an FA Cup quarter-final with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, March 17. A joint statement issued by the hospital and Bolton said, “Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital, where his condition is serious but stable. “He continues to make encouraging progress in his recovery. Over the weekend, he has been able to sit out of bed for a short time, watch television and has begun to eat. “However, he will need to continue to be closely monitored by the medical team at the London Chest for some time.”