Argentine Airline Fires 2 Pilots For Playing ‘Love’ With Model While Flying Passenger Plane

July 1, 2015

An Argentinian airline has sacked two pilots and banned a Playboy model from travelling with them for five years, after a video was uploaded to social media showing the model flying a passenger plane during take-off. The Aerolineas Argentinas flight was travelling from the capital Buenos Aires to Rosario in central Argentina.

Actress and glamour model, Vicky Xipolitakis uploaded a photo-set to Twitter on Thursday showing herself in the plane’s cockpit, in between the two smiling pilots. The photographs were uploaded three days after the incident took place.

In a video, obtained by Argentinian television news program Telenoche, the pilots are seen explaining how the various controls work. Ms Xipolitakis is seen shouting: “I’m going to accelerate and will take off!”

The pilots then joke that as an Argentinian taxpayer, she is entitled to fly the plane – as the airline is wholly owned by the Argentine Government.

The airline fired pilots Patricio Zocchi Molina and Federico Matias Soaje after becoming aware of the incident.

In an official statement, they also said criminal proceedings would be initiated against the two pilots and Ms Xipolitakis, “under Article 190 of the penal code for putting the flight’s safety at risk”.

In a statement, translated from Spanish by ABC News, Ms Xipolitakis wrote: “I sincerely and wholeheartedly did not imagine I could cause this much damage.”

“With respect to the extraordinary flight, being there was an unforgettable and beautiful experience, I never thought there would be this much fuss.” [myad]

Fani-Kayode Misses Jail, As Court Acquits Him Of Money Laundering

Greenbarge Reporters

July 1, 2015

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today, left off the hooks, the former Nigeria Aviation minister, Mr. Femi Fani-kayode on a two count charge of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court held that the EFCC, which charged him to court, was unable to prove the charges against him beyond reasonable doubt and consequently acquitted him.

Fani-Kayode’s trial began in 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed, with EFCC alleging that he laundered about N100 million while he was the Minister of Culture and Tourism and subsequently, Aviation Minister. The allegedly laundered sum was, however, reduced to N2.1million on Nov. 17, 2014 after Ofili-Ajumogobia dismissed 38 out of the 40-count levelled against Fani-Kayode for want of proof.

The EFCC prosecutor, Keyamo, while urging the court to uphold the remaining two counts and to accordingly convict Fani-Kayode, said the former minister had failed to exonerate himself of the allegations. Keyamo pointed out that the object of the charge was that Fani-Kayode transacted in cash sums above N500,000, which was the threshold stipulated by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

Keyamo had argued that Fani-Kayode had admitted making such transactions in his confessional statement of Dec. 22, 2008 made to the EFCC. He said: “In this statement, he admitted that he transacted in cash above N500,000. My Lord, this statement went in without objection by the accused person and the statement was voluntary.

“With the combination of this confessional statement and the statement of the IPO that investigated the allegation, we rely on all of this to submit that we have discharged our burden that monies were received by the accused person in cash and were not done through any financial institution.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC has reacted to the judgment, saying that it would study same before deciding on what next to do. [myad]

47 Boko Haram Members, 22 Female Suicide Bombers Surrender To Government – Dr. Akilu

Greenbarge Reporters

June 30, 2015

No fewer than 47 male combatants of the dreaded Boko Haram and 22 female suicide bombers are believed to have voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian government and are now being rehabilitated by the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The cheering news was broken to President Muhammadu Buhari today by the Head of the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Department of the ONSA, Dr. Fatima Akilu, when she briefed the President on the activities of the department at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Dr. Akilu, no fewer than 22 women and girls, recruited as suicide bombers by Boko haram are now undergoing rehabilitation by the CVE after voluntarily embracing the de-radicalization program.
Dr. Akilu said that one of the objectives of the CVE is to reform terrorists and prevent others from joining terrorist organisations and violent sects.
Dr. Akilu said that its non-military approach was running concurrently with the armed onslaught against insurgents in the country, adding that so far, the CVE has rehabilitated no fewer than 305 victims of terrorism rescued from the Sambisa Forest by the Nigerian military.
She said that a National Security Corridor Program has been created to provide a safe route for those who wish to leave Boko Haram voluntarily.
President Buhari commended steps being taken by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other agencies of government to rehabilitate victims of terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.
He emphasised that the Federal Government will continue to do its best to ensure that victims of Boko Haram’s atrocities receive necessary support, even as it strives to rid the country of terrorism and insurgency in the shortest possible time. [myad]

I Will Deal Severely With Crude Oil Theft In Niger Delta, President Buhari Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

June 30, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed not to spare any effort at securing oil and gas installations as well as maritime in the Niger Delta region of the country, even as he expressed worry over the loss of huge revenue as a result of the activities of the oil thieves.
He also gave assurance that his administration will undertake appropriate reforms and implement fresh policies to boost national income from oil and gas production.
The President, who spoke at separate meetings with delegations from Exxon- Mobil and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG), listed the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks created by multiple government agencies that currently impede the operations of companies in the oil and gas sector as one of the reforms to be undertaken by his administration.
The President said that his government will also give priority attention to the security of oil and gas installations as well as maritime security in a bid to boost national earnings from the sector.
“It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to secure the environment.
“The vandalism of oil installations and pipelines, piracy, oil theft and the fall in the international price of oil have made our economic situation very disturbing.
“This government will do all within its powers to secure the environment and encourage more investments in the oil sector.”
President Buhari said that his administration will ensure that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry quickly becomes more globally competitive even as he assured the NLNG delegation of his administration’s full support for plans to expand the total production capacity of the company.
The President regretted that political squabbles and interference in the past had prevented it from attaining its full potentials.
“Today, we are celebrating six trains. It could have been 12 trains if all had gone according to plan.”
The NLNG delegation included the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dawha and the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa.
Mr. Omotowa requested the President’s support for Train 7 of the NLNG, which, he said would create additional 18,000 construction jobs and an additional three billion dollars dividend to government when operational.
He also asked for the President’s intervention in reducing the number of multiple government agencies around the plant that have made its business globally uncompetitive.
The Exxon-Mobil delegation was led by its Managing Director, Mr. Nolan O’Neal. [myad]

Political Party Cannot Impose Decision On Senators, Deputy Senate Clark Clarifies

Greenbarge Reporters

June 30, 2015

The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn-Na’Allah has said that in democracy, there is no where political party can impose its decision on members of the Senate even though the party can influence its members to toe its line.

Na’Allah emphasized that the party can influence its members in the National Assembly and at the state level through the various caucuses, but not by imposition.

“I have not seen any issue here; it is just that people are trying to overheat the polity without knowing what the process is all about.”

The Deputy Senate Clark who spoke to journalists in Abuja today, stressed that it only a letter from the president of Nigeria can be read on the floor of the Senate or the House of Representatives, which was why the purported letter written by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the National Assembly was not and will not be read at plenary.

“A lot of people do not understand; as a member of the National Assembly, the moment you step into the National Assembly, you either take the Bible or the Quran; and then you subscribe to the oath of allegiance and then take your oath of office.

“The oath of office says that you will uphold, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Law and then the Rules of the Senate.

“Outside these three documents, (a) senator does not have any leverage to do anything; there is no other document outside these three.

“And then if you carefully look at the rules of the Senate, the only letters that can be read on the floor of the House should a letter from Mr. President.

“And that is the convention not only in Nigeria, but in all other parliaments all over the world”.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to understand the workings of democracy before making attributions unknown in democratic circles. [myad]

How President Buhari Restored Our Stolen Mandate, Nigerian Police Boss Narrates

Greenbarge Reporters

June 30, 2015

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase has expressed joy in the restoration of the constitutional mandate of the police, bordering on the internal security which the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan removed from them and handed it over to the military personnel.

He is particularly happy that President Muhammadu Buhari had recently ordered that military checkpoints in most parts of the country should immediately be removed to pave way for the police to properly take over, according to the constitutional mandate of internal security given to the Nigeria Police Force.
Addressing top police officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police in Abuja today, the Inspector General allayed the fear by some Nigerians over the withdrawal of the military from checkpoints, giving assurance that the spaces vacated by the military will be safe.

Assuring that there is no need for fear, Arase said that the police management has concluded arrangements on the dress code for the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police.
“The withdrawal of the military should not create any fear in the minds of Nigerians, we have done it before and we are going to do it again. We have about 555 vehicles on the highway nationwide, each state has about 15 vehicles to man the safer highway, besides that, prior to this time, most of the states had about 20 vehicles each. They are not sufficient but what we have now, we will make do to ensure that we are able to secure the highway space.
“Constitutionally, other security agents have the constitutional responsibility to also complement the efforts of the NPF, asking us to take over the responsibility of the roadblocks which originally was supposed to be our turf, will not create any vacuum.
“Nigerians, I believe, will not want to listen to excuses from us and we have opportunity now to take over our mandate of securing the internal security space.” [myad]

Bauchi Impounds 97 Plots Stolen By Yuguda Government

Greenbarge Reporters

June 30, 2015

Bauchi state government has recovered 97 government landed properties which were illegally allocated to individuals by the immediate past government of Isa Yuguda.

Chairman of the Committee set up to look into the alleged illegal land allocation, Air Cdr Ahmed Tijjani-Baba (Rtd), said that the plots of land belonged to State Government institutions but were allocated to individuals by the immediate past administration in the state.

According to him, 89 of the plots belonged to the Bauchi State College for Arts and Science (BACAS), allocated to individuals in the name of “curve outs.”
Tijjani-Baba also explained that eight plots were also curved out at the premises of Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), and equally allocated to individuals.

He said that the plots at BSADP were meant for the construction of senior and junior staff quarters, staff school, police outpost, football field and other recreational facilities meant for staff and children of the Programme.

He said that documents, including Allocation Letters, Grant or Certificate of Occupancy, were initiated, approved and issued to the beneficiaries on May 28, 2015.

The chairman said that the committee had taken possession of all the affected plots, while the beneficiaries were directed to surrender the documents to the State Ministry of Lands and Survey.

Alhaji Garba Noma, one of the beneficiaries, while commenting on the matter, insisted that the plot situated at BACAS, was allocated to him by the last administration two years ago.

Noma said that the said plots used to be a hideout for armed robbers and miscreants, following the relocation of some faculties of the school to its permanent site along Bauchi to Jos Road.

He said that he had requested the then administration of Governor Isa Yuguda to allocate the plot to him for the construction of some social amenities, and was obliged.

Noma said that he had received the revocation notice and halted ongoing construction work on the site. [myad]

Mexico Pulls Out Of Miss Universe Contest, Protesting Trump’s Racist Remarks

Greenbarge Reporters

June 30, 2015

Mexico beauty pageant organizers have pulled out of the Miss Universe contest in protest over what it called “racist” remarks which the competition’s co-owner and US presidential hopeful Donald Trump made about Mexicans.

It is the latest fallout from Trump’s comments about migrants, which have outraged Latin Americans and the Hispanic community in the United States and prompted US television giant NBC and Mexican broadcaster Televisa to refuse to broadcast Miss Universe.

Losing a Latin American contestant is a big loss for Miss Universe as the contest is hugely popular in the region, where victory by a nation’s contestant is a source of national pride that can spark street celebrations.

“As a Mexican, I am very offended and angry like everybody else,” former Miss Universe and Nuestra Belleza Mexico pageant director Lupita Jones wrote on Twitter late Monday.

“As a Miss Universe, I think that Donald Trump is doing a lot of harm to the organization,” Jones wrote.

“It’s a shame that because of his racist comments we lose what the contest has promoted and represented during so many years, which is an atmosphere of harmony and peace among nations,” she wrote. “We will not participate in MU (Miss Universe).”

In a rambling campaign announcement last week, Trump lashed out at Mexico and Mexican migrants, saying that they were bringing drugs, crime and “rapists” to the United States.

NBC, which co-owns Miss Universe, and Televisa, the world’s largest Spanish-language network, announced on Monday that they were severing ties with the real estate mogul, meaning both will not air the contest. [myad]

Celestial Church Disowns Evang. Oshoffa As Its Pastor, Says He’s Impostor

Greenbarge Reporters

June 30, 2015

The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) has disowned Evang. Tosho Oshoffa who it said has been parading himself as the pastor or leader of the church, saying that the church does not have a “lawful and duly accredited” pastor for now.

A member of the Board of Trustee, Evang. Samson Banjo described as fake, not genuine and an exercise in futility for any person or group of persons to recognise Evang Oshoffa as the pastor or leader of the church.

Banjo, who is also a member of the Pastor- in-Council of the church, spoke today on behalf of the church when he addressed at the church’s National Headquarters, Makoko, Yaba, Lagos.

“Any assertion, representation, claims and pretention by any person or persons including the ill-advised and baseless self-declaration of Oshoffa to leadership of the church is fake,’’ he stressed.

According to Banjo, “on March 26, a trial Judge, Hon. Justice A.O. Asenuga, ruled that the self-proclamation of Mr. Godwin Shonekan as pastor of the church was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

“The court further ruled that the appointment of a pastor in the church needs re-articulating in a new constitution.

“The trial judge set aside all claims to the position of the church. In this regard, the board of trustee as one of the defendant has already appeal against the court ruling,’’ he said.

Banjo said that the church was working on the constitution to restructure its operations and administration.

“The church has commenced work on the constitution in response to another court decision for the church to go and find a peaceful solution to its problems.

“The interim draft produce by the committee is receiving necessary attention and the committee has resumed work to produce the final draft for the consideration of all stakeholders of the church.” [myad]

As Jega Bows Out, Buhari Brings In Mrs. Amina Zakari As Acting INEC Boss

Greenbarge Reporters

June 30, 2015

As the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega finally quit today, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari as acting chairman of the electoral body.

According to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Barrister Danladi Kifasi, the appointment takes effect from today, June 30, 2015 until the appointment of a substantive Chairman.

The information was made known on behalf of the Head of Civil Service by the Director of Communications in his office.

Earlier today, Professor Jega handed over the leadership of the INEC to his successor, Ambassador Ahmed Wali.

The new acting chairman, Amina Zakari, was until his appointment today a National Electoral Commissioner in the Commission. She is a pharmacist by profession and hails from Jigawa State.

She completed her Secondary Education from the prestigious Queens College Yaba, Lagos. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree in Pharmacy with Second Class upper (Best Graduating Student) in 1980 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. [myad]

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