Saturday 16 March 2013

Red Carpet Photos From Bovi's Concert [Psquare, AY, Jay-Jay, WizKid,

On Sunday 10th March 2013, Bovi Ugboma‘s anticipated comedy and music show, Bovi Live: Man on Fire took place at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Hosted by funnyman Basketmouth, the event saw lots of celebrities in attendance including Richard Mofe Damijio, Toke Makinwa, Gordons, Chinedu “Aki” Ikedieze, I Go Dye, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Eniola Badmus and Frank Edoho.

I heard the show was really fun and hilarious. So what’s a night of comedy without music? Wizkid, M.I, Seyi Shay, Olamide and on the wheels of Steel - DJ Xclusive were some of the artistes who performed at the event.

Some other celebrities that were present includes; Ali Baba, Ayobami Ayoola Ayolola, Baba Dee, Banky W, Basketmouth, Bovi Ugboma, Buchi, DJ Caise, DJ Sose, DJ Xclusive, Eva Alordiah, Jay Jay okocha, Jedi, Koch, Koff, Lilian Esoro, Mannie, Maria Okanrende, Mary B, N6, Olisa Adibua, Omo Baba, Owen Gee, phyno, Rekana Sharon Ojong, Seyi Shay, Shaydee, Shine, Skales, Steve "Yaw" Onu, Tee-A, Teju Babyface Oyelakin, Tobi Banjoko-Oyelakin, Uzor Osimkpa, Vina, Wizkid, Psquare, Timaya, AY and many others.


CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM Bovi's “Man On Fire” Concert

My Oga On Top"'s Wife Storms Into Channels TV HQ, Protests Against Exploitation

The wife of the NSCDC Commandant that was ridiculed in the crazy "My Oga At The Top" video has been reported to have barged into Channels TV studio today to protest bitterly to the chairman of Channels on the demages the crazy video has caused his family.

She said her kids are been riddiculed at school everyday and her neighbors and fellow market women make jest of her everyday, and to make matter worse, she says her husband can't sleep at night again cos of the terrible embarrasment the video has caused him and he cries every night.


Incase you are lost with all this OgaAtTheTop fuse, you need to read this topic first:

Open up and Read

I’m 49…And My Bóobs Are Still Very Firm'' – Kemi Olunloyo Yabs Nigerian Ladies

This is Kemi Olunloyo latest message, she posted it on her facebook page a while ago:
Ladies!!! It’s NOT a BRA. Its a bikini top with a WIRE, the latest with tight short mini skirts. I’ve always told u my breasts are healthy, self exam on the 11th of the month for breast cancer lumps, no implants. I have told ppl on social media that my breasts are firm, chests pointed and hard and my wish is to get my pumpkins to half of Cossy’s.

I will be 49 in August. Wonder why my sons tell their pals I am SEXY and make my pics their profile pic on FB.

Nigerian women, #KeepITReal and stop the sh*t pretending. Keep ur pumpkins healthy. #LifestyleTIP. No make up and stay natural in the pool. POST YOUR PICS if ur woman is SEXIER!

Oh in case you don’t know who she is, one can describe Kemi Olunloyo in many ways, an outspoken journalist, media expert, advocate, politician, deportee, the list goes on. She is also the daughter of former governor of Oyo State – she is one outspoken woman that keeps on talking even when it threatens her life, she’s come under attack so many times but that has not stopped her in any way from posting comments online…

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NSCDC Commandant Now Placed On Suspension By His 'Oga at the top

Mr Obafaiye Shem, the Lagos Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp
(NSCDC), aka "My Oga At the Top" has been Suspended by the Internal Affair Ministry. While the details of his suspension is still not clear, but can be certain that it must be related to the embarrassing interview Mr Shem granted to Channels Television early in the Week.

Keshi, NFF have abandoned me – Emenike


Injured Spartak Moscow strike Emmanuel Emenike has fired a broadside at the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi by accusing them of being insensitive to his plight.
The South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner with four goals sustained a hamstring injury after scoring two goals to help Nigeria beat Mali 4-1 and set up a final clash with Burkina Faso. The Eagles beat the Stallions 1-0 to win the championship for the third time.

Emenike, who was not invited for the Eagles’ March 23 World Cup qualifier with Kenya in Calabar, has been on the treatment table at his club.

The former Fenerbahce star alleged on Friday that neither Keshi nor the NFF had contacted him since he returned to his Russian club.

“I have not been treated well by the coach and the NFF because they ignored me so soon, so fast,” Emenike was quoted by MTFootball.com as saying.

“Nobody from the NFF or the coach himself has called to ask me about my injury. I’m bitter about this. It is unfair and I can tell you that is why some players don’t give their best for the national team.

“When a player gets injured on national duty, the football authorities and coach ought to keep in touch to let him know he is loved.

“I am not a use-and-dump player. I will not act as one at all, because my club career is very important to me than anything.”

He added, “(Victor) Anichebe  was injured while on national team duty last year but  no-sone cared about him and you think he will come to national team to give his best.”

The NFF Media Officer Ademola Olajire declined comments on Emenike’s allegation, saying he was not authorised to comment on the issue.

Michelle Obama Graces Vogue Magazine For April

With the return of April comes the beauty of the White House spread out on the covers of Vogue Magazine.

US first lady and icon fantastic Michelle Obama puts her charm on the front page of the April issue of Vogue Magazine. The cover image was courtesy of popular American portrait photographer Anna-Lou ‘Annie’ Leibovitz.

Last month, rumours were all over the internet as a leaked cover copy was shown to have Michelle on it. However it proved false as singer Beyonce got to make the cut.

Now the real deal’s been put on display and my! It sure was worth the wait…

Michelle Obama…Hello Mama America!



Take It Up By P.R.E Feat. 2face

P.R.E comes with a style familiar with the Nigerian people. Take It Up arrives with banging visuals and the X factor called…2face

Directed by Clarence Peters, this is sure worth 3 minutes of your time…perhaps a lot more?

Find out!




new-video-manuchim-soh-by-duncan-mighty

Port Harcourt 1st son, Duncan Mighty in his usual southern brilliance, brings us a feel of the good life with Manuchim Soh. This is the 2nd visual of from his lastest album, Footprints.
Manuchim Soh in English means In case you didn’t know, Manuchim Soh in English would mean – “I’m walking with my God and he watches over me”
Let the fun begin!

 

FG Vows Not To Pay Ransom For Kidnapped French Family

How to free the eight French nationals held hostage by suspected members of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria was the main thrust of discussion when President Goodluck Jonathan held a closed door meeting with the French foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius at the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport Abuja on Saturday.
The meeting which lasted for about 30 minutes among other issues reviewed the relations between Nigeria and France and the quick intervention in the crisis in Mali which they said could have placed Nigeria at a great risk.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Ashiru, assured the French envoy that the federal government is working in tandem with all security agencies to ensure that the kidnapped French nationals are released without harm as he vowed that Nigeria will not pay ransom for their release.

“As part of our own policy, we don’t pay ransom to terrorists but we would do everything possible to ensure that those terrorists are able to release their captives without any harm coming (to) them” he stated.

Also briefing state house correspondents after the meeting, Mr Fabius who spoke in the French language said that it is important that his country is deeply worried about those held hostage and would want the two countries to be careful so that they be released without harm.

“Of course, we raised the subject of hostages,” Fabius said of his meeting with Jonathan. “There are eight French hostages that are in Nigeria…We truly (and) very deeply wish that the French hostages can be freed.”

The seven French nationals, including four children were kidnapped last month in Cameroon near the northeastern border with Nigeria.

Everton 2-0 Manchester City: City title dream over

Leon Osman and Nikica Jelavic struck as ten-man Everton delivered a potentially fatal blow to Manchester City’s title hopes.

The Toffees spent the week soul-searching after their loss to Wigan in the FA Cup quarter-finals but they looked back to their best in a fiery clash at Goodison Park.

Kevin Mirallas had a goal harshly disallowed before Osman scored from 25-yards out after 32 minutes and the Toffees held on despite the dismissal of Steven Pienaar. City piled the pressure on but Everton rode the storm and broke away in injury time through Marouane Fellaini, who rolled wide for Jelavic to beat Joe Hart with a deflected shot. City could have had a penalty late on when Fellaini was penalised for handling a Carlos Tevez shot but referee Lee Probert mistakenly thought the offence had occurred outside the area.

Wayne Rooney’s 16th goal of the season was enough to propel Manchester United 15 points clear with just nine games remaining in the title race. Rooney’s deflected first-half effort saw off a dogged Reading outfit, who worked hard but lacked the class to fashion an equaliser.

Aston Villa gave their Premier League survival hopes another boost after beating fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers. Jermaine Jenas struck to give QPR the lead, but Gabriel Agbonlahor’s header levelled matters. Andreas Weimann then struck for Villa on the hour. QPR showed belief to equalise through Andros Townsend but Christian Benteke scored a vital winner for Paul Lambert’s men.

Southampton recorded an impressive 3-1 win over 
Liverpool at St Mary’s. The hosts opened the scoring early on through Morgan Schneiderlin and Rickie Lambert should have doubled Southampton’s advantage but shot straight at Brad Jones before the striker saw a deflected free-kick make it 2-0 12 minutes before the break.

Philippe Coutinho cut Liverpool’s deficit before the break but Jay Rodriguez scored a tremendous individual effort to wrap up the points and give Mauricio Pochettino a welcome second win as Saints’ manager.

Arsenal closed to within two points of the Champions League places with a 2-0 win at Swansea. A first Arsenal goal for left-back Nacho Monreal and a strike from substitute Gervinho secured the three points after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rattled the crossbar twice for Arsene Wenger’s side in the first half.

Stoke and West Brom shared a goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Amosun’s wife empowers over 6,000 women

AS part of activities marking the 2013 International Women’s Day celebration, the wife of the governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, has empowered more than 6,000 women in the state, saying this will enable them to do more in the society by being self-sufficient.

The wife of the governor gave out items worth over N20 million to members of Mission to Rebuild Ogun State, one of the largest single groups of women in the state with a lot of different organisations.

Speaking during the programme in Abeokuta, Mrs Amosun said  women-folk should not be relegated to the background in the scheme of things in any given society, pointing out that MITROS had become a formidable force to reckon with in the state.

“In the past 13 months, well-meaning Ogun State indigenes have relentlessly supported the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun tremendously.

They have demonstrated this support at the ward and local government levels. As part of activities to mark the 2013 International Women’s Day celebration, we have chosen to recognise their efforts and we are encouraging them by empowering them today,” she said.

Items such as sewing machines, head dryers, grinding machines, sterilisers, hair clippers, Coca-Cola branded items, amongst others were given to MITROS members from all the 20 local government areas of the state.

Nigeria sends high-power delegation to Pope Francis’ inaugurationvv

Nigeria will send a high-power delegation to attend the inauguration of newly elected Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican City on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the presidency on Saturday.
The statement, signed by Reuben Abati, spokesperson of the Nigerian president, said the delegation would be headed by senate president David Mark.
Other members of the delegation, according to the statement, include the Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri and the president of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria Ignatius Kaigama.
Chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel Obioma Onwuzurumba and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission John Opara would also join the west African country’s delegation to convey a congratulatory letter from President Goodluck Jonathan to Pope Francis, the statement added.
The statement said the delegation was given the mandate to fully represent Nigeria at the inauguration and also attend the mass to be held at the Vatican City on Tuesday.
Pope Francis, who succeeded Pope Benedict XVI (now addressed as Emeritus Pope), was elected on March 13 by the College of Cardinals in the Vatican City to lead more than 1 billion Roman Catholic Church members spread across the world.
 

Obasanjo, Oyinlola, others shun PDP peace meeting

A reconciliation meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party slated for Friday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, suffered a setback as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former governors of Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states were absent.

The ex-governors are Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Adebayo Alao-Akala, Segun Oni and Olusegun Agagu respectively. They all boycotted the party’s South-West National Chairman’s Town Hall meeting. The meeting was part of the party’s efforts at reconciling aggrieved members ahead of future elections.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisah Metu, who described the meeting as very successful, however, ascribed Obasanjo’s absence to his busy schedule.

He said, “The former President, as you and I know, is an international figure and a busy personality. He was the former BoT chairman; his loyalty to the party is not in doubt. I don’t know whether he is in the country or not.

“As a party, we are more worried about our internal challenges. I am impressed at the turnout at today’s meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to address the dispute within the party in the zone, but on getting here, we are impressed with the turnout. We have former governors, senators and serving office holders here at the meeting.

“We are not worried about what is happening in other political parties; we are not worried about the merger of some political parties. We want a strong opposition.”

Earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, had expressed optimism that the PDP would regain the South-West from the Action Congress of Nigeria.

Tukur urged the party members and other stakeholders to strategise ahead of the 2015 elections so as to regain the zone.

He said, “You are the rightful people that should be in governance in your respective states. If you don’t get power, you can’t serve your people. Please reconcile so that this can be achieved.

“South-West is very strategic. Eliminate them with your votes. I want the caucus to meet and reconcile the parties. Let this be the last time that the South-West will be under any party other than the PDP.”

The Reconciliation Committee chairman of the PDP in the South-West, Chief Ishola Filabi, said, “We are happy that you have come to our zone to encourage and energise us for the onerous task of rebuilding our party and re-invigorating our capacity to win elections in the years ahead.

“Since we lost the control of government in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, things have not been the same with us. Bickering, in-fighting and factionalism have become the order of the day and they threaten to incapacitate us if not checked.

“Already, we have begun the necessary consultations in order to lay the foundation of our strategy and agenda for reconciling and uniting all members of the party, bringing back all those who are aggrieved and building the organs of the party in the zone.”

The Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, said, “We in the South-West are eager to take back power. We know now what it means to be in and out of power. I can assure you that we are ready. In the course of this journey, it is very important that we forgive one another. We women are going to show the men that we are together.”

Present on the occasion were former Osun State governor, Isiaka Adeleke; his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayodele Fayose; former deputy governor, Osun State, Iyiola Omisore; former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; Buruji Kasamu, Tunde Olowofoyeku, Abiola Ogundokun, Senator Lekan Balogun, Garuba Umar and Ambassador Gbenga Olofin, among others.

SunusiLamido: Lack of Maintenance Culture Bane of Devt

The Governor of Central Bank  of Nigeria, (CBN) MalamSanusiLamidoSanusi has described lack of maintenance culture of Nigerians as a menace affecting socio-economic development saying after a huge amount of money would  have been invested  in a sector, people  will allow it to rot away due to I don’t care attitude.

Lamido also exonerated Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella AdaezeOduah from an insinuation that she has driven international airlines from patronizing the MalamAminu Kano International Airport( MAKIA).
The CBN governor also called on the Minister of Aviation, to put all necessary things in place so as to ensure a proper management of billion of Naira being spent on remodelling nations airports .

Speaking in Kano on Friday while commissioning the Remodelled International Terminal of MalamAminu Kano International Airport( MAKIA) said failure to imbibed the spirit of maintenance culture , very soon all these laudable transformation process would be a wasteful  venture .

"I am very happy with the level of transformation agenda going on in all airports, but we have to do away from lack of maintenance culture which has been a menace of socio-economic development in this country", he said.

MalamLamido who also stated as someone who hails from Kano, he can attest to the fact that the Aviation minister is not against foreign airlines operating from the state.  “I am from Kano , I will disabused the mind of some people who were saying the Aviation Minister does not like International airlines to come to Kano”.

He dismissed the insinuation as erroneous, adding, “if She doesn’t like MAKIA, the huge amount spent on terminal could not have arisen because this projects are what the international airlines use for their operation".

"I am pleased to commission this project today, because my great grand-father commissioned the airport, my grand-father commissioned the International Terminal, and I am commissioning this one today, so please, like I said, we should imbibe maintenance culture, not only in MAKIA but in all the airports across the country".

Gunmen attack Maiduguri prison, set inmates free

Lagos, Nigeria - Gunmen, suspected to be Boko Haram members, on Thursday attacked a prison in Gwoza Local Government Area of the northern Borno state with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol-bombs, setting all the inmates free, the local Vanguard newspaper reported.


Thursday’s attack is the second this month following the attack on a Divisional Police Station and a second generation bank at Gwoza on 4 March.

Gwoza, a border town with Cameroon, is 135 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Quoting an eyewitness account, the Vanguard reported that the gunmen took the police and other security agents unawares when they came in three vehicles, chanting, “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” in Arabic, meaning 'God is great, God is great', before detonating IEDs and throwing petrol bombs at the prison building, located near the emir’s palace.

The eyewitness said the gunmen did not meet any resistance from security agencies, as the prison building was set ablaze with explosives and all the inmates freed.

Residents and passersby, the eyewitness added, had to scamper for safety.

According to the eyewitness account, “the attack lasted for only half an hour after which the gunmen fled to an unknown destination through the Gadamayo and Market roads of Gwoza town.'

Attempts to reach the State Police Commissioner, Yuguda Abdullahi, proved abortive as he was said to be in a meeting.

Ghana Activist Calls For Chris Brown Prosecution

Activists in Ghana are calling for Chris Brown to go on trial for allegedly flouting anti-smoking laws during a concert there.

Breezy is shown on a YouTube video to have asked the crowd at a gig: "How many of you all smoke weed?"

When he got a cheer in response, he then said: "S**t, I got my blunt right here."

And now youth activist Jonathan Osei-Owusu is calling for the 23-year-old star to be extradited to the African nation for trial.

"He promoted an illegality," Osei-Owusu told Radio.com. "You can see from the video and yet he was let go free.

And a petition issued by the activist reads: "He is on video to have encouraged the audience to take up arms against people who stand in their way to smoking weed. In our prisons, many are incarcerated for same."

He also claimed to have got Ghana's police force involved.

"The last two days, I have been with the police and an investigation has commenced. The police have moved swiftly and they are not leaving anything unturned."

70-year-old-twin-prostitutes-finally-call-it-day

Recent news confirmed about the retirement of two of Amsterdam's oldest prostitutes. It has been claimed that Twin sisters Louise and Martine Fokkens have renounced prostitution after they felt too old for the profession, which has been termed legal in the city. It was confirmed during an interview with them on March 14.

They have a massive network encompassing some 355,000 men. The duo was the centre of attention in a documentary film titled "Meet the Fokkens". They have apparently written a book focusing on their combined 100-years of sexual exploits called "The Ladies of Amsterdam."

Though they still have their old clients, Martine Fokkens, a mother of three children, shared the problems they are facing luring new clients at the age of 70. "There is no point working just for tax. That is why the girls are working from the Internet and from home - you are less likely to be spotted by the tax man", said Martine Fokken while sharing her thoughts on the high taxes latched in the working girls in their profession.

They won't be getting any retirement benefit although. They are hoping to live a comfortable life ahead with finances they made with their film and book deals.

karlie-kloss-becomes-official-angel-victoria-s-secret

Karlie Kloss, 20, revealed of dating Ivanka Trump's brother-in-law Josh Kushner. She gave a public appearance in Los Angeles on Tuesday.  The model had walked the ramp for a lingerie show in 2011. She has been officially added to the elite group of Angels. The model revealed about her new relationship status at her brand's latest swimwear alongside Angels Alessandra Ambrosio and Candice Swanepoel in Los Angeles. She disclosed her new status publically by referring her 27-year-old guy as 'so not into fashion'.  She explained that she felt refreshed of leaving all the fashion shows and shoots and chaos behind. Karlie is the youngest model in the elite group of supermodels that included Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio. All the senior models are in their thirties.  Being an official Angel, she will be playing as a brand ambassador for Victoria's Secret. She will be joining the other angels in making public appearances and doing commercials for the label.  She is also expected to be paid as high as the five of the highest-earning models of 2012. The model is widely known for her mile-long legs and choppy haircut. This hairstyle differentiates her from the other angels.  The model has been the cover face for numerous magazines and was named Vogue's model of the year for 2012. She has also been starring in the campaigns for brands like Lacoste, Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermes, Oscar de la Renta and Chloe etc.v

N. Korea test-fires short-range missiles

 A South Korean military official said today that North Korea had test-fired a pair of short-range missiles into its eastern waters this week in a likely response to the ongoing routine US-South Korean military drills.

The official said that the North has launched what appeared to be KN-02 missiles during its own drills. He did not say when happened. He declined to be named citing intelligence rules.

North Korea routinely launches short-range missiles to improve its arsenal. The latest test comes at a time of rising tension.

Pyongyang has threatened nuclear strikes on Seoul and Washington because of the drills and the recent UN sanctions over its third nuclear test.

According to analysts, Pyongyang’s threats are partly an attempt to push Washington to agree to disarmament-for-aid talks.v

24 dead, 8 critical in horror crash

De Doorns, Western Cape - The double-decker bus came careering down the Hex River valley outside De Doorns, the driver fighting desperately to keep control as bend after bend rushed up.

There were only two more bends to negotiate but the second-to-last bend was a hairpin and the Atlantic City Liners bus crashed into the mountainside on Friday morning.

By Friday night the death toll stood at 24 in one of the worst road accidents in South African history. Eight passengers were critically injured, 14 seriously injured and 44 others sustained minor to moderate injuries. Two of the dead were children. The bus driver was also among the dead.

Kenny Africa, provincial traffic chief, said: “Apparently the bus was coming from the Beaufort West side towards Cape Town. It is evident that halfway down the pass the driver had problems with the brakes because he went on to the arrester bed, which is used when vehicles have trouble stopping. But he went through the arrester bed down the pass.”

Dumisani Ximbi, provincial leader of the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ, said some of the women passengers had come from a national women’s prayer meeting in Secunda.

In the aftermath of the crash, church members who had followed in several smaller buses could be seen dressed in their distinctive blue skirts and white headscarves milling around the scene, comforting each other and handing out blankets to shocked survivors.

A church leader gathered some of the women and led them in prayer. Rescue workers and medical personnel battled to attend to the injured and those still trapped in the mangled wreckage. The dead were laid out on the road, the bodies covered in silver blankets. Ambulances formed a steady procession ferrying the injured in the direction of Worcester and Cape Town.

“This is the worst accident scene I have ever seen,” was the refrain from almost all those at the scene.

It took about three hours for the first of the relatives to arrive from Cape Town.

One man went to the bus and pulled from the wreckage clothes he recognised as his wife’s.

He couldn’t find her. The anguish was etched across his face as he turned to go to Worcester Hospital, hoping and praying that she was one of the injured.

Rescue and emergency vehicles snaked back along the road almost as far as the eye could see, while Air Force and Air Mercy Services helicopters buzzed overhead.

Amid the death and despair there were moments of hope and prayer as relatives waited for news of loved ones.

Two men whose wives had been travelling on the bus could only look on as medics pulled badly injured passengers out through shattered windows.

“We haven’t heard anything,” one man said. “We can only hope that they will be okay.”

A crane tried to lift the wreckage of the bus to free those still trapped underneath. Seats were protruding through some windows.

A major investigation had been launched into the cause of the bus accident by late yesterday, transport MEC Robin Carlisle said.

“Early reports from the surviving passengers indicated brake failure as the main reason for the crash,” he said.

“The Provincial Regulatory Entity will investigate the legal status of the bus, including the validity of the operating licence, and whether the certificate of fitness is still valid.”

Aneeqah Salie, Communications Officer for Atlantic Charters & Tours, said: “We at Atlantic Charters hereby extend our sincere condolences to all the families and loved ones who have been affected by today’s tragic accident. We are also deeply saddened by the loss of our dear employee, who was the driver of the vehicle involved.

“We pledge our full support to the relevant authorities in the ensuing processes which are currently under way to establish exactly what happened in today’s tragic event. Unfortunately, at this stage we cannot comment any further until the relevant processes have been completed. We will revert to you should we have further information.”

Weekend Argus

Removal of Rupiah Banda’s Immunity is a Farce, says his Lawyer

Following the passage of a motion in Zambia’s National Assembly to remove the immunity of the former President Rupiah Banda, his international lawyer Robert Amsterdam describes the ruling party’s move as a “farce” that fails to pass the litmus test of legitimacy.

“We are disappointed but not surprised by today’s events,” said Amsterdam. “The ruling party’s witch hunt against the opposition began more than a year ago, including a defamation campaign against his son in which they failed to prove any wrongdoing.  Now they want to start again with an attack against the internationally distinguished former president, with accusations based on light bulbs and lollipops.”

Banda’s international lawyer also questioned the manner in which the motion to remove immunity was passed:

“The Speaker allowed the motion to move forward despite repeated objections by half of the house, and proceeded to rush through the debate and vote despite a walkout by opposition MPs,” said Amsterdam.  “Removal of presidential immunity is a serious measure, and one that should have broad multiparty support, or at least the dignity of a personal appearance by the head of state.  Instead, the PF had to beg, borrow, and bribe by appointing opposition members as deputy ministers in order to just barely exceed 50% of the total seats.”

Amsterdam continued:  “The removal of former President Banda’s immunity fails to pass the litmus test for legitimacy.  Keeping in mind that this is the same government that only days ago fired live rounds into crowds of voters, the same people that have repeatedly arrested opposition leaders on bogus grounds, and the very same Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba, who himself defiantly refused to answer corruption questions before the authorities, there can be little doubt about where the PF stands on matters of justice.”

“Removal of Banda’s immunity is totally unrelated to justice. It is a crass political strategy aimed at removing potential competitors to the successor of an ailing, enfeebled president,” said Amsterdam.vv

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