Warning To Junta: ECOWAS Bans Mali Over Coup

The body representing nations in western Africa has suspended Mali and has put a peacekeeping force on standby in the most direct threat yet to the junta that seized control in a military coup last week.

Alassane Ouattara, President of Ivory Coast and chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said Mali's democracy cannot be abandoned.

A delegation of five African presidents will head to Mali in the next 48 hours to try to "restore constitutional order".

There was no immediate plan to deploy peacekeepers who will be put on standby in the event a military intervention is needed, said Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, ECOWAS president.

The US, European Union and France have cut off all but essential aid.

The coup took the region and the world by surprise. Mali has long been held up as one of the few established democracies in the troubled western corner of the continent. Late on Tuesday on state television, the newscaster announced Mali would soon be under a new constitution, indicating the coup leaders are moving forward with plans to create a new government.

The entire constitution will be read on state television later.

33-Year-Old Mother Commits Suicide 12 Years After Horrific Acid Attack

A Pakistani former dancing girl has decided to end it all.

She decided to commit suicide 12 years after being heavily facially disfigured by acid bath.

Fakhra Younus, 33, leapt to her death from a sixth floor building in Rome 12 years after the acid attack which she said left her looking 'not human'.

At the time of her attack in May 2000, her ex-husband Bilal Khar was the man accused of entering her mother's house and pouring acid over Younus's face as she slept.

The attack, which took place in front of Younus's then five-year-old son, left her unable to breathe and fighting for life.

Her nose was almost completely melted and she has since undergone 39 separate surgical procedures to repair her disfigured face over the past decade.

The horrific attack also burned off her hair, fused her lips, blinded her in one eye, destroyed her left ear and melted her breasts.

After being rushed to hospital she said, 'My face is a prison to me', while her distraught young son said at the time, 'This is not my mother'.

Stephene Okereke Picks April For Wedding As Fiance, Linus Lures America To Establish Movie Academy In Nigeria

Nollywood Actress, Stephene Okereke and her heartthrob, Linus Idahosa has ofically fixed the date for their much expected wedding.

They will be tying the knot on April 21st, 2012.

There's an exclusive guest list and the would-be couple have already started calling and asking the quests where their Invites should be sent.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's entrepreneur and media consultant, Linus Idahosa, who was on a recent tour to the US made a passionate case for the local burgeoning film and entertainment industry. Linus Idahosa is on a mission like no other. Basking in the euphoria and success of his recent United States tour to create awareness of the massive potentials in Nigeria's creative industry, he enthused about Nigeria's potential gains from renewed interests from the top echelon of the American entertainment sector.

More specifically, he wishes to establish partnerships with American movie studios to build a full-service production studio and academy in Nigeria. This, he hopes, will produce original motion pictures for cinema audiences across Africa and the world. He also revealed plans for an innovative distribution model for digital content and advertising, called the D-BOX.
"I want the world to see the beauty and great potentials of Nigeria through its creative sector," Idahosa said.

"Nigeria can be a world leader in entertainment and my dream is to enable that happen."

Wife of the US Deputy Secretary of State, Diana Villers Negroponte, a Brookings Institute diplomat and a global funder of major women projects in Africa and around the world, called Idahosa an "awesome and dynamic individual, who has a great vision. His passion extends to providing new opportunities to youths and women that can only lead to a brighter future for Nigeria."

Mo’Cheddah Reveals Ice Prince Wants To Date Her

Ko Ma Roll crooner and ace Yoruba rapper, Modupe Oreoluwa otherwise known as Mo'Cheddah is currently in a pool of dilemma. The dilemma, exclusively gathered by Nigeria DailyPost has been giving her sleepless night. The young and petite rapper recently opened up that Oleku singer, Ice Prince has been expressing his love for her but she's in doubt.
Excerpts from the interview

Ice Prince and I

He is my friend.  A very good friend of mine.  He is always proclaiming his love for me but I don't believe him.  But he is my very good friend. 
He is a beautiful rapper.  I love the texture of his voice.  His wordplay is amazing and his use of words shows he is widely read. He is intelligent.  Listening to him, you just know that intellectually, he is sound.  As a rapper, I really, really, really, really like Ice Prince. 

*************

41-Year-Old Mother And Her 2 Daughters Docked For Alleged Internet Scam

A 41-year-old mother and her two daughters were on Tuesday arraigned before an Ogudu Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a man via the internet.

The accused are Esther Okuinosa, Founder and Pastor, Peace of the God Word Gospel Church, 10 Sewo St., Ibafo in Ogun, and her daughters- Chika Felix, 20, and Ifeoma Felix 21.

The trio are facing a three-count-charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, Corporal Kemi Adeniran, told the court that the accused persons fraudulently collected N4.2 million from one Nonso Ajas, under the pretext of buying him laptops.

"The complainant, Nonso Ajas, knew Chika through the internet and they started dating. Chika told Nonso her aunty deals in laptops.

"Chika asked Nonso to send some money to her in order to help him buy laptops at cheaper rates, which he did,'' Adeniran said.

The prosecutor also told the court that the complainant paid into Chika's account N4.2 million for the said laptops.

"It was when the police traced Chika that they found she was conspiring with her sister and mother to perpetrate the crime,'' Adeniran said.

She said that the offence, which was committed between July 2010 and March 2012 at Ikorodu, contravened Sections 323, 312, 419 and 360 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Chief Magistrate Yetunde Aje-Afunwa adjourned hearing in the case till April 23. (NAN)

Naval rating Accused Of Killing His 3-Months Old Baby Walks Free

A naval rating, Joseph Moses, who allegedly aligned with some hoodlums to kidnap his three-month-old baby and later threw him into the lagoon at Liverpool area of Apapa, Lagos, is yet to be arrested.

But the spokesperson for the state police command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, said there was nothing unusual about that because the suspect was a military man.

Jaiyeoba said, "Something you must understand is that, there are procedures that need to be followed when a military personnel is accused of a criminal act.

"Even if he had been initially arrested, the police would still have to refer him to military authorities, who would exert their own disciplinary action before handing him over to the police."

According to Jaiyeoba, the present situation notwithstanding, the State Criminal Investigations Department, where the case is being investigated, has the authority to arrest any suspect no matter the person's status.

Two suspects in custody of the SCID, Messrs Peter Elias and Amadu Bello, had accused the naval rating for being behind the kidnap of the baby.

They also alleged that the policemen at Ajeromi Police Station, Ajegunle, where the case was first reported, had released four other suspects in the case after they paid 20,000 each to the investigating police officers.

The duo, who said they did not know about the plan, noted that the suspects that were freed were actually the ones that aided Moses to carry out the plan.

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson said there was no truth in the duo's allegation.

He said, "Police do not grant bail to suspects in a murder case, that's something people need to understand.

"In fact, the Commissioner of Police summoned the Divisional Police Officer of Ajoromi and asked him about the issue and he cleared the air that no such thing happened."

The three-week-old baby, a love child between the naval rating and a woman, identified simply as Happiness was said to have been kidnapped on February 10, after Moses denied that he was the baby's father.

The two suspects at the SCID confessed that Moses put the baby in a carton and threw her into the lagoon.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Bello, a motorcyclist, in his confessional statement, said on February 10, Joseph had invited him to take him to somewhere.

He said when they got to Liverpool Bridge, Moses got down and threw a carton in the lagoon.

Bello said after he was arrested, he later learnt that the carton Moses threw in the lagoon contained his baby.

Prostitutes Are Now Free To Have Offices And Employ Staffs In Canada

Ontario's highest court has struck down a national law that outlaws brothels but upheld an effective ban on street prostitution, a partial victory for those arguing Canada's laws put sex workers in harm's way.

If the landmark decision stands - it will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada - the federal government will have to find new ways to regulate prostitution, perhaps by accepting legalized brothels of the sort found in Nevada.

Accepting money in return for sex is not illegal in Canada, but most related activities have been.

In a judgment released on Monday, Ontario's Court of Appeal found the laws violated the constitutional rights of sex workers by preventing them from taking safety precautions such as hiring bodyguards, having offices or working out of their own homes.

In hearings last June, the federal and provincial governments argued that it is prostitution itself, not the laws that govern it, that put prostitutes at risk.

"Prostitution is a controversial topic, one that provokes heated, heartfelt debate about morality," the court wrote in its opinion. "It is not the court's role to engage in that debate."

Nollywood And Hollywood Stars Tonto Dike And Gbenga Akinnagbe Covers Complete Fashion Magazine

The current issue of Complete Fashion magazine features non other than the very beautiful, controversial, daring and sexy Nollywood actress Tonto Dike.

Tonto Dike is one star personality that has continued to push the envelope, not caring for anyone else's standards but hers and she tell it all in her photographs and interviews.

In a sharp contrast, the male cover gives us dark, brooding, Nigerian-born American actor Gbenga Akinnagbe who tells of his triumphs in much vaunted Hollywood.

Nollywood Actor Enebeli Elebuwa's Health Worsens

The Nollywood veteran actor who has been battling with stroke since last year and we all thought was getting better or even well is reportedly in a pretty bad state.

Enebeli Elebuwa was first admitted at the military hospital in Yaba for a few months before he was moved back home to recuperate. Ever Since, his health has worsened. He is now receiving treatment from a from tradomedical doctor and might soon be moved back to his hometown in Delta State to meet some very good tradomedical doctors to help find a lasting solution to his ailment.

What Kind Of Justice Is This? 26-Year-Old Man Rapes 5-Year-Old Girl And Receives 1year Jail Sentence Or A Fine Of N40,000

This no doubt puts a huge question mark on the reputation of some Nigerian judges.

Is the Nigerian Justice System failing and in its responsibility to protect its citizens from criminals and paedophiles?

According to DailyTimes:

"A Gwagwalada Upper Area Court, on Monday, sentenced a 26-year-old trader, Samuel Nathaniel, of Kuje, FCT, to one year's imprisonment for raping a five-year-old girl.

The judge, Babangida Hassan, however, gave him an option of a fine of N40,000. The police prosecutor, Samuel Ochefu, told the court that Nathaniel raped the girl in his shop at Kuje Market. Ochefu said that in the process, the girl sustained serious injuries in her private part and was taken to Kuje General Hospital where she was treated at a cost of N153, 200; adding that the money had been refunded to the victim's family by the relations of the convict.

Nathaniel pleaded guilty and prayed for forgiveness.

But the judge said there was no reason why Nathaniel should not be convicted and sentenced. He ordered that the convict should leave the vicinity where the incident occurred within the period of three months and should also sign an undertaken to that effect."

It's quite sad to see that despite the repeated outcry against rape and sexual abuse of minors in the country, a man can get away with raping a five year-old girl! What is a fine of N40, 000 or a one-year jail sentence compared to the agony and permanent scar this man has made on the life of an innocent child? A 26 year-old man took a five year-old girl to his shop and raped her till the extent that she sustained serious injuries on her private part and a judge lets him walk!

There are two reasons that stand out in this report on why this man should never be allowed out of a prison. 1. He pleaded guilty to the charge meaning he knew what he did was totally wrong and despite the consequences, went ahead to inflict such wickedness on the young girl. 2. The victim in this case was a minor; a young girl who couldn't defend herself, who had no idea of the kind of injury this man was inflicting on her and who must have gone through serious pain in the process.

If he did this to this young girl, what are the chances that he wouldn't do it again in when he gets to another 'vicinity' according to the judge's order? I thought the justice system was supposed to protect innocent victims and not to recycle criminals back into the society.

Would this young girl ever forget this experience? If the physical scars heal, would the emotional scars ever fade?

For her and her family, I pray for healing and comfort. And for the 'justice' system that allowed this man walk, this is a wake-up call. There should be better ways to protect innocent children in Nigeria!

What Kind Of Justice Is This?
Source: Daily Times

What Is Wrong With Madonna's Bum Bum?

Old age I guess. The sensational pop singer was seen in her signature fish nets but hers bum bum was not so adorable. Critics believe that's its time for the pop diva to take a bow from skimpy fishnets, because you really can't outsmart age.

For a woman of her age, I think she looks cute but she can do better by revealing less of anything not age appropriate. Or what do you think?

Bobby Brown Is Finally Released From Jail

Bobby Brown who had a performance in Nigeria recently, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Los Angeles earlier yesterday but he has already left jail.

The ex-husband of the late Whitney Houston was released after the $5,000 bail was was paid.

According to the booking sheet the 43-year-old was pulled over Reseda, California at 12:20 PM PST.

After being arrested Brown was taken to Van Nuys jail when he was booked in at 1:22PM PST.

Brown is said to have been drunk at the time of his arrest, with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher.

Ohh Bobby pleaseeeeee!

Don't you think its time for Bobby to grow up?

29-Year-Old Man Rapes 19-Year-Old Sister-In-Law To Death

29-year-old Titus Ime raped his in-law, a 19-year-old woman identified as Blessing John, to death.

The incident occurred in a forest at Epe. The suspect allegedly trailed Blessing to her father's farm, where he raped her to death.

Ime, reporting the incident, said he assaulted Blessing due to her refusal to date him. The rapist cum murderer blamed his dastardly act on his "great love" for the deceased.

"I just moved to Lagos from Akwa -Ibom State to look for a job when I met Blessing. She is my in-law, as my uncle is married to her elder sister," he said.

"As soon as I set my eyes on her, I fell in love with her but I kept it to myself. When I could not bear it anymore, I went to her to declare my love for her but she turned me down. I kept pestering her but she refused blatantly that she did not love me; this made me angry."

Ime added that despite Blessing's refusal to date him, he had to device a means to force her to have sex with him.

"I did not intend to kill Blessing but my feeling for her was very strong. So after monitoring her movement for some time, I discovered that she goes to the farm to uproot cassava in the evening with her father. That day, I trailed her from her house to the forest. She was alone and she did not know I was following her, when she got into the dense forest and there was no one in sight, I ran ahead of her and grabbed her, and started declaring my love for her but she turned me down.

"I was very angry and I grabbed her dress. She started struggling with me but I took a big stick and hit her on her head, she slumped immediately and I bend down over her and removed her skirt and had sex with her. All this while, she did not respond but I still had sex with her a second time but I do not know that she was dead; I thought she was just unconscious."

After committing the act, the suspect hid in the forest for four days. He however came out of his hiding when he could not bear the hunger anymore, and reported himself to his family who then handed him over to the police for prosecution.

Blessing's corpse were discovered by her father and has been deposited at a public mortuary for autopsy, while the case has been transferred to the Homicide department at Panti, Yaba for further investigation.

Culled from DailyTimes

Nigerian Man Gets Jail Term Suspended In South Africa

A Nigerian man, Vuyani Vongwe was on Monday sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment by a South African Magistrate's Court for being in possession of a skimming device used to clone bank cards.
The Southern Africa Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sentence was however suspended for five years.
Vongwe appeared before Magistrate Amrith Chabillal at the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Cape Town.
 The Prosecutor, Emeralda Johnson, told the court that Vongwe had previously been jailed twice for armed robbery.
 Johnson suggested in his argument, that a heavy fine would send the message that convicted credit card offenders could not expect leniency from the courts.
But the defence attorney, Howard Andrews, said the convictions were in the 1990s and were of no relevance to the current charge.
In his ruling, Chabillal said that skimming devices could scan confidential information from bank cards and enable the production of counterfeit cards to be used in defrauding people.
 ``The reason for the Electronic Communications Act was to protect innocent consumers whose cards landed in the wrong hands.
``Though financial constraints had forced you to abandon your studies, the suspended jail sentence is your opportunity to make a fresh start; you are intelligent enough to know that study and education will put you on the correct road.
 ``Keep your nose out of trouble and stay out of jail, because if you end up in a criminal court again, this suspended sentence will be put into operation," Chabillal said.

NDLEA Goes To Appeal Court Over Baba Suwe N25m Lawsuit

It appears the end to the tussle between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and comic actor, Babatunde Omidina aka Baba suwe is not anywhere near as the matter has again resurfaced, and NDLEA is seeking an appeal over the amount ordered to be paid to Baba Suwe by Lagos State High court.

Justice Idowu on Thursday November 24, 2011 had ordered the agency to pay the comedian the sum of N25m as compensation for illegally detaining and also publish a public apology to him in two widely read newspapers.

Femi Oloruntoba Director of persecution and Legal Services (NDLEA) said 'the agency has an appeal pending in court over the judgment of the lower Court'.

The lower court in a considered ruling on Friday, March 2, 2012 refused the application on the grounds that the applicant was granted a conditional stay off the execution pending the determination of the appeal.

Head public affair of NDLEA Ofoyeju Mitchell in a statement said 'The NDLEA in the motion of notice wants the appeal court to determine whether the applicant was entitled to the grant of stay of execution for the payment of N25m, pending the determination of the appeal filed by the appellant'

Justice Idowu ordered the government agency to, within 21 days pay the N25m to the Chief Registrar of the court. The registrar would then pay the money into an interest-yielding account in an agreed upon bank.

Gunmen Allegedly Fire Shots At U.S. Embassy In Abuja

The United States (US) Embassy in Abuja yesterday alleged that gunmen fired shots near its offices in Abuja and that no one was reported killed or injured.

In a statement issued in its website the embassy said it "believed there were shots fired" and that police arrested two people afterward. "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, the Police reacting yesterday, said contrary to the report that there was a gunshot yesterday at the United State Office, where they said two people were arrested in connection with the shot, no arrest was made.

But in swift reaction, the police in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said there was no such thing and that the masses should treat such report with levity.

The FCT Police Command's spokesperson, Moshood Jimoh, said if there had been any gunshot, the police would have been alerted immediately and would have brought the situation to order.

At the US embassy's office, security was tight and no Journalist was allowed to move close to the place.

SSS Discovers Bomb Factory In Kogi State

The Kogi state command of the State Security Services (SS) yesterday said it has uncovered improvised explosive device IED manufacturing factory in Kabba headquarters of Kabba/Bunu local government Area of Kogi state.

The bomb factory which is located on Kano road, Kabba was discovered in an uncompleted building was heavy secured by the Military men and the State Security Service.

The Unit Commander of the Anti Bomb Squad Kogi state, ASP Cletus Nzeji while briefing the newsmen said the owner of the uncompleted building normally visits the place late in the night according to investigation.

He said security agents had surveillance on the place in the last three days adding that it was around 2 am on Monday that the security agents finally stormed the area.

Items recovered from the building includes five finished canisters which were ready for use, large quantity of wires and ropes and also several jackets, including one military beret

At the scene of the bomb factory, a bank teller with 36, 000 naira deposited in one of the banks in Okene was recovered while locally made bomb ready for action were also recovered.

Information at the state security said they were tracking them down and perpetrators will soon be apprehended.

The sources added that criminal gangs in Kabba have fused in them adding that if they have completed the production it would have been terrible for the state.

As at the time of going to press the security agents are already working hard to demolish the building used for the bomb manufactures.

Toni Payne Debuts "My ChamPayne Life", A New Reality TV Series Airing Nationwide

A new reality series would be hitting Nigeria TV screens this April. Toni Payne, CEO of Toni Payne Concepts, a music, fashion and beauty company, is about to bare it all out in a reality TV series documenting her day to day activities while giving us an insight into her life as an entrepreneur and a mother.

Toni Payne: My ChamPayne Life is a series that documents the work life of Toni Payne; a Public Relations Executive, Entertainment Consultant, Online Radio Owner, Socialite, Makeup Brand Owner and Mother. The series will show how she balances her hustle, career and everyday life.

Toni Payne always had a passion for being creative, and an innate drive for business. Her passion for fashion, beauty and entertainment has led her to creating a niche for herself in the Nigerian Entertainment Industry. Her businesses have gained her dedicated followers as well as highlights in various top magazines and she has been featured in popular entertainment news shows across the globe. Through the course of the years, Toni Payne has set a high standard and a great work reputation for herself in the Nigerian Entertainment Industry. With the goal of fully achieving all her dreams while remaining relatively well-rounded, Payne continues to develop various skills to help improve and propel her work to greater heights.

Toni Payne: My ChamPayne Life airs on STV NETWORKS (Monday 2pm), TVC (Wednesday 630pm), DBN LAGOS (Tuesday 11pm & Saturday 9:30pm), ITV ABJ (Tuesday 6:30pm), ITV BENIN (Thursday 10:30pm), BCOS IBADAN (Friday 10pm, Tuesady 9am), ESTV ENUGU (Wednesday 10:30pm), DBS ASABA (Tuesday 10:30pm) MBI Obosi (Saturday 10:30pm) and is coming soon to MNET, UK and USA. It is brought to you by Reel E Networks; a news, lifestyle and Nigeria's first celeb reality based show currently produced in Lagos.

This is one hot new series you don't want to miss.

All For Freedom: Tibetan Protester Sets Himself On Fire During Protest (Photos)

Warning: Graphic Content!!!!

A 27-Year-Old Tibetan protester has been treated for severe burns after setting himself on fire in a demonstration during the Chinese president's visit to India.

The male protester sprinted for 50m through New Delhi today engulfed in flames as hundreds demonstrated against China's rule over Tibet.

The protester carried out the self-immolation as he ran near the speakers at a rally near the Indian Parliament in the country's capital.

The man, identified as Jamphel Yeshi, sustained burns on 98 per cent of his body and his condition was critical, according to the Association of Tibetan Journalists.

He was on fire perhaps less than two minutes, but some of his clothing had disintegrated and his skin was mottled with black, burned patches by the time he was driven to a hospital.

Yeshi, 27, escaped from Tibet in 2006 and had been living in New Delhi for the past two years, activists said.

He collapsed after around 50m as fellow protesters beat out the flames with Tibetan flags they were carrying.

Meet The 9-Year-Old Boy Who Could Die If He Eats Or Even Smells Food

Poor kid...can't even begin to imagine what the little boy is going through.

Nine-year-old Joshua from New York suffers from a rare disease called eosinophilic esophagitis which means that he is fatally allergic to nearly all foods. 

Pizza, hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; any snack a normal nine-year-old might dream up is off the cards for Joshua, whose reactions can range from vomiting and diarrhoea to anaphylactic shock.

Even the scent of food could be lethal for him, meaning that his parents must cook meals for the rest of the family on a patio grill. 

His dad, Brant, told Anderson Cooper: 'The hardest thing for me is that he cannot eat what we eat.'

The only thing Joshua can eaton a day-to-day basis is baby food. Other than that he gets his nutrients from a doctor-prescribed formula fed through a tube into his stomach.

Joshua is home-schooled by his mom, Cara, because of his life debilitating disease. 'Every morning Joshua wakes up at 6.45 and usually it's because he hears the school bus,' she said.

'Sometimes he cries when he looks out the window because he can't be on that bus, he will never be on that school bus with those kids.

'Right now I am looking at a future for Joshua with absolutely no cure. Every day he is alive is a miracle.