Photos: Professor Jega officially hands over!

Professor Attahiru Jega's pictured handing over as INEC Chairman today June 30th. More photos after the cut...

Okonjo-Iweala replies Oshiomole over allegations she spent $2.1bn oil fund without approval

Immediate past Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has responded to allegations that she spent $2.1 billion from the Excess Crude Account without the approval of the National Economic Council. While speaking  to newsmen after the inauguration of the National Economic Council yesterday June 29th, Governor Adams Oshiomole  accused the former minister of spending  $2.1 billion from the Excess Crude Account without the necessary authorization.

"We looked at the numbers for the Excess Crude Account. The last time the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, reported to the council, and it is in the minutes, she reported by November 2014 that we had $4.1 bn. Today, the Accountant-General Office reported we have $2.0bn.
Which means the honourable minister spent $2.1bn without authority of the NEC and that money was not distributed to states, it was not paid to the three tiers of government,” Adams Oshiomhole said

However in a statement released and signed by her spokesperson Paul Nwabuikwu today June 30th, Dr Okonjo-Iweala said there was no authorized spending from the Excess Crude Account under her watch as Minister of Finance. She described the allegations as a political witch hunting. 

"It is curious that in their desperation to use the esteemed National Economic Council for political and personal vendetta, the persons behind these allegations acted as if the constitutionally recognized FAAC, a potent expression of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism, does not exist. But Nigerians know that collective revenues, allocations and expenditures of the three tiers of government are the concern of the monthly FAAC meetings. It is important to acknowledge the efforts of governors who are working hard to overcome the current revenue challenges facing their states without resorting to character assassination and blame games.  

It is clear that this is the latest chapter of a political witch-hunt by elements who are attempting to use the respected National Economic Council for ignoble purposes having failed abysmally in their previous attempts to tar the Okonjo-Iweala name.  It will be recalled that one of such attempts took place in May when some of these governors, hiding under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum asked Okonjo-Iweala to explain $20 billion alleged to be missing from the same ECA. The Finance Ministry subsequently issued a news release and published an advertorial in national newspapers on May 25, 2015 giving details of what the Federal Government and states received from the ECA in the last four years. It also provided details of the use of the funds for payment of petrol subsidies for the Nigerian public and SURE-P allocations to the three tiers for development purposes. 

After the publication, the accusers lost their voice. But the latest allegations show that these persons are still in the business of throwing up wild, unsubstantiated figures to damage Okonjo-Iweala’s name. For instance, within the last few months, Governor Oshiomhole and his fellow travelers have asked Okonjo-Iweala to account for “missing” $30 billion, $20 billion and now $2.1 billion. What they don’t seem to understand is that the strategy has lost all credibility because the falsehood is clear for all to see.  How can some governors who fought FG’s efforts to leave robust savings in the ECA and even took the Federal Government to court over the matter turn around to make such unfounded allegations? The world knows that it was Okonjo-Iweala who pioneered, during her first stint as Minister of Finance in the Obasanjo administration, the practice of publishing monthly updates of all allocations to different tiers of government in order to empower Nigerians with information and knowledge of government revenues and expenditure.

This enabled the Nigerian public to ask questions about the utilization of these resources. Of course many elected and appointed public officials were not happy with this development. She continued this practice when she returned in 2011 and even added periodic updates on the Excess Crude Account, subsidy payments for verified claims by oil marketers for fuel imports as well as SURE-P payments to the three tiers of government. Against this background, the idea that she spent $2.1 billion “without authorization” is simply not credible given that details of government receipts and expenditure are public knowledge. We believe that Nigerians are too smart to be hoodwinked by this partisan desperation to tar the name of Okonjo-Iweala. In the interest of the country, we advise that public officials should avoid the temptation to politicize economic issues so that balanced analysis can lead to real solutions.”the statement read

Ex-boxing champ arrested...allegedly tried to join ISIS

According to TMZ and BBC, a former British boxing champ Anthony Small, 27, is on trial in the UK for allegedly trying to sneak off to Syria to join ISIS

The 33-year-old boxer was arrested in England along with two other men after authorities say they were trying to forge documents to illegally enter Syria. Small and the two men have all been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts -- though Small denied the allegation.

Small most famously fought in "The Contender Challenge: U.K. vs. USA" in 2007 -- when fighters from the U.S. reality show "The Contender" flew to England to fight up-and-coming boxers, including Small. 

Small defeated Walter Wright, who competed in Season 2 of the boxing reality show. 

Small converted to Islam at the age of 24 -- and in 2012, he made a YouTube video in which he said he quit boxing because the sport took place in venues that Muslims are forbidden to enter because of gambling, alcohol and half-naked ring girls.

Photos: 3 generations of Michelle Obama's family arrive Britain to promote education for girls

Three generations of First Lady's family arrived at London Stansted tonight. Michelle Obama joined by daughters Sasha and Malia and her mother Marian are on a 2 day visit to speak with pupils at Mulberry School for Girls in Tower Hamlets to promote education for girls. This is part of her 'Let Girls Learn' initiative.
Afterwards they will meet Prince Harry and visit David Cameron on Downing Street.

Photo: Popular CNN news anchor, Hala Gorani weds colleague

French raised Syrian-American, CNN International London-based Anchor and Correspondent, Hala Gorani, 45, today June 14th married her colleague, CNN photojournalist, Christian Streib. Congrats to her.

Chris Brown reportedly spending money on baby mama so he could have more time with his daughter

This is according to a story by Hollywood Life. Read below...

Chris has been super nice to Nia - he even sent her a thoughtful and very heartfelt card for her birthday on June 6. Inside, he wrote that she’s a beautiful and wonderful mother to Royalty. He told her he couldn’t be happier that she’s Royalty’s mother. Chris even did the unthinkable — he included a check for $5,000.00 in the card. He wanted to prove to Nia that he’s not stingy when it comes to money and that he will take care of his family by all means necessary,” a source tells HollywoodLife.com

At this time, Chris gets Royalty “ever other week,” but in the future, he’s hoping to get more time with her. And he even wants to “do a little more play dates with the young Hollywood kids,” Chris recently told Ryan Seacrest. Perhaps that $5,000 will help persuade Nia to give Chris more time with Royalty.

Check out these cute pics of Prince William as a son and as a dad

Prince William pictured left as a little boy being carried by his dad Prince Charles and he's pictured right carrying his own son, Prince George...in same ensemble! Adorable!

Cristiano Ronaldo's mum has €45K Seized at Madrid Airport

Ronaldo's 60 year old mum Dolares Aveiro was caught at the airport with €45K in excess of the legally required amount for travellers.The Spanish police forced her to hand over the €45,000 at the Madrid airport,after she tried to leave the country without declaring the cash.Spanish daily El Mundo claimed today.

Ms Aveiro, who helps Ronaldo raise his four-year-old son Cristiano Jr, is said to have been allowed to fly to Portugal with the remaining €10,000 she was carrying in her handbag.

The paper quoted sources close to her as saying they believed the incident was related more to her ignorance of the legislation on cash limits rather than 'other intentions.'

A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Madrid said ..

Presidency dismisses rumours on Buhari’s delayed relocation to Aso Villa

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to president Buhari, Shehu Garba released a statement yesterday describing as false, reports being circulated online that the reason Nigeria's new president hasn't relocated to Aso Villa was because he was advised by a Senegalese spiritualist not to do so for now. In the statement, Shehu said the report was embarrassing to say the least. He said the president is a Muslim who believes his fate belongs to God.

"The so-called spiritual cleansing of the Aso Rock Villa by Senegalese marabouts before President Buhari moves into the villa is the figment of the imagination of rumour mongers." He said

Shehu said renovation works at the villa was mostly the reason pres. Buhari hasn't moved to the Villa.

Boko Haram: African Military Chiefs meet in Abuja

The Chief of Defence staff of Nigeria, Cameron, Chad, Niger Republic as well as heads of Intelligence and Security Agencies of the African countries met in Abuja today to discuss the successful operation of the modified version of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the fight against Boko Haram in the region. More photos from the meeting after the cut...

Irina Shayk attacks Cristiano Ronaldo in new magazine interview

Top model Irina Shayk, 29, who dumped footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, 30, in December 2014 after 5 years of dating over cheating allegations, indirectly slammed him in an explosive interview with Spanish magazine, Hola.

When the Russian beauty was asked if she preferred to have a partner or be alone, she said;

"Of course I prefer to be with someone, but with the right someone. It’s very simple. You have to be faithful to your other half and not have secrets. That’s my rule.”

Asked to define her perfect partner, she said:

 “He’s got to be kind, amusing and honest and he’s got to know how to treat a woman. And he’s also got to be faithful.”

This reply is the closest she's come to confirming Cristiano cheated on her.

Photos: 50cent is dating an Armenian and she's stunning. (photos)

50cent is dating an Armenian and she's a beauty! Her name is Nancy Babochian and he brought her with him to the premiere of his series, Power, in New York yesterday. He already has two baby mamas. Is this number 3 in waiting? More photos after the cut...

Ghen Ghen! New Gov. Wike begins probe of former Gov., Amaechi

Looks like Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is officially ready for former Gov. Rotimi Amaechi. He's asked all Permanent Secretaries in the state to produce full account details of their Ministries’ expenditure in the last 18 months. Read the press statement below...

Suicide bomber shouting 'Sai Buhari" attack Maiduguri market

The Police in Borno said five persons died when a suicide bomber attacked an abattoir in Maiduguri on Tuesday. The Commissioner of Police in the State, Aderemi Opadokun, stated this when he spoke with journalists in Maiduguri. Mr. Opadokun said the attack occurred at about 11.30 a.m.

“A suicide bomber, who was shouting “Sai Buhari”, and dancing in the abattoir, detonated Improvised Explosive Device strapped on his body when people had gathered around him. Five people, including himself, died, while eight others sustained injuries,” he said.

Mr. Opadokun added that policemen were mobilised to the scene to evacuate the corpses and the convey the injured to the hospital, adding that investigation into the blast was ongoing.
(NAN)