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NEWS UPDATE: Supreme Court Confirms Yar'Adua President

By Ise-Oluwa Ige And By Leon Usigbe

The Supreme Court yesterday laid to rest the dispute over the April 21, 2007 presidential poll by dismissing petitions brought before it by former military head of state, Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and ex Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress (AC). The Supreme in dismissing the petitions said both lacked merit.

But Buhari in his reaction said the apex court has let down the country's judiciary. At press briefing in Abuja after the judgement, Buhari said that while he accepted the decision as a democrat, he would never agree with it, stating his determination to remain in partisan politics for the sake of the toiling masses of the country.

"The verdict is not what the world is expecting, and it will be received throughout the country with shock, anger and disbelief. The international community too will, no doubt, be shocked and scandalized that an election which they themselves held as deeply flawed, a fact conceded on several occasions by the President himself, has been upheld by the Nigerian judiciary.

"The judgement of the Supreme Court has let the judiciary down, has disappointed the country and its esteem has gone with the Nigerian public and with the international community. They have forced a giant to pass through the eye of a needle," he said.

He remarked that his team had pursued the case in the belief that they were taking the action on behalf of Nigerians with the hope that the judiciary would examine their position on merit and arrive at a judgement based on facts presented in court.

"When the Court of Appeal, in flagrant disregard for facts presented, ruled that we did not present any evidence, we painstakingly re-presented them to the Supreme Court. Although the seven justices who constituted the panel that heard the two cases yesterday differed in their opinion on the validity of the election, majority decision of the court however saved Yar'Adua's job as it upheld his election."

However, the panel of seven justices, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi which delivered judgments on the two cases yesterday agreed that the process that led to the emergence of Yar'Adua as the winner of the poll was marred with gross non compliance with the electoral laws.

The seven justices only parted way while entering their individual verdicts on whether or not to validate the election of President Yar'Adua given the substantiality of the non-compliance with the electoral laws.

Specifically, they differed on whether or not the non-compliance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the poll with the electoral laws was substantial enough to overturn the election.

For instance, in the Buhari's case against Yar'Adua, the Supreme Court gave the verdict to Yar'Adua by a split judgment of four to three.

In simple language, four of the seven-member panel said that although the election was marred with irregularities but that the non-compliance with the electoral laws was not substantial enough to invalidate the election.

The justices who teamed up to save Yar'Adua's job were the Chief Justice of Nigeria , Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, Justice Katsina Alu, Justice Niki Tobi and Justice Dahiru Musdapher.

Justice Niki Tobi delivered the leading majority judgment that validated the presidential poll.

In the lead judgment, Justice Niki Tobi gave nine reasons why he would validate the election results as announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

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NEWS UPDATE: Police recover N5.48m in First Bank robbery

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The timely intervention of the anti-robbery squad of the Ogun State Police Command on Friday prevented some armed robbers, who had successfully robbed a Sagamu branch of First Bank Plc, from escaping with the money.

The police, who killed the leader of the gang in a gun duel, also arrested two highways robbers, who fled after robbing people in Ibafo area.

An eyewitness account, corroborated by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni, said the robbers arrived the bank at about 8.30a.m and encountered little difficulties in gaining access to the bank’s vault.

A pastor, who was injured while scampering for safety in the ensuing confusion, told our correspondent that the 10 robbers, led by a woman, arrived the bank in a Lagos-registered commercial bus and took strategic positions before raiding the bank.

The situation turned sour for the bandits when the vigilante group in the area mobilised and engaged the robbers in a gun duel for over 30 minutes.

The robbers eventually escaped with the sacks of money, but ran into a detachment of policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

SARS had received a distress call and immediately deployed a detachment of its personnel to the town with an Armoured Personnel Carrier.

Ayeni said, “While on their way, the policemen had their sight on the reported scene of the robbery. The robbers, who had already loaded their loot into the bus, opened fire on the APC, attempting to kill the occupants. The officers engaged the robbers in a gun duel and one of the robbers, suspected to be the leader, was killed.”

He added that the policemen recovered the N5.48 million seized from the bank.

Ayeni explained that the police had to lay an ambush for the robbers to ensure that members of the public were not caught in the crossfire.

He said the money was displayed as an exhibit, while the bus used for the raid was set ablaze by the angry residents of the town. The police commissioner said the police were still on the trail of the fleeing members of the gang.

Ayeni also paraded a commercial driver and his conductor, who were pursued and arrested by members of SARS, after they fled the Ibafo end of the Lagos Ibadan Expressway where they had allegedly robbed motorists of their valuables. Operating with a Lagos-registered commercial bus, the duo were said to have blocked one end of the expressway and robbed road users.

He added that on sighting a police team, the duo sped off while the SARS team eventually caught up with them at the Sagamu intersection of the expressway, where the fleeing driver attempted to overrun the riot policemen at the check point. He explained that the police had shot the tank of the bus and hit one of the driver’s legs to demobilise the suspected robbers.

News Update: 9ice " My mother left me when I was 8 yrs old"

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Until a few years ago, multiple award winner, 9ice was your regular boy next door. He was not born with a silver spoon, neither was he offered one in the years following his birth.

9ice whose real name is Abolore Adegbola Akande may not have had a privileged childhood, but by dint of hard work and with a little bit of luck, his music career has placed him on a pedestal of fame and honour.

He is still ecstatic about his most recent laurel won at the MTV Africa Music Awards where, for the umpteenth time, he was crowned the best hip hop act clinching the award ahead of the likes of multi-platinum selling American artistes, Lil Wayne and The Game.

”The year 2008 has been a particularly rewarding one. I am humbled by the numerous awards I have received this year alone. It only goes to show that I am appreciated out there which is even more important than money to me. When I won my first award this year at the Hip-Hop awards, I did not know that the plaques would keep pouring in,” was how an elated 9ice summed up his feelings at the string of awards that have trailed his person.

The name 9ice is an unusual one, it does not show affiliation to any of the three major or the over 300 minority ethnic groups we have in Nigeria.

”I am from Oyo State. It was a name given to me when I was in school - Nigerian Opportunities Industrialisation Centre (NOIC). I was privileged to be in charge of the Computer Studies practical room and I gave my colleagues the chance to come and make use of it on Saturday and Sunday for their assignments and that is how they started calling me 9ice till the name stuck.”

For 9ice, it was tough growing up in a polygamous home. Relaying his experiences, he said, ”I spent most of my life fending for myself. Although my parents are still alive, they tried their best, but it seemed it was not good enough. My parents were there for me but their support was limited by some challenges.”

It was for this reason, and not music that he had to drop out of school. ”I was in 100 level but because I could not meet up with the financial obligations, I had to let go of my educational pursuit. It was a painful decision but I had to chart another course for my life. Thankfully, I will be going back to school in Los Angeles soon.”

Giving more insight into his background, he asks, ”Do you know my mother left me when I was 8 months old?” Ignoring your look of bewilderment, he continues, ”I did not get to meet my mother till I was 19. All that while, I thought my step mum was my mother.”

He interrupts my thought. Teeing off, he adds, ”I have a good relationship with my biological mother. You know blood is thicker than water.”

If you call him a Jack of all trades, you are not far from the truth. “I learnt air conditioning and refrigeration [repair] for three years somewhere in Anifowoshe in Ikeja and learnt bricklaying in Agbado. As I am sitting here, I can mould blocks.”

According to him, he does not shy away from his culture which explains why there is an infusion of Yoruba lyrics in his music. With his first solo song, Little Money in 2000, this would-be music star had to wait till 2005 before he and his music started gaining recognition in the Nigerian music market.

The first major break for 9ice came after a remarkable feat in 2Shotz‘s Make Dem Talk. It was not long after then that he officially released the first single, Little Money, off his Certificate album. In 2006, 9ice produced Ganja Man which was dropped in December of that year, and in no time, it became very popular within the space of a few months.

No one envisaged what he would become in the year that followed the release and success of Ganja Man. The ground breaking release in the last quarter of 2007, of Gongo Aso, proved that he is no push-over. Little wonder artistes are now lining up to do collabos with him.

”Some people said getting married will be my albatross, they said my career would crash,” he confessed. Continuing, ”Even you can testify that the reverse has been the case. I think I have won more laurels after marriage than before marriage.”

Contrary to insinuations that he was dragged to the altar because of his then fiancée‘s pregnant state, he had this to say, “I have always had this thing at the back of my mind that if I have small money, I will just marry because I can drop dead tomorrow. At least, I will have a child to carry on the family name.”

Like a single off his album, the expectant father is gearing up for fatherhood, expecting his baby to drop anytime soon. ”My wife underwent a scan and we are expecting a boy child whom we have pre-christened Zion Islam Abolore Akande.”

9ice is of the opinion that he has no reason to engage in extra marital affairs. ”Because I and my wife live thousands of miles away from each other does not give me room to frolic with ladies. It‘s not everywoman that you sleep with; some just want to be your friends. This is very unlike when we were dating when there were some subscribers, but she was my main babe.”

His first trip outside Nigeria for Mandela‘s 90th birthday tribute concert in London mid 2008, he said, was an eye opener. ”We were put in first class. I remember that the Zain guy who accompanied us helped me set and adjust my seat and they were bringing all kinds of food that I could not eat. When we got to the UK, it was too cold for me. I had to borrow a jacket. The man was just showing me around like ‘this is Wembley Stadium, Stanford Bridge,‘ like the JJC that I was. But now, I am no longer a JJC. Do you know how many times I have left these shores since then?”

From zero to hero, gone are the days when he could not afford to keep himself in school. Now he is a millionaire. ”I am comfortable. Corporate bodies pay me between 2.5 and 3 million. Individuals- 1.5 to 2 million. From colleagues like Basketmouth, Julius Agwu, we do it for free.

“My plans for 2009 are no longer under wraps,” he quipped. ”I am working on a new album that will have Asa and Akon in it. A single off the album will be released in the first week of January.”

News Update: Timaya Comes out with Album No. 2

The man who calls himself the Egeri Papa I of Bayelsa is out with his second album.

Timaya, whose first album, True Story tore its way up the music charts told Daily Independent about his sophomore album in an earlier interview, months back.

Looking at the CD, which the Dem Mama Soldier titled Gift and Grace, it is quite obvious that musician has stepped up big time. The packaging of this album is far better than that of True Story.

With 13 songs produced by K-Solo, Jeggs, Akeem D' Beat and Terry G, Timaya's new album sounds a great deal like his first CD. But the seeming similarity between the Dem Mama Soldier's albums wouldn't be a problem with fans, who love this dude's kind of music.

We only hope that Timaya's who is fast becoming Nigeria's own Akon, the man who by mere featuring him on your song, you have a hit, will enjoy success with the Gift and Grace.

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NEWS UPDATE: Rapper "The Game" Q & A in Lagos, Nigeria

Article by Admin

Tonight as Abuja plays host to the first ever MTV Afica Music Awards (MAMA), one of the artistes expected to headline the concert will be American rap artiste, Jayceon Terrell Taylor, and the one they call The Game.

The heavily tattooed musician who is on top of his game spoke to a select team of entertainment ,The Gamewriters and as captured by Ogbonna Amadi our Entertainment Editor in this interview , he shares his very interesting life story and his struggle through rough patches and finally to fame and wealth.

He began this story with his experience on his visit to Nigeria. The first time he visited Africa was when he stopped over in Kinshasa, Congo.

“I’m proud to be here in Africa. The last time I came to Africa, I spent only a day but this time I’ve spent 7-8 days already and I’m happy. When I look at the faces of the people here, they are very receptive and loving, so I’m giving the same love back to them. I love the whole company that’s been around me. No matter where I am, I’m enjoying this whole great show.”

We want to know what you feel about being nominated to perform?

I don’t really give a damn about award shows because when I look my kids and all that I’ve accomplished, I feel great. I’ve never really cared about winning any award. When my colleagues win awards I appreciate them and wish them well. To be nominated for any award is a good thing and I appreciate it but I don’t care if I wasn’t nominated. I’m a young man of 28 years, and I got two kids, my family is doing great, got a lot of houses and I am mean rich like sh-t, so no matter who wins the award, I wish him the very best. I’ve been to two places in Africa that remind me where I’m coming from and that is Kinshasa and Nigeria. Yes, when I look out on the streets of this hotel, I see kids trying to make money, doing what my friends and I did when we were young. Today, I can’t stop thanking God for uplifting me and my family to the level I find myself now, so I’m just happy.

Do you like African food?
Yes, we all are in the same spirit. The breakfast I had was good. I don’t know what they put in the egg but it’s good but I don’t really know about the food in Kinshasha, I mean their chicken is like bubble gum. All the same, me and my friends enjoyed ourselves. This people I call my friends are people who I share the same story with and anytime I’m going around the world, we go together.

How do you see African women?

Wow! African women are very beautiful but you know something, I’ve got my wife and family at home and I’m just cool with that.

In the midst of all the controversies, what is it that’s kept you strong?

In the 90’s, I never knew I could rap until 2003 when my girl friend got pregnant for my first son. Before then me and my pals were just stealing and killing on the streets. And when the pregnancy was three months, I began to think about what I would do to sustain the future of my baby. I had just six months and was running out of time. That’s when I made a demo and I had no option than to resume in the studio. Every single day, it became clearer that I just got to succeed. Every time I’m thinking about my family I’m stronger and happy. I’m African- American so I love Africa and their music. But even if I don’t know what it sounds like I don’t really care because I believe my guys here in Africa have got to make money, to be better people. So I’m cool with their music.

Is there anything that scares you in Africa?

No, nothing scares me. The only thing that scares me is thinking about not being able to provide for my family for any reason. With that in mind, I just go on and on, no stopping. I’ve not seen anything about Africa that I don’t like. Certainly there are so many things that need change in Africa, like seeing little children running around the street to make ends meet, like a mother carrying a baby on her back and another on her hand and may be having a luggage on her head at the same time. California is a big city but wasn’t built in a day. The only problem with Africa is that people are not willing to try. Generally, there’s nothing about African culture which I don’t like.

You’ve done a lot of collabos with several artistes in the West, East and South Coasts, do you think you can work with an African artiste?

Why not, if he’s good and original.

What are you guys leaving behind for us to really improve our music here?

My life story provides hope for many children out there. Five years ago I had bullets ripping all over my chest and I felt like I’m going to die but I’m alive today. Providing hope is part of what we stand for. Right now I can say that we’ve shown you the way. It’s either you follow us or you try to do it your own way, we’ll stand by you and are proud of you as long as you make it. In life you’ve got to believe in yourself and you’ll make it. I want young people to keep believing that they’ll make it because my life is an example of believing and working hard.

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news: D'banj - "I'm not ready to settle down now"

Story by Alayande Dayo

Nigeria hip-hop artiste Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’Banj said he has no plan to settle down in the near future like his friends 9ice and Eldee who both married recently.

The energetic artiste said he is at the peak of his career at the moment and wants to focus on his dream of becoming the greatest African performer even though ladies always flocks around him like glue.

Report has it that "The KOKO MASTER" is presently working on his new project with Mo Hits Records and he wants to ensure "NO PIRACY"

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NEWS UPDATE: Olu Maintain romances Oyinbo?

Article by Nonye Iwuagwu

Yahoozee crooner, Olu Maintain is still the man of the moment.

He is unarguably one of the reigning musicians in the country and his hit track, Yahoozee, is still like a national anthem.

As a star, he has been linked with a lot of ladies, though he has denied them at every occasion. Yet it would seem that ladies find Olu irresistible.

In Lagos last Saturday, Olu walked into a show with a damsel who happened to be a foreigner.

All eyes were on them and, trust busybodies, they nearly tore themselves apart trying to find out who the oyinbo chick was.

While some argued that the lady was his babe, others insisted she was his manager. And the wrangling continued until the two were seated.

The oyinbo sure was cool. As Olu performed on stage, the babe danced gleeefully in support of her man.

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More in U.S. are getting away with murder

CHICAGO - Despite the rise of DNA fingerprinting and other "CSI"-style crime-fighting wizardry, more and more people in this country are getting away with murder. FBI figures obtained by The Associated Press show that the homicide clearance rate, as detectives call it, dropped from 91 percent in 1963 — the first year records were kept in the manner they are now — to 61 percent in 2007.

Law enforcement officials say the chief reason is a rise in drug- and gang-related killings, which are often impersonal and anonymous, and thus harder to solve than slayings among family members or friends. As a result, police departments are carrying an ever-growing number of "cold-case" murders on their books.

"We have killers walking among us. We have killers living in our neighborhoods," said Howard Morton, executive director of Families of Homicide Victims and Missing Persons. "It is a clear threat to public safety to allow these murders to go unsolved."

The clearance rate is the number of homicides solved in a year, compared with the number of killings committed that year. The solved killings can include homicides committed in previous years.

Homicides climb
The number of criminal homicides committed in the U.S. climbed from 4,566 in 1963 to 14,811 in 2007, according to the FBI. The clearance rate has been dropping pretty steadily over the past four decades, slipping under 80 percent in the early 1970s and below 70 percent in the late 1980s. In cities with populations over 1 million, the 2007 clearance rate was 59 percent, down from 89 percent in 1963.

Detectives say homicides generally become harder to solve as time goes by, as witnesses die and memories fade. Yet cold-case detectives say their units are often understaffed. And local police are getting less help for cold cases from Washington. Funding for the main federal program for such cases was cut 40 percent from 2005 to 2007.

Richard Walton, author of "Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques," attributed the falling clearance rate to a "significant change in crime patterns."

Indiscriminate killing
Many slayings nowadays are gang- and drug-related killings — often, drive-by shootings that involve a burst of gunfire so indiscriminate that killer and victim don't know each other.

"And that makes it difficult for investigators," Walton said. "With the gangs and the drugs, we don't have that ability to establish motive, opportunity and means."

Research suggests that in about 70 percent of homicides during the 1960s and '70s, victim and killer knew each other, Weston said. He said that figure has dropped since then, though he would not hazard a guess as to how much.

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NEWS UPDATE: Britons Saving Money With Sex

As the credit crunch bites, Britons may be turning to sex as a cheap way to pass the time, a charity says.

A YouGov survey of 2,000 adults found sex was the most popular free activity, ahead of window shopping and gossiping.

The Scots were most amorous with 43% choosing sex over other pastimes, compared with 35% in South England.

Aids charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, which published the survey, also welcomed recent figures showing an increase in condom sales.

Around one in 10 respondents to the survey, carried in November, said their favourite free activity was window shopping and 6% chose going to a museum as the cheapest way to pass the time.

But the sexes differed on their priorities, with women preferring to gossip with friends while men had sex firmly at the top of their list.

Safe sex

Publishing the results to coincide with World Aids Day, the Terrence Higgins Trust reminded people to practise safe sex and pointed out that a packet of condoms costs a fraction of the cost of a night out.


Rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are on the up so when you snuggle down with a partner, make sure you do it safely
Lisa Power, Terrence Higgins Trust

Lisa Power, head of policy, said: We're glad that people are finding ways of relieving some of their credit crunch woes, but if there's one thing it's worth forking out for, it's condoms.

"Alternatively you can get them free from family planning and sexual health clinics.

"Rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are on the up so when you snuggle down with a partner, make sure you do it safely."

Rebecca Findlay, from the Family Planning Association advised: "If anyone's having more sex at the moment whatever the reason, do think about your contraception, your condoms and any testing you might need for sexually transmitted infections.

"And you can get all of these for free on the NHS."

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