Casablanca's Lounge: 03/17/13

Sunday, 17 March 2013

LASTMA CLEARS AIR IN MAN’S DEATH

IGP, Mohammed Abubakar

So, this was sent to me by the PRO LASTMA, Basirat AJAO,

concerning recent media reports that a driver was killed with a hammer. Well, I wasn't there when the incident happened but this is what they want you to believe so read it and make your deductions.

The release reads;

The management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has cleared the air surrounding the death of an unidentified man at the Iponri zone of the agency on Friday, 15th March 2013 and therefore absolves its self of wrong doing. In the official statement released by the agency, a commercial bus with registration number XS 318 LND was abandoned at Ojuelegba with no occupant inside as at the time of LASTMA official arrival at the scene. The vehicle was eventually towed by the officials to the LASTMA zonal yard, Iponri, Surulere.

Obafaiye Shem, the Lagos state commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp(NSCDC) has been reportedly suspended temporarily following the now famous “My Oga At The Top” comment which went viral after his embarrassing ordeal at the Channels Television breakfast programme – Sunrise Daily. Vanguard reports that he was suspended after pressure emanated from the supervising ministry over his conduct at the interview in Lagos.

During the interview, the Lagos commandant could not mention the name of his organisation’s website and the name of his boss whom he referred to as “My Oga At The Top”.

Nominations have been released for the 2013 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), with several actors and filmmakers across the continent nominated in several categories. This year’s nomination was released at a party in Malawi on Friday 15th March 2012.

Rita Dominic & Mildren Okoh‘s “The Meeting” as well as Yvonne Okoro‘s “The Contract” were nominated in six categories each. The awards ceremony is scheduled to hold on 25th April in Bayelsa state.

Tukur: Why Alamieyeseigha, Others Deserve State Pardon

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

As the ripples of the state pardon granted the former governor of Baleya state, Diepreye Solomon Peters Alamieyesigha and others continue, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Sunday called for understanding by Nigerians on the Amnesty Granted by President Goodluck Jonathan to former ex- convicts stating that the President took the action in good faith.

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

For allegedly defrauding the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of N190million, the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), weekend, paraded the Managing Director of De-Anchor, Mr. Uche Philips Ehiemere.

This is just as the unit has also arrested two other suspects; Ibukun Ojo and Steve Olusoji Fakolujo for conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Confirming the incident, SFU Spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the 60-year old suspect was arrested by detectives on March 1, based on a petition filed against him by the NSE.

AMNESTY HARAM

On the surface, I liked President Goodluck Jonathan’s tough talk about not granting amnesty to Boko Haram “ghosts” during his recent visit to Yobe and Borno State. You expect such a strong spine from a president. However, something was clearly missing. The amnesty offer in the Niger Delta was on ground before the militants started to show their faces in Aso Rock. If Jonathan really wants to consider amnesty for the Boko Haram chaps, let the offer be on ground first and let us see what happens next. The militants are no ghosts, I promise. Again, I support a combination of military action and amnesty, as we did in the Niger Delta.

SIMON KOLAWOLE: Mr. President, What’s Going on Here?

Simon Kolawole Live!: Email: simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com

Dear President Goodluck Jonathan, I wish to inform you this morning that more and more Nigerians are running out of patience with you. Those of us who have been giving you the benefit of the doubt are seething with rage. Increasingly, the excuses are drying up. Many cannot understand the rationale behind the pardon you brazenly granted to certain characters last week. In case you don’t understand the implications of your action, I will put it in simple English: you have lowered the bar. This is an avoidable embarrassment to you, your government and the whole nation. This not only undermines the nation’s anti-corruption efforts, it is going to destroy public morality for generations to come, similar to what General Ibrahim Babangida did to us from 1985 to 1993.