EFCC Says It May Probe Nigerians Named In The Panama Papers Scandal

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seems to be contemplating on probing Nigerians named in the Panama Papers scandal after they obtained a copy of the Panama Papers.
According to a EFCC source, the commission is studying the paper in order to make their next move.
The source said:
“We are studying all the documents and definitely we will investigate the allegations against all the Nigerians implicated in the Panama Papers.
“These allegations may lead to further clues on whether or not public funds were used in acquiring some of these secret assets.
Those on the list are Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Senate President David Mark, Saraki’s wife, Toyin Saraki, former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Mr. Laolu Saraki, Mr. Obi Asika and Mr. Olufela Ibidapo.



Source: The Nation

Gucci Ad Banned For Featuring An "Unhealthy Thin" Model

A Gucci ad has been banned for featuring an "unhealthily thin" model. The Advertising Standards Authority told the Italian fashion brand to make sure it used responsible images of models in its future ad campaign. Gucci ran an online video ad featuring a number of models dancing to a soundtrack. The final part of the ad, which ran on the Times website in December, featured still photos of the individual models.

The fashion company said the ad was aimed at an “older, sophisticated” audience and that the Times website was used as it provided an “adult and mature” readership. The Advertising Standards Authority received a complaint that the ad was irresponsible because the models were unhealthily thin.

Guccio Gucci, the parent company of the fashion brand, and the Times said that that the idea of an unhealthily thin model was to some extent a “subjective issue” The fashion company said that the models had “slim builds” but were not depicted as “unhealthily thin”.

The images were shot to make sure none of the models’ bones were visible, which would accentuate thinness, and light rather than heavy makeup was used to stop the potential accentuation of thinness in features.

The ASA disagreed, saying that the ad irresponsibly showed a model with a body that was disproportionate and overly thin.
"Further, her pose elongated her torso and accentuated her waist so that it appeared to be very small," added the ASA.  "We also considered that her sombre facial expression and dark makeup, particularly around her eyes, made her face look gaunt. For those reasons, we considered that the model leaning against the wall appeared to be unhealthily thin in the image, and therefore concluded that the ad was irresponsible."
The ASA told the Italian fashion company to make sure it used responsible images of models in its future ad campaigns.

Source: the Guardian, ASA

Chelsea's Incoming Manager Antonio Conte Faces Match-fixing Sentence

An Italian court on Tuesday called for new incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to receive a six-month suspended prison sentence over match-fixing allegations.

According to AFP, the current Italy manager, who will take over Chelsea after Euro 2016, is accused of sporting fraud.

The 'Calcioscommesse' corruption probe says the 46-year-old former Juventus boss failed to expose an alleged rigged second division match in May 2011.
The game involved Siena, which Conte managed at that time.
Conte, who denies any wrongdoing, was also ordered to pay an 8,000 euros ($9000) fine, by Italian public prosecutor Roberto Di Martino.

The May 29 2011 game suspected of being fixed for betting purposes ended with a 1-0 away win for Conte's side at AlbinoLeffe.
Conte is one of around 100 suspects in the sprawling Calcioscommesse inquiry who are awaiting judgement.

In 2012, when he was in charge of Juventus, Conte was hit with a 10-month ban from football by the Italian football federation over the affair, reduced to four months suspended on appeal.

The new man at Stamford Bridge is due to hear his fate on whether he is hit with a criminal sentence in mid-May.
Conte's lawyers elected for a fast-track conclusion to his case in order to get it wrapped up before the European championships begin in France on June 10.


Tuesday's development comes less than 24 hours after Conte was appointed on a three year deal to take charge of Chelsea. He succeeds Guus Hiddink, appointed interim manager after Jose Mourinho's sacking in December.

Peter Okoye, His New Manager, Others Fly To Dubai For A Solo Performance

Peter Okoye aka Mr P, his new manager Olatunde Micheals(far right), his choreographer  DonFlexx and others, this afternoon flew out of Nigeria to Dubai for a performance he has in Dubai billed for April 7th and 8th.

Policemen To Undergo Drug Abuse Test- Arase

Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has said that all Policemen will henceforth undergo snap urine tests to detect any signs of drug abuse before they can be issued firearms. Arase said this at the launch of drug testing kits and campaign against sudden death of police officers in Abuja today April 6th.
“After an in-depth study, my team and I have found out that some of these fatal cases could be due to mishandling of firearms by police officers who are psychologically unfit to handle firearms at that time. We have therefore decided that the medical assessment of persons we recruit into the police Force will include a psychological assessment“he said.

After 4 Years Of Leaving Office As Governor, Saraki Received Monthly Salaries From Kwara State- Witness Says

At the continuation of Senate President Bukola Saraki's trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal today April 6th,  Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who started testifying against Saraki yesterday, told the court today of how he, Saraki, was still collecting monthly salaries from the coffers of the state governor four years after leaving office.
The Cable reports that bank statements from Access bank showed that he collected the money from the state
"In the course of our investigation, we wrote to Access Bank for them to give us details of the salary account of the defendant. The salary that was coming into the account was N254, 212 as of 1 August 2007.
 “As of June 3, 2011, the salary was N291, 124. On July 4, there was another payment with the narration Kwara State Government (KSG) June 2011 salary. The amount was N572, 286. On August 29, 2011, there was another payment in the sum of N744, 002 from the Kwara state government. On September 29, 2011 there was another payment of N743, 942 with the narration salary payment from KSG. On October 27, 2011, there was another payment of N1, 165, 468 for salary. In November 2011, there was payment of the same amount. The narration was December pension. On February 1, 2012, there was payment of the same amount with the narration for pension. The salary payments stopped in this account on August 31, 2015. The defendant left office on May 29, 2011, he became senator in the same.”.
The witness also alleged that Saraki made cash deposits of $10,000 18 times in one day.
“On March 23, 2005, there was a cash deposit of N8.2m into the defendant account at the GRA Ilorin branch. On March 29, 2005, there was a N200m bank draft made in favour of an implementation committee on sale of government property. On October 16, 2006, the defendant obtained a loan of N380m from GTB. On that same day, there was a bank draft in favour of the same implementation committee. The draft was N286.3m. On the same day, there was another draft of N12.8m in favour of the committee on the landed properties.  The loans were meant for purchase of properties by the defendant.
On that same day there was a loan disbursement of N380m. On February 7, 2007, there was a transfer of N3m by Abdul Adama (Saraki’s personal assistant). On April 3, 2007, there was an electronic transfer of N130. 6m on the instruction of Saraki from the implementation committee to his account. On that same day, there were cash lodgments five times a day. The sums were N11m, N20m, N20m, N20m, and N6m. The total amount on that day was N77m. Before these lodgments, there was a debit balance of N81, 960, 289. On November 22, 2007, there were cash lodgments into the account (Saraki’s naira account) by Abdul Adama, in 50 different transactions. Before those lodgments, the account was in a debit balance of N80, 210, 976. On November 29, there were cash lodgments by Ubi. Over 20 transactions in bits of N20m.
On March 20, 2008, there were more cash lodgments. Before then the account had a debit balance of N96m. On September 23, 2008, there were different cash lodgments by different individuals. On April 30, 2009, there was a bank draft of in favour of PGL Asset Management Limited in the sum of N400m. On October 26, 2009, cash lodgments were made by different individuals to Zenith bank account of the defendant 87 times in a single day. On May 19, 2009, he made a cash lodgment of $10, 000 18 times in one day in his dollar account. On 23 August, 2009, $99, 975 was transferred into his account.”

Man And His Two Daughters Killed After Stored Petrol Explodes In Lagos

A man simply identified as Shabi and his two daughters, 18 year old Mistura and 16 year old Adura, were burnt to death after some Jerry cans of petroleum products stored at their home in 5 Adebiyi Street, Somolu Oja in Lagos exploded yesterday night.


The Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe who spoke with PM news, said the petrol was stored close to the kitchen where the family cooked their meal. In a related development, a grandfather was burnt to death after his grandchild lit a candle and went out to play at their home 48 Oyedele Street, off Liasu Road, Egbe , in Ikotun area of Lagos. The candle fell and ignited a fire which consumed the apartment and the old man

Senators Urge Bukola Saraki To Resign

Senate President, Bukola Saraki who is facing corruption charges by the Code of Conduct Bureau over false asset declaration during his tenure as Kwara State governor may end up tendering his resignation as the judgment of the Code of Conduct tribunal draws near.

According to Vanguard, Saraki was advised by some of his loyal senators who followed him to his Maitama residence after Tuesday’s trial at the court to consider the option of stepping down as the country’s number three citizen.

It was also reported, that a certain PDP senator who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity last Tuesday said that the Senate President may consider the option which has been presented to him to preserve the institution of the senate.

“I can confirm to you that at a special meeting held yesterday, we asked the Senate President to consider the option of resignation. We believe that doing so would preserve the institution of the Senate” the senator said.

Man Shot During Fight At Fuel Station In Festac

A man was shot dead during a fight at a fuel station on 21 road Festac town this morning. According to twitter user, @switmode who shared the photos online, residents of the area are alleging that a female Civil Defence officer shot the man. Burn fire have been setup in the area as many of the youths are demanding the arrest of the female officer.

Photos of Saraki & The 12 Senators That Followed Him To CCT Today

Senate President Bukola Saraki pictured with the 12 senators that accompanied him to the Code of Conduct Tribunal hearing  today. His trial started fully yesterday.