COURT DECLARES ISLAMIC BANKING ILLEGAL

Posted by Chiagozie in Home » News, Nigerian News
on June 16, 2012 - 2 Comments
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday declared the
non-interest financial institution operating under the
principles of Islamic jurisprudence as illegal and
unconstitutional.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that had it not been
that the plaintiff, Godwin Sunday Ogboji lacked the
locus standi to institute the action, he would have
nullified the licence issued to Jaiz International Bank
PLC to carry out Islamic banking in the country.
He said: "There are no provisions in the CBN Act and
the Banks provided for in the Banks and other
financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) that empowers the
CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to issue license
for non-interest financial institution to operate under
the principles of Islamic jurisprudence without the
approval of the head of state through the minister of
finance.
"Unlike the other specialized banks, the Jaiz
International Bank PLC can only be established in the
country with the intervention of the National
Assembly by amending the BOFIA Act.
"If not that the plaintiff has no locus standi to
maintain this action, I would have nullified the illegal
license issued to the Jaiz International Bank PLC by
the CBN to operate non-interest banking under the
principles of Islamic jurisprudence.
"This case is hereby struck out for lack of locus
standi, but the AGF should take steps to remedy the
situation, and further ensure that the CBN carries out
its duties within the provisions of the law
establishing it".

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MICROSOFT TO LAUNCH iPAD 'KILLER'?

Now rumors are starting to coalesce around the thing
being launched: a touchscreen tablet, manufactured
by Microsoft itself, running on Windows RT (a version
of Windows 8), intended to rival Apple's iPad.
Hollywood blog The Wrap cites "an individual with
knowledge of the company", who claims the software
giant would be "making a foray into a new hardware
category that would put the company in direct
competition with rival Apple" — tablets.
This would hardly be the first time Microsoft has tried
its hand at a tablet device. Indeed, its first tablet
preceded the iPad by the better part of a decade. But
it was a bulky laptop hybrid that required a stylus, to
which it wasn't very responsive.
Between 2008 and 2010, the company was said to be
working on a dual-touchscreen folding tablet — kind
of like a book — called "Courier."
But Microsoft management killed that project —
coincidentally, right around the time Steve Jobs
launched the first iPad. (The Courier team went on to
design the award-winning iPad notebook app, Paper.)

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SEAN PAUL BECOMES A MARRIED MAN!

Jamaican dancehall and reggae artist Sean Paul has
married his long-time girlfriend Jodi Stewart.


International media reports say the 39-year-old tied
the knot with his beau Jodi in Jamaica last weekend.


Jodi who's a popular TV personality in Jamaica said
the big 'yes' to Paul back in 2002.

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DON'T DRAG PRESIDENCY INTO THE SUBSIDY PROBE BRIBERY- ABATI

The Presidency has denounced
involvement in the alleged bribery scandal involving
the chairman of the House of Representatives fuel
subsidy probe adhoc committee, Hon. Farouk Lawan.
In a press statement issued by Dr Reuben Abati,
spokesman to the President, decried attempt by
some newspapers to drag the person and office of the
President into the bribery scandal
He said "The mischievous insinuation in today's
editions of the newspapers that the entire affair, in
which the two key players have publicly confessed
their roles, is part of a plot by President Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan and the executive arm of government
to unseat the leadership of the House of
Representatives, is totally false and baseless.
For the benefit of unwary members of the public who
may be deceived by the political innuendos now
being woven into the subsidy probe bribe affair,
President Jonathan wishes to affirm that he has
absolutely no reason or desire to meddle in the affairs
of the House of Representatives and its leadership.
Neither the President nor anyone acting on his
request or order has anything to do with the scandal
that has sadly engulfed the House ad-hoc committee
on fuel subsidy. The attempt to drag the Presidency
into the matter is entirely speculative and without
factual foundation".
However Abati said the Presidency is satisfied with
the attention and seriousness given to the scandal
case, he added that the House of Representatives
has already recalled its members from recess for a
special session to deliberate on the matter tomorrow.
He further noted that the Presidency is urging the
media to allow members of the House and law
enforcement agencies to conduct and conclude
investigations without further unhelpful distractions.
"President Jonathan's directive to the Attorney-
General of the Federation on the report of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fuel Subsidy, as adopted by the House
of Representatives, subsists and he fully expects that
all those indicted in the report will be duly
investigated and prosecuted if a prima facie case is
established against them" Abati said

















CitizensPlatform

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HARRY REDKNAPP OUT OF JOB!

Harry Redknapp's reign at Tottenham is over after
the club announced his three-and-a-half-year tenure
at White Hart Lane has come to an end. Everton's
David Moyes and Roberto Martinez of Wigan are
strong contenders to take over after Spurs decided
not to offer Redknapp a new contract.
The tactic was designed to force out the 65-year-old,
but Redknapp stood his ground during talks with
chairman Daniel Levy on Wednesday, refusing to
resign despite the club's tough stance.
Levy said: "This is not a decision the board and I have
taken lightly. Harry arrived at the club at a time
when his experience and approach was exactly what
was needed.
"This decision in no way detracts from the excellent
work Harry has done during his time with the club
and I should like to thank him for his achievements
and contribution.
"Harry will always be welcome at the Lane."
Redknapp added: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my
time at Spurs and am proud of my achievements.
"I have had a fantastic four years with the club, at
times the football has been breathtaking.
"I am sad to be leaving but wish to thank the players,
staff and fans for their terrific support during my
time there."

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FAROUK TO BE DECLARED WANTED

Lawan Farouk may soon be declared wanted by the Police if he continues
to dishonour their invites.

Other sources within the Nigerian Police had
disclosed that it was obvious
from their investigation that the lawmaker had
swindled other oil marketers at the course of the
investigation and will have a big question to answer.

"Some marketers, who allegedly bribed the
committee, will also be invited for interrogation," a
member of the STF said.

If however he further refuses to show up, he may have to be declared wanted!

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CHELSEA SIGNS DI MATTEO ?

There are strong indications that RDM may soon be announced as
permanent Chelsea manager for the next two years.

Though Chelsea are thought to be hot on the heels of Pep Guardiola the
erstwhile Barcelona manager, but reports suggests that Pep has
insisted on taking a one year sabbatical despite been offered.
£250,000 per week.

RDM is thought to have initially rejected a one year deal which would
have seen Pep completed his sabbatical.

One Chelsea official was quoted as saying it should be sooner than later!

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FEMI VS FAROUK: WHO IS LYING?

Farouk Lawan, the Chairman, House of Representatives ad-hoc committee that probed the fuel subsidy fraud, on Monday, reversed his earlier statement and accepted that he collected $620,000 from the Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas, Femi Otedola, to doctor the panel’s report.

Lawan, who had hitherto denied that neither he nor any member of the committee collected money from any of the oil marketers, told journalists in Abuja that he collected the money after Otedola had approached him; adding that he informed the police and his colleagues about it.

Lawan's confession is however confusing as he had initially denied collecting the bribe when media reports revealed the issue.

Otedola, on his part, has agreed offering the bribe to Lawan; adding that it was part of a sting operation initiated by security agencies after he had reported that the committee demanded $3 million from him not to list his companies as part of those indicted in the report.

This latest development has reportedly upset the leadership of the House; who in making it clear that Lawan operated on his own, have decided to probe the matter when it resumes from recess on June 19.

Reacting to the issue, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, has promised that the federal government will take appropriate action when it receives the report of investigation into the allegation.

Question is: who is being economical with the truth here?

Source: Ediong

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Posted in: BRIBE,FAROUK LAWAN,FEMI OTEDOLA

WILL AND JADA SMITH: ITS BEEN 15 YEARS!

They got married at a quiet ceremony in
December 1997. They have two
kids from the marriage. Come December this year Will and Jada would
have been married for 15 year! This is a rare occurrence in Hollywood where
marriages lasts as few as 72 days. Sometimes early this year rumour of a break
up started making rounds.
A situation Jada calls ridiculous. She revealed
that they are planning
to celebrate their anniversary with 'a high
five' as usual. Happy anniversary in advance, Mr & Mrs Smit

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NADAL CLAIMS SEVENTH FRENCH OPEN TILTLE....BREAKS DJOKOVIC'S WINNING STREAK

Rafael Nadal won the French Open on Monday after Novak Djokovic double-faulted on match point one day after their match was halted by rain.

Nadal's win in Paris marks his record-breaking seventh French Open title on the clay court. The final score was 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

Rain twice interrupted the final at Roland Garros stadium before play was suspended with the Spaniard, Nadal, leading 6-4 6-3 2-6 1-2.

However the match is delicately poised given Djokovic won eight games in a row before the halt to give himself a fighting chance of becoming the first man since 1969 to hold all four majors at the same time, and only the third ever.

That run of winning games also included a break of serve in the fourth set, which will give the world No. 1 hope that he is in the ascendancy.

Aiming for a record seventh crown at Roland Garros, second-ranked Nadal made a blistering start as he broke Djokovic twice in the opening three games.

The two best players in the world traded strokes of such power at times it was like watching a couple of heavyweight boxers, and more ferocity from Nadal allowed the Mallorcan to break Djokovic for a third time.

Source: CNN

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Posted in: FRENCH OPEN,NOVAK DJOKOVIC,RAFAEL NADAL,ROLAND GARROS

FAMILIES OF CRASH VICTIMS REJECT MASS BURIAL.

The relatives of the Dana aircraft that crash two Sundays ago held a
meeting with the Lagos State Governor yesterday. The governor
suggested the option of mass burial for the victims which the families
rejected outrightly.

Meanwhile a committee has been set up to look into the issue and revert.

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OTEDOLA CONFIRMS LAWMAKERS COLLECTED BRIBE...SAYS I HAVE A TAPE

The full details of the $3 million bribery scandal involving members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Fuel Subsidy probe were revealed yesterday, as one of the major actors in the scandal has opened up on what transpired.

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY, chairman, Zenon Petroleum & Gas Ltd, Mr. Femi Otedola, who hitherto was suspected of being behind the $3 million bribery scandal, blew the lid on what transpired and how chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Hon. Farouk Lawan, and the secretary of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, had collected $620,000 from him in a sting operation masterminded by the security agencies.

The amount was part payment for the $3 million, which he alleged Lawan had demanded from him to exonerate Zenon Oil from the ad-hoc committee’s report.

As the scandal unfolds, it was learnt that operatives of the State Security Services have sent a video recording of the incident to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further scrutiny and action.

Otedola, who was opening up on the issue for the first time, narrated how Lawan at the outset of the probe had approached him to get some insight into the workings of the downstream oil and gas sector.

Otedola said he obliged him and ensured that his managing directors of Forte Oil Plc and Zenon Oil appeared at the subsidy probe during its public hearing after both companies had been invited by the committee.

During the probe, he said the committee was informed in no uncertain terms that Zenon does not and has never made claims for subsidy payments from the federal government, as the company was engaged solely in the importation of diesel, a product that is not subsidised.
Zenon’s managing director, Mr. Kanmi Kareem Otaru, during the probe had denied that the company had anything to do with the subsidy regime. He told the committee, “For the avoidance of doubt Zenon never participated or benefited from the subsidy scheme or Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).”

Source: THISDAY

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Posted in: BRIBE,LAWMAKERS,OTEDOLA

KIDNAPPED OBODO REGAINS FREEDOM

Reports reaching me confirms that the former Super Eagles midfielder
Christian Obodo kidnapped on saturday has been released by his
abductors.

The guy will soon be on the next plane outta Naija, I'm sure

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BRADLEY DOWNS PACQUIAO AMIDST CONTROVERSY

In a fight Pacquiao seemed to have in hand,
two judges decided otherwise, giving Bradley a
split decision Saturday night and ending the
Filipino fighter's remarkable seven-year
unbeaten run.
Promoter Bob Arum fumed, the crowd at the
MGM Grand arena booed, and Pacquiao
seemed stunned when the decision was
announced. Arum said there would be a
November rematch, though he blasted the way
the decision went down.
"I'm going to make a lot of money on the
rematch, but this was outrageous," Arum said.
Bradley came on strong in the later rounds,
winning five of the last six rounds on two
scorecards and four on the third. He won
115-113 on two scorecards, while losing on the
third by the same margin. The Associated
Press had Pacquiao winning 117-111.
"I did my best," Pacquiao said. "I guess my
best wasn't good enough."

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OBODO: KIDNAPPERS DEMAND €150,000

Nigeria midfielder Christian Obodo has been
abducted by unknown gunmen in Warri, Delta State.
The footballer was taken on Saturday morning
according to reports on SuperSport.com.
Obodo, who played at Lecce in Italy during the just
concluded season on loan from Udinese, was
reported to have gone to a night club on Friday night
in his car with registration number "Obodo 5" but
was picked up on Saturday morning in front of a
church in Effurun, a suburb of Warri.
"Yes he has been kidnapped," an unnamed Delta
State government official told SuperSport.com. "The
details are still sketchy but I was told he was on his
way to church this (Saturday) morning with his car
that has registration number 'Obodo 5.'"
"Apparently his car's registration may have attracted
his kidnappers because he went clubbing last
(Friday) night in the same car."
It is the first time a footballer is being kidnapped in
Nigeria. However, footballers' family members had
been kidnapped in the past.
"The kidnappers called this morning at the home of
the mother of Christian asking a ransom of about
150, 000 euros," Obidike Okechukwu, husband of the
sister of Christian Obodo, told ANSA.
"Christian was going to church, he was alone, around
four o'clock in the morning Italian time, when some
people took it and carried away."

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