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12166297270?profile=originalJULIAN Assange, the man behind WikiLeaks, today launched a wide ranging series of attacks on both his enemies and allies as he defended his public and private conduct.

In his first UK newspaper interview since releasing hundreds of secret diplomatic cables last month, Mr Assange told The Times he predicts the US will face reprisals if it attempts to extradite him on conspiracy charges.

He accused his media partners at The Guardian newspaper, which worked with him to make the embarrassing leaks public, of unfairly tarnishing him by revealing damaging details of the sex assault allegations he faces in Sweden.


He insisted that the women behind the claims were motivated by revenge.

Mr Assange said he had enough material ready to destroy the bosses of one of the world’s biggest banks.

Speaking from the English mansion where he is confined on bail, the 39-year-old Australian said that the decision to publish incriminating police files about him was "disgusting". The Guardian had previously used him as its source for hundreds of leaked US embassy cables.

Mr Assange is understood to be particularly angry with a senior reporter at the paper and former friend for "selectively publishing" incriminating sections of the police report, although The Guardian made clear that the WikiLeaks founder was given several days to respond.

Mr Assange claimed the newspaper received leaked documents from Swedish authorities or "other intelligence agencies" intent on jeopardising his defence...

"The leak was clearly designed to undermine my bail application," he said. "Someone in authority clearly intended to keep Julian in prison."

He denied allegations of sexual assault and said that the allegations by two Swedish women he met in August "came from nowhere".

Mr Assange was arrested and held in Wandsworth prison after Swedish authorities issued an extradition request. He was released on bail last week on a surety of £275,000 ($US427,872).

He said that he still had not seen the full extent of the allegations against him, although he accepted that his Swedish lawyer had been handed many of the details.

When asked if he was promiscuous, he replied: "I’m not promiscuous. I just really like women."

Mr Assange also confirmed that WikiLeaks was holding a vast amount of material about a bank which it intends to release early next year..

Shares in Bank of America recently fell after speculation spread that it was the target.

"We don’t want the bank to suffer unless it’s called for," Mr Assange said. "But if its management is operating in a responsive way there will be resignations."

US officials are reportedly searching for ways to extradite him on espionage charges. Vice President Joe Biden recently called the WikiLeaks founder a "high-tech terrorist".

Mr Assange said that he believed that the US situation would "turn around absolutely" as a groundswell of favourable opinion grew in America.

"The people in power are organised and were able to respond quickly," he said. "But numerically they are not that strong and our support in the general population is tremendous."

Mr Assange's interview follows revelations that police feared he would be assassinated on the front steps of London's High Court.

He revealed earlier he was told to keep a statement celebrating his freedom brief due a perceived threat on his life.

The police concerns emerged as Mr Assange revealed further details about his prison stay - including that he was housed alongside paedophiles and found support among prison guards.

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The millionaire owner of the UK Segway company has died after apparently riding one of his company's motorised scooters off cliffs and into a river.

Jimi Heselden, 62, crashed into the River Wharfe while riding the vehicle round his estate in Thorp Arch, Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, on Sunday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The scooter was found in the water.

Mr Heselden, who founded Leeds-based company Hesco Bastion, acquired the Segway operation in 2010.

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed Mr Heselden's identity.

She said: "Police were called at 1140 yesterday to reports of a man in the River Wharfe, apparently having fallen from the cliffs above."

She said a "Segway type" vehicle had been recovered.

Charity donations

Mr Heselden grew up in the Halton Moor area of Leeds, leaving school at 15 and working down local pits.

He worked as a miner before losing his job in a wave of redundancies in the 1980s.

His engineering business went from strength-to-strength and he had a fortune reported to be £166m, making him one of the top 400 richest people on the UK.

The tycoon was well known for his donations to charity, giving more than £20m to good causes.

Earlier this month he donated £10m to the Leeds Community Foundation..

A spokesperson for Hesco Bastion said: "It is with great sadness that we have to confirm that Jimi Heselden OBE, has died in a tragic accident near his home in West Yorkshire."

The spokesperson added: "Jimi is perhaps best known for his charity work with Help for Heroes and the Leeds Community Foundation.

"A £10m gift to the foundation earlier this month saw his lifetime charitable donations top £23m.

"Our thoughts go out to his family and many friends, who have asked for privacy at this time."

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NDLEA boss, bags 16 years imprisonment

A Lagos High Court, on Monday, sentenced a former boss of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bello Lafiaji, to 16 years imprisonment for abuse of office and conspiracy. His erstwhile special assistant, Usman Amali, also bagged a seven-year jail term.

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other related matters (ICPC) had arraigned both Mr. Lafiaji and Mr. Amali in 2008, on a seven-count charge of abuse of office and conspiracy. The Anti-graft body said the duo had in November 2005 conspired and unlawfully received 164,300 euros from a drug suspect identified as Ikenna Onochie, to secure Mr. Onochie’s release from NDLEA’s custody. The two defendants had severally pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The money, which was also alleged to ensure the release of the suspect’s impounded cars, was part of the exhibits seized from the suspect’s house while he was arrested for being in possession of 3.2kg of cocaine and heroin.

Mr. Onochie is currently facing trial for drug trafficking at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

Ruling on the judgment, Olusola Williams, (a Justice of the Federal High Court) held that the prosecution had successfully proved that the release of Mr. Onochie from custody was irregular.

“The court finds the two defendants guilty for receiving money for personal benefits. The prosecution has proved its case and they are as guilty as charged. The court holds that there was an agreement between the defendants to do what they did,” she declared.

Mrs. Williams, while commending the former NDLEA boss for his role in uplifting the standard of the anti-drug agency, said he allowed his reputation to be tarnished because of personal gains.

As for the second defendant, the special assistant to Mr. Lafiaji, the judge said, “he appeared to have followed his master blindly,” she said.

Mrs. Williams said she found the defendants guilty in six of the seven-count-charge and ruled that “Lafiaji is sentenced on counts one to four for four years each, while for counts six and seven, he is sentenced to two years each.”

Also, according to her ruling, “Amali is sentenced to two years each on counts one and two, while on counts three, four and six, he is sentenced to one year each”, Williams concluded. The sentences are to run concurrently.”

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SSS quizzes ex-NNPC boss, Barkindo * Seizes passports of Yar'Adua's men *FG restricts movement of ex-ministers *Aondoakaa delayed at airport

FACTS emerging in Abuja indicated that security agencies have opened up investigations into activities of the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Mohammed Barkindo..



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Sources said that he was being probed on the orders from above over alleged misdemeanour while in office.

It was gathered that operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were involved in the ongoing probe and that the former NNPC boss was questioned by some officials of the SSS in Abuja last week.

It was learnt that the former NNPC boss was being investigated over alleged anti-government activities, especially the purchase of some high calibre equipment which were not covered under the budget of his corporation.

It was gathered that the NNPC boss was fingered as one of the alleged sponsors of the widely discussed cabal around ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Sources said that the organisations had been investigating some officials and their link with the importation of certain equipment in the build-up to the surreptitious return of ailing President Yar'Adua to Nigeria.

Some life support machines were brought into the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano without inspection by men of Customs.

Investigations had linked some top Nigerians and a retired general to the importation but details were still being pieced together when Barkindo was sacked.

A source said that Barkindo had appeared before a team of SSS operatives to answer questions on certain issues last week.

It was also learnt that the ex-NNPC boss was also being investigated over certain issues relating to the oil industry.

For instance, a source said that the agencies wanted to know whether there was a deliberate sabotage by some forces at NNPC, as it took a threat from the former minister before sanity returned to the oil supply chain

Said the source: "We have it on good authority that security operatives are looking for details relating to the sources of funding for the shipment of certain security equipment. It is necessary to get to the root of some of these things for the sake of the nation's future."

There were reports that the shipment of a particular equipment through Aminu Kano International Airport led to a row within the Customs because the equipment was said to have been moved into the country without due inspection by men of the Customs.

Sources said that the said equipment was allowed to enter Nigeria through Aminu Kano Airport, though the owners refused to disclose what was in the container and that a retired general had to intervene to ensure passage.

It was also learnt that the international passports of members of the cabal, who are already being investigated by the security operatives, had been seized by the government.

A source said that the passports of close presidential aides, who are regarded as members of the kitchen cabinet or the cabal around Yar'Adua, had been being seized by the security agents.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has restricted the movement of all former ministers, as well as those currently serving in the cabinet, for close monitoring.

It was gathered that the order was said to have been forwarded to security officials at all airports and borders so as to prevent those who were still being investigated from travelling outside the country.

It was also learnt on Sunday that the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Mike Aondoakaa, became the first victim of the directive, when his protocol officer was barred from checking in his luggage for a trip to Rome at the Abuja airport.

It was gathered that Aondoakaa's aide had gone to the airport to check in his luggage for a trip to attend a programme of the United Nations.

A source confirmed that the aide was told he could not check in the luggage as he could not produce a clearance from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for the purpose.

One source close to the ex-minister said the former Attorney-General got in touch with the office of the NSA, where he was fully briefed of the new directive.

According to sources, Aondoakaa was told that no former minister was allowed to travel out of the country without a clearance from the NSA.

He was also told that the directive did not exclude serving ministers and that what he needed to do was to apply to the office of the NSA for clearance.

A source said Aondoakaa immediately applied and his clearance was released on Sunday evening.

A source said the former minister informed the NSA that he was due for a meeting at the UN Informational Institute for the Unification of Private Law and he was representing both Nigeria and the African Union (AU).

It was gathered that the directive to security agencies was in line with the decision to probe the activities of all former ministers and while some of those people with critical cases would have their passports seized, those who were only under investigation would be required to secure clearance from the NSA whose office would confirm the status of the affected minister and either approve the trip or refuse clearance as appropriate.
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Abubakar Umar, a lawyer and special assistant to Ahmeed Al Mustapha, registrar of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was found brutally assassinated yesterday in Abuja. Abubakar was trailed by unknown assailants after he left work last night, abducted, shot to death, and set ablaze. His badly burnt body was found near Utako Market in the opposite direction of his residence in Maitama. Already, the Nigerian police has been quick to claim that Mr. Umar died in auto accident, saying that his body was burnt because it was trapped in his burning car. But family members suspect a cover-up, contending that Abubakar's body was riddled with bullets and that the police recovered expended bullet shells from the scene where his body was recovered Saharareporters learnt from a source at the National Assembly that the lawyer, described as a brilliant civil servant, had recently acquired a piece of land bordering the official residence of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in Abuja. In an attempt to develop the land, Abubakar applied to the National Assembly leadership to grant access to him to take materials meant for development of his land through the property of the National Assembly in the Apo legislative village. Abubakar was reportedly directed to meet with the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Usman Bayero Nafada, to seek the necessary approval. But his agents who met with Mr. Nafada were shocked to find out that he was only interested in taking over the land. He (Nafada) offered to pay for it and asked Abubakar's representatives to name their price, but Abubakar refused to sell his prized possession. The deputy speaker denied the application for access and promptly requested the minster of the Federal capital territory to revoke the land allocation to Mr. Umar for "security reason". Things took a curious turn two weeks ago when the land allocation was revoked by the Minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT), Adamu Aliero, and re-allocated to Mr. Nafada. Abubakar Umar, was considering challenging the FCT in court over the revocation but had not yet been able to obtain the revocation paperwork to enable him commence legal action. Another source also told Saharareporters that his death might be connected with the arrest and prosecution of some persons involved in forging CAC documents. Last month, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested two lawyers, George Ihijirika Okechukwu and Nwaroh Emmanuel, as well as Tolulope Akeju, alias C and C. They were charged before a Federal High Court in Abuja for making a false certificate of registration of increase in shares capital serial number 756501 of the Corporate Affairs Commission in respect of Jeruzeth International Engineering Company Limited, from N1,000,000 to N25,000,000. Abubakar has been buried according to Muslim rites at the Abuja cemetry.
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The police in Lagos have arrested a houseboy, Israel Adewale, for allegedly providing information and facilitating the entrance of criminals who robbed his master and battered his daughter. Adewale, who was rescued from remand home by his boss, Emuze Phillip, with the belief that he could be rehabilitated, was arrested with two other suspects, John Patrick and Dapo Sodiq. It was gathered that three robbery suspects raided Emmanuel Osakwe Street, Egbeda residence of Phillip at 12 midnight on Thursday without breaking any door. The suspects beat the man and his daughter who had just completed her youth service thoroughly and raided every room in the house before making away with valuables that they could find in their victim's Honda Accord marked HU 859 AB. Meanwhile, four young men are currently helping the Ogun State Police Command in uncovering the mystery surrounding two human skulls found in their possession in Ijebu Igbo by the police. The four men, including two herbalists, Tunde Ajenifuja, and Abiodun Adetayo, the police alleged, sponsored Shina Suleiman and Yomi Aregbe to source for the human heads for undisclosed reasons. In a statement in Abeokuta on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, the police claimed that the suspects were nabbed after an informant hinted the police that he had seen some men with human skulls in Oke-Agbo area of the town. He said, "Immediately, the police swung into action and arrested two suspects (Shina Suleiman and Yomi Aregbe). It was revealed that the suspects were sponsored by two herbalists - Tunde Ajenifuja and Abiodun Adetayo - who were subsequently arrested by the police with the human skulls."
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By Sam Akpe Deputy Editor, Abuja Austin Ometuruwa, former Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Managing Director, was last week arrested by the police in London over lodgement in his bank account in excess of one million British pounds. advertisement The amount was impounded during bank transfer. British police have petitioned Abuja to investigate the source of the money so they could decide on the next line of action. Ometuruwa informed the police that the amount is his severance package for being relieved of his appointment by the AFC, a claim that could not be confirmed immediately. However, the police said they are in possession of a document signed by two AFC officials, Solomon Asamoah and Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, confirming that Ometuruwa is entitled to severance benefits. Seemingly unruffled, he reportedly appeared for the interrogation with his lawyer; but doubtful about the source of the money, the police last week obtained a court order "which allows us to keep the funds whilst the origin is being investigated." They want Abuja to confirm whether Ometuruwa is entitled to the money "as it appears it was definitely paid to him" by the AFC. Dissatisfied with the procedure, however, his lawyer said he would go to the City of Westminster Magistrate's Court, saying his client "is clearly entitled to his severance package and wants the funds returned." The money was transferred to Ometuruwa's Citibank account through Deutsche Bank, which the AFC operate accounts with. The AFC also has accounts with Citibank, Standard, and UBS. It came under public scrutiny last year when President Umaru Yar'Adua raised a panel to probe its operations and establish its funding and legality under Nigerian law. The committee in its report questioned the modalities for the AFC's establishment and funding, and recommended that Nigeria should withdraw its share of $462 million and the interest generated. It also submitted that Ometuruwa was signatory to all bank accounts held by the AFC, and was, therefore, instrumental to the alleged illegal movement of AFC funds across various markets. He reportedly told the British police that the AFC "is still operational and is now a private investment bank." Ometuruwa's arrest may trigger another investigation as to why AFC should continue to operate an account more or less frozen by Nigeria, even though he has countered that he never received any court papers freezing any AFC account, let alone the JP Morgan account. He told the British police that JP Morgan was involved with AFC money but that several short term investments were made in blue chip banks, and that after Nigeria withdrew its $462 million, the AFC continued in its private capacity and operated other accounts. It was learnt that British police are demanding information that would either contradict or authenticate his claims. They said it appears from the face of it that the payment Ometuruwa received is his entitlement as per the terms of his employment. The investigators said they may return the money to him unless the government acts fast and presents proof that it is the proceeds of crime. So, as a source confirmed, the committee that investigated the AFC had by last weekend sent documents to London to prove that the money is illegal. He noted that the committee may be handicapped in prosecuting the matter as the Federal Government has not issued a White Paper on its report. Since the report was submitted "no statement has been made by the government, neither has any of the recommendations been acted upon, an indication that some officials have been compromised," the source added.
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Lanre Adewole, Abuja Wednesday, April 23, 2009 THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arrested billionaire-businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, over his alleged involvement in the African Petroleum (AP) shares trading scandal. A source in the commission confirmed that he was quizzed in Abuja by the operatives of the anti-graft agency. AP Chairman, Femi Otedola, and the company’s shareholders had reportedly petitioned the commission over the alleged indictment of Dangote over the shares scandal, which had seen the Securities and Exchange Commission sanctioning Nova Securities, owned by a son of Chief Tony Anenih, former chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nova Securities and Dangote’s company had been reportedly involved in the alleged illegal sale of AP shares causing a free fall in the stock’s value. Otedola who is ranked behind Dangote as the second richest in Nigeria had accused his erstwhile friend of plots to ruin his business empire, an allegation which had been denied by Dangote’s camp. Dangote is the vice-chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and had been reportedly planning to succeed the incumbent chairman, Mr. Obadele Otudeko. Another source, however, said that Dangote surrendered himself to the commission in Abuja, following a summons sent to him by the commission over the alleged scam. Another source, however, said that Dangote surrendered himself to the commission in Abuja, following a summons sent to him by the commission over the alleged scam. As of press time, he was said to still be undergoing interrogation. However, there were indications that he was released on administrative bail last night. Meanwhile, the trial of the chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) chairman, Dr. Ransome Owan, and six other commissioners of the agency will commence before Justice Salisu Garba of the Abuja High Court today. Nigerian Tribune gathered that a 121-count charge had been slammed on the accused over an alleged N1.5 billion scam. The accused were re-arrested by the commission yesterday preparatory to their arraignment today. The affected commissioners are Alimi Abdulrazaq, the commissioner in charge of Legal Licensing and Enforcement; Mallam Abdulrahman Ado, Commissioner, Market Competition and Rates; M.B.G. Bunu, Commissioner, Finance and Management Services; Grace Eyoma, Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs. Others are: O.C. Iloeje, Commissioner, Research and Development and Abimbola Odubiyi, Commissioner, Engineering Standard and Safety. A source said that the commission, in an attempt to avoid returning unspent fund to the treasury, bought 54 vehicles valued at N350 million between December 22 and 29, 2008 without due authorisation. The commission was also alleged to have moved N500 million to a mortgage finance bank, also without authorisation. The money was meant for staff housing financing since April 2008. The commission, which was funded 100 per cent by the government, collects from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) N70 million every month, amounting to N840 million for last year, which allegedly could not be accounted for. Its budget for 2008 was N2 billion, but “as a matter of fact, government gave it N5 billion” for that fiscal year, the source revealed. The commission also allegedly awarded contracts to companies that were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
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