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Specifically, Messers Joe Igbokwe and Alhaji Ibrahim Modibbo, both of Action Congress of Nigeria, Yinka Odumakin of Congress for Progressive Change and Cletus Akwaya of the Peoples Democratic Party are being sued for impugning the integrity of the newspaper.

In addition, they are also being sued for imputing wrong motives against the editors of THISDAY in the discharge of their duties as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to THISDAY, the four men are trying to intimidate and harass its journalists with a view to stopping them from publishing the results of the ongoing and weekly THISDAY/Ipsos Poll ahead of the 2011 general election because the poll results, in a particular edition, did not favour their principals.

Huhuonline.com understands that the four men are being sued in the sum of N10 billion each in their personal capacities...

As huhuonlone.com published previously,

Two leading opposition parties in Nigeria, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has condemned THISDAY newspapers opinion poll which affirmed that President Goodluck Jonathan will receive 60.3% of the total votes during April polls.

Mr. Joe Igbokwe, publicity Secretary of ACN labelled ThisdayNewspapers “the number one enemy of Nigeria”.

In his words; “This is the fraudulent business Thisday newspaper has been known for since 2003 and it is all about politics of the stomach”.

“This paper did it for a fee in 2003. They did it again in 2007 for N3 Billion Naira and in 2011, these hungry guys are repeating it again. This is impunity taken to a frightening dimension”.

“For a huge fee that runs into several billions of Naira this shameless newspaper is preparing the ground for PDP to rig the 2011 election as it did in 2003 and 2007”.

“This is silly, petty, meaningless and unacceptable”

In the same vein, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin, National Publicity Secretary of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) , said “ the current publications which awarded 60.3% of the votes to be cast by long suffering Nigerians to Jonathan and PDP who are their “Tormentors-in-Chief”, looks like a last ditch effort by the PDP and its candidate to justify the massive electoral fraud they have planned to unleash on Nigerians”.

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the indefinite suspension of the director of research and strategy of the Goodluck/Sambo campaign organisation, Mike Omeri. He was suspended for ignoring the president's directive not to engage opposition parties in smear campaigns.

The letter, dated March 22, 2011, which conveyed Mr. Omeri's suspension yesterday, was signed by the director general of the Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dalhatu Tafida, who said he (Omeri) was making pronouncements without clearance from his superiors.

The letter reads, "In spite of repeated warnings to you to desist from pronouncements on the campaign without clearance from either the Director of Publicity or Deputy Director-General, or Director-General, you have persisted in this direction and thereby embarrassed the campaign with unauthorised statements that are at variance with the values and principles of our presidential candidate.

"You are accordingly suspended from your duties as Director of Research and Strategy until further notice while you are required to respond within 24 hours as to why stronger sanctions should not be applied to you."

It was learnt that Mr Jonathan, during a meeting with campaign directors and committee heads at the Legacy House campaign headquarters in Abuja yesterday, expressed worry over a statement Mr Omeri issued last weekend.

Unhappy president

The president was also said to have demanded to know why Mr Omeri persistently ignored his instruction to the PCC publicity department not to engage in mudslinging with his challengers, and instead focus on issues.

In the statement that got him into trouble, the suspended director had cast aspersion on the integrity of the presidential candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) and that of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Nuhu Ribadu and Muhammadu Buhari, respectively.

Mr Omeri also threatened to expose the two candidates whom he said were not as clean as perceived by the public.

"The two self acclaimed anti-corruption 'stars' had proved that they had their hands soiled with acts of corruption when they were in government'', Mr Omeri had stated in the statement published in a national daily.

A forthnight ago, Mr Omeri also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Mr Buhari for allegedly preaching violence.

The director also said that he received a text message from an unknown person threatening to kill him for speaking ill of the CPC presidential flag bearer. He said the threat came from the Buhari camp.

Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, was, on Tuesday up in flames, following the clash between the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at Ikpe Annang, Ikot Ekpene Local Government area of the state during political campaigns.

As a result, men of the armed forces have completely taken over security in the state.

It was gathered that the clash resulted in the killing of eight people, leaving many wounded while several vehicles were destroyed.

It was gathered that a reprisal attack led to a stampede in the state capital which led to blockage of all access roads to the city.

Unconfirmed reports said that in the course of the protest, three people were killed on the Olu-Obasanjo Way, former Abak Road, with several government vehicles and billboards belonging to Governor Godswill Akpabio destroyed by supporters of the ACN.

Also at the state secretariat, hundreds of brand new vehicles of the state government meant for the state mass transit scheme were burnt, besides others burnt in the course of the protest at different locations in the metropolis.

The state practically came to a standstill as commercial transporters fled the road while commercial activities were completely paralysed as business owners locked up their shops.

In the midst of the crisis, Governor Akpabio, who would have ordinarily taken the Olu-Obasanjo Way to the state capital and his convoy, while returning from a campaign in Mkpat Enin and Abak local government areas of the state, had to divert to another route; the Idoro Road to the Hill Top Mansion, amidst tight security.

The Director, Media and Strategy of Senator John Udoedehe Campaign Group, Honourable Thomas O. Akpabio, confirmed the attack on his campaign train, saying many of the ACN supporters were wounded and vehicles burnt.

The chairman, media and publicity sub-committee of the ACN, who spoke to newsmen, said “we went to campaign in Ikot Ekpene and some people stopped us on the way from Ikot Obong Edong, near the road leading to Ikono Local Government.”

He said further that “they started throwing stones at us, shooting at us and in the process damaged our cars. We had to return to Uyo because we were empty handed. As I’m talking to you now, we don’t know the whereabouts of our governorship candidate.”

The police in Lagos, yesterday, paraded four suspected cultists who allegedly terrorised residents when they engaged in a fight on March 19.

Osifo Emmanuel, 27, Kelvin Ehiro 32, and Tony Ekpo, are alleged to be members of the Aiye Confraternity in the Apapa area of the state; while Amechie Obodike, 25, confessed to be a member of the Eiye Cult also in Apapa.

The suspects were arrested on March 19 during a fracas between the rival cults at the POP Restaurant at Apapa. Witnesses said the cultists engaged one another with dangerous weapons like cutlasses and axes and terrorised residents of the area. The police were alerted, and the youth got arrested.

Their confessions

Mr Emmanuel is alleged to be a leader of the Aiye Cult. He said members of his cult had gone to relax at a popular drinking spot, called Malamido at Apapa, when members of the Eiye Cult attacked them with dangerous weapons. “I am a deejay at POP restaurant at Apapa, and I am a member of the Aiye Cult,” he said. “I graduated from the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and since I came back to Lagos, I have been doing deejay.

On Thursday last week, I was relaxing at the POP restaurant when I heard that our guys were attacked at Malamido. I rushed to the scene and I saw one of my friends, Ovie, in the pool of his own blood. Some people had stabbed him and I rushed him to the hospital. We later found out that the people who attacked that day were Eiye members. We left and on Saturday, I was in POP restaurant where I work and my friends were with me. So that was how police came and pick me up saying that we are planning to attack, so I don’t know anything.”

Mr Obodike also confessed to being a cultist. He said he was forced to join the Eiye cult last December, and was on his way with members of his cult to cause mayhem when he was arrested. “I am a auto mechanic at Apapa,” he said. “One of my friends called me that we should go to POP, he was carrying a cutlass. My friend’s name is Taju and he was the who introduced me to Eiye Cult. That Saturday, we were going to POP when we heard that something was happening and before we escaped, police came and arrested us. Taju ran away but before I could flee, the police held me and brought me to their station. I feel bad involving myself in this kind of thing.”

Police response

Patricia Amadin, spokesperson for the police, said the police is on the trail of the other suspected cultists, and urged members of the public to provide the police with useful information that will lead to the arrest of trouble makers in their community. “The case is under investigation and the suspects will be charged to court soon,” she said.

The Ondo State police have arrested five persons in connection with the kidnap of Mafe Ibrahim, the mother of Jimoh Ibrahim. According to an assistant commissioner of police who prefers anonymity, the suspects were arrested in the environs of Igbotako and are helping the police in their investigations. The police officer told NEXT that the kidnap was not politically motivated.

The state police command had recently announced that the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Playing politics with the kidnap

While the PDP, Mr Ibrahim’s party alleged that the ruling Labour Party was behind the abduction, the state government advised Mr Ibrahim and his party men to look within themselves for the kidnappers.

The state government through the commissioner for information, Ranti Akerele, accused Mr Ibrahim of “playing politics” with the kidnap of his mother.

The commissioner faulted Mr Ibrahim’s account of the kidnap saying, “Ibrahim presented the case as if the kidnap was masterminded and executed by the state government, hence his demand for the declaration for a state of emergency in the state.” Mr Akerele added, “the security agencies that have already been drafted to effect the release of this woman should look beyond the ordinary and search the confines of Jimoh Ibrahim’s household.

“They should look among his political associates who seem to be rejoicing at the sad development and his myriad of business associates.

“It is the height of immorality for anybody to think of scoring cheap political goals with the kidnap of a 65-year-old woman.

“If a beneficiary of the kindness and love of one earlier victim could organise and mastermind the kidnap of his benefactor, who says desperate political rookies cannot plan and execute the kidnap of a poor old woman?” He asked.

The commissioner also noted that the act could be carried out by the PDP, “in order to create a band of phantom stakeholders whose only tangible solution to the incident is to call for a state of emergency in Ondo State.” He said: “With all the powers at the disposal of the peace-loving government of Ondo State, issues of security have been pursued with unprecedented focus since April 2009. Such that in all the reported cases of kidnap, not only have the victims returned to safety but the culprits have been apprehended to the eternal shame of those who cry wolf when there are none.”

They wanted Jimoh out

But the PDP in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, alleged that the Labour Party carried out the act, “to discourage Jimoh Ibrahim from further participating in politics.” Mr Fadaka said, “Our attention has been drawn to the kidnap of Madam Ibrahim, the mother of Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim who is a solid pillar of our Party both in this state and nationally. It will be recalled that our state has been going through lots of security challenges in recent weeks and this is occasioned by the garrulity of Labour Party leaders and rank and file whose concept of politicking is to stand the laws on its head and use under the table tactics to secure victory. Their approach so far has led to the death of Emmanuel Adebayo in Ose and scores of brutalised and wounded people across the state. Their latest action is the kidnap of this old woman, this development is not only evil, but sadistic, comprehensively wicked and unacceptable.

“In their imagination it is the needed trump card that is needed to disorientate, disorganise and discourage Jimoh Ibrahim in his quest to join others in leading the party to victory in the forthcoming elections in Ondo State. But we want to assure them that their calculation is not only shallow but will fail to achieve their desired goal.” Mr Fadaka called on the law enforcement agents to treat the matter with urgency, adding that the culprits and their sponsors should be brought to book.

Mr Ibrahim’s mother was kidnapped from her Igbotako home on Sunday evening by four unidentified gunmen. It was gathered that the gunmen arrived at the house, a one-storey building located in the outskirts of the town around 8pm, and pretended to be customers who wanted to buy some locally made mats which the woman was selling.

comments: We just bought that jet last year from China!!! Dont you see the "new" trains(locomotives) we just bought from Brazil as well? Brazil is currently modernizing their railways, the old 1914 locomotives the country is disposing were what Nigeria is importing and calling it their own modernization of rails, this is a sick country. 

A Nigeria Air Force fighter jet crashed yesterday at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport following an alleged equipment malfunction killing the pilot, the only passenger on board.

An eyewitness account at the airport said the fighter jet; took off from Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on a training mission. The Nigeria Air Force, later in a statement confirmed the crash. It added that the F7-Ni aircraft was on a routine training exercise from Makurdi and relocated to Kano on March 18 for a routine training exercise for two weeks. The statement added that Air Force headquarters has set up an accident investigation panel to investigate the crash while further details on the crash “will be made known as soon as the family of the deceased pilot is informed.” Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Mohammed Dikko Umar has already sent a delegation of senior Air Force officers to commiserate with the family.

Sources say the jet fighter caught fire while trying to land and crashed on the runway, where the pilot a Group Captain (name withheld) died instantly.

Immediately the crash occurred, authorities of the airport, drafted fire fighters to the scene as they battle to put off the flame which engulfed the fighter jet. The plane crashed occurred around mid day when the Aviation Minister, Fidelia Akuabata Njeze was about rounding off her official visit to the airport. Subsequently, the airport runway was immediately closed to traffic, making passengers to be stranded for hours.

Interim Measure

However, as an interim measure, the Nigeria Air Force Base runway in Kano is being used as an alternative for flights to land and take off.

Last week, bush burning around the airport claimed the life of a fire fighter attached to the Airport fire service while others were severely burnt.

At the time of filling this report, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) personnel and other agencies in the airport were on the scene trying to clear the debris for flight resumption.

Twenty-First Century

The Chengdu Jian-7 (Chinese: 歼-7; export versions F-7) is a People's Republic of China-built version[1] of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces.

A Nigerian Chengdu F-7 taking off In 2005 it was reported that Nigeria has approved $251 million USD to purchase 15 Chengdu F-7 fighters from China. The deal includes 12 F-7NI (NI = Nigeria) single seat fighters, and 3 FT-7NI dual-seat trainers.[2] The $251 ($252?) million package includes $220 million for 15 aircraft, plus $32 million for armaments, including 20 live PL-9C AAM, 10 training PL-9 rounds, unguided rockets, and 250/500 kg bombs. Nigerian pilots began their training in China in 2008, with delivery of the aircraft to begin in 2009. [2]Nigeria had previously considered a $160 million deal to refurbish its fleet of MiG-21's by Aerostar/Elbit Systems, IAI, and RSK MiG. However, with the new F-7 purchase, the government of Nigeria has decided to suspend the refurbishment option and grounded its fleet of MiG 21's.In September 2009 it was reported that U.S. Air Forces Africa and 118th Airlift Wing personnel had managed to make one of the Air Force's C-130s flyable again, and that it would be dispatched to Germany for further repairs.[3]On March 22, 2011, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas told The Associated Press that the Chinese-made F7 fighter crashed near Kano's airport. Anas said the pilot died in the crash and no other details were provided.

Mr Biola Adegoke, the owner of reputable fun spot Da Nu Grotto has denied rumour making the rounds that he has sold his Etim Inyang Crescent, Victoria Island Lagos located night club.

Adegoke made this assertion in a statement made  by his media person, Mr Kanbi Owolabi.

The story that warranted the response was that, Da Nu Grotto boss had sold the fun spot to Shina the son of late magician Professor Peller for 65 million naira.

Adegoke explained that Shina Peller only bought ‘a small percentage of the business’ as part of efforts to take it to greater heights.

He asserted that he remains solely in charge of the entire business- and all transactions with the entity officially known as Da Nu Grotto and ‘Luxe Club remains subject to his approval.

Stunning Miss Ireland Emma Waldron told yesterday in a forthright interview how she will never let 'ignorant' racists affect her love for Nigerian boyfriend Manners Oshafi.

Emma, 21, has been the victim of a vicious internet campaign because of her relationship with a black man and was forced to report an online poster targeting her with hateful and abusive racist comments.

She recently found herself at the centre of a row after one person branded her 'disgusting' for dating a black man. 

Love conquers all: Emma Waldron and Manners Oshafi have been dating for a year. The stunning Miss Ireland has been the victim of a vicious internet campaign because of her relationship

And the stunning brunette told the Irish Mail on Sunday in an exclusive interview how one person went so far as to set up an account to target the couple. 

'One Twitter account was set up specifically to send me hateful comments. 

'But I blocked them and reported them so I don't get the messages any more,' she said.

The couple - who have been dating for nearly a year - have even earned their own Brangelina-like portmanteau. 

Friends have dubbed them 'Memmers', a combination of Emma and Manners.

And such is the strength of their relationship that Emma and Manners have vowed not to allow themselves to be victimised.

'We are a very strong couple and we don't really care what people think. 

'We have not been affected at all by the remarks on Twitter as it just stems from people's ignorance,' said Manners.

Emma, who came fourth in the Miss World competition before Christmas, said that while she has encountered racism while out with Manners, 23, she refuses to let it get to her.

Crown: Emma was named Miss Ireland last year

'I have experienced negative comments on nights out and on social networking sites but it doesn't bother me. 

'I will never let someone's ignorance affect my love for Manners. He is the most amazing person I have ever met.

'What colour my skin is doesn't matter to him and what colour his skin is doesn't matter to me. 

'What matters in friendship and love is the heart and soul of the person you are in a relationship with and his heart is so big and I'm lucky to be in it,' she said.

The Kildare beauty said while everyone is entitled to their opinion, she feels that now that Ireland is a multi-cultural society, people should be educated.

'I think that Ireland is so rich in many cultures and often times preconceived notions influence how people treat others who are of different colour, creed or sexuality. 

'We need to help break down the barriers that sometimes build up in our homes, schools and society. The way to do this is by educating people.'

Emma said that her parents' openness and acceptance has had huge impact on her and her choices.

'My grandmother is Swedish and my dad is part-Italian, so as a family we have always been open,' she said.

'They love Manners and his family love me. There really is no issue of colour at all. He's just my boyfriend.'

Manners moved to Ireland eight years ago with his parents and four siblings. The family first settled in Athlone.

In a reflection of the changing nature of modern Ireland, he revealed that he was the first black boy in his school.

'It was strange coming to Ireland, cold,' he laughed. 

'But Ireland is a great country. Myself and my brother were the first black kids in the school in Athlone so we were seen as being different but good different.

'We made good friends and were never bullied.'

Manners has just completed a master's degree in telecommunications engineering at Dublin City University.

Now Emma's boyfriend is helping her develop her website as she has her sights set on a career in television. 

'I am going back to St Pat's [St Patrick's College] this year as I want to qualify as a teacher but I would also like to do some TV work,' she said.

The statuesque beauty is currently working with the makers of [reality TV show] Fade Street on an online fashion programme.

'I have been doing an online fashion magazine show called Stylemania and it's going really well. I would love to do some TV work and this is giving me great experience. It's going really well.'

Contender: Emma came fourth in the Miss World competition last year

Emma, who carries out voluntary work with St Vincent de Paul, said that she feels compelled to speak out against bullies and racists.

'I am very lucky in that I have a platform and I can use that. Yes, I have been the target of a bully but I am strong and have dealt with it. 

'It's International Day Against Racism tomorrow and I think we all have a role to play to promote equality and raise awareness. 

'I can draw from my experiences and even if I help one person to overcome bullying, well, then that's something,' she said.

Emma, who is first violin with the Hibernian Symphony Orchestra, said that people need to be educated on race and different cultures.

'I think it would be very naive of me to say that there is no racism in Ireland. Unfortunately there is. 

'If you socialise with people from different races and cultures you are less likely to show hatred towards them. But it still exists. I think people should make an effort to know people different from you.'

The good-looking couple have just bought a Labrador called Herbie and say that while they are very happy together they have no plans to set up home just yet.

'Emma is terrific,' said Manners. 'We are different in some ways but in other ways we are like soul mates.

'We think the same way and sometimes will finish each other's sentences. But Emma is going back to college so we have no plans to move in just yet.'

The computer whizz also revealed that he has no problems with Emma's work as a model.

'Why would I? She always looks great in pictures. She is gorgeous. I'm a lucky man,' he laughed.

Kidnappers Paid N50m, Release E.T.B Regional Manager, Julie Mowarin'the bank didn't contribute a kobo to the ransom' - insidersKidnapped Equitorial Trust Bank regional manager, Julie Mowarin is now a free person.She was released after the payment of a ransom of Fifty million naira- the amount was reached after negotiation based on an initial demand of two hundred million naira.Sources divulged that Julie regained her freedom after spending seven days in the den of the abductors.Further investigations revealed that her employer- the management of E.T Bank owned by business mogul, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr- did not contribute to the payment of the fifty million naira ransom.

photos: Adenuga & wife we are sure if it was her they would have paid double the sum

Sources divulged that Julie regained her freedom after spending seven days in the den of the abductors.

Further investigations revealed that her employer- the management of E.T Bank owned by business mogul, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr- did not contribute to the payment of the fifty million naira ransom.

 it was her family that rallied round to pay the ransom. Her employers were just dragging their feet when they were informed, until the money was paid and she was released’

Further investigation revealed immediately she was released, Julie scampered out of the country to the United States of America. She is still there at press time.

Andy Chukwu Ijekwe, E.T bank spokes person refused to respond to enquiries on the matter when contacted 

Julie was abducted in the early morning of Sunday February 20 2011 in Warri, Delta state.

Findings revealed that she was carted off at the entrance of her place of worship Christ Missionary Church Warri.

As a regional manager Julie oversees Benin, Warri and Asaba operational areas of the bank.