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Police say an "Ugly Betty" actor is now facingcharges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon after he held hismother hostage and then murdered her with a samurai sword whilescreaming Bible passages Tuesday in Brooklyn.

Neighbors identified the suspect as Haitian-American actor Michael L.Brea, who has had roles on the TV series "Ugly Betty" and movie "Step-Up3-D." He was also the face of a campaign for the energy drinkCoca-Cola: Full Throttle, according to Haiti Internet movie databasewebsite belfim

Neighbors on the first and third floors of 501 Park Place in ProspectHeights heard screams coming from the apartment on the second floor atabout 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"I hear the brother chasing her [his mother] through the house and he'sjust saying a bunch of like [Bible] passages like, 'Repent, Repent,Repent,'" said neighbor Gregory Clare. "I heard him chasing her throughthe house and I hear a loud scream and so I have my father call thecops, call 911."

When responding officers arrived, they encountered the mentallydisturbed 31-year-old Brea. He was very combative toward the firstresponders, who had to taser the man in order to subdue him.

Brea was transported to Kings County Hospital with a police guard assigned to him.

Officers described the crime scene as "extremely bloody" where thevictim was discovered and immediately pronounced dead. She wasidentified as 55-year-old Yannick Brea.

Sources close to the investigation told PIX 11 News that Brea used asamurai sword to attack his mother, whose body was found badly hacked,decapitated and stabbed multiple times in another room.

"'Somebody was getting murdered or something to me, that's what it [the screams] sounded like," one neighbor told PIX 11 News.

"I had just dozed off to go to sleep and then I woke up to somebodyscreaming," said Bernard Bent, another resident. "It sounded likelady's voice and after I while I just didn't hear the woman's voiceagain."

Neighbors described Brea and his mother as "quiet people." They alsosaid Brea did not give any outward indication of mental illness, and itis unknown what made the actor snap. He apparently had an affinity formartial arts.

Some neighbors complained cops didn't move fast enough to subdue Breawith a Taser. Police responded, saying that residents may not know thatstandard procedure with a barricaded suspect is to isolate and containthe suspect, then wait for the patrol supervisor and Emergency ServicesUnit to arrive.

Those Emergency Services officers have special training for dealing withbarricaded suspects. Police say Michael Brea has no prior arrest recordand there were no previous domestic incidents reported at the locationin Brooklyn where the deadly attack occurred...

Brea is a native New Yorker, and has a twin brother. He attended BaruchCollege and, in 2007, opened a Subway Restaurant, located at 1709Broadway in Brooklyn, according to BelFim.com.

For Thanskgiving 2008, the website says Brea gave away 300 turkey foot-long sandwiches for free.

"I remember growing up and my mother was always feeding people who wereless fortunate," Brea told BelFim.com in a July 2009 interview. "Myparents [Marcel and Yannick] raised me to always share and to givecharity in the name of God!"

Charges are pending against Brea as the investigation continues.
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Man to Hang for Kidnap murder

Aba (Abia) — A High Court in Aba, Abia, yesterday, sentenced a 30-year-old man to death by hanging for kidnapping and murdering his victim...

Loveday Ahuchaogu, the kidnapper from Umuawa in Isiala-Ngwa Local Government Area of the state and others still at large, were facing a four-count charge for kidnapping and murdering Mr. Francis Ajayi on July 28, 2008, at Umudike in Ikwuano, near Umuahia.

Ahuchaogu was charged with kidnapping, murder, conspiracy and robbery.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, in her judgment, ruled that the accused was found guilty of the offences as charged and gave Ahuchaogu seven years imprisonment with hard labour for conspiracy and 10 years with hard labour for kidnapping.

The accused also got 10 years with hard labour for robbery and was condemned to death by hanging for murder...

Mrs. Ngozi Obioma, Director of Legal Services in charge of the Public Prosecution Division of Abia State Ministry of Justice, Aba Out-station, who is the lead prosecuting counsel, told newsmen shortly after the court sitting that it was a fair judgment.

Obioma said that Ahuchaogu’s defence was flimsy and frivolous against the weight and gravity of evidence against him as adduced by the prosecution.

She said the evidence against the accused was overwhelming as he was caught red-handed in the banking hall on camera while trying to cash the third tranche of the ransom money.

She said Ahuchaogu, who admitted collecting two other tranches of the ransom money, was also implicated through the SIM card of the deceased that was tendered as exhibit.

“It is my belief that justice is seen to have been done today, everybody in Abia, particularly Aba and environs, will agree that the menace of kidnapping has been on the increase, creating fears on residents.

“It will also serve as a deterrent to others who may be nursing the idea of embarking on such dangerous escapade,” Obioma said.

Mr I.U. Nwokocha, Counsel to the accused, however, pleaded for leniency for his client.

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The Facebook Shoe Sneakers

Sometimes, a simple title is all you need, because you simply can’t make this stuff up.
Designed as a concept, the Adidas Facebook Superstars are a play off of the project that Adidas did in 2006 to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Emblazoned with the Facebook logo, the mission statement and of course sporting the customary Facebook blue color, they’d certainly be a shoe to send a message.

The problem, however, is that the message would automatically post to your wall with every step that you take....
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LINK - Garden City Festival Reveals Exciting Line-up of Events.

With just a month to go before the third annual Garden City Literary Festival gets underway, the organisers have revealed a line-up of events that promises to offer something exciting for all lovers of books and literature.

The highlight of the four-day event is a historic meeting of two Nobel Laureates – Professor Wole Soyinka and Mr J.M.G Le Clezio. Fans are being invited to send questions in advance for a special interactive conversation with these two great writers.

In keeping with the festival’s tradition of creating a forum for learning, improvement and debate, a special seminar will be held which focuses on the use of social media and how that impacts on Nigeria’s book industry. This topical seminar will be facilitated by Myne Whitman, a refreshing new writer who has used the popular medium of the internet to promote her own writing as well as the work of other Nigerian writers.


And that’s only a small part of what’s in store for visitors to the festival. The ever-popular writers’ workshops will make a welcome return with the celebrated Guardian columnist Reuben Abati taking a class on non-fiction writing, while acclaimed young authors Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani and Helon Habila present sessions on prose and novel writing. Poet and playwright Zainabu Jallo will be imparting her knowledge on drama and poetry.

Add to this a book fair, an exciting photo exhibition and special children’s events, plus a rounding off of the festival with an awards gala dinner, where 50 writers from the past 50 years will be honoured for their contribution to Nigerian literature and you have a literary festival that is definitely not to be missed.

The Garden City Literary Festival is a collaboration of the Rivers State Government and the Rainbow Book Club. It will take place from the 8th till the 11th of December at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt. To find out more or suggest questions for the Nobel Laureates, visit www.gardencityfestival.com.
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Mercy Johnson: I Want To Insure My Hips

Mercy JohnsonStar actress, Mercy Johnson Ozioma a.k.a. Mercy Johnson, speaks about her life, the movie industry and other issues...

Q: You have played different roles in the Nigerian movie industry to the extent that your fans don’t know the kind of person you are. How will you describe yourself?

A: I am like the girl next door. Most people know me as Mercy Johnson but did not bother to find out about the Ozioma aspect of me. Mercy Johnson Ozioma are my real names and Ozioma in my dialect (Kogi State) means a girl with good luck. The fourth child in a family of seven, I was born about 26 years ago to an ex-military officer. I left my mother at the age of two to live with my father who was constantly being transferred from one station to another as a military man. I am proud of my dad because he taught me all I needed to know about crossing the bridge from being a child to an adult.

Q: Was acting part of your childhood ambition?

A: After my secondary school education, I failed the UME exams and came back to Lagos to get a degree and while that was on, I watched Genevieve Nnaji in a movie titled Sharon Stone. I later approached a friend for assistance to feature in a movie. He stared at my bosoms and hips and told me that I would make a good actress. He later took me to the National Theatre, but a role did not come until a year later, when I had my first lead role in a film titled The Maid.

Q: So, what was the experience like?

A: The Maid was my starting point and it was quite challenging to play the lead role because it was my first movie. I was fidgeting when I saw the likes of Eucharia Anunobi who I regarded as screen goddess during my secondary school days. I never thought I would make it with people like that. So when I saw her, I was so excited and considered standing beside her as sacred. She actually realised that and later helped me by giving me the needed courage.

Q: How would you assess your exploits in the movie industry?

A: I have grown with time. There have been the good and bad times; there have been rumours and scandals. Sometimes when I cry in movies, it wasn’t the script that made me cry, but when I go back to my humble beginning and the height I’ve attained now, I give thanks to God. When I remember how we moved into an uncompleted building and had to take cover whenever it rained because of the condition of the house; how my brother did a menial job as a bricklayer to earn a living and those days when we rolled over a stick to cover the windows up till the point when I started acting and raised money to cover the roof; when I recall those days we were living with lizards because the floor and the walls of the house were not plastered, or when I had scars as a result of my several falls, I give glory to God.

Q: Was there anything you did as a child that you wouldn’t want to do now?

A: When I was in secondary school, I would wash my mates’ clothes and polish their shoes to get paid so that I could also pay my brother’s school fees and whenever names of people owing school fees were mentioned, I was always on top of the list. I faced a lot of embarrassment in school. My teachers flogged me; my uniform was always torn and tattered and when someone stole, they pointed at me because of my poor condition. It was a miserable life, but today, I thank God I lived a wretched life throughout my school days. I faced so much humiliation and that made me shy. Amidst all these, my greatest inspiration came from my dad and that kept me going. I witnessed lots of sad moments. I failed my first JAMB examination but passed on the second attempt. If I could have my way, I want to be a child again and live big.

Q: Was there any distraction between your childhood and spinsterhood?

A: Maybe those days when I had troubled mind. For instance, there was a time I stopped schooling to hawk pure water, plantain and other things. Do you know I was once a housemaid and also did some menial jobs for a particular artiste to make ends meet? I washed her clothes and did some other things in her home town to survive.

Q: Didn’t you have a boyfriend then?

A: Never. Who would want to befriend a girl with torn dresses, bad stockings and nothing to offer? The barracks life didn’t give an opportunity to such. But today, men flock around me.

Q: To an extent, people see you as a controversial actress. What can you tell us about this?

A: A lot of untrue things have been said about me. For instance, they said I stole money, while some said I snatched people’s husbands. I have come to realise that it doesn’t cost people anything to cook up lies about me and those were not coming until a telecommunication company called me for a deal. The next day, scandalous stories started flying and honestly, I lost the N50 million deal because of that.

Q: Has there been any time you took a script in exchange for sex?

A: It is a matter of choice. If you are approached with such and you feel your body is cheap and worth the script, then go ahead, but it is also an individual thing. If any lady tells you in Nollywood that it hasn’t happened to her, it is a cheap lie. Most people are scared of telling the truth, but the truth makes upcoming ones to watch their steps without making mistakes. Yes, such had come my way, but if you sleep around for roles, will you also sleep around to make fans love your work? It only takes God’s intervention for one to be successful in the industry.

Q: What part of your body do you treasure most?

A: My hips. I would like to insure them if there is need for it.


Q: How do you maintain your shape?

A: I think taking exercises plays a great role. I have a tracksuit I bought from Germany which I wear to jog with each time I join my brothers for exercise..

Q: Do you sometimes get carried away while playing romantic roles?

A: Whenever there is need for romantic roles, I close my eyes and say this could have been avoided. I don’t really feel anything. We only teach with our roles.

Q: Any advice for upcoming actresses?

A: Don’t come into the industry because you want to be famous, but because you love the art of acting. Then try to appreciate those who are there before you.
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The “Teflon Don”, American rapper – Rick Ross is an exciting new addition to the MTV Africa Music Awards bill. The rapper along with Kenya’s P-Unit, South Africa’s Jozi and Nigeria’s Wande Coal will join previously announced performers DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast), 2Face (Nigeria), Daddy Owen (Kenya), Banky W (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa(DRC), Teargas (South Africa) and Cabo Snoop(Angola) on stage at the event.

This is Rick Ross’ first ever visit to Africa and we hear the rapper is very excited about the opportunity to perform here. Rick Ross is not just a performer but also a nominee as well. He is nominated in the Best International Category. Following the trend set by international nominees who performed at the MAMAs in prior years, it is safe to assume that Rick will be walking away with the award.

Rick Ross has been described by the New York Times as “one of rap’s most potent and creative forces”. The tattoo-loving, six-foot, larger-than-life rap figure first came to attention with “Hustlin”, his 2006 debut single. Influenced by artists like Luther Campbell and Notorious B.I.G, Ross, a.k.a. William Roberts, aimed to put Miami back in rap’s national spotlight and went on to do just that with his 2006 album “Port of Miami”, which went to number one on the Billboard album chart. Similar acclaim followed for “Trilla” (2007) and “Deeper Than Rap” (2009), while his 2010 album release “Teflon Don”, which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, has garnered critical acclaim for its emotional depth, cinematic production, sleek, synth-heavy beats, and rich soundscapes. Ross is nominated in the Best International category at the MAMA awards.



Making their first appearance at the MAMAs, Best Group contenders P-Unit are going head to head against Uganda’s Radio & Weasle, South Africa’s Teargas and multiple MAMA winners and Nigerian music phenomenon, P-Square. As well as performing at the 2010 show, former MAMA winners Jozi are also nominated in the Artist of the Year category, where they are pitched against 2FACE, P-Square and Fally Ipupa. Wande Coal faces a tough race in the Best Anglophone category, where Ghana’s Sarkodie, Kenya’s Daddy Owen and South Africa’s Biz Nuz are also in the running...

The MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel takes place at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos on Saturday 11 December 2010 and will broadcast on MTV base (DStv Channel 322), MTV platforms around the world and partner TV stations from 18 December 2010.

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 is sponsored by Airtel in association with MasterCard. Arik Air is the official airline partner of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel...


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Mercy Johnson To Insure Hips http://bit.ly/hJYHjtNew track by Project Fame http://bit.ly/hN9B4sIbori’s wife gets five-years http://bit.ly/hE5WzUbuy UK prepaid Cards http://bit.ly/prepaidcards

MTN Project Fame West Africa III is over ..but the music plays on…
The top 6 finalists from the season have just released the lead single from the Project Fame West Africa Season 3 compilation album.
The song is titled ‘Winner‘ and was produced by Cobhams Asuquo.
The singers on the track are PFWA3 winner Chidinma, 1st runner up Kesse from Ghana, Eyo, Yetunde, Tolu and Ochuko.
The compilation album will be released in December 2010 and will contain solo songs from the final 6 contestants.

Project Fame West Africa III winner Chidinma is being managed by the Goretti Company. She is currently in the studio recording her debut album and working with notable producers includingCobhams Asuquo, Tee Y Mix, J Martins and eLDee. Her album is scheduled to drop in the first quarter of 2011.

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Ibori’s wife gets five-year jail term

iboriwife.jpgThe wife of the former Governor of Delta State, Theresa Ibori, has been sentenced to jail for five years by a London jury after she was found guilty on a two count-charge of money laundering.

Found guilty with Mr Ibori’s attorney, Bhadresh Gohil, who was on trial with Theresa. Mr Gohil was found guilty on a similar charge and was remanded in police custody.

He will be sentenced after the conclusion of another trial involving the laundering of proceeds of V-Mobile shares by James Ibori, Henry Imashekka, David Edevbie and former Akwa Ibom governor, Victor Attah. The trial will commence next Monday.

The recent anti-corruption campaign on the Ibori’s has also seen the conviction of the former governor’s sister Christine Ibori-Ibie; and mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo-Onuigbo in a previous trial for helping him move an estimated £70 million worth of looted funds through several London banks. The two women are currently serving five-year jail terms each in a London prison.

Mr Ibori is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates where the Dubai court of First Instance ruled in October that he should be extradited to the United Kingdom to face charges on corruption, official theft and money laundering saying he has “a case to answer in the UK.” But he is appealing the judgement at the Emirate’s Supreme Court where he is reported to have sought political asylum.

Mr Ibori was arrested in the Emirate by the International Police (INTERPOL) in May after he was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly mismanaging N528 million shares of Delta State in Oceanic Bank a month before his arrest in the UAE after evading arrest in Nigeria. A warrant of arrest was also issued on him by the UK Metropolitan Police for money laundering......

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atiku.jpgNow all speculations has been laid to rest, as the Adamu Ciroma led committee,said it has chosen former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, as its candidate for the PDP presidential ticket.A press statement signed by Adamu Ciroma and Abdulkadir Sabo Bello, reads:

“We are pleased to announce that we have concluded our assignment of arriving at a consensus candidate today and one out of the four aspirants who submitted themselves to the process has emerged”.

“He is ATIKU ABUBAKAR”. “ We are glad and proud that we have finally arrived at this outcome after
several weeks of hard work and wide consultations. We are proud because of the unusual honour and extraordinary privilege given us by the four gentlemen who placed their political destinies in our hands”.

“We are humbled by the strength of their faith. We appreciate their humility and cooperation. We have been reassured by all of them that they will work together to enable ATIKU ABUBAKAR clinch their party’s ticket in the presidential primaries”.

“ We thank all Nigerians, supporters and critics alike for their views over these past several weeks. While we note these views and respect each one of them, we insist that no individual, organization or society dreaming of success and greatness can achieve these dreams without respect for others and honouring agreements voluntarily entered into”.

“This is especially so where these agreements have been transformed into a binding document, a constitution, which governs the conduct of those who subscribe to it”.

“ We call on all Nigerians to reflect on this. We also call on all delegates to the forthcoming party conventions to take these into account while casting votes”.

“God bless the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

“Thank you”.

However, the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the Northern Consensus Presidential Aspirant for the People Democratic Party, PDP, primaries has thrown President Goodluck Jonathan camp into jubilation.

The excitement in Aso Rock came as a peace meeting being convened by President Jonathan between himself and the Northern aspirants including Atiku Abubakar, former vice president; Ibrahim Babangida, former military president; Aliyu Gusau, former national security adviser (NSA) to President Jonathan; and Bukola Saraki, governor of Kwara state was called-off.

The peace talks which was earlier billed for 3:00 pm yesterday at the Defence House, Maitama Abuja had to be postponed at the instance of President due to the emergence of Atiku earlier in the day. ...

The President, it was learnt, had to postponed the meeting there was no need to meet with all the aspirants since Atiku has been selected as a consensus aspirants.

To this end, President Jonathan has shown interest to meet with Atiku at a later date, which is expected to discuss and agree to a peaceful electoral campaigns.

The camp declared that the emergence of Atiku is a good omen for the presidential ambition of President jonathan, as the development does not in anyway constitute a threat to whatsoever to the Jonathan's aspiration.

A highly placed presidency source said that "the President Jonathan,s camp was confident that whatever becomes the outcome of the selection process by the few northerners who were insisting on zoning, the will of the majority of Nigerians would certainly prevail against the thinking of the very few that were opposed to our principal".

According to the source, the Jonathan's men across the country were in a festive mood, immediately the news of Atiku's emergence came, they began to exchange banters and congratulatory messages through phones.

While reacting to the Atiku victory at the selection process, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ima Niboro, boasted that "the coast is now clearer for Jonathan's presidency in the 2011 presidential election".

"We are totally excited by Atiku's selection because this decision has made the coast even clearer for President", he said.

The source who elected anonymity' said;that the Babangida camp is already accusing Ciroma, chairman of the selection committee of vendetta.

The Babangida camp accused the Ciroma committee of choosing Atiku over Babangida because the former military president denied him the National Republican Convention (NRC) presidential ticket over two decades ago.

The source said, “the IBB camp is accusing Ciroma of Vendetta. They are already making moves to seek alternative platform for IBB to run”.

Speaking further on the matter, the source said the IBB camp are even more aggrieved because “when IBB was chased out in 1993, after the annulment of the June 12, election, he managed to win the political leadership of a conservative section of the north and now, they have rejected him”.

“IBB as you know is likely to go to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to pursue his ambition but the Jonathan group is making overture to him and the others to bridge the political gap in the Peoples

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Who is on your side?




Once you get into this sort of work, looking at your life and deciding what you want to be doing differently, it can sometimes feel like a lonely journey.

That sense of quiet sadness, overwhelming responsibility - I've felt that at times.

It's one of my biggest lessons, and one that I'm still (slowly, slowly) learning, is that the way to a life of fun, inspiration and action lies in inviting in other to your inner circle. It involves letting go of the affliction
many of us bear, the Superman Syndrome, where we feel we have to do it all
ourselves.

Who's in your army/ Who's on your side? Who's got your back?

So what can you do about it?

There are two steps to this.

#1 Identify

There are three types of people you might consider inviting in to play with you.

1. People who love you. There are some people who'll stand by you no matter what. People who are happy to pick up the YOU banner and wave it with all their might.

2. People with skills to help you. In this ultra-connected world, there are extraordinary people with skills and talents and insights who can help you. Six degrees of separation? These days
it's closer to two or three degrees, You have a global reach now.

3. People with power. People who have resources, connections and influence. People who can help get stuff done.

#2 Invite.

Knowing these people is nothing if you don't connect with them, invite them in to play.

It will be no surprise to hear that no one particularly loves a stranger showing up and demanding something.

So try this. Contact people. spend time with them. Ask them, "How can I help you?" Build a relationship, not a transaction. And see what grows.

So, who's on your side?

peeps here's to your life of fun, inspiration & action.


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Man Sacks Wife For Refusing Him Breast Milk

Man Sacks Wife For Refusing Him Breast Milk

Sunday, 14 November 2010 03:35 Kola Niyi-Eke , Asaba



A middle-aged man, Awaraju (surname removed), has sacked his wife for refusing him breast milk. The couple, until the incident, resided in a storey building on Okpanam Road , Asaba, Delta State .

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that the couple were married for several years before their first baby arrived. But unlike most African homes where new babies are celebrated with joy, their baby’s arrival was marked with invidiousness and malice, as son and father locked horns over the esteemed breast milk of its mother. While expressing shock at the dissolution of the union, neighbours expressed disapproval at the man’s insistence on sucking with his son, even though those in the know told him it was bad.

Sources told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that, upon her refusal because she could no longer cope with breastfeeding father and son, Awaraju began to threaten his wife, asking her to submit within a day or risk divorce.

The couple failed to reconcile their differences. A few days later, the man ignored the interventions of friends and neighbours and sent his wife packing. The nursing mother (his wife), a staff of the state-owned polytechnic, and her husband have since separated, a situation family members described as madness and an abomination.

However, for the angry husband, it is either his wife gives him access to the breast with his newborn baby or stays out of his life.

A relation of the woman, Esther Ovieme, told our correspondent that frantic efforts were still being made to reconcile the couple who had lived peacefully before the baby arrived.



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As the final countdown to the announcement of a consensus candidate by the North begins, the four Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential aspirants (former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former National Security Adviser, NSA, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau and Kwara State governor, Abubakar Bukola Saraki) on the bill of the Northern Political Leaders Forum, NPLF, are already holding talks on their individual and collective post announcement activities...

More confounding, Sunday Vanguard has been informed, is the exploration of the possibility of producing a consensus running mate for whoever emerges as the consensus candidate....

The consensus candidate was also said to be ready but the committee was withholding the announcement for reasons best known to the Forum.

Also, the Directors-General of the campaign organizations of the four aspirants are also engaged in their own levels of exploratory talks.

In addition, the campaign structure to be mobilized by whoever emerges as the consensus candidate, it was learnt, is likely to enjoy some form of contribution from the three other aspirants.

These are part of the talks presently going on between the candidates on the one hand and the candidates and the Mallam Adamu Ciroma Consensus Committee on the other hand.

A source close to the Consensus Committee revealed, at the weekend that “the candidate is ready but the committee knows why it has not announced the choice.”

“The source went on: One of the things happening now is that the presidential aspirants are in constant touch with one another, contrary to the story of bad blood being peddled in some quarters.

“It would also interest you to know that some of the details being worked out now is the exploration of an imminent possibility of collapsing the campaign structures of all the aspirants in a manner that they would all work for the consensus candidate once he is announced.

“I can tell you that even the Directors-General of the campaign organizations are also in talks.

“And in order not to make it a winner takes all situation, talks are also on for the possibility of adopting a consensus running mate for whoever emerges as the candidate.

“It is those who think the committee can not come up with an acceptable consensus candidate that are flying that kite.

“As far as the committee members are concerned, they are moving on since the candidate of choice is ready.

“Mind you, the committee members are also carrying along some political leaders in the three geo_political zones of the south so the members know what they are doing.”

Count us out — CAN

In the meantime, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has re_affirmed its determination to join forces with other groups and Nigerians in general from across the country for the emergence of a president in 2011, who will be acceptable to everyone.

A press statement, yesterday, by the Secretary of the Kaduna branch of CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said, “CAN has never and will not in any case be partisan in issues related to politics but will continue to maintain its neutrality being apolitical, but a religious organization conscious of national development, cohesion, integration and peaceful coexistence of our dear country.”

The statement explained that CAN decided to make the clarification following a report linking it with a certain committee working for the election of a northerner as President in 2011.

The statement said, “our attention has been drawn to a certain interview by a Christian clergy, Pastor Aminci, purportedly on behalf of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“The said interview emanated from a meeting with prominent northern Nigerian politicians in respect of the direction of Nigeria’s presidency in the 2011 elections.

“The interviewee was said to have stated that Christian community in the northern region has resolved to stand on the side of pro_zoning, by ensuring that Christians in the region vote on the side of a northern aspirant whether in the PDP’s presidential primaries and the general election as well.

“It is on this premise that CAN has found it imperative and of urgent need to put the record straight.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria, has no business with such partisanship politics, and has not in any way taken such a stand.

“Rather it is its persistent stand that Nigeria as a country has suffered a monumental underdevelopment, owing to nothing but corrupt and bad leadership and as such Nigerians must, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, political inclinations, rise and vote into power men and women of virtue, moral and upright tendencies which CAN feel is the solution to the mess the country is in.
“We wish to reiterate that Nigerians irrespective of their faith, ethnicity have suffered due to corrupt and bad leadership which has no religious backing of any kind.

“Conscious of that and the need to build a new Nigeria, CAN wishes to add that it has in collaboration with other religious organizations been in the forefront of ensuring that Nigerians be left alone to choose those they want to entrust in positions of trust.

“Again, another concern for CAN is that the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, National Assembly, Federal Government, political parties, civil society groups and other critical stakeholders act accordingly for the conduct of a successful electoral process.

“CAN is working together with other religious bodies in the country to ensure that a leader who will be loved by all Nigerians, irrespective of regional affiliation, emerges in 2011.”

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Nige.ri.a.n Idol Day One Lagos

It’s 7.00am and the venue for the Lagos auditions is already filled with contestants. The crowd is unbelievable! The numbers outweighs what was witnessed in earlier auditions. It seems more like people who couldn’t make it to the other regional auditions reserved their energy for Lagos.

Today Friday 29th October through Sunday 31st will be quite tasking for the judges. Aside the huge crowd of contestants, Lagos is the fun capital of Nigeria, and as such, special talents will be on display at the auditions. Almost every contestant on the long queue is sure he/she has something unique the judges are looking for. This might be a daunting challenge for the judges.

And of course, on hand entertainment is aptly provided by Etisalat the proud sponsors. Maybe prospective contestants might listen and memorize songs from the blaring speakers from the Etisalat stand. It’s all part of the fun. Best of luck to the contestants, Nigeria and the world is set to witness the unraveling of the newest singing sensation. Nigerian Idol rocks!


Previously:

Starting from Sunday 21 November, Idols, the highly publicised and anticipated music show, which has turned many into stars and captivated the entire world, will begin airing for the first time on Nigerian television as first season of Nigerian Idol debuts.

•Idol Judges.

For five consecutive months, television audience across Nigeria will have the pleasure of watching the biggest music talent competition and the opportunity to root and vote for their favourite Idol wannabe.

The Nigerian Idol auditions just wrapped up after a month of searching for talents in Enugu, Calabar, Abuja and Lagos, with Lagos audition producing an astonishing number of 5,000 young talents all hoping to become the next international music superstar from Nigeria.

Broadcaster Yemisi Fajimolu, fondly called Misi, by her radio fans, will be the host of the talent hunt show. She will be joined by Anis Holloway, a former reality show contestant.

For the first time ever, Audu Maikori, Chocolate City boss, American superstar Jeffrey Daniel and singer Yinka Davies, have taken up positions as judges of Nigerian Idol and they will play their role in commenting on the performances of this year’s contestants while helping the wannabes be the best they can.

Originally referred to as Pop Idol, Idols debuted on British TV in October 2001. Nigerian Idol is sponsored by Etisalat, Pepsi and Royal Exchange Assurance. The winner will go home with a cash prize of N7.5 million, a BlackBerry phone, Ipad, Ipod and an easy net data card along with a recording contract with Sony BMG


The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a BlackBerry phone, Ipad, easy net data card and an Ipod, courtesy of Etisalat, while the second runner up receives N1 million, a BlackBerry phone, Ipad, Ipod and easy net data card, also courtesy of Etisalat...

African Michael Jackson From Naija !
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Akpabio's Secret Cult "Cabinet "

Isantim Kenneth Okon

Some names of alleged cultists masquerading as politicians in Akwa Ibom State who have been linked in politically motivated murders and kidnappings that has kept the state under siege within Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration can now be revealed by THEWILL.

It is no longer news that residents of Akwa Ibom State have been under siege with kidnappings for ransom and politically motivated murders at its very peak, but what we have gathered lately from multiple sources in Akwa Ibom State government circles and conversations with some senior police officers in the state has revealed that solving the crimes is akin to bursting the brutal cabal in Governor Godswill Akpabio’s regime.

Governor Akpabio, a University of Calabar, Faculty of Law graduate, who knowledgeable sources have linked to being a non active member of the Buccaneer confraternity, is accused of allowing secret cultists openly serve in his administration thereby opening up a supremacy rivalry amongst cult members/groups over the control of the state’s political machinery.

The complicity of some senior ranking officers of the Nigerian Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command in some of the crimes, notably in the murder of the Ekpenyong brothers; Mathias Okon Ekpenyong (Mbota), and his eldest brother, Engineer Emmanuel Okon Ekpenyong alias Submarine, is however very disturbing.

In THEWILL’s extensive month-long investigation and planned serialized publication of all we have learned so far, we reveal the identities of some of the alleged cultists in Apkabio’s administration.

They are as follows;

Bassey_Albert_Akpan__Commissioner_for_finance_184066872.jpg Goodswill_Akpabio_894952938.jpg Don_Etim__commi_for_works_and_transport_586834809.jpg
Bassey Albert Akpan, Commissioner for Finance Goodswill Akpabio, Non Active Buccaneer. Don Etim, comm. for Works and Transport.
Professor_etok_ekanem__comm_for_Agric_115494152.jpg Ignatius_Edet__formr_speaker_AKHA_113737626.jpg
Professor Etok Ekanem, Commissioner for Agriculture Hon. Ignatius Edet, former Speaker

BUCCANEER

Chairman Etinan LGA

Nse Essien

KKK

Board Member

Michael James

KKK

Chairman Itu LGA

Nse Ntuen

KKK

Chairman Essien Udim

Emmanuel Ukoette

KKK

SA & Chair AKS Taxi Scheme

Enobong Uwah

VIKINGS

Gov’s SA Protocol

Prince Akpabio

KKK

Gov’s PA Gen Duties

Emmanuel Ekpenyong (Iraq)

VIKINGS

Gov’s PA Youth Matters/chair

Eseh Umoh

KKK

Youth

Onofiok Luke

KKK

Youth Council Chairman

Umoh Ekpo

BUCCANEER

Gov’s PA

Emman Mbong

BUCCANEER

Nkanang Nkanang

VIKINGS

Youth Leader

Monday Eyo

KKK

Charlse N

VIKINGS

Vice Chairman Uyo LGA

Joe Emah

VIKINGS

Board Member

Ibiok Esuh

VIKINGS

Imeh King

KKK

Nse Brownson

BLACK AXE

Rowland Inwang

BLACK AXE

AKPF Youth Chairman

Mfon Micah

BLACK AXE

AKPF Youth Wing Leader

Inem Inyangette

KKK

AKPF Youth Secretary

Eteyen Archibong

BUCANEER

Board Member

Attah Albert

BUCANEER

Ekerete Ekpenyong

KKK

James Asuquo

BUCANEER

Gov’s SA Political

Duncan Uweh

KKK

Tony Eboh

PIRATES

Tony Akan

PIRATES

Coordinator CAG

Abraham Lincoln

KKK

Chairman CAG

Ifiok Udo (Bengon)

KKK

Anietie Ufot

KKK

Board Member

Etetim Anwatim

KKK

Former Gov’s PA

Akan Ibok

KKK

Gov’s SA Project Monitoring

Victor Umondak

KKK

Board Member

Usoro Ukpanah
===========================
THE NAMES ABOVE REPORTEDLY TOLD OLD POLITICIANS IN THE STATE TO RETIRE FROM POLITICS.
==========================

OTHER CULTISTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION INCLUDE;

PIRATES
========

=========

Board Member
==========================

============================

Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan

VIKINGS

Commissioner for Finance.

Professor Etok Ekanem

KKK...

Commissioner for Agriculture. (He was thrice rejected on account of this from becoming commissioner under Attah after SSS screening).

Mr. Don Etim

KKK

Commissioner for Works.

Ignatius Edet
Prince Ikim

KKK
KKK

Former Speaker AKHA.
Gov’s Unofficial Security Goon/Hit Man

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From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa
Saturday, November 20, 2010

Today, as President Goodluck Jonathan marks his 53rd birthday, his kinsmen, from the serene Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area wish him good luck. Moving through the community and talking to people, it is obvious that there is joy in their hearts, with the radiance in their eyes, as they pray profusely for a man they described as a gift to Nigeria.

From his family, to distant relations, to his friend, one thing binds all of them together: Jonathan remains the humble man, who God has decided to bless because of his disposition to life.
Dayani Green, his cousin, who stayed with him while he was deputy governor, described Jonathan as a simple man and wishes him good luck on his birthday.

“The president is a very simple person. He has feeling for fellow human beings. He does not like to indulge in anything that would make people suffer. Rather, he would do things that would satisfy the people. I wish him good luck.
“Already, his name is Goodluck, but I wish him more good luck. Right from his growing up days, in a Christian home, we have never heard that Jonathan fought anybody. He has always loved people. This is why God has continued to bless him. If you offend him, he would leave everything to God. He is not vindictive. He believes his destiny is not in the hands of man.

“His elevation to president was God’s doing. For some of us, who stayed with him then, we remember that he always told us not to let anger rule over us. He is instrumental in my going to the University of Port Harcourt. He is responsible for anything that pertains to my school. He does not discriminate. I wish him good luck on his birthday because he deserves it.”

Frank Odum Paul, Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman of Otuoke community, said right from when they were small, nobody heard that Jonathan was involved in any negative thing.
He said: “President Jonathan is my uncle. He is a humble man and I knew this right from my childhood. We have not heard that he fought with somebody or did any negative thing. This is why most of us want to emulate him and imbibe some of his characters. The entire community wish him happy birthday.
“As for the 2011 elections, he is the right person to take away the sorrows of Nigerians. I believe that he is capable of handling the affairs of this country and stabilise the economy.”

Elijah Ateki, a distant relation said that Jonathan is the ideal gift to Nigeria at a time when the country needs a leader to transform it.
“I am from Otuoke community. President Jonathan is a humble man. Before becoming president, he was one of the frontrunners of this community. He has always fought for the progress of this community. He is a peaceful man, who wants other people to progress. He has encouraged a lot of people financially and morally to go to school. He is a good man. I wish him happy birthday and best of luck, to achieve his ambition as the president of this great country. Though I am from his community and people might say I am praising him because of this, the truth is that Jonathan is a gift to Nigeria. This is a man who can fight for Nigeria. He is the only person for now who would do well for the country.”

Pa Peter Okori, who is in his 70s, said he knew Jonathan as a man who cares for the needy and prayed that nothing stops him from achieving his ambition in 2011.
The old man said: “I have known Jonathan right from when he was a young man. He is a good man and a leader. He is kind to the needy. I wish him good luck on his birthday. It is definite that he would be our president beyond 2011; nothing would stop him, by the grace of God.”

Mr. Benson Sunday Agadaga, a former commissioner for information in Bayelsa State, attended the same primary and secondary school with President Jonathan. Also, he and the president worked together briefly before going to the university. He described Jonathan as a man, who listens to people.
Agadaga wished Jonathan more good luck, as, according to him, he needs every good thing to transform Nigeria and make the people happy...

He said: “President Jonathan is my kinsman. His community is two communities away from my own, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. All of us attended St Michael’s Primary School, Oloibiri. He was a class ahead of me. We also met in Mater Dei School, Imiringi; we passed out the same time. We got enlisted together at the Customs and Excise in Port Harcourt and after two years, he left for the University of Port Harcourt and I also left for the tertiary institution. That was how far we went.

“Jonathan is extra-careful in doing things. He is blessed and a man of destiny. He is a leader with integrity, who listens to the views of the people. Jonathan is a meek human being who listens to people. Initially, when he was made a prefect in school, he was reluctant because he wanted to be focused on his studies. He does not like distractions. He was eventually prevailed upon and he took the position and throughout, the House became the best. He is someone who can be described as a silent achiever. I wish him the good luck, which has been following him, so that he can use it to transform Nigeria.”
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jpeg&STREAMOID=KvJJAxB5bujnm1Ee9xg_Vi6SYeqqxXXqBcOgKOfTXxRD0dFEPnvCj2lMXk4MXCH0nW_PgxgftuECOcfJwS6Jtlp$r8Fy$6AAZ9zyPuHJ25T7a9GKDSxsGxtpmxP0VAUyHL6IDcZHtmM2t7xO$FHdJG95dFi6y2Uma3vSsvPpVyo-Lagos State medical doctors, on Sunday






suspended, their 14-week-old strike and gave the state government a 72-hour ultimatum to pay their withheld salaries.


Photo: The Chairman Lagos State Medical Guild, Dr. Ayobode Williams (middle), Secretary General Association of Resident Doctors (LASUTH Chapter), Dr. Saheed Babajide (left), and the Secretary General, Medical Guild, Dr. Salau Tajudeen at the briefing after the suspension of strike by doctors in Lagos State hospitals

The decision was taken at an emergency congress of the Medical Guild, an umbrella association for medical doctors on the payroll of the Lagos State government, presided by the chairman, Aboyade Williams. Mr Williams, while briefing journalists about the congress's decision, said that the association may have to call another congress on Friday, November 26, or in February 2011, depending on whether the government reciprocates their "goodwill." "If within 72 hours, the withheld salaries are not paid, the congress may have to reconvene on Friday," he said.

Mutually agreeable wage review

Mr Williams told journalists that there is a "very good understanding" between the state government and the medical association, and the strike was suspended on the basis of that understanding, hoping that by January 2011, the government will make good its promise to implement a new salary package. He read out a letter, addressed to the association on November 19, by the state's Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe, which contained several promises for all the demands of the association....

The letter stated, in part, that: "With effect from January 2011, a mutually agreeable wage review, which will not put Lagos doctors on a disadvantage compared to their colleagues in other states, will be implemented." Other promises included the "positive review" of the case of Ibrahim Olaifa, the association's past chairman, who was sacked for addressing journalists as against government's order, which forbid any civil servant from speaking to journalists; a "positive review" of withheld September and October salaries and other arrears; the remittance of the association's dues; and the promise that "no officer will be victimised on account of participation or role played during the strike." Whatever the "mutually agreeable wage review" means in terms of figure, though not disclosed, was acceptable to the doctors. It will not be known until January's salary is paid whether the review will be acceptable to the doctors; hence the promise by Mr Williams that the congress may be convened sometime in February to review government's implementation of its promises.

Banking on government's goodwill

The strike succeeded in dragging the government to the negotiation table, though it still did not produce the legal commitment the doctors demanded. The government had earlier promised to implement the new pay package in January 2011, thorough a letter written by Mr Ogunlewe to the association, but the doctors demanded for a circular, choosing not to "trust" the promise on the basis of several previous failed promises. According to one of the doctors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the doctors shifted stance because the strike has already gone farther than they expected. "You know when you struggle against an entity with limitless resources, you must have limitless resources also and we don't have that limitless resource," he said.

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Ghana is NO Paradise

Ghana is not a shining light in anything. Many of u people in Nigeria exaggerate everything about Ghana. Firstly, we do not have reliable electricity. Most Ghanaians do not own generators simply because we cannot afford it. I live in Accra and there is serious power outrage in most parts of Accra since 2 days now (DOME-KWABENYA-LAPAZ & SCHIMOTA). We enjoy more hours of electricity but our electricity is NOT RELIABLE. Ghana is not safe as most Nigerians claim. Most wwhite people shun Ghana and much of Africa because of safety. Are you aware that Ghana has over 7,000 refugees in Togo alone? There is serious crisis in Northern part of this country. In my opinion safe countries do not have refugees in other countries... Most cities in Nigeria has better road network than Ghana. Accra does not have good road network like Lagos and Abuja. Ghana does not have good educational system. Most rich Ghanaians send their children to Asia, Europe and America to study. Our educational standard has fallen dramatically. If Ghana has good schools as most of you claim why are we not producing world class scientists? Anytime i check the list of Africas greatest scientists i see a lot of Nigerians but i never see a single Ghanaian? Why are we not producing world class actors/actresses like Nigeria? I have heard some Nigerians manufacturing cars and computers, why is there no Ghanaian that can even manufacture wheel barrow? How come over 75% of books used in all Ghanaian schools are written by Nigerian authors? If we have good schools we should be producing great authors like Chinua Achebe????? Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world, producing over 20% of the world’s cocoa beans. The western African country is also the second largest producer of gold (its former name was Gold Coast) and has huge deposits of industrial diamonds and bauxite (aluminum). Ghana, after 53 years of independence, still has about 4,000 basic schools organized under trees, 5,000 in dilapidated structures, and 7,500 without sanitary facilities. If you dont know, over 60% of Ghanains shit out doors because of lack of toilet (POVERTY), 55% of Ghanaians are illiterates. In my opinion, no country in West Africa is worthy to be praised... ....
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fashcap2.pngGovernorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Babatunde Gbadamasi, has accused the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola of implementing policies aimed more at impoverishing the people of the State than better

their lives. The aspirant, who is a real estate professional, accused the Governor of embarking on cheap publicity adding that he had not done much for the State apart milking the people to death. Gbadamasi, in an interview with Huhuonline.com correspondent, said with N18 billion generated monthly as revenue from the State and another N4 billion from the Federal Government, the Governor had no excuse for failing the people. “Now, my position is: with N18 billion IGR per month, with N4 billion per month federal allocation, there is a responsibility on the government to provide services. ..

“There is one argument put up by him and members of his executive and that is that there is so much pressure on the infrastructure of the State because of the huge population, but do you know that in other places this population would be regarded as an added advantage, because it means more people that are able to pay taxes once you can sort out the infrastructure and social services problem? These people are all milking us to death,” he said. Continuing with the accusation, he said: “If you want apply for physical planning permission today, apart from the physical planning fee you pay, there is a whole number of other fees you are forced to pay.

“In some cases, by the time you are through, you would have paid about three times the actual amount you paid for your plot of land. There is the infrastructure development charge, which is an undefined charge added arbitrarily in an ad hoc manner without a formula for its calculation. “Somebody just decides depending on how his mood takes him for that day and he says go and pay such amount to the State. It is clear that these people do not know their left from their right. They do not know what they are doing.

“We were in this State when Jakande was the governor, we were in this state when Mudashiru was governor, we were in this state when Mobolaji Johnson was governor and we saw how government ought to be run. It is not been run like that and this is supposed to be democracy.

“Tejuosho Market was deliberately burnt down by some people, in my opinion, who are keen to profit from other people’s calamity and we now see that they have built a massive edifice in its place and they are quoting unbelievable amount of money for the rent or sale of the shop, which they know the former residents could not afford.”

The PDP aspirant accused the State governor of hiding something from the people by not disclosing how it has spent money over the years. The government of Fashola is actually known for its secrecy on government spending. Gbadamasi explained that in the last 12 years, Lagosians have been in bondage and held hostage by a group of people and now need to be liberated by an opposition.

“Our roads in Lagos are in a parlous state. They are in a pathetic state and the reason is that the current governor has become so comfortable as the incumbent that he has decided that he has no responsibility to the people any more.

“He thinks he does not have to fix the roads and the drains or provide education and health care services to the people. All he needs to do is force people to paint their buildings and everybody would clap and say ‘hosanna, the governor has come. “Today in Lagos State , we are spending over 50 per cent of our lives in traffic daily. How can this augur well for trade? Despite all the noise in the media, I make bold to say the few roads that are motorable in the State today are federal roads.

You might want to criticize the fact that the Federal Government would not come all the way from Abuja to repair roads, but don’t forget that the federal government has given all authority to the State Governments to go ahead and repair federal roads in their domain and then go ahead to seek compensation which would be promptly paid. He tasked the people of the State to ensure the governor’s re-election bid is frustrated.

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Chelsea have promoted Michael Emenalo from his position as chief scout to assistant first team coach.

Emenalo, who has been with the Blues since October 2007, succeeds Ray Wilkins in the role and Chelsea say the move is "recognition of his efforts".

The 45-year-old represented Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup and won 14 caps.

Emenalo, who briefly played for Notts County in the mid-1990s, will continue to scout for the first team while he updates his coaching qualifications.

The Nigerian's playing career also took him to the United States, Spain, Germany and Israel.

Assistant first-team coach Paul Clement, who was alongside boss Carlo Ancelotti in the dug-out at Stamford Bridge for the defeat against Sunderland on Sunday, was expected to step up to fill the role...

Former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini, had also been linked with the job, as had Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta who worked under Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti at Milan.

Ex-Chelsea first-team coach Steve Clarke and former West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, who was a fans' favourite during his time as a player at Stamford Bridge, were also thought to be in the running.

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Amos Adamu has been suspended for 3 years by FIFA


Nigeria's Amos Adamu has been suspended from all footballing activity by Fifa's Ethics Committee for three years and fined $10,000.

Tahiti's Reynald Temarii was suspended for one year and fined $5,000 by the committee.

The move follows allegations that the pair asked for money in return for voting on World Cup hosting rights.

It means they will not be able to vote on which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.

Adamu released a statement protesting his innocence and vowing to fight the ruling.

"I am profoundly disappointed with the Ethics Committee's findings and had honestly believed I would be exonerated of any charges by now," he said.

"I am innocent of all the charges levelled against me by the Ethics Committee and I completely refute the decision they have made.

"I will be lodging a full appeal against it with immediate effect."

Four former executive members - Slim Aloulou of Tunisia, Mali's Amadu Diakite, Ahongalu Fusimalohi of Tonga and Botswana's Ismael Bhamjee - all received sanctions from Fifa.

Bhamjee was banned for four years, Diakite and Fusimalohi for three and Aloulou for two and all four were fined $10,000.

But the committee dismissed accusations of collusion between Spain/Portugal and Qatar, who are bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively.
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