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The report on the investigation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) under the leadership of its former director general, Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, showed that in 2008, the Exchange spent N186 million to buy Rolex watches for long serving employees.

The yet-to-be officially released report, a product of investigations by KPMG, an audit firm, and Aluko Oyebode & Co., a legal firm, revealed that “at the beginning of 2008, the NSE expended the sum of N45 million in purchasing 64 Rolex watches for presentation to employees who had served the NSE for 10 years.”.....

The report also noted that “later in the same year, Candy Floss Limited (a company owned by Yinka Idowu, former head of NSE’s corporate affairs department), was given N95 million for an additional purchase of 91 Rolex watches, and subsequently, after the award ceremony, another 10 Rolex watches at the cost of N46 million were purchased.”

Meanwhile, the investigators said they observed that the award ceremony document showed that only 73 out of the 165 Rolex watches purchased were actually presented to the awardees, meaning that 92 Rolex watches valued at N99.5 million were unaccounted for.

“We further observed that the schedule containing the list of staff members eligible for long service awards only contains 63 names; suggesting that 10 additional and unauthorised people received presentations,” the report added.

Car gifts

Furthermore, Candy Floss Limited, according to the report, was given N100 million to purchase 14 cars to be presented to employees who had served the NSE for 25 to 30 years.

At the same time, the report said that three cars purchased by the NSE in January and March 2008 for N59 million - one Land Cruiser purchased for N30 million, and two Lexus cars purchased for N29 million -were written off the NSE books at the end of the same year by their allocation to the Long Service Award account, as part of the gifts given during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the award ceremony document showed that only seven people were presented with cars, compared to the 14 cars which were to be purchased by Candy Floss Limited and the three additional cars written off; meaning that 10 cars, valued at approximately N66 million, were unaccounted for.

The auditors also revealed that “although Candy Floss Limited was given the sum of N50 million for the special presentation to employees who had worked with the NSE for 25 to 30 years, another sum of N55 million was again disbursed in respect of the special presentation, which was to include a luxurious jeep and a special gift of the former director general’s choice.

“This suggests that there was a duplication of payment and a double purchase of a luxury car for the former director general’s choice,” the auditors said.

Further investigations

While the fact that Articles 52 of the NSE Employee Handbook for Management and Senior Staff, as well as Article 55 of the Employee Handbook for Junior Staff limits the value of gifts/cash that can be given to employees for the long service award, the auditors said, “We observed that the gifts awarded/presented far exceeded the value stated in these handbooks, “adding that “these Articles further stated that these awards should be presented to only members of staff, but we observed that former members of staff were also given awards.”

However, the auditors said further investigations to be carried out in respect of the award will determine if any payments were made by Candy Floss Limited to the accounts of NSE officers, including that of Mrs. Okereke-Onyuike.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Elite agents of the American Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) are on their way to Nigeria to join the hunt for the abductors of two U.S. nationals. They were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen off the coast of Akwa Ibom state during an attack on an oil rig. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the agents, skilled in trailing and capturing kidnappers will work with Nigerian officials to secure freedom for the hostages and investigate the incident.

The hostages who work for oil services firm, Afren, were taken last Sunday. The company operating an oil has increased the number of those seized to seven .A spokesman for Afren said the company had confirmed two Indonesians were among those taken when gunmen in speed boats attacked the offshore rig.The attack happened about 12 kilometers off the coast of Akwa Ibom state. Afren had previously said only five people were kidnapped, and identified them as two Americans, two French and one Canadian. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The State Department said the Niger Delta is home to criminal gangs that steal oil and take hostages for ransom. Officials also said the region also has militants who claim they are fighting for a fairer distribution of oil wealth. It warned American nationals to take extra security measures and postpone all unnecessary trips to the region.

More than three years after he was sworn in as governor of Delta State, the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, yesterday nullified the election of Emmanuel Uduaghan and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] to conduct fresh elections in the state within 90 days.

In the same vein, the court also ordered that the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Sam Obi be sworn in within 24 hours as the acting governor of the state pending the conduct of fresh elections. The appeal court was presided over by Justice Mensah, who ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a re-run election in three months.

The annulment was the result of the appeal brought by the governorship candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in Delta State in the 2007 elections, Great Ogboru against the election of Mr Uduaghan, who has governed the state since 2007..

On October 19, 2009, the five-man Elections Tribunal sitting in Asaba had dismissed the petition filed by Mr. Ogboru challenging the election, in an unanimous decision. The tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove that there was no election in most of the voting centres, as alleged in his petition and that he also failed to prove a case of gross rigging.

According to that judgment which was read by the chairman of the tribunal, B.S. Mohammed, Mr Ogboru’s claim was doubtful and a lot of doubt has been cast in the statements of the petitioner’s witnesses. The tribunal also ruled that the onus of proving non-voting lies on the petitioner, which the petitioner failed to prove.

“Cases are won in the court by hard facts and not by mere sentiments. The evidence adduced by the petitioner is hardly inadequate. This petition fails and hereby dismissed,” Mr Mohammed ruled.

But Mr Ogboru finally had his day at the appellate court, which ruled yesterday that the 2007 governorship election, in which Mr. Uduaghan was declared winner, was characterized by malpractices. The appeal panel had earlier dismissed the petition brought by the AC candidate, Peter Okocha, where he sought the nullification of Mr. Uduaghan’s election because of his exclusion from the 2007 election by the electoral commission.

In dismissing Mr. Okocha’s petition, “the tribunal held that the petitioners have not been able to establish that the 1st Petitioner was validly nominated to contest the April 14, 2007 gubernatorial election in Delta State.”

No cause for alarm

As news of the court judgement spread yesterday, Benin City, the Edo State capital erupted in jubilation as supporters of the DPP candidate and others hugged one another.

But the Delta State government said there was no cause for alarm and it was obeying court orders.

The leader of the Delta State Elder, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, Richard Tosanwumi, and a former commissioner during the tenure of former governor, James Ibori, however said that the judgment is good riddance to bad rubbish.

Mr Tosanwumi said the judgment has finally collapsed the Ibori dynasty in the state.

“We must try to manage this so that the fraud which characterized the Uduaghan’s election don’t repeat itself during the re-run,” Mr Tosanwumi said yesterday on phone.

The new acting governor was himself sworn in last September following the sack of former speaker, Martin Okonta whose election was nullified by an Appeal Court in Abuja.

Great Ogboru

Mr. Ogboru had, in 2003, contested elections on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) against Mr Ibori. He lost the election and the subsequent court actions against Mr. Ibori.

His political career came into prominence in 1990, during the regime of military president, Ibrahim Babangida, when he was declared wanted as an accomplice when a group of army officers led by Gideon Orka, a Major attempted a coup against Mr. Babangida.

The Babangida government alleged that Mr. Ogboru bankrolled the coup, but he fled the country to escape arrest. He was on exile until the return of civilian rule to the country in May 1999.

The government of President Olusegun Obasanjo absolved him of the coup charges.

Yet another dialogue between the presidency and leaders of the Nige..rian Labour Congress (NLC), to forestall a planned nationwide strike today, has been deadlocked.

President Goodluck Jonathan who rushed down from Lagos yesterday to lead a high level delegation of government officials to meet with the leaders of the NLC could however not convince the congressmen to abandon their planned agenda of embarking on a three day working strike, starting today.

The N.igeria Labour Congress (NLC) had threatened to embark on a three-day warning industrial action, starting from November 10, demanding an increment in their minimum wage.

According to the acting president of the NLC, Promise Adewusi, the strike action will still continue, while the body holds consultation with the respective organs involved in the congress.

“We have heard the message of Mr. President, we are going to go back to our organ and the only thing we can say now is that the strike is on until called off by the organ that instituted it” Mr Adewusi told eagerly waiting pressmen.

He added that the congress will meet with its body at 3pm today to convey the presidents’ message.

With talks scheduled for yesterday night between Goodluck Jonathan and labour officials, uncertainty seems to reign supreme in the financial sector, with bankers saying they will close shop if the strike went ahead today...

The Nigeri..an Labour Congress had issued a three-day ultimatum to go on a warning strike today over the federal government’s refusal to secure legislative backing for a new minimum wage for workers in the public service.

“The bank workers are union members and their unions are also members of the participating unions in the planned strike,” said Sunday Salako, assistant national president, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions.

Bankers are, however, of the opinion that though there may be skeletal operations to keep ATMs and other things running, banks, customers, and the economy would be affected.

A banker at Intercontinental Bank said security is a strong issue that would put bank staff off, if the strike commenced.

“What would happen if they are attacked, who would take responsibility for that? That is why a lot people would keep away, though there has been no formal declaration. We would probably have to wait till 11:59 for confirmation,” he said.

A banker at First Bank said, “If the strike is real, then banks wouldn’t open for security reasons, but there would be skeletal activities. For instance, ATMs would work, and other minor activities,” he said.

Financial cost

The Intercontinental banker said he could not estimate the monetary loss to the banks during the strike.

“I can’t really say what this would cost the banking industry specifically or its corresponding effect on the economy, because in effect, it’s not as if the banks don’t want to render their services,” he added.

“There is no way it won’t hurt both banks and customers alike. For instance, taking only cheques as an example. No one would be able to drop cheques. You know, there are duties and charges for transactions, which would not be carried out if the strike actually begins,” he further said.

There was, however, no unusual surge of customers at banks randomly visited yesterday. Some customers said they do not believe that the strike would hold, while others said though they were aware, they have to make withdrawals. It is also risky for them to make large withdrawals in anticipation of the strike, because of the security state of the nation.

Setback on the economy

Akinbamidele Akintola, a research analyst at Renaissance Capital, an investment firm, said it is expected that the president would resolve the issue in due time.

“This is not positive, as it would cripple the entire system if we assume it would affect the banking sector, ports, airports, schools, oil and gas segment, transport, and a couple of other segments. We expect the government of President Jonathan to resolve the issue promptly with labour congress, as election campaigns and political activity pick up ahead of next 2011 elections.

“They resented and detested the voice of dissent or opposition so much so that they were prepared to go to anylength to harass and stifle it”… Obafemi Awolowo on why the 2nd republicfailed.

Permit me to use this medium to call on the Executive Governor Of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), the Olunlaof Egbaland, Otunba of all Otunbas, The Emperor of Ogun State to pleaseignore the call of sense, legality and democracy to vacate hisOke-Mosan, Abeokuta office come May 28, 2011, as we the people of OgunState wants him to continue ruling us beyond 2011.

We are happy with our pothole-ridden roads occasioned by inferior materials used byyour beloved OGROMA, our doctors and nurses going on incessant strikesand our taps overflowing with emptiness. We want you to continue tobless us with tales of your famed shrines, forced oath swearing bypoliticians and top government official to you, our indefatigableEmperor and your sagacious fight against the so-called “AbujaPoliticians”, especially some people who felt they could commission abridge in your backyard without paying homage to thee. The Olokola FreeTrade Bush is filling our State’s coffers with so much coins since youhave been operating it since 2003 with thy mouth, that we will easilyrepay an loan, bond or bondage within a couple of months. Even the blindcan see planes taking off at your ultra-modern cargo airport, the deafcan hear the thundering of the feet of investors rushing towards us andthe dumb shouts sincere praises of your financial prudence of using overyears leave bonus of civil servants, un-remitted pension contributionsand local government allocations for building un-used stadiums,junketing to China at the drop of a hat and building other castles inthe air.

You have been touted severally as the ‘Awo of our time” and I totally agree. The late Obafemi Awolowo, a man even in deathreferred to as the Yoruba Leader, was symptomatic of his generationwhich dreamt big for Nigeria. You, our own Otunba, is thepersonification and embodiment of the hopes and yearnings of yourgeneration: to be the first to the proverbial national cake and eateverything, leaving crumbs for thy cronies and lackeys. You have beendoing fantastically well in this department and we will love for you tocontinue in this manner beyond 2011, not minding your EFCC detractorstrying to catch you with local government funds and the State’s IRSmoney. Who has ever caught the wind despite it carry away houses,villages and sacking whole towns?

Olunla, Olunla: Please continue to emasculate the legislative arm of government and combating otheropposing voices, both within and without your government and party.Obafemi Awolowo did not live in the 21st century, so he did not knowwhat he was saying in the opening quotation to this piece. What if youquash the legislature and actively participated in the anti-democraticsuspension of 15 by 9? What if your wife, Yeye Empress, went to a localgovernment chairman’s house with thugs and intended to be him silly? Areyou not the Emperor, the law itself? Your very word is law. You areabove the law. Let Egbetokun, Remmy Hazzan and Oladunjoye shoutthemselves hoarse that there is fire on the mountain. This our famedstate of fearless geniuses is actually peopled by docile fools who darenot hearken to the voice of these erudite and courageous young men, butwould rather worship their belly and by extension you for pecuniaryadvantages. When the military strikes, the only arm of democraticgovernment that gets proscribed is the legislature, as it is the outercore of democracy (the inner core being free and fair elections). Sinceyou are our Emperor, now and forever, and no one will rule Ogun Stateafter thee, you are free to do away with anyone. Who dares question yourmotive?

Do not listen to your enemies dressed in friendship garb that purchased the Senatorial Election form (that is sold by the Statechapter and not the National Headquarters) for you. What kind ofpromotion is settling for a third of your present Empire? Tell them togo and get the Governorship form for you! After all, the Yoruba adagesays “What the child wants to eat will not cause him/her stomachache”.You are the Awo of our time. You should be allowed to rule forever. Wedon’t respect laws in our land anymore, our actions (and inactions) areantithetical to logic and we practice hire-purchasetocracy. Therefore common sense, rule of law and tenets of democracy be damned: OUR EMPEROR MUST RULE US FOR LIFE!

Let me implore thee, sire, not to listen to any advice or reasoning fromanyone, especially those close to you and in your cabinet. If anyonetries, give him the Niran Malaolu or Kayode Samuel treatment. If heleaves the government and continues to irritate you, give him the Hon.Oladunjoye or ‘Dimeji Bankole or Jubril Martins-Kuye or Sarafa Isholatreatment. If he is not in your party, give him the Dipo Dina treatment.Others will learn from his downfall.

Some final words of wisdom for your Eminence: He who lives in a glass house (political party) doesnot throw stone because the day the stepmother beats the heir, monkey gogo market, he no go fit return.

A final prayer for my people: In this age of bonds, may we not fall into bondage.



According a distressed government house staff, "when a government, which is supposed to protect its citizens, cannot protect itself, then we have a major problem in our hands".Against this backdrop, huhuonline.com can report that gun men,. suspected to

be armed robbers operating in a motorbike on Monday attacked the Chief Accountant in Delta State Government House, Asaba, Mr. Michael Ogene and made away with over fifty million naira (N50m).

Although no government official could confirm the exact amount, Mr. Ogene was said to have been attacked by the two man bandits at about 11am , by the popular Inter Bau round about, while returning from one of the new generation banks where he went to cash some money.

The two man bandits attacked the accountant at about 11am , by the popular Inter Bau round about, when he was returning from one of the new generation banks, where he went to cash the money. Inter Bau round about is a few kilometers away from the state Police Headquarters and less than a kilometer to government house.

He had two bags “Ghana must go” containing money, inside the booth of his brand new 207 Peugeot car with registration number DTGH 736, but the robbers succeeded in making away with one.

Eye witness account said the two young men wielding sophisticated weapons opened fire on Ogene as he approached Inter Bau Junction, ordering him to stop.

The robbers were said to have gone straight for the booth of the car, fired some shots, apparently in the bid to force it open, after which they forcefully took away the bag containing the money.

After the incident, Mr. Oghene who is the Director of Finance in Government House and another occupant in the car were taken to Government House clinic for medical attention.

When contacted, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Mr. Sunny Ogefere refused to comment on the exact amount removed from accountant but referred our correspondent to the police whom he said are already investigating the matter.

He disclosed that the victims did not sustain any major injuries during the operation...

He said that one of the suspects has been arrested while part of the stolen money recovered by the police.

But the State Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Charles Muka who spoke on phone with our correspondent said “I have been in a meeting since morning and has not been briefed about any stolen money from anywhere. I actually

Today, Anthony Adeyemi is a shadow of himself. He lives in depression and pain as a result of partial paralysis that he suffers. But as if that was not enough a burden for him, he has compounded his trouble by allegedly involving himself in immorality. Rather than living his life as a respectable father, he chose a path of dishonour by defiling his stepdaughter.

On Sunday, October 17, while Christian worshippers were on their way to church, Adeyemi was busy scheming for the forbidden fruit that landed him in police custody. The 55-year-old man was caught making love with an 11-year-old girl in his shop.

It was some minutes past 10am and the church bell just chimed to remind worshippers that it was time for church. But Adeyemi, a pool collector living at Unlce Joe, Mokola area of Ibadan, was busy with other things in his shop. With his libido going haywire he eagerly longed for his stepdaughter that he sent on errand to buy food for him. But on her arrival, a drama of the absurd happened and they were caught in the act.

Adeyemi, who had his game to his chest, told the girl to put the food on the table and keep him company in the shop. She obliged. After the breakfast, the seducer pounced on the young girl with the gait of a possessed man who was ready to go all hug to have his way. Before long, he had his way with his stepdaughter. But the bubble burst before the sex bout was over between father and the underage stepdaughter as a neighbour caught them in the heat of emotion.

The neighbour (name not given) raised the alarm and, in a jiffy, a mob gathered at the scene to behold the show of shame that happened on a holy day. They later whisked the suspect to a nearby police station from where he was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

The man was said to have confessed to the crime. But, our correspondent noted that he was not consistent in his response as he denied some of the claims made against him. Asked what led him to it, the suspect, who explained that he had two failed marriages, said he was sex-starved because he had no woman (wife) in the house. He told our correspondent that it was not the first time they were having an affair but said he did not pull the girl‘s pant. Interestingly also, he denied his neighbour‘s allegation that he was caught pants down with the teenager.

During an interview with our correspondent, Adeyemi said he had sex with the girl on five occasions. He added that he was not the first man to have canal knowledge of the victim with an explanation that he was not the one that broke her hymen. He said, “I did not meet her intact. She had been doing it before I started meeting her. It all started this year. I did it because I could not get a mature woman to make love to. I had been down with a stroke for some time and my wives had divorced me.”

The suspect, who said he was formerly a carpenter, explained that his wives eloped when things became rough for him. Adeyemi, a native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, said he went into the pool business some years ago when he went bankrupt and took ill.

His estranged second wife left Tinu in her mother‘s care. Adeyemi said the girl‘s grandmother was unable to meet Tinu‘s needs. As a result, Tinu and her half sister called Imole usually go to Adeyemi for money for their upkeep.

The man said, ”I am responsible for the girl‘s upkeep. The girls live with their grandmother but they come to me for money from time to time. My estranged wife had Tinu for the man he married before we met. She had a girl for me (Itunu, an eight-year-old girl).

”The girl and my own daughter came for money that Sunday. My daughter was in the bedroom upstairs while the girl was with me at the shop on the ground floor. The door was not locked, so a neighbour burst in and exclaimed that he saw us having fun.”

He said he was sorry for what he did and asked God to forgive him. The Investigating Police Officer (name not mentioned) said findings showed that the man and the girl had for long been engaged in the act. He said that the police noted that the man robbed cream on his manhood and on the girl‘s private part before forcing himself into her.

However, the man said that he did not force himself on the girl. He said, “I did not remove her pant. I robbed cream on my manhood and the girl’s private part but I did not remove the pant and we did not do it.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011072233393

Policemen attached to Shasha division in Lagos have begun investigation into the discovery of the lifeless body of a 17-year-old girl, Peace Asukwo, dangling from the ceiling fan of an apartment in Shasha area of Lagos.

Already, the dead girl’s boyfriend, a 300 Level Law student of University of Lagos, Akoka, in whose apartment the lifeless body was found, has been arrested.

Controversy is however trailing the teenager’s death as her 23-year-old boyfriend, Fisayo Tifase, was alleged to have a hand in her death.

However, Police hinted yesterday that it was too early to form any opinion as investigation would at the end determine whether the case was that of homicide or suicidal.

Residents of 10 Kalejaye Street were thrown into pandemonium last Friday, following the starling discovery, as some of them have reportedly fled their homes for fear of being arrested in connection with the incident.

Although there was no suicide note found in the room by Policemen, a version of the report said deceased could have committed suicide because she was jilted by her boyfriend.

Versions of same story
The late Peace, an orphan, according to a version of the report, arrived her boyfriend’s apartment at about 7p.m. But another version claimed she had been living with her 23-year-old boyfriend, until the relationship turned sour following his refusal to continue with the relationship.

Trouble started at about 8p.m. when the door of the apartment was reportedly discovered to have been locked from inside with no one responding to knocks. Sensing danger, the door was reportedly forced opened, only to discover Peace’s body dangling from the the ceiling fan.

Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Mr Frank Mba, said: “Detectives who visited the scene met the body stark naked. Investigations are being carried out by policemen at Shasha Police Division preparatory to the case being transferred to the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID.”

Britain - The Queen is set to have an official presence on Facebook when a British Monarchy page launches on the internet-based social networking site, the British Broadcasting Corporation reports.

Buckingham Palace says it is not a personal profile page, but users can ”like” the service and receive updates on their news feed.

The Queen has reportedly embraced the web and sends e-mails. A British Monarchy Twitter feed is also available

The Facebook page is due to go live from Monday morning...

The page will also feature the Court Circular, recording the previous day‘s official engagements.

Also featured will be information about royal events and ceremonies, searchable on a UK map.

Its creation is a collaboration between Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and the Royal Collection.

Although users of the social networking site will be unable to add The Queen as a ”friend” or attempt to virtually ”poke” her as they would with anyone with a personal profile, they will be able to find out what royal events are happening nearby.

The launch of the Facebook page follows the introduction of the Monarchy‘s Flickr account earlier this year

Nigeria’s Super Falcons yesterday continued their march to re-capture the title they lost in 2008 to Equatorial Guinea. The Falcons faced the Twiga Stars of Tanzania with a chance to cement top spot in the group. And it was another great performance from Perpetua Nkwocha as she confirmed the Nigerian team’s superiority and inched closer to achieving her target of scoring 15 goals in the championship.

The match was largely played in the half of the Twig Stars, who tried to defend their goal with two banks of five players but Nigeria was on the front foot as early as the first minute when Francisca Ordega was caught offside marginally. A minute later, Ordega went on another rampaging run down the left flank and earned a corner kick.

Two minutes later, Nkwocha crossed from the right with Ebere Orji lurking to score. It caused the goalkeeper to panic and palm the ball across the goal. A header from Ordega followed but it went wide.

The Falcons did not play with a lot of imagination and wide players were squeezing into the middle with Nkwocha dropping off the front to join a congested midfield.

Nkwocha’s sixth and seventh goals..

But they got the first goal in the 10th minute, when a cross by Ulunma Jerome was squeezed into goal from a tight angle to give the Falcons the lead. That was the sixth goal for master poacher, Nkwocha.

The match then sparked to life and in the 21st minute, Jerome’s cross cum shot hit the cross bar and out of play. The Tanzanian team were now really working hard to deny the Falcons any more scoring chances.

Nonetheless, Nkwocha scored the second goal of the match and her seventh in the 32nd minute when a defensive error involving Twiga Stars’ captain Sophie Mwaskili presented the Nigerian striker with a sight on goal - and she duly converted the chance.

The Twiga Stars tried to cut the lead with long range shots but Precious Dede easily gathered the efforts.

The first half should have ended with a third goal for the Falcons but Ordega was in an offside position when she took the ball off Orji’s toes after she had dribbled the keeper and was ready to score.

The second half was very disjointed with the Stars raising their game through Aisha Sada, who was changing from the right to the left flanks throughout the game.

The half witnessed another barrage of shots from distance with Sada hitting the cross bar in the 55th minute and Dede getting injured in the process of making the save. Gloria Akpa came on for Jerome and Desire Oparanozie came in for Nkwocha. The changes disrupted the Falcons game but the team finally scored the third goal in the 82nd minute when a spilled shot by the Tanzanian keeper was tapped in by Oparanozie - it was her first goal of the championship.

In yesterday’s other match, South Africa walloped the Malian team 4-0 to join the Falcons in the semi-finals. Their likely opponents will be defending champions, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, who have four points each in Group B.

The Nigerian government will investigate allegations of fraudulent claims levelled against Nigerian United States-based scientist, Philip Emeagwali, the Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyili, has said.

NEXT had in a report on Sunday quoted some leading American scientists as describing Mr. Emeagwali’s claim that he was a father of the Internet as misleading.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Mrs. Akunyili said the allegations against Mr Emeagwali were weighty and disturbing and would have to be thoroughly investigated.

Mr. Emeagwali is among Nigerians that Mrs. Akunyili showcased to the world in the government’s effort to improve the country’s image.

The Nigeria Postal Service, which is directly under the minister’s supervision, has also put the embattled scientist on the Nigerian stamp.

“The allegations are unbelievable, but we cannot jump to conclusion,” the minister said. “Our government is a responsible one and so, we cannot disregard what has been published. We will pierce information together and if necessary, we will invite him to say his own side of the story. He is our son. When they tell you your child is a thief, you can’t just jump up and start celebrating. You will have to find out and establish the truth.”

Mrs. Akunyili said the government cannot afford to make mistakes on such a sensitive issue and would therefore take its time to do a thorough investigation.

She said once the investigation is completed, the government will issue a final statement, and then decide whether to remove him from the Nigerian stamp...

She did not say how long the investigation would last, saying it was not a decision she could unilaterally take.

Erroneous celebration

Meanwhile, a graduate student of journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Adekunle Yusuf, on Sunday apologized for erroneously celebrating Mr. Emeagwali at an event in his university four days ago.

In a telephone interview with NEXT, Mr. Yusuf said at a “Taste of Nigeria” event, organized by the university to celebrate the culture and people of Nigeria, Nigerian students showcased Mr. Emeagwali alongside the likes of Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe as their country’s great human exports dazzling the world.

He said he became sad after reading the report of Mr. Emeagwali’s fraudulent claims in NEXT.

“We didn’t know he was just deceiving the world. I’m really depressed that he was among those we celebrated,” said Mr. Yusuf, a Senior Writer with TELL and Ford Foundation scholar at Wisconsin.

In 1989, Mr. Emeagwali won the $1,000 Gordon Bell Prize, which is awarded each year to recognise outstanding achievement in high-performance computing.

His award was for an application of the CM-2 massively parallel computer for oil reservoir modelling. Following the feat, Mr. Emeagwali proceeded to claim, for several years, that he was a father of the Internet; that he improved upon Isaac Newton’s laws of motion; that he owned the world’s first personal website; that American computer giant, Apple, uses the microprocessor technology he pioneered in its Power Mac G4 model, among many other claims.

But leading American and Nigerian scientists have faulted the claim, saying Mr. Emeagwali made no contribution to the evolution of the Internet as he had over the years made the world to believe.