How I flew 1.219bn to fayose,says pilot

A captain identified as, Ahmed Borodo has disclosed how he flew thebformer Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro and eight green military bags of cash allegedly containing N1.219bn from Lagos to Akure airport.


He said the cash were handed over to an aide of the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Abiodun Agbele.Borodo made the disclosure while being questioned by the Economicband Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, last week.The captain allegedly flew the former Minister alongside the cash from Lagos to Akure airport on June 17, 2014 on an HS-125 aircraft during the build up to the 2014 governorship election in the state.The anti-graft agency had claimed that the alleged money was part of the N4.7bn transferred from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser to the bank account of Sylvan McNamara, abcompany in which Obanikoro’s sons were signatory to.Borodo who was said to have flown the aircraft with the formerbMinister and the alleged cash on board, arrived the Akure airportbwhere a bullion van from Zenith Bank, some soldiers and Agbele were waiting to recieve them, Punch reports.The report quoted an investigator as saying, “The pilot told us thatbon June 17, 2014, he was instructed by his company around 7am to prepare the aircraft for an 8.30am flight from Lagos to Akure. He was informed that the client was Obanikoro. He said he along with his colleagues including one Capt. Olubiyi Famuyiwa got on the plane.
“He said Obanikoro’s aides arrived at the tarmac with some bullionbvans and started offloading the contents which were in big green tarpaulin bags. He informed them that the aircraft could only carrybabout eight or nine bags due to its small size.“The pilot said at that point, Obanikoro intervened and beganbpleading with him to allow them load all the bags on the plane butbhe refused and then the minister, his ADC and a friend boarded the plane and the aircraft departed. “The pilot said on getting to the Akure airport, some soldiers received them and the bags were offloaded and put into a bullion van. He noted that the plane returned empty to Lagos.“He said that the next day, he returned to Akure and then flew Obanikoro to Abuja with his Aide-de-Camp, Lt. Adewale.”

Read More

Over 4 tons of cannabis seized in southern Morocco

Moroccan security forces seized over 4 tons of cannabis in the southern city of Dakhla, the Moroccan police said in a statement on Tuesday.

The drugs were hidden inside a vehicle used for international transport and the driver was arrested, according to the statement.
An investigation into the alleged drug trafficking case has been opened.
Despite efforts in the past decade to crack down on cannabis farming, Morocco remains the world's largest producer of cannabis resin.
According to the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime's World Drug Report 2016, Morocco ranked first among 129 countries in terms of cannabis production over the period 2009-2014, followed by Afghanistan, Lebanon, India and Pakistan.

Read More

Morocco reaffirms support for Iraq in fight against terrorism

Morocco on Tuesday strongly condemned a deadly suicide bomb attack in Baghdad, reaffirming its support for Iraq's war on terrorism.

A suicide truck bomb ripped through a busy shopping district in Baghdad's Karrada neighbourhood on Sunday, killing at least 165 people.
Morocco denounces and condemns this despicable carnage that reflects a barbarous mentality and runs counter all human and ethical values, a statement from the Moroccan Foreign Ministry said.
The Kingdom of Morocco offers its condolences to the Iraqi government and the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to those injured in the attack, it added.
It reaffirmed Morocco's support for Iraq to confront terrorist acts that aim to undermine its unity, security and sovereignty.

Read More

Nigerian Government Extends Public Holiday To Thursday

The Nigerian government has released the statement below extending the Eid-el-Fitri holiday in the country by one day.

“Following the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon, the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July, 2016 as Public Holiday.

“In making the declaration on behalf of the Government, the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, urged Nigerians to use the period for sober reflections to ensure harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence, while giving full support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained effort to pursue socio-economic and political growth of the nation.

“A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Bassey Akpanyung said the Minister wishes Nigerians a peaceful celebration.”

The extension of the holiday came shortly after the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, advised Nigerian Muslims not to discard the lessons learnt during Ramadan.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, the governor said, “While I congratulate the Muslim faithful for the successful completion of the Ramadan, I urge them to sustain the spirit of godliness, charity, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation which were some of the lessons learnt during the Holy Month.

“Having observed strictly the injunctions of Almighty Allah through fasting and prayers and by offering Zakat, the lessons learnt during the Holy month should not be lost, rather they should be part of the daily lives of the true Muslim in his dealings with fellow Muslims and people of other faith.

“The spiritual intercession offered by the faithful during Ramadan for peace, progress and stability in Edo State and the nation should be sustained, especially as the state goes into another phase of its political life.

“I appeal to the faithful to continue to live in peace and harmony with all; to continue to lead by example in supplications to Allah for continued progress and development of our dear state.

“I wish the faithful joyous 

Read More

Albanian opposition files charges against PM for illegal donation

Albanian main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has filed charges against Prime Minister Edi Rama for an alleged illegal transfer of 80,000 U.S. dollars to U.S. President Barack Obama's re-election campaign in 2012 , Albanian Daily News reported on Tuesday.


After filing the charges in the Prosecutor General's office, Eduard Halimi, vice chairman of the DP parliamentary group, accused Rama of three penal charges: fraud, money laundering and illegal exercise of influence.
"Facts gathered by the U.S. law-enforcing agencies show clearly that 80,000 dollars were paid by Albania through suspicious sources, which is undeclared by the PM, with the sole purpose of having a photo with U.S. President Barack Obama," Halimi said.
Rama's press office reacted immediately, saying there is no illegal funding in this case and taking a photo with the U.S. President is not a crime.

Read More

Liverpool: £14m price-tag for midfielder; Everton rivaled for Belgian sensation; veteran to leave

The central midfield position dominates this particular edition of the Liverpool transfer round-up, with a potentially huge addition being made, while two current Reds are in an uncertain position within the squad. After those members of Jurgen Klopp’s playing staff who are not involved in international action returned to Melwood over the last couple of days, it will be interesting to see if the transfer activity now begins to intensify.

Freshly imbued with an influx of cash and an exciting new manager in the form of Ronald Koeman, Everton are unlikely to have as poor a 2016/17 campaign as their last term was, and Liverpool are currently challenging their Merseyside rivals for an in-demand Belgian midfielder.
Axel Witsel; currently of Zenit St. Petersburg, has impressed for his national side under Marc Wilmots in this summer’s European Championships, and although Belgium have been dumped out of the tournament by Wales, this may only accelerate any move for the combative performer.
According to The Mirror, Jurgen Klopp sees Witsel as a prime candidate to become a rock for Liverpool at the heart of midfield, after apparently losing out to PSG in a race for Gregorz Krychowiak’s signature. With 51 appearances for club and country in 2015/16, Witsel clearly possesses the kind of engine which Klopp adores from his midfielders and as has been on display in France, does not lack in the technical aspects of his game either.
While it is clear to see Everton’s pressing demand for a high calibre performer in this area of the pitch, it is less obvious at the Anfield outfit. With Emre Can doing an admirable job in the deepest-lying position, and a multitude of hungry players fighting it out ahead of him for starting berths, it would appear that an addition of a player of Witsel’s stature would necessitate the departure of one of the club’s current crop of midfielders.

Potentially one of those most at risk of having his Anfield career cut short is ironically one of the members of the Welsh side who vanquished Witsel’s Belgium on Friday. Joe Allen has enjoyed a stellar Euro 2016, drawing well-earned praise from all quarters for his tireless performances in the heart of midfield, displaying terrific energy in tandem with filling the playmaker role for Chris Coleman’s men.
Before the tournament began, the figure that seemed to be Allen’s generally accepted valuation by Liverpool was £10 million. Now though, The Daily Mail report that this has risen by almost 50% to £14 million.
If true, this is only a sensible business decision being made by The Reds, but it may have negative consequences for the player himself if the club do stubbornly hold out for their desired fee. Allen’s former club, Swansea City, have previously expressed an interest, and the metronomic midfielder’s performances at Euro 2016 will surely have only made them more keen to land the Welshman.
Nonetheless, their earlier bid; which apparently only reached the value of £8 million, is some way off Liverpool’s revised valuation, and leaves the South Wales outfit with quite a degree of negotiating to do in order for the deal to come off.
With the magnitude and frequency of the rumblings surrounding Liverpool’s incomings in centre midfield hardly dying away, it still seems as though Joe Allen will be surplus to requirements next year. Perhaps a figure only slightly above £10 million will be an acceptable outcome for all involved, and will allow Joe Allen to further his individual career, attaining the levels that we have seen are clearly possible.

Finally, the long-serving Lucas Leiva is being linked with a move to Besiktas – the side who had apparently agreed a loan move for the Brazilian last summer before Liverpool pulled the plug on the deal to cover for an injury suffered by Jordan Henderson. Reported by This Is Anfield, but originally appearing in Turkish publication Fanatik, the club are keen to reignite their interest in the 29-year-old, ready to test Liverpool’s resolve.
Often much maligned, Lucas enjoyed a new lease of life once Jurgen Klopp burst onto the scene at Anfield and certainly played an important role in many vital matches during the course of the campaign, none more so than their eventual defeat to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final. Here, the Brazilian operated at centre-half and was arguably The Reds’ finest performer on the day, despite being out of position.
With 315 Liverpool appearances to his name now, Lucas is able to boast the kind of experience that very few who remain at the club are able to even come close to matching. The player himself seems keen on securing at least a decent amount of first-team action next season; as reported in an earlier article, but how possible this is remains to be seen.
The former Gremio man only seems to fall further down the pecking order with each new acquisition that is made. Although most Liverpool fans would like to see the number 21 stay at the club, it now looks as though a similarly dramatic turnaround will be required for the club veteran to remain on Merseyside.

Read More