7 years after crash in Lisa: BELLVIEW WAS BOMBED–Red Cross Chief

By FELIX ASIMOLE
Seven years after the crash of Bellview Boeing 737 flight 210 plane at Lisa, Ogun State, in which 117 persons died, it has been revealed that the aircraft was bombed. The Abuja-bound aircraft that took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on October 22, 2005, crashed few minutes after it was airborne. A top official of the Red Cross, Professor Charles Ohiku, made the startling revelation in an exclusive interview with Sunday Sun in Lagos. Prof Ohiku, who led the Red Cross rescue team at the crash scene, said that unlike the recent Dana plane crash, no human skull was found at the scene of the Bellview crash because it was blown up. 

“I headed the rescue team at the Bellview plane crash site at Lisa, Ogun State. That plane was blown. That is why the probe report can never come out till tomorrow. “That plane didn’t just drop from the sky. By the time we got there the following morning, we could not find even one human head. “You know, at the Dana plane crash site some incomplete human bodies and heads were recovered from the crash site. But in the case of Bellview crash there was no single head or a skull. Quote me. “I was there as a representative of the Nigerian Red Cross, and I can tell you categorically that no single skull was seen or picked up in a crash of that magnitude and the number of passengers involved.

“How can anyone explain the fact that with 117 passengers and crew members in the plane no single head or skull was found during rescue operation, even though there was no survivor?” Asked why anyone would bomb the plane at that time when there was no Boko Haram or any other serious security threat to the country, Prof Ohiku said some people might have felt that somebody in that plane, who was considered too close to the President at that time, was being groomed to take over from him. He recalled that Dr Iyabo Obasanjo, who was then Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, gave his team a note to the General Hospital and, “then we packed them (mangled bodies) in a case, the one they use in packing corpses.” 

BREAKING: Another Audio of the Otedola-Lawan conversation released

by Isi Esene

The $3m bribery scandal involving Femi Otedola and Farouk Lawan has just gotten more interesting with the release of a second audio of the conversation purported to be between both seasoned actors.

The 1 minute 52 seconds audio, released by Channels Television contained a conversation believed to have transpired between both men before the submission of the subsidy report on the floor of the House of Representatives. The audio, indicates that the person supposed to be Lawan is telling the other of the need to keep their discussions secret, as any leak could cause untold embarrassment. The voice alleged to be Farouk Lawan’s took pains to explain his plan of action to doctor the report in Otedola’s favour.

Below is the transcribed conversation:

"Oshiomole lied about assasination attempt, Here's what happened" - Police

By SIMON EBEGBULEMJ, Benin

THE Edo State Police Command said yesterday that it has commenced investigation into the attack on the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole Thursday night and the burning of the Police post by youths alleged to be students of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Usen.
However, the State Government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion, alleged thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state opened fire on the Governor’s convoy at about 6pm, shortly after he paid a visit to the Onogie of Usen,  His Royal Highness Oluogbe 11,at his palace.
It stated however that “the brave security details attached to the governor, supported by an additional contingent of regular policemen deployed to maintain law and order, rose to the occasion. They were able to shield the governor, key government functionaries and ACN leaders.  But several official vehicles including Toyota Land cruisers, Hilux pick up van and Toyota Corrola Saloon car were either badly damaged or riddled with bullet”.
The attack is coming barely two months after the Governor escaped death following the accident involving his convoy at Auchi, where three journalists in his convoy lost their lives.
However, the Police Command in a statement signed by its spokesman in the state, DSP Anthony Airhuoyo, narrated that “the governor went on campaign tour to Usen town in Ovia South West Council of Edo state, the governor while on his way to the campaign venue met the students and promised to address them on his way back.

Job Opportunity! Ndani is recruiting!!!

Not too long ago, BN showed you interviews with Davido, Tiwa Savage and Folake Folarin-Coker on Ndani TV. Now the online platform aiming to be the number one online site for premium African businesses, entertainment and travel content is currently seeking dedicated and hardworking individuals who have skills in blogging, film making or script writing and tv presenting to join its team.

Be an Ndani TV Presenter
Are you one who looks in the mirror and pretend that you are the next big TV presenter? Then grab this chance of being a real TV Presenter for Ndani. They are looking for bold, creative and funny individuals, who can keep viewers glued to their screens. To be Ndani’s TV presenter, send an E-mail toaudition@ndani.tv with a photograph and short bio of yourself on or before Wednesday 4th July 2012.

Ideas for Ndani
Are you a filmmaker or scriptwriter? or simply just an individual who has an idea for TV, then jump for joy as Ndani is giving you a platform to showcase your talent. All interested individuals should send their video URLs or a treatment if you are a scriptwriter to ideas@ndani.tv.

Fashola says Third Mainland would not be closed fully... wants FRSC to stay off LASTMA jurisdiction which Includes 3 MB

The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola on Monday said that contrary to what has been reported, the Third Mainland Bridge will not be shut down from July but that diversions will take place depending on what sections of the road will be worked upon.

He urged residents of the State not to entertain any needless fear about the impending repair works on the Third Mainland Bridge, saying it is all about proper management of the situation.

Mr Fashola who spoke in an interview with State House Correspondents at Lagos House, Ikeja said that it is a process which has taken place before and when it took place the people went through it and it was managed successfully even though there were some traffic.

“Let us remember that we have done this before. Two years ago four joints were fixed and I think we managed the traffic by communicating with our people. So, contrary to what has been reported, it is not a total closure but a partial closure.

BREAKING: 50 cent hospitalized after Truck crashes into his Car

50 Cent has reportedly been hospitalised after being involved in a 'horrific' car crash.

According to fan-site ThisIs50.com, the accident occurred on the Long Island Expressway in New York, after his bullet-proof SUV was hit from behind by a Mack truck.

Paramedics are thought to have rushed to the scene of the collision, with the website showing pictures of the In Da Club hitmaker lying on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace as he is taken to Queens hospital.

It is thought Fiddy - real name Curtis Jackson - is undergoing tests on his neck and back - although the website is yet to reveal any further details concerning his condition.

Goodluck Jonathan is a joke – Professor George @ayittey

One of the World’s foremost economists, Professor George Ayittey has lashed out at the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), describing him as “a joke” and a mediocre President after his (GEJ’s) encounter with the media last night.

According to Professor Ayittey, Nigeria “deserves a better leader”, judging by GEJ’s poor, almost unfortunate responses to some of the questions posed to him by the Nigerian media last night.
The Professor indicated that GEJ’s refusal to declare his assets and his failure to tackle the Boko Haram crisis suggests that he is of an unsound mind.

He therefore called on Nigerians to rid themselves of GEJ as soon as possible.

He said: “Nigerians should not put up with such mediocrity and should mount a RECALL GEJ campaign. They should check Chapter VI of their Constitution. See Sections 143 and 144 about removing the President and Vice-President from office other than through elections”.

“137; 1c: “A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if under the law in any part of Nigeria, he is adjudged to be a lunatic or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind.”

Arik flight delayed for 30 mins in the Air as Airspace was shut for VIP

Popular lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, has demanded that the federal government reveal the identity of the VIP whose movement caused a partial closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, last Tuesday.

Falana, who was on an Arik Air Flight W3 271, said the plane stayed in the air for an extra 30 minutes after it approached Abuja from Lagos because the airspace was closed.

House of Reps resolution banning Farouk Lawan on Video

Court says Sanusi has no right to grant Islamic Banking Licences

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, held that the Central Bank, CBN, Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, lacked the constitutional powers to issue license for the operation of a non interest bank under the Islamic commercial jurisprudence.

Delivering judgment in a suit that was filed by a lawyer, Mr Godwin Sunday, challenging the institutionalization of the Islamic banking system in the country by Sanusi, the court maintained that the action was in flagrant violation of section 10 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The court preisded over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole noted that in-line with the extant provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, BOFIA, Cap B2, Laws of Nigeria, 2004, the CBN governor, ought to have secured the nod of both the National Assembly and the Minister of Finance, before issuing license and guidelines for the operation of Islamic Bank in the country.

Lamido Sanusi, CBN governor

It however declined to revoke the license earlier issued to one Jaiz Bank International Plc to operate Islamic banking in the country on the premise that the plaintiff lacked the  locus-standi to institute the action.