Top 100 people, places, events and things that shaped 2008

Funny how time flies. Isn‘t it just a few months ago that we screamed happy new year? Now, it‘s all of 12 months gone by. Whether we have used them well, or squandered them (like a child does a tip), is a matter our conscience will decide. But, as a special year-end treat, e-Punch reminds you of some of the moments, people, ideas, and elements that made the year what it is. Enjoy!

1. DBANJ: 28 year-old Dapo Oyebanjo finally released his second full length album in 2008. And he not only got blessings from the Oba of Lagos, he had Lagos Governor, Raji Fashola and his predecessor, Bola Tinubu on stage at the launch of Entertainer on July 25. With his characteristic sex themes and libido braggadocio, the charming singer re-enacted his pact with female fans this year. And, to show he‘s still on the right path, he was named best African act at the MTV Africa Music Awards, earning him a stage collabo with former Destiny’s Child singer, Kelly Rowland.

2. 2FACE IDIBIA: Mr. Idibia was the butt of comedians’ jokes this year - no thanks to a string of pregnancies and endless baby mama dramas. But not one to be fazed by what people say, the 33 year-old pop star kept his mind on his business: dropping a chain of singles, performing from Australia to Russia, and playing daddy to his different kids (five, as at the last count). Oh, he performed with Akon, recorded with Sway, R.Kelly, Chaka Demus &Pliers; and got honoured by World music awards in Monaco too… (He released his third solo album, Unstoppable on Wednesday December 17).

3. THE KEYBOARD: whether it’s the piano, organ or the computer input buttons, the keyboard has continued to be one of the most relevant tools in entertainment for countless years. And now, in the age of computer-generated graphics, digital productions and live band performances, the keyboard is coming in handy, as an indispensable tool, as far as home entertainment is concerned.

4. PROTOOLS: Step aside analogue studios. This is the ear of digital productions. Gone are the days when musicians stormed studios with 30-man bands, to produce a record. These days, all you need is a song book, a producer, a console, and a PC loaded with all the production softwares money can buy. Be it reason, protools, fruity loops or any other song making, editing or graphics software, they‘re the reason most of the top directors and producers are still in business. Only God knows what they‘ll do with softwares next year…

5. MUSON: The Musical Society of Nigeria clocked 25 this year. And the series of events to mark the milestone were a testimony to the success of the society‘s goals, as well as the pride of place the MUSON centre occupies, amongst the few event venues around the Lagos metropolis.

6. HHWA: The award for hip hop culture and urbane music entered its third year with pomp. With major sponsorship from MTN, an ambitious motive (change must change, they kept screaming), and a community of artistes hoping the awards would be a stamp of excellence on their works, HHWA reaffirmed its position as Nigeria‘s number one music awards; even scoring another first by giving out a brand new Hyundai Sonata to winner of the Next Rated category.

7. MTV: Three years after coming to Africa, MTV base has inscribed its signature indelibly on the industry’s landscape. In 2008 especially, it took the game several notches higher - inspiring scores of Grade A videos that‘ll make even Hype Williams jealous. The cable channel collaborated with Shell to help budding African talents shoot videos, and gave hitherto hopeless acts an opportunity to be heard via Advance warning. Unfortunately, the MTV Africa Music Awards, which would have capped a year of achievements, performed far below expectations and earned the channel severe knocks from the media and industry insiders.

8. 9ICE: This year, he cat-walked gently into the class of A list acts. Then he sashayed into the millionaires‘ club, and walked down the aisle with the love of his life, Toni Payne. He was named best new act by hip hop world awards, best African act by MOBO awards, and best hip hop act at the MAMAs. He moved from the ‘hood in Bariga, to a Lagos Duplex and bought choice properties around the city. In just 12 months, the singer has moved from an obscure, struggling artiste, to become one of the most wanted entertainers of the year.

9. COBHAMS: The visually-impaired song-writer, producer and singer continued to show us that he is not handicapped. Fresh from producing Asa‘s debut album, Cobhams Asuquo opened his studio in Ikeja, Lagos — opening his doors to hundreds of talents (including Omolara, Darey, Rooftop Mcs) and clinching the Skye Bank and Zain ad deals. Now, he’s set up a full production company, Cobhams Asuquo Music Production, CAMP, and we can‘t even start to imagine what he‘ll dabble into in 2009.

10. OLU MAINTAIN: His former band-mate, Tolu has gotten married and settled for life out of public glare. But Olumide Edward Adegbulu, the Ondo-born singer carrying on the Maintain flag is not about to slow down. Armed with only one major hit (yahoozeey), Mr. Olu has changed his fortune and that of his family. He has recruited fans from Lagos to London and Los Angeles, and even gotten Nigeria’s President Umar Musa Yar’Adua and former US Secretary of State, Collin Powel to rock his sound.

11. ASA: For years, a strong question mark hung over the future of her career, following a bitter dispute with her Nigerian label, Questionmark Records. But in 2007, the songbird flew away and pitched her tent with an independent French label called Naïve records. The result is the eponymously titled album that topped the charts for months, moved amazing units, and established her as one of Africa‘s most promising talents in 2008. A gallery of awards, sold-out concerts all over Nigeria and Europe, and an income that continues to skyrocket, the young musician has so much to show for her hardwork, and now, she may just have commenced work on a new set of materials.

12. NMVA: Nigeria‘s premiere honours event for music videos rolled out the green carpet for its second edition on November 30. And, although a majority of the young pop and hip hop stars were nowhere to be found, top veterans (including Victor Uwaifo, Bisi Olatilo, Patrick Doyle and Bongos Ikwe) added colour to the do…

13. NAETO C: Naeto C’s parents wanted him to study Medicine & Surgery. He ended up studying Biology which he soon dumped for -of all things - music. But, it‘s just a few years down the line and his audacity is already paying off. U know my p, his debut album not only spawned off a string of hits, it endeared him to a new crop of hip hop followers, and showed everyone around him that music can also put good food on the table after all. If you hear young people around you chanting Kini big deal, yes boss! Or using words like P and swagger, now you know who to hold responsible.

14. MI: Just like Naeto Chikwe, Jude Abaga locked down the underground for several months in 2008. With a refreshing style and incredible word bank, the Chocolate city rapper eventually found his way to the mainstream, dropping one of the most anticipated albums of 2008.

15. MODE 9: The year started on a slow note for the master lyricist. And after he parted ways with his label, Questionmark, many thought not much would come forth from his quarters. But Modey rearranged and shocked us all. First, he floated his own imprint Red Eye Records, teamed up with Banky W for a covert diss track, and eventually dropped his new album, Paradigm shift. Now, following the vocal punches at rival Ruggedman, we‘re all talking about Mode 9 again! Gimmick? Well, only time will tell.

16. PASUMA: Last year, he took part in Celebrity Takes 2, and almost won the top prize. This year, Pasuma Wonder appeared on countless collaborations and continued in his quest to take Fuji music to a hitherto reluctant, pop-loving audience. The 40 year-old act has won more converts to the genre than any other in his class, and despite cultivating a new league of fans; he retains a firm hold on the streets.

17. SAHEED OSUPA: One of Fuji’s most remarkable talents got into the headlines for the wrong reasons this year, following lingering superiority battles with Sule Malaika and Pasuma.

18. RHYTHM UNPLUGGED: Flytime promotions’ Cecil Hammond continues to use daring hypes to draw our attention to his annual multi-city concert series. And we‘re not about to start complaining. This year, Unplugged went to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos. And, the ratings are still soaring, making it look it if you‘re an artiste and you‘re not on the gig, you may as well fire your managers…

19. ANNIE MACAULAY: Very dramatic year it was for Miss Annie Uwanna Macaulay. She kicked started her movie career, finally started recording for her TV show (Unwinding with Annie), got pregnant for longtime on-and-off lover, 2face Idibia, lost the pregnancy, and got pregnant again! Now, on December 10, she delivered a baby girl - finally joining the association of 2face Idibia baby mamas.

20. PERO ADENIYI: She grabbed headlines in April, after it was reported she had delivered a set of twins for 2face Idibia in Barbados. The news was later confirmed to be false, and Ms Adeniyi later delivered a boy, her second child for the singer. But she spent the better part of the year feuding with Idibia and his mom, Rose. Only later in the year did reconciliation occur, with the new baby officially named in 2face’s ‘hood, FESTAC Town, Lagos.

21. TONI PAYNE: Blogger, stylist and businesswoman, Toni finally said ‘‘I do‘‘ to her heartthrob this year. The US-based lady exchanged vows with singer, 9ice on Thursday July 17 at a quiet ceremony attended by close friends and colleagues. She immediately stepped up her involvement in his international management, and brokered a summer US tour for her spouse. And on December 4, she delivered the couple‘s first baby at Presbyterian Hospital, Southern California.

22. BELLA NAIJA: if a contest were ever to hold, there‘s no doubt Nigerians all over the world would vote bellanaija their favourite blog. A regular online destination for those keen on keeping up with happenings in fashion, music and movie circles, the blog eventually metamorphosed into a full-blown e-magazine this year. The brain behind it all, 24 year-old Uche Eze also finally revealed her identity, through an interesting interview with Chude Jideonwo.

23. NAYO: Daughter of late “pillar” of sports, Dokun Abidoye, Nayo got fans hooked on her music from Europe to America. And this year, she took the necessary trip back home to reconnect and establish her career. Did Nigerians love her soul sound? Yes. But soon, she was off again, flying from London to the US, as she put pen to paper for a major deal with Starbucks coffee.

24. PROJECT FAME: Endemol partnered Ultima Studios and MTN Xtracool to deliver the first ever Project Fame West Africa. On a continent where raw talent abounds, without the necessary structures to nurture them, the talent hunt was an opportunity for thousands of wannabes within the sub-region to attempt to get their voices heard. And for the TV viewer, it was a whole three months of home entertainment…though still a far cry from its rested continental version, the effort.

25. BBA: For all of 90 days, we followed the third season of Big Brother Africa show; taking sides, monitoring our favourite housemates and voting non-stop. And, thankfully, there was no Richard/Ofunneka scandal to mar this year‘s edition. 21 year-old Angolan, Ricco was announced winner on November 23, winning $100,000. Nigeria‘s Uti Nwachukwu was voted out mid-way into the show (exactly day 42).

26. DAN FOSTER: The American broadcaster washed off his Casanova image when he finally settled down this year. Then he shocked us all when he threw in the towel at Cool FM. He has since been with Inspiration FM, where he continues his morning show, and regular Sunday gospel shows.

27. KENNIS: Nigeria‘s foremost record label showed it still has the magic when it launched a hitherto unknown Kelly Hansome into the mainstream within months. A fresh romance with 2face Idibia is also glaring. And, with Kennis TV shaping up, it‘s looking like there‘s no stopping the 10 year-old company

28. RUGGEDMAN: With the likes of Naeto C, MI and Ikechukwu chasing so closely behind, Ruggedman is not slowing down at all. The rapper has his feet on the pedals, moving on at full speed and knocking obstructions out of his way: e.g. Mode 9, whom he dissed on Banging. And, he still holds the title of ‘best rapper‘, according to hip hop world awards 2008.

29. COOL FM: Things got heated up at the Cool station this year. Key members of staff departed in quick succession, including Olisa Adibua, Dan Foster, Ibrahim Abubakar and Chris Ubosi. Then an attempt to rework the Dan Foster formula, using Keith Lane failed woefully, causing the station‘s management to look inwards and settle for DJ Manny as lead anchor for the Good morning Nigeria show.

30. SWE BAR: Located inside the City Mall, Onikan, Lagos, Swe has transformed from a lunch spot for business executives to a major hang-out for some of showbiz industry‘s finest. So, it‘s not surprising that some of the year‘s major events held at Swe. And, also, where do you go to if you want to enjoy rich, live music from bands such as Godbless‘? It‘s Swe!

31. UNRULIES: When a couple of young, upwardly-mobile people come together to form a loose coalition, it‘s not likely it‘ll take long before we notice. And, true, it didn‘t take long before we realised the Unrulies were in our midst. Made up of BBN alumnus-Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, singer-writer Tosyn Bucknor, Newscaster Lamide Akintobi, On-air personality Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Marketing communication executive Noble Igwe, Designer Muiyiwa Oshindero, Journalist Chris Ihidero and few others, the young men and women are building a cause from what started as fun, and they‘re inspiring many in their generation to ‘rewrite the rules‘. Now, they‘re even up for team of the year, at the Future Awards next year.

32. KEKE AND D-ONE: The Primetime partners are stuck like Siamese. And they‘ve become globally known, hosting their famous show and covering events all over the world. But, really, what they‘re most respected for within and outside the entertainment industry is their portrayal of showbiz as a bankable industry, and the remarkable successes they‘ve recorded - for themselves and for talents- in an industry hitherto ignored by government and the corporate sector.

33. DJ T: He was named best director at Hip Hop World Awards and best editor at Nigerian Music Video Awards this year. What more proof do you need that Tokunbo Odubawo is on top of his game? The cinematographer is leading the pack of directors who are providing the redefinition of standards, when the subject is music videos. And does he get paid in full!

34. CLARENCE PETERS: 2008 was Mr. Peters’ year. He shot some of the best videos for the year, got named as best director at NMVA, and signed rappers, Kel and Suspect on his record label.

35. KEL: Step aside Sasha, Bouqui and Weird MC, Kel is the new kid on the block. We received the Lagos-based rapper with open arms when she dropped her debut single Waa wa alright. Now, she‘s worked with Sound Sultan, Ill Bliss and others, convincing us she‘s ready for her own full album

36. DON JAZZY: The president of Mo’ Hits Records is one of Nigeria‘s most gifted producers. Driving his business to the top-three league in less than three years, the young entrepreneur is lighting the way for millions of youths strolling closely behind…

37. TY MIX: Many didn‘t know him until he appeared as judge on Project Fame West Africa. But the Abuja-based producer laced the beats for some of the greatest songs this year. E.g. Kini big deal. He‘s worked with everyone that counts already; and together with Dr Frabs, ID Cabasa and Terry G, the beat-maker is plotting a take-over in 2009

38. THISDAY MUSIC FESTIVAL: The annual music extravaganza organised by Nduka Obaigbena‘s Leaders and Company, stormed four cities this year: Abuja, Lagos, London and Washington. Driven by the mission to canvass for investments for Africa, instead of aids, the tour commanded global attention, and was supported by top international models, artistes and leaders.

39. JOICE IZE IYAMU: The CEO of Rogue Entertainment has since parted ways with 2face Idibia. But she remained relevant all through the year, partnering with international labels — Tantrum Records, and Grafton Entertainment. And, she got plenty thumbs up when she teamed up with Hamzat Subair&Co for ‘Understanding Show business‘, a one-day seminar that held in Lagos.

40. HIP TV: The syndicated TV show, produced by Smooth Promotions, brought a lot of life to TV, when it appeared all hope was lost. 2008 is the year the show got on a dozen more stations, entered the UK, and staged an all-white exclusive gig in London to commemorate its first anniversary.

41. NIGEZIE: From day one, they‘ve told us what they are: Extremely Nigerian. Kwame and his team stayed true to the dream all through the year, providing home-made entertainment for viewers on terrestrial and cable TV.

42. SOUNDCITY: Nigeria‘s number one all-music channel has a firm grip on the pulse of urbane youth culture. And, with a new set of ambassadors, a monthly glossy magazine, and the annual Soundcity Blast Concert, they more than kept us all on our toes all through the year

43. ETCETERA: Just Like Asa, Modele, TY Bello and Nayo, the cool rocker made us heave a sigh of relief when he released his self-titled album. Brilliant to the last beat, the X3M music act made talent fashionable again - and now, he‘s reaping the benefits!

44. ID CABASA: The Coded Tunes head-honcho has mastered the language of the beats. But instead of selfishly keeping it to himself alone, he‘s blessing almost every artiste with it, cooking up beats that produce hits. From Ruggedman to 9ice and Banky W, they‘re all giving him kudos.

45. GODFATHER: If you shot a video in South Africa this year, you most likely would have crossed paths with Godfather. Everyone, from P-square to Faze, Weird MC and the Mo Hits crew, have worked with him at one point or the other. With top of the range film equipments, the South Africa-based director is the other factor luring musicians to Jo‘burg - apart from the beautiful scenery, that is!

46. YINKA AIYEFELE: The Ibadan-based musician had an elongated tour of the US this year; and he was away for so long that his protracted absence fuelled rumours that he had been arrested in America. Of course, it was all lies. He hit back at rumour mongers, returned home to honour engagements and set out again…

47. KWEEN: Ms Onokala had it all coming on so fast. But soon, she was running off to the UK without any explanations. It was only later in August that word leaked out she had taken in, and was hibernating in London, to avoid the prying eyes of the press. Those close to her predicted she would get married to her lover, Dotun before year-end, and return to face her career. But, while we still wait for that, the singer‘s new single, Jowobiko is entering the charts already.

48. AY: The fast-rising comedian eventually tied the knots with his long-time lover, Mabel at a celebrity wedding in Lagos. The entire industry trooped to Kris Okotie’s Household of God Church on November 29, as the couple exchanged vows. Done entirely in an interesting style, the ceremony marked the final ‘arrival’ of AY, who, until recently, was a personal assistant to top comedian, Ali Baba.

49. FACEBOOK: Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg and his guys, the way we now live has changed so rapidly that we can’t remember the way we used to live. All through the year, artistes used the portal to spread new songs, promote upcoming shows, correspond with fans, and circulate videos. And when we say artistes, we mean every artiste still breathing oxygen - including KWAM 1, Pasuma and Tunde Kuboye. If the blackberry is the most revolutionary mobile business tool, then Facebook would be the most revolutionary social networking site.

50. P-SQUARE: Truth be told, the year did not start on a good note for the hardworking twins. After a trailer load of nominations, they went home empty-handed from the Hip Hop World Awards. And their reaction (The brother/manager Jude told a journalist the awards should be called Yoruba hip hop world awards) generated a bitter controversy that split the industry into two. But the months that followed were fruitful for the Anambra-born entertainers. They headlined countless gigs across the continent, earning more fans than any other act in their category; they escaped a couple of car crashes and Peter even survived a domestic accident. Then they were named best group at Channel O Music Video Awards and the MAMAs. Oh, did we also tell you that Peter got a gift from his lover, Lola Omotayo? What? A cute baby boy

Judge throws out Fayose’s application

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday, threw out the application of the former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, asking the court to stay further proceedings on a money-laundering suit preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Dismissing the ex-governor‘s application, Justice Tijani Abubakar held that the accused was merely filing applications to waste the time of the court, adding that the application lacked merit.

Fayose is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an alleged N1.4bn money laundering and illegal diversion of public funds.

In the instant application, Fayose had urged the court to stay further proceedings in the suit pending the determination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lagos.

Fayose‘s lawyer, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, had argued that the appeal raised arguable and substantial issues of law.

But the EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Wahab Shittu, opposed the application, adding that the court had earlier struck out an application of similar nature.

In his ruling, Justice Tijani Abubakar held that on the basis of section 40 of the EFCC, which said that proceedings could not be stayed, pending judgment, the accused application must fail.

He said, “The application is devoid of merit and it is hereby refused.”

The judge latter adjourned the matter till February 18, 2009 for trial.

NUJ rejects Akunyili as Information minister

The Nigeria Union of Journalists on Thursday rejected the appointment of Prof. Dora Akunyili as the Minister of Information and Communication.

It said that such an appointment smacked of ill-advice and disdain for the mass media.

In a press statement signed by the National Secretary of the union, Mr. Shu’aibu Usman Leman, in Abuja, the NUJ said that Akunyili’s appointment to the information portfolio was not right.

It said that with Akunyili’s zeal, honesty and commitment to work, she would have been more suitable for the Ministry of Health.

“The NUJ national secretariat, frowns at the recent appointment of Prof. Dora Akunyili as Minister for Information and Communication by President Umaru Yar’Adua.

“The appointment is ill-advised and smacks of the usual disdain with which politicians perceive the media.

“It is noteworthy, the zeal, honesty and commitment “Akunyili brought to bear in the discharge of her assignment as the Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, and we thus assumed that a personality like her would be assigned the portfolio of Minister of Health.

“That would have been putting a round peg in a round hole rather than the present situation which is a misnomer.”

The NUJ said that all over the world, governments constituted their cabinets “with a clear vision of what they intend to achieve and assigned portfolios to their appointees based on their fields of specialisation.”

The union added that it was apparent that the Yar’Adua administration did not know how it intended to achieve its goal through the appointments.

Meanwhile, Akunyili has declared that her new assignment was a new beginning in her public service.

At a brief handover ceremony at the ministry‘s Radio House Headquarters, Akunyili said telling lies to the public damaged the reputation of any government.

She promised not to lie in the course of her assignment.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Lame, said elsewhere internal security remained a crucial agenda for the administration.

Akunyili‘s predecessor, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment, Mr. John Odey, also said though he was not a slave driver, he got some good results.

Akunyili said, “I have enjoyed serving Nigerians through the NAFDAC where I worked with my wonderful and indefatigable team to safeguard the health of the ordinary Nigerian.

“Today is, therefore, a special day for us. It is indeed a new beginning in my public service life. Today, I find myself stirring the ship of this very important ministry as the chief image maker of Nigeria.

“This ministry represents the image and the soul of the nation. Piloting the affairs of this ministry which will be jointly done by the Minister of State and I cannot be successfully carried out without your support.

“My vision is to work assiduously to shore up the good image of Nigeria through responsible communication which entails proper information management. Responsible information management does not mean telling lies. In fact, one thing we must avoid is telling lies to the public.

“When we lie to the public about any situation, they will surely find out and lose confidence in us as the information mouthpiece of the nation and if this happens, no matter how well-intentioned we eventually become, the public would have lost confidence in us, that they will reject whatever programme or policy we introduce, no matter how credible.”

The new Minister of Police Affairs promised to revitalise the force to be more focused in addressing the nation‘s internal security.

He said, “In actual fact, this government sees security as the basis upon which all the other items will have to be built on and without security, there is no way that we can have an environment to operate.”

Also, the new Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), has said that his ministry is strategic to the realisation of the seven-point agenda of President Umaru Yar’Adua as well as Vision 2020.

Dupri Still Janet's Boyfriend, But Not Her Baby Daddy

The nonfather has spoken.

Jermaine Dupri has taken to his punctuation-eschewing blog to deny rumors that he and longtime love Janet Jackson have broken up and that the pop diva is pregnant, as she was so labeled by a recent magazine cover.

"As you all know Janet is a very private person the only reason you see her as much as you do on my YouTube vlog is because of me LOL," Dupri wrote (in all caps, incidentally).

"But I hear yall and your questions. So hear [sic] you have it… No she is not pregnant and yes we're still together."

Rumors arose that Miss Jackson was expecting after she was forced to miss nearly a dozen dates on her Rock Witchu tour due to, according to her camp, migraine-induced vertigo. Then the lack of Dupri sightings while Jackson was recuperating further hinted at the possibility of a breakup.

A chain reaction that Dupri is apparently familiar with.

"It baffles me how yall let these blog and magazines control your lives [sic]," he continued.

"That's why I created Global14.com so when ever hear s--t about me you can come right here and get the truth."

Igbinedion convicted, fined

A former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, was on Thursday convicted on a one-count charge of corruption by the Federal High Court, Enugu.

Igbinedion will, however, not go to jail as he was merely fined N3.6m.

The light sentence was the result of a plea-bargain arrangement the former governor entered into with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

But the commission, which arraigned him alongside four companies in which he had interests in, rejected the judgment, saying it would go on appeal.

The EFCC, which had filed a 191-count charge of corruption, money laundering and embezzlement against Igbinedion and the companies made a volte face on Wednesday by dropping the charges. It filed an amended 24-count but arraigned him on just a count.

Igbenedion, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to the 191-count charge, admitted being liable to the one-count charge.

The single charge reads, “That you, Lucky Igbinedion (former governor of Edo State) on or about January 21, 2008, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court neglected to make a declaration of your interest in the account No. 41240113983110 with GTBank in the declaration of Assets Form of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 27(3) of the EFCC Act, 2004.”

The second accused, Kiva Corporation, was convicted on two of the 23 count- charge levelled against it and ordered to pay N500m fine and to forfeit its landed properties.

The properties include a parcel of land at Asokoro, Abuja, a detached building on two plots comprising four- bedroom and two outer houses in GRA, Benin, and a storey building also in Benin, to the Federal Government.

Igbinedion, who came with a few of his aides, paid the fine within minutes after the verdict and was driven away in a white Peugeot 307 marked Nasarawa AG 16 NSW.

During the proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, informed the court that the EFCC had withdrawn the charges against the accused and filed amended charges against them.

The former governor thereafter, entered the dock where he pleaded guilty.

Jacobs had told the court that the former governor failed to disclose in his assets declaration form that he had N3, 579, 524.16 in his GTBank account.

He tendered five exhibits, including the certified true copy of the assets declaration form, the statement of account of Kiva Corporation which showed how monies were paid into the GTBank account; and payment vouchers from the Edo State Government House showing how monies were withdrawn and lodged into the account of the company.

The index of payment received from government house showing withdrawals and payments of money to the company was also tendered.

The prosecution urged the court to consider the ingredients under count two and three where payments totaling N30m was made to Kiva Corporation on January 10, 2007 and another sum of N70m paid to the same company on May 17, 2007 by one Pat Eboigbodin, an Edo State Government official.

“These showed that the company retained the proceed of crime and Your Lordship is empowered under section 16 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004 to convict the accused for the offence,” Jacob said.

It urged the court to take the facts as stated and to convict accordingly.

Igbinedion’s lawyer, Mr. Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), did not object.

The former governor was then directed to confirm the ingredients of the facts which he did.

Shortly before Justice Abdullahi Kafarati adjourned to prepare the judgment, Oyeyipo made an allocutus (plea for mitigation of sentence).

He prayed the court to consider the fact that his client voluntarily returned to the country from a foreign trip when he learnt that the EFCC had filed charges against him.

Oyeyipo said, “Your Lordship would observe that on occasions when he was granted leave to travel, he had always returned to face trial.

“Even when he acquired the e-passport, without any prompting, he submitted the passport to the court. The accused was charged with neglecting to make a declaration of assets, but he didn’t willfully refuse or knowingly refuse to disclose his interest in an account.

“The amount in the account as stated by the prosecution is N3, 579, 524.16; this is not an amount he would ordinarily want to hide. My Lord, the account is that of a first offender and this offence is a strict liability offence.

“Taking the circumstances into consideration, the status of the accused before he became Edo State Governor and also as a former governor, we respectfully urge your Lordship to impose the mildest punishment sir, particularly, having regards to section 382 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Act which is applicable in this count.”

In his judgment, Justice Kafarati convicted Igbinedion and Kiva Corporation as charged by virtue of the facts and exhibits presented before him.

Kafarati took cognisance of what he called the demeanor of the accused and the severity of his offence before pronouncing the verdict.

He said, “Having considered the charge against the first accused and since the amount is negligible, he is therefore sentenced to a fine of N3, 579, 524.16, being the amount in the GTBank account he failed to declare.

“He should be remanded in EFCC custody until he pays the fine,” the judge ordered.

Oyeyipo thanked the judge for the ‘wise exercise’ of his power.

But the EFCC later issued a statement in which it said that it was disappointed by the judgment of the court.

It claimed in the statement by its Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, that it “would rather go the long way of prosecution than to settle for a plea-bargain verdict that has no bite or will not serve any deterrence purpose.”

The statement reads, “The former governor had sought for a plea-bargain in the course of his prosecution by the EFCC. The outcome of the exercise at the court in Enugu however fell short of our expectation.

“It is believed that the essence of a plea-bargain is not only for suspects to forfeit the proceeds of crime but that such should go with a sentence which will serve as deterrent.

“In view of this development, the Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, has instructed the commission‘s counsel to file an appeal against the verdict immediately.”

Oyeyipo later told journalists that the summary of the charges against his client “either in their original or amended form, bordered on the use of security votes or utilisation of duty tour allowance.”

The Senior Advocate added that the experience of his client in the past 11 months had been humbling and traumatic.

Jacobs, in an interview with our correspondent, said he was neither happy nor sad over the judgment.

He said, “The judge exercised his discretion in sentencing the accused, so there was nothing we could do. I may appeal if directed to do so, but the fact that the accused is convicted is enough.”

Arsene Wenger Waves Goodbye To The Big Four The Gunners boss believes the time has almost arrived when the barrier between England's big guns and the

Arsenal slipped out of the Champions League places at the weekend when they failed to claim victory over Middlesbrough - but, thankfully for them, they weren't the only heavyweights who struggled.

The Premier League leaders, Liverpool, scraped a 2-2 draw against Hull City; Manchester United, the defending champs, couldn't even score against Tottenham Hotspur; and Chelsea's home woes continued as they drew 1-1 with West Ham United.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa vaulted into fourth spot by downing Bolton Wanderers, and people are starting to whisper that perhaps Martin O'Neill's men can guard their place until season's end.

Arsene Wenger, who is under real pressure for perhaps the first time in his illustrious North London career, has no doubt that the Villans - and others besides - are on the verge of tearing down the traditional powerhouses.

The French manager told The Sun: “For me the so-called ‘Big Four’ in England is about to change. It won’t last much longer.

“This year in the Premier League there have been changes which are, in reality, good for football values. Manchester United beat Sunderland only in the last minute and drew at Spurs, we were beaten by Stoke and Hull.

“That will continue until March when clubs have earned their safety for next season but won’t be fighting for European qualification. Then these clubs will let things go a little bit.

“But the technical level in our league has increased because players are being bought from all over the world and bringing new talent. The other day, for example, Wigan had Kevin Kilbane, Jason Koumas and Amr Zaki on the bench! This is impressive in my view.”

Some might accuse Wenger of attempting to deflect attention from Arsenal's worrying inconsistency. But when one sees newly promoted Hull holding sixth spot after 16 games, it's hard to rebutt the ex-Monaco gaffer on this issue.

Cecil Braun, Goal.com

Blackburn Set To Install New Boss By Saturday After the Guv'nor lost his seat yesterday, Rovers are hoping to have a new boss at the helm by the weeke

Blackburn Rovers are presently without a manager after Paul Ince was, unsurprisingly, shown the door on Tuesday.

The former England captain took charge at Ewood Park only this summer, replacing his one-time Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes.

But with the Lancashire club sitting 19th in the Premier League after 16 games, it seemed inevitable that the ex-Milton Keynes Dons boss would receive his marching orders sooner or later.

Now Rovers are looking for a new gaffer, and chairman John Williams has revealed that Ince's successor could well be sorted in time for this weekend's clash against relegation scrap with Stoke City.

Willians said in the Daily Mail: "Time lines are tight. We will endeavour to have a new manager in place for Saturday's game but there are no guarantees and we must ensure we get the right man."

Graeme Souness, who bossed Blackburn from 2000-2004, is the favourite to take the reins, while Alan Curbishley and Sam Allardyce are also in contention.

Leslie May, Goal.com

Scolari To Chelsea: Get Me An 'Organiser'! He supposedly has no money to spend this winter, but the Blues boss is still asking for all sorts of new pl

Chelsea might sit second in the Premier League standings, just one point behind leaders Liverpool, but their home form seems to have manager Luiz Felipe Scolari reaching for the alarm bell.

The Blues, once so dominant on the own turf, have now dropped 14 points at Stamford Bridge this term, following their 1-1 draw with West Ham United at the weekend.

There are many thoeries floating about as to why the London giants are struggling at home, especially as they have been unstoppable on the road.

Some believe the presence Nicolas Anelka instead of Didier Drogba up front has changed Chelsea's style, forcing them use the space behind rather than play direct. Thus, when teams park the bus at the Bridge, the hosts tend to struggle - as Scolari understands all too well.

"When we are at home our opponents close up at the back, with lots of men behind the ball," he told the Daily Mail. "It is different when we play away. The home sides play a more open game."

But while most reckon the problem lies in the forward set-up, Big Phil's eyes are fixed firmly on the middle of the park.

"We lack an organiser who can get hold of the ball, get forward and energise our front line," he said. "I just have players who work on the ball."

Some might find the Brazilian's statements a little hard to swallow given he has the likes of Deco, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole in his squad.

But he said: "Deco, Ballack and Lampard can all shoot but I don't have a player who can dribble.

"There is no point in me weeping or moaning or seeking blame. I have to find a solution - and that is what I will do."

Scolari may have to wait until next summer to solve this particular problem, though, as Chelsea's transfer kitty has been sewn shut this January.

Cecil Braun, Goal.com

America's Most Wanted Case Closed: Murderer of John Walsh's Son Identified

Finally some closure for John Walsh's family.

Florida police announced Tuesday that they have solved the murder of the America's Most Wanted host's 6-year-old son Adam, who was abducted and killed in 1981.

Authorities said at a news conference that a drifter named Ottis Elwood Toole, who confessed to the crime in 1983 but then recanted before he died in prison in 1996, was responsible. Toole was serving five life sentences for his role in murders committed with serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.

Adam disappeared from a shopping mall in Hollywood, Fla., on July 27, 1981. His severed head was discovered two weeks later in Vero Beach, 120 miles away; his body was never found.

When Toole initially confessed, investigators had no way to positively identify Adam's DNA from the bloodstained carpet found in Toole's Cadillac. When DNA testing was ordered in 1994, they couldn't locate the car. Hollywood police concluded that Toole was the killer, however, after a thorough review of the case records, a police spokesman said today.

Walsh, who helped Congress pass the Missing Children's Act in 1982 and began hosting what is currently Fox's longest-running show in 1988, was at the conference with his wife, Reve, and their three children.

"For 27 years we've been asking, 'Who could take a 6-year-old boy and murder him and decapitate him? Who?' " Walsh said today. "We needed to know. We needed to know. And today we know."

"The not knowing has been torture," he said. "But that journey's over."

Mamma Mia!: Titanic's U.K. Record Run Aground

Meryl Streep has sunk the Titanic in international waters.

The unflagging cheerfulness of ABBA conquered the red-hot chemistry between Leo and Kate this week as Mamma Mia! nudged aside the 11-time Oscar winner as the top-grossing film of all time at the U.K. box office.

The light 'n fluffy musical, en route to earning $571.7 million worldwide, has taken in $107.7 million across the pond after 22 weeks in theaters. Titanic held the record for 10 years after bagging 69 million pounds (about $107.5 million in today's currency) in 1998.

"Mamma Mia! is pure escapism, proving a fun and inexpensive way to forget about the state of the economy for a couple of hours," Universal Pictures International president David Kosse said Tuesday, calling the film a "true phenomenon."

DVD sales also went through the roof, with the jaunty romantic comedy sellling 1.7 million copies its first day out.

But not to worry: Titanic's record of $1.8 billion in global ticket sales will go on... and on.

At Ojude Oba fiesta, Glo paints Ijebu green

From right, The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Gov. Gbenga Daniel and his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel at the Ojude Oba festival

Again, December 9 this year would remain a day to remember for the Ijebu all over the world. It was the day millions of Ijebu sons and daughters as well as fun seekers from all over the world trooped to Ijebu Ode for this year’s Ojude Oba festival.

For the fourth year running, Globacom, Africa’s fastest-growing telecommunications giants, added glamour and colour to the event which it has been sponsoring since 2004.

The whole of Ijebu Ode, the capital of the Ijebu nation, was aglow in celebration of an event that has become a unifying factor for all Ijebu sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora.

This year, like other times, the town was excitingly attired in the company’s trademark lemon green colour as branded parasols, kiosks, and event-specific banners dotted all the nooks and crannies of the ancient town. Even a first time visitor to the town needed little explanation to understand that this was one festival which had become synonymous with Globacom. The company’s sponsorship of the event has, in the minds of many, raised it to an enviable tourists’ delight which attracts people from all walks of life and from other parts of the country.

Since 2004, Globacom has been picking Ojude Oba bills as the festival’s main sponsor.
It has also become an avenue for the company to empower indigent indigenes of Ijebuland by establishing well-equipped commercial telephone call centres for them as well as bringing the products and services of the company closer to the grassroots.

For over a century, Ojude Oba has been celebrated annually on the third day of Eid el Kabir. Now, it is celebrated by Muslims and Christians of Ijebu origin. The festival’s inception dates back to the early 1900s when the first set of Muslim converts thought it fit to visit the then Awujale to express gratitude to him for giving them a free rein in the practice of their new found faith. They also took the opportunity to pray for the monarch’s long life as well as the prosperity of the town.

This year, the tradition remains unchanged. The monarch played host to indigenes of the town who prayed for continued peace in Ijebuland as well the kingdom’s development. After the prayers came the parade of the regberegbes, a unique and age-old institution established to unite the society into age groups, male and female for the purpose of bringing development and progress to the community. There are about 36 groups with an average of, at least, 50 members per group.

Each group wore the latest in parading and dancing in unison to the tunes of traditional music at the background, to pay homage to the king. The entire palace was enveloped in glitz and glamour of phenomenal beauty. There was also a parade of the descendants of the war heroes who gained notable victories for the Ijebu nation during the intra-ethnic Yoruba wars in the pre-colonial days. Each year, the festival avails these classes of people the opportunity to simulate their battle strength and displays.

For Globacom, Ojude Oba allows customers to purchase starter packs comprising Nokia handset and Classic SIM at heavily discounte prices. Products and services were also made available to encourage purchase by intending subscribers.

Officials of the network equally attended to network-related queries, while devices such as handsets and laptops were provided for value-added services to enable access to its wide variety of value-added services. In order to satisfy one of its visions of empowering Nigerians, business centre packages were given to indigent citizens of Ijebuland in the bid to ensure they became self-reliant.

At the fun-filled fiesta, Globacom staged a rendezvous where Fuji crooner, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, dazzled the crowd with his brand of fuji music. He was supported by a renowned radio presenter cum-comedian, Baba Gboin. DJ Top was on the turntable. There were many gift items and several subscribers who thronged the rendezvous went home with gifts of branded items. The prizes were won by subscribers who competed in dance and mime of popular tunes among other competitions.

The rendezvous, according to Globacom’s Head of Business Solutions, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe, was to further identify with the people, using Ojude Oba as a platform. “The entertainment provided at the rendezvous gave vent to the company’s drive towards ensuring that everyone on the network enjoys tremendously on and off the network,” he stated.

Oba Awujale lauded Globacom’s sponsorship of the festival, saying “the company’s sponsorship of the event has raised it to an enviable tourists’ delight which attracts people from all walks of life and from other parts of the country.”

Globacom’s chairman, Otunba Mike Adenuga, in a speech at the festival, said his company had shown interest in the festival because its socio-cultural value complements
Globacom’s vision to celebrate the unique accomplishments of Nigeria as a nation. “We are confident that our collaboration will add colour to the festival,” said the highly intelligent industrialist.

Nigeria’s economy still strong –Soludo

For the second time in two months, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has re-assured that the nation’s economy remains stable, just as it shall introduce a banking strengthening strategy next month, monitoring the operational performance of all commercial banks in the country.

The apex bank Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who gave the assurance in Abuja on Tuesday, said the nation’s economy shall continue to remain stable, because government had responded early and positively to all possible economic defects as bad indicators capable of having adverse effects on the country’s economy, arising from the World current economic recession.

Responding to the Senate invitation on the current state of the economy, Soludo declared that CBN’s investigators would monitor the monetary activities of the banks, to enable it measure their exposure to the capital market and undertake all necessary economic growth programmes to keep the banks strong.

He stressed that as a way of dancing out of a self-imposed economic gloom, there was the need to allow the current pricing portfolio appreciate at its own level against foreign currency, saying that any short or long term economic policy, running contrary to the gradual economic recovery, may be dangerous in the short and long run.

According to the CBN governor, the current economic policy, ensuing in the low exchange rate of the naira against international currency, was deliberate and carefully implemented to ensure an internal and external reserve balance for the economy.

He explained that the economics of the currency exchange rate was such that in a world where a nation was faced by the challenge of a balance of payment, especially at the external front as adjudged by the country’s experience in the latter part of the year, declining oil prices, which accounted for 95 per cent of the foreign exchange, the economy should be allowed to appreciate gradually.

“ Every country that experiences that, you have two options: you either allow the prices to adjust by way of exchange rate or quantities would adjust. The quantity that will adjust would either mean that you cut down on domestic consumption, domestic investment and government spending in order to retain pressure on the external sector or you allow the price to do the readjusting,” he said.

Soludo disclosed that it was normal that the exchange rate should respond to several factors, including the current naira flexible exchange rate regime, as it were in most economies of the world, adding that the situation had always been determined by the demand and supply mechanism in the market.

He stressed that for an increasing supply of foreign exchange, the exchange rate would appreciate but when there was a declining supply and the demand in the economy, the exchange rate would depreciate.
The CBN governor warned that on no account should the nation embark on expending the foreign reserve despite the falling oil price, arguing that any attempt to do this or introduce any short medium fiscal policy similar to the then Structural Adjustment Programme, may end up in unemployment and low local production.

He disclosed that Algeria with the largest foreign exchange reserve in Africa with about 130 billion dollars, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, India, Russia Philippines and South Africa were diversifying their economies just like Nigeria in their attempt to avoid financial crisis.

“Nigeria happens to be one of such countries. Nigeria is not having a financial crisis but the global financial crisis impact on the Nigeria’s economy is through the declining oil price and therefore the declining squeeze affects the reserve.”, he observed.

Soludo re-iterated his confidence in the nation’s buoyant economy, saying that it went through a decline in 1981 when there was a high external debt relative to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the then government huge expenditure which was not the case presently.

“Now we don’t have it but then we had a fragile financial banking system that most of the banks owned by the government lacked depth, just too fragile. Today we have a stronger banking sector that grants credit that was larger than the federal government’s expenditure as at last September,” he said.

Terror scare: 6 foreigners, 3 Nigerians arrested in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday announced, at the end of the monthly conference of the Inspector General of Police with top officers, the arrest of six foreign nationals in a particular mosque in Kuje, Abuja, believed to be on a terrorist mission in the country.

The Commissioner, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Mr. John Haruna, disclosed that the suspected terrorists were picked up alongside three Nigerian partners, who were to lead them to four major mosques in the FCT for massive recruitment and training, Haruna added that intelligence reports gathered after the arrest of the gang revealed that Nigeria was among three other countries listed by the ‘Al-Qaeda ’ [a world terrorist body] for attack.

The FCT commissioner added that of the six arrested foreign terrorist suspects, four were with Zambian passports, while two carried Indian passports and the three Nigerian trainees, all looking rich, and well-fed and speaking Arabic fluently with good education, were moving from one mosque to another, using unpopular mosques to carry out their recruitment.

Mr Haruna also revealed that many of the suspected terrorists were already undergoing training in different parts of the country, stressing that the gang was already amassing arms and ammunition in some states of the federation with a view to striking at any given opportunity.

He further told the gathering that already he had beefed up security in the FCT, particularly at the foreign embassies and all high commission offices in Abuja. The FCT police boss also called on other state police commissioners and security agencies in the country to wake up to the challenge to avoid reoccurrence of what happened in the Western world and beyond, disclosing that investigations revealed that Zambia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, among others, were known as terrorists haven.
According to police commissioner, “ In recent times the fear of terrorism has increased even more than fear of crime.

“The unfortunate incident that happened in Jos connoting religious differences even amongst us, hightened that concern especially for those of us in the FCT. We had security reports that there were going to be retaliatory attacks in Nassarawa, FCT, Niger, compelling those of us in the zone to embark on not only massive patrol, but to continue intelligence gathering.

“Last week, there were certain movement of people out of Abuja as sort of exodus, as a result of this and in the course of our patrol, we had an intelligence report we had sleepless night. And one night, we heard reports of this particular number of people in a particular mosque in Kuje Abuja, I sent my officers there, including the area commander, who now arrested six foreigners, all of them well fed, very rich, who have been hibernating from one mosque to the other and never sleep in any hotel. According to them, they have been in this country since November 25, 2008. Four of them have Zambian passports while two had Indian passports and all communicated fluently in Arabic and have themselves to be of a particular brotherhood, which is not popular in this country.

“Upon interrogation, we were able to identify three of their Nigerian cohorts who are equally intakes. We discovered that they never stayed in any particular mosque for more than three days and they are not patronizing the normal mosque activities that we know and they equally used unpopular mosques that are virtually known by their members.

“At about the same time, there was this report that was circulated to the office of Secretary to the Federal Government through the office of the Inspector General of Police, which I happen to read, that from Tanzanian conveying to other countries in Africa that a notorious terrorist gang which took part in the bombing of Zanasala were over 250 people were killed that had also been seen between the border of Zambia and Tanzania.”

“The arrests of these people who look like Arabs and claim to be Zambians make our suspicion that they are Al-Qaeda connected. They were interrogated continuously and as highly educated who had no other thing to do as to go from one country to the other, to achieve their goals. They also said they have been to several other countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan which we all know as centres for training of terrorists (that is Al-Qaeda).

“The IG has personally interviewed them and briefed the President who ordered their transfer to more secured places. All of them got to Nigeria on invitation and that unless their passports were expertly faked; our embassies in India and Zambia gave them valid visas to come. Before their arrival, those that invited them have cleared our securities at the airport, including Police, State Security Service, SSS, and other security agencies at the airport.”

“There might be more of them, they may go unnoticed unless we go out to locate them and we surely believe that what they want to do is to sow that spirit of discord and probably arrange financing in due course, not necessarily immediately because, seeing these people will portray what am trying to say”, Mr. Haruna revealed.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Administration, Mr. Ogbonaya O. Onovo who presided over the session on behalf of the IGP at the conference said the report was part of new intelligence security gathering strategy of the Force, calling on Nigerians to be security conscious at all times as well as report any suspicious movement to the police or any other security agencies in the country.

Gamba Osaka: Alex Ferguson Is Only Human - We Are Not Afraid Asian Champions Gamba Osaka are not quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing Euro

The Japanese team laboured to a 1-0 win over Adelaide United on Sunday and are ready to step up a gear against the English giants.

"We have nothing to lose and we'll go all out, leave everything out there on the pitch,” Gamba captain Satoshi Yamaguchi told reporters.

"We don't want to be thinking we should have done this and that after the match, and as long as we're playing them, we'll play to win. But we need to make sure we don't play like we did against Adelaide."

At the same stage last year, fellow J-League club Urawa Reds lost 1-0 to AC Milan.

That result gave coach Akira Nishino confidence that he can put one over on Alex Ferguson.

"Ferguson may be Ferguson, but I like to think he's also human," Nishino said. "The same goes for Man U and Gamba. We don't want to play afraid."

Inter: We're not interested in Drogba

Inter Milan do not want to sign Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, the Serie A club's sporting director said on Monday.

Inter coach and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hinted on Sunday that misfiring Brazil striker Adriano may be allowed to leave the Italian champions, sparking speculation of a swap deal with Drogba.

"There's no dream for Drogba. Inter already has a group of strikers covering the whole range of characteristics," Marco Branca was quoted as saying on Inter's website.

"Drogba is a Chelsea player and for many years he has been doing very well in London. We have our strikers who are doing just as well."

Media reports last month said Drogba, whose season has been disrupted by injury and suspension, had held a meeting with Branca in a London restaurant.

Argentine forward Hernan Crespo has been little used by Inter this season and Branca said he may be able to leave.

"We have realised that the number of injuries has been high in recent years. We need every player and we won't be putting any player on the market," he said.

"We only will do if a player asks to leave, in which case we will try to satisfy him."

Hollywood Wiretapper Gets 15 Years in Prison

His clients' curiosity is what killed Anthony Pellicano's career.

The former investigator-to-the-stars was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after two trials led to convictions on dozens of felony conspiracy, racketeering and wiretapping charges in connection with cases that over the years ensnared Hollywood power players such as Chris Rock, Sylvester Stallone, Gary Shandling and Paramount honcho Brad Grey.

Pellicano engaged in "reprehensible conduct for many years—eagerly, maliciously and with great pride," said U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer in imposing the stiff sentence, which will end up being more along the lines of 13 years due to certain federal reductions, according to prosecutors.

Defense attorney Michael Artan promised to appeal his client's "excessive" punishment.

Pellicano has been in custody for nearly five years. While wrapping up a stretch behind bars for illegally possessing explosives, he was indicted in 2004 on more than 100 counts for going to the ends of the illegal earth for his deep-pocketed clients.

Falling naira: Marketers seek revaluation of N62bn debts

Oil marketers are poised for a confrontation with the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency over outstanding debts of N62bn on petroleum subsidy.

The marketers want the sum revalued based on the current exchange rate, as the products suppliers would have to be paid in dollars, and they would need more naira to purchase dollars.

With the current exchange rate, the marketers said the all the burden of the falling value of the naira would be borne by them alone, insisting that the PPPRA, managers of the Petroleum Support Fund, should pay interest on outstanding debts by way of revaluation.

However, PPPRA officials told our correspondent on the telephone that it was not feasible to revalue the debts, as the process for paying the outstanding sum had gone too far.

According to the Manager, Public Affairs, PPPRA, Mr. Yusuf Muazu, “It is not feasible for now because the issue now is to raise funds to pay the outstanding debts and the process has gone very far.”

He explained that for the agency to consider such an option, it would mean retrieving all the documents relating to the outstanding debts and re-computing the amount all over again before passing them for necessary approvals.

The marketers’ grouse is based on the fact that the outstanding sum was computed at N118 to $1, whereas the dollar is now above N130.

The noted that if they were paid based on the old rate, they would be unable to meet their liabilities to the suppliers, who would be paid in dollars.

Although the PPPRA based landing costs at N124.66 to $1 on the template posted on its website, industry sources hinted that the agency had agreed to review the exchange rate to N127 to $1.

But Muazu noted, “The PPPRA does not compute the exchange rate on its own, it works with the exchange rate provided by the CBN, and the new exchange rate will take effect when the CBN approves it.”

Besides, he stated that the marketers had not asked for debt revaluation, adding that the agency would not on its own initiate such a move.

Confirming the outstanding debts, the PPPRA said efforts to pay off the N62bn had gone very far such that “marketers would be paid any moment from now.”

Nonetheless, the marketers insist that even if the amount was not revalued, they should be paid interest on the sum, as this was the practice set by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, which paid interests to contractors whenever it defaulted in payment.

While waiting to sort out the issues with the PPPRA, the marketers have asked for permission to purchase dollars directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria to enable them continue to import petroleum products and to avert possible scarcity.

The request is coming on the heels of the continued fall of the naira to the dollar at the money market.

Making the appeal on Monday in Lagos, the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, told journalists that this was the only way the marketers could sustain products supply in the system.

He said, “We (importers) are owing the suppliers and have to pay for the products in dollars, whereas we are being paid at an old rate of N118 to $1, who bears the burden of the difference between the old and the new exchange rates?

“That is why we are asking the PPPRA to pay us interest on the outstanding debts or do a revaluation of the amount owed.”

Speaking on the over N300m to be refunded by the marketers in view of the falling price of crude at the international oil market and the possibility of the PPPRA netting it off from the outstanding debts, Olawore said marketers were ready to pay back.

He said, “We are ready to pay back, but the PPPRA should calculate the interest on the over-due debts.”

Baby abandoned in Oyo becomes US citizen

A one day-old baby who was abandoned by an unknown person about four years ago at the Molete area of Ibadan, Oyo State, has been adopted by a couple based in the United States of America.

The baby, was later named Ona-Ara by the officials of the Care People Foundation who put him at the Motherless Babies Home run by the Bible Way Christian Church near the toll gate end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The General Overseer of the church, Rev. Tunde Toluwani Oginni, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Monday during the All Oyo State Carnival for the Disabled, Motherless and the Less Privileged, sponsored by him.

Oginni explained that Ona-Ara was picked up in the early hours of the fateful day, a few hours after his birth.

He was then taken to the motherless babies’ home where he grew up to become a good looking young boy.

The cleric said a bishop who is based in the USA and had been married for 20 years without a baby, came to Nigeria in August this year with his wife and developed interest in Baby Ona-Ara.

According to him, the couple was in the country on the invitation of the church and they fell in love with the baby the moment they sighted him.

He said, “They discussed with the management of the home and necessary legal and constitutional documents were perfected. As am talking to you now, the baby is comfortably living abroad with his new parents.

“One interesting thing is that the Home did not collect money from the US based couple. If it were to be at other homes being run by government, they could pay up to N1m to adopt the baby,” he said.

Oginni, therefore, called on wealthy Nigerians and captains of industries to develop interest in the plights of the Motherless and less privileged children in the society.

He also supported the call for the establishment of a university that would be dedicated for children with special needs.

Russia's Sukhinova wins Miss World 2008 title

JOHANNESBURG (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Kseniya Sukhinova has won the Miss World 2008 title at the international beauties competition in South Africa after beating 108 contestants.

The top five finalists also included Miss India, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Gabrielle Walcott, Miss Angola, Brigith dos Santos, and Miss South Africa, Tansey Coetzee.

Tutors at the university in northwest Siberia where the new Miss World studies praised her academic record on Monday, happily complaining that the news of her victory almost disrupted classes.

Sukhinova is a fifth-year student studying cybernetic systems in the Oil and Gas University in Tyumen, a center of the region's oil and gas industry located over 2,000 kilometers from Moscow. She is one of only five women in the 27-student group.

"It is a very difficult discipline, but Sukhinova's grades are all A's and B's," university deputy president Veronika Yefremova said.

Yefremova said Sukhinova has had her course schedule tailored to her needs since winning the Miss Russia crown last year.

"Ksenia is an aspiring girl. She demonstrated excellent knowledge at [the latest] exams," the head of the university's cybernetic systems department, Oleg Kuzyakov, said. "We are very glad she won. Her group and the whole university will congratulate Ksenia, when she is in Tyumen."

The professor said reporters have virtually besieged the university, which is adorned with Ksenia's photographs and posters with congratulations, complicating classes on Monday.

"This is a pleasant diversion from work, with journalists asking questions of professors and Ksenia's fellow students. Such things do not happen every day," Kuzyakov said.

Sukhinova will return to Russia late this week, the organizers of the Miss Russia contest said on Monday. She first has to be the guest of honor at a series of events in South Africa.

The only previous Russian winner of the international beauty festival was Yulia Kurochkina in 1992.

Tottenham 0 United 0 United were unable to secure the perfect send-off to Japan for the Club World Cup after being held to a goalless draw by Spurs a

The champions were strangely out-of-sorts for much of the game and were uncharacteristically sloppy in possession in a scrappy first half.

The game improved as a spectacle as the game wore on but the Reds found Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes in inspired form and missed out on the chance to close the gap on Liverpool at the top.

United would have been spurred on before kick-off by news of the leaders’ home draw with Hull, and a stronger-than-anticipated line-up took to the field at White Hart Lane.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s pre-match injury fears did not materialise as Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov all started, the latter two against their former club.

Berbatov was booed by the home fans every time he touched the ball and struggled to impose himself on the game, although his link-up play often threatened to open Spurs up.

Ji-sung Park, making his 100th United appearance, had an early shot which took a deflection and looped just over his former PSV team-mate Gomes’ bar.

David Bentley then tried his luck with a left-footed volley from 25 yards, but Edwin van der Sar was alert to parry the effort.

Spurs, already without injured captain Ledley King, suffered another blow after 10 minutes when Jonathan Woodgate was forced off after jarring his knee and was replaced by Tom Huddlestone.

But the home side’s depleted defence contained United well for the majority of the first half. On a lush playing surface the champions sprayed the ball around but failed to break down Spurs' cagey 4-5-1 formation and seriously test Gomes.

Indeed, it was Spurs who had the best chance on the half-hour mark as Aaron Lennon darted infield and his shot from 18 yards forced van der Sar into a superb save low down to his right.

Carlos Tevez looked determined to take advantage of a starting berth in place of the suspended Wayne Rooney, and one scampering run down the left saw the striker beat three men before firing narrowly over from an acute angle.

Seven minutes before the break Luka Modric escaped Ferdinand in the box but headed Didier Zokora’s cross wide when well placed.

At the other end neat interplay involving Tevez and Ronaldo opened Spurs up, but Gomes did well to cut out the latter’s cross from the left of the box.

Berbatov exploded into life in one second-half moment as he evaded his marker in the centre circle, charged down on goal, only to be denied by a last-ditch Michael Dawson tackle.

Ronaldo blasted the ball home from Park’s resultant corner but referee Mike Dean ruled the winger had initially controlled the ball with his hand. On this occasion it was definitely accidental. at Gomes.

Rafael picked up United’s first booking for bringing down Lennon and, from the free-kick, van der Sar was forced to scramble across goal to tip over Bentley’s effort.

Ferguson, back on the touchline following his two-game ban, made a double substitution with 20 minutes left in a bid to inject life into a game that was ebbing away. Off came Tevez and Darren Fletcher, to be replaced by veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

The move almost paid instant dividends as Nemanja Vidic got a firm header to Giggs’ whipped-in cross from the left, but Gomes held on well.

With 15 minutes left Ferdinand had a great chance to break the deadlock but headed Giggs’ cross inches over at the near post. Gomes was again called upon to tip over Park’s stinging drive as United strove for a late winner.

But the Reds were almost punished in the dying minutes as Modric drove forward and his deflected shot landed on the roof of the net, with van der Sar beaten.

The game’s final chance fell to Giggs, whose curled free-kick looked destined for the top corner but was tipped over superbly by Gomes.