FULL DISCLOSURE – THE NEW BREED ABUJA FRAUDSKERTEERS

I have recently been informed and on numerous occasions about the antics of Patrick Osobase on his Facebook wall. I have seen some of these myself but I have not had the time and secondly there are other meaningful and important matters to deal with.

However, there is always a good story beyond all the personal abuse and tantrums of an errant child in the midst of adults, even on an open forum such as Facebook.

Since ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase has now found his mojo again in his bid to bring me into public disrepute as he desires, I must in this ‘spare time’ respond accordingly.

Reputation is everything in many instances. What people think of you and what people know of you are sometimes diametrically different. What impressions you seek to give people of yourself may also sometimes be totally at odds end with the reality of who you are. Dependent on which side of the fence you elect to sit comfortably on, the audience will almost certainly be split one way or the other.

Here is a recent story and you can view this, whichever way you so desire and for your own purposes if it serves your cause.

On April 18th 2013, I was woken in my home in Calabar by policemen from Abuja. Their mission was to arrest me on allegations of Theft, Fraud and Threat to Life. I have heard this somewhere before and I shall tell you where and when in another write-up.

I was detained for 10 hours in a cell along with some interesting characters whose plight humbled me in the end. I felt like David Attenborough on a new discovery in some remote jungle somewhere previously unknown. I shall tell their story some other day.

These allegations were made by Patrick Osobase, a self-styled, thoroughbred-less ‘Prince’ of some remote and unknown place on the map and his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase. I had often wondered why she never took on the title ‘Lolo’ or whatever wives of Nigerian ‘Princes’ are called these days. Never mind, we all make choices for no just reason sometimes.

Let me break this down slowly for the non-discerning who may need a hand in figuring this out.

1. The allegation of Theft was supposedly related to some $3000, that ‘Prince’ Osobase claimed was missing from his office in Abuja at some point between December 2012 and April 2013. This Theft it was alleged was perpetrated by me. Please note the dates stated for further reference.

1. The allegation of Fraud was supposedly related to ‘Soft Wares’ (sic) and ‘Hard Wares’ (sic) claimed by ‘Prince’ Osobase, in a petition supported by his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase to the Inspector General of Police in Abuja, as having been ‘stolen’ by me. This Fraud involved the ‘stealing’ of the above stated ‘Wares’ and subsequently wiping off of all business related information from a) All computers in the company building and b) the company server.

This ‘event’ was said to have occurred sometime between December 2012 and April 2013 at the offices of Eventica Nigeria Limited, their company. Again please note the dates stated. Write them down if need be as your exam questions shall follow.

1. The allegation of Threat to Life was said to have occurred sometime before December 2012 in an alleged conversation at Eventica Nigeria Limited between ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and myself where I was alleged to have claimed to a ‘Cultist’ of the Pyrates Confraternity and made a threat to kill Patrick, oops sorry ‘Prince’, Osobase; his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase and their children. It is still not clear to me what the preamble to that supposed threat was or even what the main topic of discussion or argument was. However, that is of little significance when one does not know what else to say.

Now here are some basic facts to help you along:

1. Yes, I did have a working relationship with ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his Wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase at Eventica Nigeria Limited, for 18 months. The premise of that relationship was as Partner (no signed agreement to that effect but we shall make numerous references to that) in the company to help develop concepts and ideas for commercial gain. It has since been brought to my notice that I was ‘a Staff’ (sic) by the ‘Prince’. My bad. I refere you to my earlier comment about what one sees himself/herself as versus what one is seen as.
2. Yes, I did draw an allowance as did ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his Wife, minimal enough to keep things going until such a time as any of the conceptualizations came to fruition. I have since again been informed that mine was as ‘Salary’ of ‘a Staff’ (sic) rather than what I thought it was.
3. Yes, I did sometimes stay in the converted quarters at Eventica Nigeria Limited in Abuja, specifically from October 2012 – December 2012, which was so converted by ‘Prince’ Osobase for his own nefarious activities, when I was in Abuja rather than incur unnecessary hotel bills.

   I came up from Calabar in October to essentially ‘cover’ ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase as he went on travels with his little roadside pick-up of a social experiment girlfriend for holidays in South Africa.

   However, I have again since been informed that this was ‘Company Accommodation’ provided me ‘from inception’ by the magnanimity of ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase rather than the conversion of what was once my office space into a den for ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his ‘friends’ while I was in Calabar. We shall visit these ‘friends’ a bit later.

Now let’s go back a little, with references.

So, I was ‘a Staff’ of Eventica Nigeria Limited rather than the Partner that I assumed and was often introduced as. Let’s agree that for a moment. No. Let’s look at that for a moment.

‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase may not know that it takes an Employee Agreement for one to be ‘a Staff’ of anywhere. If he did, I am certain that his wife, Ngozi Ivie Osobase, as Managing Director of Eventica Nigeria Limited would have signed one along with the ‘Chairman Prince’ Patrick Osobase and of course myself the ‘a Staff’. Nevertheless let us overlook that minor item for a moment.

‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase allegedly ‘lost’ $3000 from a safe in his office which had BOTH a keylock and a numbered Combination lock. He also had this safe in a locked drawer in his desk in his office. This office was, by the way, on the top (first) floor of the building whilst my office was in the back quarters outside the building.

My office being outside the main building is no surprise as I work late as a habit, smoke too much and abhor being surrounded by ignorant, loud and mindless people when I am working, so I chose to have my office and operational space outside the main building.

Interestingly, I not only had a bunch of keys, given to me at inception of our working relationship by Ngozi Ivie Osobase (MD of Eventica Nigeria Limited), which included keys to the back door of the main building for access to both the only kitchen on the premises and the server room which also housed the wireless network routers. It has since been made clear to me that by ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase that they were ‘astonished’ to discover I had keys to the main building at any point in time. Wow! That was a Eureka moment for me too!

It is important for you to note this, as it informs on the Theft theory and the ‘Stealing of and wiping Off of “20 years of company data from the server’ allegation.

According to ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase, I must have ‘cut keys for doors into the main building, including the numerous internal doors to offices AND his own office upstairs to ‘Steal’ $3000 from his safe which had BOTH a keylock and a numbered lock, SOMETIME between DECEMBER 2012 and APRIL 2013.

Similarly, I must have perpetrated the drastic act of ‘Stealing’ Hard Wares (sic) and Soft Wares (sic) and then proceeding to wipe off ’20 years of Company data’ SOMETIME between DECEMBER 2012 and APRIL 2013.

You may wonder why I keep highlighting the date span of Dec. 2012 and April 2013. Here is something to note:

I voluntarily left the premises of Eventica Nigeria Limited on the 5th of January 2013 after the Christmas Holidays AND a couple of days AFTER Eventica Nigeria Limited had resumed for the New Year. This means that for at least TWO working days, ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his Wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase had come to work along with ‘staffs’ of Eventica Nigeria Limited. Remember this.

I was in Abuja for a further TWO weeks before travelling to Johannesburg South Africa, with Manjo Umar Mohammed, without ever stepping near or into the premises of Eventica Nigeria Limited. I left Abuja on the 16th of January 2013 heading for Johannesburg and did not return to Nigeria, according to my passport entries until February 16th 2013.

From February 16th 2013 until my ‘arrest and capture’, according to Adebayo Ajagunna, please note this name as it shall come up further down the line, on the 18th of April 2013, I was in Lagos and Calabar at different times but never in Abuja.

Therefore, let’s revisit the claims of ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase on at least TWO of their allegations.

1. When exactly did the theft of $3000 take place?
2. When exactly did ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase notice $3000 was ‘missing’ from his safe in his office in the main building?
3. When exactly did the ‘stealing’ and subsequent wiping off of company data take place?
4. When exactly did ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his Wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase and the ‘Staffs’ of the company notice that computers in the office, including laptops were bare? What exactly had they been staring at each day for THREE months? The Brand logos of their computers and laptops?
5. Between January 5th 2013 and 4th of April 2013, when ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase made wrote the Petition and Statements to the IGP Monitoring Unit, did they both along with the ‘staffs’ of Eventica Nigeria Limited sat down every day at work and stare at blank screens in awe of my ‘stealing’ skills?
6. Did my ‘stealing’ skills also include the hard-drives of BOTH laptops used by ‘Prince’ Patrick osobase and his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase AND always taken home by BOTH of them and brought back to work the next day?
7. OR did I, not only steal then wipe off the data from all the computers and the company’s server, THEN fly mysteriously at night into ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase’s royal boudoir in Jabi, Abuja, do the same to their laptops and they did not use those laptops for a few months thereafter hence did not notice data was missing until 4th of April 2013?

   No funny references to me being from Calabar and Night Flights please!

8. Between January 5th 2013 and 4th of April 2013, did ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase gaze-in-a-daze at his safe trying to figure out what was missing and finally had a eureka moment a few months AFTER I had left Eventica Nigeria Limited and indeed Abuja?

Whilst you ponder those questions, let’s look at the all-important Threat to Life allegation.

Supposedly, I claimed to have been a ‘cultist’ of the Pyrates Confraternity persuasion and once, SOMETIME before 5th of January 2013 made a threat to kill ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase and their children.

To buttress this claim ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase referenced the fact that I once used the image of the Jolly Roger on a medallion as my Profile Picture on Facebook as ‘confirmation’ that I was a ‘cultist’. Secondly, the fact that I did from time to time use terminology that was associated with members of the Pyrates Confraternity ‘hence’ a bona fide member of the association by deduction.

Here are my questions.

1. All those who post images of Professor Wole Soyinka, Captain Blood to many, MUST be members of the Pyrates Confraternity regardless of why they posted his image?
2. All those who post images of Penguins must be Fish pretending to be Birds?
3. I am from the South-South region of Nigeria so I must be a Militant?
4. All those who post pictures of their young angelic children MUST be child-molesters in the making?
5. When and Why did ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase make this ‘sudden’ discovery of Threat to Life?
6. Did ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase, between 5th of January 2013 and 4th of April 2013 hide in fear and ‘suddenly’ find his mojo to remember and report on the 4^th of April 2013 that sometime before December 2012 that I had allegedly threaten to kill him, his wife and kids?
7. Or was it that on one of my thread discussions on my Facebook wall I had used the expression ‘Burn the House Down. Man Woman and Child’ in response to my good friend Uche Egenti? An expression used to mean ‘Raise Hell’ or ‘Don’t give a Damn’ between some of us whilst I had the Jolly Roger as my Profile Picture?

While you work that out, note these:

1. I left the premises of Eventica Nigeria Limited on the 5th of January 2013. ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase finally found his mojo. He found his voice. He started his campaign.
2. I ignored ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase as one would ignore an errant child in the midst of adults. I have said that before haven’t I? Even when he started his ‘Let’s Soil Ivor’ campaign. Much was reported to me but I had other pressing matters. ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase has his audience. We know what binds them together. A sort of Mutual-Masturbation society.
3. On January 17th 2013, maybe following the pains of being ignored, ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase of Abuja started his ‘campaign’. He circulated an email to those, at home and abroad, whom he felt were my close friends, business associates and/or clients and who probably had any sort of regard for me. They included Obi Asika and Chinwe Uwatse. I shall make those emails available. Those emails reached me but again there was nothing to respond to as I do not give much regard to personal insults. I take them well and I ignore them willy-nilly. I am thick-skinned like that.

It is amazing that within an email of approximately 8-12 pages, on the 17th of January 2013 there was no mention of Theft of $3000 or Threat to Life but amidst the personal insults there were other ‘claims’. We shall visit each one.

The thrust of this write-up is hydra-headed.

Firstly, we all must become aware of the New Fraud, Blackmail and Loss of Integrity that is surrounding us all.

Secondly, we must also be alert to and aware of what it takes to attempt to frame any individual in Nigeria today AND ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase, his Wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase and Team are about to learn the real meanings of Libel, Slander, Fraud, Theft and Threat to Life. If their plan is to have me exposed to danger then they need to try a bit harder.

Secondly, ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase MUST be prepared to stake his professional and personal integrity against mine, for hiding behind a cloud of burnt vegetation sometimes gives one the illusion of greatness until reality rears its ugly head.
Finally, ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his Wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase must take notes and get themselves ready to PUBLICLY PROVE the allegations they have made as I do not shrink from ANY public debate and have never been known to do so, whether in a Court of Law or in the Public Domain.

I am NEVER afraid to talk about me, good or bad/ right or wrong. Me, my life and my work are very public. I write about them. I do not hide. Call me an ass in private and I shall bring the debate into the sunshine. I am that kind of confident guy. Unfortunately for some, self-assuredness borne of integrity, experience, truth and strong upbringing often appears as arrogance to the uninitiated or unfortunate circumstances of birth.

What exactly has Eventica Nigeria Limited done since being a minor contractor during the Nigeria @50 Celebrations in 2010. Not one event. Not one job. Not one task. If it had and with ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase’s claims of ‘connections in high places’ supplemented with the usual infantile braggadocio, we would have heard it even if we were not listening. That is a subject for another debate.

When ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase in his magnanimity referred to my father’s Alzheimer’s as ‘Madness’ it all became personal.

I am more than certain that if 20 Nigerians from different sectors were named as having played great roles in the progress of such sectors in the country or having served their country well, my Father would be mentioned in his sector.

Are you ready to talk about you publicly?

Not only have these lot tried their best locally but in their frustration they have gone international with their campaign with new references to ‘known criminals’ and ‘petty thieves’. It really must be busy times with the Thesaurus at Eventica Nigeria Limited.

CAVEAT: Let’s focus on the details I have stated so far and this is NO PLACE for ANY attack on the establishment.

COMING UP NEXT:

THE REAL REASONS BEHIND THE OSOBASES’ & CO’s RIDICULOUS ATTEMPTS TO FRAME ME.

‘Of Princes, “Mumu Northern Cockroaches”, Cheap Roadside Pick-Up Girlfriends and Fat Boys.’

When all else fails around you, the easier option is to blame the ‘others’. Those ‘others’ who often become an integral part of one’s paranoia and shield from the acceptance of one’s own failures and incapacity.

It is very rampant in Nigeria today and across all spheres for the term ‘Enemy Action’ to be used in explanation of one’s own lack of progress. From the Oga at the Top to the man on the street, responsibility is often evaded and the ‘Enemies of Progress’, real or imagined blamed for woes rather than accept the ugly images in our mirrors.

In late 2012, a group of us gathered to assess the prospects of business at the end of the year and discuss what possibilities lay ahead for the New Year. There is nothing unusual in this as it is a common occurrence even in the beer parlours across the country. Each bad financial year brings philosophers out of us all.

This gathering included those whom ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase often called “Mumu Northern Cockcroaches”. This was a group of our friends who were Notherners, Muslims and mainly Hausa-speaking. This may have been a way of ‘Princes’ massaging their own egos by consistently trying to portray themselves ‘bigger’ and ‘better’ than those around them.

This group of friends included Manjo Umar Mohammed and Isa Mohammed. Note these names as we shall come across them often from here on.

We gathered daily with them and others to talk about a way forward in business as the nation seemed to be on economic lockdown.

Once in a while such conversations would be held in the presence of other ‘friends’ who usually plied the Eventica Nigeria Limited route before going home, usually at odd hours, to return to their realities. Sometimes, this transient group included what some would term girlfriends or friends of the female persuasion.

I have publicly stated on numerous occasions that I do not do Roadkills. I am a pure Sapiosexual. If it does not have brains, I am rarely stimulated, a word a female friend is apt to throw about often, regardless of what comes along with the embodiment of femininity.

Age for me is also an important factor. I have similarly stated and clearly too that I do not see much appeal in ‘young girls’. Some ‘young girls’ however have the rare privilege of coming with brains and hence may have my attention. Yes I do like my women old, used and abused. I have said that publicly before so there is no news there.

The terms ‘young’, ‘brains’ and ‘age’ are relative when measured against one’s own particulars therefore what may be befitting of one person may not necessarily be appropriate for others. A sort of ‘whatever turns you on’ scenario.

Similarly, I do not do drugs of any kind expect for the minor treatments for cold and pain with over-the-counter purchases. I much prefer to have full consciousness at all times though with the downside of not being able to ‘blame mind loss’ or ‘a persistent haze’ for whatever you catch me doing.

Weirdly, I do not drink alcohol. Yes, I am a waterside boy from Calabar but it is one of those things that I have been completely useless at in my 50 years and never got round to making a habit.

I say weirdly because today’s measure of manhood has a set of rules I have never followed even from childhood. I have always been extremely comfortable in Self and never required the adornments of what makes a Man or Woman in society’s terms.

What has all this got to do with the ‘Tales of the Unexpected’? This is a preview, bear with me. My school fees were never paid from proceeds of Government contracts or largesse. We will be here a long time……

FULL DISCLOSURE 2 – THE NEW BREED ABUJA FRAUDSKERTEERS

SO… We as a group think up a variety of options for the coming year. Patrick Osobase’s limitations are such that he cannot think beyond anything that does not allow him to “Chop their Money Down”. Not much intellect is required for that in Nigeria today.

Many walk around and claim to be ‘businessmen’, a Nigerian profession which has no framework, definitive structure or coherent appraisals but just a briefcase, if anything at all.

Some claims to this great Nigerian profession are based on having known a man who knew the man who lived four streets away from the man and introduced one to the man who signed the cheques. Such an opportunity, if well utilized, made one qualified to be titled ‘Businessman’.

Subsequent to the ONE opportunity and since the man who knew the man who lived four streets away from the man who introduced one to the man who signed the cheques had all been settled by you, the true test of knowledge, skills, experience and capacity comes when one is left to continue the trend of ‘success’.

In a group gathering where ideas and thoughts are bandied around, whichever idea is settled on does not make anyone the ‘owner’ of the idea. When all participate in the evaluation of what’s out there and the merits or demerits are considered and a collective vote taken, there is no ‘ownership’ by any one single individual.

Everyone agreed that the African Cup of Nations tournament was looming and in South Africa. That in itself is no mean creative discovery. Everyone loves football. Nigeria had qualified and it was all over the news.

Here are your pertinent questions:

Who created the structure, framework, designed the potential, layout and structured the future operations of any such idea emerging from such a gathering? Your answer lies in the known reputations of Patrick Osobase and myself.

I do not ‘Cut and Paste’. I do not plagiarize another’s creative work. Most importantly, I do not settled for 2-page proposals when exploring the possibilities of a venture aimed at yielding large returns.

Naturally, as had been the case at Eventica Nigeria Limited during our 18 month working relationship and as is evident from numerous copies of initiation emails at my disposal, it fell on me to make sense of the droplet of thought that emerged from any conversation.

Patrick Osobase? As usual, “Let me go find the Money. We will ‘Chop their Money Down!’”. You must understand the boy’s mentality and limitations. He has nothing intellectual to offer any creative process, he hides behind the brilliance of others whilst narcissistic enough to ‘claim’ glory if and when it comes.

Behind all that infantile bravado is a huge character flaw. If the path requires extensive creative and intellectual input, you will see everyone else working their bit and Patrick in a perpetual haze, consistently staring at pictures of luxury cars and homes, already spending what has not arrived.

There is also another reason Patrick hurries to ‘grab’ the portfolio of ‘finding the money’. Well aware of his own limited intellectual capacities, he can and has always hidden behind the illusion of ‘finding the money’ because it also helps him revert to type on any project he has done to date.

It is well-known that Patrick could not calculate in any direction the first four digits of elementary numerals. However, large end sums easily appeal to him as long as he can ‘hide’ the true figures using one of his cronies or close associates on a project.

Nevertheless, as an experienced one would know, there is more to the delivery of a project than ‘finding the money’. Having something presentable for starters, viable as an option, sustainable in the future and continuously revised and revisited are strong components of any idea. When all those are present, a project will sell itself.

I created the vision for the African Village at AFCON 2013. Trust me, if you asked Patrick Osobase what the whole thing was about, I can tell you that you will hear “an Entertainment Village where my best friend Sally will bring the money for my friend Obi Asika and my pal Banky W and my brother Dede Mabiaku to entertain many fans from across Africa in a Fan Park during the AFCON Tournament. We will make so much money I will buy a Ferrari!!”

Where will the money come from Patrick?

‘Ah! I will get the Presidency to talk to the Minister who will instruct the Director to tell the Perm Sec to bring the money for us to do this! Easy!’

Just how much do you think this whole thing will cost Patrick?

“Billions!!! We will chop their money down!”

So that is as far as Patrick’s creative plan goes.

On the premise of the above Patrick pushed for a Nigerian Village at AFCON. He ‘knew’ the Minister and had been ‘dealing with the Directors since COJA’ and from the Presidency they will ‘get him anyone he wanted’.

And the money, Patrick?

‘Ah! Yes, Billions!’ including my friend who holds the purse strings of the richest guy around! He will bring the money!’

So about how much do you estimate will run this whole gig Patrick?

‘Billions!!’

Can you do up a plan for driving the funding of this project Patrick so the rest of us can follow a given path in our own planning? Please ‘Prince’?

‘I am coming. I have a meeting at the Villa. Breakfast with the President. The Chief of Staff just called and the Vice-President is keen to see me on some big matter coming up soon. I dey come!’

Enough of the entertainment and on to more serious questions.

Where will this take place Patrick?

‘SA!’

And how, Patrick?

‘How what?’

How will it be designed, work, operate, be structured, be managed, be administered etc. Patrick?

‘That’s what you do best Ivor! That’s why you are the man!’

Am I? Ah Yes. That little matter of intellect and substance.

Simply put, the idea of a Nigerian Village in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Sports, the NFA and the National Supporters’ Club at AFCON 2013 was drowned so easily and smoothly in the office of one of the Directors of Sport at the Ministry.

One look at Myself, Manjo Umar Mohammed and with a wry-smile and longing look at Patrick Osobase, the man said ‘Concept Amadeus! Government Pikin! Please give them Maltina!’

If you have any knowledge of the attitudes and thought processes of elder Yoruba men and Women, you will instantly know that whatever you had put in front of that man was dead in the water. A flashback of sorts and he was gleefully grateful for the opportunity to mess you up.

And the Maltina?

That was his sign that you will be here a long time and the supply of Maltina was endless, if you didn’t get the hell out of his face. He did not even bother to fetch the proposal which only a few minutes ago had been noted on by the Minister of Sports and sent to him which somehow ended up at the bottom of the huge pile he had on his desk, in just a few minutes!!

Back to the drawing board.

Patrick as usual was boastful and adamant that all that was in the past and he would talk to the Presidency to implore the Minister to tell the Director to inform the Perm Sec to drag in the Head of the Fans’ Club to bring the money.

Dude. It died! When the burnt vegetation clears there will be nothing there!

Be rest assured though, what I had worked hard to develop and create will end up in some form activated by some extension or department of that office at the same location with less requirement for the values and the details extensively put together. Such is the nature of the beast.

You must understand the Psychology of the likes of Patrick Osobase. Before any idea, which others are working hard at, crystallizes into anything, he would have launched a self-promoting campaign and particularly amongst those he desperately seeks acknowledgement from.

He would have no project on a concrete footing but ‘friends’ would be offered the opportunity to “run the Office in Eastern Europe!”, “Be the General Manger of some Eventica branch on some exotic Island in the Caribbean!” as long as they produced what he needed whilst his own personal plan always involved exotic moving objects on four wheels and with unpronounceable names.

They gather around him each evening for the free beer, girls/women and wafts of something good in the air. Patrick mistakenly reads this as a validation of his ‘success’ and ‘brilliance’. The air is filled with chants of ‘Pato!’ while I work or listen to some good jazz with a smile on my face. Children will never stop being children, if you let them.

The difficulty Patrick finds after premature declarations of ‘success’ is not having anything to show for it. Hence the desperate mode he gets into to keep up appearances to the Joneses. Since his ‘success’ in 2010 on the Nigeria @50 celebrations, he has been desperate to prove it was not a fluke.

So, the Nigeria Village could be transformed into the Eventica Nigeria Village during AFCON 2013 in South Africa?

Easy, Ivor often referred to as the ‘master’ can transform Casper into Batman and back again into the Rock if you needed him to. Just give his brain a few minutes and load up on his supply of cigarettes.

Charles O’Tudor, my very good friend and colleague in this creative business would say “Nobody can ‘steal’ a creator’s idea. All he does is return to the drawing board re-create and fill all the loopholes of what he created earlier beating to death whatever was ‘stolen’ AND all in a few minutes”.

Now maybe you will begin to understand why some like Patrick Osobase and his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase would waste 4 months doing nothing (inability and incapacity) and only end up with a pea-brained scheme to frame me whilst making all sorts of false allegations copying the modus operandi of others before them, presenting contrived evidence and continuing his threats of worse to come on Sunday and beyond.

If Patrick Osobase could create the first sentence of an official letter and someone ‘stole’ it, then of course you would have expected a better and stronger letter which beats the first one and in a few minutes flat.

Then came the ‘Mumu Northern Coackroaches’:

The first of the ‘Mumu Northern Cockroaches’ was Isa Mohammed. A very well-educated chap who speaks so articulately and eloquently one wonders why he was not a Brilliant Lawyer in some court of Law. He actually holds THREE Masters Degrees.

Oh! By this time I had initiated a working relationship with the City of Johannesburg Authorities and activated other contacts I had in a city I had not only lived in but also done work in for the 3 years I was there.

I was very familiar with the process, structure and requirements. With a smarmy and sometimes barmy lather of charm, it was easy to plug the idea of an Eventica Nigeria Village into the diary of the City despite the pressure the City was facing from others who wanted the site I had chosen.

Back to the Cockroaches.

So Manjo Umar Mohammed comes to me, as Patrick is never available because he has to keep entertaining those he so craves their acknowledgement, with the proposition apparently made by his friend who was coming by later. His friend was called Isa Mohammed. We know him as ‘Commander’.

I listened to Manjo and waited for Isa Mohammed who came buy the Eventica office late that evening.

Manjo had explained in a discussion with Commander of the difficulties in getting the idea of a Nigerian Village at AFCON moving within government circles. Isa Mohammed had suggested reworking the idea and shaping it for a different supporter/partner. One he had work for before moving on and one that Manjo Umar Mohammed had direct access to.

Let me repeat. Isa Mohammed introduced a fresh idea of focusing on a continental organization with far-reaching appeal and capacity whose objectives were not so dissimilar to gathering Africa together for a purpose or the other.

Let me repeat, once again, another time. Isa Mohammed came to me with Manjo Umar Mohammed and he explained his thoughts on a proposition that could well work if well managed and articulated.

They are both here on Facebook and can validate or deny these statements.

After listening to BOTH Isa Mohammed and Manjo Umar Mohammed, I went up to Patrick Osobase, who as usual was living the La Vida Loca in his office late that evening. I told him he had to take a break and come listen to some chap Manjo had brought along.

Patrick came downstairs and with one look at Isa Mohammed declared “This guy is too low in the chain. He is a Cockroach. I am not going to sit with him!”

Patrick jollied off to his good friend on the other side bottle in hand, girl in tow and a waft of something good in the air.

Curiously, I asked Isa Mohammed if he had met Patrick before. He said “Yes, is that not the guy who did the Nigeria @50 thing? We know him well.” History and reputation preceding I thought.

So, Isa Mohammed was a ‘Cockroach’ too low in the chain. Manjo Umar Mohammed had the direct contact sitting right in front of him which he had overlooked. I had the know-how and was depended upon to create something for this alternative continental client/partner.

‘Commander’ Isa Mohammed feels offended by being referred to as a ‘Cockroach’, he much prefers ‘Termite’ he says. I have never bothered to ask him why that particular insect instead.

And Patrick ‘The Prince’ Osobase?

Wouldn’t it be asking for too much of the ‘Prince’ to sit down and create something?

So Isa Mohammed is a Cockroach because he is like ‘those Mumu Hausa Cockroaches who do not know what is going on”. Seriously? He had just come up with one of the most brilliant ideas I had come across in my 18month working relationship at Eventica Nigeria Limited. All it required was Manjo Umar’s contact and access plus my inventiveness.

Whilst today Patrick can offer you nothing more than casting aspersions on the Legitimacy of my Children, or the shallowness of my bank account or the failed relationships I may have had and I still love them girls dearly or indeed the absence of the trappings of Manhood according to Societal Standards, I shall stick to the facts of the story and you can make your own deductions. He has his audience and we all know their intellectual limitations. He should know me well by now, like the man said in the movie “Frankly my Dear, I don’t Give a Damn.”

As an older girlfriend of mine welcomed me to the age of 50 “Welcome to the I don’t give a F**k Generation”.

FACT 1. ‘Commander’ Isa Mohammed introduced the Idea of a Continental Client/Partner. Place a Value.

FACT 2. Manjo Umar Mohammed activated his access to Deliver the Continental Client/Partner. Place a Value.

FACT 3. Ivor Ekpe delivered Know-how, Methodology, Framework, Designed the Concept. Place a Value.

And Patrick ‘The Prince’ Osobase?

He couldn’t even tell you what we were working on at the moment with the continental client/partner if you promised him 3 Ferraris! Lwkmd!

Relax, We are just about to get interesting with the introduction of the easy nightclub pick-up: The Genius of a Well-Battered Roadkill….

FULL DISCLOSURE 3 – THE NEW BREED ABUJA FRAUDSKERTEERS – A Preview
(Cotonou, Crumpled Linen Suits, Misrepresentations, Johannesburg, Crumpled Linen Suits, Misrepresentations, Battered Women, Blackmail, Abuja, Johannesburg, Kodak Moments at FHQ, Cotonou and Johannesburg again)

[Subject: ALERT ON DEALINGS WITH GRADIENT HILL, WITH RESPECT TO AFRICAN

VILLAGE PROGRAM

From: <patrickosobase@eventicanigeria.com>

Date: Wed, May 15, 2013 2:14 pm

Dear all,

We write to alert you on the Corporate fraud committed by messers IVOR EKPE and MANJO UMAR of Gradient Hill (PTY).

There is an on going Investigation by the Nigerian Police into the theft of Company programs and monies by our STAFF, Mr Ivor Ekpe and our "XXXXX" consultant Mr Manjo Umar. Both persons are currently on bail and we are aware they are in South Africa attempting to sign an agreement with your highly esteemed organisation.

We are making this final effort to reach out to you , in order that the good name of XXXXX will not be dragged in the mud by these known criminals.

We are in the process of suing them in Nigeria and South Africa.

We trust you will do your due deligence on this company Gradient Hill, which we know has been moriboud since incorporation in 2005 and also has never paid any taxes in South Africa. You will recall that I have sent mail to the CEO and Corporate Affairs in the past with no response from either.

Please note we will stop at no end till justice is done.

Thank you,

for Eventica Nigeria Ltd

Prince Patrick Osobase

Chairman/CEO  ]

FULL DISCLOSURE 3 – THE NEW BREED ABUJA FRAUDSKERTEERS cont’d

Now… Having decided that their efforts at ‘home’ in Nigeria may not be yielding the desired results, Patrick Osobase and his crew have decided to go international.

Their objective is not only simple but simplistic as one would expect of those who lack intellectual foundation and capacity:

a)     If they can succeed in scuttling the work of Gradient Hill, especially neutralizing the importance of Ivor Ekpe to any project then they would have succeeded in one area if not in their new trade of Blackmail, False Allegations and Fraud.

b)    If they can succeed in neutralizing Ivor Ekpe’s participation in the engagement with an International client then maybe, just maybe, the ‘Mumu Northern Cockroaches’ would come running to the ‘Prince’.

c)     If their attempts to frame Ivor Ekpe at home in Nigeria failed then they may succeed in making the international client nervous enough to pull the plug on any proposed engagement with Gradient Hill.

The email posted at the end of the 2^nd in this series of notes is the point Patrick Osobase and his gang of fraudsters have reached.

The fact that I have posted it means the client in question saw it fit to pass it on to Gradient Hill. A sign, if nothing else, of the considerations given to Patrick Osobase and his gang as compared to Patrick’s desired objective of scuttling the ongoing discussions with the client.

Let’s go back a bit to Cotonou where the story continued.

Manjo Umar Mohammed accessed and arranged for a meeting in Cotonou with the international organization. Looking back, Manjo Umar Mohammed, today declared a ‘Known Criminal’ by Patrick Osobase, having graduated from being a mere ‘Mumu Northern Cockroach’, was now critical to Patrick Osobase’s needs.

Patrick Osobase, who has spent the last few months trying hard to taint my reputation and relationships with women travelled to Cotonou with Manjo ‘The Known Criminal’ Mohammed and Patrick’s constant travel handbag Miss Kehinde Anifowoshe, a social experiment his is conducting in the name of doing a service to roadside pickups. It is important to Patrick Osobase that he needs nursing, not from his wife of 20 years but from a child on his Educating Rita program, each time he travels in or out of Nigeria.

As the developer and creator of the concept to be ‘sold’ to the client, I elected to drop out of that trip to ease whatever financial pressures there may be on the group. Manjo Umar Mohammed, ‘Known Criminal’, was important as it was his access and contact with the international client that sealed the meeting.

Miss Kehinde the Social Experiment? Maybe as an intellectual observer, which I doubt, or piece of late night entertainment for the ‘Prince’, which was more likely. I elected to use the opportunity to go keep an eye on my ailing Father as it had been a while since I saw him.

Evidently, the meeting in Cotonou, where the ‘Prince’ and his Roadkill dressed to match in their Black Crumpled Linen Suits and Porche Sunshades,  and Manjo’s introduction yielded interest on the part of the international client therefore a further meeting was scheduled for Johannesburg, South Africa.

We are still talking and African Village Fan Park for AFCON 2013 at this stage having completely lost the idea of a Nigeria Village Fan Park for AFCON 2013 due to the evident lack of trust shown by the authorities in Nigeria for any ideas put forward by Patrick Osobase along with memories of Nigeria @50 and any previous dealings. All this were just coming to light and whatever the reasons behind such cold receptions remained unknown to anyone else except probably Patrick Osobase.

Excluding the embarrassing drama between the ‘Prince’ and his Roadkill at the airport, the significance of this mention will come to light in a bit, the next scheduled stop was to be Johannesburg.

Now, I was the ‘expert’ on Johannesburg. I was the creator of the project and hence could talk about it better than anyone else and even in my sleep. I was to make the trip to Johannesburg but the trip was to exclude Manjo Umar ‘Known Criminal cum Mumu Northern Cockroach’ Mohammed and why?

Ah yes, the ‘Prince’ had to travel with his Social Experiment Miss Kehinde Anifowoshe.

Quite frankly, I do not care if any man choses to cheat on his wife of 20 years, mother of his four children. I am old enough to allow anyone to live their lives as they deem fit. I do not have any moral standing to point fingers at anyone’s preferred personal partnerships and what they do with them. I live my life, you live with your realities.

Remember now that the time had come for me to make an appearance as it required intellect and concept knowledge and particularly to speak with people at the highest levels using my ‘British Accent acquired from Calabar’ as the ‘Prince’ now tries to qualify it.

That’s quite funny methinks but not a major discovery when one realizes that the first White visitors to our shores landed first in Calabar. So the ‘Prince’ should not be surprised that we from Calabar speak English not only very well but also like the White Man. It is something we have always done well before the inhabitants of the hinterlands. Duh!

The idea of Johannesburg to follow was very clear and simple. I insisted that since ‘Prince’ Osobase had an aversion to ‘signing anything’ with anyone AND since one was not clear on the issues hanging over Eventica Nigeria Limited, burdens if any and particularly to do with the company’s activities in Nigeria before the rest of us got involved with it, AND since there were two other parties involved in the upcoming proposition with the international client THEN when we got to South Africa, a SEPARATE entity was to be established to INCLUDE the two other parties and for this special purpose. Simple Enough?

Anyway, here comes the drama of Johannesburg.

In December 2012, Ngozi Ivie Osobase, wife to the ‘Prince’ signed off as MD of Eventica Nigeria Limited, the letter of application for Visas to South Africa. I often wondered how she felt when she came across the name Miss Kehinde Anifowoshe on that list, if at all she knew what the ‘Prince’ had asked her to sign. None of my business anyway. Each man runs his home the way it suits him and his wife. Still a nagging thought nonetheless.

I had primed the City of Johannesburg authorities ready. I had called on every contact I had built up in SA over the years. I had prepared them all and asked them to make appearances to meet with me and they did. They were ready to work and engage again after I had explained to them what the proposition was.

‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase, who today claims he knew South Africa and Johannesburg like the back of his hand, had not a single individual, company or contact in South Africa that could add value to the proposition not even could he tell you that the world famous Mandela Square was only a few hundred yards in a straight line from where we were staying in Sandton. One let’s a man brag to his less-knowledgeable friends if it serves his purpose.

A meeting was held with the international client, where the ‘Prince’ and his Roadkill again dressed to match in their SAME Black Crumpled Linen Suits and Porche Sunshades, it was EXPRESSLY stated by the head of the organization that due to the short timeline to the AFCON 2013 tournament, taking into consideration the holiday period in South Africa starting 21^st December 2012, the organisation WOULD NOT be interested in pursuing the African Village proposition AND asked that IF Eventica Nigeria Limited were to continue its bid for an AFCON Village their NAME should NOT be included.

There are strong reasons why I have chosen to put certain words in capitals. You are about to understand why.

FACT 1. The international Client was NOT to be a part of any AFRICA VILLAGE proposition at AFCON 2013 by EVENTICA NIGERIA LIMITED.

FACT 2. EVENTICA NIGERIA LIMITED decided to continue the pursuance of an AFRICA VILLAGE concept at AFCON 2013 on its own.

FACT 3. EVENTICA SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LIMITED was registered in South Africa with the intention of including the TWO other parties mentioned previously as agreed and who were back in Nigeria.

Let us stay on FACT 3 for a moment. As this is one of ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase’ claims to his cronies that I ‘stole his company’. In my opinion, this is where ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase’s world began to unravel. This is also where the not-so-stupid piece of Roadkill showed more street smarts than a bragging allegedly public school educated ‘Prince’ from Nigeria.

FACT 3a. Eventica Nigeria and Eventica South Africa share the same name Eventica.

FACT 3b. Eventica Nigeria and Eventica South Africa are LEGALLY two SEPARATE entities.

FACT 3c. Eventica Nigeria is as has always been, controlled by ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase and his Wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase.

FACT 3d. Eventica South Africa is REGISTERED with 2 names IVOR EKPE and ‘Prince’ PATRICK OSOBASE with the intention to INCLUDE the TWO other parties made up of MANJO UMAR ‘Known Criminal’ MOHAMMED and one other.

Why did both companies though different legal entities have the same name? Simple enough. We thought of the future and the possible need to ‘borrow’ the experiences of one to support the other as business opportunities grow.

Now here is the crux of the matter.

SOUTH AFRICAN LAW dictates, that a MINIMUM of TWO directors are required to register a company. IF there are to be ANY future ADDITIONAL or SUBTRACTIONS of Directors, then ALL (the present, new and departing directors) MUST ALL sign a resolution to effect ANY and ALL changes.

The South Africans installed this pre-requisite to AVOID a situation where changes and alterations to company ownership and/or directorship are done without the knowledge of parties concerned. To protect ANY and ALL parties listed. Got that? No one can ADD or REMOVE anyone without the consent of ALL including those to be added or removed.

Though ‘Prince’ Patrick Osobase was overwhelmed by my extensive range of contacts in South Africa and the prospects of doing business in the country beyond any proposition made to anyone or discussions held with the international client, I BELIEVE that his reversion to type was brought about by Miss Roadkill’s streetwise input.

Simply put, Patrick Osobase or myself CANNOT under South African law do ANYTHING to or about EVENTICA SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LIMITED behind the other person’s back as BOTH signatures would be required to effect ANY and ALL changes and alterations.

I understood that clearly and did not have a problem with it BUT Miss Roadkill, with full complicit knowledge of Her Man must have burst the ‘Prince’s bubble by bring it to his attention.

Secondly, with the MINIMUM number of directors required for registration having been met, ANY shareholding would be effected AFTER all other directors had been INCLUDED and with the SIGNED CONSENT of ALL Directors. Got that?

No-one OWNED Eventica South Africa Exclusively as there was NO shareholder agreement yet AND there was still the issue of INCLUDING the TWO other parties as mentioned and agreed. I doubt if ‘Prince’ Osobase can tell the difference between Company Registration and Company Ownership and Shareholding all in one breadth. That is his own problem not mine.

So when ‘Prince’ Osobase runs rings around his not-so-well-educated crew of cronies, it remains for the more discerning and better educated to understand the protocols here mentioned.

There came the drama.

One of the ‘claims’ Patrick Osobase makes to buttress his argument is that he ‘paid’ for the registration of Eventica South Africa therefore it is his own. Laughable if not so serious.

The records, in my possession AND on the trancsactions statement of the registration company will show that I, Ivor Ekpe paid for the registration of EVENTICA SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD.

Why then will Patrick Osobase make such a claim with such knowledge? This is where we come to the part about Battered Roadkills….

If we go back briefly to why a person who had no knowledge, no input, no contribution to the development process of a concept would be part of a travelling party and married that to the need for a man to consistently lie to his wife why he needed money whilst in South Africa, you begin to see the picture.

It is important for Patrick Osobase to ‘maintain’ the story that he paid for the registration of Eventica South Africa (Pty) Limited. Firstly, it may help his ‘cliam’ that it signifies his ownership of the company. Secondly and more importantly, it will ‘match’ the request he made of his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase for monies which were in truth given to Miss Roadkill to feed her appetite for ‘shopping’.

If you consider that Patrick Osobase’s frustration with Miss Roadkill on that trip to South Africa led to an explosion one late night in Johannesburg where he battered and bashed Miss Roadkill’s face (suspected fractured cheekbone) to pulp to the extent that she could not leave our rented 2-room apartment for FIVE days, you begin to see what I meant by 1) Miss Roadkill pointing out the fact that Patrick could not do whatever he liked or was used to doing with Eventica South Africa because of the laws of that country and 2) Patrick’s need to consistently state that he paid for the registration lest his wife Ngozi Ivie Osobase querries what the money she sent to him was really used for.

The Bashing of Miss Roadkill presented Kodak Moment 1 of this saga.

So bad was the beating of Miss Roadkill that a) she took pictures and sent to her Mother and Twin Sister in Nigeria (Blackmail 1) b) threatened that Patrick’s wife would get to know about their relationship (Blackmail 2) c) that, for Kodak Moment 1, I looked like a man who had slept with a prostitute in a hotel and had beaten her up as could have been imagined by other guests who saw me trying to get her and her luggage back to the apartment d) that on a later trip to Johannesburg in January 2013 by myself and Manjo Umar ‘Known Criminal’ Mohammed we were greeted in the Mall by a Security man I did not recognize until, to jog my memory, he asked “How is the Girl?”.

I dropped off Patrick and Miss Roadkill at the OR Tambo airport on the FRIDAY 21^st of December 2012 THREE hours before their scheduled flight to Lagos, Nigeria. Hugs, Kisses, Bye-Byes. I paid the balance for the registration of Eventica South Africa Limited that same morning at the airport. Patrick’s use of his or his wife’s money? Your guess is as good as mine. I was due in Nigeria TWO days later (SUNDAY)

Miss Roadkill had ‘promised’ she would not make anything of the story.

A few hours later, when it was obvious that Patrick and Miss Roadkill should have been on their CONFIRMED flight, I got a frantic call from Patrick DEMANDING the original registration documents.

“Why are you not on your flight Patrick?”

Patrick claimed that he and Miss Roadkill were on a South African Airways queue trying to ‘upgrade’ their tickets until their flight left them behind…. Some things simply make you go hmmmm.

And now that they had rescheduled their flight for the next day, he INSISTED on having the ORIGINAL copies of the registration documents to take with him to Nigeria though I was due in Nigeria the next couple of days… Some more things make you go hmmmm.

Questions:

1. You were at the airport THREE hours before your flight. Did you check-in or not and your luggage?
2. Did the flight, IF YOU HAD CHECKED-IN, leave with your luggage?
3. Did the SAA staff on your ‘queue’ not know you were on a scheduled flight and could have EITHER informed you your flight was leaving or held up the flight whilst you upgraded?
4. Why in God’s Name did you need to ‘upgrade’ a confirmed flight?

Whilst I couldn’t be bothered what reasons Patrick gave for ‘missing’ his flight, I was more curious about why all of a sudden the Original copies of the registration document meant so much to him.

I dragged my contact away from her leisure. Remember, this was 21^st December 2012 and ALL of South Africa had ‘closed’ for the Christmas Holidays until the New year. My contact had made the registration documents available by email on that last day and the ‘originals’ were in her possession as we were not likely to meet up that day. There was still Saturday and I could still pick them up before I left on Sunday.

My contact and I rallied her courier and the driver who had taken us around during that trip to ensure Patrick Osobase got the ‘originals’ at the airport’s Southern Sun Hotel where he and Miss Roadkill were staying overnight.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THESE DOCUMENTS TO THIS DAY.

THAT WAS THE LAST TIME PATRICK OSOBASE EVER SAID A WORD TO ME OR CONTACTED ME until my ‘Capture and Arrest’ (in the words of Adebayo Ajagunna.

The story by the time I arrived Lagos on the 23^rd of December was that “Ivor connived with his contact to steal 50% of the company, Eventica South Africa (Pty) Limited and ‘shaft’ the ‘Mumu Northern Cockroaches’”.

And that was the beginning of our suspicion that Patrick Osobase, ‘Prince’ of someplace, was about to unleash a plan to scheme out everyone else from the propositions of BOTH the Africa Village at AFCON 2013 and any future discussions, if any, with the international client in the New Year.

We decided it was time to walk and leave the ‘Prince’ to his usual modus operandi and the Eventica Africa Village at AFCON2013 with the City of Johannesburg. The Client was too important and needed to be protected. The client belonged to Manjo Umar ‘Known Criminal’ Mohammed.

However, before we ‘moved’ a few more intriguing things came to light.

($2m Attempt to Defraud, Breach of Protocols, Soliciting for Funds without Client Consent, Plan to Scheme Partners Out)

To Be Continued.

Author Ivor Ekpe

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The continuous use of death penalty as punishment for crimes such as murder, manslaughter, culpable homicide, armed robbery and kidnapping in some states, under the Penal Code, Criminal Code and Robbery and Firearms Act have been condemned by the European Union (EU) and Lawyers without borders, France.

At an event to kick-start the ‘Save Lives’ campaign in Abuja, the head of political governance and democracy delegation of the EU to Nigeria, Mr Alan Munday says the continuous use of the capital punishment by Nigeria in its criminal justice system is cruel and inhuman and should be discarded.

He urged Nigeria to publish a white paper or other official document on the United Nations moratorium which prescribes the suspension of death penalty as a first step towards its implementation.

However, the leader of the nation’s legal body called for caution in dealing with the death penalty. “We must find a way of fine-tuning the criminal justice that it finds a way to appeal to every one involved in the cases such as the plantiff, the victims, the state and the defendant” stated the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu.

A Lagos High Court recently passed a death sentence on former Cheif of staff to late Head of state, Sani Abacha, Hamza al-Mustapha for complicity in the murder of Kudi Abiola. Lateef Shofolahan and Reverend King are other convicts awaiting the hang’s man.

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The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs panel, Tuesday, expressed dismay over the exorbitant price of drivers’ licence and new number plate by state governments.

The controversial new number plate and drivers’ licence introduced by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, was produced at the cost of N7,593 and N3,000 respectively but sold at N15,000 and N6,000 to Nigerian public by state governments under the approval of the Joint Tax Board.

The Senate Committee, at a public hearing on new number plate and drivers’ licence, described the price as exploitative and insensitive, while faulting the Joint Tax Board for condoning the collection of such exorbitant amount from vehicle owners.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dahiru Kuta, had wanted to know why FRSC should sell number plates at very high price. But the Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, in his presentation said it cost the commission N3,000 and N7,593 to produce a drivers licence and number plate respectively.

He said the commission, however, gave out the number plates to the states at N7,500 but the states then sell to the public at N15,000.

He added that the cost of replacing old number plates with new ones had been reduced from N10,000 to N5,000 after due consultation between the Commission and the Joint Tax Board.

Chidoka, who was also asked why the commission was spending revenues accruing to it from the production of the driver’s licence and number plate scheme said it was difficult to remit monies to the federation account in 24 hours.

A member of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Marafa, had accused FRSC of breaching section 162 of the Constitution and section 8(2) of its establishment Act by failing to remit revenues generated by the agency to the Federal Government’s treasury within 24 hours.

But Chidoka in response said: “It has never been possible to remit money to the Federation Account within 24 hours because we didn’t even know how much money that we receive within 24 hours.

“The reality is that we can’t remit it within 24 hours. That is the National Assembly’s work to help us look at the law and review it.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of FRSC  has said the corps remitted N1.4 billion into the Federation Account in 2011 from monies it generated from its operations.

On why the FRSC has not been effective in its operations, Chidoka said only N300 million was budgeted for the corps in 2012 for fuel  despite  partial removal of fuel subsidy.

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The staff of  the United States’ embassy in Abuja and people around its vicinity were thrown into pandemonium after the heard a bang which they assumed to be a bomb blast on Monday afternoon.

But eyewitnesses said they saw teenagers set off fireworks on an undeveloped plot located a few metres from the well-guarded American embassy.

Also, some policemen at the Diplomatic zone, which houses several embassies, told NAN that the “panic and confusion’’ was started after fireworks went off.

A petty trader at the location told NAN that although he was not sure what the thunderous noise he heard was, he thought it was fireworks and only ran because everyone else did.

“I hear noise and see smoke; people dey run and I think say na knock out and people say na gun shot, naim I pick my egg roll and Kunu and run too,” he said

In an e-mail to reporters, Deb MacLean, the Information Officer at the U.S. embassy said “We believe there were shots fired in the vicinity of the U.S. embassy. The Nigerian authorities have two individuals in custody. We refer you to the Nigeria police for further information.”

Mr. Jimoh Moshood, the FCT Police Command spokesman, confirmed that the police received a report of an incident near the U.S. embassy.

“We immediately sent in a patrol van and personnel to the scene but there was no shooting,’’ he said. However, Mr. Moshood  said no arrest had been made in connection with the incident.

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President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said Monday in Seoul that his Administration was working very hard to replicate in Nigeria the miracle of South Korea’s rapid development into a leading industrial nation

Speaking at the opening of a Nigeria-South Korea Investment Forum aimed at making Korean entrepreneurs more aware of the great investment opportunities in Nigeria, President Jonathan said that his administration was fully committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s huge natural endowments and resources are properly harnessed and channelled towards the goal of transforming the country into one the most industrialised nations in the world by the year 2020.

“My administration intends to borrow a leaf from the Korean experience and the experience of other developed economies, to transform the Nigerian economy to one of the world’s largest 20 economies by the year 2020.

“It seems a very ambitious project, but I can assure you, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, that all hands are on deck to realize this vision,” President Jonathan told South Korean businessmen at the gathering.

The President invited South Korean investors to explore the immense opportunities that exist in Nigeria’s agriculture, power and energy, oil and gas, construction and real estate development, aviation and water resources sectors, among others.

He said that the possibilities for mutually-beneficial economic and trade relations between Nigeria and South Korea were immense.

“This Investment Forum, organized with the support of the Korean Chambers of Commerce and Industry, will ignite this process and give it substantive edge. We must sustain the effort and keep the momentum that has been kicked off today.

“It is my hope that South Korean industrialists and business men would seize the opportunities available in Nigeria to invest in the country. I assure you that Nigeria’s enormous natural and human resources as well as its viable market will guarantee maximum returns on your investments,” he said.

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Former head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farida Waziri, has retained official effects assigned to her office as the commission’s chairperson, four months after she was fired, the House of Representatives committee overseeing the agency said.

Mrs. Waziri keeps an unstated number of vehicles, an accommodation property, and other items belonging to the anti-corruption agency, according to the House committee on Drugs, Narcotic and Financial Crimes.

Mrs. Waziri’s unceremonious removal late last year, was mired in unclear circumstances after a four year spell that was harshly criticized by many as largely unsatisfactory in tackling corruption.

The era was replete with several unresolved high profile cases with only a few convictions to show for. Still, former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole and deputy, Usman Nafada, were charged for corruption under her tenure.

Evidences presented at a recent senate pension management named the former anti-corruption chief as having approved an outlandish foreign trip involving about a dozen of the commission’s operatives for the verification of retirees.

The exercise captured only 20 pensioners after N240 million had been spent.

The House committee said it “discovered” during one its oversight tours that some official items under Mrs. Farida’s former office had not been relinquished since she left office.

“Despite the handing over process you took when you were leaving office, Monday 28th November, 2011 the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotic and Financial Crimes discovered, during one of its oversight visit that you are still in possession of the Commission’s official vehicles, still occupying a residential property belonging to the commission and other government properties,” the committee said in a letter dated March 19, 2012.

“This is in contravention of laid-down government regulations,” the letter signed by the committee’s chair, Jagaba Adams Jagaba, added.

The committee gave Mrs. Waziri two weeks, elapsing April 2, to give up the effects or be summoned by the committee.

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SECURITY agents are battling to locate the whereabouts of a German, Edgar Fritz Raupach, who is believed to have been taken hostage by Boko Haram, the dreaded Islamic sect in whose custody two foreigners died three weeks ago.

Briton Christopher McManus and Italian Franco Lamolinara were killed by the Abu Mohammed faction of Boko Haram, which is believed to have links with al-Qaeda, the international terrorist group.

Raupach has been held hostage since January by the Abu Mohammed faction of Boko Haram, The Nation learnt.

The hostage takers appear to have the backing of Al-Qaeda, following the alleged arrest and detention of a Muslim woman, Oum Seif Allah Al Ansari, in Germany.

It was learnt that the al-Qaeda – backed Boko Haram faction is demanding immediate release of Oum Seif Allah Al Ansarim, who is being held in a prison, as a precondition for freeing the German hostage.

A source, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, said: “The agencies are investigating the claim of al-Qaeda links with the kidnapped German in Kano and the swap demand for a detained woman, who is a Muslim, in Germany.

“Security agencies are working round the clock to free this German who was kidnapped in Kano.

“This is another challenge but with effective collaboration, we should be able to locate the whereabouts of the hostage.”

Another source said: “We are working on a tip-off that al-Qaeda had worked in collaboration with Abu Mohammed faction of Boko Haram to kidnap the German in Kano. Some clues are suggesting that the German might either be in Kano or somewhere in North Africa.

“But security agencies are not relenting in locating the German hostage either in Kano or elsewhere.”

It was also gathered at the weekend that a faction of Boko Haram provided intelligence for the arrest of the late Mohammed and others on March 7 in Zaria. The arrest provoked the killing of the two hostages in Mabera Estate, Sokoto.

According to sources, security agencies have established that Boko Haram was able to hold on to the murdered hostages for 10 months because of alleged sophisticated equipment and external backing from al-Qaeda and others.

A security source said: “The Abu Mohammed men appear well-trained, organised, with weapons and armoury that security agents are still unravelling their linkages.

“This sophistication of the faction, apparently aided externally, readily showed in their ability to keep the two hostages away from the extensive security hunt for 10 months. This gives a lie to the belief that the security agencies have acquired equipment that could track terrorists anywhere in Nigeria.

“Security experts say no Third World country, considering their lean income, can afford such equipment.”

Another source said: “A faction of the Boko Haram might have directly or indirectly given the intelligence that led to the arrests of the late Abu Mohammed and his men in Adamawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto Kebbi and their routing during a Shura Council (highest decision making body) meeting in Layin Hanwa in Zaria and the subsequent rescue mission in Mabera Estate in Sokoto.

“Do not forget that Abu Mohammed broke away and ran a faction of the Boko Haram, until he was arrested March 7, after a gun battle with security agents. He died March 9 from gunshot wounds.

“This is to show you that there is deep division within Boko Haram. As a matter of fact, the death of Mohammed and the arrest of some of his men is said to have elicited jubilation in the camp the other faction that variously described the Mohammed faction and men as traitors and betrayers.”

The State Security Service (SSS) paraded eight sect members arrested in connection with the kidnapping and killing of the Briton and the Italian.

Three of those arrested -Bashir Ibrahim (aka Adda’u); Ibrahim A. Habibu; and Gambo Maiborodi – allegedly carried out surveillance on the hostages in Kebbi State before they were abducted on May 12, last year.

Others paraded are: Mohammed Rabiu Adam (aka Dan Hajiya); Abubakar Abdulrahman Habibu; Shittu Salihu; Abubakar Umar and Ahmed Samaila.

The suspects are yet to be charged to court. The search for the German may have delayed the arraignment of the suspects in court.

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Three Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] Commissioners and House of Representatives members of the House Committee on Capital Market may soon be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] over a bribery allegation

The House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market has been probing the collapse of the once lucrative capital market

The Director General of SEC has been alleged of spending over N30million on hotel bills within eight months.

But in a return, she alleged that the committee led by Hon. Herman Hembe demanded for N44 million from her.

Hembe and Ms. Oteh have been trading words over a bribery allegation leveled against them.

Already, a secret memo showing that SEC initiated the move to sponsor the controversial public hearing with a N30.4m budget has been releaved in Abuja.

click here to read the full secret memo

Some letters and memos by SEC and the House Committee provided an insight into how the deal was struck.

A March 9 memo by the Senior Supervisor (CA) in SEC, Hassan Mamman, to the DG of
SEC, reads:
“RE-PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL MARKET

“Please, recall that the commission received a letter of invitation from the leadership of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market inviting the management of the commission to a public hearing on the Nigerian Capital Market slated for March 13 – 30, 2012.

“The leadership of the Committee had also earlier advertised the hearing in some national dailies in which other stakeholders were also invited alongside the commission
to the three-week long event.

“The department had suggested to the management the need to support this great effort of the National Assembly to finding a lasting solution to the challenges facing the Nigerian Capital Market.

“We were then mandated to approach the committee with a view to finding out the areas where such support is required.

“The committee welcomed this development and accordingly forwarded a budget estimate for the public hearing (see attached).

“In view of the above and in pursuit of the commission’s statutory responsibilities to the Nigeria Capital Market and in furtherance of our mutual relationship with the National Assembly as major stakeholders in the capital market, we hereby recommended the sponsorship of two items only from their budget as follows:
•1, (C) Live Coverage:
N26, 203,800
•2, Secretariat needs:
N4, 215,000
Total: N30, 418,800

“Submitted for Management’s consideration and approval of N30,418,800 only being part sponsorship of the upcoming public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions to identify the manifest causes of the near collapse of the Nigerian Capital Market”.

Earlier in a March 1 memo, Mamman sought the permission of Ms. Oteh, to open discussion with the committee on how it could partially sponsor the public hearing.

“RE-PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL MARKET

The memo also reads: “The commission is in receipt of a letter of invitation from the leadership of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market inviting the management of the commission to a public hearing on the Nigerian Capital Market slated for March 13 – 30, 2012.

“Before then, a paid advertisement by the committee was sighted in some national dailies in which other stakeholders were also invited alongside the commission to the three-week events.

“In view of the commission’s role as the apex regulator of the Nigerian Capital Market and in consideration of the existing cordial relationship cultivated over the years between it and the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, we find it appropriate for the management to assist the committee by co-sponsoring this three weeks long event.

“It is our considered opinion that doing this will be of immense benefit to the nation’s Capital Market by further creating a more conducive atmosphere to finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing the Nigerian Capital Market.

“If the above suggestion is acceptable to management, the committee may be approached on your directives, to find out the possible areas for the support.

“Submitted for your consideration and further directives.”

Investigation showed that the SEC had responded to a February 28, invitation letter to its director-general by the committee.

The letter signed by the Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Femi T. Ogunsanya, reads in part: “In accordance with Sections 62, 88 and 89 of the Constitution and Order XIV, No 8 and 9 of the House of Representatives Standing Orders (2011) the House Committee on Capital Market and other institutions have been mandated by the House of Representatives Resolution (HR.103/2011) of votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 14th December, 2011 to conduct a three-week public hearing to identify the manifest causes of the market’s near collapse with a view to funding lasting solution.

“By extension of the above, the committee therefore resolved to invite the public, and all stakeholders in the financial/stock market sector to the three-week public hearing commencing from Tuesday 13th to Friday 30th March, accordingly.

“On this note, I am directed to invite you to be part of the proceedings. You are also expected to submit 30 hard copies and two soft copies of memoranda to the Clerk/Committee Secretariat on or before 12th March, 2012 in Committee Room 19. 2nd Floor, White House, House of Representatives Wing, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

“You are also expected to attend and take this Public Hearing serious as a core regulator of the Market.

“As we partner to bring lasting solution to the Capital Market’s near collapse, please accept the Committee’s best regards to your esteem office.”

The Committee at the SEC’s instace, later sent a N35,719,490 bill needed for the hearing and how it would spend the money, to SEC.
The breakdown is as follows: PUBLIC HEARNG: (1) Publicity—(a) Advert in Newspapers) Business News(N1,001,000); Daily Trust(N1,001,920); Punch(N998,800); Vanguard(N1,001,960);  and Tribune(N1,601,560). Sub-total= N5, 605, 240.

1(b) Advert in television stations: Channels (N745, 250.00); AIT (N715, 200.00); and NTA (N785, 000). Sub-total= N2, 245, 450.

1( c) Live coverage: Channels (1hr)—N4,550,000; AIT(2 hrs) –N12, 993,800; and NTA(3hrs)—N8,660,000. Sub-total= N26, 203, 800.

B. Secretariat Needs: (a) Official reporters(N500,000); (b) Technical crew(N300,000); (c) Postal Services(N350,000); (d)Stationery( N250,000); (e) Cards N15,000; and (f) N250,000.

As at press time however, it was gathered that the EFCC and the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges might quiz the DG, all the three Commissioners in SEC, and the Chairman of the House Committee, Mr. Herman Hembe any moment from now.

A reliable source said: “The EFCC is presently conducting preliminary findings by looking at correspondences between the House Committee and the SEC.

“Investigators have also been liaising with the hotel where Otteh allegedly incurred N30million bill.

“The key players might be invited by Friday or early next week for interaction.

“Already, some commissioners in SEC have expressed willingness to testify before the EFCC and the House Committee.”

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Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has placed a total ban on commercial motorcycle (okada) operation in Ikeja area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

As a result of the ban, okada riders in Ikeja have sued the Lagos State Government for banning them from carrying out their legal trade at the Federal High Court, Ikeja, while the matter came up at the court on Wednesday.

As a result of the ban, okada operation in Ikeja has been paralysed, except for the few brave ones who dared to move as police are everywhere on the order of the Commissioner of Police to arrest any rider found operating in major roads in Ikeja.

Hundreds of motorcycles have been impounded by the police.

A statement issued by the Office of the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Police Command and signed by the head, Joseph Jaiyeoba, said the state government and the police took the decision to ban okada because of the high rate of robbery involving the use of okadas.

According to the statement issued the okada unions in Ikeja, the police stated that “due to increasing rate of criminality through the use of motorcycles, popularly known as okada, the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Lagos State Police Command have decided to put a total ban on okada within Ikeja axis.”

The statement said no okada rider must be found in areas such as Oba Akran, Bank Anthony Way, Isaac John, Opebi Link Bridge, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Acme Road, Alausa, Oregun, Simbiat Abiola Way and Kodeso Road with immediate effect.

Following the ban, okada operation has been restricted to inner and remote streets in Ikeja.

The police in Ikeja are aggressively enforcing the ban as several of them could be seen on almost every major road arresting okada riders.

Disenchanted by the ban, one of the two okada unions in Ikeja, the All Auto-bike Commercial Owners and Workers Association, ANACOWA took the Lagos State Government to court yesterday, praying the court to restrain the government from harassing them while carrying out their businesses.

Counsel to the okada riders,stated  that the okada riders were suing the state government for infringing on their fundamental human rights, saying that government had no law governing the operation of okada riders, thus, it had no power to restrict them from carrying out their businesses.

He said the okada riders were praying the court to stop the government from banning them from doing their legal businesses.

The Ikeja Branch Chairman, Motorcycle Association of Lagos State, MOALS of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Joseph Amadi, said the ban on okada might heighten insecurity in the state.

He stated that with the level of unemployment in the country, banning okada riders meant taking food from the mouth of their families and numerous dependants, while appealing to the government to rescind its decision.

“It is not the commercial motorcycle riders that are using them for robbing. Robbers just capitalise on it to escape fast after carrying out operation. The way the police are intensifying arrest of okada riders since the ban, if they have intensified efforts like this in curbing crime, they would have stopped this menace for long.

“Banning okada will have security implication. Police collect between N5,000 and N15,000 from us to get our bike released. Is government encouraging corruption? If government wants to ensure sanctity, they should allow only one okada union to operate in Ikeja,” he said.

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Rebel soldiers announced early today that they have seized control of Mali after a palace attack, the Associated Press reported.

The whereabouts of the President, Amadou Toumani Toure, were unknown at press time.

The soldiers, in a brief statement read on national television, said they seized power in protest at the government’s failure to quell a nomad-led rebellion in the north of the country that have claimed many lives and left hundreds of thousands homeless in recent months. The coup has been fronted by soldiers of the rank of captain or lower, Reuters said.

It was learnt that the army has for weeks appealed to the government for better weapons to fight the northern Tuareg rebels, now bolstered by heavily-armed ethnic allies who fought on Gaddafi’s side last year but have returned to Mali.

On national television, a group of around 20 soldiers in military fatigues were shown crowding around a desk, facing the camera. They announced that the country is under the control of the military’s National Committee for the Reestablishment of Democracy and the Restoration of the State, or CNRDR. They said they were suspending Mali’s constitution and dissolving its institutions, AP said.

“The CNRDR representing all the elements of the armed forces, defensive forces and security forces has decided to assume its responsibilities and end the incompetent and disavowed regime of Amadou Toumani Toure,” they said, reading from a statement.

“The objective of the CNRDR does not in any way aim to confiscate power, and we solemnly swear to return power to a democratically elected president as soon as national unity and territorial integrity are established.”

The coup is a major setback for one of the region’s few established democracies. It came one month before Mali’s presidential election. Toure, 63, was due to step down after those elections.

Gunfire could be heard from the direction of the presidential palace early today, the Associated Press reported. A soldier at the palace said that the president’s bodyguards had failed to fight the renegade soldiers, who forced their way in. They searched the grounds but could not find Toure, whose whereabouts are unknown, AP said.

The events that culminated in the coup began yesterday morning at a military camp in the capital, where Defence Minister Gen. Sadio Gassama came for an official visit. In his speech to the troops, the minister failed to address the grievances of the rank-and-file soldiers. The rebellion has claimed the lives of numerous soldiers, and those sent to fight say they are not given sufficient supplies, including arms or food.

Recruits started firing into the air yesterday morning. By afternoon, troops had surrounded the state television station in central Bamako, located in southwest Mali, yanking both the television and radio signals off the air for the rest of the day. By yesterday evening, troops had started rioting at a military garrison located in the northern town of Gao, some 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) away.

A freelance journalist from Sweden who was driving to her hotel near the TV station around 4 p.m. yesterday said that trucks full of soldiers had surrounded the state broadcaster, AP reported.

“They came and started setting up checkpoints. There were military in the streets, stopping people,” said Katarina Hoije. “When we reached our hotel which is just in front of the TV station, there were lots of military outside, and more cars kept arriving – pickup trucks with soldiers on them.”

President Touré had promised to step down in advance of elections set for April 29. The Malian leader is a former soldier who overthrew the then president-for-life, Moussa Traore, in 1991 before handing power back to civilians. He came to office in elections in 2002 and was returned to office in 2007, the New York Times reported.

Meanwhile, the West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS has condemned actions by renegade Mali soldiers who claimed they had seized power from an “incompetent regime.

“ECOWAS strongly condemns the misguided actions of the mutineers and warns that it will not condone any recourse to violence as a means of seeking redress,” said a statement by the Economic Community of West African States bloc.

What began as a mutiny over the government’s response to the rekindled Tuareg insurrection in the north on Wednesday afternoon turned into a full-blown coup as soldiers seized control of the presidential palace and the government broadcaster.

Putschists, calling themselves the National Committee for the Establishment of Democracy, went on television early Thursday to announce they had taken over power in the west African country.

ECOWAS said it had followed with “dismay and mounting concern” events in Bamako, the capital of its member state Mali.

It said the action by the military was “all the more reprehensible” coming amid regional and international peace efforts to end the Tuareg-led rebellion in the north of the country.

The European Union also called Thursday for constitutional rule to return to Mali “as soon as possible” after mutinous soldiers claimed to have seized power in a coup.

“We condemn the military takeover of power and the suspension of the constitution. Constitutional rule should be restored as soon as possible,” said Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

“The safety and liberty of the people of Mali must be preserved in all circumstances,” he said in a statement.

Renegade soldiers claimed Thursday they had seized power from an “incompetent regime,” announcing on television they had suspended the constitution and dissolved state institutions.

The putschists, calling themselves the National Committee for the Establishment of Democracy, said they had acted due to government’s “inability” to handle a Tuareg-led insurrection in the north of the country.

The group’s spokesman, identified on-screen as Lieutenant Amadou Konare said the takeover was a result of a “lack of adequate material to defend the nation” as well as government’s inability to combat terrorism.

Claiming to represent the nation’s defence forces, Konare said the junta “solemnly commits to restore power to a democratically-elected president as soon as national unity and territorial integrity are re-established.”

Mali was to hold the first round of a presidential election on April 29.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said: “The situation is currently unclear and unfolding quickly … There are reports of military forces surrounding the presidential palace and movement of vehicles between the palace and the military barracks.”

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for calm and for grievances to be settled democratically in a statement hours before the soldiers said they had seized power.

The commission of the African Union said it was “deeply concerned by the reprehensible acts currently being perpetrated by some elements of the Malian army”.

France called for elections “as soon as possible” in its former colony of Mali early today after mutinous troops were reported to have overturned the government, chased the president from his hilltop palace, imposed a curfew and suspended the constitution, the New York Times reported.

The French foreign minister, Alain Juppé, told Europe 1 radio that France condemns the mutineers’ actions and “demands the re-establishment of constitutional order, and elections, which were scheduled for April, must take place as soon as possible.”

Algeria voiced deep concern Thursday over the military coup in neighbouring Mali and firmly condemned the seizure of power by a group of renegade soldiers.

“Algeria is monitoring the situation in Mali with great concern,” foreign ministry spokesman Amar Belani told the APS news agency.

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