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Kourtney Kardashian Considers Being Khloe Kardashian's Surrogate
Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney Kardashian will do just about anything to help a family member in need. In the March 31 episode of Kourtney & Kim Take Miami, the 33-year-old mother of two asks her partner Scott Disick if he would support her offer to become a surrogate for her younger sister Khloe Kardashian.
(Earlier in the episode, 28-year-old Khloe told family members about her struggle to start a family with husband Lamar Odom. "I don't ovulate, and now my uterus lining isn't thick enough and I have to take pills to make my uterus lining thicker," the X Factor co-host shared. "If that doesn't get thicker, then I cannot carry a baby.")
"You're telling me you want to get pregnant, carry a child and give it to Khloe?" Disick asks. "It would be her child with Lamar," Kourtney explains.
U.S. F-22 stealth jets join South Korea drills amidst North Korea threats
WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - The United States sent F-22 stealth fighter jets to South Korea on Sunday to join military drills aimed at underscoring the U.S. commitment to defend Seoul in the face of an intensifying campaign of threats from North Korea. The advanced, radar-evading F-22 Raptors were deployed to Osan Air Base, the main U.S. Air Force base in South Korea, from Japan to support ongoing bilateral exercises, the U.S. military command in South Korea said in a statement that urged North Korea to restrain itself.
"(North Korea) will achieve nothing by threats or provocations, which will only further isolate North Korea and undermine international efforts to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia," the statement said.
Sabre-rattling on the Korean peninsula drew a plea for peace from Pope Francis, who in his first Easter Sunday address called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis on the Korean peninsula."Peace in Asia, above all on the Korean peninsula: may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow," he said, speaking in Italian.
Tensions have been high since the North's young new leader, Kim Jong-un, ordered a nuclear weapons test in February, breaching U.N. sanctions and ignoring warnings from North Korea's closest ally, China, not to do so.
That test, North Korea's third since 2006, drew further U.N. and bilateral sanctions designed to pressure the impoverished North to stop its nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang responded to the new steps by ratcheting up warnings and threats of war.
North Korea said on Saturday it was entering a "state of war" with South Korea, but Seoul and its ally the United States played down the statement from the official KCNA news agency as the latest in a stream of tough talk from Pyongyang.
In a rare U.S. show of force aimed at North Korea, the United States on Thursday flew two radar-evading B-2 Spirit bombers on practice runs over South Korea.
On Friday, Kim signed an order putting the North's missile units on standby to attack U.S. military bases in South Korea and the Pacific, after the stealth bomber flights.
The F-22 jets will take part in the annual U.S.-South Korea Foal Eagle military drills, which are designed to sharpen the allies' readiness to defend the South from an attack by North Korea, the U.S. military said.
Men harass me ‘cos I’m big and sexy - Eniola Badmus
Big and sexy, Eniola Badmus, popularly known as Gbogbo Bigz Girls, came into the limelight in Funke Akindele’s film, Jenifa. And since then, she has not looked back.
In this interview with The Entertainer, she talked about her career and other issues. Excerpts:
How did you come into acting?
I have been around since 1999, I just walked into an audition centre and I was chosen.
How has it been?
It’s been a whole lot of challenges because at first it was not easy, but we glorify the name of the Lord.
What are you doing presently?
Currently, I am working on my profile, to look inwards and move into the corporate world, do some corporate shows or probably get an endorsement.
You shot into the limelight with the bad girl character in the films, jenifa and Omo Gheto; are you that bad a person?
No, I am a very simple person, I m a cool babe.
You once told me that after your university you just walked into an audition session and got a role, were you harassed sexually as being claimed by some people?
There is no industry where there is no sexual harassment because if it did not happen to you, you will not have the gut to say ‘wow! I have come a long way’.
So, it happened to you?
Obviously, It happened to me so there is no big deal about it. The fact remains that I must be harassed sexually because I am sexy and big and I know it. So, it’s bound to happen to anybody but the way you handle it matters.
How sexy are you?
That’s personal. I don’t want to go into that.
Where did you grow up?
My growing up was good and wonderful. I have wonderful parents who wanted the best for me that’s why I studied up to Masters degree level.
As a sexy person, how do you cope with male admirers?
I am very, very comfortable with guys because I have a lot of them as friends. I like to be in the midst of guys, I love them.
How is your love life, are you into any relationship?
My love life is cool and my relationship is private too.
How was your first sexual experience?
Aha, that is still private.
Do you enjoy sex?
That is rotten; I can’t talk about that too.
What do you like most about your body?
I like myself, I like my body, at times I think I’m the only person created like this because I’m not only big, I’m also sexy.
When are you getting married?
Soon, very soon because I am in my 30s and I only need just three years to have my two babies.
Which part of your body do you protect more?
I protect every part of my body because my body is a temple of God, which must not be exposed.
Do you use a special bra?
So, you want to know my bra size? Okay, I will tell you. I wear 38 Triple D.
Which colour of bra do you prefer?
No, no, I won’t answer that, that is too confidential.
How do you relate with the opposite sex?
I relate with them normally.
Which project are you working on right now?
I am working, working, working. My fans should just keep their fingers crossed.
What bad things have you done that you regret?
I have done bad, bad, bad things even worse but now I am a changed person
Waje speaks on her ‘Nude picture’
*Waje
Following the controversy surrounding the release of her ‘half-nude picture’ online, Waje has explained that the said picture was not only an abstract, but also, part of her new video concept.
She offered this explanation when Showtime contacted her on her new video.
According to her, the picture is a scene in her new single titled I Wish, released during the week.
“After being on set of the movie, Tunnel, I realized that our music videos are like movies painting the right picture and acting it. I Wish video is a lifeless theme and the song is a vulnerable song, and I tried to interprete it in that abstract nude picture with the broken mirrors. It’s me trying to interprete a woman’s vulnerability, xx ” she said.
Waje’s publicist, Ifeoma however refuted the rumour making the rounds that the singer went nude in the
video, adding “It was all graphics.”
According to her, Waje was putting on clothes in the video as shot by Clarence Peters. “Waje didn’t go nude in that video. She was putting on her clothes with some jewelries. The trick was all Clarence Peters’ work who made her look as if she was naked. You would notice that the picture was dark and blur with just her face being the most visible,” she said.
The truth about our private jet, by P-square
They are ever busy, taking their music around the continent where they are arguably the most popular act from Nigeria. Peter Okoye, one-half of the energetic choreographers and twin singers, P-Square, spoke to VICTOR AKANDE, Entertainment Editor, recently.
HOW do you feel that your latest single, Alingo, has been banned?
I heard of the ban, but, honestly, reasons for the ban were not specified. But what we have noticed and they haven’t is that when you ban a song you only make it popular. Banning a song on Nigerian channels doesn’t mean much because the major international channels still play the videos.
What really was the reason behind the video?
For a few years now P-square haven’t made a dance video and our fans have been anticipating, so we just decided to give them that. Alingo was a freestyle that we did even before the Invasion album; we never took it serious until it leaked, and we got good responses. Thus, we decided to shoot a video for it.
Did you have to take the recording abroad again like most of your works?
Surprisingly, no! The scenes were created and shot in an abandoned warehouse close to our home in Nigeria. It took a lot of time and energy though, because it has been five years since we did a dance video, the last which was Roll It.
How far have you gone with foreign collaborations, considering that it’s the fastest way to hit the European and American markets?
Let’s look at it this way. We have known Akon for over six years, but we didn’t have talks for collaboration, till he came to our concert in London and witnessed the reception. He was trying to open Kon Life in Africa and was looking for people to help him run it, so we teamed up in what we call a joint venture. We are establishing an office in Nigeria called Kon Life, because we are here representing him while he is out in the states representing us. So, all I can say is that the process is on. Just watch out.
Which country would you say is your biggest market in Africa?
East Africa is the biggest encouragement, a certain place to run to at any time. Southern Africa is a potential market; that is, it is still in the works because we have been working there for over a year. But a profitable market is based on an entertainer’s personal effort, because an area can’t remain hot for us every time, so we are exploring new grounds.
You are always on the road, how much time do you have for yourselves?
We try as much as possible, but we don’t get as much time as we would want. But we took the whole of January this year to rest, because last year was a very busy year for us. However, we are back on the road again. It is the nature of the business, and we are hoping for a 2013 that will be better than last year, because this year we are including the tour of United States in our schedule.
What is this rumour about you guys acquiring a private jet; can you confirm it?
It’s not true my brother. We had a deal with a private jet company, which provides that whenever we are going to a specific place, we would be provided a jet. That way, they always gave us their private jets to travel with. This makes our trips easier. On the other hand, we are close to the presidents of most African countries, so when they hear that we are coming to their country, they usually send their private jets to pick us wherever we are. But that is not to say we can’t acquire our own jet. As a matter of fact, we are planning to get ours.
How have you been able to live above the scourge of piracy, which most artistes say is the reason they have not been able to make headway?
Piracy affects all of us, but still P-square as a brand has managed to strive and be successful. The truth is that we know how to make money even from the pirates. Some of the marketers are the pirates that we are talking about, as a result, fighting piracy starts with them. We know our worth, so before a marketer buys our album, we make him provide the cost of production and profit margin. Our last album took the joint effort of three different marketers to buy.
Despite being blood brothers, are you (P-Square) likely to go your separate ways someday?
Peter and Paul are not perfect; we quarrel like normal siblings do, but we don’t let it affect our business. Even with Jude our brother, in business, he is our manager and he respects us as the artistes he manages, but when it comes to family matters, he is our elder brother and we give him that respect. Only our late mum had the power to make us split and she wouldn’t have done that. So, if there is to be a split, it will not be as a result of quarrel, but on mutual ground. Group splits are not out of place, but our blood ties keep us strong and our background won’t even allow us split. We understand each other very well.
Talking about your background, how was growing up with Paul like?
(Smiles)I was very stubborn as a child, but Paul ended up paying for my atrocities, as people often mistook him for me. We grew up doing things together and we still do. We have our mum to thank for this. I try to like what he likes and he does same, but in a situation whereby he feels differently, I just let go. We have been united from birth and we still are.
How has life been without your mother?
It’s been hectic. We haven’t sat down to do an album because she was usually there with us in the studio. As a pastor that she was, she used to pray on everything we do and even pray on our album a week before it was released. We don’t know how we will do it this time, but we hope for the best.
After doing the same thing over a long period, do you ever feel like exploring other avenues?
For P-square, music has become a part of us, but since we understand the pattern and are used to it we have started looking into other means of making money. But we also understand that making so much money and storing it is not wise, we have decided to go into various businesses; one of which is real estate business. This, we have been doing for a long time. We do businesses that we can get people to run for us without fear. We are also about to enter into oil and gas business.
They say you guys are arrogant…
Paul and I have two different personalities, so you cannot use the attitude of one to judge the group. I don’t expect all news about me to be positive. Paul, for example, waits for major events before being in the news, but I am more controversial. Our intimidating nature makes us look arrogant, but it’s really not like that.
Your brother, Jude Okoye (Engees), was quoted as saying he won’t produce any other artiste but P-Square
There was an interview where he was asked that question and I think he said it as a joke. Apart from that, Jude has a lot of businesses he’s into, so signing artistes is not really a priority for him. He keeps his interests on P-Square because outsiders might not understand the way he does his things, so he doesn’t want distractions.
Why Tonto Dikeh Must Be Stopped
I have watched with patient annoyance, I have listen with patient distress, to the sights and sounds of our dear actress turn singer Tonto Dikeh. Like many others, I chose not to talk about her but I was forced to know how wrong I was for keeping silent by the words of Alibaba and OJB, two eminent personalities that means a lot to the entertainment industry.
Alibaba once tweeted “Playing a song of an artiste that you know is not good enough is no encouragement you are spoiling the market”, I don’t know what he had in mind. In an online interview with OJB by the crew of Information Nigeria, he said.
Foremost, I must say I admire Tonto Dikeh’s confidence and doggedness, but to what avail is it when used in a wrong way. A cutlass is a good tool in the hand of a farmer, without which we cannot get food to it, but that same cutlass can kill! Despite her confidence there should be substance. Is music so hard to learn that she cannot even get average in a year?
Tonto Dikeh has a well publicised relationship with one of Africa’s best music producers, Don Jazzy. She once took to twitter to say she was deflowered by Don Jazzy and he replied saying “Me wey I still be V”. I
don’t care about what they had together, my point is this, she enjoys a very good relationship with Don Jazzy, making it easy for her to have approached Don Jazzy if she truly wanted to make some good music.
My opinion is this, it is either Don Jazzy already told her she cannot sing or she personally knows she can’t and decides not to talk about it to Don Jazzy.
Many upcoming artistes out there have seen their career rescinded due to annoying words from, DJs, Media personnel and the likes and yet they make music that are 10 times better than that of Tonto Dikeh. The only difference is that she was a star before she started singing making it is obvious that all we worship in the entertainment industry is money and fame not True talent and ability.
If a lady with the world at her feet and the cream of the industry at her beck and call, comes up with a song as poor as “HI” (Auto tune on a false tone (falsetto), how woeful?) and we accepted it, While there are several up and coming acts out there that can make music has good as that of Wizkid (I have met a lot that are better) still roaming the streets.
This makes me wonder if Nigerian music has a body in place to monitor the type of music produced and released to the market. I am not against Tonto Dikeh singing, I am against her singing Nonsense! If she can learn to sing well I’d be the first to clap for her once it is good music.
Several individuals in several capacities have built Nigerian Entertainment Industry (especially the music sector) to this point of international recognition. Should we watch with folded arms as someone crumbles it recklessly? Is it true that we only work for money not passion in this industry? Will the labour of our heroes (and heroines) past go in vain.
We have to stand up and support good music! True talent and a not just desire to be popular, a lust for fame! Let us remember that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, Tonto Dikeh has to be stopped for the sake of the talented youths out there!
PHOTO: Desmond Elliot in Afro at "Weekend Getaway" movie premiere
The star actor and director has gone from dreads to Afro. He debuted the new look at the Weekend Getaway movie premiere in Lagos on Friday. You like?
Kanye and Kim to name their child Khrist? As in Christ with a K?
Well, that's if you believe Radar Online. Below is how they are reporting it
A new report claims that a different frontrunner for the Kimye baby has emerged — Khrist. As in, “Christ with a K,” according to Naughty But Nice Rob.“Kanye likes the name Khrist,” an insider says. The source is also smart to point out that Kanye has a new single coming out titled, “I Am a God,” so blasphemy isn’t really an obstacle for him: “I know it is shocking, but let’s remember that this is a guy that is naming his new CD, ‘I Am A God.’ So it makes perfect sense that the child of a god would be named Christ with a K.”There's only one big G - God, mr West. He should have used the small letter g, as in god. And Khrist West?
LMAO...let's pray for the sake of the child that this is another rumour...:-)
Power Outage Disrupts Jonathan’s Easter Service In Lagos (VIDEO)
President speech was interrupted as the power outage occurred while he was delivering his speech to the congregation.
He was talking about his administration’s restructuring of the Nigerian economy when the church was thrown into darkness as seen in the picture on a very sunny day in Lagos.
Laughing along with the cheering congregation, Dr Jonathan remarked that by the power outage, officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria are telling him not to sleep until the nation’s power crisis is fixed.
He however vowed that by next year the power in the church will be uninterrupted.
The Easter Sunday service also had in attendance, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon.
Newly married couple, Annie & 2face Idibia Expecting Baby Number 2
According to an inside source, the recently married couple, Tuface & Annie Idibia are expecting baby number 2.
Annie is said to be in her first trimester.
Annie has a four year old daughter, Isabella for Tuface.
14 Boko Haram members killed in Kano Easter raid- JTF
A woman and a child were among the corpse seen after the raid.
The spokesperson of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in Kano, Ikedi Iweha, has said that 14 insurgents were killed in an early morning raid in Kano.
Mr. Iweha told Reuters that the task force killed the 14 suspected Boko Haram members during the morning raid.
Reuters also quoted a military source as saying one soldier was killed and another seriously injured in the raid; while a suspected suicide bomber was arrested in a car packed with explosives.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported the JTF raid in Anguwa Uku area of Kano. The raid is believed to have succeeded in foiling a major suicide attack in Kano on Easter Sunday.
“This operation was conducted following a tip-off from our intelligence. You can see that there are over 10 of the terrorists all dead,” Iliyasu Abbah, an officer in the JTF told Reuters.
A witness, who asked not to be named, said he saw a woman and a child among the dead.
Read our earlier story below
The explosion and subsequent gunshots in Anguwa Uku was a result of a raid by officers of the Joint Task Force, JTF, on a suspected insurgent hide-out, security sources have said.
A security source said that the JTF got information of a major operation (suicide bombing) planned for Easter Sunday in Kano and stormed the hideout of the attackers very early in the morning. They reportedly engaged the attackers in a shoot out that lasted nearly two hours.
The spokesperson of the JTF, Eli Lazarus, is yet to talk to the media on the raid, though sources said a statement will be released soon.
Read our earlier story below.
Reports from Kano say an explosion has occurred around Anguwa Uku along the Zaria Road highway.
A resident of the area said the Joint Task Force, JTF, has already arrived the area and cordoned off the explosion site thereby blocking the ever busy highway.
He also said casualty figures, if any, cannot be ascertained now because of the restriction of access to the area.
Another explosion is also reported around the restive Eastern Bye pass area.
Premium Times is unable to confirm the incidents at the moment.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the JTF, Lazarus Eli, were unsuccessful as his lines were continuously busy.
Rev Chris Okotie seeks secret trial for ex-pianist, asks judge to chase journalists
Culled from Premium Times:
The accused had consistently debunked claims that he was a volunteer at the church, adding that he had a “private arrangement” with Mr. Okotie.
Okotie seeks journalists exit
As the trial continued on Wednesday, Mr. Okotie asked the magistrate to tell the reporters to “excuse’ them from the court.
“Your Honour, there are journalists in the court recording the proceedings. We would be obliged if they can be excused from the court,” said Kola Dopamu, who was holding brief for Mr. Okotie at the trial.
Robert Igbinedion, Mr. Okiotor’s counsel, demanded to know the reasons for asking the journalists to leave.
“What issue does it go to? You cannot eat your cake and have it. You were the ones who brought us to court. The court is a public place and setting where everybody, lawyers, journalists and even passersby come to unhindered as long as they don’t disrupt the proceedings,” Mr. Igbinedion said.
Oshodi Makanjuola, the magistrate, ignored the defence lawyer and told the journalists to “leave her court.”
“I know your people (journalists) are always around the court premises but why are you in this particular court proceeding?” Mrs. Makanjuola asked the journalists. “What is so special about this case that you want to cover the case? Please leave the court room.”
The magistrate also shouted at Mr. Igbinedion, who tried to oppose the order.
“Excuse me, I will not allow you to talk. I do not want journalists in my court. This is my court and I run it the way I so please. Who are you that journalists should be coming to cover your case? What nonsense!”
A shouting match
As the court orderly came forward to march the journalists out of the room, a shouting match ensued between the magistrate and the defence lawyer.
Court transcripts seen by PREMIUM TIMES detailed the heated verbal exchanges between the magistrate and the lawyer.
“Your Honour, you have no right to issue that order. The constitution is very clear about the freedom of the press and public hearing. By your action you have just trampled on the fundamental right of my client to a fair hearing,” Mr. Igbinedion said.
The magistrate fired back: “How dare you talk to me in that manner? So, it’s the journalists that would now ensure that his rights are protected?”
Mr. Igbinedion continued, “Your Honour, I’m sorry but you do not have the power to do that. You sit there operating with the powers that was given you by the constitution but you are trampling on the same constitution. Your action, if you insist, will rob I and my client of every confidence that we can get justice in this court. If you insist the journalists, who are the Fourth Estate of the realm, leave then I will have no choice but to leave also. You may as well pass your judgment without trial.”
As other lawyers in the court, visibly taken aback, tried to douse the tension in the room, a furious Mrs. Makanjuola insisted that the journalists would leave.
“How dare you talk to me like that? This is my court. Are you going to tell me how to run my court? Journalists please leave my court now,” Mrs. Makanjuola said.
At this point, the defence lawyer threatened to walk out with his client.
“Your Honour, my client is no longer assured of fair hearing. We do not have confidence in the court anymore. The court has ceased to be a public place. A place where everybody should have access especially members of the Fourth Estate of the realm,” said Mr. Igbinedion.
I can use my power anyhow
The argument and counter argument dragged on, the magistrate insisting that no law states that journalists must cover the proceedings of the court; the lawyer arguing that it was their fundamental right.
“I have the power to use my discretion to allow the journalists or not to allow the journalists. You have no right to tell me that journalists must be in my court,” the magistrate said.
Mr. Igbinedion started to flip the pages of the Nigerian Constitution, searching for the section that deals with the Freedom of the Press.
“Sorry, Your Honour, but your discretion cannot supersede the laws of the country… My client is facing a criminal charge brought against him by Mr. Chris Okotie who we all know is a billionaire. The constitution says that no part of the hearing can be conducted in secret. It must be open. If you will trample the constitution then we will lose confidence in the court.”
Mrs. Makanjuola asked the lawyer his reason for ‘bringing’ journalists to cover the court’s proceedings.
“Journalists often come to cover cases in court but why should they come for your matter? Who are you? I’m just wondering why you decided to bring a special journalist. What is so special about you and your case that journalists should come?” Mrs. Makanjuola asked.
Mr. Igbinedion responded that the matter is an oppression of the poor by the rich.
Okotie oppressed my client
“The constitution is here to protect everyone from oppression. Mr. Chris Okotie accused the defendant publicly. Now he wants the defendant to be tried secretly. My client has been maligned in the newspapers with headlines like: ‘Pianist assaults Reverend Chris Okotie;’ ‘Pianists attacks Chris Okotie while preaching;’ ‘Pianist disrupts Reverend Chris Okotie’s service;’ ‘Pianist threaten Reverend Chris Okotie.
“Google any of these headlines, you will find my client named as the anarchist. My client was in jail when these publications came out. My learned prosecutor granted an interview stating these to the press. Consequently, my client is finding it difficult to get jobs because no one is ready to give any job to a man who has been publicly portrayed to have assaulted his boss.
“When they were making all these allegations, the press was good and okay. Now we say give your evidence publicly, they now have a problem with the same press being around. We say no to that kind of oppression,” said Mr. Igbinedion.
The magistrate eventually asked the journalists to return, stating that she did not “have a personal interest in the matter.”
“So it’s the journalists that will ensure a fair hearing? Ok, call the journalists to come in since that is the way you think your client can have a fair hearing,” Mrs. Makanjuola said. “Let it not be [said] that I have any special interest in this matter,” she added.
Addressing the journalists, the magistrate urged them to be objective in their reporting of proceedings.
“I read Mass Communications before going to study Law. I hope you understand what I mean about being objective?” she said.
The Head of the Household of God Church and former presidential candidate, Chris Okotie, was so uncomfortable with journalists reporting his involvement in a suit that he asked the judge to chase journalists away from the court room.
The reverend stated this to a Lagos Magistrate Court Judge on Wednesday during a trial between him and a former member of his church.
Mr. Okotie is accusing Dafiaghor Okiotor, 40, a former keyboardist in the church, of blackmail and intimidation and trying to extort N39 million from him.Mr. Okiotor, however, stated that the flamboyant head of the church owed him after he played the keyboard and produced music for the church for 14 years.
The accused had consistently debunked claims that he was a volunteer at the church, adding that he had a “private arrangement” with Mr. Okotie.
Okotie seeks journalists exit
As the trial continued on Wednesday, Mr. Okotie asked the magistrate to tell the reporters to “excuse’ them from the court.
“Your Honour, there are journalists in the court recording the proceedings. We would be obliged if they can be excused from the court,” said Kola Dopamu, who was holding brief for Mr. Okotie at the trial.
Robert Igbinedion, Mr. Okiotor’s counsel, demanded to know the reasons for asking the journalists to leave.
“What issue does it go to? You cannot eat your cake and have it. You were the ones who brought us to court. The court is a public place and setting where everybody, lawyers, journalists and even passersby come to unhindered as long as they don’t disrupt the proceedings,” Mr. Igbinedion said.
Oshodi Makanjuola, the magistrate, ignored the defence lawyer and told the journalists to “leave her court.”
“I know your people (journalists) are always around the court premises but why are you in this particular court proceeding?” Mrs. Makanjuola asked the journalists. “What is so special about this case that you want to cover the case? Please leave the court room.”
The magistrate also shouted at Mr. Igbinedion, who tried to oppose the order.
“Excuse me, I will not allow you to talk. I do not want journalists in my court. This is my court and I run it the way I so please. Who are you that journalists should be coming to cover your case? What nonsense!”
A shouting match
As the court orderly came forward to march the journalists out of the room, a shouting match ensued between the magistrate and the defence lawyer.
Court transcripts seen by PREMIUM TIMES detailed the heated verbal exchanges between the magistrate and the lawyer.
“Your Honour, you have no right to issue that order. The constitution is very clear about the freedom of the press and public hearing. By your action you have just trampled on the fundamental right of my client to a fair hearing,” Mr. Igbinedion said.
The magistrate fired back: “How dare you talk to me in that manner? So, it’s the journalists that would now ensure that his rights are protected?”
Mr. Igbinedion continued, “Your Honour, I’m sorry but you do not have the power to do that. You sit there operating with the powers that was given you by the constitution but you are trampling on the same constitution. Your action, if you insist, will rob I and my client of every confidence that we can get justice in this court. If you insist the journalists, who are the Fourth Estate of the realm, leave then I will have no choice but to leave also. You may as well pass your judgment without trial.”
As other lawyers in the court, visibly taken aback, tried to douse the tension in the room, a furious Mrs. Makanjuola insisted that the journalists would leave.
“How dare you talk to me like that? This is my court. Are you going to tell me how to run my court? Journalists please leave my court now,” Mrs. Makanjuola said.
At this point, the defence lawyer threatened to walk out with his client.
“Your Honour, my client is no longer assured of fair hearing. We do not have confidence in the court anymore. The court has ceased to be a public place. A place where everybody should have access especially members of the Fourth Estate of the realm,” said Mr. Igbinedion.
I can use my power anyhow
The argument and counter argument dragged on, the magistrate insisting that no law states that journalists must cover the proceedings of the court; the lawyer arguing that it was their fundamental right.
“I have the power to use my discretion to allow the journalists or not to allow the journalists. You have no right to tell me that journalists must be in my court,” the magistrate said.
Mr. Igbinedion started to flip the pages of the Nigerian Constitution, searching for the section that deals with the Freedom of the Press.
“Sorry, Your Honour, but your discretion cannot supersede the laws of the country… My client is facing a criminal charge brought against him by Mr. Chris Okotie who we all know is a billionaire. The constitution says that no part of the hearing can be conducted in secret. It must be open. If you will trample the constitution then we will lose confidence in the court.”
Mrs. Makanjuola asked the lawyer his reason for ‘bringing’ journalists to cover the court’s proceedings.
“Journalists often come to cover cases in court but why should they come for your matter? Who are you? I’m just wondering why you decided to bring a special journalist. What is so special about you and your case that journalists should come?” Mrs. Makanjuola asked.
Mr. Igbinedion responded that the matter is an oppression of the poor by the rich.
Okotie oppressed my client
“The constitution is here to protect everyone from oppression. Mr. Chris Okotie accused the defendant publicly. Now he wants the defendant to be tried secretly. My client has been maligned in the newspapers with headlines like: ‘Pianist assaults Reverend Chris Okotie;’ ‘Pianists attacks Chris Okotie while preaching;’ ‘Pianist disrupts Reverend Chris Okotie’s service;’ ‘Pianist threaten Reverend Chris Okotie.
“Google any of these headlines, you will find my client named as the anarchist. My client was in jail when these publications came out. My learned prosecutor granted an interview stating these to the press. Consequently, my client is finding it difficult to get jobs because no one is ready to give any job to a man who has been publicly portrayed to have assaulted his boss.
“When they were making all these allegations, the press was good and okay. Now we say give your evidence publicly, they now have a problem with the same press being around. We say no to that kind of oppression,” said Mr. Igbinedion.
The magistrate eventually asked the journalists to return, stating that she did not “have a personal interest in the matter.”
“So it’s the journalists that will ensure a fair hearing? Ok, call the journalists to come in since that is the way you think your client can have a fair hearing,” Mrs. Makanjuola said. “Let it not be [said] that I have any special interest in this matter,” she added.
Addressing the journalists, the magistrate urged them to be objective in their reporting of proceedings.
“I read Mass Communications before going to study Law. I hope you understand what I mean about being objective?” she said.
Happy Easter to All KD Blog Readers!!!!
Hello Folks,
I wish you a Happy Easter.
I wish you safe journeys to and from your holiday destinations.
I wish you fun-filled celebrations.
And once again, I thank you for making Nairaland great!
Best regards,Kevin Djakpor.
"It's So So Difficult To Find A Wife - Mikel Obi
"I know, normal people don't go through what I am going through now when it concerns finding a wife to marry, and normal people don't at all.
Believe me it's so so difficult, very difficult, it's so so difficult you just have to leave it to God.
There might be someone who really loves me truly for who I am but I may not be aware and maybe you don't know... or you may think she's one of those who loves you for who you are or what you have, or because of your money, maybe she's there for you, you never know, you get so confused. Now I have decided I will just leave it to God to decide who I get married to"
2015 PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST: Obasanjo intensifies plot against Jonathan
When the going was good…President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and former President Olusegun Obasanjo
*Moves to pacify North, meets traditional rulers
*Aso Villa ‘hawks’ want his wings clipped
*President launches counter offensive, woos S/West elders
*Anenih on fence-mending with govs
Fresh facts emerged, at the weekend, that former President Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo is intensifying his opposition to the 2015 re-election aspiration of incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan.
This is at a time when some hawks in the Presidency are pressing for decisiveness on the part of Mr. President, with a view to clipping Obasanjo’s wings.
The latest indication about the former President’s moves are what sources described as the “series of meetings and consultations between Obasanjo and traditional rulers in the North”.
A former state governor familiar with the surreptitious movements of Obasanjo in the last one month told Sunday Vanguard: “The former president has been moving round the North under the guise of being a special guest at functions; but the real reason for his visits to the North is the series of consultations he is holding with
traditional rulers across the zones – save, of course, North East geo-political zone where the dreaded Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, holds sway”.
It was learnt that Obasanjo’s latest moves are “with a view to pacifying the North which heaps on his head all the blames for the loss of its hold on power as occasioned by the death of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, a death which paved the way for the enthronement of Jonathan as president.
“What Obasanjo has come to realize is that even most of those he considers his traditional friends and confidants poke disdain at him for his role in the imposition of the late Yar’Adua and Jonathan as presidential candidate and running mate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2007, and he is very desperate to make it up to ‘his people’”.
“The meetings are centred on how best the North can present a united front against the aspiration of Jonathan. And because of his vast network of friends across the country, Obasanjo is cashing all his cheques because of this project”.
Sunday Vanguard can also report that the off-and-on relationship between Obasanjo and former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has again engaged the ‘ON’ mode.
“When you see Obasanjo and Babangida coming together again with their interests coalescing, then you know something is in the air”, our source said.
Another source – a former presidential aide – that is very familiar with the scheme, said, “It is not so much of what Obasanjo wants from the northern traditional rulers but what the rulers want from him. Yes, I can confirm to you that he has been all over the place and he has been holding series of consultations. The agenda is to work against the 2015 aspiration of President Jonathan”.
Asked about the rumoured rapprochement between Obasanjo and his ex-deputy, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the source was emphatic in saying that “the two have not sat down to meet one on one but there are behind the scene consultations with a view to ensuring that happens”.
In addition, Obasanjo is also said to be in consultation with a few PDP state governors who are very loyal to him, specifically Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State.
Indeed, sensing this emerging threat, PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, launched a counter offensive.
Already, the BoT Chairman has held talks with Lamido, Kwankwaso, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, and Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State, among others.
His rescue mission is to “ensure that a proper reconciliation is engendered between the President and the state governors”, a very dependable source told Sunday Vanguard.
The talks, which are continuing, are said to be “yielding very positive results”.
On his part, Jonathan himself held talks with a section of Yoruba leaders three weeks ago in Lagos.
Sunday Vanguard learnt that the meeting, which had some elders in the land as well as a very strategic traditional ruler in attendance, explored ways of pacifying the S/West geo-political zone which is increasingly becoming vociferous about its claims of marginalization under the Jonathan administration.
The Yoruba leaders, who do not appear to be on the same page with the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, or its intended successor party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, are to hold another round of talks with the President at a later date.
Interestingly, even as the President patience is being taxed by Obasanjo’s scheme, some hawks in Aso Rock Presidential Villa are of the view that the former President’s wings should be clipped.
A Presidency source told Sunday Vanguard:”It is because President Jonathan is mild-mannered; if not, are we not living witnesses to how the former President deployed state power to haunt those he perceived as capable of stopping him from achieving his failed Third Term agenda?
“That he is walking the streets of Nigeria free does not mean he is a saint, especially the way he’s been carrying on. Is it not the mess that he created after eight years in office that this administration is still battling to clear”?, the Presidency source quipped.
KWAM1 Celebrates The Birth Of His 38th Child In America!
Titi Masha is reportedly the ex mistress of Gbenga Islander who was Kwam1's biggest spender. Gbenga had been advised by his friend Kwam1 to dump Titi and the rest is history....
SDK reports the happy parents threw a lavish party in Chicago last Saturday March 23, 2013 to celebrate their daughter's christening.
Thiis is the third party since the baby was born - Titi had the baby in February and on the eight day after she put to bed, she celebrated grandly and baby daddy King Wasiu also had a lavish party in Ijebu.
Check out pics below.
Yet another party is billed to hold when Titi returns to Lagos and she has chosen aso ebi for 25k...scramble for the asoebi is presently on.
The cute lil baby was christened Fathia Whitney Anjolaoluwa.
Wind Blows Up Khloe Kardashian's Skirt, Exposes Her Pants
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Uh ohh! See what an overzealous gust of wind did to Khloe Kardashian, just outside her mom’s office in L.A.
While chatting with her sisters, some wind blew up Khloe's dress and exposed her Spanx for the entire world to see!
Read Patrick Obahiagbon's Easter Message To Nigerians!
The Prof Is Back... The grammatical architect of our time. This his Eeaster message is worthy of reflection and practice... That is if Nigerians will leave the grammatical verbosity and read in between the lines.
Read his Easter message below as he posted on his facebook page:
"As we join Christians in the celebration of Easter, may we truly reflect on the quintessential modus vivendi of Master Jesus; The Christ, who peregrinated this incarnation as an exempli gratia of self abnegation, puritanical excrescence, spartan discipline, mental magnitude, hierophantic candour and altruistic effusions,qualities which have become a desiderata for national resurgimento."
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