Sex-for-fixing referees jailed in Singapore

SINGAPORE (AFP) – Three Lebanese football referees pleaded guilty Monday to accepting free sex from a gambling-linked global syndicate in return for agreeing to rig a match, with a Singapore judge jailing two and deferring sentencing for the third.
A district court judge jailed assistant referees Ali Eid, 33, and Abdallah Taleb, 37, for three months. He deferred sentencing till Tuesday for referee Ali Sabbagh, whom state prosecutors said was the most culpable.
The assistant referees broke down into sobs and repeatedly looked up as if to thank God when Judge Low Wee Ping said they could be freed by later Monday or Tuesday, after remission for good behaviour and due to time already served awaiting sentence.
Turning to Ali Sabbagh, 34, the judge said: “I need time to consider your sentence. I don’t, for the moment, accept that you should be sentenced to six months.”
Deputy public prosecutor Asoka Markandu described Ali Sabbagh as “the most culpable” among the three as he was the one approached by the syndicate and the one who persuaded the two linesmen to accept the sexual bribe.
The three men were arrested and charged on April 4 with corruption for accepting sexual favours in exchange for agreeing to fix an unspecified football match.
They had been abruptly pulled out of an Asian Football Confederation Cup match they were scheduled to officiate in Singapore on April 3 between Singapore-based club Tampines Rovers and India’s East Bengal.
The three were denied bail and have been detained at Singapore’s Changi prison since April 4.
Eric Ding Si Yang, 31, a Singaporean businessman who allegedly supplied the prostitutes, has also been charged with corruption and granted bail.
The judge lashed out at the FIFA-accredited referees for bringing disrepute to the sport, saying they were probably the first international football match officials to be charged with corruption in Singapore.
“That alone, the fact that you are international officials, in my view, is already an aggravating factor,” he said.
“The Singapore public has an interest in preserving football as a professional sport in Singapore. This is because it has social, recreational and economic value,” he added.
Defence lawyer Gary Low cited his clients’ previously unblemished records, their guilty plea and the fact that their acceptance of the sexual bribe did not result in any football match being rigged.
“The gratification was arranged by Mr Ding Si Yang with a view to fixing a football match in the future. Our clients did not reach an agreement with Ding to fix a particular football match,” Low said.
“In these circumstances, our clients’ conduct did not in any way affect or influence the outcome of any football match.”
State prosecutors have said Ali Sabbagh, a sports teacher with Lebanon’s education ministry earning $850 a month, was approached by Ding in “mid-2012″ in Beirut, indicating a “clear international dimension” to the offences.
Ding, described in Singaporean media as a nightclub owner who drives an Aston Martin sports car, is facing three counts of corruption charges but was freed after posting bail of Sg$150,000 ($121,000).
Singapore has a long history of match-fixing, and syndicates from the wealthy Southeast Asian island have been blamed by European police for orchestrating a network responsible for rigging hundreds of games worldwide.

Doctor mutilates baby’s corpse, removes eyes, tongue,private part

The hospital

LAGOS — The Ogun State Police Command, Sunday, said it has arrested one Dr. Babawale Joshua who owned Ajike Medical Centre at 11, Adeyemi Street, Saka, Sango Ota, for suspected ritual activities and disrespect to the corpse of a 13-month-old baby who died in his hospital, Saturday.
According the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the state, Mr Muyiwa Ogunjobi, the police discovered that the boy’s corpse was mutilated. He told Vanguard that  the eyes, tongue, two lips, two ears, private part, nails and the left hand and veins were cut off at the hospital.

Father’s account
In his account of what happened, the child’s father, identified as Obinna Oleh, a 35-year-old auto spare part dealer at Ladipo market, from Umunze village in AnambraState, said: “On Friday the 7th of June, my child took ill, my wife joined me to rush him to the hospital.
“The next day, being Saturday, I came to see them at the hospital in the morning before going to my shop while the child was actually getting better then.
“It was with this hope that I left for my shop thinking that at least before the end of the day, the child would have recovered fully.
“But in the afternoon, my wife called to inform me that the baby’s health had deteriorated, that I should rush home. When I got here, I met my child in a very critical condition.
“I asked if any medication had been administered on him and my wife told me that the doctor gave him an injection that afternoon and that the child’s stomach swelled after the injection.
“The baby was practically abandoned by the hospital management in this condition until around 8p.m when he finally died.
“As we attempted to carry the corpse, the nurse in charge said we had to clear our bills before we could take the body away. She also said she needed to call the Medical Director for the full amount we were to balance before they could release the corpse to us.
“Mind you, we were not owing them before the baby died. We made some  initial deposit prior to the baby’s admission and treatment. So when the nurse came up with the balance payment issue, I was not in the mood to argue that with them. I took my wife and we left, with the intention of returning yesterday morning to clear what ever bill there was, and take our child for burial.
“Also our pastor advised us to get a death certificate first before taking the corpse away for burial, so that we don’t encounter any problems with the police.
“We also needed to inform our kinsmen here about what happened. These were  the  reasons why we  left the body of our baby at the hospital till the following morning.
“But yesterday morning, I was having a meeting with my brothers on how to get a doctor’s report on my child’s death when the nurse called me to come over to the hospital, that it’s like they used a spiritual arrow to kill my child. I asked her what she meant by that. And at same time, followed her to the room where the body was.
“I was shocked to the bones to find my child’s body in a gory state. His ears were cut off, his private part, his tongue, his lips, and his eyes were plucked out. I am yet to recover from the shock of that sight.The police was informed and they came and took the body away.”
Meantime, when Vanguard visited the hospital, yesterday, it was under lock and key, having been shut by the police who confirmed the development.

Two women sacked for being pregnant

It sounds incredible, but it’s true. Two mothers, Sarah Poppy, 29, and
Nona Stanley, 36, who claim they were sacked while on maternity leave
are suing their former employers for unlawful discrimination and
sexual harassment.
They have file a law suit in the Federal Court in Adelaide alleging
their employer –  South  Service to Youth Council – discriminated
against them on the basis of their “sex, pregnancy and family
responsibilities”.
In court documents, Poppy says she worked with the council from June
2006 and was promoted to marketing manager on $60,000 a year before
she fell pregnant with son Hudson in 2009 and told work she would take
maternity leave.
In her claim, she alleges that after this request she was moved from
her office to a “common work area” and was told to no longer attend
management meetings.
She claims she was informed her position was redundant in June 2010
while on maternity leave.
She also alleges that her work duties were undertaken by another
employee during her maternity leave and after Ms Poppy was made
redundant.
Stanley, on her part, says she was employed from November 2009 in the
council’s property department and took maternity leave on September
19, 2011, after the birth of her daughter Olivia.
Five months later, while still on maternity leave, she was told “her
position was redundant” and there were no other positions available in
her department, she alleges.
The pair, whose case is being funded by the Federal Attorney-General’s
Department, also claim they were subjected to comments of a sexual
nature which “offended, humiliated and intimidated” them.
The women are seeking an apology and compensation for loss of income,
leave, chance of promotion, “hurt and humiliation” and legal costs.
In a statement, the SYC said it “strongly refutes the allegations”
brought against it “relating to alleged breaches of the Sex
Discrimination Act 1984 and the Fair Work Act 2009″ and will fight the
claims in court.
On its website the council describes itself as a “community
organisation centred on employment, training and youth services”.
Latest figures show the state Equal Opportunities Commission has
received more than 100 complaints this financial year from employees
about sexual harassment, caring responsibilities and pregnancy.

Patience Ozokwor storms SA for iroko TV launch

Patience

Nollywood superstar Patience Ozokwor alias Mama G comes to Johannesburg, South Africa, to launch iROKOtv’s new Nigerian movie DVD collection.
Nollywood’ is the second largest film industry in the world, producing around 2,000 movies a year. iROKOtv has selected ten movies to be distributed on DVD.
Mama G, who has starred in more than 500 movies including Old School, Airline Babes, Ukwa and One Dollar, will be in Johannesburg to officially launch iROKOtv’s new DVDs at the screening of her new movie, Airline Babes. Organisers say tickets are free for this unmissable chance to see the star.

Patience will also be touring Johannesburg to sign the new iROKOtv DVDs which will be making their debut across market places and local shops throughout Johannesburg. There will be a meet & greet event at Bara Mall in Soweto from 14-16 June where fans can have their photos taken with and get an autographed DVD from Mama G.
Some of the DVDs she will be promoting include: Mrs Somebody, Kiss & Tell, Single & Married, Airline Babes, Damage and Aki & Popo Sisters

Elevating Electricity To Enigma

BASIC as electricity is to modern living; there is a basic misunderstanding about reflecting this importance in the lives of Nigerians. The people are unimpressed about government trumpeted gains in managing the challenges of electricity supply.
Last week, government admitted that only 40 million Nigerians, about a quarter of the population, have access to electricity supply. It was meant to be an indication of progress. Nigerians wonder who the 40 million are and regularity of supplies.
Many have electricity that is useless, even for ordinary lighting, as the supply illuminates below the level of a candle flame, what is technically called a brown-out. In the Nigerian experience, a brown-out is worse than a black-out, as the sufferers are reckoned among the supplied. Many parts of Abuja are currently under this burden. Government offices are not left out. Some have resorted to generators, or rationalised their activities to save valuable equipment from ruination.
Since the statistics were about people, did they include heavy users like industries, whose consumption in days could be what a sizeable community would require for months.
Are rural Nigerians among the 40 million?
We acknowledge that concrete steps are being taken to ameliorate the deplorable power situation. However, government must understand that Nigerians are not interested in titillating statistics that still leave them in darkness. Their understanding of improved electricity supply is light in every bulb and equipment they switch on, longer presence of electricity and in a quality that serves their needs. With the billions they are spending in generating their own electricity, Nigerians can find the means to pay a little more for better electricity supply.
A chunk of the stupendous revenues of fuel marketing firms can be adduced to the power situation as virtually everyone buys petrol or diesel to generate power, generate noise, and increase the level of carbon in the environment. High levels of carbon harm the environment.
Concerns for damages to the environment and the clearly stated prospects stable electricity supply holds for Nigeria are enough for government to target practical results in electricity projects.
More challenges lie on the long road to improved electricity. More stable power supply will increase demand as many who run on private power would patronise public electricity. Has this been factored into the demand for electricity?
Nigerians find no comfort in celebrating statistics and approximating them to action. The number of distribution companies, the length of transmission lines or the megawatts of electricity generated are mere efforts. Nigerians have spent decades listening to these lines. They understand improved electricity to mean uninterrupted power supply.
If government has similar understanding, it would be more sober in assessing its efforts.

Breaking News: Former NADECO chieftain, Wahab Dosumu is dead

Former NADECO  and Alliance for Democracy chieftain,  Senator Wahab Dosumu  is dead.
Vanguard gathered that he died in United States, Sunday.
Stay put for more details...

14 bad habits you should ditch before you graduate

Once you snag that diploma and propel your graduation cap into the air (cheesy and cinematic, but you’ve been dying to do that for years), your life will officially change. While securing a job, attending graduate school, or moving home with your parents are some of the more obvious changes, many grads forget that they’ll also have to ditch some of their bad collegiette habits before entering the real world. You had to do the same thing before you started college, so before you graduate, take a look at our top habits you should ditch before you graduate

1. Procrastinating
When your favorite frat is having their annual rager or a movie you wanted to see just came out, your deadlines mysteriously become less of a priority. It’s nothing to be ashamed of; even the most diligent collegiettes procrastinate every now and then.
However, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but an excessive amount of procrastination is unacceptable in the real world. “The workplace has no room for procrastinating,” says Eden Lipke, a 2013 Boston University graduate who is also the co-founder and contributor for Beauty in the Bag, a beauty website. “Projects and deadlines will just pile up.”
To minimize your procrastination now, create a daily or weekly “To Do” list and reward yourself once you complete every task. If making a list doesn’t work, there’s an app for that. Programs like Self Control exist to minimize procrastination. After you create a customized list of websites you want to avoid and choose a length of time, Self Control blocks these tempting sites from your Mac for that amount of time. If you’re a PC user, try Self Restraint, which is compatible with Windows and Linux. By staying focused on the task(s) at hand, you’ll be able to accomplish everything you need to in a timely and effective manner.
2. Partying too much
As a collegiette, your social agenda probably looked a little bit like this: drinks with your crush on Wednesday, house party on Thursday, frat party on Friday, clubbing on Saturday, and drinks with the girls on Sunday. Let’s face it: college is almost synonymous with partying. You shouldn’t stay cooped up at home every night of your post-grad life, but leave going out four nights a week in college. “It’s less socially acceptable out of college,” says Lauren Grossman, a 2013 University of Delaware grad who is pursuing a career in social work. Though going to lecture hungover may be no big deal, your employers and coworkers will expect you to be focused and alert. Saving your crazy nights for the weekend may seem like a buzzkill (literally), but you’ll be happy you decided to stay at home when your boss notices your attentiveness. Not to mention, saving your going out for the weekend means you’ll have something to look forward to once the workweek is over!
3. Skipping classes
Most collegiettes are guilty of skipping at least one class during their four years at school. When your professor doesn’t take attendance and you have last night’s Game of Thrones episode to watch, how can you refuse? However, in the real world, skipping work is a big don’t. You won’t get points taken off your participation grade—you’ll just get fired.
If you’re no longer taking college classes, you can kick this bad habit by choosing a workout class to go to every week. Even though Pilates sounds more exciting than “Intro to Astronomy,” attending each class will help you get rid of that “I don’t have to go” attitude.
4. Wearing sweatpants all the time
Since it’s so easy to throw on sweatpants and a T-shirt and head to class, many collegiettes fall victim to this fashion crime. As much as we love our trusty college sweatshirt and matching pants, sporting them in public no longer suggests you’re a standard, stressed out college student—it just makes you look unprofessional. Instead, choose an ensemble that makes you look like a bright, driven graduate. For a comfortable outfit, opt for a chunky sweater and cozy pair of skinny jeans on the weekends. But what are you supposed to wear during the workweek? Try updating your wardrobe with these style tips.

D’banj is +1

Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, D’banj one of Africa’s biggest entertainers was born today June 9th 33 years ago. Happy birthday to him. Wishing him many more successful years ahead.

I Didn’t Fight Ebube, Empress Over Timaya and KC Fresh— actress Anita Joseph

My name is Anita Joseph. I am an actress, a musician and a model. I am from Anambra State.
Journey into acting
I started acting in 2005. I was at the University of Calabar and saw a friend who was acting. I told her I wanted to act and she promised taking me to the National Theatre whenever I came to Lagos. She did when I came to Lagos and I had my audition with Emeka Rollas. Then, I did my first movie, ‘Good Samaritan’ with Obi Maduaga. That one-scene role was not too short and it kick-started my acting career
Life of an actress
It is a queer life because there is no privacy. Everything you do and say is made public. Any man you date is published on the pages of magazines/newspapers. It is a life that lacks privacy. Though interesting, there are times you don’t want to have your pictures splashed everywhere. I sing, I am a model and I’m sexy. So many people say lots of negative things about me. I am not bothered. I have grown a thick skin. It only makes me stronger because I didn’t do those things.
Handling fans
I treat my fans like friends. Fans are important in this profession because they make or mar you. You have to be careful with your fans. Embarrassed by fans? Yes, I remember when a man slapped my buttocks! I acted in a film and the role was that of a lady sleeping with many men. After the film, a man walked up to me and said he liked the way I shook my buttocks in the movie. He wondered if that was how I shake it in real life. I was embarrassed.
Dating fans
There is nothing wrong dating someone who loves and adores you. I have dated some of my fans. The best person to date, sometimes, is your fan. He loves what you are doing and you can act for him at home.
Relationship
I like men who are calm, calculated and someone I can learn from. I like a responsible man who talks well. I cannot stick loud-mouthed men.
Anita and controversies
I don’t believe that. I am not a controversial actress. On Ebube Nwagbo and Empress Njamah, the story was that I dated Timaya and KC Fresh, and fought with these actresses over these men. I never had any trouble with them over any man. We have never worked together on set.
Music
I love to sing and currently, I am compiling my works. My inspiration is from everything around me— nature, human beings, animals, etc.
Fashion
I wear whatever suits me or fits into any occasion I am attending. Also, my mood and the occasion determine what I wear. I love short gowns and bum shorts. I like it when people look at me; it makes me feel good. If you are a lady and nobody looks at you, then you should go back and look at your mirror.
Me and tattoos
I love tattoos. Though painful, beauty comes with pains too. I have tattoos in some areas of my body and I keep having more. It is so addictive.

See Photos From Tonto Dikeh’s Birthday Party In London

Tonto Dikeh flew to london with her new found best friend, Sexy steel to celebrate her 30th birthday at the cokobar night club London. The party was fun and lively, checkout some photos below...awesome pix.