Friday 29 June 2012

Euro 2012 golden boot race: Balotelli leads the way but might have to share award

Mario Balotelli’s two goals in Thursday’s semi-final have made him the bookmakers’ favourite to claim the Euro 2012 Golden Boot accolade.

But if Manchester City’s Italian striker fails to find the net against Spain on Sunday night, he may have to share the honour of the tournament’s top scorer with four others, including two with the name Mario.

Germany’s Gomez and Croatia’s Mandzukic have three goals to their name, as do Russia’s Alan Dzagoev and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Joint top: Mario Balotelli has three goals

And in more bad news for Balotelli, three Spanish players are in position to pinch the Golden Boot from him – Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres all have two goals.

The last time the Golden Boot was shared at a European Championships was in 2000, when Holland’s Patrick Kluivert and Yugoslavia’s Savo Milosevic both scored five.

You have to go back to 1994 to find a World Cup where no single player claimed the award.

Here, Sportsmail brings you a rundown of the tournament’s leading marksmen.

Joint 1st – three goals each

Mario Balotelli (Italy): As if he needed any introduction, Balotelli stormed onto the major tournament stage with two goals against Germany in the semi-final. His double – one a thumping header, the other an outstanding finish into the top corner – showed why manager Cesare Prandelli invested such faith in an unpredictable player. His first goal of the tournament, a volley against Ireland in the group stages, was just as good.

Smash: Balotelli rams in Italy's second goal against Germany

Alan Dzagoev (Russia): Dzagoev got his bid for the Golden Boot in early, with three strikes in Russia’s opening two games against the Czech Republic and Poland. But just as Europe started to take notice of the 22-year-old CSKA Moscow playmaker, Russia were unceremoniously bundled out by Greece. However, Dzagoev did enough to attract interest from leading clubs with two accomplished finishes in the 4-1 win over the Czechs and a poacher’s header against Poland.

Tailed off: Alan Dzagoev started well but Russia were eliminated

Mario Gomez (Germany): The Bayern Munich striker guided Germany into the knockout stages with the winning goal against Portugal and two against Holland. Stung by criticism about his missed chances in the Champions League final against Chelsea, the 26-year-old responded with an excellent header against Portugal and a masterclass in finishing to beat the Dutch. But his tournament ended in acrimony – Gomez didn’t start against Greece in the quarter-final and was hauled off at half-time as they crashed out to Italy.

No way in: Mario Gomez (left) could not beat Gianluigi Buffon to add to his tally

Mario Mandzukic (Croatia): Mario’s three goals in the group stages caught the eye of Bayern Munich, who moved swiftly to secure his signing from Wolfsburg. He took just three minutes to make an impression at Euro 2012, his header deceiving Ireland’s Shay Given, and followed up with another later in the 3-1 win. But Mandzukic saved his best moment for the draw with Italy – an immaculate touch and powerful finish from close range.

Firebrand: Mario Mandzukic was Croatia's star of the tournament

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): After an indifferent start to the tournament, Portugal’s talisman came to life in the final group game, securing his team’s place in the quarter-finals with two goals. He was even more influential in the quarter-final with the Czech Republic, settling the game with a late header. But just as Ronaldo was seemingly at the peak of his powers, he misfired in the semi with Spain and was left helpless as Paolo Bento put him fifth in the penalty shoot-out. His chance to take a kick never arrived, as Spain secured victory.

Buried: Cristiano Ronaldo finds the net against the Czech Republic

Players tied on two goals: Xabi Alonso (Spain), Nicklas Bendtner (Denmark), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Vaclav Pilar (Czech Republic), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Denmark), Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine), Petr Jiracek (Czech Republic), Fernando Torres (Spain), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) and Dimitris Salpigidis (Greece).

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro2012/article-2166466/Euro-2012-Mario-Balotelli-leads-golden-boot-race.html#ixzz1zCipGSPc

Balotelli can lead Italy to Euro 2012 crown

Phil McNulty | 08:24 UK time, Friday, 29 June 2012

Mario Balotelli may have claimed he was "more of a man than Peter Pan" - but in his moment of triumph he was simply the boy who made his mother proud.
Balotelli ended the greatest night of his career draped in the arms of his adoptive mother Silvia as she balanced precariously on a ledge above the tunnel at Warsaw's magnificent national stadium.
It was a touching scene as this tearful, elderly lady clasped one of the game's most compelling and charismatic figures, stroking the back of his head in a gesture of affection all of Italy will have understood. Manchester City's 21-year-old enigma had proved he could be trusted on the highest stage, responding to the responsibility handed to him by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli as he scored the goals that gave them a 2-1 win over Germany to secure Sunday's Euro 2012 final against Spain in Kiev.

For a few brief seconds, after Mesut Ozil's penalty had given Germany unlikely hope of a reprieve, Balotelli dragged the Azzurri shirt over his head in anxiety. He need not have worried because this was his and Italy's night - and deservedly so.
Italy's man of the match Andrea Pirlo may have given a performance adjudicator Peter Schmeichel described as "a piece of art" but as always Balotelli was pure theatre.
It was clearly an emotional time after the final whistle as Balotelli said: "I have waited for this moment for so long, especially since my mum came here. I wanted to make her happy and this is the most beautiful night of my life."
Balotelli's deeds have ensured an even better one may await against favourites Spain in Kiev' Olympic Stadium on Sunday - and on the evidence produced in Warsaw Italy may just make it happen.
At the centre of it all will be the young man who has had us all scratching our heads in puzzlement but, in equal measure, provoking an acceptance of a truly special talent.
Balotelli was a threat against England without scoring but he nervelessly buried his
penalty in the victorious shoot-out against Manchester City team-mate Joe Hart, despite being stared out by the goalkeeper.
Here in Warsaw he scored two goals of uncharacteristic conventionality. The first showing cute movement with a fine headed finish from Antonio Cassano's cross, the second an emphatically drilled strike from Riccardo Montolivo's pass.
Balotelli's night may have been ended by cramp but there is no doubt he will be pivotal to Prandelli's plans in Kiev as Italy attempt to unseat the world and European champions.
For a man who often plays in a state of chaos, Balotelli was cold and measured as he joined his colleagues in terrorising Germany's defence as Italy gave the lie to the theory that Joachim Loew's side were the men most likely to beat Spain.
Italy's achievement in beating Germany should be placed in context. They had 48 hours less rest and needed to recover mentally and physically from beating England after extra-time and penalties. They have also now extended an unbeaten run in competitive fixtures against them to eight games.
They were meant to have simply taken England's place as an eminently negotiable obstacle to German progress. How wrong this theory proved to be.
Italy were deserved winners and demonstrated that Spain will take them lightly at their peril. This is a side, developed by the under-stated Prandelli, that is more than capable of winning Euro 2012.
And again pulling every string, orchestrating every movement, was the magnificent Pirlo as he emerges as the star of this tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
The script dictated that, after toying with England in Kiev, Germany would wrap the shackles around Pirlo. If facing England was a party, then it would be over in the semi-final.
Germany coach Loew had noted Pirlo's contribution against England and acted accordingly by detailing Toni Kroos to subdue him. It did not work and Pirlo was on to the midfield man's game early on with a withering look and a few words when his shadow attempted some of the heavy stuff.
The Germans were effectively warned what might happen and were still powerless to stop the great manipulator.
So can Italy stop Spain adding to the titles they won in Austria and Switzerland in 2008 and South Africa two years later? The answer, emphatically, is yes.
Spain, as the record shows, are an outstanding side and the idea that they are somehow "boring" only holds weight because of the regularity with which they now collect the game's great prizes. They are boringly successful.
But Balotelli has a natural sense of being centre stage and on Sunday night in Kiev he will stride the biggest of his short but eventful career.
Mario brought his adoptive mother to tears in Poland - will he be able to resist the lure of making her even prouder in Ukraine by beating Spain and winning Euro 2012?

Footballer Samuel Eto'o accused of tax evasion in Spain, risks jail term

A Spanish public prosecutor has accused Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o of conspiring to evade 3.5 million euros in taxes owed on income from his image rights when he was playing for Barcelona between 2006-2009.

The former Barca and Inter Milan player, now with Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala, is accused of four tax offences, each punishable with up to five years in prison and a fine of as much as 21 million euros.

The case presented by the prosecutor on June 15 at a Barcelona court, and which was seen by Reuters on Thursday, asks a judge to open proceedings against the player before the statute of limitations on one of the alleged offences expires on Saturday.

Spain recently launched a drive against tax evasion as it struggles to meet tough European deficit reduction targets that have meant budget cuts for hospitals and schools.

Eto'o allegedly created two companies, one in Hungary and another in Spain, and used them to channel income obtained from ceding his image rights to Barca and sportswear maker Puma, the prosecutor said.

The Hungarian company paid one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe - 10 percent to 19 percent - while the Spanish company paid a reduced corporate tax rate of 30 percent to 35 percent, instead of the 45 percent income tax rate, the charge said.

Eto'o also allegedly used the Spanish company to deduct personal expenses, such as payments for his mortgages, furniture and expenses related to his luxury cars, the complaint added.

Eto'o and his club could not immediately be reached for comment. The prosecutor also accused Eto'o's former agent, Jose Maria Mesalles, and the manager of the Spanish company, Manuel de Jesus Lastre, of the same tax offences.

Eto'o filed a lawsuit against Mesalles at a Barcelona court last year, accusing him of betraying his trust and of embezzling money, local media said.

Eto'o and his club are yet to respond to the allegations.

D'banj to feature Kanye West in Scape Goat remix

The Kokomaster made the revelation in an interview with UK Radio DJ, Tim Westwood, at the Radio 1's Hackney Weekend in London. Continue to watch the video...and also check out the chain Kanye gave D'banj...

Thursday 28 June 2012

Majek Fashek gets N15million recording deal

The reggae superstar, who is a shadow of his old self, has just signed a N15 million recording deal with a Nigerian based record label called A Plus Recording and Award company. The deal will last for two years and the record label has already started getting him gigs both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. In fact Majek will embark on an international tour in July. He'll be touring Italy, Spain

Banky W interviews Governor Fashola (Photos)

Last week, the International Republican Institute (IRI) & US Agency for International Development (USAID) visited Governor of Lagos with Banky W for a documentary hosted by Banky W. The documentary is about promoting democracy in Nigeria through the youths of Nigeria, and it included an interview with Governor Fashola. Continue to see more photos...

Church members barred from discussing Okotie’s failed marriage

If you're a member of House Hold of God, you know this piece of information is correct. Members of Chris Okotie's church have been barred from discussing his failed marriage, either in secret or in the open. The members were ~~warned~~ advised that it is in the best interest of the church not to discuss Chris Okotie, Stephanie Henshaw or their failed marriage...saying something about 'getting rid of the finger that could lead them to hell.”

The warning came after some church members were approached by members of the press to talk about what could have led to the disintegration of the four year old marriage.

Some people are still talking sha! *cough*

Clint Eastwood's teenage daughter burns N15 million Birkin bag

Saw her on Fashion Police with Joan Rivers last night explaining why she burnt the $100k bag. BS reason!

19 year old Francesca Eastwood, star of E! reality show "Mrs. Eastwood & Company" and her boyfriend, photographer Tyler Shields, posted photos online of one of the pricey bags being bitten, sawed with a chainsaw, and set on fire.

I think it's ridiculous to burn a bag that expensive. The reasonable thing to do would have been to burn a fake bag and donate the original to charity or something. Fashion police co-host George Kotsiopoulos was so mad, you could see he was trying so hard to hide his annoyance.

Prezzo calls Goldie a weirdo

When one of Goldie's songs was played this evening, the Kenyan rapper asked Big Brother to play real music. "This chick is a weirdo and I found myself caught up in the mix," he said.

He later told Keita that he's done with Goldie "I'm not even eating the food she cooks from now on. I can make eggs. I am done. Watch this space. It's time to bring the old Prezzo back."

Jim Iyke’s case of fraud thrown out

On June 27, 2012 · In Entertainment

10:00 am

Nollywood top gun, Jim Iyke can now breathe easy knowing he doesn’t have to be back in court again. Case of fraud which has been hanging over him for some time now has been thrown out of court for lack of evidence.

Nollywood star, Jim Iyke

The $100,000 scam case involving him has been thrown out by the court clearing Jim Iyke of any liability. The case which was instituted by one Habiba Abubakar was quashed for lack of evidence.
Commenting about the dismissal, Jim said:
“Yes it is over. It’s just a business venture and someone in the partnership wanted more because they’re connected and I won’t back down and they said I defrauded them. The judge struck it out and ended the case this week for lack of evidence. We have long resolved out of court.”

Thursday 21 June 2012

7 yrs after, Belview crash report not ready – AIB

THE National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation investigating the Dana plane crash was told, yesterday, that seven years after the Bellview plane crash where 117 perished, investigations were yet to be concluded.

Disclosing this when he appeared before the committee at its second day public hearing, yesterday, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Captain Yusuf Lawal, told the committee members that investigations into the ADC crash which claimed the life of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido, his son and other victims had also not been concluded.
The Senate and the House of Representatives Committees on Aviation are presently carrying out a four-day investigation into the Dana air crash in Lagos and cargo plane that crashed in Ghana.

From Left: Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nkiruka Onyejiocha; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and Senate President David Mark, at the Joint Committee on Aviation Public Hearing on Dana Plane Crash in Abuja on Tuesday (19/6/12). NAN Photo

Lawal who also revealed that investigations into the Bellview crash were still on-going, stressed that the black box of the flight was never recovered from the crash site, just as he said the 2005 report on the Sosoliso air crash was released in 2006.
The AIB boss who disclosed that despite the inability of the bureau to analyse the black box, qualified staff of the bureau accompanied the box to the United States to avoid any interference, adding that if Nigeria as a country must set up a flight recorder laboratory popularly called the black box, a total of $5.6 million would be required.
We have only one helicopter —NEMA
Also at the hearing, the South-West zonal coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Charles Adakole who disclosed that the agency had only one helicopter which is in Abuja, however, told the committee that rescue operations started four hours after the Dana accident took place.
Explaining some of the challenges faced by men of NEMA, Adakole said the agency received a call at two minutes past four and got to the site 18 minutes past four, adding that there was unruly crowd, unnecessarily large number of officials who were busy just taking pictures, no semblance of coordination, and stressed the need for Nigerians to be enlightened especially on the need for them not to go near crash sites because it could compromise search and rescue.
Conflicting time of Dana crash
Also speaking at the public hearing, Managing Director of National Aviation Managment Agency, NAMA, Nnamdi Nwafor Udo, told the lawmakers that his agency which is responsible for “activating search and rescue” mission, responded promptly when the May Day alarm was raised.
Pressed further to provide specifics on the time lines of when the NAMA responded to the distress call, Udo said to avoid speculations, the transcript of recordings between the plane and NAMA would be most appropriate, even as he questioned report by some NEMA staff that they got the alarm around 3 o’clock and 4 p.m, insisting that the NAMA raised the distress call at 14:45 Nigerian time.
Also in his explanations, NAMA Director of Air Traffic Services, Mukaila Sholola, told the committee that the pilot did not indicate any sign of problems until five nautical miles when he called May Day.
Dana crash victim’s relative lament
Yesterday’s public hearing was not only an avenue for agencies in the aviation industry to narrate what happened, but relatives of victims also took time to lament.
Mr Ike Ibe, widower and father to the late Nancy and Jennifer Ibe blamed the Dana crash and previous ones on negligence of government, a development he said had caused a total breakdown in governance.
Ibe who attributed corruption as the main cause of the crisis in the aviation sector and which had affected the Nigerian system and structure, said: “It is very clear over the years that the Nigerian system and structure have broken down. For every disaster and incident in Nigeria, the same templates have been adopted for investigation, recommendations, white paper etc. There is never implementation until the white paper turns brown or another disaster happens and the template is dusted up as the cycle continues.”
C’ttee summons NCAA, Minister, others
In his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Senator Hope Uzodimma, however, warned that airlines must appear even as he lamented that there was need to strengthen a lot of areas in the aviation industry.
The committee has summoned NCAA, Ministry of Aviation and all the airlines in the country, to appear before it today.

Delta, Akwa Ibom lawmakers want FG to identify

Boko Haram sponsors

ASABA – LEGISLATORS in Akwa Ibom and Delta State Houses of Assembly, have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to identify sponsors of the Boko Haram Islamist sect and deal with them accordingly.

At a joint session of the Assemblies presided over by Akwa Ibom Speaker, Mr Samuel Ikon and his Delta State counterpart, Mr Victor Ochei, yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the lawmakers said the call became necessary to protect the corporate existence of the country.
They said given the nation’s past experiences, the country cannot afford another crisis and pledged their support to the President’s continued effort to stabilize the country. They called on the Federal Government to pay adequate attention to the deplorable condition of federal roads in the region and intensify infrastructural development of the region.
Condemning the current revenue sharing formular, the lawmakers called for the upward review of the derivation fund for the region to enable the state governments effectively address the development needs of the people.
They commended the two state governments for their efforts at transforming their respective states and pledged their support to the development of the region.
Meanwhile, Mr Ochei has described the visit of members of the Delta State House of Assembly as a platform to enhance regional cooperation among lawmakers of the South South states.
Ochei, who led members of Delta State House of Assembly on a courtesy call on Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom, as part of activities marking the first anniversary of the fifth Assembly of the House, said the joint session Houses of Assembly was aimed at deepening democracy and fostering a harmonious relationship between both states.
He commended Governor Akpabio for his developmental strides and described him as a pragmatic governor, who had transformed the state into an enviable centre of infrastructural excellence.

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Now that Boko Haram has shunned dialogue

Written by Musa Dan Musa Tuesday, 19 June 2012

HOPE and optimism that the violent confrontation between Boko Haram and the security forces will be finally resolved peacefully was blown into the air when Boko Haram shut all doors to negotiation some days ago in a press release by its spokesman, Abu Qaqa. Observers could recollect that in the last six months, pressures have been mounted on the government to dialogue with the sect members. Despite the seeming irrationality of such proposition, on many occasions, government officials at the highest levels came out to indicate interest in dialogue.
In an interview with Reuters in the Presidential Villa in January this year, President Goodluck Jonathan himself expressed how frustrating it could be to dialogue with an organisation that has no face and identity. President Jonathan told the Reuters reporter: “We will dialogue, let us know your problems and we will solve your problem, but if they don’t identify themselves, who will we dialogue with?”
Pressure to dialogue, while marching on the blood of thousands of innocent Nigerians sent into early graves in Kano, Maiduguri, Damaturu, Kaduna, Sokoto and Jos by religious extremism must have been urged by a concern to stop the carnage and restore peace. The Northern part of Nigeria is gradually grinding to a halt with men, money, materials, investment, taking hasty exit.
Pressures came on the government from opposition political parties, leaders of opinion from the North, religious leaders and community heads. Unfortunately, for reasons considered as insincerity of government and Islamic principle, the doors to dialogue was shut. The options left to the government to resolve the matter is, therefore, naturally narrowed.
After announcing its lack of interest, Boko Haram struck in churches in Maiduguri and Jos, during services on Sunday; and as usual, they left many people dead and several hundreds injured. The attacks reminded Nigerians and the government that the menace of Boko Haram is still with us. The Sect’s spokesman, Abu Qaqa, had promptly and proudly claimed responsibility for these attacks saying that they were to prove that the Nigerian security forces were wrong and to debunk the claim that Boko Haram “has been weakened by military crackdown.”
Therefore, the sect promised once again to intensify attacks on Christian worshippers and the state apparatus until they achieve the objective of establishing an Islamic state in Nigeria.
The sect repeated its usual description of Christians and the Nigerian government as enemies of Islam that must be crushed through violence. To show that they meant the business of instituting Islamic state in Nigeria, the sect, in one of its press releases in Maiduguri some few weeks ago, appealed to Moslems to persevere because Boko Haram will soon take over government and institute a government for Moslems where peace and justice will reign.
The high point of the recent insurgency was the rejection of the mediation role being played by a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi. Bauchi had disclosed to the media on June 6, 2012, that there was an ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and Boko Haram through his intervention. He described the process that was used to establish a contact with the sect. Unfortunately, Sheik Bauchi was unaware that the sect is set in its ways. It promptly launched another assassination attack that snuffed life out of Abubakar Saleh Ningi, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). Two days later, Sheik Bauchi, with all his efforts, was disowned by Boko Haram with a very stern warning that he must stay away from the so-called peace process.
Ugly antecedents to the issue of dialogue with Boko Haram as seen in the case above are not uncommon. It started with the peace initiative midwifed by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, whose visit to the base of Boko Haram in Maiduguri to negotiate peace in September 2011 led to hot controversy and subsequent murder of his host, Babakura Fugu. Newspaper report also indicated that the murder created some divisions within the organisation as the leadership was unhappy that another tragedy had befallen the Fugu family. Fugu was the brother-in-law of Yusuf Mohammed, the late spiritual leader of Boko Haram, who was extra-judicially killed in police custody in 2009. He was also the patriarch of the Fugu family after the head of the family was also killed in police custody in controversial circumstance.
The second attempt at mediation started in March 2012, and was led by Sheik Datti Ahmed. Ahmed, the president of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, was as a matter of fact appointed by Boko Haram as their mediator, knowing that he would not betray the confidence reposed in him to speak for the group. Not quite long after the mediation started, Ahmed pulled out of the process, sighting insincerely on the part of the government for leaking sensitive discussions on the matter to the press.
Since all doors to negotiation have been closed after three failures, many observers had advised that the declaration of war by the sect on Christians and the state had better be taken seriously by all the stakeholders.
And this calls for unity of purpose, minds and forces that can defeat terror, and not political grandstanding by opposition political parties in the name of jostling for power.
As noted above, the rejection of dialogue had limited the options available for use by the government in containing the terror. And this calls for the review the policy of carrot and sticks by the government. Indeed, because the sect had eliminated dialogue as a means for settlement of the war, the government would have no choice but to reciprocate in equal measure, and even more. This is the situation of things as today.
Again the misconception that tends to see Boko Haram as the creation of the Jonathan government has to be cleared. President Jonathan inherited the crisis that has been building up over the years from the past governments and for as long as anyone can remember, a schism had always existed between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. The schism is intertwined with ethnic animosity and civil disturbances during, and after elections. Again, the nature of the 2011 election that was bitterly contested, and the upsurge of terrorist activities at the global level must have given impetus to the phenomenon in Nigeria. Unfortunately, and very often, antagonists of the Jonathan administration, riding on the sentiments of a lingering security challenge, have lost this sense of history. This attitude has robbed the government of the needed ingredient of local support that would be required to fight terrorism.
Musa, a policy analyst, wrote in from Lokoja.

Sunday 17 June 2012

Otedola threatens to sue the House of Reps for N1trn

Nigerian Oil magnate and Chairman of Zenon Oil, Femi Otedola, has threatened to sue the House of Representatives for N1trn over what he termed "defamation of his character" during its plenary session on Friday. Otedola's reaction was in response to the House's decision to refer his oil company, Zenon Oil to anti-graft

agencies for fraud investigation.

He also described the plenary session of the House as laughable and a celebration of corruption.

In a statement issued on Saturday and personally signed by him, in response to the House resolution, Otedola insisted that Lawan wasn't acting alone in the "extortionist" adventure but probably have the backing of some other principal members of the House.

"I have stated the facts in my interview with Thisday newspaper and nothing but the facts. That Farouk Lawan demanded $3 million from me and

because I refused to oblige him he included the name of Zenon amongst those who bought forex without importing petroleum products. He did this without even asking Zenon to produce a single document of the forex transaction. He clearly wanted to extort money for an offence I did not commit. That is why I went to report to the security agencies. If I had anything to hide I wouldn't have gone to the agencies. There is an old adage that says "people who live in glass houses should not throw stones".

"Moreover it is not possible to purchase $232, 975,385.13 million from CBN without importing the product. The total figure is not even $232, 975,385.13 million as alleged but $372, 207, 990 million. They should go and amend the report to read $372, 207, 990 million which is the correct figure. It is not possible to purchase this volume of forex from the CBN with first class banks such as Access bank, FCMB, GTB, UBA and an international bank BNP Paribas which is one of the biggest and most respected banks in the world.

"If people at my level who have worked hard to build their businesses can be blackmailed this way all in a bid to extort money from them, I pity people that are just starting out in business in this country. In all my business dealings I have always been above board and the records are there to prove. As far as I know Lawan could not have been working alone in this extortionist plot. A tree does not make a forest. Let me also state for the records that we are not in any way affiliated to the other company Synopsis enterprises Ltd also included in the report. Actions of today by the house is laughable, a mere celebration of corruption and a further indictment on their honorable member". He stated.