PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: 3RD MAINLAND BRIDGE REPAIRS

The Federal Ministry of Works and The Lagos State Government wish to inform the general public, especially motorists that as from 1st July to 6th November, 2012 repairs of some expansion joints will be carried out on the 3rd Mainland Bridge. The repairs will be on both sides of the carriageways on the bridge.

The First phase of the repairs will start on the Lagos Island bound carriageway between Ebutte-Metta interchange and Adeniji-Adele end. This section of the bridge will not be available for vehicular traffic for the duration of the repairs. The second phase of the repairs is on the Oworonshoki bound carriageway, between Adeniji-Adele and Ebutte-Metta interchange. Vehicular traffic on the bridge will therefore be diverted.

Alternative routes to Lagos Island are:-

(a) Ikorodu road-Yaba-Oyingbo-Iddo-Lagos Island

(b) Ikorodu road-Western Avenue-Lagos Island

(c) Agege Motor road-Oshodi-Apapa-Lagos Island/Victoria Island

(d) Apapa-Oshodi expressway-Mile 2- Orile- Lagos Island/Victoria Island

Please take note of the directional and other traffic management signs that will be displayed at strategic locations. Officers and men of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army will be on ground to manage the traffic and provide security.

Please endeavour to plan your movements carefully and avoid the use of the 3rd Mainland Bridge if possible. Obey traffic signs and adhere strictly to instructions of the traffic management and security officers.

All inconveniences to be caused the general public are regretted.

Thank you your understanding and cooperation.

 ANNOUNCERS

Engr. Ejike Mgbemena                                                                                                     Comrade Kayode Opeifa

Director, South West                                                                                                                 Commissioner For Transportation

Federal Ministry of Works                                                                                                                                                      Lagos State

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.

Source: Reuters

Ini Edo, Uche Jombo -R, Desmond Elliot & Van Vicker Grace New Glo Adverts

The adverts were shot last week to promote the new Globacom tariff plan know as Glo Gista.

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…

Governor Adams Oshiomhole survives assasination attempt

Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion, told newsmen that Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State survived an assassination attempt yesterday June 28th when gunmen attacked his convoye while he was campaigning at Usen town, Ovia South West LGA of the state.

Mr Odion explained:

“At about 6pm local time, Governor Oshiomhole’s convoy left the palace; it had not travelled too far down the road when it ran into a barricade. Naturally, the security details attached to the governor came down to remove the bar. As they were clearing the place, tens of heavily armed thugs emerged from nowhere and opened fire on the governor for several seconds.

Dutifully, the brave security details attached to the governor, supported by an additional contingent of regular policemen deployed to maintain law and order, rose to the occasion. They were able to shield the governor, key government functionaries and others, including leaders of Edo ACN to safety without sustaining any human casualties. But several official vehicles, including Toyota Landcruisers, Hilux pick-up van and Toyota Corolla saloon car were either badly damaged or riddled with bullets.

“The Edo State Government wishes to condemn this latest assault on Governor Oshiomhole in strongest terms and urge the national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call their members in Edo State to order. The misguided elements in the rank in Edo State should realise that not only they have the monopoly of violence.

But for the uncommon restraint displayed by the Governor’s team in the face of sheer provocation, there could have been heavy casualty toll. The state government wishes to enjoin the good people of Edo to remain calm and be law-abiding, so as not to play into the hands of those bent on plunging the state into anarchy to escape imminent defeat at the polls.”

I was stabbed by DJ Tee’ – injured upcoming act claims

 

Check out Kanye’s gift to Jay Z…

Kanye gave his best bud a $34,000 Lions & Sons Divora Gold Skull for Father’s Day. The hand-finished skull is covered in 24-karat gold and 1,680 star-cut red topaz gemstones.

Otedola Gave Me Money Not Bribe –Farouk Lawan

Details of the testimonies of the suspended Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Monitoring of Subsidy Regime, Mr. Farouk Lawan, showed that he admitted taking “money” and “not a bribe” from oil businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola.

Findings indicated that the panel grilled the former Chairman, House Committee on Education for over fours hours, starting from 1.07pm.

It was gathered that during the investigation, Lawan tried to draw a distinction between money and bribe. He was said to have insisted he took the money with the aim of exposing Otedola.

A source, who was privy to the details of the testimonies, said, “He told the committee that he took money to expose Otedola, as different from a bribe. “In the statement he issued, where he admitted taking the money, he drew the attention of the committee to the fact that he was careful with his choice of words.

“Bribe was not mentioned in the statement, but money. Money he took to expose Otedola,” the source said.

Lawan reportedly tendered text messages and call logs to the panel as evidence that he did not initiate the transaction between Otedola and himself. “From what he tendered, it seemed the transaction was not initiated by him. So, what the committee has decided to do is to confront the other parties to the case with the information Lawan has divulged”, the source, who pleaded anonymity, added.

Asked whether Lawan was in possession of the $620,000, the source said he replied that “a lot more information will be made available as the police and other agencies continu with their investigations. The truth is there.”

The source explained that because of the sensitive nature of the investigation, the committee later reasoned that it was not wise to make the inquiry public. “Lawan has information and documents; he has text messages; he has call logs and other evidence. The committee didn’t want other witnesses to take advantage of a public appearance and work on their own testimonies.

“The committee wants to throw Lawan’s claims on other witnesses to see how they will respond. In that way, some conflicting information may come to the fore. The other witnesses too will be heard in camera and will be accorded the same protection as Lawan”, the source stated.

Lawan was discharged after four hours of meeting with the panel. According to the source, the committee resolved to invite him again if the testimonies of other witnesses punctured his claims “or if there is the need to hear from him again.”

Lawan had appeared before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Thursday. The committee, which is investigating the $620,000 bribery allegation, is headed by Mr. Gambo Musa.

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Church Members Barred From Discussing Okotie’s Marriage

To avoid loss of worshippers and regular members over the ongoing divorce mess involving Pastor Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church and his estrange wife, members of the church have been barred from discussing the pastor’s domestic life, either in secret or openly. NFC gathered that the members were warned to respect the pastor’s decision to end his four year old marriage, considering the portion of the Bible that urged Christians to “get rid of the finger that could lead them to hell.”

Top music director DJ Tee denies stabbing upcoming act on set

  

The top music director has been telling anyone who cares to listen that he didn’t stab anyone, contrary to the news making the rounds that he stabbed an extra on set of a video shoot last night. According to his side of the story, the guy in question slapped him after they had an argument on set, and some of his boys who witnessed the assault descended on the guy.

The extra, who is an up and coming singer himself, according to DJ Tee, smashed a bottle against hard metal above their heads, the bottle shattered and broken pieces cut him and DJ Tee, which was how he supposedly got the injury you see above

The injured guy, Alvin Osungade, is yet to tell his own side of the story.