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Friday, June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson autopsy expected FridayStory Highlights

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- An autopsy on entertainer Michael Jackson has been scheduled for Friday and results are expected by afternoon, according to the Los Angeles, California, coroner's office.

Autopsy results due out Friday may shed light into the death of pop star Michael Jackson.

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The "King of Pop," who was preparing for a comeback tour, died Thursday at age 50.
Jackson, under apparent cardiac arrest, was taken from his home by paramedics to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where a team of physicians tried to resuscitate him for more than an hour, said Jackson's brother Jermaine. He said the music idol was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. (5:26 p.m. ET).
Another one of Jackson's eight siblings told CNN that he learned of Jackson's death through his manager, Frank Dileo.
"Frank told me that Michael last night was complaining about not feeling well. He called to tell him he wasn't feeling well," Marlon Jackson said. "Michael's doctor went over to see him, and Frank said, 'Marlon, from last night to this morning, I don't know what happened.' When they got to him this morning, he wasn't breathing."
Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN that a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m. Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center, Ruda said. Watch CNN's Sanjay Gupta discuss Jackson's death »
At the hospital, security guards blocked every entrance to the emergency room. Even hospital staffers were not permitted to enter. A few people stood inside the waiting area, some of them crying.
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department remained at Jackson's home late Thursday, with some officers providing crowd control outside as fans gathered in surrounding streets. iReport.com: Share your Michael Jackson memories
At one point, three tow trucks arrived at the residence and a silver BMW with Texas license plates was later removed. No reason was given by police.
During a career that began at age 5 singing with his brothers, Jackson had numerous No. 1 hits. "Thriller" is the best-selling album of all time, at an estimated 50 million copies worldwide.
But after dominating the popular music scene for years, Jackson became reclusive and mired in scandals that include molestation charges. He was acquitted after a well-publicized trial in Santa Maria, California, in March 2006.
Last year, Jackson announced a comeback tour that was to start in July. When some of the shows were postponed till next year, rumors spread that the entertainer was weak and suffering from skin cancer.
However, Marlon Jackson said he last saw his younger brother at a May 14 family gathering and he "looked great."
"He was looking well. He was getting ready to go into rehearsals for his tour. I don't know what happened," Marlon Jackson said.
"Janet Jackson is grief-stricken and devastated at the sudden loss of her brother," said her manager, Kenneth Crear. "She is ... flying immediately to California to be with her family."
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A large crowd gathered outside the hospital, according to video footage. Michael Jackson fans across the world reacted with sadness.
Some, including actress Elizabeth Taylor and musician Stevie Wonder, were too distraught to issue statements.
Producer Quincy Jones, who helped Jackson craft his hit albums "Off the Wall" and "Thriller," said, "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."
"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," Jones added in a statement.
Jackson's music continues to be heard throughout the world "because he had it all -- talent, grace, professionalism and dedication," Jones said. He called Jackson a consummate entertainer, whose legacy will be felt around the world.
"I've lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him," Jones said.
Berry Gordy, producer and founder of Motown Records, said Jackson's death was "like a bad dream."
"As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He was an innovator. He was a genius at what he did," Gordy said. "He had a knowingness about him. At 9 years old, when I first started working with him, he seemed to me like he had been here before. He was just so knowledgeable about life."
Lisa Marie Presley, Jackson's former wife, said she was "shocked and saddened" by his death.
"My heart goes out to his children and his family," she said.
Jackson is survived by his three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II.
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CNN's Alan Duke contributed to this report.
All About Michael Jackson

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

GUANTANAMO TRIALS

Obama seeks halt to Guantanamo trials
By Nicolas

Reuters – In this photo, reviewed by

the U.S. Military, an American flag

flies at Camp Justice, the location of …

GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) – Hours after taking office on Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama ordered military prosecutors in the Guantanamo war crimes tribunals to ask for a 120-day halt in all pending cases.
Military judges were expected to rule on the request on Wednesday at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, an official involved in the trials said.
The request would halt proceedings in 21 pending cases, including the death penalty case against five Guantanamo prisoners accused of plotting the September 11 hijacked plane attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
Prosecutors said in their written request that the halt was "in the interests of justice."
Obama has pledged to shut down the Guantanamo prison camp that was widely seen as a stain on the United States' human rights record and a symbol of detainee abuse and detention without charge under the administration of his predecessor, former President George W.

"AT LAST"

Obamas dance to 'At Last'

By Nicolas

AP – President Barack Obama, left, and first lady Michelle Obama dance together at the Neighborhood Inaugural …
WASHINGTON – "At Last" may have been just what President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were thinking Tuesday night as they glided through their first inaugural dance to the Etta James classic.
The Obamas were the star attraction at the 10 inaugural celebrations they attended into the early hours of Wednesday. The celebrations marked the end of a long day of formal inaugural events and the two-year campaign that put them in the White House.
The president pulled his wife close and they danced a slow, dignified two-step while, offstage, Beyonce sang. The president spun first lady Michelle Obama once in a half-turn.
Obama cut loose in a faster groove a few minutes later, as Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill and Mariah Carey sang along with Stevie Wonder to his "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." The song was played at nearly all of Obama's rallies throughout the campaign.
"You could tell that's a black president from the way he was moving," comedian Jamie Foxx joked following the dance.

Natural disasters doomed early civilization

Mon Jan 19, 6:17 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Nature turned against one of America's early civilizations 3,600 years ago, when researchers say earthquakes and floods, followed by blowing sand, drove away residents of an area that is now in Peru. "This maritime farming community had been successful for over 2,000 years, they had no incentive to change, and then all of a sudden, boom, they just got the props knocked out from under them," anthropologist Mike Moseley of the University of Florida said in a statement.

Moseley and colleagues were studying civilization of the Supe Valley along the Peruvian coast, which was established up to 5,800 years ago.

The people thrived on land adjacent to productive bays and estuaries, the researchers report in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Supe fished with nets, irrigated fruit orchards and grew cotton and a variety of vegetables, according to evidence found by research co-author Ruth Shady, a Peruvian archaeologist. They also built stone pyramids thousands of years before the better known Mayans.

But the Supe disappeared about 3,600 years ago and, after studying the region, the researchers think they know what happened.

They found that a massive earthquake, or series of quakes, struck the seismically active region, collapsing walls and floors and launching landslides from barren mountain ranges surrounding the valley.

In addition, layers of silt indicate massive flooding followed.

Then came El Nino, a periodic change in the winds and currents in the Pacific Ocean, which brought heavy rains that damaged irrigation systems and washed debris into the streams and down to the ocean, where the sand and silt settled into a large ridge, sealing off the previously rich coastal bays.

In the end, land where the Supe had lived for centuries became uninhabitable and their society collapsed, the researchers concluded.

The study was funded by the University of Florida and the Heyerdahl Exploration Fund, University of Maine

Kaka staying at Milan, says Berlusconi

Tue Jan 20, 6:06 pm ET

MILAN, Italy (AFP) – AC Milan president and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has ended transfer speculation surrounding Kaka by telling a TV programme on Monday that the 26-year-old Brazilian will be staying at Milan.

The former World Player of the Year had been the subject of a reported 100 million euro bid from mega-rich Manchester City in a transfer saga that had been picking up pace over the last week.

Berlusconi said last week that with the money on offer he could not force Kaka to stay if he wanted to leave.

But he seems to have changed his mind and claimed on Monday that he had intervened personally to ensure the fans' favourite will be staying in Italy.

"Both I and he (Kaka) have intervened," said Berlusconi.

"When I heard him say that he prefers to stay, that he doesn't feel like he has lost the opportunity to earn a higher salary and that he feels privileged to wear the shirt, he values the closeness and the friendships, the heat and affection that all the fans have shown him even in these last two days, I said 'hallelujah' and we hugged," he told '7 Gold'.

"Kaka is and is staying at Milan."

However, Berlusconi then opened up a little doubt.

"I give my word on the things that depend on me. At the end of this affair I don't know if I will still be president of Milan, as much as I am not any more," he said cryptically before seeming to settle the matter once again.

"He has taken himself off the market with this decision to stay loyal to the contract he has with Milan.

"A contract signed on a piece of paper with a stamp but now we can say with certitude that it was signed with the heart."

He added in an interview with Sky Sport 24: "That's the end of the story. I am truly delighted to have kept Kaka at Milan.

"Kaka is a great champion and a great man. He's refused the offer from Manchester City giving privilege to Milan, his companions and his fans.

"He said it's because money isn't everything in life.

"Kaka is staying with us and we're delighted. Money is important but there are also other things that are important.

"The fans are delighted too. Turning down so much money is something to admire."

The English also confirmed on its website that the affair was at an end.

"Manchester City has terminated its discussions with AC Milan over the possible transfer of the player Kaka," read a statement.

"Following a meeting in Milan today, the Club felt that it was unlikely that the two parties could reach common ground for an agreement.

"The discussions reached only a preliminary stage and the player was not involved at any time. No commercial terms were framed.

City chief executive said that while it would be fantastic to attract players of Kaka's quality the transfer had to be a good all round deal.

"Whilst Manchester City Football Club has an obvious interest in world class players of the quality of Kaka, we owe it to our fans that such a transfer must work on every level; commercially, financially, in terms of results on the field and within Manchester City's broader community," said Cook.

Earlier in the day Milan fans had held a vigil outside his home begging Kaka to stay at their club.

They only went home late on Monday after their idol acknowledged them from his window for the second time.

Fans began their protest against Kaka's proposed 100 million euro transfer to mega-rich Manchester City outside Milan's headquarters during the early evening before heading off to the exclusive compound where he lives.

They stayed there chanting songs about him and pleading with him not to leave until finally being satisfied the second time he waved at them.

City's owners the Abu Dhabi Group had made the former World Player of the Year their primary transfer target during the January window and reportedly tempted Milan with what would have been a world record fee for a player.

Milan initially claimed that they had not accepted City's bid but would not stand in his way if he chose to leave.

The club's fans, however, took a completely different approach and begged him to stay.

In the morning dozens of fans left letters with the caretaker at Kaka's gated compound, a former palace.

"Our letter was one page long in which we wrote from the heart to remind him what he represents for us and to ask him to stay here," said 20-year-old Niccolo, a Milan fan who was part of an early campaign outside Kaka's home.

Kaka's father and agent Bosco Leite had arrived in Milan from Brazil in mid-morning before meeting with his son, according to Italian news agency Ansa, who said that Berlusconi and club vice-president Adriano Galliani met for an hour and a half to discuss his possible

Angola pours millions into African Nations Cup

by Louise Redvers Louise Redvers – Mon Jan 19, 4:07 pm ET

LUANDA (AFP) – Oil-rich Angola is pouring millions of dollars into new stadiums, hotels and airports to get ready for the 2010 African Nations Cup, which officials say will kick off on schedule in less than 12 months.

The decision to award Nations Cup - known as CAN - to Angola surprised some who did not believe the former Portuguese colony could get itself ready in time, having only ended a 27-year civil war in 2002.

But according to the organising committee, stadium construction is running to schedule and preparations are well underway.

"In relation to the construction of stadiums, the schedule will be met," CAN's marketing director Manuel Mariano told journalists after a meeting with top government officials last week.

Four new stadiums in Benguela, Lubango, Cabinda and the capital Luanda, where the final will be held, are being built by Chinese construction companies.

While no figures have been released about the costs of organising the three-week tournament or building the stadiums, the national airport company says it's spending more than 270 million dollars refitting and rebuilding airports in Luanda, Benguela and Lubango.

A major priority for organisers after the stadiums is making sure there is enough accommodation. Currently hotel rooms in Angola are few and far between, costing as much as 300 dollars a night and booked up months in advance.

According to the organising committee, 30 hotels are being built, 16 of them in Luanda, and ordinary Angolans will rent rooms to visitors.

Another key concern is the potential cost to visitors because Luanda, according to London-based human resources consultant ECA International, is the most expensive city in the world with a litre of milk costing three dollars and a pizza and beer as much as 50 dollars.

The committee has also pledged to make sure the notoriously difficult visa application process would be looked at to prevent delays for spectators coming to Angola.

But, perhaps used to the daily challenges of bad roads, high prices and lack of services, most Angolans are confident the competition will be a success.

Silvio Capuepue, an Angolan sports journalist, believes the Nations Cup is a catalyst for development.

"Hosting the 2010 Nations Cup is without a doubt speeding up the reconstruction of the country after the war, especially in the host cities," he said.

"Angolans are happy and are conscious of the magnitude of the event. People are starting to see an impact in their normal lives, those that had no jobs for such a long time are now having jobs and are being able to bring money home.

"And in terms of the football, hosting the tournament motivates and grooms the growing talents that are coming up in the country."

He said he was confident the stadiums would be ready on time and that the organisation would run smoothly.

"We have hosted three African basketball tournaments and two handball tournaments so I believe we have the experience. In 2007 people did not think we would be ready in time for Afrobasket, but we were. With the same strength, the same capacity and the same willing, we will make sure we are ready."

Angola's national team - known as Palancas Negras after the country's extremely rare sable antelope - have had a tough time on the pitch and failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

A coaching reshuffle saw Mabi de Almeida take over from Luis Oliveira Goncalves and he has pledged to do his best for the home crowd during the 2010 tournament.

Angola's Prime Minister Paulo Kassoma said last week that hosting the tournament would boost the country's self esteem and appealed to Angolans to support their national team.

"It's our responsibility to win the 2010 Nations Cup and prove we are Angolan. We want to show the capacity of Angolans to organise high-level competitions."

The tournament is played every two years and was won by Egypt for a record sixth time in Ghana last year.

This will be the first Nations Cup hosted by a Portuguese-speaking country.

Soccer title is still within our grasp, insists Benitez

by Neil Johnston Neil Johnston – Mon Jan 19, 8:39 pm ET

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) – Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insisted that his side could still win the Premier League despite watching his side carelessly drop more points in a 1-1 draw with city rivals Everton.

Benitez's side looked to be heading two points clear the summit after skipper Steven Gerrard gave his side the lead against neighbours Everton at Anfield on Monday.

But Liverpool were forced to settle for a draw after Australian international Tim Cahill pounced in the dying moments to earn Everton a priceless point.

Benitez's side are level on points with leaders Manchester United but Sir Alex Ferguson's side have a game in hand and a better goal difference.

In addition, Liverpool have now failed to win four of their last five home games ahead of third-placed Chelsea's visit to Anfield on February 1.

Yet Benitez opted to reflect on the positives than dwell on the negatives after Liverpool's hopes of securing the title for the first time since 1990 suffered another damaging setback.

"It could be better but we have to be positive," said Benitez afterwards.

"When you lose two points you have to be disappointed. But let's not forget that we are level on points with Manchester United and we are still in the Champions League.

"I still believe we can win the title. We have players coming back from injury."

The build-up to the game had been dominated by news that Benitez had rejected the offer of a contract extension casting doubt over his future at Anfield.

Benitez wants more power when it comes to signing players, but the Spaniard denied that his decision to turn down the deal contributed to his side's disappointing result.

He also defended his decision to cut short Fernando Torres's first start since November 26 soon after Liverpool had taken the lead.

"I think that Torres was really tired," added Benitez, who also replaced Robbie Keane.

"It was not an easy game but we were much better in the second half. We were winning with two minutes remaining. That's why it could have been better but we have to be positive."

Everton, who remain sixth in the table, are now unbeaten in seven games after ending a three-match losing run against their rivals.

Despite losing Louis Saha and Yakubu to long-term injuries, they have lost just twice in 11 away games this term.

"I thought we played with confidence and did very well," said delighted manager David Moyes.

"Overall I'm very pleased.

"We got the goal we deserved. It's another point for us.

"It shows how far Everton have come. The stability that we have at the club has allowed us to come to Anfield and get a good result."

WHITE HOUSE NEWS

White House News

People crowd the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, in anticipation of the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Crowds of 1 to 2 million expected at inauguration

AP - 24 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Subway trains are packed. Traffic is bumper-to-bumper. It seems that every dimension of President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration is taking on historic proportions as visitors stream into the nation's capital.

View: Headlines Only | Include Summaries | Include Photos

Obama praises McCain, Powell on eve of presidency AP - 1 hour, 58 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - A relaxed and upbeat Barack Obama invoked the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. and lavished praise on two prominent Republicans in calling for a new spirit of bipartisanship.
Obama to step into history as 1st black president AP - 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Stepping into history, Barack Hussein Obama grasps the reins of power as America's first black president in a high-noon inauguration amid grave economic worries and high expectations.
Schedule of events for Obama's inauguration AP - 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
A schedule of official and unofficial activities surrounding President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20:
Much in Obama stimulus bill won't hit economy soon AP - 2 hours, 7 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - It will take years before an infrastructure spending program proposed by President-elect Barack Obama will boost the economy, according to an analysis by congressional economists.
For military, bad economy aids recruiting AP - Mon Jan 19, 2:17 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Uncle Sam wants you, and in a poor economy, you might want Uncle Sam, too.
Bush commutes sentences of former US border agents AP - Mon Jan 19, 1:03 PM ET
WASHINGTON - In his final acts of clemency, President George W. Bush on Monday commuted the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited fierce debate about illegal immigration.
Safety investigators look for birds on radar again AP - Sun Jan 18, 5:27 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Safety investigators are going back over radar data to see if there were any readings that might have been birds around the time US Airways Flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia Airport in New York.
US welcomes Israel's ceasefire declaration AP - Sat Jan 17, 6:54 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration on Saturday welcomed Israel's decision to declare a unilateral ceasefire in its military operations against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip and urged both sides to end attacks immediately.
Major troop decisions for Afghan war await Obama AP - Sat Jan 17, 8:05 AM ET
WASHINGTON - Lingering decisions on how quickly the Pentagon can get U.S. forces out of Iraq and into Afghanistan are being pushed off until after the Obama administration takes over next week as military commanders continue to wrangle over where the troops are needed most.
Inauguration a culminating moment for Biden AP - 2 hours, 7 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Joe Biden, the talkative senator known for foreign policy expertise and a command of Washington's ways, is on the cusp of being more than Barack Obama's No. 2 guy.
Kempthorne designates 9 new historic landmarks AP - Fri Jan 16, 11:33 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The government on Friday designated national historic landmarks in nine states in recognition of their role in U.S. history.
Inaugural speeches make their point in a hurry AP - 2 hours, 9 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Inaugural speeches tend to be quick business — 15 to 20 minutes, give or take a few — and Barack Obama's is expected to fall in that range Tuesday.
Interior issues offshore drilling plan AP - Fri Jan 16, 7:33 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The Interior Department on Friday issued a detailed proposal for widespread oil and gas drilling off both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts in areas that have not had energy exploration for decades.
Bush saying goodbye to Washington, hello to Texas AP - 2 hours, 11 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - George W. Bush's presidential finale includes a goodbye to Washington and a hello from fellow Texans.
Witnesses praise Holder despite past disagreements AP - Fri Jan 16, 5:06 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Former FBI Director Louis Freeh testified Friday that Eric Holder played a role in a "corrupt" pardon. The Fraternal Order of Police chief said "we abhor" the clemency Holder supported for 16 Puerto Rican militants.
Inauguration is a day at the beach for Republicans AP - 2 hours, 12 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - For many prominent Republicans, Barack Obama's inauguration was a special day of a different sort, full of balmy breezes and lovely vistas.
US, Israel sign deal to boost Gaza truce effort AP - Fri Jan 16, 4:59 PM ET
WASHINGTON - On its final working day, the Bush administration signed a last-minute deal with Israel aimed at cutting off the supply of smuggled weapons to Hamas and boosting Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire to end fighting in Gaza.
Lobbyists use inauguration to show their influence AP - 2 hours, 12 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - The sushi was plentiful, the jazz ensemble loud and the guest list included just what the party-givers wanted: members of Congress, incoming Obama administration officials and celebrities.
Pentagon: Seabees shifting from Iraq to Afghan war AP - Fri Jan 16, 4:35 PM ET
WASHINGTON - In a sign of things to come, the Pentagon announced Friday that a military construction crew is bound for Afghanistan instead of the Iraq war.
First inauguration for Roberts as chief justice AP - 2 hours, 13 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Chief Justice John Roberts is giving the oath of office to President-elect Barack Obama, the first of what could be many inaugurations presided over by the affable, conservative jurist.
US slaps sanctions on son of Osama bin Laden AP - Fri Jan 16, 4:14 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The Treasury Department slapped financial sanctions on three alleged al-Qaida terrorist operatives thought to be in Iran, plus another — a son of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden — that the top U.S. intelligence officer said Friday has left Iran and is probably now in Pakistan.
Ali salutes Obama at inaugural soiree AP - Tue Jan 20, 12:27 AM ET
WASHINGTON - "The Greatest" saluted the nation's first black president at an inaugural soiree Monday night.
Rice departs predicting a world free from tyranny AP - Fri Jan 16, 3:16 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Capping four years as the Bush administration's top diplomat, a teary-eyed Condoleezza Rice bade a spirited farewell Friday to an assembly of several hundred State Department employees.
Biden tries to shush wife after state-VP slip AP - Tue Jan 20, 12:19 AM ET
WASHINGTON - Joe Biden's wife said Monday that he had his pick of being Barack Obama's running mate or the secretary of state nomination that eventually went to Hillary Rodham Clinton, a slip that the vice president-elect immediately tried to shush.
GOP senator gives key support to Obama's AG pick AP - Fri Jan 16, 12:15 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Republican senator Mel Martinez of Florida says he will support Attorney General-nominee Eric Holder, putting him a big step closer to confirmation.
Obama's AG pick praised by ex-Bush adviser AP - Fri Jan 16, 11:07 AM ET
WASHINGTON - Former Bush adviser Frances Townsend has urged the Senate to confirm Eric Holder as the next attorney general.
Most of Little Rock 9 headed to inauguration AP - Mon Jan 19, 11:09 PM ET
WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama has said the Little Rock Nine's courage in desegregating an Arkansas public school helped make the opportunities in his life possible.
Pentagon: Iraq withdrawal has 16-month time frame AP - Fri Jan 16, 1:01 AM ET
WASHINGTON - Pentagon officials said Thursday they will be ready on Inauguration Day with plans for a quick pullout of U.S. combat troops from Iraq if Barack Obama orders one, as he pledged to do during his White House campaign.
Aretha Franklin warms up for inauguration AP - Mon Jan 19, 10:56 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Aretha Franklin

BARACK OBAMA STEPS INTO HISTORY

Obama to step into history as 1st black president

By TERENCE HUNT, Associated Press Writer Terence Hunt, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 57 mins ago

Friday, January 9, 2009

EXPOSED! WHY YAR' ADUA HUNTS RIBADU

Exposed! Why Yar'Adua hunts Ribadu
• Buhari, JULIUS BERGER connections

By NICOLAS

THE recent quake in the cadres of Nigeria Police which swept many officers off their seats was just one script in a well-hatched game plan by the presidency to clip the wings of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu in an attempt to please certain interests in and outside the government, including President Musa Yar'Adua himself, it has been revealed. Ribadu was demoted from the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) along with 139 other officers.

While a good number of Nigerians did not see any justification for the action of the Chief Parry Osayande-led Police Service Commission (PSC) particularly from the legal perspective, information available to National Daily strongly suggest that Yar'Adua and some other powerful officials of the state had targeted Ribadu for 'destruction' via demotion for reasons of his intelligence image hunting them.

The problem Ribadu now faced dates from soon after his re-deployment as a student to National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, in January this year, when he reportedly confided in a friend that “these people do not know what I have on them even Mr. President. I can rock their boat and let the world know that they are not clean as they claim.”

National Daily investigations revealed that Ribadu may have been sold out to the authorities by that friend as information later got to Presidency that the former EFCC boss had a dossier on Mr. President, some former governors and other public office holders. Particularly, the world-acclaimed anti-corruption warrior is believed to have in his possession copies of the investigation activities of the cases involving very powerful officials, both serving and past while he was Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to Presidency sources, this was why the State Security Services (SSS) were to be unleashed on Ribadu just as the police have taken care of Mallam Ibrahim Magu, another strongman at the EFCC under Ribadu. Magu's residence was first raided for allegedly being in possession of damaging documents against prominent persons in the country before he was eventually arrested by the police. Specifically, about 24 hours after his demotion was announced the SSS invited Ribadu for questioning. The secret service operatives even visited Kuru in Jos where Ribadu was to effect his arrest but met his absence as insiders had given him a tip-off. Accordingly, “trump up charges have been prepared by the Justice Ministry and should Ribadu be arrested, he would end up in jail, insiders say.

On the president, it is believed that details of allegations of unspent campaign funds from the last Presidential elections allegedly running into about N7billion, and Yar'Adua's ties with German Construction giant, Julius Berger, a company that is under the intense searchlight of German apex investigation body known as the GKA for offering bribes to Nigerian Government officials are also among issues the President has with Ribadu.

Though, Yar'Adua soon after he assumed office as President in 2007 had publicly declared his total assets with everything put at less than a billion naira, Ribadu is said to have some damaging report on the unspent campaign funds for both the 2007 presidential and the financial activities of Mr. President while he was governor of Katsina State.

Besides the unspent campaign funds, President Yar'Adua was also said not to be comfortable with the information available to Ribadu over the bribe-for-contract scam involving the construction giant; Julius Berger. The company has reportedly been under investigation by its parent country Germany in recent time over some bribery allegations and the company's Vice Chairman, Dr. Han Wiedman was said to be at the centre of the scandal.

Intelligence source confirmed to National Daily that Wiedman has been helping Yar'Adua to secure the best medical help in Germany and so would want the President's intervention as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), under Ribadu's chairmanship had reportedly co-operated fully with the GKA with whom they have an existing high-level Mutual Legal Assistance status (MLA).

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the civil engineering giant which dominates construction contracts in Nigeria, was named early in the year as a conduit in the bribery of top officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - but the company has stoutly denied playing any role in the alleged scandal

The bribes were allegedly wired through Julius Berger, a Nigerian company in which the German group holds 49 per cent shares equity. A German construction group, Bilfinger Berger, has been accused of paying kick-backs to PDP officials, the German news magazine Der Spiegel reported in May this year.

At the time of the alleged payments, the Bilfinger Berger group was reportedly seeking the contract to build a gas-liquefaction plant for Nigeria's gas-export industry.

The GKA, according to our sources, was taking serious advantage of the high level secret MLA status it has with the EFCC (as there is no such treaty between Germany and the Nigeria government). Already, sources further disclosed, the GKA was closing in on Julius Berger with the assistance of EFCC which was somehow billed to commence local investigation into company's activities in Nigeria sometime this year but for Ribadu's movement to NIPSS.

With this co-operation between EFCC and GKA on one hand and similar agreements between the anti-graft agency other countries and international bodies over the years, Ribadu's international image has become upscale and this, according to our source, is now hunting Yar'Adua and his government.
Beyond the presidential anger against the former EFCC boss, some former Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) were also said to have called for Ribadu's head for daring to disgrace one of their own Tafa Balogun on issues of corrupt practices.

The former police chieftains were said to be very bitter against Ribadu over his “strong-handedness” when they tried to intervene in some corruption cases he (Ribadu) was investigating. They also are piqued especially at the way he handled the Balogun matter, accusing him of not showing any measure of respect for the office of the IGP. They also pointed out the use of handcuffs on the former police chief and the way he was reportedly dragged by a moving car.

National Daily investigation revealed that when charges of corruption involving multi-billion naira were brought against Balogun soon after he was forced to resign from his position of inspector general of police in 2005, some former IGPs had tried to intervene in the matter but Ribadu who had a direct brief from the then President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have adopted a hard-line posture that made it impossible to mitigate Balogun's travails.
As a serving police officer, they had expected Ribadu to use his position in ensuring that Balogun was treated with some measure of dignity during the trial. That was certainly not the case, as the former inspector-general of police was hand-cuffed and dragged to the court like a common criminal. He was on one occasion even bullied and felled on the premises of the court premises by the anti-graft agents when he hesitated to board their vehicle. But to most Nigerians, what the EFCC did was not wrong insofar as Balogun was a suspect standing criminal trial like any other suspect.

Some senior police officers had confided in National Daily last week that Tafa Balogun possibly knew that he would have time to revenge when he said “I will bounce back” soon after his conviction with a few months imprisonment after having entered plea bargain with the prosecutors. To such officers, Balogun may unarguably be an ally with the powers that be in the plotting of Ribadu's current downfall from the pinnacle of grace.
Ribadu is also said not to be in the good books of the incumbent Police

Inspector-General Mike Okiro is believed to still be upset that when he (Ribadu) was posted to NIPSS, Ribadu bluntly refused on the pages of the newspapers. Even when the former EFCC boss came back to see Okiro, the IG refused him audience and asked that he “obeyed the order first before complain”, which meant that he reported at NIPSS first.

Just as these exclusively gathered information were being tidied up, another source hinted on the fact that a statement credited to Ribadu during the campaign for the presidential elections early last year where he was quoted to have said the only Presidential Candidate he would have supported irrespective of political party affiliations was General Muhammadu Buhari, the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) because of his integrity and uprightness did not go down well with loyalists of Yar'Adua. They are said to have re-echoed this alleged comment by Ribadu to convince Mr. President that the former EFCC boss never believed in him (Yar'Adua), and could spill the beans any day if “he is not caged”, hence the onslaught. These issues, according to sources, make the President jittery.
Further revelations will unfold in the massive hunt for Ribadu's head, the sources said, adding that they would be unveiled as time goes on. But no words yet on the place for his vexed intelligence dossiers in the country's continuing war on corruption. One thing is however evident in the air at the moment is the heightened anxiety over the safety of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the former EFCC Chairman.

FACTS