The gang set up a fake grocery business as a front for bringing in the drugs from the Costa del Sol
Four smugglers who imported £2 million of cannabis hidden in crates of ONIONS have been jailed.
The gang set up a fake grocery business next to the north west's busiest fruit and veg market as an elaborate front for the deal.
They set up a company called 'Walker and Sons' next door to the New Smithfield Market in Manchester in August 2011, the Manchester Evening News reports.
A sign was put up above a unit at Norbury Court, Openshaw, and a website set up claiming the company had been going since 1958.
They arranged for 375kg of cannabis to be smuggled to Manchester in 20 pallets of onions after travelling to Costa del Sol to clinch the deal.
A genuine shipment of groceries was organised in a dummy run.
But officers from the National Crime Agency had been secretly bugging their unit and caught the gang red handed minutes after the consignment arrived at the unit at 7am on October 16 last year.
At Manchester Crown Court Gary Wilkinson, 50, formerly of Astley, Wigan, and Paul Farrell, 34, formerly of Clinton Avenue, Fallowfield , were jailed after admitting conspiracy to import cannabis.
Wilkinson was jailed for six years, Farrell for five-and-a-half years.
At an earlier hearing Andrew Soloman, 46, formerly of New Beech Road, Heaton Mersey, Stockport, and Stephen Potter, 41, formerly of Paisley Avenue, St Helens, Merseyside, were both jailed after admitting conspiracy to import cannabis.
Soloman was locked up for nine years after also admitting being concerned in the supply of heroin. Potter was jailed for six years.
Each of the gang had lined up buyers for their share of the drugs and when they were caught they were packing the resin and skunk cannabis into boxes for wholesale distribution.
Steve Baldwin, head of Investigations for the NCA, said: “This was drug trafficking on an almost industrial scale.
“These men were key players in a criminal organisation that had the ability transport huge amounts of cannabis across international borders. They were motivated by the chance to make huge profits.”
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/photosdrug-smugglers-jailed-after.html

The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested eight persons, including a serving Permanent Secretary in Ondo State over the raid of a commercial bank in Ikere Ekiti last Thursday.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, who gave the hint in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Saturday, said the Permanent Secretary and others were arrested in a bush at Ijare, a border town between Ekiti and Ondo states.
The Branch Manager of the bank, Ikere was also reportedly arrested following the incident.
According to the police, the Permanent Secretary and three others were arrested while performing rituals at night in the bush through which the robbery bandits escaped.
The armed gang had stormed a first generation bank at about 5.30 p.m killing two persons and injuring two others during a gun battle with the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The PPRO said the Permanent Secretary and the three others were arrested at about 3 a.m by the police.
Babayemi said the men were arrested with a live goat and other fetish materials, adding that they would have been mistaken for robbers.
“During the operation, we saw the Permanent Secretary and seven others in white apparel performing rituals, so we had to arrest them to explain their mission at the place at that unholy hour”.
The PPRO said those arrested are being interrogated with vital information being obtained.
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/police-nab-perm-sec-7-others-while.html

ALTHOUGH the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha has called on students to return back to classes, the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the State led by Dr. Emmanuel Mordi is insisting that lecturers should still hold on until necessary protocols are concluded.
He has therefore told his colleagues to remain at home until they get the green light from the local ASUU over the suspension of the strike.
Mordi insisted that “after the suspension of the strike by NEC and briefing of DELSU congress on the outcome of NEC meeting lecturers will be free to resume teaching.
“The University administration as the University Senate may direct, will make the revised academic calendar public and all things being equal, this should happen in the next 96 hours”, he stated.
Academic activities were yet to commence at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka and Anwai-Asaba campuses even as the State.
Commissioner Hope Eghagha made the appeal at the official handover ceremony of e-library complex at the Anwai-Asaba campus, weekend while urging parents to ensure that their children and wards go back to their campuses as government had invested much in the provision of educational facilities in DELSU and other state-owned higher institutions.
Welcoming the Commissioner, the Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Eric Arubayi  represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Chukwuemeka Aloamaka thanked the State government for building a library of world class in the university noting  that the library edifice has boosted the image of the university and would also enhance the accreditation of many courses in the university.
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/wait-until-we-give-go-ahead-delta-asuu.html

A 12-year-old boy was on Monday arraigned before an Abule-Egba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for allegedly defiling a three-year-old minor.
The accused, who lives at No. 4, Ajakaiye St., Agege, Lagos, is facing a one-count charge of rape.
The Prosecutor, Insp Racheal Williams, told the court that the offence was committed at the accused’s residence on Dec. 2.
“The accused is neither a student nor learning any trade. He is living with his parents, while the victim is the daughter of his neighbour,” Williams said.
He said the accused carried the child into the bathroom and raped her.
“It was the cry of the child that attracted the child’s mother and the Police was alerted,” Williams said.
The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and the Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, ordered the arrest of the accused’s parents.
He granted the boy bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Dec. 20, for mention.(NAN)
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/boy12-docked-over-alleged-defilement-of.html

Minna – Journalists were , Monday, assaulted by some officials of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while they were waiting for the outcome of  the Union’s  National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting holding at the Federal University of Technology,  in Minna.
The closed-door meeting which started at about 11:30am was still ongoing at press time.
However, there was disagreement among ASUU members over the presence of the media, some suggested the media should stay because they are doing their job, others persisted that “we did not invite them. When we need them, we will invite them.”
Cross section of stakeholders at a meeting to review the ongoing strike by ASUU held at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan on Monday. Photo by Dare Fasube
File: Cross section of stakeholders at a meeting to review the ongoing strike by ASUU held at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan. Photo: Dare Fasube.
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Minna, Prof. Musbau Akanji,  who got wind of the altercation between journalists and the ASUU officials,  intervened saying, “although, I am not a part of the meeting but I am apologizing on their behalf because they are in my territory.
“This place (FUT, Minna) is a Federal Government institution, and it is a public place that everybody, including journalists can enter, especially when they are doing their job.”
As at the time of filing this report, the strike has not been called off.
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/asuu-yet-to-call-off-strike.html

Here is the visual for Jalaa, Achievas Entertainment Int'l act "Xcellente ft Solidstar". The song is currently enjoying massive air play and good reviews. The video was directed by Paul Gambit. Enjoy
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/new-video-jalaa-ft-solid-star-xcellente.html

The football star welcomed his son, Bentley Moses, with a girlfriend in September 2012. He's such a cutie.

#1 Rebel


Nelson is the name that Mandela was given by a missionary schoolteacher. His birth/Tribal name is actually Rolihlahla and it means ‘Troublemaker’ or 'Pulling the Branch of the Tree'.

#2 The Black Struggle


In 2010, Mandela's ex-wife Winnie was quoted saying, "Mandela let us down. He agreed to a bad deal for the blacks. Economically, we are still on the outside," in an article by Nadira Naipaul. Though he is praised for getting word out about the struggle for black Africans, some feel the deals he made more than 20 years ago only sold out the struggle. With many pointing out that to date, whites still earn up to six times more than blacks on average.

#3 Honorary Degrees


Nelson Mandela was a lifelong learner, philosopher and advocate of the importance of knowledge and education. He has honorary degrees from more than 50 international universities.


#4 Supporter of the Arts


Nelson Mandela was a huge supporter of the arts. He was willing to meet with artists to encourage them and cheer on their efforts. Some of his notable visits were with Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and even Beyonce.

#5 Simple Tastes


Though he could have had anything to eat each day, Nelson Mandela’s favorite breakfast was plain porridge with fresh fruit and milk. Hey, he lived to 95 so maybe he was onto something!

#6 Kind to Political Enemies


Mandela was known for some of the controversial people he embraced during heated political times. He refused to denounce connections to Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, who had lent support to Mandela in the past. His statements on the subject have always been to the point, once saying “One of the mistakes the Western world makes is to think that their enemies should be our enemies. We have our own struggle.” He also had connections to Yasser Arafat and Muammar Gaddafi, a fact that many held against him until his death.
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/six-surprising-facts-about-nelson.html

Most Nigerian farmers now abandon growing food and economic crops for cannabis in a bid to become instant millionaires , the country’s anti-narcotics agency said Saturday.
In a statement, Ahmadu Giade, the chairman of the Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said: “It is sad and disturbing that most farmers are now abandoning food and economic crops for cannabis.”
Last year, the NDLEA arrested 8,052 suspected drug traffickers, including 542 women, it said.
The NDLEA boss said that more than 1,400 hectares of land was used last year for cannabis plantation.
“This 1,404.27 hectares of land could have changed the fortunes of our agricultural sector if properly utilised,” he stated.
The agency seized drugs worth 33 billion naira ($208 million/ 152 million euros) last year and prosecuted 1,720 suspects, it stated. It did not say how many suspects the agency convicted.
Among the drugs seized were cannabis, heroin, cocaine, ephedrine, methamphetamine and amphetamine, the NDLEA said.
“We shall continue to dislodge more drug trafficking syndicates because anytime we intercept drug from criminals, we are indirectly saving lives,” Giade said.
Some of the seized drugs — hidden in ear rings, buttons, necklaces, bangles and female belts — came into Lagos from Brazil and Pakistan, he alleged. (AFP)
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/loolfarmers-abandon-food-crops-for.html

It was a death not foretold but largely expected, leaving in its trail an outpouring  of uncommon tributes from hitherto  known friends, foes, dissidents, antagonists, protagonists and perhaps loners speaking with one voice. But that is one of the many surprising ironies of life, international diplomacy and gesture.
While these could be regarded as the ironic reality of Nelson Mandela’s demise, it vividly  captures the sheer hypocrisy which global leaders use in achieving political objectives.
However, looked at from whichever prism, the uncommon tributes pouring in from global leaders following the  exit of the former South African President  are uncommon and can only come once in life time.
The development appears to have cast a pall on the acclaimed ideology of these leaders, who, before now, were known to have  largely acted and are acting in breach of the ideals that Mandela lived for and represented.
In fact, the striking aspects of Mandela’s political legacy, which are non-violent revolution and peaceful resistance, reconciliation, selfless leadership, do not seem to matter to some  of these leaders.
That is why the tributes are being dismissed in some quarters as coming from those, who are hardly on the same page with Madiba, particularly on issues that relate to global peace.
And these unusual tributes and dirges speak volumes about the matter:
President Assad of Syria, who is currently fighting a revolt against his rule, said Nelson Mandela’s life was an inspiration to freedom fighters and a lesson to tyrants.
If there was any joke regarding the barrage of condolence messages, it is the one sent by Assad of Syria.   For a ruler who has virtually destroyed his own country because he is waging a war against those he termed terrorists, the joke is on him.   Inspiration and lesson!   May be Assad sent out the wrong condolence message.
US. President Barack Obama
“Mandela no longer belongs to us, he belongs to the ages.
“Madiba transformed South Africa and moved all of us,” Obama said. “His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings — and countries — can change for the better.
“The  day that he was released from prison gave me a sense of what human beings can do when they’re guided by their hopes and not their fears,” Obama further   said. “I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set, and so long as I live I will do what I can to learn from him.”   Obama’s tribute is understandable.   At least he claims that the man shaped his political career and the American President does not appear to be doing a bad job.
China
A cross-section of  the  Chinese society, from the ruling Communist Party’s leadership cadre to scholars and activists pushing for political change, also mourned the passing of Mandela, triggering debates  and difficult questions. The country’s Vice President, Li Yuanchao, on Friday, went to the South African Embassy in Beijing to mourn the death of the country’s former president.
Li stood in silent tribute in front of a bust of Mandela and signed a book of condolences.
Li said Mandela spent all his life advocating and implementing racial equality and reconciliation. He not only was a hero in the heart of South Africans, but also won global recognition, Li added.
Stressing that Mandela had made great contributions to the establishment and development of friendly cooperation between China and South Africa, Li said his unfortunate death had led Chinese people to lose a close friend.
He expressed deep condolences on behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, on Friday, that a Chinese leader will attend the ceremonies arranged by South Africa to mourn the passing of Mandela.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have sent messages of condolence to South African President Jacob Zuma to express their heartfelt sympathies.
But the question on many lips  remain: Does China or its leaders have anything in common with the ideals of Mandela?
England
Queen Elizabeth II said she was “deeply saddened” to learn of Mr Mandela’s death, describing him as one of the towering figures of the 20th century who inspired young and old with his fight for equality.   Meanwhile, she was on the throne while the apartheid regime got endorsements from the Crown for decades.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron: “One of the brightest lights of our world has gone out”
Pope Francis
Pope Francis said Mr Mandela had forged “a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation and truth”.   A good man speaketh!
Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “Mandela, having gone through the most difficult ordeals, was committed to the end of his days to the ideals of humanism and justice.”
Pray, was Putin addressing the Russian people or was he performing a ritual and a hollow, very hollow one at that.   Would it not have been more honourable if Putin had added something like: “And from this day, I, as the Russian leader, would imbibe and act the ideals of the late sage?”
French President Francois Hollande said Mr Mandela’s message would “continue to inspire fighters for freedom and to give confidence to peoples in the defence of just causes and universal rights”.
Ban Ki-moon: “Let us continue each day to be inspired by Nelson Mandela’s lifelong example”?
Germany’s Angela Merkel said Mr Mandela’s “political legacy of non-violence and the condemnation of all forms of racism” would continue to inspire.
Ghana’s President John Mahama told the BBC Mr Mandela was the greatest African who ever lived.
Senegalese President Macky Sall said “Nelson Mandela was undoubtedly the most influential man of the century”, a “role model for Africans and also for humanity”. He said Mr Mandela gave Africans “pride in being black – a dignity in being a black man”.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta praised him for living “an extraordinary life in a very ordinary way. His legacy encrypts the story of humanity now and tomorrow.” For a man whose case at the International Criminal Court is yet to be resolved it is indeed an irony of “extraordinary” proportions that such a statement came from his office.
President Goodluck Jonathan said Mandela was an “inspiration to the oppressed peoples all over the world” and had made “unparalleled personal sacrifices”.
One of Mandela’s sacrifices was leaving the stage when the ovation was loudest before the setting-in of the law of diminishing returns.   Africa needs leaders who would make more of the sacrifices.
Liberia’s President and Nobel peace prize laureate Ellen Johnston Sirleaf told the BBC that Mr Mandela was a constant inspiration and would never be forgotten: “Nelson Mandela lives on as his life will continue to be the guiding light for those who excel, for those who have suffered for freedom and for peace.”   Even for a female politician, the last election that brought her back to power and the way the politics of it went cannot be said to be a “guiding light for those” who want to excel in the once war-ravaged country.
Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff said Mr Mandela would “guide all those who fight for social justice and for peace in the world”.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro compared the death of Mr Mandela to the passing of the late Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chavez: “Nine months after the departure of our commander, today another giant of the people leaves this world. Madiba you will live forever!” Perish the thought.   On what basis is Maduro comparing Chavez with Mandela?   His election to power was a product of debauchery.
Cuban leader Raul Castro said he was grateful for Mr Mandela’s friendship and steadfast support of the Cuban people.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: “This is as much India’s loss as South Africa’s. He was a true Gandhian. His life and work will remain a source of eternal inspiration for The United Nations Secreatry Genera, Mr. Ban Ki Moon described him as “ a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration”.
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/in-death-mandela-pulls-joke-on-world.html

THE  former Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Prof. Festus Iyayi, was,

yesterday, buried in his country home at Ugbegun in Esan Central local government area of

 Edo State.

In a homily preached by a Catholic priest, Revd Father Peter Omijie, he urged the late lecturer’s family members and associates not to cry over his death  as they have the hope of seeing him again.
”We will on resurrection morning rejoice with him. Leaving our physical body is not the end of our lives,” Omijie said.
He admonished the people to ponder over their spiritual destiny and where they will spend their eternity.
The interment of the late professor of business administration at exactly 10.42 am was preceded by solidarity songs offered by ASUU and civil society members who came from all parts of the country.
The burial ceremony was solemn and devoid of fanfare.
The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former ASUU President, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who was among the personalities who attended the burial, described Iyayi, as one of the few Nigerians who have tremendous integrity and passion for progress and development of Nigeria as one united country”.
Jega added, “I worked very closely with Festus Iyayi. He was like a brother to me.
”He made tremendous sacrifices for the development of this country and reforms that can help ordinary Nigerians. It is a very sad losses to us especially people who have known him for a long time”.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Senator Abubakar Bagudu who represented the Senate; Professor Abhulimen Anao, former Vice Chancellor, UNIBEN; Chief Medical Director, UBTH, Prof. Michael Ibadin; ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge; Dr. Dipo Fashina, former ASUU President, Odia Ofeimu; Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo; Dr. Osagie Obayuwana and members of the UNIBEN community.
Meanwhile, Edo State government is to immortalize Iyayi.
Speaking at a reception held at the Ugbegun Grammar School, Oshiomhole said the school will be rebuilt and renamed Festus Iyayi Memorial Grammar School. He also said a water scheme will be constructed at Ugbegun and named after Iyayi to remind the people of who he was and what he fought for.
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/iyayi-buried-as-edo-renames-school.html

A policewoman committed suicide after writing a text to a male colleague thanking him for a 'wonderful' date - but accidentally sent it to her husband, an inquest heard.
PC Gail Crocker, 46, met a fellow officer while her husband Peter, 49, was away from their home near St Austell, Cornwall, on a business trip in London.
Later that evening the mother of two typed a message on her mobile saying: 'Thank you for a wonderful evening. Only wish we could do this more often'.

But Mrs Crocker sent it to her husband of 30 years by mistake, an inquest in Truro was told.
He came home and she admitted to having a 'one-off' rendezvous with a male colleague but insisted it had never happened before.
The couple rowed, and the next day Mrs Crocker called in sick from work and drove to a lane two-and-a-half miles away from her home in the village of St Stephen.  She took an overdose and was later found dead in her car.

Mr Crocker, of St Stephen, Cornwall, told the inquest his wife had begged him for forgiveness when he got back from his trip.
He said: 'I got out [of the car] and she was in floods of tears saying she was sorry. She told me it was a one-off and she had never done it before.

Mr Crocker told the hearing they rowed the following morning, saying: 'She went on and on again. My work phone rang. I was so angry I slammed it into the ground.


Gail Crocker, 46, committed suicide after sending a text meant for a man she had dated to her husband
After going to the supermarket to buy a replacement phone, Mr Crocker arrived home later that day to find his wife and her car had gone.
Mr Crocker contacted her sergeant at Bodmin Police Station who told him she had called in sick for her shift that afternoon.
He said: 'I didn't sleep at all. I didn't hear from Gail during the night.'
The following morning David Rendell and his wife, close friends of the Crockers, spotted Mrs Crocker's car in the car park at Lanjeth, a nearby village, and called her husband.

Mr Crocker discovered his wife's body in the boot next to an empty bottle of tablets, which the pathologist said caused her death, and suicide notes written to him and daughters Chloe, 22 and Gemma, 25.
Mrs Crocker, who met her husband in Plymouth when she was 15 and he was 17, first trained as a PCSO in Truro in 2003 and became a police constable in 2007.
Mr Crocker added in his statement: 'She was a people person - she would speak to anyone about anything. Being a PCSO was her perfect job.

'She was my life.  We had plans.  Nothing was worth her taking her life.  I'm lost without her.'
  - Paul Crocker, 49

'She was my life. We had plans. Nothing was worth her taking her life. I'm lost without her.'
The unnamed colleague with whom Mrs Crocker spent the evening was not required to give evidence or named at the inquest.
Returning a verdict of suicide, Coroner for Cornwall Emma Carlyon told the hearing she was satisfied that Mrs Crocker's death resulted from a deliberate act to take her own life.
At the time of her death colleagues paid tribute to the 'excellent' police officer who was based in Truro and later Bodmin.
Sector inspector Robin Hogg said: 'I have known Gail for several years and will always remember her as an excellent officer with a bright, happy and positive disposition.'
'Gail leaves a husband and two daughters who miss her deeply and are very proud of the role she carried out in the community.'

http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/12/policewoman-committed-suicide-after.html