How To Fade Stretch Marks Naturally

What are stretch marks and why do we get them?

Stretch marks are white or purple lines made of distension, which is in fact the tearing of the dermis, the versatile middle stratum that keeps the shape of the skin. The tearing is triggered by the pulling that happens with accelerated development of any kind.  Examples include weight gain, pregnancy, quick muscle growth, post-puberty growth spurts and other speedy transformations that cause the skin to lose its elasticity.

Although our skin is elastic and adaptable to many changes, stretch marks are inevitable for many. If you've been pregnant and you have them, you're in good company. About 90% of women will get them sometime after their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If your mother had stretch marks, then you're more likely to have them too, since genetics plays a role.

Are there any ways to decrease the appearance of stretch marks?

Yes! Believe it or not some of the most effective ways to get rid of your stretch marks are by using the simplest ingredients which you can easily get from the market.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup olive or almond oil
• 10-15 drops your favorite essential oil, if you need it to smell pretty (I like orange, or sandalwood for something a little more manly)

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a double boiler or small saucepan over medium heat.

Heat until everything is melted.

Pour into another bowl and let cool for a good hour (in the fridge if you're in a hurry), or until the oils are just starting to consider re-solidifying (this is important - you won't be able to whip it up if they're still too liquid).

When the oil mixture is starting to solidify around the edges, start beating with a hand mixer. Continue for a few more minutes, or until it looks kinda like whipped cream, forming stiff peaks.

Transfer to a jar or other storage. Should keep for a long while.

Note that the measurements don't need to be exact. Since I was dealing with solid oils, I just eyeballed them rather than doing water displacement and all that. It won't explode if the ratios aren't perfect.

Make sure the shea butter and coconut oil are not adulterated, apply to the affected parts 2 times daily preferably after bath.

My advice is always to take care of your skin and use the above given method daily to have glowing and healthy skin. Remember to keep yourself hydrated, drink a lot of water which will purify your skin, and keep it elastic and shine from the inside out.

Graduate Hacks Sterling Bank Lagos Island's Database, Steals N53.6M

A 31-year old graduate, Kehinde Lateef who served his one year internship with Sterling Bank Plc, Lagos Island, has been arrested for allegedly hacking the bank's database and fraudulently withdrawing the sum of N53.6 million naira from the accounts of two customers of the bank.

  

The police at Lion Building Division, Campbell Street, Lagos Island, who arrested the suspect alleged that Kehinde conspired with three others now at large to hack into the system of the bank a few days after he completed his one year service with the bank and withdrew the sum of N49.1m from one account and N4.5m from another account and escaped.

Kehinde was arrested after the management of the bank reported the money stolen.

According to PM News, a police team led by Inspector Elegbede Oluranti, after one year of manhunt for the suspected scammers, tracked down Kehinde Lateef at his residence on Ishawo Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, and arrested him, while others escaped.

Lateef was arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on a three-count charge of felony, after due investigation.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the open court and Chief Magistrate A. O. Awogboro admitted the accused on bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

Awogboro adjourned the case till 6 May, 2015, while the defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prison till he's able to fulfil the bail conditions.

Loretta Lynch Becomes First Black Female Attorney General Of The United States

The US Senate on thursday confirmed Loretta Lynch as the nation's first black female attorney general, after a highly politicized five-month delay.

  

She'll be taking over from outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder.

  

55-Year-Old Lynch has served twice as US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, with sterling records as a relentless federal prosecutor putting mobsters and terror suspects behind bars.

The daughter of a North Carolina Baptist minister father and a librarian mother, Lynch has been fascinated with the legal system since she was a child, she attended Harvard College and then Harvard Law School.

   

Loretta Lynch's father, Lorenzo A. Lynch, was in the Senate gallery watching when the historic vote took place confirming his daughter as the first African American female attorney general.

Hours before the vote, Senator Ted Cruz attacked Lynch as unfit for the position and "unwilling to impose any limits whatsoever on the authority of the president of the United States."

Despite urging colleagues to stop Lynch, Cruz, a candidate for president in 2016, was the lone senator not to vote on Lynch's confirmation, she had votes even from the opposition party.

Tonto Dikeh Dazzles In New Sexy Picture

Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh seem not bothered about the messy drama that happened yesterday, she has since moved on with her life. She posted a sexy poolside picture on Instagram this afternoon wearing a black velvet gown. Isn't shes lovely? .........She is.

Kidnapper Shot Dead While Picking N3m Ransom In Lagos

A suspected kidnapper, Niyi Omosola,(pictured after above) has been shot dead by the police in the Epe area of Lagos.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Omosola was shot dead during a rescue operation by the police to free a victim, identified simply as Kudirat. It was gathered that Omosola, while collecting the ransom, sighted the police and decided to escape on a motorcycle when the operatives fired him.

Omosola, who hailed from Ondo State, allegedly led a gang which kidnapped the woman in the

Elemoro, Ajah area.

Sixty-two-year-old Kudirat, a businesswoman, was reportedly abducted by the gang on Thursday, April 16, at about 7pm. She was inspecting the construction work at a petrol station she owned in the area when the kidnappers swooped on her and took her away.

It was gathered that the gang later contacted the family and demanded a ransom of N50m. However, after negotiation, the gang and the family agreed to a ransom of N3m.

On Wednesday Kudirat’s brother, who had been communicating with the gang, took the ransom to an agreed hideout in the Epe area.

However, a team of operatives led by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad Commander, Abba Kyari, was said to have trailed Kudirat’s brother to the hideout.

A police source said Omosola, while collecting the ransom, initially opened fire when he sighted the police.

He added that when the kingpin saw that he was outnumbered, he tried to escape on a motorcycle, leaving the policemen with no choice than to fire him.

He said:

 “The kidnappers are a notorious gang. They had conducted several operations in the area. In the latest incident, they demanded N50m initially, but when the family could not produce the amount, they finally agreed to N3m. They also arranged where the place of meeting would be in the Epe area.

The police trailed the brother, who was taking the money to Epe, where Omosola was waiting. Immediately he collected the ransom, he suspected that policemen were around and he began to shoot sporadically.

He got on a motorcycle and was riding off when he was gunned down. He did not die immediately.”

Omosola, who was injured, led the SARS operatives to a bush between Epe and Ijebu Ode, where the woman was held. When the police arrived at the hideout, his gang members had reportedly fled the place.

It was gathered that Kudirat was rescued alive by the police, while Omosola eventually died from the gunshot injuries.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said efforts were on to apprehend the remaining gang members.

He said:

“When the information was received, the operatives trailed the gang to the location. The kidnap kingpin actually fired at SARS operatives, who were carrying out the rescue operation, and they fired back. In the process, he was fatally wounded.

The woman has been rescued, while the corpse has been deposited at a public morgue. Efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.”

I Rape Women to Fight Boredom--Suspect

The police have arrested a suspected fraudster, Uchenna Ugwu, for allegedly defrauding some women and later raping them.

The 26-year-old indigene of Enugu State, while being paraded at the Awka, Anambra State office of the Department of State Service, confessed to the crime, adding that he raped his victims to fight boredom.

 It was learnt that Ugwu belonged to a syndicate, which specialised in luring ladies while pretending

to be spiritualists, defrauding and raping them. The mode of operation of the group was to lure women into their trap and initially tricked them into disclosing their ATM PIN codes. If a victim refused to comply, the group would threaten to inflict a strange ailment on her based on a spiritual power they possess.

PUNCH Metro gathered that having succeeded, the gang members would take their victim to an arranged prayer house, where she would be compelled to take an oath never to disclose her experience to anyone.

The victim would then be raped on the pretext of making a charm for her.

This was how Ugwu and his group operated in Asaba, Delta State, and Obosi, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State for a long time, before luck ran out on Ugwu.

He was arrested by the DSS based on petitions from some of the victims.

Ugwu, who said he stopped his education at primary six due to financial constraint, said he turned to crime to survive. He said:

 “I joined this business to fight boredom because my former work was not going on fine and had shut down. My parents, who are still alive, are poor and because they cannot sponsor my education, I had to stop at primary six.”

Ugwu, while begging for forgiveness, said he was a changed man.

“I have suffered a lot in the hands of these people (DSS) and I promise not to indulge in this act again in my life; this is a lesson to every young man that doing evil is not the best,” he said.

A lady, who said she was a victim, told PUNCH Metro she believed she was hypnotised. She said:

“I believe he used a charm on me. He told me if anybody heard about what happened, I would not live to tell the story. To be sincere, I did not know what I was doing. I lost my sense of reasoning during the process until after he raped me.” The Director of DSS, Alex Okeiyi, said the antics of the hoodlums were many, warning members of the public, especially females, to be cautious. Okeiyi said: “It is noteworthy that since agencies in the state with the support of the government kept kidnappers and armed robbers in check, undesirable elements resorted to fraudulent practices including rape.”

Gen. Buhari Relocates To Highly Guarded Defence House In Maitama, Abuja

President Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has relocated to the Defence House in the Maitama area of Abuja metropolis where he now operates temporarily.

According to TheNation, Buhari, who returned to Abuja from Kaduna on Monday to hold talks with Ivorian President Alassane Quattara at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, has been receiving guests at the Defence House since Tuesday.

 He spent the better part of Tuesday and Wednesday receiving guests at the Defence House located

opposite the Legacy House which serves as the campaign headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party.

When The Nation visited the place, a horde of security operatives were seen on guard while visitors were properly screened before being allowed into the premises.

It was also observed that the building was wearing a new look, a clear indication that it was recently renovated.

Buhari, who was declared winner of the 2015 presidential election, was operating from his private residence in the Asokoro area of Abuja before leaving the FCT for Daura where he took part in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

He spent an extra one week in Daura receiving guests, both local and foreign before leaving for Kaduna where he received another set of guests including former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

On Tuesday, the President elect played host to the ECOWAS chairman and President of Ghana, John Mahama at the Defence House before leaving for his campaign headquarters where he received a delegation from Kogi and Kwara States.

The Spokesman of the All Progressive Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu, told The Nation that the Defence House has been made available to the President elect for his official engagements.

“Yes, the Defence House was handed over a few days ago after its renovation,” Shehu said in a text message when asked if the Defence House is now the operational base of the President elect.

'Grey's Anatomy' Kills Off Major Character

Spoiler alert! Patrick Dempsey's character on Grey's Anatomy was killed off in Thursday night's episode, and now fans are mourning the death of Mr. McDreamy

"I'll be back before you know it," said hunky Dr. Derek Shepherd, flashing a smile as he walked away from wife Meredith Grey at the start of Thursday's Grey's Anatomy episode.

But now we know: He won't be back! Patrick Dempsey's character was killed off.

The episode, written by series creator Shonda Rhimes, opened with Derek  witnessing a horrible car crash and tending to all the injured people on the scene. He got a chance to utter that thing he says: "It's a great day to save lives."

He wasn't injured in the crash.

Just as he was pulling away from the scene. He heard his cellphone buzzing as he turned into the road. He stopped to get it out from between the seats and — BAM! — a semi crashed into him.

Dr. Shepherd wound up in an unknown hospital, bloody and bandaged. We heard him narrate his own (botched) care as he lay on the gurney in the operating room. And then we saw the police telling Meredith there had been an accident. She makes her way to the hospital and finds out he's on life support. The neurosurgeon is brain dead.

Without consulting anyone, and all alone, Meredith signs the papers to end his life. "Derek," she says, touching his cheek. "You go."

In the final moments, she stands by his side remembering their wonderful moments, as his pulse stops.

  

The episode, the first written by Rhimes since the Season 8 finale in which series regulars Chyler Leigh (Lexie) and Kim Raver (Teddy) were written out, was spoiled earlier in the day for some subscribers of Entertainment Weekly, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The magazine arrives on newsstands on Fridays, but in home mailboxes for some a day earlier. This week's edition featured a Grey's Anatomy story all about the episode, prompting EW to issue an apology.

Fan favorite Dempsey, who has been on the show from the beginning, still has a year remaining on his contract. He and Pompeo both signed two-year deals in January 2014 that would have kept  the couple on Grey's through the 2015-16 season.

ABC has scheduled a two-hour block of Grey's for next week.

Have You Seen Rita Dominic's Make-Up Free Face ???

Nollywood Actress, Rita Dominic took a selfie while she was waiting to film and shares it on IG. She looks Stunningly beautiful without putting on make-up.

Police Release Orekoya Kidnappers’ Maid

Detained housemaid of the suspected kidnappers of the Orekoya kids has been released by the police.

Henrietta Otobo (16) was released to her parents, Mr and Mrs Anthony Otobo, at the Lagos Police Command in Ikeja yesterday.

The Orekoya kids -Adedamola, Ademola and Aderomola- were allegedly kidnapped by their nanny, Funmilayo Adeyemi aka Mary Akinloye who Henrietta works for as maid.

The command spokesman, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said she was released to show that the police were only interested in justice.

Nwosu said Henrietta’s parents, came from Delta State to identify and reunite with their daughter.

Mr Otobo, a chartered accountant, told reporters that he learnt that Henrietta got missing last November 12 from her younger brother, Emmanuel.

He said: “I live in a duplex and my kids occupy the rooms downstairs. So when Emmanuel came that his sister was missing, I ran outside searching for her only to discover that the four doors leading to the gate were open.  The following day, I went to the nearest police station in Delta State and reported a case of a missing child. On our own we searched every other place that we felt she could have gone to without success.

“I was shocked when on April 17; I saw her face on one of the national dailies. I was thankful to God that she is alive”

Confronted with Henrietta’s claim that he did not allow her to pursue her dream, Otobo said he only heard about that when he saw her at the police command.

“I am a professional accountant. I can never stop her from taking to her life ambition to be an actress. If she wants to be an actress it is okay with me. I don't think I will deny her such ambition if that is her destiny. I bought that phone for her and her siblings. I am going to do more for her. Even the JAMB she took, she passed and got admission from Delta State Polytechnic.”

Mrs Rosemary Otobo said Henrietta’s disappearance was a surprise “because we do not normally have visitors in our house. She does not have friends. We did not know where to start looking for her. We checked the motor park, relations’ houses with no sign of her.

“The following morning we went to the police station and reported. We gave them her photograph and it was flashed on Delta State Television without any positive result. We left everything in the hands of God.

“Sometimes, I kept hearing her voice and I continued to pray. When I asked her daddy, he said it’s a sign of desperation, he told me she will return home soon. She has never been offended, she never lacked love. We used to give her whatever she wanted or stood for. She is the last child of my five children.”

Henrietta said the desire for freedom made her left home.

“My parents gave me everything I needed; I only wanted to be on my own. I wanted freedom. I did not want to depend on anybody that was why I went in search of job, unfortunately I fell into the hands of kidnappers. I took the job to work as a maid and they agreed to pay me N10, 000 monthly. I did not know that they were kidnappers till we were arrested,” she said.

Nwosu said efforts were being intensified to get others involved in the Orekoya kids’ kidnap saga.

Kylie Jenner & Tyga Over? Blac Chyna Shares Tyga's Text Messages

After all the shade Blac Chyna has been throwing at Kylie,Tyga decided to step in yesterday, writing on twitter "Give it up.Get over it.Live your life."

He then stepped out with Kylie.

An infuriated Chya decided to put him on full blast, releasing text messages he sent to her ,telling her he wanted them to be a family again and wants to be in a relationship.

The texts are very recent, on the same day she made fun of Kylie's lips.

This explains why she was bold enough to start shading Kylie because,Tyga has been probably telling her stories men tell.

Reminisce Shows Off His Baby Mama & Boo Of 13 Years

This beautiful lady  is the mother of  Reminisce's daughter, she has been in a relationship with him for 13 good years.

To celebrate her birthday, he decided to unveil her.

HBD to my Wife/Baby Momma/My surest G for the last 13years.#IyaHafusa.

Regards calling her his wife,there were rumours they got married early last year, but in August 2014 he told Punch , “Yes, we live together. But we have issues with commitment. I think we are not ready for marriage yet. We will formalize things when the right time comes. I am still planning my future because I am not going to be a musician forever. I will quit music, maybe after a decade.

They are cute together....Baba Afusa.....put a ring on it.

Joke Of The Day........Laugh

Here is today's joke of the day to lighten your mood and ease the stress of the day......Enjoy

A married couple are out one night at a dance club. 

There’s a guy on the dance floor giving it large: break dancing, moon walking, back flips, the works.

The wife turns to her husband and says, "See that guy? Twenty years ago he proposed to me and I turned him down."

The husband says, "Looks like he’s still celebrating!"

Funke Akindele Shares Door-To-Door Visit Photos.

Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele popularly known as Jenifer took to instagram to share pictures from her door-to-door campaign for Omo fast action. See more pictures below...

Nice outfit thou.....

Bruce Jenner Began Transgender Journey in 1980s, Then Stopped After Meeting Kris Jenner

         

  

ET has exclusive new information about when Bruce Jenner began his gender transition.

A source with direct knowledge told ET that Jenner talked about transitioning 30 years ago, and that by the mid-1980s Jenner had started hormone therapy, electrolysis and had plastic surgery to make his features look more feminine. Jenner found his own facial hair to be repulsive, the source told ET.

The pioneer transgender tennis player Renee Richard's 1983 autobiography, Second Serve, had a major influence on Jenner, according to the source. In 1986, the book was made into a TV movie starring Vanessa Redgraves that opened to critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination.

The source told ET that it was around this time when Jenner began exploring the option of reassignment surgery with doctors in Denmark -- but that he backed off shortly after he started seeing Kris Kardashian Jenner.

The Olympic gold medalist had breast reduction surgery and halted hormone injections, the source said. According to Jenner's 1996 self-help book Finding the Champion Within, Bruce and Kris first met in September 1990, quickly became engaged and then wed in April 1991.

Today, Dr. Phil praised Jenner for his courage.

"I am so happy for him," Dr. Phil told ET. "This is his body and his life, and he needs to do what he wants to do. It drains your spirit if you can't be yourself. He is freeing himself."

This comes as Jenner's 20/20 special with Diane Sawyer airs Friday, April 24, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. So far, the promos for the interview have been vague, but according to the Associated Press, this is intentional, as potentially "outing" a public figure as transgender before the person has a chance to publicly address the topic themselves is frowned upon.

ETOnline

Demi Lovato Tried The Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge: ‘I Look Stupid… She Looks Great!’

The “Kylie Jenner Challenge” is taking over!

Demi Lovato is the latest gal to attempt rocking Kylie Jenner’s signature plumped-pout look.

In a new interview with Shazam, the 22-year-old admits she got in on the Kylie lip craze – but it didn't quite pan out as planned.

"Oh my God, I totally have," she answered when asked if she has tried out the now-famous look. "I look stupid!"

While Demi isn't a fan of the full-lipped style on herself, the “Heart Attack” singer thinks the 17-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians starlet looks fab!

                

“She looks great,” Demi said. “I don't know how she can do it, but I draw lips on and I'm like ‘what?’ I look ridiculous.”

But Demi isn't the only one who has experimented with a plumper lip style.

Kylie fans all over the world have been participating in the “Kylie Jenner Challenge” in an attempt to make their mouths as luscious-looking as hers – even going so far as to suck on a bottle or shot glass. The dangerous tactic has led to bruising on many Kylie emulators, promoting the reality star to tweet about the controversial beauty method.

'Samurai Ghost': Photo Shows Mysterious Boots Behind Girl

This photo of a four-year-old girl on a beach in Zushi, Japan, seems innocent until you look closely behind her legs and back.

A closer look appears to reveal a mysterious pair of boots and part of a blue shirt peeking out from behind her

The photo, which was uploaded to Reddit by a friend of the girl's father, is making the rounds on Internet. Many are speculating the photo shows a Samurai ghost because the beach the girl and her dad were on was across a samurai graveyard.

"My daughter thinks the whole thing is just so funny," Martin Springall, who took the photo said  "she thinks it's a ghost, but not a scary ghost -- a nice one."

Springall said the photo was taken on July 6, 2014 during a weekend trip to the beach. He added his family now lives in Toronto, Canada, but had been living in Tokyo at the time.

"I took a few pictures, and when I was looking through them at night, I noticed what appeared to be a pair of boots behind her in one of the photos," he said. "I took several of her in the same spot, but only one had the boots."

Springall said he freaked out, and he later showed the photo to his friend Brian Publicover during a camping trip in Japan in August.

Publicover put it up on Reddit's "Ghosts" subreddit, and theories poured in.

"Some thought it could be the ghost of a World War II sailor," Springall said.

He added the photo is "completely legitimate" and not retouched in any way.

"My daughter is really shy, and she wouldn't have taken a picture if there was someone standing behind her, which I would have definitely noticed," Springall said.

Police Hunt Killers Of Jogger In Lagos

Detectives at the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Lagos State, are on the trail of killers of a jogger who was murdered in the Morogbo, Badagry area of Lagos State.

The yet-to-be-identified victim was stabbed in the stomach and jaw.

His corpse was said to have been abandoned in a bush near Igborosun village.

A 50-year-old pastor, Stephen Hensu, alerted policemen from the Morogbo division to the incident.

Hensu heads the Celestial Church of Christ, Okiki Imole branch, Badagry.

The cleric, in his statement to the police, said he was at a church meeting when his wife called him on the telephone and told him that a corpse had been dumped in their area.

He said, “On the day of the incident, February 26, 2015 around 9am, I left my church for a meeting of the shepherds at Araromi.

“While I was there, I received a phone call from my wife informing me that some people coming from Igborosun village saw a corpse in a bush in our area.”

He said around 11am, he left the meeting for the police station to inform the police.

Hensu, a Badagry, Lagos State indigene, said he did not know how the victim was killed, adding that the corpse was not there when he passed the area in the morning.

It was learnt that the police spoke with people living around the area in a bid to find the relatives of the victim.

Their efforts were said to be abortive.

A police source said that initial investigation suggested that the deceased was killed by people known to him.

The source said, “Looking at the corpse shows that the man was a sportsman and he was out jogging that morning when he was attacked and killed.

“He was killed and his corpse dumped in the bush.

“He had deep cuts in his jaw and stomach. Nobody knows his name and none of his family members has come forward to identify him, which will help us in investigations.”

It was learnt that the remains of the victim had been deposited in a mortuary in Badagry.

Gunmen Kill Policeman In Benue

Some yet-to-be identified gunmen on Wednesday shot and killed an Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Baba Ibrahim.

Ibrahim was killed in the Kastina/Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, where he had gone on a special assignment on cattle rustling.

The spokesman for the Benue State Police Command, Austin Ezeani, said the murdered ASP was on a special assignment from Abuja.

Ezeani said, “ASP Ibrahim was brought in from Abuja to lead a team of other officers to unravel the mystery surrounding cattle rustling in the state.

 “The late police officer was with his men and were about to enter the main motor park in the town when some assailants, who were in a red Toyota car, drove into the area and started shooting sporadically.”

He explained that Ibrahim was hit and was taken to an undisclosed hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

He added that other cops with him were being treated for gunshot injuries.

Ezeani said the command would deploy available resources at its disposal to trail the assailants no matter how long it would take.

He said, “It is regrettable that firearms are now in the hands of the criminals who will continue to kill innocent people at will.”

FAAN Stops Arik Flights From Abuja

Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka

Hundreds of Arik Air passengers were left stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday as a result of a disagreement between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the airline.

It was learnt that FAAN stopped the domestic carrier from carrying out its operations at the airport due to issues of indebtedness.

Although the airline refuted the claim by the agency, our correspondent gathered that the disagreement was manifested at the domestic wing of the airport when officials of FAAN disrupted Arik Air’s flight operations.

Sources at the airport stated that the feud between both organisations lasted for hours as the largest indigenous airline in the country was stopped from operating till around 5pm.

A source at the airport said, “Many passengers were left stranded at the terminal and they were passengers of Arik Air. Other airlines were allowed to fly but Arik was stopped.

“They only started operating from around 4.30pm. They have long standing issues with FAAN and it has to do with their indebtedness.”

Arik Air confirmed in a statement that officials of FAAN on Thursday morning disrupted its operations at the Abuja airport.

According to the airline, its employees were denied access to their duty posts, making it impossible to process passengers for departure from Abuja.

It said, “The latest action may not be unconnected with allegation of debt that FAAN claimed Arik Air owed. The airline has described the debt figure by the agency as fictitious and malicious.

“Arik Air insists that it does not owe FAAN any money since the agency’s charges are paid in advance (pay-as-you-go basis). This has been the practice for over two years when all the aviation agencies introduced pay-as-you-go for their services. The bogus debt claim by FAAN is, therefore, unacceptable to Arik Air.”

The airline claimed that the Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka had earlier stepped into the lingering debt issue and had directed that a firm of auditors be engaged to reconcile the books.

“This process has not been concluded before the latest action by FAAN this Thursday morning,” it said.

It went on to state that since about 10:50am when the Minister of Aviation directed the FAAN managing director to allow Arik Air access into the terminal, the directive had yet to be complied with by FAAN.

The airline apologised for “the inconvenience the FAAN action may have caused its esteemed guests. The management of Arik Air is taking steps to guard against this kind of action in the future.”

After 5 Years In Prison, Court Acquits Policeman Of Murder Charge

A 34-year-old  Police Constable, Paul Ogbeh, was yesterday discharged and acquitted  by a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere over a murder charge.

Ogbeh was said to have murdered men alleged to be armed robbers, while on police patrol after receiving a distress call.

He was discharged by Justice Olabisi Akinlade after she found him not guilty of the two counts of first degree murder on the basis of lack of sufficient evidence by the prosecution.

Akinlade said: “The defendant was performing his lawful duty on the day of the incident. The prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The prosecution did not tender any post-mortem or medical report in the death of the deceased, no ballistics report was tendered by the prosecution and there was also failure by the prosecution to produce eyewitnesses.

“All these lapses in the prosecution’s case have created doubt in the eyes of the court. The prosecution has failed to create any direct or circumstantial evidence linking the defendant  to the death of the two deceased.

“The defendant is, hereby, discharged and acquitted of the two-count charge of murder against him.”

Immediately, Ogbeh made the sign of the cross, raised his hands in praises to God and thanked the judge before leaving the dock, wiping tears from his eyes.

Ogbeh, who has been dismissed by the Police, said “I feel happy because I held onto my God since day one of my incarceration because the murders happened while I was performing my lawful duties.

“While I was in prison, I enrolled with the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, to study Criminology and Security Studies and I intend to complete my education,” he added, tightly clutching a copy of The Prisoner’s Bible.

Ogbeh, who was a Police Constable attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, was charged with the murder of robbery suspects, Abiodun Awe and Nelson Obeto at Ikorodu, when his team responded to a distress call in 2010.

Today's Newspaper Headlines : Friday, April 24, 2015

Have you read the newspaper headlines this morning? Oya read headlines from selected newspapers, sorry it's coming a little bit late, been under the weather. 

THE PUNCH

• 103 Nigerian products rejected abroad 'FG
• Transcorp subsidiary to begin farming in Benue
• Seven Energy supplies gas to Calabar power plant
• DFIs: NCP approves bid opening for transaction advisers
• LCCI faults CPC's product registration moves
• Industrialist opposes incentives for raw material exporters
• BoI to bridge technology gap in manufacturing sector
• SON inaugurates laboratories to boost exports
• Reps raise 2015 budget by N134.5bn, pass N4.4tn
• NACCIMA calls for single-digit interest rate
• Roadside trading booms as Oyingbo market remains shut
• N6.5tn tax revenue overstated ' Expert
• Dangote sponsors Kaduna trade fair
• Planning for your child's education
• Oil crash: Nigeria may lose N2tn this year
• Non-oil sectors'll boost bank lending in Nigeria ' Fitch
• Nigerian shareholders to be paid in dollars ' Seplat
• Ways to disrupt a dying industry
• FAAN stops Arik flights from Abuja
• FCMB gets approval to pay 25k dividend
• Suswam backs Akume for Senate President
• New IG visits Jonathan, warns troublemakers
• NLC holds parallel congresses in Kaduna, Kwara, Edo
• CJ sets up panel to investigate Mimiko's deputy
• Hold elite responsible
• AU organ wants creation of United States of Africa
• SERAP drags S'Africa to International Criminal Court
• Attacks disrespect African brotherhood 'Ekweremadu
• AIbom: Were not afraid of tribunal, says PDP
• I know nothing about Aba coffins, says Ikpeazu
• APC leaders deny plot to remove Ajomale
• Oil subsidy removal, booby trap for Buhari Bamidele
• Buharis victory like MKOs Abiolas daughter
• My life is in danger Abia REC
• SEast deserves to produce speaker
• I’ll give account of my stewardship Jang
• INEC ad hoc workers on the run
• Focus on power, NCP tells president-elect
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• Lee Kuan Yew: Lessons from true transformational leader
• One battle Buhari must begin and wage fast
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• Will Buhari reform the unreformable
• Omokri, Okupe seeking new selling points
• African growth and ICT
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• NNPC has started refunding unremitted $1.48bn Alison-Madueke

THISDAY

• Tinubu, an Asset and Liability
• Family, Football Are Ambodes Getaway
• Independence Day Bomb Blasts: Court Admits Exhibits
• House again Suspends PRESSID Awards
• NLC Urges Buhari to Ensure Improved Power Reform
• Again, All Eyes on INEC
• House Passes 2015 Budget
• Clean Environment Prevents Asthma
• Nigeria Can Earn $400bn Annually from Farm Produce Export
• Cargo Dwell Time Drops to Three Days
• NAHCO, Sokoto Govt to Partner on Development
• FAAN Advocates Collaboration Among African Airports
• NIHOTOUR Boss: Tourism Remains Major Driving Force for Poverty Alleviation
• Discovery to Resume Flight Operations after NCAA Suspension
• Med-View, First Bank Partner to Develop On-line Payment
• NAAPE Urges Buhari to Address Domination of Foreign Carriers
• Akobundu Lauds Navy for Protecting Nation's Economic Assets
• Navy Embarks on Fleet Recapitalisation, Signs agreement with PRINVEST
• NLNG to Take Delivery of Six Vessels, Trains 600 Nigerians
• Customs Nets N61.7 b in 3 Months at Tin Can Island Port
• How Muazu, NWC Members Survived Plot to Oust Them
• Emulate Jonathan, Mu'azu Tells APC in Taraba
• Stop Making Anti-democratic Utterances, LP Tells APC
• Otti Woos APC over Abia Election Re-run
• APC Again, Puts Zoning Structure On Hold
• World Malaria Day: ExxonMobil Partners YEDI against Malaria
• Privatisation: FG Approves Bid Opening for Transaction Advisers for BOI, BOA, NCX
• Fitch: Nigerian Banks, Others to Withstand Commodities' Price Fall
• Seplat Clarifies Dividend Policy for Nigerian Shareholders
• BOI Boosts Businesses in S'West with N18bn Facility
• Moody's Assigns 'Stable Outlook' Rating to AFC
• Stock Market Down 0.10% as Weak Sentiment Persists
• Delivering the Promise
• Playing Safe with Your Food
• Sir Olaniwun Celebrates 90 Years with New Book
• How Mu'azu, NWC Members Survived Plot to Oust Them
• Landmines Force Troops to Retreat from Sambisa as Boko Haram Regroups
• Xenophobia: Nigeria, S'Africa Sign Peace Accord
• Jonathan's Departure Worries Nollywood
• Nigerian Mother and Son Unlawfully Deported Return to UK
• Constitution: Allow Supreme Court to Determine Legality of Amendments, FG Tells N'Assembly
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• Again, APC Puts Zoning of Political Offices on Hold
• House Passes N4.493tn Budget
• FG, Buhari Inauguration C'ttees Unfold Hand-over Plans
• NACCIMA Laments Nigeria's Declining Foreign Reserves
• Impeachment: Ondo Chief Judge Sets Up Panel to Investigate Deputy Governor
• Fayose, NLC President: Ekiti Impeachment Crisis Blown out of Proportion

VANGUARD

• Buhari, Mark Meet in Abuja, What Did They Discuss
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• Xenophobia: Discrimination a Daily Struggle for Immigrants in S.Africa (Must Read)
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• Zoning of N-Assembly offices: APC meeting ends in deadlock
• Enugu Assembly probes Chime, orders AG to submit account
• Imo PDP calls for cancellation of April 11 polls
• Xenophobic attacks: SERAP drags S-Africa to ICC
• Nigeria must build inclusive political, economic institutions 'Expert
• Edo Police quiz traditional ruler over police rifle in his bedroom
• N40 pump fuel price is my figure, not Buhari's, says David-West
• Abia re-run: Caskets litter Aba to instil fear in voters
• Reps cut off funding for fuel subsidy in 2015 budget
• xenophobic attacks: AFBA vows to drag S-African govt before UN Security Council
• Randy robber set ablaze in Aba
• Mr. President won't sign
• Senate President: The contentions and candidates
• Akwa Ibom: Why you shouldn't believe all the lies ' Aniekan Umana
• Our plans for Ndigbo, others in Lagos APC ' Segun Idris
• Nigeria is structurally defective ' Chukwudum
• May 29 handover: Buhari supporters invade Abuja
• Agrofood Fair'll contribute to food diversity, safety 'Martin Maerz
• Govt borrowing distorting the economy ' LCCI
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• 50 schools register for Lagos Athletics Relays
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• South Africa's xenophobic hysteria
• Nigerian Judiciary: Most needed, most neglected

Dencia Defends Luxury Shopper That Tonto Dikeh Refused To Pay

Yesterday, one of the messiest dramas on Nigeria Instagram happened! A 23 year old luxury personal shopper, Pearl Chuks boldly took to Instagram to slam and call out Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh because according to her, Tonto collected some items from her worth N192k and totally refused to pay. Lots of people cursed her out, telling her how much she has ruined her business but the young lady isn't backing down.

Pearl said she had sold Tonto Dikeh some luxury bags and instead, Tonto gave her cheque that bounced and when she tried reaching out to Tonto on Instagram over it, Tonto blocked her. Tonto on her own side of the story said out of pity she had tried patronizing Pearl but when she found out the bags were fake, she told Pearl to come collect her stuff that she wasn't buying.

Well, Dencia is now involved and wants the world to know that Pearl is legit. That she, Dencia personally sends @pumpsberry Authentic Designer things from LA & she keeps it 100 with clients. Dencia added that she hates it when people  know the truth but try to vilify others because of their platform. Tweets continue after the cut.

Meanwhile, Pearl also has a word for Tonto's voltrons who believed Tonto didn't know the bags were fake. Pearl says Tonto knew they were fake cos she did offer Tonto Authentic Gucci & Versace bags but Tonto said she didn't want them. Her posts are all after the cut.

Pearl says Tonto knew the bags were fake:

Tonto's reply: