IMELDA MARCOS, PHILIPPINES SHOE LADY, LOOKING GORGEOUS AT 83!

She recently celebrated her 83 years of earthly sojourn; the lady whose love for her feet led her to the ends of the earth to acquire all manner of supple leather coverings for them. At one point and the last count, she had about 3000 pairs of shoes, costing so many cows, lizards, alligators, ostrich and snakes their lives? She was Philippines First Lady during the hey days of her dictator-husband, Ferdinand Marcos' rule of Iron? She if former Philippines first lady, Imelda Marcos!

But we are here not to chastise her for what she represented then, but to wish her a happy birthday! Admitted this birthday greetings appears somewhat belated, but please Imelda, accept it for what it is, - a good-old birthday wish! We also pray that almighty God protect you to celebrate many more happy returns.

Icheoku says, you are still looking as elegant, sophisticated, urbane, beautiful and radiant as ever; and 25 years after being forced out of office with your husband in 1986 by the People Power movement of late Corazino Aquino. Icheoku says further, if Imelda Marcos is a mirror of what being 80-plus looks like, then we change our mind, we no longer want to die earlier and will now make another wish to live past 90? Once again, congratulation former First Lady for this milestone.

WILLIAM JEFFERSON, HEADS TO THE SLAMMER!

Former Louisiana congressman and the man who put the term cold-cash into practice, literally speaking, is finally headed to prison. William Jefferson, 62, who represented Louisiana New Orleans 2nd District for more than 18 years, was convicted on 11 of 16 counts charge, including bribery, racketeering and money laundering; in a case in which federal agents found $90,000 cash stuffed in his freezer. He was accused of accepting more than $400,000 in bribes and seeking millions more in exchange for brokering business deals in Africa.

Jefferson who has been under investigation since March 2005, had his Washington home searched by FBI agents in August 2005; wherein they found, wrapped in foils and hidden in boxes of frozen pie crust in his freezer, a stash of cash totalling $90,000! A case of cold cash brought to live, one may say? Icheoku says, for freezing out Benjamins, a 17th count of "intentionally causing hypothermia to Benji" should have been added to his charges? It is heartless to keep Benjamins in sub-zero temperature and for that long; as a Benjamin is happier when crisp, minty, and spendable but not stashed in a cold freezer! William Jefferson will be sentenced on October 30, 2009 and could spend whatever is left of his natural life, caged in prison.

According to one observer, "no person, not even a congressman, is above the law;" to which Icheoku says, except that person is such a congressman in a place like Nigeria. A country where certain people are beyond reproach and above the law; including the alleged partner-in-crime of William Jefferson's bribery, former Nigeria's Vice President Abubakar Atiku?

If William Jefferson were to be a Nigerian in high office, he would have been celebrated by some for getting his share of the national cake, and scolded by others for not taking enough and for so little? If in doubt, recall Halliburton's $180 million dollars bribery to Nigerian government officials as well as the SIEMENS $12 million dollars bribery to a few individuals including Senator Jubril Aminu, chairman Nigeria Senate Foreign Relations committee?

To William Jefferson, Icheoku says, you are a disgrace to your family, constituency, State of Louisiana, the politicial class and the United States Congress! Have a nice stay at the big house.

PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJADI, TIME FOR THE WORLD TO MOVE ON!

In November 2000 the world waited for the United States of America to implode over an election which many considered was rigged in Florida in favor of President George Walker Bush? But as soon as January 20, 2001 came and GW was inaugurated, American people accepted him as president and advised the world accordingly; and the rest became history.

In the same token of fate, Icheoku says, the world should now officially recognised President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the "legitimate" president of the Islamic Republic of Iranian and put the contested June 12, 2009 election behind them. The people of Iran went to the polls, there was an election result, which the duly constituted authorities in Tehran recognised, there was a waiting period during which time their own version of election challenges were conducted, then their supreme leader affirmed the mandate, culminating to the swearing in of today? So, what is the world waiting for to recognise a president of Iran, chosen by Iranians for Iranians? It does not have to be all Iranians, since democracy does not require a 100% win but a majority win, and someone was so declared a winner; even if not within all reasonable projections! So what the heck if the opposition cried out foul?

As to who rules Iran is the prerogative of the Iranian people; a purely internal affairs of theirs and nothing more? We and the rest of the world can only nudge them towards a more transparent elections but not dictate to them what happens in their polity. We have tried as much as is permissible in international relations and as we can possibly try, so anybody expecting a contrary outcome is simply delusional and not realistic of the peculiarity of the Iranian republic. The world should now join the Iranian people in accepting what fate has bestowed on them, and pray that it will not be another four years of acerbic rhetoric! Luckily, there is an apparently working 'transfer of power', a sort of an Islamic brand of democracy, in Iran; so within the next four years, Mahmoud will become another ex-president and a new page can be turned by the Iranians if they so chose. But in fairness to Iranians, at least they transfer powers periodically, unlike some of the other Islamic enclaves in that nook of the world with life presidents and family hereditary ruler-ships? And just like the 2000 Bush election debacle and everything about Bush presidency is now over and the world did not fall apart; very soon within the next four years, Mahmoud's presidency will also become history. Four more years of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calling shots, as allowed him by their Supreme leader, in Tehran will not kill anyone, so let him be recognised as the president of Iran!

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in for a second term as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran on August 5, 2009. The presidential oath-taking ceremony in the parliament capped a process which started two months ago with their June 12, 2009 "elections". Icheoku hereby wish him well and urge the Iranian people to sheath their sword of protest to avoid further 'Neda Soltanis of Iran' from unnecessarily spilling their blood in the streets of Tehran protesting some die-hards who will never bulge. The people of Iran have outlived several presidents in the past including kings and will certainly outlive the present; thereafter they can always chose whomever they prefer to lead them. The Iranians should heed their president's advise and put aside their differences and "join hands" with him to approach a world waiting for their decision on their nuclear ambition as well as other burning issues affecting the middle east. They should start cooperating more with the rest of world as reasonable partners of peace; and cease and desist from ratcheting up the decibels unnecessarily. Further, they should seize the moment and take up President Barack Obama on his offer for meaningful dialogue towards normalising relationship between Tehran and Washington and the rest of the world. Just like the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton rightly surmised, "we take the reality that the person who was inaugurated today will be considered the president", Icheoku says, Madam Secretary was right on the money and playing the ostrich will not change what is done as the Islamic Republic of Iran has a president for the next four years named Ahmadinejad!

Finally, Icheoku says, it is time for everyone involved to move on, as the Iranian people have chosen their president and he has been sworn in. President Ahmadinejad is the president of Iran for the next four years, except he is impeached, removed, resigned, incapacitated or other causes makes him unavailable to continue to function as one. Any contrary view is foolhardy and a life in an euphoric eldorado of wishful thinking, where make-beliefs strangely turn into reality in the recesses of the deranged thinker's mind. Who wants to be in that cubicle of thought, definitely not Icheoku! Lastly, lest we forget, as between Mahmoud Ahmadinejadi and his prime challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi there is no real difference; their only difference is the nomenclature of six and half a dozen! Moussavi was one of the leaders of the 1979 Iranian Isalmic revolution wherein-after he emerged president when Mahmoud was still a fledgling student. So assuming both men are placed on a pedestal to be judged as evil, Icheoku asks, which of them will be the greater evil, but the evil father himself, Mousavi? So whether Mahmoud or Moussavi does not make any difference, not then and not now; so the world must move on and recognise an Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who Iranians have chosen and sworn in as their president for the next four years, period!

PAULA ABDUL, LOSES THE CAT FIGHT IN AMERICAN IDOL?

Any one who did not see it coming was either not paying enough attention or is not versed in the ways of women, - they just don't get along!

As soon as a second female, Kara DioGuardi was incorporated as the fourth judge in American Idol, Icheoku predicted that the days of the show is probably numbered? Better still, that the quest for attention between these two women will tear the show apart; and that they are even likely to engage in a public cat-fight on national television? However the tension did not boil over on the grand scale predicted; as the face-off is now over with a vanquished Paula Abdul gone! In the battle of 'American Idol' female judges, Paula Abdul has lost out!

Our tearful Paula Abdul whose penchants for theatrics and random tearful outbursts has led many to insinuate that she is perpetually under the influence? The petite lady can no longer take it or continue to stomach sharing the American Idol's limelight with a rival female. The attention hitherto exclusively enjoyed by the diva herself, as the America Idol female judge, sandwiched between two men of substance and watched by millions all over the world is not for sharing with anyone, including DioGuardi? So her gauntlet was either she goes or I go, and the honchos at Fox Network called her bluff and the rest is now history!

Paula Abdul is first of all a woman and women wants it all for themselves and only for themselves! This is the underlying reason there are usually cat fights and families tear apart as soon as a woman steps therein either as a wife or a girl-friend to any one of the boys of the house. It is in their nature and nobody can do anything about it but just learn to deal with it. So next year, when you tune to your popular American Idol, you will be watching a panel of judges without the tearful and sometimes rambling Paula Abdul, judging the musical stars wanna-be's! Shall we we miss her, you bet as her incoherent all over the map assessment of the contestants adds some theatre to the whole American Idol experience. Will DioGuardi be loathed, probably, as she will be seen as the woman who forced Paula Abdul off the show and Paula's fans including Icheoku will take a very very long time taking to her or an American Idol without the Paula Abdul flavor.

We think that Fox made a huge mistake by letting Paula go for an unknown quantum DioGuardi whose contribution to the show is yet to be seen and has so far, defied every attempt at grasping. Will Simon Cowell stay on or equally throw the towel in support of Paula? What about the fans' doug, Randy Jackson? Icheoku says American Idol is Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson plus the wanna-bes and not a million DioGuardis will adequately fill the gap or supply the now missing link of our dear Paula. We may no longer be watching, as American Idol will not be the same without the ever hallucinatory Paula Abdul, to talk about the day after the epochal Tuesdays.

According to a release, Fox Television said "American Idol judge Paula Abdul has decided to quit the hit talent show"? Icheoku asks was she pushed or did she jump on her own because of DioGuardi? Icheoku believes that she was forced as her twitter message suggests when she twittered that it is "with sadness in my heart," that I decided not to return to the show"? Who leaves a show with such rating with sadness if voluntarily? Further, not only will Fox be 'saddened' by their decision to let Paula go, but their bottom line will be affected as many fans will tune off by reason of this fatal mistake. What happens when fans tune off, advertisers will pull their money and the unravelling goes from there.

We love Paula and seeing her go because of DioGuardia breaks our heart. So please Fox, fire a thousand DioGuardi and bring our Paula back as she makes Simon Cowell human and brings out the man in Randy; but as for DioGuardi, except for her stripping on stage to flaunt her very smoking hot body, she has not bonded with the other judges nor the watching audience. Please, please, Fox Network, Icheoku says, please bring Paula Abdul back, as American Idol cannot be the same without her ever shimmering face; and she helped the show run a terrific eight seasons!

NORTH KOREA, DIPLOMACY STILL WORKS!

As former President Bill Clinton secures the release of the two jailed United States journalists from North Korea, Icheoku says, diplomacy still works; and it does not matter if it was a quiet or robust diplomacy.

The release of the two women shows that the North Korean leader is not as mean as he is being portrayed; he was courteous enough to keep his promise to release the duo to President Bill Clinton. Also it would appear that he is not as lean as we were made to believe as he appeared healthy enough judging from his looks and gait? Ordinarily, nothing stops Kim Jong II from reneging on the promise, but at least, he kept it and Bill Clinton came out of Pyongyang a few inches taller in the international diplomatic circle. May be the Obama administration should consider using him further in places like Iran, Cuba, North Korea as well as in other hot-button nooks and crannies of this world. One thing about Bill is that he is loved and lovable; and still commands the respect of many world leaders including, as shown, dictator Kim Jong II of North Korea.

Icheoku congratulates President Bill Clinton for bringing these two ladies back to their families after these four months of uncertainties. Two women who were arrested near the North Korean-Chinese border in March 2009 while on a reporting trip for Current TV and sentenced to 12 years hard labor for entering the country illegally and engaging in "hostile acts"?

Icheoku says what constitutes "hostile acts" for a reclusive, paranoid schizophrenic regime could be anything as harmless as training a camera lens on their Tumen river? But that is now history as we pause to celebrate the release of these two journalists. We acknowledge also North Korean leader Kim Jong II for his magnanimity in keeping his promise regarding the release and hand over of these two women. To the two journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, Icheoku says, please be very careful the next time you embark on your journalistic adventure to unfriendly countries; now please welcome home! What a ride, but luckily enough, you did not become a pawn of international diplomacy!

PDP ON A COURSE, ONCE TRAVELLED BY NPN IN 1983!

It is omnious! It bodes of evil! It is the precursor to the ultimate destruction of democracy in Nigeria, as we know it! The desperate quest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to turn Nigeria into a one party state and rule over Nigeria for uninterrupted 60 years, that is!

It is greed and selfishness that is propelling Nigeria's so called largest political party, the PDP, into a course once travelled by the NPN, which will eventually lead to another military intervention in Nigeria politics? Why is a party, which prides itself as the largest political party out of Africa trying so desperately hard to poach other party chieftains and permanently stiffle whatever remains of the opposition in Nigeria? Why is the PDP pushing other political parties or what remains of them to the wall, fully aware that once backed to the wall, their only recourse will be a violent frontal charge to escape such aggression? Who wants to see this, definitely not Icheoku but unfortunately, Nigerians are bereft of people with historical perspective as majority of them are constituted of very short memory.

NPN was doing ok as a political party in Nigeria until President Shehu Shagari bought into an idea sold by Adisa Akinyole and Umaru Dikko to muscle the other political parties out of their traditional domains. Obafemi Awolowo was muscled out of Oyo State, Bendel State and almost Ondo State but for the peoples resentment which boiled over and the resulting mayhem forced NPN's Omoboriowo to flee for his dear life? Nnamdi Azikwe was uprooted from his Anambra State base and Imo State was to follow but for Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe who refused to yield Imo State to the hard-charging NPN political machine fronting Colins Obi? What followed was loud rumblings, restiveness and unparalled agitations protesting the vagrant rape of democracy by the NPN, which continued until Mohammed Buhari led juntas seized the moment of discord and struck, and the rest became history. Even some school of thought had it that the losing polititcians conspired with the military to bring about the forced exit of the NPN. But the greatest problem of humanity, especially the Nigerian species is their averse to history; and so it is that the PDP is fast-tracking Nigeria's democracy once again to its eventual doom?

From 1983 to 1999 the miltary held fortress before they were cajoled into reliquishing power once again to the civilians. One would expect that the civilians have learnt their lessons, but no; as what led to the demise of democracy in 1983 is once again creeping back into Nigerian politics. As usual, the culprit is the party in power, the PDP. So as it was in 1983, the signs do not look good again in 2009 with the PDP arm-stronging AC, PPA APGA, ANPP and other parties just to swallow them up just because they can, being the big fish in the Nigerian political water? Should the PDP succeed, some defeated politicians who feel they were unfairly muscled out of their primary domains, will inevitably do what politicians do best when cornered, - conspire with some military boys who will shoot their way to power and in turn make these disgruntled politicians their ministers and envoys.

Is it to late in the day to reverse course, Icheoku says no; but the PDP must cooperate with Nigerians to ensure that democracy is sustained and not truncated in Nigeria. They must allow some existing room for other political parties to court the Nigerian electorates. The PDP must realise that other political parties are equally desirous of having some area of influence within the Nigeria political terrain and deserves to be allowed their own territorial sphere of influence. But should the PDP continue on its present trajectory, attempting to usurp every political position in Nigeria, it might be forced to contend with a situation in the nearest future where there will be no state or territory for them to mount their umbrella-themed flag on, as the Nigeria state would once again plunge into a military dictatorship. It has happened before, so nothing stops it from once again happening except the PDP veers off the course they are presently travelling on. The PDP needs a change of heart to remember that politics is all about give and take; you win some and you lose some! But for a political party to willy-nilly want to force itself on the entire Nigeria political realty, especially in some territories where such party cannot in truism, be an acceptable option, is a bad joke which resulting nightmare might be too surreal for anyone to contemplate.

Ironically in 2009, everything is falling in place in Nigeria PDP controlled political theater as it did in 1983 NPN controlled Nigeria:- Shehu Shagari is from north western Nigeria and same goes for Umaru Yar'Adua? Both men appear seemingly decent but surrounded by very horrible human-beings as advisers and political honchos? Both men admittedly never wanted the presidency but were coincidentally imposed on Nigeria by the same Olusegun Obasanjo? In 1982, Shehu Shagari abandoned a national asset, NET building on fire and travelled to India on a state visit. In 2009 Umaru Yar'Adua have just completed his own version of abandonement when he left Nigeria on fire and embarked on a tour to Brazil while Islamist Boko Haram was wrecking havoc on northen Nigeria. Whether such visit rightly qualifies as an abandonment at time of crisis is for the greater Nigerians to decide; but Icheoku recalls that the Chinese Prime Minister had to break off from a G8 summit in Italy to fly back to Bejing during the last crisis in eastern Chinese province of Xingjua! Also Shagari and Yar'Adua vice presidents are both professional men, who look too gentile for politics and you wonder how they got along?

This piece has become imperative in view of recent development in the Nigeria political firmanent; and in support of former senate president Ken Nnamani's take on the latest poaching by the PDP of Imo State former PPA governor, Ikedi Ohakim. According to this highly respected Nigerian statesman, the recent poaching of Ikedi Ohakim by the PDP does not bode well for the growth of democracy in Nigeria! Icheoku concurs and says, Ken Nnamani is right as a stifled opposition is a conspiratory anti-democracy power-house! Such asyphyxation of opponents is a really bad omen for democracy which every democrat must speak up against. In his own very salient voice, Ken Nnamani continued, "when the defection in Zamfara State happened I warned the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) on the danger, and I told them to put me on record as a lone voice that did not support it. Competition makes for efficiency in a democracy. What is happening is a bad omen. It is not an Ohakim issue. It is bad for our democracy." Icheoku adds, regretably in Nigeria, voices of reason are usually very few as majority of Nigerians follow the pie and would rather they did not upset the apple-cart by maintaining defeaning silence in the face of any given tyranny. But not our Ken Nnamani, whose penchant for speaking up and speaking out truthfully has become very remarkable and stands him out as a lone voice in the wilderness of Nigeria, who cannot be compromised!

However, the worst of criticism should go to those carpet-crossers who will sell their birth-rights for pots of porridge. It is unfortunate, it is a betrayal of trust and lack of principle for these people to abandon the party on which platform they came to office. According to one observer, the poaching "portends gloom for our democratic development because one would expect that partisan politics and politicking are based on ideology and integrity. What appears to me to be the most dangerous scenario is that the Constitution is flouted." Icheoku asks, but does Nigerian politics run on any known ideology except for sectional and tribal sentiments which bring like-minded greedy individuals together to pillage the country? Moreso none of these Nigerian politician have any integrity whatsoever, and could care less for their names being soiled!

But should Imo State's Ikedi Ohakim, Bauchi State's Isa Yuguda and Zamfara State's Mahmud Shinkafi now be forced to yield their offices based on the Supreme court decision in the case of Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State, which affirmed that "mandate is that of the party and not just the person presented by the party." You tell me! But we surmise that a party which parades the president and vice president, with over 76% majority in the national assembly and controls at least 24 states out of 36 in the country and still craves and covets for the remnants is displaying obtrusive abuse of power; the height of crass greed and nothing short of "I shall have it all to myself" mentality which is repugnant to democracy. Therefore Icheoku calls on the Peoples Democratic Party to retrace its current steps and permit other parties to exist in the interest of building a lasting democracy in Nigeria. Nigerians should have options and this is what democracy seeks to have in place, unlike a military regime which is an autocracy, a sole authority in the land. PDP, Icheoku says, enough of your strangulating of the opposition!

MOHAMMED YUSUF, HIS DEATH LINKED TO A COMPROMISED JUDICIAL SYSTEM!

At last, in what appears to be a letting of the cat out of the bag, Icheoku has learnt that the leader of the nefarious criminal Boko Haram Sect was killed because of fear that the Nigeria's very corrupt judicial system will probably set him free?

Nigerian security officials, wary of the compromised Nigerian court system and the high probability of their turning him loose, decided to visit a vigilante brand of justice instead of legal justice on the captured terrorist, Mohammed Yusuf! They decided to solve the problem of Mohammed Yusuf how they know best, finish him off without wasting their time going through a judicial process that is endemically corrupt? With his influence and wealth, Mohammed could easily buy his way out of legal justice but definitely not vigilantism, so his fate was sealed. In one police officer's very own words while commenting on the murder of Mohammed Yusuf, he said, "it's good riddance because our judiciary system has many loopholes," and he could have been "let off the hook," if prosecuted?

Icheoku says, may be they have a point here bearing in mind that an Abuja High Court had as early as January 20, this year, granted Mohammed Yusuf and some of his followers an unconditional bail following arrest? The group had been arrested on November 13, 2008, for public incitement and taken to Abuja for trial, but were turned loose by the court; which did not seat down well with Nigerian security operatives. They waited and waited for the right time to take their vengeance and lo and behold, came the riots and the rest is now history. But does such excuse make it right for the Nigerian authorities to take the laws into their hands and summarily execute a suspect without giving him the opportunity to defend himself? Icheoku does not think so, and does not expect any right thinking mind, with some jurisprudential sensibilities to applaud this act of the Nigerian government! Having been arrested, the natural next step of investigation and prosecution should follow and let the chips fall where they may!

Pictured above left is the captured and virtually unscathed Mohammed Yusuf being led away by the Nigerian army, which said they handed him over to the police for further investigation? Here right is the bullet riddled body of Mohammed Yusuf soon-after his bombardment by his 'investigators'? Was he also burnt or was some phosphorous compound used in his killing as he practically looks like what remained of Dele Giwa after Babangida's parcel bomb?

Below left is the same expired Mohammed Yusuf with his cranial contents gushed out; - a result of high velocity bullets which were severally pumped into his head, at a very close range, bursting his skull in different places, while in the custody of the Nigerian authorities? It would appear that after bursting his brains in the picture below, not content enough they went a step further and unleashed some chemicals on his lifeless body, above right? Barbaric! Crude! Lawless! Vicious! Uncivilized!

Mohammed Yusuf was born on January 29, 1970 in Girgir village, Jakusko Local Government Area of Yobe State in Northern Nigeria. He was married to four wives and had 12 children. The late fiery Islamic lunatic fanatic cleric and leader of the Boko Haram sect, Mohammed Yusuf earned his notoriety railing against western education and consistently arguing that the current system in Nigeria, symbolised by government, needed to be overthrown and replaced with an extreme version of Islamic law? Icheoku says, if only Mohammed Yusuf had argued against the pandemic corruption festering in Nigeria and targeted some very highly corrupt officials in his crusade; and not wrongly attack western education, maybe he would have had some sympathetic support from the bone-weary Nigerians who have been eagerly waiting and looking forward to the coming of a messiah to clean house?

Mohammed Yusuf founded Boko Haram in 2002 as a platform with which to carry out his warped ideological re-orientation of Nigeria? (Boko Haram is an Hausa language which means "Western education is sinful"?) But as one contributor to Icheoku.com recently pointed out, these lunatics in Northern Nigeria who preach going back to the caveman-like ways still enjoy products such as cell-phones, SUV, clothing, quality health care, air-conditioners, airplanes, weaponry etc? According to his argument, if these mullahs do not like western education why would they like products that came about as a result of it? Why would they not at the same breath, equally shun such inventions and good things of life which western education made possible? What an irony of double-speak and a juxtaposition of a conflicted mindset these northern urchins represent? It is equally instructive that these tormentors of Nigerians habitually come from the northern part of Nigeria and have on countless occasions visited mayhem on Nigerians. Such is the frequency that one is forced to ask, can anything good and productive ever come out of these mallams of the northern Sahara desert of Nigeria? What fuels these anti-people violence by these almajiris, should be a right investigation to conduct towards finally stemming the incessant blood-letting of Nigerians by some crazed-out desert dwellers who are angry, frustrated, violent, timid and irascible!

Mohammed Yusuf had in his kitty, 3,000 rabid adherent fanatics as well as other followers and supporters including some former government officials. One of them, a former commissioner Alhaji Foi Buji was similarly executed by the Nigeria state over this crisis. Pictured here left is captured Alhaji Foi Buji, handcuffed and barely clothed, sitting behind an open truck transporting him to his execution grounds - the premises of the Nigerian police? The bottom right picture shows the partially dirt-covered lifeless body of executed Alhaji Foi, soon after he arrived the Nigerian police premises? What a changing faces of a man who was once a government high-up, - a result of overzealous high-handedness of the Nigerian security apparatus.

Icheoku uses this opportunity to once again condemn the high rate of state murders in Nigeria. We also hope that some disgruntled politicians who had axe to grind with some people will not cash into this crisis and see it as an opportunity to settle some scores! Be that as it may, we do not ascribe to the various calls for an investigation into the particular murder of Mohammed Yusuf; especially in isolation of other similarly situated state killings in Nigeria. If there must be an investigation, it must be total, complete and general! Let such investigation, if any, be all embracing and all covering to accommodate all such known extra-judicial murders carried out in Nigeria by the government. Otherwise, let Mohammed Yusuf lie in his unmarked grave as yet another sad story of Nigeria's law enforcement vigilantism!

FYI:- We are only referencing extra-judicial killings carried out by the Nigerian state after the suspect had already been arrested, shackled, manacled in leg chains and handcuffs and confined, with AK47 toting security operatives menacingly watching over him! And in this regard, some victims readily come to mind, including Niger Delta's Ken Niweigha pictured above left middle in a blue shirt; Alhaji Foi Buji the alleged sponsor of Haka Borom, no, Boko Haram and the Boma Brothers also of Niger Delta, whose execution was caught on tape! You may now confirm the incident, click:- Watch how the JTF killed the Boma Brothers in the ...

ANTI-MALARIA MOSQUITOES, A SCIENCE FICTION COME TO LIFE!

In a type of story usually synonymous with and coming out of Hollywood movie studios, a science fiction has come alive! Mosquitoes have been re-engineered and genetically modified to serve as a vector of vaccines instead of malaria? Wonders of science, one may say, but in this our rapidly evolving world, everything is possible.

By this huge scientific leap for mankind, malaria dispensing parasitic mosquitoes will henceforth turn a new leaf and become a friendly vaccine-dispensing agent instead. Thereafter, whenever mosquitoes bite you, instead of dumping the usual malaria parasite in your body, it will deposit anti-malaria vaccine? Wonderful, really!

In a breakthrough scientific experiment conducted in Europe, mosquitoes were adapted as flying needles, delivering vaccine of live malaria parasites through their bites; which in turn serve as anecdote to malaria. Thereafter, anyone bitten by the doctored mosquito, developed immunity to future malaria while non-vaccinated individuals still fell victims to malaria?

Icheoku says, with nearly one million people killed each year by malaria, mostly children under the age of 5 in Africa; this breakthrough is what the world has been waiting for to answer the scourge of malaria. Malaria starts when an infected mosquito bites a person and injects immature malaria parasites into the skin which then travels to the liver where they mature and multiply. From there, they enter the bloodstream and attack red blood cells, at which stage the victim falls sick. People sometimes develop immunity to malaria by frequent exposures to the parasite over a period of time. The drug chloroquine is also effective against malaria parasites!

This breakthrough study was researched in a laboratory at Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands; funded by two foundations and a French government grant. Hopefully, before too long, the result will be commercially available to help in the fight against the killer disease, malaria. Icheoku says, way to go; provided chloroquine and mosquito-nets manufacturers are on board and will not seek to sabotage the effort. After-all, it is a capitalist world and money talks; so they must hawkishly guard against anything that will drastically affect their bottom-line!

OLATUNBOSUN UGBOGU, A NIGERIAN US SEAMAN JAILED FOR LIFE!

His name is Olatunbosun Ugbogu, he is 23 years old; he is a Nigerian and was a seaman, serving to earn his green card in the U.S. Navy! He was a crew member of the U.S. 7th Fleet's cruiser Cowpens, stationed at the US Naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo!

He robbed a Japanese taxi driver, Masaaki Takahashi, 66, of his 19,560 yen ( about $200) in taxi fare and stabbed him to death with a kitchen knife, to keep him silent and prevent him from reporting the robbery incident? Insanity? May be; but the presiding Judge Masaaki Kawaguchi was not buying it, as he sentenced Olatunbosun to life in a Japanese prison with hard-labor, stating that an insane man does not take a $200 dollars cab ride without plans to pay the tab! The court described his crime as "cold-hearted and cruel ... and which was "committed to get money for socializing." The court further added that the crime was "heinous and selfish.” In finding him guilty of murder, the Yokohama District Court ruled that his defense of "hearing voices", was groundless and baseless! Olatunbosun was additionally found guilty of robbery for not paying the taxi fare and of violating the arms control law by carrying arms (kitchen knife). Baring a successful appeal, Olatunbosun is likely to spend between 25 to 30 years minimum, behind bars in serving the life term!

According to the narrative put in evidence, on March 19, 2009, Olatunbosun flagged down a cab at Tokyo's Shinagawa station and asked the driver to take him to Yokosuka’s Shioiri neighborhood. Upon reaching his destination, Olatunbosun tried in vain to run his creidt card to pay the taxi tab but it was repeatedly declined. In anger, he stabbed the cabbie and made for his escape; but fortunately, he forgot his credit card in the cab which led authorities to him. Olatunbosun admitted to the crime during initial police interrogation but at trial plead insanity? A psychiatric who examined Olatunbosun to determine his insanity claim, reported that "he acted too methodically to have been schizophrenic at the time of the killing" which the court gladly accepted and convicted him accordingly. Icheoku asks, but why was the defense not allowed to present their own psychiatric witness during the trial? Could their own witness have reached a different conclusion, possibly establishing that Olatunbosun was "hearing voices" that compelled his hand to slit the throat of the taxi-driver?

Atypical of a hard-man Nigerian, Olatunbosun Ugbogu said he will likely not appeal the verdict; expressing earlier, his willingness to accept the outcome of the trial and move on with his life. Icheoku says, how can a possibly sane person think that he could move on with his life while caged like an animal behind prison walls? Olatunbosun should also pray that he is not put in a mixed population in the prison, as some hot-head Japanese might want to know why this African killed one of their own? That a retributive prison mob-justice might be visited on Olatunbosun is a glaring possibility, which should have influenced his defense counsel to seek that Olatunbosun serve his sentence outside Japan, and possibly in the United States of America? Tall order, one may say, but under the circumstance of drastically virtually reduced options, any suggested idea should be good enough?

It appears that Olatunbosun is now entirely on his own as the U.S. Navy in Japan observed that it has "full faith in the Japanese judicial system and is confident justice was served." Also the US government described Olatunbosun's crime as a "cruel and shameful incident" decrying the trouble, fear and sorrow it has caused." While in their stcok in trade of indifference to the plight of her citizens, the Nigerian government has not voiced an opinion, either way. Icheoku asks, would his Nigerian relatives who pushed him so hard and were putting too much pressure on "their kin in America", which possibly forced this young man into some irrational stress-borne decisions, now come and suffer his fate alongside with him? Not likely; never in the least and this should serve as a teachable moment for all those African brothers and sisters in America or overseas, who work their arses out just to have some extra for the homies back in motherland. It is not worth it and please stop yielding to the never-ending wanton pressure from motherland, because when the chips are down as with Olatunbosun, they will not come to your aid. Instead they will desert you and like a marooned whale, your fate will solely rest in your hands! So, say no to home-pressure; do only what you can conveniently afford and cut off your telephones if you must, but please do not let them push you over the cliff or into the mouth of an erupting volcano!

It will be recalled that Olatunbosun's case is the fifth handover of a U.S. serviceman to the Japanese authorities for prosecution, since the arrangement worked out by Japan and the United States concerning the Status of Forces Agreement following the 1995 rape of a Japanese girl by three U.S. servicemen in Okinawa came into effect! It is also the third instance in the recent past, when a person connected to the US military presence in Japan had run afoul of the law. Last year, a US Marine, based in Okinawa allegedly raped a 14-year old girl? Earlier in 2006, a US sailor was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for also robbing and fatally beating a 56-year old Japanese woman to death.

Our sympathies go to the deceased cabbie's family and also to Olatunbosun's family, who equally somewhat, lost a member of their family in this incident. Icheoku says, could our overseas-stationed service men use some extra counselling; or could it be just a case of some few bad apples giving our brave men and women, a smear and smudge on the face? You decide!

CORAZON AQUINO, PHILIPPINE MOURNS A PRESIDENT!

The Iron-lady of the Philippine, the lady whose husband was gunned down at Manila International airport upon his return from exile in 1983, who later brought down the dictator that killed her husband and subsequently became president; remember her? Philippines Margaret Thatcher is no more! Former President Corazon Aquino, died of colon cancer on Saturday, August 1, 2009; at her home in Manila, aged 76.

Her 1986 "people power" revolt brought down Ferdinard Marcos' 20-year repressive regime in the Philippine and she is accredited to enthroning the presently lasting democracy which Philippine is enjoying till today.

Philippines have declared a 10 days national mourning for their beloved former president and a revolutionary; who was affectionately referred to as the "mother of the Philippine" and "a woman of both strength and graciousness."

Philippines will chiefly remember her for being the polar opposite of Imelda Marcos and for not spending their national treasure, buying as many as 3000 pairs of shoes while in office? Icheoku says, adieu Coraz; as you now dive into the warm embrace of your husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. for a reunion, and perpetual love bliss, where there will be no Ferdinand Marcos to interrupt your happiness anymore! To the Philippines, Malacanang Presidential Palace and the Aquino family, Icheoku says, please accept our condolence as you mourn the loss of your dear former president!

MOHAMMED YUSUF, ANOTHER VICTIM OF NIGERIA'S EXTRA-JUDICIAL MURDER?

In their usual refrain, the authorities in Nigeria claimed that, "Mohammed Yusuf was killed by security forces in a shoot-out while trying to escape"? Assistant Inspector-General of Police for the northeastern Nigeria, Moses Anegbode, on behalf of the Nigerian authorities, broke the news to the world and Icheoku says, there they go again!

In the same manner Niger Delta activist Ken Niweigha was captured and summarily executed few months ago, the Nigerian authorities has once again dispatched their "public enemy No. 1" to the world beyond, without any recourse to the judicial process? Having arrested him, why not try him in a court of law to afford him that opportunity which his sect never gave to all those innocents, they maimed and killed? When will this lawlessness by the Nigerian authorities stop and the president's promised rule of law truly respected? Or was a captured rabble-rouser not included among those Nigerians entitled to the promised rule of law? Icheoku says, we do not think so; as the law is meant for those people who do not respect the law and Mohammed Yusuf pictured top left, was one heck of such an intended beneficiary of the rule of law, being a chief law-breaker extra-ordinaire, himself! Should we say, a terrorist deserving a cell at Guantanamo?

We do not in any way condone violence of any type, especially the type of baseless mayhem which was unleashed on innocent Nigerians by these lunatic fundamentalists, who do not want to do better for and by themselves; and want the rest of Nigerians sucked into their stupidity and ideological idiosyncrasy! If we have our way, every fundamentalist religion or sect will meet with such fate as Mohammed Yusuf and his dumb followers deserved; but we are no longer in medival times as the rule of law reigns and must be allowed to thrive and thrive for all, including this lunatic Mohammed Yusuf. The Nigerian security forces had finished their job with the capture of the renegade and would have transitioned him to the Justice department for prosecution and eventual execution, if convicted? But for these security forces to now take the laws into their hands and become the hangman, without any trial whatsoever, defiles all the pontifications on the rule of law being bandied around and orchestrated by President Umaru Yar'Adua.

This is the fork on the road and where Icheoku disagrees with the Nigerian authorities - the 'modus-operandi' employed to bring their brand of justice to Mohammed Yusuf. We hereby denounce unequivocally, the state murder of Mohammed Yusuf, irrespective of the heinous acts of terrorism allegedly perpetrated by him and/or under his command. An eye for an eye makes the world go blind; so why would the Nigerian authorities now co-tow the same pathway created by Mohammed Yusuf and his band of thugs, by totally disregarding the red letters of the law as it appertains to an accused?

The problem with this type of extra-judicial state murder is that the whole world is watching and bearing testimonies as to the lawlessness of the Nigerian authorities? Nigeria is not an island and must operate as part of a decent world humanity whose membership, the comity of nations, is obliged to conform to certain ethical decorum with respect to human lives. More-so, the bare-faced lie of his "trying to escape" is as laughable as it is ridiculous; as no person shackled down in a body manacle, handcuffs and leg-chains could possibly "try to escape", under that condition of restraint, except that person is a Houdini but fortunately, Houdini has since been long dead! Why didn't the police give a chase? Where were those police dogs? Why was the escapee's legs not targeted? How can somebody who was found hiding inside a goat's pen in his in-laws' hut, "try to escape", hamstrung and surrounded by fierce looking, battle tested Nigerian army and police? Oh no, tell that to the marines!

With Mohammed Yusuf, 39, his deputy Bukar Shekau and several hundreds of his followers now killed in battle, whatever remains of the nefarious bloody-letting dogs, 'Boko Haram Sect', now in disarray will eventually wither away as a snake without head is not fearsome. Also Icheoku says, kudos to the Nigerian security agencies for timely containing this crisis! We particularly congratulate the newly appointed Inspector General of police Ogbonnaya Onovo for giving a very good account of himself, on this his first baptism of fire! Nigeria is a boiling conundrum which periodically boils over, leading to destruction of lives and properties; but luckily the good guys always wins and Nigeria is better of, for that.

Borrowing a page from the Human Rights Watch, Icheoku concludes that the manner of Mohammed Yusuf's dispatch was "extremely worrying." With an estimated number of 10,000 Nigerians so far killed as a result of sectarian violence in Northern Nigeria, Icheoku says it is about time Nigerians really sit down to find a way out of the woods which a force amalgamation of 1914 forced them in. All this adhoc reaction of sending in security agents each time to go flush out and kill anarchists and/or agitators will not cut it; as it is akin to fire-brigade approach of arriving after the fire had already started? The question should be, how do Nigerians prevent the fire from starting in the first place? Icheoku says, a national sovereign conference to chart the way forward for the future might be a good starting step, and in the right direction. Periodic violence is too disruptive for any meaningful progress in Nigeria, as it not only scares away prospective would-be investors but tarnishes Nigeria's image further.

Alternatively, the political elites of Northern Nigeria should be held to account for the dire poverty in the North, which fuels this intermittent eruptions of disgusts. A hungry youth is an angry youth and this is the feeder-lot that supplies unlimited manpower to lunatics like Mohammed Yusuf? Where a people have nothing to live for, because of very endemic corruption and ineffective leadership which deny them practically everything, including basic amenities like running water and electricity, where would such low-lifers find their life's anchor, but in a sect leader who preached paradise and forty virgins? Icheoku says, now go rendezvous with your forty virgins, Mallam Mohammed Yusuf!

THE BEER SUMMIT:- A PRESIDENT, A PROFESSOR AND A POLICEMAN!

Hopefully the tripartite emergency beer race-summit, summoned by President Barack Obama produced the desired result; provided of course, whatever agreements or lack thereof, was not under the influence?

The White House "summit", was intended to douse the race tension, generated by the unlawful arrest of a black Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr by a Cambridge Massachusetts white police officer Sergent James Crowley. Icheoku wishes the trio, later joined by the vice president Joe Biden, well and hopefully the gaffe of "stupidly" has now been interred with this 'beer-summit' and we can move on to greater issues.

What happens thenceforth, Icheoku cannot predict as we are under no illusions that race problems will suddenly evaporate just because Mr. President had beers with the two present symbols of race relations in America; but at least it has re-focused Americans once again, on what their greatest under-belly ache has always been - judging a person by the color of his skin and not the content of his character?

Once again, Icheoku says, borrowing from Rodney King, why can't we all just get along; irrespective of the melanin or lack thereof flowing under our skins? No oppressed person laughs at shenanigans of his oppressor and vice versa, so let us all be mindful of this "reservation" in dealing with one another! Anyway, kudos to President Barack Obama for initiating this pattern of dispute resolution!

RODELL VEREEN, CAUGHT MAKING LOVE WITH A HORSE?

How big could this guy's manhood possibly be that a mare would so much feel it, as to cry out loud; particularly in view of the natural endowment their stallions are equipped with? Does this guy look well equipped, you bet? Icheoku however would rather a test is conducted to determine what his manhood is made of; and possibly for a Guinness World Book of Records mention?

And so it was that in United States of America, state of South Carolina, a man was so infatuated with his neighbour's horse that he not only fell in love with it, but repeatedly physically copulated with it?

Rodell Vereen, pictured above right was arrested and charged with buggery, for having sex with a horse? The owner of the horse caught him on videotape, humping her animal; then staked out the stable and caught him in the act red-handed and at gun point? Icheoku says, where are all the women of South Carolina that a mare should steal this man's love and affection? And the horse's name is Sugar?

What a coincidence that this 21 year old sweet lass, Rodell's love interest and object of his affection got this guy's brain so cracking to earn her two of his visits? Are men really dogs; and would plug all pluggables depending on the circumstance? Rodell Vereen, 50, has been charged with trespassing and buggery; and faces up to five years in prison if convicted. This will be in addition to any extra term for probation violation as he was serving a three year probation when he committed the present offence?

According to the story, Rodell Vereen who was on a repeat love-visit to his beloved mare when he was nabbed, had plead guilty to making love to the same horse last year and was placed on probation and the state's sex offender list? The incident happened at Lazy B Stables in Longs, about 20 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The owner, suspicious of strange things happening in her stable, installed surveillance cameras which on July 19 caught Rodell mounting her horse? The owner laid in wait and armed with a shotgun, pined Rodell down until the police arrived and arrested him.

Icheoku says, this is Sodom and Gomorrah come alive in South Carolina? It will be recalled that it is the same South Carolina that the governor abandoned his duties and embarked on a love-trip to Buenos-Aires Argentina to meet with his paramour? What horny-bee have stung these South Carolinas that they are strangely exhibiting out their libido in these ways?

IKEDI OHAKIM'S JUMP, OKIJA SHRINE FINGERED?

A presently gathering but yet to be confirmed report has it that Governor Ikedi Ohakim was forced by an oath he took before being allowed into the government house in Owerri, to dump the PPA for PDP? This is Brutus stab as it was the PPA that came to his rescue after PDP rubbished him, and provided him with a platform to run for governorship when all roads seemed to have been foreclosed on his ambition. What a way to pay back a once in a lifetime favor? Was this a back-stab, a Judas Iscariot treachery on the PPA or just a fast one, pulled by a conniving political whore who saw an opportunity to free himself from the vice-like control of Orji Uzor Kalu and his mother and decided to take it? Icheoku asks, did Ikedi jump or walk or was he pushed or forced?

According to the source, Chris Uba, the former Anambra State political heavy weight and the man who made former Anambra State governor Chris Ngige swear by Alusi Okija, also administered the same dreaded Alusi Okija on Ikedi Ohakim? This was on behalf of Olusegun Obasanjo, who wanted a guarantee that Ohakim will keep his promise to defect back to the PDP, if allowed to become governor of Imo State in 2007? Icheoku is still working on our source but Olusegun Obasanjo himself, practically confirmed that much, when he said that Ikedi Ohakim was only fulfilling a promise he made to defect back to PDP and nothing more! In Olusegun Obasanjo's own words, Ohakim's decamping was "a pre-arranged agreement he entered with the PDP before the election"? This begs the question, what manner of man is this Ikedi Ohakim that will jump ship of a political building block at this time of Nigeria's fledgling democracy? But his apologists argue that question of morality pales in contrast to the wrath of the Okija deity, which will descend upon his family should he renege on the sworn agreement? This latest saga of Ohakim bailing-out on a political party that catapulted him into relevance, adds to the retinue of occultist oath-taking Nigerian politicians; and their unbridled quest for power and the length they are prepared to go in order to just make it to the seat of power? Nigerian politicians, where are thou soul?

An up and coming young man with a bright political future just had it thrown away by this his defection; becoming just a number instead of teaming with the dynamic Orji Uzor-Kalu to carve a niche for the South East in national political discourse. Dee Sam Mbakwe, where at thou spirit that will let such a sabotage of the government house wherein you once gave the NPN a bloody nose? Our beef here is not necessarily against Ikedi Ohakim but that democracy be allowed to thrive through competition and options. Why should everybody be lumped into one political party, which will be tantamount to a military dictatorship where you either fall in line or be whipped into line or possibly sidelined. Re-echoing one commentator's observation, "It was shameful that the governor had opted for the seemingly easy option of cutting and running, instead of facing up to the blackmail and pressure of PDP and, in the process, helping to strengthen democracy in Nigeria." The question here is, why this chickening out from the war front which otherwise would help nurture democracy in Nigeria?

The governor's former party PPA in a statement said, "the governor’s defection was a betrayal of trust and a cowardly approach to politics. It is, therefore, regrettable that Governor Ohakim has now buckled under PDP pressure to display a palpable lack of courage and conviction. Rather than lead, he has chosen to capitulate. Rather than inspire the growing legion of party members to stir the PPA to greater heights in the great state of Imo, he has decided to cut and run". Icheoku agrees wholly with this summation of the governor's betrayal; and adds that this bad example of how not to be a leader is as dangerous as a military take-over of government?

Governor Ikedi Ohakim has followed the despicable governors of Bauchi and Zamfara States into political infamy; and for violently kicking away, the very ladder with which they climbed into political relevance in the first place, it shall not be well with them. This is a discredited path which no follower/s of Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe or an apostle of his, should follow. The mark of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort but during adversity; not unmindful of the pressure-cooker intensity of the ruling PDP to force Nigeria into one party state? Icheoku says, this standing by itself is not sufficient for Governor Ikedi Ohakim to turn a traitor and turn his back on the PPA that made him governor of Imo State. Even factoring in Alusi Okija does not justify his action either.

Icheoku emphasises that the proposed electoral reform bill which provides unequivocally that "a political office holder who decamps to another political party shall resign from such a post immediately" is a provision whose time has since come! Icheoku and co will not be wasting a comment on such political harlotry as exhibited by Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, had the National assembly done their work to pass this bill. May be President Umaru Yar'Adua and his PDP dominated national assembly is stalling on the passage of the bill to enable the Ikedi Ohakims of Nigeria politics to finish their carpet-crossing before they could enact it into law. The time to act on the reform is now, before the damage would have been done irretrievably and far-reaching havoc wrecked on Nigeria budding democracy, with the imposition of one autocratic central political party?

By Governor Ikedi Ohakim going back to PDP, a political party that scornfully tossed him out of their moving train to be crushed thereunder in 2007, shows that the man has no core and lacks a sense of self and decency. How dare he lick back his spittle? Does this man still have what it takes to be called governor of a state which the late Dee Onunaka Mbakwe once governed? Icheoku does not think so; and says, the earlier the Imo State House of Assembly commences an impeachment proceedings against this defector-governor, the better for the integrity of the people of Imo State. What PDP did by poaching Governor Ikedi Ohakim is pure greed as they concluded they must also consume a state out of the two held by an opposition political party? It does not bode well for democracy. Governor Ikedi Ohakim's defection is very unfortunate, it impacts adversely the sagacity of multiple political parties needed in a democracy, thereby stiffling differing view-points and should be condemned by all true democrats, who wish Nigeria's democracy well.