#BBB NEWS| Senate President Saraki Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling

Embattled Nigerian Senate Bukola Saraki has reacted officially to the ruling of the Supreme Court dismissing his appeal that sought to stop his corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

A statement signed by his spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu hints at another appeal.

See full text of his reaction below:

#BBB NEWS| Senate President Saraki Must Face Corruption Trial At The Code Of Conduct Tribunal - Supreme Court Rules

Senate President, Bukola Saraki will face trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) according to a 7-man panel at the Supreme Court which rejected his appeal challenging the decision of the Appeal Court which upheld his trial at the tribunal.

A three-judge panel of the Supreme Court led by a retiring Justice John Fabiyi had on December 4, 2015, ordered a stay of proceeding by the Tribunal pending the determination of Mr. Saraki's appeal.

The court also asked counsel on both sides to submit their briefs of argument within 14 days. The court then fixed February 5, 2016, to deliver its judgement.

#BBB NEWS| “Queen Of Snapchat” Model Katie May Dies After Having A Stroke [PHOTOS]

Today, model Katie May has died after suffering a stroke. May was taken off of life support as she passed away in L.A.

May was hospitalized after a blockage in her carotid artery which caused her to have a stroke. May was a social media princess.

She had 2 million followers on Instagram. May was also known as the “Queen of Snapchat.” Katie May had a 7 year old daughter. Her family has started a GoFundMe page to help support the little girl.

See photos of May below.

#BBB NEWS| Supreme Court To Decide Saraki's Fate Today

On Friday, the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will learn whether or not he will face the trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Today, the Supreme Court will rule on his appeal challenging the decision of the Appeal Court, which upheld the decision that tribunal has the authority to try him for corruption-related charges.

A 3-man panel on the Supreme Court on December 4, 2015, ordered a stay of proceeding by the tribunal, pending the determination of the appeal and asked the counsels to exchange their brief of argument within 14 days. The apex court then fixed February 5, 2016, to deliver its judgement.                                        

Mr. Saraki argued that the CCT lacked jurisdiction to try him because it was not properly constituted, as it comprised two instead of three members provided for by the Constitution. In addition, the Senate President stated that the charges were not competently made.

#BBB NEWS| VP Osinbajo Dismisses Pressures, Vows Buhari Administration’s Continued Fight Against Corruption

Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has stated that the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency would not be deterred in its determination to rid the country of corruption, dismissing pressures on the government from some Nigerian elites “to slow down the ongoing fight against graft.”

A statement released today by the VP’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, quoted Mr. Osinbajo, a former professor of law, as telling a delegation of the Moslem Congress of Nigeria that the government received “regular messages from some Nigerian elites saying cool down.”

The VP told the delegation that those Nigerians advocating a brake on the fight against corruption have “a very strange morality,” adding that those championing a halt to the government’s anti-corruption fight cut “across all tribes and religious differences.” Mr. Osinbajo noted, however, that the Nigerian masses had a clearer understanding of right and wrong, and were fully behind the anti-corruption crusade.

#BBB NEWS| Kendrick Lamar On President Obama: “No Matter How High-Ranking You Get In This World, You’re Human”

Kendrick Lamar is still basking in his high-profile meeting with President Barack Obama, and rightfully so. In Billboard’s cover story on the Grammy-nominated Comptonite, K. Dot spoke further on his meeting of the minds with the POTUS.

“The way people look at me these days — that’s the same way I looked at President Obama before I met him,” he gushed. “We tend to forget that people who’ve attained a certain position are human. When [the president] said to my face what his favorite record was — I understood that, no matter how high-ranking you get in this world, you’re human.”

The two met earlier this year to discuss issues concerning the disadvantaged inner cities of the United States and some solutions of how to rectify the issues through the power of mentorship through his “Pay It Forward” campaign.

#BBB NEWS| Suge Knight Loses Phone And Visiting Privileges In Jail

Suge Knight’s jail stint is about to become even more unbearable. The former music mogul has lost phone and visitation privileges at the request of the sheriff’s investigators, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Knight has pleaded guilty and is being held on $10 million bail for running over two men outside of a burger stand in Compton, Calif. in 2015, where one of the men was killed.

There are no reports as to what prompted the communication ban. Court records show the sheriff’s request to restrict some of Knight’s jail privileges were received a week earlier, and a different judge was asked to handle the case after Judge Ronald Coen asked. Coen is handling separate murder and robbery cases against Knight.

#BBB NEWS| The Game Loses Sexual Assault Case, Goes All The Way In On Defendant [PHOTO]

In a series of Instagram posts, rapper The Game–who lost a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him this week- pulled out his Louis Vuitton boxing gloves and verbally attacked his accuser Priscilla Rainey. Boy…did it get ugly.

“Let’s get one thing very CLEAR: that thirsty Gatorade mascot of a transvestite WILL NEVER see $10,000,000 or anything close 2 a penny of my money,” he started his caption off with. He said that Rainey, who was a contestant on his dating reality show, She’s Got Game, won’t be getting the $10 million she won in the case, especially after his lawyers get a chance to respond.

He says that he was unable to defend himself in court because he was overseas and unable to attend the hearing.

#BBB NEWS| Maurice White, Co-Founder Of Earth, Wind & Fire, Dies [PHOTO]

Maurice White, singer-songwriter and co-founder of the iconic soul and funk group Earth, Wind & Fire died Thursday. (February 4) He was 74.

Read more after the cut;

#BBB NEWS| Lupita Nyong’o & Viola Davis Strip Down In Intimate ‘Vanity Fair’ Portraits [PHOTOS]

Vanity Fair’s annual Hollywood issue has arrived, and on this year’s cover the publication features a number of “acclaimed, stunning actresses across multiple generations.” Credit: Vanity Fair/Annie Leibovitz

Photographed by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, five of this year’s best-actress Oscar nominees—Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan, Brie Larson, and Charlotte Rampling—icons like Jane Fonda, Helen Mirren, Viola Davis, and Diane Keaton, up-and-comers likeAlicia Vikander and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Oscar winners Rachel Weisz and Lupita Nyong’o, pose for a powerful photo that reads women empowerment to the fullest.

#BBB NEWS| For The Beauty-Obsessed: MAC Announces Its First Rewards Program [PHOTO]

For those of us who have spent a grip on MAC products for years, the popular cosmetics company is finally giving back to its loyal customers.

MAC has announced MAC Select, a members-only program that rewards customers for their patronage with “privileged access and prestigious service.”

Similar to Sephora’s own reward system, the more you shop, the more you earn. Sounds like a win-win, right?! Read more below.

#BBB NEWS| President Barack Obama To Muslim-Americans: “Thank You”

As the POTUS’ term comes to a close, Barack Obama is still working with the zeal of a first-term president as he continues to push his administration’s agenda.

On Wednesday (February 3) Obama visited a Baltimore American mosque to offer up a few kind words and to also condemn anti-Muslim bigotry.

“The first thing I want to say is two words that Muslim Americans don’t hear often enough,” Obama said. “Thank you. Thank you for serving your community. Thank you for lifting up the lives of your neighbors and for helping keep us strong and united as one American family.”

Visiting the Islamic Society of Baltimore, Obama, in a not-so-veiled attempt, criticized Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which includes conducting surveillance on mosques and banning Muslims from entering into the country, and he also fervidly denounced the threat against America-Muslims last year following the attacks in San Bernardino, Calif.

#BBB NEWS| Future Unveils His New Album Title, Cover Art And Track List [PHOTO]

Future has been relentless with his musical output for the past six to nine months, steadily giving the streets what they want and defecting on the alleged work ethic on some your favorite rappers.

Wednesday (February 3) Nayvadius took to Twitter to tease fans with more music that would drop precisely at midnight east coast time, and when the clock struck 12, Future made good on his word.

Hendrix took to Twitter to announce his new album Evol (which is love backwards) and the 11 song track list to go with it.

While fans can pre-order Future’s newest work, to hold you over until the actual album release, spin his latest work “In Abundance” below.

#BBB NEWS| North Korea 'Readying Missile Launch' [PHOTO]

North Korea appears to be preparing to launch a long-range missile, according to South Korea's defence ministry and Japanese media. (pictured above) The last long-range rocket launch at Sohae Satellite Launching Station was in 2012 (AFP)

Activity has been spotted at a launch station on the west coast of the isolated nation. Earlier this week Pyongyang announced it was planning to launch a satellite at some point in February.

The announcement was internationally condemned - critics say it is a cover to test banned missile technology.

North Korea also conducted its fourth nuclear bomb test on 6 January. UN sanctions against North Korea prohibit it from carrying out any nuclear or ballistic missile tests.

South Korean state news agency Yonhap reported defence ministry officials on Thursday as saying activity had been spotted at a site in Dongchang-ri, where the Sohae launching station is located.

#BBB NEWS| Kim Kardashian & Amber Rose’s New Selfies Broke (And Confused) The Internet [PHOTOS]

Days after Kanye West and Wiz Khalifa viciously battled on Twitter—and Amber Rose joined the war of words with sexual accusations that Yeezy later disputed—the pair’s wives have officially shut down rumors of beef by posting a picture of themselves early Tuesday morning (Feb. 2).

“Swingers,” wrote the How to Be a Bad B*tch author before attaching the all-important frog and teacup emoji combination.

#BBB NEWS| Lebanese Bags 2 Years For Issuance Of N22 Million Dud Cheque

Justice Lawan Faruk of Kano State High Court, Kano convicted and sentenced one Hussien Tahir to twenty-four months imprisonment for Issuance of a dud cheque.

The convict, who was arraigned on October 15, 2014, had in 2009 approached the complainant with a proposal to jointly fund the execution of a capital project which he claimed was awarded to him by the Nigeria Customs Service.

The complainant decided to take part in the project and invested twenty-two million Naira, with the expectation of a return of N10m on his investment.

But upon successful completion of the project, the complainant said he neither received the agreed profit nor get a refund of his investment. He further stated that upon insistence on getting a refund, the convict gave him five different cheques totalling twenty-two million Naira, which were returned unpaid.

#BBB NEWS| Dasukigate: ICC To Hear Petition Against Dasuki, Iweala, Others Over Alleged Crimes Against Humanity

The ICC revealed this in a letter dated 1 February 2016 with reference: OTP-CR-32/16 and signed by Mark P. Dillon, Head of Information & Evidence Unit of the ICC.

The letter reads in part: “The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court acknowledges receipt of your documents/letter. This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office. We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”

It would be recalled that Falana had in a petition dated 19 January 2016 requested the ICC to “investigate allegations of crimes against humanity committed against the Nigerian people by some former and serving military as well public officials and private persons who engaged in the criminal diversion of $8 billion earmarked to procure equipment for the armed forces to fight insurgency”

#BBB NEWS| WHO Declares Zika Virus A Global Emergency

The World Health Organisation has declared the on-going Zika virus epidemic, a global health emergency.

The WHO director-general, Margaret Chan, who issued the health alert after a meeting with  the organisations disease control committees in Geneva on Monday, said it is high time the world began a united response to fight the virus.

Chan said that experts are worried at the alarming rate of infection and its deadly consequences.

By this action from the global body, the WHO alert puts Zika in the same category of international concern as Ebola.

Chan said, “I am now declaring that the recent cluster of Zika virus- related microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.She said countries priorities were to protect pregnant women and their babies from harm and to control the mosquitoes that are spreading the virus.

#BBB NEWS| Roc Nation Launches A $2.3 Million Counter Suit Against Rita Ora

In 2008, Rita Ora, then 18, signed a five album contract with Roc Nation. However, things didn’t seem to go as planned and in December 2015, the singer-songwriter filed a lawsuit against the label, claiming to have been “orphaned” due to the label’s other business endeavors.

It’s now being reported Jay Z called the singer-songwriter the day after the lawsuit and agreed to relieve her from her contract, but filed a counter suit to the tune of $2.3 million which according to Roc Nation was invested on marketing her sophomore record. The point of the lawsuit is to get its money back.

“When Rita signed, Roc Nation and its senior executives were very involved with her as an artist,” states the complaint which was filed in a L.A. Superior Court.

#BBB NEWS| Why We Transferred Father Mbaka — Catholic Church

The Catholic Church on Monday clarified the recent transfer of Father Ejike Mbaka, saying the controversial priest was merely being sent to where he would be more useful to the church.

In its first reaction since the controversy over the transfer broke, the church said the posting was not meant to be punitive.

In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES Monday, the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretar‎iat of Nigeria, Reverend Father Ralph Madu said the transfer of priests within the catholic church is a “normal church procedure.”

“Mbaka’s own is not an exception,” Mr. Madu said. “The Bishop has the right to post any priest wherever he feels his service would be more useful to the church.”

#BBB NEWS| How Boko Haram Attacked Dalori Village, Killed Scores – Nigerian Military

The Boko Haram attack on Dalori Village, which killed scores of people, was carried out using multiple methods, the Nigerian military has said.

In its first reaction since the attack that occurred on Saturday night, the military quoted witnesses as saying the “insurgents came in two Golf cars, motorcycles, started opening fire and burning houses.”

Apart from the direct invasion, the insurgents also used three suicide bombers to attack residents as they tried to flee, the military said in its statement on Sunday afternoon.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported the attack which lasted about four hours; with scores, residents say as many as 100 people, killed.

Officials at the Maiduguri Specialists Hospital said 35 corpses were brought there after the attack, with about 100 others injured.

#BBB NEWS| African Union Scraps Peacekeeping Mission In Burundi

The African Union (AU) has scrapped its plan to send 5,000 peacekeepers to Burundi, according to media sources. (pictured above) Scenes Of Violence In Burundi Photo Credit: BBC Africa

The central African country has been wracked by political violence since April when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to seek a controversial third term.

#BBB NEWS| Man With Rare Skin Disease Has 'Tree Roots' Growing From His Hands [PHOTOS]

This man has rare skin disease that makes his hands look like they have tree roots growing out of them. Abul Bazadar, 25, (pictured above) at a hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

He has suffered from 'Human Pappiloma Virus' since he was 10.

The rickshaw driver has been dubbed the 'Tree Man' and doctors from around the world are working on a cure.

Dr Samanta Lal Sen, chief coordinator of National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said doctors will decide on his treatment after forming a medical board of experts. Read more and see more photos after the cut;

#BBB NEWS| Stunning Eva Longoria Takes Centre Stage On The SAG Red Carpet [PHOTOS]

Hollywood beauty Eva Longoria stole the show at Saturday's 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in this dazzling design.

The actress went all out in a jaw-dropping olive green beaded frock that had a plunging front and gaping back.

Taking centre stage on the red carpet, Eva posed up a storm at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles as she showed off the frock - and her enviable frame - in all its glory.

With sheer panelling around the midriff, the 40-year-old clearly wasn't afraid of flashing plenty of flesh.

#BBB NEWS| Manchester United Must Go For Jose Mourinho - Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry thinks that Manchester United should pull the plug on Louis van Gaal's reign as manager.

The Dutchman has come in for a huge amount of criticism over the last few months, with fans and pundits alike growing frustrated with the football being played by United.

The Red Devils have not scored a first-half goal at Old Trafford in 11 games and have slipped out of the top four in recent weeks.

Henry feels that change is now necessary, claiming that Van Gaal is struggling to get his ideas across.

   "I know a lot of United fans and all they talk about is how poorly their team are playing," Henry wrote in his Sun on Sunday column. "It’s not about results any more. Even when they win, the issue is still how awful the football is. They don’t enjoy watching their team any more. They are bored.

#BBB NEWS| Kanye West Apologizes For Bringing Wiz Khalifa & Amber Rose’s Son Into Twitter Squabble [TWEET]

Kanye West has realized the negative outcome of the recent comments he made publicly earlier this week.

After engaging in a lengthy Twitter squabble with Wiz Khalifa, the Chi-town native, now regretfully, brought Khalifa and Amber Rose’s 2-year-old son, Sebastian, into the heated mix.

With now-deleted tweets that read “I know you mad every time you look at your child that this girl got you for 18 years,” and “You wouldn’t have a child if it wasn’t for me,” spectators agreed that Ye crossed the line.

Since then, Khalifa has heatedly mentioned West during his concerts in South America, and Rose also shared her thoughts on West’s statements.

#BBB NEWS| Leonardo DiCaprio Wins Best Actor Award At SAGs [PHOTOS]

It looks like Leonardo DiCaprio is set to receive his very first Oscar. Solidifying his front-runner status, Leonardo DiCaprio scooped the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in The Revenant.

As the star stood up from his table, his good friend and Titantic co-star Kate Winslet rushed over to him to give him a huge hug.

While speaking on stage, the Hollywood star said: "I am truly humbled by this because it comes from my fellow actors. Read more and see photos below:

#BBB NEWS| "Welcome To Diverse TV!" Idris Elba Takes Swipe At Oscars + Pics And FULL LIST OF WINNERS [PHOTOS]

Idris Elba was one of the big winners at the 22nd annual SAG Awards, taking home two gongs and throwing a little bit of shade at the Oscars while he was at it.

The supporting actor race seemed wide open, with presumed Oscar front-runner Sylvester Stallone (Creed) not nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Many thought it would go to one of the two actors nominated for an Oscar in this category - Christian Bale or Mark Rylance.

But instead the prize went to Elba, who was also passed over for an Oscar nomination this year, a snub no unnoticed as the #OscarsSoWhite controversy rumbles on.

#BBB NEWS| Police Arrest 10 For Kidnapping, Armed Robbery In Akwa Ibom

Ten suspected armed robbers were paraded on Monday by the police in Akwa Ibom State.

The police said the 10 men belonged to a deadly 11-member gang of criminals that was involved in armed robbery and kidnapping in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.

Among those paraded were Ikoidem Sampson, a physically challenged man, Emediong Emmanuel, Ukeme Ufot Akpan, Ifiok Ime David and Nyakndue Mboutidem.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom state, Murtala U. Mani, said the 11- member gang kidnapped two women in Oruk Anam on January 23 and held them hostage for six days, before the women were rescued by the police.

#BBB NEWS| I Am Going To Suffer And Suffer, Says Father Mbaka

Controversial Catholic priest, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka has stated that he is going to “suffer and suffer” after he was posted from Christ The King Parish in Enugu to a new duty post at Our Lady Parish, Umuchigbo, Njinike, four hours away from his old parish.

Mbaka who transferred to his new station on Saturday was accompanied by hundreds of his parishioners, admirers and well wishers. “I know we are going to suffer between now and a few months to come. I am going to suffer and suffer. I know that.

Mbaka and his followers in the Adorations Ministry strongly believes that that his posting is a ‘witch hunt’.

“I’m going to suffer because I have no place to put my head. I am going to suffer because I have no place to keep the Adoration Ministry’s assets.