Oscar "Blade Runner" Postorious gives the first full account of how he killed his girlfriend

PARALYMPIC idol Oscar Pistorius told a court in his own words today how he shot dead his model girlfriend. In an emotional statement, he claimed he fired shots at the bathroom door, thinking an intruder had climbed through the window. He said he then realised that Reeva Steenkamp was not in his bed, which filled him “with horror and fear”. Earlier in the hearing, prosecutors accused Pistorius of murdering his girlfriend following a heated row. The athlete grabbed a gun, attached his prosthetic legs and walked seven metres before shooting dead his girlfriend as she cowered in a bathroom, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said. Pistorius shot Reeva, 29, four times inside his gated Pretoria mansion on Valentine's Day, the court heard. Pistorius, known as the Blade Runner, sobbed uncontrollably in the South African court during his second appearance over the alleged murder of his girlfriend. In his statement read out by his lawyer, Pistorius said Reeva had come over earlier that evening and done some yoga before he went to bed. Waking in the summer heat in the early hours of the morning, he went out to the balcony to get a fan. The double amputee had not attached his prosthetic limbs and was walking on his stumps. Suddenly he "heard a noise in the bathroom". Pistorius knew the bathroom window was open and that ladders were accessible nearby. His statement read: "I screamed words to the effect of for him/her to get out of my house and for Reeva to phone the police. "I thought Reeva was in the bed. I felt extremely vulnerable but I knew I had to protect Reeva and myself." He said he then pumped bullets into the locked bathroom but returned to the bedroom and realised Reeva was not in bed. "That's when it dawned on me it must have been Reeva in the toilet," he added. Pistorius described how he put on his legs, tried to kick down the door then bashed it in with a cricket bat to find his 29-year-old girlfriend shot inside. She was killed after being hit in the head by bullets fired through the bathroom door. Pistorius, 26, said he ran downstairs with her but “she died in my arms.” He denies murder, saying the couple were “deeply in love” and that he had no intention to kill her. The gold-medal winner added that he was “absolutely mortified at death of my beloved Reeva”. Pistorius also revealed he kept the 9mm pistol under his bed because he had received death threats. He added: “I fail to understand how I could be charged with murder, let alone premeditated murder, as I did not plan to murder my girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.” He swore the affidavit under oath during a meeting with his legal team at a Pretoria police station ahead of today’s two-day bail application. Mr Nel, prosecuting, said the victim arrived at the house between 5pm and 6pm the night before she was killed at 3am. Reeva locked herself inside the cramped bathroom following a argument and was unarmed, the prosecutor added. “She couldn’t go anywhere. You can run nowhere,” he said. “It must have been horrific.” Nr Nel also said the athlete had not provided investigators with his own version of what happened. Before adjourning the bail hearing till 7am GMT tomorrow, Magistrate Desmond Nair ruled that the case was a schedule six offence – meaning premeditated murder – rather than the less serious schedule five. The 26-year-old Olympic champion sobbed as his lawyer insisted that Reeva’s shooting was an accident. Barry Roux, defending, said Reeva was not murdered and there were a number of cases where men have shot members of their own family through doors after mistaking them for burglars. He also suggested that Pistorius broke the bathroom door down to help Ms Steenkamp after the shooting. It follows last Thursday when police formally charged Pistorius with premeditated murder. Prosecutors told the bail hearing that Pistorius had put on his prosthetic legs and walked seven metres (23ft) to the bathroom before firing his gun. After the shooting he told his sister that he thought Ms Steenkamp, 29, was an intruder, the court heard. Mr Nel said the killing was premeditated because the defendant planned to say that he thought he was shooting an intruder. He added: “It was all part of the pre-planning. Why would a burglar lock himself inside the bathroom?” But Mr Roux said: “We submit it is not even murder. There is no concession this is a murder.” Pistorius, wearing a grey suit and tie, replied “Yes, sir” after the chief magistrate asked if he was well. The court appearance came as Reeva’s heartbroken family gathered for her private funeral after her body was returned to her home town of Port Elizabeth. Her mother, June, has described her “horrendous” torment at her daughter’s death. Mrs Steenkamp told South African newspaper The Times: “She loved like no-one else could love. “She had so much of herself to give and now all of it is gone. Just like that, she is gone. In the blink of an eye and a single breath, the most beautiful person who ever lived is no longer here. “All we have is this horrendous death to deal with... to get to grips with. "All we want are answers... answers as to why this had to happen, why our beautiful daughter had to die like this.” South African newspaper City Press reported that a cricket bat covered in blood had been recovered from Pistorius’s property. Mourning ... pallbearers carry the coffin holding Reeva's body into the crematorium this morning His arrest triggered shock across the globe and prompted reports that he might have mistaken his girlfriend for an intruder in what could have been a Valentine’s Day surprise gone wrong. But police swiftly distanced themselves from that suggestion and said there had been previous incidents of a “domestic nature” at Pistorius’s house. His family has vowed to fight the murder charge in the “strongest terms”. Pistorius’s best friend Justin Divaris claimed the sports star called him minutes after the shooting telling him “there has been a terrible accident”, according to reports. Pistorius’s father said he had “zero doubt” that Ms Steenkamp’s death was a tragic accident and that his son may have acted “on instinct”. Ms Steenkamp’s father, Barry, paid tribute to her in a newspaper interview, saying the family was struggling to come to terms with her death. He said: “There is no hatred in our hearts. He must be going through things that we don’t know about. “We ask the Lord every day to help us find a reason why this should happen to Reeva. She was the most beautiful, kind girl in the world.” Pistorius’s management company has issued a statement announcing it had “no option” but to cancel all future races in which the double amputee was contracted to compete. Pistorius, who won two gold medals and a silver at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, was contracted to compete in the Manchester City Games on May 25, following Qantas Tour races in Australia on March 9 and 16 and meetings in Rio de Janeiro (March 31) and Iowa (April 26). Meanwhile, French fashion house Thierry Mugler has become the latest high-profile sponsor to distance itself from Oscar Pistorius as the Paralympian fights murder charges. The company will withdraw all products featuring Pistorius, including its ’A*men Pure Shot’ fragrance, all point-of-sale advertising featuring Pistorius, and all references to the athlete on its website. (Culled from http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4802187/Oscar-Pistorius-breaks-down-at-bail-hearing.html)

I Died And God Woke Me-Dame Patience Jonathan Confesses

First Lady Patience Jonathan Admits Undergoing Nine Surgeries In One Month As Lavish Thanksgiving Party Shuts Down Abuja About 5000 guests, including 18 state governors, have overrun Abuja for a lavish thanksgiving party thrown for Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan, at a cost of N500 million. Although she had previously denied being in hospital in Germany, Mrs. Jonathan opened up today at a special service at the Aso Rock Chapel, stunning worshippers with the admission her medical condition had been very serious. “I actually died,” Premium Times quoted her as testifying. “I passed out for more than a week. My intestine and tummy were opened.” She said her doctors had actually given up hope, although she did not specify her diagnosis. “It was God himself in His infinite mercy that said I will return to Nigeria. God woke me up after seven days.” During her six weeks away from Nigeria last year, the presidency refused to say anything to the country about her condition. Upon her return to Abuja on October 17, Mrs. Jonathan denied having been in any hospital. “I don’t even know that hospital they are talking about…” she said on that occasion. “I do not have any terminal illness or cosmetic surgery.” For today’s thanksgiving merriment, an organising committee chaired by Mr. John Kennedy Okpara raised over N500m, which would most likely be presented to Mrs. Jonathan as a gift, as the presidency is bankrolling the event.

Did Nike's Goddess Spiritually Control Postorious As The Bullet In The Chamber To Commit Murder?

Nike's advert featuring para-Olympic star, Oscar Postorious described him as the Bullet In The Chamber and this manifested on Valentine Day when Postorious opened four bullets from the chamber of his hand pistol into his girlfriend's head and arm. The victim,Reeva Steenkamp,died at the spot. This has got Nike going into damage control measures and monitoring the South African athlete facing charges of "premeditated murder." In Nigeria, we are always told by pastors that the spiritual controls the physical and Nike is the Greek goddess of victory; a virtue Postorious has enjoyed since hitting limelight. He was so victorious in the Olympics games that he even won a case to be allowed to compete with able bodied athletes. Do you believe the Greek goddess has spiritually controlled the Bullet in the Chamber to physically commit murder and will he come out of this charges victorious?

The Other Side Of Goldie

You must have heard about the death of the Nigerian artiste and BBA Housemate,Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey, popularly known as Goldie and of course heard her confessed love for Kenyan house mate Prezzo who reports say is in Nigeria armed with an engagement ring to propose. Well, it’s all good. While fellow artistes and her fans are mourning the death of the singer, stark revelations are emerging about the other side of the diva. Her legal husband, Andrew Harvey, who she still bears his surname has come out to post exclusive pictures of Goldie and as well granted an interview to a Nigerian newspaper, The Nigerian Entertainment (thenetng.com). Goldie’s maiden name is Susan Filani and her husband cleared the air that they were married until her death and were never divorced. He also stated that they were planning to have a baby this year. Mr. Harvey who said he is planning to visit Nigeria next was making plans to become Nigerian. Some of his responses to the interview conducted by Victoria Ige goes thus: So sorry about your loss. And so sorry to be contacting you under this circumstance. Nigerians are shocked to discover, through your FB post, that Goldie was married. I’m wondering if you’ll able to give me more details, and if we can have your permission to print some of the photos in the folder ‘Memories of my darling wife’? You may print the photos, as for the details it really depends on what it is you’re looking for Thanks Andrew. Just to clarify a few things Like? When did you wed her? And were you still married as at when she passed yesterday? We wed in December 2005 and were very much married when she passed indeed I was talking to her on arrival in Lagos before the fateful event I see you moved back to England. Do you have another family? I work in Malaysia, we have a private home in UK, I do not have a second family Also did you have kids together? No kids, we were planning this year There had been speculation for many years that she was married to an ‘oyinbo’ man. But no one could lay hands on anything. Why did you keep it a ‘secret’? Our private life is nothing to do with work life, there has to be a balance How did you hear of her death? I found out you last saw her in December? I was talking to her on arrival in Lagos before the fateful event How did you meet her? She must have been very young… I met her at a friend’s leaving party and fell in love straight away, but had to work hard to persuade her I was genuine So you will be planning to come here for burial rites… Yes I have applied for visa and shall come next week But how did you manage the Prezzo drama? Prezzo was part of BBA game, just like in the movies, there was nothing to fear But funny it dragged way beyond BBA It dragged because the media dragged it, other wise it would have died naturally. Prezzo will say anything to get attention Do you think he fell in love? And did you ever think Susan liked him for a minute…? People fall in love and it’s not impossible to love more than one person, but there are different levels. She liked him initially, but began to despise him and distanced herself as he tried to use her she complained he was very manipulative How did you come about your alias ‘Oyibopeppay? Oyiiibopeppay is a name used in the villages for white man getting burned in the sun. I used to work in the bush erecting BTS for MTN and Glo You have direct access to her password? The memories album was posted on her twitter. Or you requested for an admin to post? I am an official admin. I don’t need any password but my own. It was authorised by Goldie One last question: so much speculation on cause of death. I see from your facebook timeline that you’ve followed the reports. Have the doctors/family/label told you what the cause of death is? An autopsy is being carried out and we will await results. The rest is speculation and hearsay And did she have any medical condition? She had no medical condition, Is it true she was in India recently? She was in Malaysia, we spent Christmas together away from prying eyes What will you miss most about her? Everything, she was the most beautiful person I ever met, no moment was wasted. Sweet, intelligent, sexy and a magnificent cook!!!! And she was a determined young lady… Very. That’s what I liked about her Are you originally from England? Was she officially a citizen of your country by marriage? Or that was not concluded? I’m from England and was processing Nigerian citizenship before I was transferred to Malaysia. Of course she was citizen of UK before we met, she lived and schooled there She was indeed a star, as I’m sure you’ve seen from the tributes coming from far and near. Even the BBC and Billboard recognise her star Yes we saw it on BBC news tonight. It is a devastating loss, but I support just as much wherever she has gone to. May her soul rest in peace

You Want To Give Birth In USA? The Official Price is N22 million For Nigerians.

Contrary to the widely held notions in the polity that to deliver a baby in the United States, a pregnant woman has to conceal her pregnancy during her visa interview and while entering the US, or she has to travel before her pregnancy starts to show, the US Embassy has clarified that it is okay to decide to have a baby in the country. This is against the backdrop of the practise where some Nigerians deliberately lie during visa interviews in their bid to secure automatic US citizenship for their children. The Embassy outlined some conditions which have to be met before such a visa which falls under medical tourism category is issued. This it said, is necessary to encourage applicants to be truthful during visa interviews. One: The applicant has to show proof of available funds of at least $140,000 (about N22 million) to pay medical fees, and secondly, the applicant has to show proof of the need for medical attention in the US such as high risk pregnancy and the likes. US Embassy Chief of Consular Section, Ms. Carol Cox, in an interview with select journalists in Abuja, yesterday disclosed that it would cost at least $60,000 to have a baby in the US. In instances where complications arise from the delivery, the medical bills may go as high as $140,000. Availability of the funds, Cox said is very important as it is necessary to ensure that American taxpayers do not have to pay such bills. “We owe the American public who pay taxes to make sure that those who seek medical services in the US pay for such services. This is essential because there are those who have the money and are not willing to pay. “It is very frustrating when you see a woman who is obviously pregnant, sometimes seven months gone, tell you during a visa interview that she is just going to the US for a vacation,” she said. Commenting on the fate of those who have incurred bans in the process of visa applications, Cox said while they are allowed to appeal, the outcome would be determined by the gravity of what incurred the ban in the first instance. She added that it would be difficult for such appeals to come through in instances of fraud. “It is important for applicants to be truthful because if there is any discrepancy in what you say and what you have written in your form, your credibility is gone,” she said. Speaking on visa wait times, the embassy has reduced the wait times from six weeks to 30 days for applicants in Abuja, and to 21 days for applicants in Lagos, she disclosed. Public Affairs Officer of the Embassy, Ms. Debra MacLean reiterated that the visa is not a guarantee that an applicant would enter the US. “If the applicant is found to have materially misrepresented his purpose of visit, the immigration officer at the airport may refuse him or her entry. This officer is the one who really determines who enters the US,” she clarified. (Culled from ThisDay)

Now That Goldie is dead, This Is What's Gonna Happen In Days To Come....

If you are still getting to know about the news of the passing on of the Nigerian musical artiste, Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey, popularly known as Goldie, then you are either too busy in your work or travelling thousands miles by road; or simply put, you are not a fan of the Nigerian music entertainment industry. The 31 year old singer who represented Nigeria last year at the popular TV reality show Big Brother Africa (BBA) last year died recently at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island after landing from the USA where she attended the Grammy Awards which held on Sunday along with duo of Kennis Music Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye. Maverick TV presenter, Denrele Edun, is very prominent to be among those that were with the deceased in her last moments. While the wait for the autopsy result expected to be carried out to ascertain the cause of death lingers on, so many writers, bloggers and journalists have turned to speculating what the cause of death might be; I have written one and suggested it may be Thrombosis, a condition leading to the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel thereby obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. That is not the only suspicion for the cause of death; sources from Reddington hospital where Goldie died last night postulated Pulmonary Embolism while what would be regarded a “negative” revelation made headlines in the publication, PM News, which claimed she may have died as a result of doping complications. Well, the good development is that an autopsy will be carried out as it is necessary as contained in the laws guiding Lagos State where she passed on but whether the result will be made public will be another issue to be dealt with. With the kind of influence being wielded by some music labels over the entertainment writers’ leaves one to be afraid that should the autopsy report prove otherwise, chances that it would be reported credible are slim; there is bound to be conflicting reports. Traditionally, as no evil is not supposed to be said about the dead, the media show do what is right; you decide that. Goldie is dead and she will be remembered in the coming weeks, months and maybe the rest of the year by some friends, fans, colleagues and all sorts but be sure that the government will in no way be among those that would be visible in this category. First among what you will start noticing and which has started is that Goldie’s twitter account would have more followers; her Facebook page would witness more likes to the extent you will start asking; where the hell were all these people? As of the time of penning this piece, it stood at 86, 610 and still counting. Many will post some ugly tweets and make reference to her BBA moments and also try to measure her career in the negative but, she will have fighters that would attack every silly comment; trust artistes, they protect their own. If Google could be kind enough to furnish us with the frequency of downloads and searches done on Goldie since the announcement of her death, then you will see that Goldie became more popular in death than she was when she was in the Big Brother House. Her picture has since replaced those of many as display pictures (dp) on Blackberry Smartphone’s BBM app and her songs and interviews have hit the highest since she came on stage as an artiste in both print and electronic media including the internet not to talk of ringtones across Nigeria. Her albums will start selling and Alaba marketers may have started mass-producing the albums including the present three singles from her forthcoming African Invasion album entitled Skibo, Miliki and Got to Have it; the pirates are already seeing a gold mine in Goldie’s work and they will surely smile to the bank and rob her of her royalties. The regulatory bodies for copyright infringements will send their investigators and collectors out to all hotels, joints and relaxation spots with calculators and all to start tabulating the amount accruing from the airplay of her songs which has risen astronomically since her Valentine Day demise. Fellow artistes are already trying to get their voices heard with tributes for her and they would be calling themselves and planning on a splendid way to have a befitting burial ceremony; a committee will be formed, Nollywood stars of course will be involved and they may toy with the idea of visiting the Ekiti State governor to donate some fund towards what they may call A Golden Farewell to Goldie. The artistes are all going to start recounting their relationships with Goldie and then, you will see some collabo videos staring Goldie that may have been dropped some years back on your entertainment channels. Also, tribute songs especially in the form of singles will soon start hitting the airwaves and the lyrics will speak so much of what an Angel Goldie was; the kind of praises always reserved for the dead never for those living. The media is already digging and will keep nosing. Soon stories about Goldie’s escapades in the BBA would dominate the stage and the main focus will be Prezzo who she was romantically attracted to and said officially that she was in love with. Then, more stories will come out; soft sells will be digging and they would be asking a question nobody ever asked; who is Leo Harvey? A brother, a husband? I rather not go there. Then would be some music video collaboration by artistes in tribute to Goldie; it may be haphazardly done and presented and some of the stars would sing about their love for Goldie and all she did not do for them while alive. The burial will be a celebrity show; whether in Lagos or her home state of Ekiti State. It will sure be a show for the best of the best in the industries. All class of artistes will be there whether A,B,or C-List and wannabes will not be left out. Goldie might have a golden casket and be sure to see some ladies that would dress up like her; blonde hairs, extra long eye lashes and tight fitting diva apparels, just to immortalize Goldie. Tears will flow definitely, Denrenle would cry, Omawumi too; Don Jazzy would be too moody to show his emotion while Banky-W will appear on black with his EME crew. Don’t be surprised if you see Kenny Keke Ogungbe and Dayo D1 Adeneye shed tears; she was signed to their record label and they were together at the 55th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles some days before her death. Posters of Goldie will fly across Nigeria and some parts of Africa and her blonde hairstyle will be immortalized with her name; Goldie. Many music award organizing bodies will give her post-humous awards and maybe some corporate bodies may try to do a movie about her and her diva nature; I am lost for a title but something like The Golden Diva will sure be considered. The reality show she was planning to roll out next month called, Tru Friendship alongside Denrele and Kenyan housemate Prezzo, who have since departed Nairobi to Nigeria, might still stand a chance to see the daylight; somebody gotta have a mind to keep the dream alive. She wanted to launch it next month. Goldie will remain in the hearts of Nigerians as one young lady who came and did her thing; she may not have been the best but she did give her best. In any way you may have perceived her, take a moment of silence and celebrate her life. She was indeed golden. Rest in Peace Susan.

Goldie may have died of Thrombosis. Autopsy to be carried out.

As more entertainment lovers are waking up to the sad news of the death on Valentine day of Nigerian musical artiste Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey, popularly known as Goldie, thousands of tributes have been pouring in for the 31 year old singer who represented Nigeria last year at the popular TV reality show Big Brother Africa (BBA). Goldie died at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island after returning from the USA where she attended the Grammy Awards which held on Sunday along with duo of Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye. Her Facebook page and twitter account has witnessed tremendous outpouring of emotions from her fans and fellow musicians even as her picture is trending in social media platforms with many using her pictures on display on their blackberry BBM images. Though no detail has been given as cause of death, medical experts are not ruling out Thrombosis, a condition leading to the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel thereby obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. This is going by the reports made public on the late singer's activities over the past 24 hours. According to the president of Kennis Music,Mr. Kenny Ogungbe, in a statement last night has confirming the death of the singer, said she died Thursday after complaining of a severe headache shortly after her arrival from the United States where she went to witness the Grammy Award. "She was rushed from her Park View, Ikoyi, Lagos residence to her official hospital, Reddington, Victoria Island, Lagos, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival at exactly 7:30pm in the evening," Ogungbe said. A doctor who National Daily spoke to explained that flights come with all sorts of exposures to health challenges for some people and it is advised that after embarking on long distance flights, one must rest for at least 12 hours before moving around. "I remember being on a flight from Manchester to Amsterdam once in 2009 and suddenly I had this severe tightening pain on my forehead, I didn't want to draw attention to myself and kept praying to God to make it go. Thank God it was a short flight of about 40 mins. Later when I got to Nigeria, I felt the pain for a whole week. Another family friend, in her fifties died of Thombosis: blood cloth in the veins, on a USA - Canada bound flight. Sometimes, there are blood cloths in our vessels which we are not aware of. They may travel upwards to the lungs and this could cause death. Some doctors also advise that as adults, we take a tablet of aspirin at least once in a week just to thin out the blood in our system," said Lawrence, a regular traveller that has experienced the condition. But National Daily just learnt that an autopsy is underway. A call placed to a source at the LASUTH morgue, where her remains have been deposited, disclosed that an autopsy would be carried out so the real cause of her sudden death would be ascertained. Goldie who hails from Ekiti State represented Nigeria at the Big Brother Star Game in 2012 and presently has what she describes as three nawti singles from her forthcoming African Invasion album; the songs are entitled “Skibo”. “Miliki” and ” Got To Have It.” Goldie will surly be missed in the Nigeria entertainment industry for her diva attitude which placed her on a level in the highly competitive Nigeria music entertainment industry.

Oscar Pistorius charged with murder 'after shooting girlfriend'

PARALYMPIC star Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder after reportedly shooting his girlfriend dead having mistakenly thought she was a burglar. According to reports, the South African hero, 26, shot Reeva Steenkamp, 30, in the head and arm at 4am this morning. There was speculation the shooting may have been a Valentine’s Day surprise gone wrong at the property in the Silver Woods Country Estate in Pretoria. Cops now have 48 hours to question him and continue investigations before he is brought before the court. Talk Radio 702 host Kribani Pillay in Johannesburg said Pistorius told police that he thought the woman was an intruder. Miss Pillay said the area around Pistorius’ home was “teeming” with emergency services, media and onlookers. A police spokesperson said Pistorius was "traumatised after losing someone close to him". Yesterday, Miss Steenkamp fatefully posted a tweet about Valentine's Day, writing: "What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow???" The last tweet she posted on her Twitter account read "I'm there like a bear!!! Yayyyy!!!! X" after a friend invited her round for afternoon tea and cupcakes. A 9mm pistol was recovered. According to unconfirmed reports four shots were fired. A spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that a woman has been fatally wounded in a shooting at Oscar Pistorius’s house. “A 26-year-old man has been taken into custody.” Police spokesman Katlego Mogale said: “At this stage we are still conducting a preliminary inquiry. Statements are conducted with neighbours and people who were at the scene. A case of murder was being investigated.” He added: “Paramedics declared the woman dead on the scene and police proceeded with their investigation. “The woman sustained wounds to her head and the upper body.” Mogale said police were called following a shooting at a townhouse complex in the Silverlakes district. “When police arrived they found the paramedics attending to the woman. The paramedics declared the woman dead on the scene and police proceeded with their investigation of the scene,” he said. He said a 26-year-old man was expected to appear at Pretoria Magistrate’s Court later today. Entertainment show Tropika Island of Treasure, which stars Miss Steenkamp and was due to be broadcast this weekend, has posted a tribute to her on its website. It said: “We are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to Reeva’s family and friends.” Miss Steenkamp grew up in Port Elizabeth, where she studied law, but later moved to Johannesburg after signing a deal with cosmetics company Avon. She went on to model for FHM and feature in various advertising campaigns. The Cape Town-born model described herself as someone who has "a passion for cars and cooking and prefers to read a book on her off days and spend quality time with friends and family". Pistorius is known as the Blade Runner because of the ground-breaking prosthetics he uses for racing. He made history at London 2012 when he became the first amputee sprinter to compete in the Olympics, running in the 400m and 4x400m relay. The Johannesburg-born athlete was born without fibulas in his legs and had the limbs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old. He had to win a legal battle over his blades with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in 2008 for the right to compete in able-bodied competition. South Africa has some of the highest rates for violent crime in the world, with an average of nearly 50 people murdered each day. There are also high levels of assault, rape, robbery and carjackings. According to United Nations research, South Africa has one of the highest firearm-related homicide rates in the world, four times higher than the US and second only to Colombia at the time. According to statistics, the country is awash with almost six million civilian firearms, with 12.7 out of 100 people in South Africa owning a gun. In 2008-2009, there were 18,148 murders in South Africa, compared with 662 murders in the UK. Champ ... Pistorius after winning the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Miss Steenkamp's publicist Sarit Tomlinson said the family was "shocked" and "devastated" by the news. She described Miss Steenkamp as "the sweetest human being" and "a talented and bright young girl", adding that the couple had a "healthy, fabulous relationship". She was from a family of horse trainers, who she said she was very proud of. Her father was Barry Steenkamp, well-known horse trainer related to famous South African trainers the Amos brothers. The International Paralympic Committee said in a statement: "Following the news of the alleged shooting incident involving South African athlete Oscar Pistorius this morning, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will not be passing any comment on the case at this time. "This is a police matter, with a formal investigation currently underway. Therefore it would be inappropriate for the IPC to comment on this incident until the official police process has concluded. "The IPC would like to offer its deepest sympathy and condolences to all families involved in this case." Olympian Jessica Ennis spoke of her shock on Twitter, describing the “the horrendous news” as “an awful tragedy”. Athelete legend Denise Lewis added: “Not a good morning athletics fans - News reports on Oscar Pistorius are unbelievable”. Just three days ago, Pistorius tweeted about his excitement regarding his first race of 2013, accompanied by a photograph of him in action. He said: “1 month till my first race of 2013.. Can’t wait to burn it up!” On Pistorius’s website, a quote from Lord Coe before London 2012 hails him as a “real inspiration to people around the world” with a Nike spokesman describes time with Pistorius as “some of the most inspirational time we’ve ever spent around an athlete”. Lord Coe said: “Oscar is an extraordinary athlete who has made a significant impact in international sport. “It will be fantastic to see him compete in London this summer – spectators can expect a real treat! “He’s been a real inspiration to people around the world so we were thrilled when he decided to join our International Inspiration programme as an ambassador, helping us to inspire young people worldwide.”

Saudi Islamic Cleric Who Beat 5 Year Old to Death Over Virginity Doubt Gets Light Sentence.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Online activists in Saudi Arabia are calling for harsher punishments for child abuse after reports that a prominent cleric received only a light sentence after confessing to the beating death of his 5-year-old daughter. The social media campaign gaining momentum Sunday is the latest attempt to use the Internet to pressure the kingdom's ultraconservative rulers. Saudi media reports say Fayhan al-Ghamdi, a frequent guest on Islamic TV programs, was arrested in November on charges of killing the girl. The reports said he questioned the child's virginity. Saudi media say he was freed last week after serving a short prison term and agreeing to pay $50,000 in "blood money" to avoid a possible death sentence. The money was presumably offered to the girl's mother or other relatives.

Califronia School Were 4-5 Year Olds Were Having Sex To Be Closed Down.

Sexual encounters between 4- and 5-year-old students were allegedly an "everyday thing" at a private California preschool that is closing its doors after coming under attack for a lack of supervision, the mother of a 5-year-old former student said. "It's unfathomable on so many levels. For one, that it actually happened. For two, where it happened. For three, how often something happened," the mother of the girltold ABC-owned station in Los Angeles KABC-TV in an exclusive interview. Some students in the preschool class at the First Lutheran Church of Carson School in Carson, Calif., would engage in oral sex during nap time, in the tunnel slide on the playground and in an outside bathroom, attorney Greg Owen told ABCNews.com. Owen had planned to file a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of four students today, but he said he had decided to put that plan on hold as new students come forward. "Their lives will be ruined in many ways," Owen said of the students. "And we know there are many more." The California Department of Social Services cited the school, which is shutting down on Friday, for at least one of the sexual encounters, saying it had an improper student-teacher ratio. Church administrators did not return multiple phone calls from ABCNews.com over the weekend and today. They told KABC last week that the school's closing was related to the director's resigning for personal reasons, and insisted the alleged sexual incidents had nothing to do with the closure. Owen said there was a severe lack of supervision of the young students. "There were times when teachers would let aides in the room for hours at a time to watch the kids," he said. "During nap time, the aides would be sleeping and the children would have been molesting each other during this time," he alleged. The mother who spoke to KABC said her daughter had been caught by a teacher in the school bathroom performing oral sex on a 4-year-old boy. "I said, 'Where did you see this? How did you know that this was something to do? 'She said, 'I saw another little girl do it.' I said, 'Well, where?' 'Here at school.' 'When?' 'During nap time,'" the mother said. She said her daughter switched schools in October. Another parent told KABC that his 4-year-old son said he often received oral sex from a 5-year-old girl at school. "He told me about all the bad things that girl had been doing to him," he said. "It went down in the classroom, it went down in the bathroom and it went down out on the playground." With the mid-semester closing of the school, parents were scrambling to find alternatives but said it hadn't been easy. "Parents are saying, 'My child is now a predator. Now how can I let him go to another school?" Owen said. "I have talked to three of the parents who have not been able to [find other schools], but I would think there are schools around. "There were many children lying there, and they watched these acts. In our business and in psychological terms, that's sexualizing a child at a young age," he said.

Why FG Is Not Negotiating With Boko Haram

FOLLOWING the resolve of a section of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to embrace dialogue with the Federal Government, it has emerged that the administration has mandated security agencies to unravel the new sect, known as Jamatul Ansaril Muslima fi Biladis Sudan (JAMBS) which translates to Vanguard for the Aid of Muslims in Black Africa. The sect had claimed responsibility for the attack on some Mali-bound Nigerian soldiers, in Kogi State earlier in the year. Sources told the Nigerians Tribune that the government was being careful not to enter into a blind negotiation with Boko Haram leaders, while the JAMBS elements would remain potent. Administration sources also declared that initial investigations had confirmed that JAMBS is a breakaway sect of Boko Haram and that most of its commanders were erstwhile commanders of Boko Haram, who were said to have got disenchanted with the leadership style of Boko Haram leader, Mallam Abubakar Shekau. An administration source said that government had discovered that “JAMBS is affiliated to Alqaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM and that it was formed by former commanders of Boko Haram who disagreed with the leadership style of Abubakar Shekau.” Sources further stated that JAMBS is led by Mallam Abu Usamatul Aansari, who is known as the Supreme Leader or (Amir JAMBS). According to information in official circles, the movement recruits youths between ages 16 and 22. The targeted youths, according to information, are therefore sent for training in armed and unarmed combats as well as terrorist support trainings. “JAMBS capitalised on this to source for funding and training needed for commencement of terrorism acts in the country,” an official communication read. Information pieced together also indicated that the JAMBS leadership fell out with Mallam Shekau due to a number of allegations they levelled against him. It was further confirmed that government had decided to watch the peace offer by Boko Haram carefully, so as not to create further problems for the peace process. “The Federal Government is committed to ensuring peace and harmonious relationship among Nigerians but it should not be seen to be rushing to embrace peace deals in a way that would not last. We will check out the history of the splinter groups to ensure no stone is left unturned,” a source said on Monday. - Source: Nigeria Tribune

Bride kidnapped, Assaulted, Locked Up By Siblings 24 Hours After Wedding.

A newly wedded bride, Mrs. Eteoghene Owumi is seeking justice against her siblings for kidnapping, assaulting and depriving her of her liberty 24 hours after she said “I Do” to her husband. In addition to the wounds trauma and captivity, her siblings forcefully took the sum of N45, 000 by driving to the bank to use her ATM card to make withdrawals. She was on honeymoon with her husband who visited from the United States of America (U.S.A) for the marriage when the incident happened and the enraged husband is seeking justice in the matter as he told goodnameafrica that his in-laws spoilt what should have been the happiest day of their lives. “For the first time in my life, I am regrettably ashamed to say I am Nigerian by birth. No woman anywhere should have to suffer horrible physical, emotional and mental abuse at the hand of no one. The cultural mindset and lack of a true justice system in Nigeria has made it possible for such unspeakable act of violence against my wife to happen and I will make sure justice is done. I will go after all the people that did this to my wife with every arsenal at my disposal,” he said.

Goodnameafrica investigations revealed that Jude Owumi, who resides in Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S had arrived the country in December to finalize the marriage rites on his heathrob, former Miss Eteoghene Okpu and the two got wedded at the Ikoyi Registry on the 15th of December, 2012 with representatives from both families present including the bride’s mum. But the eldest brother of the bride, Mr. Justin Ochuko Okpu, who resides in Abuja, was absent and had been making frivolous demands from his prospective in-law before the wedding. According to a sworn statement of affidavit by the victim, Mrs. Owumi, she had gone to Abuja to inform her eldest brother as tradition demands of her intention to get married to her fiancé. “I made it clear to him (Justin) that my mind was made up and that I was making the right choice. At the end of the discussion, Justin said okay he has heard and I should tell my husband to come over to Nigeria, that the marriage rites would take place in December. Though he pretended to agree to my marrying Jude, he later said we shouldn’t do anything till my husband comes around to Nigeria and I should not tell anybody about our discussion because he wants to” show my husband some difficulties.” On hearing this, I became very uneasy and returned back to Lagos,” she said. She went on to disclose to her family about the ace up the sleeves of his brother and they asked him to inform her intending husband to come for her hand in marriage. But she further revealed that her brother had on several occasions been making demands from her fiancé.

“Before now, my husband called him (Justin) on three occasions just to interact, be friendly and also to let him know of his intention towards me for marriage. Instead of my eldest brother to welcome him and reciprocate, Justin became demanding of my husband in doing things for him. This attitude made my husband to withdraw and almost ended the relationship. My brother demanded that my husband should send him his American documents, divorce papers that Jude was planning to send to me for him to keep and also asked my husband to send him an open letter of invitation to America to join him and also do same for my other sibling. He told my husband has to do all these before he can be considered to marry me. I was very embarrassed,” she said.

After the exchange of vows at the Ikoyi registry on the 15th of December, where her mother, Mrs. Agnes Egoyibo Okpu, stood in for her in signing the marriage certificate in the witness of well wishers, family members and close friends, the couple went for the reception and then proceeded to Mountain of Fire (Prayer City chalet) for their honeymoon. But Justin, who had his air ticket bought for him by his new in-law, called the next day that he was boarding the flight and demanded that his sister, now married, should keep his money for him. “My brother called and said he was about boarding the plane and that I should get his money ready as he would like to have the money before meeting with my husband. I told him that I did not inform my husband and did not have any money but he called again when he landed. By then I had informed my husband who said the agreement was for him to buy him a one-way ticket not return and I told him that. He asked me to come and see him. We chose where we lodged so that I can be near my elder sister’s house, Uche Uyi-Okungbowa, in Mowe, Ogun State.” She said.

On reaching there, her brother Justin in the presence of her elder sister, Uche Uyi-Okungbowa, started beating ,slapping and kicking her until she fell down, then he dragged her by the feet into a room and locked her inside there. She was locked up till the next day when the husband came with some officers from Ibafo Police Station. “After a while, I heard noise around the house. I was praying for someone to come and rescue me. Suddenly my eldest brother, Justin came into the room screaming that my husband brought policemen to arrest him and started beating and hitting me again until I started bleeding. He forced me to make false written statements against my husband that he was luring me into marriage for human trafficking. He later took N5000 from my purse and with the help of my elder sister; they drove me to the nearest bank and forced me to withdraw N40, 000. Justin took the money and left on a bus to Abuja,” she said. Confirming the incident, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Abayomi Oladipo, in a police interim investigation report with reference AB:4099/OGS/IBF/VOL.4/1,08 and dated 3rd January, 2013 said that the matter was reported to their station. He stated in the report, a copy of which Goodnameafrica obtained, that the wife of Jude Owumi was actually held hostage on arrival at the residence of her sister situated at 48, Alhaja Ajaebi Street, Mowe town which was the residence of her assailants and there was marks of visible violence on the face of the victim and she was released from captivity based on pressure mounted by the police. Oladipo also stated that the perpetrators of the crime are on the run and the case has been kept in view pending when they would be apprehended. Goodnameafrica contacted the sister of the victim, Mrs. Uche Uyi-Okungbowa and she responded that she does not wish to speak on the matter. An email exchange obtained by Goodnameafrica emanating from Uche’s husband, Uyi Okungbowa, did not mention Uche being part of the assault.

“For your information, your 'wife' lived with me and my wife Uche for thirteen and a half years. During this period, my family did not only treat her like a sister but rather like a daughter with love and care that was envious of both her family members and outsiders. We clothed her, fed her, trained her, put a roof over her head and made life comfortable for her even when it was not convenient for us and am sure all of this you saw that made you consider her good enough for a wife. As I read through your writeup, all I could imagine was that life is indeed an irony. I don't wish my enemies to ever find themselves in this kind of situation in their lives talk less my friends. It is indeed the irony of life and how good, love and costly sacrifice can turn around to hunt one,” he said.

Meanwhile the husband of the victim has vowed to take further action on the assault on his wife. In an email notice he sent to his in-laws, he promised getting the US government into the issue.“I plan to petition the Consulate General of the Nigerian Consulate here in Atlanta, Georgia very soon to open a complete investigation into the abduction, assault and theft of money against my wife, and false criminal threat against me while I was in Nigeria. The Consulate General is responsible for the welfare of native Nigerians living here in the United States. I will copy the State Department of the United States that governs the presence of the Nigerian Consulate General in the United States to put him on notice that this matter MUST be investigated in accordance with the human right laws of the United States. I will also copy the Governor of Ogun State and the Governor of Lagos State of my investigation petition to the Consulate General of the Nigerian Consulate here in Atlanta,” he promised.