One dead in aircraft crash believed to be USAF jet

One person was killed on Wednesday when a military aircraft, believed to be a fighter jet, crashed on farmland after taking off from a U.S. Air Force (USAF) base in eastern England. "A military aircraft which had taken off from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk came down at about 10.30 a.m. (0930 GMT)," a police spokeswoman said. "We can confirm one fatality and believe there was just one person on board the aircraft." The crash occurred in Redmere near Ely, a rural area about 70 miles (110 km) north of London. "We are hearing reports and we are awaiting further information about it," said a spokeswoman for RAF Lakenheath, where the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing is based, in response to accounts that a U.S. F/A-18 fighter jet had crashed. She said another U.S. base, RAF Mildenhall, was dealing with media inquiries. A spokesman for Mildenhall had no immediate comment. Last year, four crew on board a U.S. Pave Hawk helicopter based at Lakenheath were killed when their aircraft crashed during a training exercise in a rural area on the north Norfolk coast.

Diezani Alison-Madueke arrested in London

IMMEDIATE past Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, was yesterday arrested with four other people by the UK National Crime Agency. She was however granted bail after she had been detained for  several hours. According to London Police she will be charged to court for money laundering.

Regarded as the most powerful minister in the Dr Goodluck Jonathan Administration, Alison Madueke was arrested yesterday morning for alleged offences relating to money laundering, bribery and corruption being investigated by the UK National Crime Agency, according toPremium Times report.

Diezani Alison-Madueke

This is coming as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last night sealed off her house in Asokoro area of Abuja. The identities of the four other people arrested along with her could not be immediately ascertained as at press time. Two top British officials in London confirmed the development on the condition of anonymity because they had no permission to speak on the issue.

When contacted, the British High Commission in Nigeria confirmed that some arrests were made Friday but declined to disclose the identities of those involved. Joseph Abuku, Press and Public Affairs Officer, said, “This morning, five people between the ages of 21 and 60 were arrested on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences. The crimes are being investigated by the National Crime Agency.

“The National Crime Agency does not confirm identity of any arrest nor provide information that could be used to corroborate the identity of an arrested individual.” Vanguard sources at the UK National Crime Agency also confirmed the arrest and added that the identities of those arrested would be officially disclosed at the point of being charged to court.

Ogini na fio! are days of reckoning already here?