Former Italian PM Sentenced to 7yrs In Prison.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been found guilty of having sex with an underage prostitute and of abuse of power, a judge in Milan said today. The case centers on an exotic dancer nicknamed "Ruby the heart-stealer." A panel of judges sentenced Berlusconi to 7 years in prison and barred him from holding public office. Berlusconi can appeal.

Senegalese prize-winner rejects French visa

Open letter to French consulate claims humiliation by authorities.

After winning a free trip to France, Senegalese consultant Bousso Drame is saying "No, thank you." Drame recently penned an open letter to the French consulate in Senegal claiming she was subjected to humiliating remarks and treated with suspicion when she applied for a visa. 

 

Her trip was sponsored by the French Institute of Senegal, a government-operated cultural center, as the top prize for a French language competition. In her letter, Drame claims that her experience at the consulate is representative of the treatment received by many Senegalese people when dealing with French authorities. 

 

Here are some excerpts from the letter:

Produce N1bn bail bond within 48 hours or go to prison – Judge tells Lagos Speaker

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Monday denied Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, bail on self recognition.

Instead, he told the Speaker to either produce a N1 billion bail bond within 48 hours, or be held in prison pending the determination of the corruption case against him.

Ikuforiji was re-arraigned for alleged money laundering offence, alongside his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi, before Mr. Buba; after the former judge, Okechukwu Okeke, retired from the bench.

While the case was before Okeke, the Speaker had enjoyed the privilege of self recognition.

Ikuforiji has between now and Wednesday to tender the said bond or do some time in prison custody.