Ndigbo to FG: Biafran agitators no threat to national security

From Aloysius Attah, Uturu, Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia, and  Okey Sampson, Aba

Prominent Igbo leaders yesterday rose from a three- day World Summit and declared categorically that Biafran agitators constitute no threat to national security.

In a 10-point communiqué presented at Igbo Renaissance Centre, Gregory University, Uturu in Abia State, and  signed by Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Col. Joe Achuzie, Dr. Greg Ibeh, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu , Prof. George Obiozor and two others, the Igbo leaders said Igbo people have made the biggest sacrifice and contribution to the building of modern Nigeria.

The Igbo leaders called on the Federal Government to promptly release Nnamdi Kanu and other prisoners of conscience in line with the rule of law.

They insisted that henceforth, the Igbo will work for a nation where they are allowed to live and operate as equal citizens without discrimination or intimidation.

While calling for a regional autonomy, the Igbo leaders demanded the repealing of the 1999 Constitution and enacting of a new one that will recognise the inalienable right of each constituent group to self- determination and regional autonomy as enshrined in the 1960 Independence and 1963 Republican Constitutions.

The summit described the herdsmen’ menace as “present and imminent danger to peace and security in Igboland” and called on Igbo governors and state Assemblies to immediately legislate against any form of grazing in Igboland.

The summit also  resolved that henceforth, Igbo political leadership, both elected and appointed must act in the best interest of Ndigbo and be prepared to be held accountable by the people for all their actions and inactions.

Earlier, during  the opening of the World Igbo Summit, the Director General, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna said the summit was organised to bring together great minds of  Igbo land from across the globe to dialogue and present a strategic roadmap for growth and development going forward to herald the 50-year visioning project for the Igbo nation.

Prof George Obiozor, in a remark noted:  “Over 40 years of mourning in the Nigerian wilderness is over. We must stop begging to belong to Nigeria, a country our leaders and our people built. Let us learn from the lessons of history that those neglected cannot and should not neglect themselves.”

General Ike Nwachukwu (retd) in his comment said Ndigbo can no longer accept any form of subjugation or becoming a footstool for anybody or region.

Other prominent Igbo that attended the summit included Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof Ephipany Azinge, Joe Irukwu , Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Iyom Josephine Anenih among others.

Meanwhile, youths from the core Niger Delta states under the aegis of Afra Descendants Movement (ADM) have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. They said the president has a moral burden in continuing to incarcerate Kanu.

Speaking after a one day meeting at Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State, the leader of ADM, Apostle Lanada M. Jene said it was morally wrong for anybody who had participated in a coup or was a beneficiary of a coup plot which is a treasonable offence to continue to incarcerate Kanu over a purported treasonable felony.

The ADM leader said whether the Federal Government releases the IPOB leader or not, the greatest thing they could hand over to Kanu was to continue to fight until Biafra was actualised.

He stressed that for this to be done, his members have decided to be mentally prepared for the victimisation that would come from the Nigerian government, stating that in so doing, it would be illogical for him to start speculating on what to do next if Nnamdi was not released, but emphasised on the commitment to ensuring that Biafra was actualised.

Source: The Sun

Patience Jonathan claims $200m from EFCC

Former first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan has slammed a $200 million suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

She is asking the court to mandate the anti-graft agency to pay her the sum as damages for freezing her accounts containing $15,000, an action she claimed infringed on her rights.

She is also seeking an order of court, directing the unfreezing of her account and another order restraining the EFCC from taking further steps in relation to the said account pending the determination of the suit.

Justice Babs Kuewumi fixed December 7 for hearing.

The EFCC had on September 22 ordered the freezing of some bank accounts belonging to her.

The Commission said the action was due to the ongoing investigation into the alleged money laundering charge preferred against her.

When the matter came up for mention, yesterday, women numbering over 100, invaded the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos, to protest the freezing order placed on the bank accounts of the ex-first lady.

Joined in the suit are  Skye Bank, a former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripama-Owei Dudafa, Pluto Property and Investment company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Transocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Globus Integrated Service Ltd.

When the case was called, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, announced appearance for the EFCC, while Mr Granville Abibo appeared for Jonathan.

Oyedepo informed the judge that the case was coming up for the first time, adding that some of the respondents had yet to be served with the court’s processes.

He said the case was not yet “ripe for hearing”, having been served with the processes on October 19. He asked for time to enable him file a response.

His submission was, however, not contested by counsel to the plaintiff.

Immediately, the court rose,  the  women carrying placards swooned toward a vehicle belonging to the EFCC, chanting solidarity songs in Ijaw and English languages.

Some of the inscriptions read: “Ijaw people are in solidarity with Jonathan”, “Unfreeze ex-President Jonathan’s wife’s account”, “We urge EFCC to abide by the rule of law”, “Women must be heard.”

In an affidavit in support deposed to by Mr Sammie Somiari, a lawyer, he averred that on March 22, 2010,  Mr.s Jonathan had opened five different accounts with Skye Bank with the assistance of one Damola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi.

According to him, Jonathan who duly completed and signed the mandate forms later discovered that apart from one of the accounts that bore her name, the other four accounts were opened in the name of four companies belonging to Dudafa.

He said she also observed that the ATM cards of the said accounts were issued in the names of the companies, adding that she complained to Dudafa, who promised to effect the necessary changes.

He said Dipo Oshodi also promised to effect the necessary changes.

Somiari averred that Jonathan was not a director, shareholder or participant in the companies and the funds in the said accounts were solely owned and operated by her.

“Dudafa does not own any part of the funds in the said accounts.”

According to the deponent, the Skye Bank official, (Oshodi), did not effect the instructions of the plaintiff to change the name of the said accounts to her name, despite repeated request.

He stated notwithstanding the refusal of the bank to effect the necessary changes, Jonaathan had been using the said ATM cards without any interference.

The deponent averred that sometime in July, Jonathan discovered that the ATM cards were not functioning, and immediately contacted the bank, who informed her that a “No debit/freezing order” had been placed on the accounts.

“On further enquiry, the bank informed her that the accounts were frozen on the directive of EFCC as a result of ongoing investigation in relation to Dudafa.”

Jonathan, therefore, contended that she was never arrested or invited by the EFCC prior to the freezing order placed on the accounts.

She further contends that the freezing order on her funds on the directive of EFCC without an order of the court is unlawful and illegal.

Source: The sun

Worst insurgency days over –Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari declared, yesterday, that the worst days of Boko Haram insurgency, which has killed over 20,000 people and displaced over two million, are over.

This was even as Buhari expressed regrets that Internally Displaced People (IDP)’s, who are ready to return home, have nothing to return to.

He added it was incumbent on the government to rehabilitate victims of Boko haram.

Buhari said this at the State House when he inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the Northeast Initiative, (PCNI).

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration had set up the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) to rehabilitate destroyed infrastructure and resettled persons displaced.

However, Buhari’s administration set aside N12 billion in the 2016 budget as special intervention fund for rehabilitation of the region.

The committee, chaired by Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd), is charged with the responsibility of developing strategy and implementation framework for rebuilding the North East destroyed.

The committee, which has over 20 members comprising federal lawmakers, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal and other eminent Nigerians, will exist for three years. Thereafter, a long-term regional development framework or entity may be established.

According to president Buhari, an estimated 2.4 million people have been displaced in the North East with properties worth billions of naira destroyed.

He said: “Fortunately, the worst of insurgency is behind us.  This, we owe principally to the valiant efforts of our military whose gallant efforts have significantly degraded the insurgency. With these successes, many displaced persons are willing and ready to return home to pick up their lives and move forward.

“However and sadly so, many have nothing to return to.  They have lost everything to the insurgency.  In addition, social and public services are also absent due to the massive destruction of public and private infrastructure.  Government is committed to providing effective coordination and guidance towards addressing the humanitarian crisis, the resettlement and reconstruction of the North East region.

“To this end, I have established the Presidential committee on the North East Initiative (PCNI), under the chairmanship of Danjuma, a man of proven integrity, outstanding patriotism and dedication.”

In his remarks,  Danjuma expressed gratitude do to the president for finding them worthy of the responsibility.

SOURCE: THE SUN

Alleged militants kill pregnant woman, injure 4

— 22nd October 2016

By Christopher Oji

A pregnant woman was yesterday stabbed to death, while her husband, two children and a neighbour are receiving treatment at the emergency unit of the Ikorodu General hospital.
Notorious killer gang believed to be militants had stormed the Oluwoye Community, Ikpakodo area of Ikorodu, yesterday morning and left the families of Mr. Abe Kazeem and Sunday Robert in the pool of their own blood.
The community is yet to come to terms with the attacks.
A resident, Mathew Moghalu, who told how the families were attacked said, “ It was not the first time such an incident had occurred. A killer gang, yesterday, stormed the house of Kazeem. The gang believed to be militants gained access through the window. The men, though heavily armed, did not shoot their victims.
“They hit the family members with iron rod, before they stabbed their victims several times. Kazeem was stabbed in the neck and hit with iron rod. His pregnant, wife, Afusatu was hit with iron rod on her stomach before she was stabbed severally. Her two children were stabbed severally too. I think the woman died because of her pregnancy.
“Sunday Robert is living close to the Kazeems. I think he raised the alarm when he saw the killer squad and the hoodlums got angry and went after him. He was hit with grinding stone before he was stabbed.
“It was the groan of Robert that attracted a neighbour who raised the alarm that Robert had not come out since morning. When his door was opened, we saw Robert lying in the pool of his blood. He was pointing at Kazeem’s house. Some of us rushed him to the hospital while some raced to Kazeem’s house. When we arrived Kazeem’s house, what we saw was better imagined.
“His wife has died. He and his two children were unconscious. We rushed them to the hospital too. As I am talking to you, I don’t know their condition by now. In fact, their conditions were critical, that only God’s intervention can rescue them from death.
“This is not the first time this type of incident is happening in this area. About two months ago, a family of taxi driver was wiped out in a similar way, but they were shot .I think the killer squad are militants who are sending a warning signal to us.
“I am appealing to the Lagos state Police Command to intensify patrol in Ikorodu area. The vigilance group in this area has failed us. I don’t know why a crime of this magnitude should happen twice in a month without a suspect”.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Dolapo Badmos, confirmed that there were attacks on two families.
She said, a pregnant woman died, but her two children, her husband and another victim, Sunday Robert were still receiving treatment at the hospital.


SOURCE: THE SUN

Posted via Blogaway

BREAKING NEWS: EFCC arrests Fani Kayode

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arrested a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode was re-arrested by operatives of the anti-graft about 1.55pm outside the premises of a Federal High Court on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Fani-Kayode, who was in court for his trial over an alleged fraud of ‎N4.9bn, was re-arrested shortly after he stepped out of the court premises.
Details later…..
SOURCE: THE PUNCH

Posted via Blogaway

THE VENTS OF A STUDENT IN EKEHUAN CAMPUS, OR A DIRECTED WRITE TO THE S.U.G UNIBEN.

     Perhaps, writing this as a colossal remonstrance to the personnels of the S.U.G UNIBEN might not be enough, I do believe that there is no other platform for a mere student in Ekehuan campus like me.
     Permit me to ask a salient question: is it not embarrassing to see the whole of Ekehuan campus manage one ATM?. A campus with over three departments struggling to access an almost inaccessible ATM which ironically has 'ACCESS' branded on it? That's amazing! It is however dazzling that before the emergence of our incumbent S.U.G president, she, like many of her mates at that time, passionately made a promise to add at least one more Automated Teller Machine to the redundant one on the campus. I dare say that the ATM point on Ekehuan campus -although sometimes functions well- most times serves as nothing but a titanic waste of space.
     The promise of a new ATM in Ekehuan by all of the presidential candidates was made because, I guess, they (the candidates) were certain that it would evoke an emotional sense of hope in the minds of their audience. I do remember one of them promising to provide at least two ATMs! Although, it is quite unfortunate that he did not win, I, however, strongly am of the opinion that he would have done nothing even if he had won. The reason for this stance is that the promise now sounds cliché and hence, does not possess in itself any meaning to both the listeners and the promise-makers. It is quite painful that as a student of the University of Benin, I sometimes find profound ignominy in registering my campus with my mates outside it. The sorry-state of our class-rooms is incredibly disheartening.
     The chief propellant of this write, is the kerfuffle of prospective contestants in the next elections- although, I must state here that their moves are clandestine. Some students have shown interest in the next elections, that has never and will never be a problem. The problem is that these students will still follow the norm of their predecessors, they will still promise us new ATMs and maybe increase the number this time. The inevitable axiom is that we (students in Ekehuan) are going to believe them not because we are gullible, we will believe them because we are hopeful. Hopeful that the candidates will not fail in their promises. Promises that have been heard over and again.
     There is no gainsaying the fact that there is a huge incongruence between Ugbowo campus and Ekehuan campus. But, the truth is that Ekehuan can be aesthetically preferable to Ugbowo campus if properly maintained. The classical artworks littering the campus are treated with raving indifference by various individuals. A classical example is the agelong sculptural piece of the musical icon, Sir Victor Uwaifo which is positioned at the heart of the campus. Although, the piece still looks strong and rigid, the surrounding contradicts the beauty. Credits must however be given to the authorities concerned for the provision of lights and water on the campus.
     Concludingly, it is important to say that the provision of more ATMs in Ekehuan is crucial to the wellbeing of students on the campus. Ekehuan campus as a whole needs to be upgraded.

#WENEEDANUPGRADEINEKEHUAN.
#WENEEDMOREATMsINEKEHUAN.


SOURCE: A student of Ekehuan campus,UNIBEN.

Posted via Blogaway

Aisha Buhari donates award to Nigerian soldiers

Aisha Buhari was given an award in Brussels by the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign & European Affairs.
– She dedicated the award to Nigerian soldiers fighting insurgency
While some Nigerians are wondering if Aisha Buhari only belongs to the kitchen and the other room, the first lady got international recognition as she was given an award in Belgium.
In a post shared by the first lady via her Facebook page, she said the award she received at the African women’s forum in Belgium was dedicated to the Nigerian soldiers.

She wrote: I whole-heartedly dedicate the award presented to me by the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign & European Affairs, Minister Didier Reynders at the African women’s forum on “Women’s Role in global security” to the Nigerian Military men and women who have lost their lives and those at the war front battling to restore peace in the North East .
The first lady was a key speaker at the event that was attended by several first ladies from Africa.

Posted via Blogaway

Jonathan Slugs it out on Buhari Over Comment on Wife & Kitchen.

Prophecy of Jonathan As Nigeria Regrets. If you vote my Opposition, women will be thrown back into the Kitchen. Nigerians Rejected Transformation & Embraced Retrogressive. Kindly watch what GEJ said about women during a campaign @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwFrt5m-jM0 

Posted via Blogaway

Check out Eric latest hit song titled 'Number One'

He is popularly known as Eric Osas on campus as he is one of the amazing artistes in UNIBEN. Download Number one @  http://www.campus94.com/2016/10/download-number-one-by-eric-osas.html?m=1 .

Posted via Blogaway

NAFDAC arrests 56-year-old man for faking Peak Milk

Mudiaga Affe, Calabar

THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has arrested a 56-year-old man, Christopher Nnabuihe, for selling faked Peak Milk.

The suspect, who lives at 42, Cameroun Road in Calabar, Cross River State, has confessed to the crime.

A NAFDAC statement made available to Southern City News on Tuesday quoted Nnabuihe as confessing that he procured cheap powdered milk and branded and branded it as Peak Milk, which is more expensive.

“I buy the already printed (Peak Milk) 440g packs from Ariaria Relieve Market in Aba, Abia State and bring it to Calabar for refilling. I seal them up with candle light.

“One 50 kilogram of the milk will fill 27 pieces and that is two cartons and three pieces. I sell one carton of the fake Peak Milk for N6,000 and make a profit of N1,000 per carton.

“You can only suspect it to be counterfeit through the taste because the packaging for the fake and the original is the same,” he was quoted as saying.

The Cross River State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr. Isaac Kolawole, said the agency acted on a tip-off to arrest Nnabuihe.

“We have been receiving complaints of adulterated Peak milk from consumers, which made us to swing into action. The suspect was arrested when he was supplying the products to departmental shops.

“Taking such an unwholesome and questionable product may result in some form of health problems as nobody can vouch for the content of the fake product and the good hygienic practice. We will carry out laboratory analysis on the product,” he said.

Kolawole warned that the agency would continue to track persons who indulge in adulteration of NAFDAC regulated products for arrest and prosecution.

He said the prosecution of Nnabuihe had commenced at a Magistrate’s Court in Calabar while judgment had been fixed for November 28, 2016.

SOURCE: THE PUNCH

Posted via Blogaway

JUST IN: President Buhari makes 2 crucial appointments

– Federal government appoints Nike Aboderin and Sadiku Rafindadi as directors for FAAN
– They will serve as Director of Finance and Director of Commercial & Business Development correspondingly
The federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated two new directors for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Henrietta Yakubu, the active general director of the company, revealed this in a statement, giving the names of the new appointees as Nike Aboderin and Sadiku Rafindadi.
According to Mrs Yakubu, Rafindadi was appointed as Director of Commercial & Business Development, whie Aboderin was appointed Director of Finance and Accounts.
The statement reads: “Aboderin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB). She holds an M.Sc degree in Banking and Finance of the University of Lagos.
“Her over 23years experience in the financial services industry exposed her to both public and private exploits at different institutions including multinationals.
“She is an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) graduate of Lagos Business School and also holds a post graduate certificate in Global Strategic Management (GSM) of the Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.”
Yakubu further added that Aboderin is married and has children.
On the other part, Rafindadi is a 1985 graduate of Economics of the University of Pittsburgh and also holds an MBA in Finance of Clark Atlanta University, USA.
“He attended Kaduna Polytechnic, where he obtained Certificates in Management Studies.

“Rafindadi is a seasoned amiable Manager who started his career as a young officer and rose to the pinnacle through diligence and commitment,” Yakubu said.
FAAN is a service organization statutorily charged to manage all Commercial Airports in Nigeria and provide service to both passenger and airlines. The company generates revenue from both Aeronautical and Non-Aeronautical sources in the ratio 82:18. We have embarked on projects to increase the revenue from Non-Aeronautical sources.

Posted via Blogaway

Court sacks 2 House of Reps members

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked two members of the House of Representatives from Enugu and ordered them to refund all emoluments they have earned back to National Assembly’s purse.

The affected lawmakers, according to Daily Trust are: Hon. Stella Ngwu from Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency and Hon. Dennis Nnmachi Agbo from Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency.
In its judgment on Tuesday, October 18, the court declared that Dr. Gabriel A Okafor is the rightful winner of  Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency seat election, while Hon. Chijioke H. Ugwu won the Egbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Enugu State in 2015.
The judge ordered INEC to immediately issue certificates of return to them both of them.
Meanwhile, some federal lawmakers in the House of Representatives have paid themselves hundreds of millions of Naira as accommodation allowances, according to accusations made by suspended Kano lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Jibrin alleges that Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the lower house of legislature and his deputy Lasun collected N500m ‘from multiple sources’ as their accommodation allowances.
The lawmaker made these allegations on his Twitter handle on Monday, October 17 even as he revealed that the allowances caused friction among members of the House.

Posted via Blogaway

Unilorin to admit less than 11,000 out of 103,238 applicants – VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, has said that out of  103,238 applicants  comprising 21,082 males and 52,156 females for admission to the university  for next session, the university will be able to  accommodate less than 11,000.

He stated that the university was receiving high admission pressure from applicants even when some federal universities, according to him, had 148 admission seekers.

Ambali spoke on Monday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during Unilorin’s 32nd convocation media briefing.

He said the institution remained committed to improving its services, expanding its facilities and furthering its frontier through innovative programmes.

He added that it was more vigorously committed to meeting the rationale for the establishment of the university, as stated in the Third National Development Plan.

The VC said 67 of 6,069  first degree graduands  bagged first class.

He added that 1,505 made second class upper division,  3,200, second class lower; 1,124, third class  while 70 got pass.

 Ambali said, “We received a letter to the effect that the Nigerian Army highest hierarchy has approved a collaborative programme leading to the award of a Master of Arts Degree in Peace and Security Studies with  Unilorin, through its Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies.

“Through this programme, senior officers of the Nigerian Army will be trained at Unilorin in continuation of the training at one of their higher educational institutions. With this, the university is poised to impact  more and contribute further to the Nigerian project.”

Ambali, who is also the Chairman of the Association of West Africa Universities, also said it was  unsavoury that no Nigerian university was ranked in the first 100 of the global university ranking.

He stated that the Nigerian universities were making efforts to be ranked better.

SOURCE: THE PUNCH

Posted via Blogaway

maintains gain, exchanges at N454/$

Naira, which exchanged at a record low of N500 against the dollar two weeks ago, Monday maintained gain as it appreciated to a record high of N454/$, at the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market, BusinessDay findings show. The naira firmed by N6 to close at N454/$ yesterday. This represents 1.09… 
Go to www​.businessdayonline.com/naira

Posted via Blogaway

Petrol sells above N145 per litre in 15 states

By Sebastine Obasi & Ediri Ejoh DESPITE the federal government’s assurance that the price of petrol will reduce from N145 per litre, it sold above the price in 15 states of the federation, last September, data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has shown. According to the NBS, Cross River State led the price table with N154.6, followed by Kaduna, which had N151.8, while Kogi occupied the third position with the price of N150.4. In Enugu State, petrol was sold at N148.7, while it was sold at N148.5 in Bornu and N148 per litre in Kebbi State during the period under review. In Ebonyi State, it was sold at N147.6, while it sold at N147.2 in Bayelsa, N147.1 in Abia, N147 in Nassarawa, N146.5 in Kwara, N146.4 in Plateau and Benue, N146.3 in Niger, N146.1 in Imo and N145.6 per litre in Gombe State. However, Akwa Ibom State recorded the lowest price of N142.5 per litre. The NBS also stated that energy and energy related prices continue to be the largest increases reflected in the Core sub-consumer index. According to the Bureau, in September, the core sub-index increased by 17.7 percent during the month, up by 0.5 percent points from rates recorded in August (17.2 percent). During the month, the highest increases were seen in the Electricity, Liquid Fuel (kerosene), Solid Fuels, and Fuels and Lubricants for Personal Transport Equipment groups. It further stated that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 17.9 percent (year-on-year), 0.24 percentage points higher than the rate recorded in August 2016 (17.6 percent). “On a month-on-month basis, the Headline index eased, increasing by 0.8 percent in September, down from 1.0 percent in August. The Urban Index rose by 19.5 percent (year-on-year) in September from 19.3 percent recorded in August and the Rural Index increased by 16.4 percent in September from 16.1 percent in August. On a month on month basis, both the Urban and Rural Index eased, increasing by 0.8 percent a piece,” it added. For diesel, the price across the country was at the average of N192.69 per litre, with Benue having the peak price of N210.00 per litre. The states with the highest prices include: Lagos recording N188.11, Abuja – N189.50; Borno- N201.25; Akwa Ibom- N200.00; Plateau -N203.33; Kwara- N198.89; Kebbi- N199.38; Kano- N198.33; Bauchi- N198.33 and Kaduna at N198.08.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/petrol-sells-n145-per-litre-15-states/

Posted via Blogaway

Man chops off neighbour’s ear over plantain

By Davies Iheamnachor, Amarachi Uzoma & Isioma Ananaba



PORT HARCOURT—A 32-year-old civil servant in Rivers State, Mr. Braide Chinedu, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Port Harcourt, for allegedly chopping off his neighbour’s ear over ownership of a plantain tree. The accused person, Chinedu, who works with a federal ministry in Port Harcourt, reportedly attacked his neighbour, Mr. Adelowu Ogundele, with a matchete while Ogundale was allegedly harvesting plantain at their Federal Housing Estate residence in Port Harcourt. The accused, who is facing two counts of assault, is also accused of destroying plantain trees owned by one of his former neighbours, Mrs Ibitayo Elizabeth. After the charges were read, Chinedu pleaded not guilty. Chief Magistrate B. M. F. Jamabo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N400,000 and one surety, before adjourning the case to October 23.

SOURCE: VANGUARD

Posted via Blogaway

Chibok girls: Talks with Boko Haram to continue if… Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration was prepared to continue talks with Boko Haram to ensure the release of the remaining abducted Chibok girls “as long as they agree to involve foreign agencies like International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The 21 Chibok girls who were among the 219 students abducted from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State in April, 2014, tasted freedom last Thursday. One of the girls, Amina Ali, was in February rescued, bringing their number to 22.
The Federal Government had said the girls were released after successful negotiations led by an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). The ICRC had provided immediate humanitarian assistance to the girls, who had spent over 900 days in the hands of their abductors.
Buhari gave the commitment yesterday when he met with the President of ICRC, Peter Maurer, at the State House, Abuja, where he commended ICRC’s role in the release of the 21 girls, urging it to sustain humanitarian interest in Nigeria.
“We’ve seen the result of recent talks, 21 of the Chibok girls are back,” adding that Nigeria’s biggest problem was perhaps the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), noting that there were over two million of them, “made up of over 60 per cent women and children. About 60 per cent of the children don’t know their parents, or where they come from. It is weighing heavily on government,” he said.
Maurer said their operation in the Lake Chad region is the second largest in the world, after Syria, adding that there are nutritional, health, water and sanitation issues in the North-east, in addition to rebuilding of infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group has expressed shock at the use of its brand name at a fund raising event by Hadiza Buhari-Bello, President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter.
At the event, which was held yesterday, the Peace Corps of Nigeria donated N3.5million to Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) owned by Buhari-Bello as part of an endowment fund for the Chibok girls.
“Bringbackourgirls” was inscribed boldly on the backdrop of the event.
But the advocacy group, led by Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, has disassociated itself from the event, promising to issue a response through its lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).
In a statement signed by Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu, the group said the organisers of the event were trying to smear its hard-earned name.

SOURCE: THE SUN

Posted via Blogaway

27 states struggling to pay salaries – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari,  lamented yesterday that about 27 of the 36 states in the country are still battling with payment of salaries.
President Buhari stated this at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja while meeting with ICRC President, Mr. Peter Maurer.
He commended the role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross in last Thursday’s release of the 21 abducted Chibok schoolgirls.
The president, however, stressed that Nigeria’s biggest problem was, perhaps, the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
He noted that there were over two million IDPs “made up of over 60 per cent women and children. About 60 per cent of the children don’t know their parents, or where they come from. It is weighing heavily on government.”
He said the rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure was a priority of his administration, pointing out that the G7 nations had equally indicated support which Nigeria heartily welcomed.
According to the president, “It is a difficult time for Nigeria. About 27 of our 36 states couldn’t pay salaries when we came last year, and we are still struggling with that. But we will get out of it.”
In his remarks, Maurer described the ICRC’s operation in the Lake Chad region as the second largest in the world after Syria, saying “there are nutritional, health, water and sanitation issues in the North-east, in addition to rebuilding of infrastructure.”
The ICRC president declared that his organisation was ready to engage and play supportive role in responding to crisis in Nigeria.

SOURCE: THE SUN

Posted via Blogaway

3 policemen killed in fierce gun battle at Plateau

Emerging reports suggest that 3 police officers have been killed by some unknown gunmen on a road between Plateau and Kaduna states.

Investigations revealed that then 3 mobile police officers on patrol were shot dead in the early hours of Monday, October 17.
Premium Times reports that the incident occurred at Hawan Kibo, the boundary between Plateau and Kaduna states.
Although the police spokesperson, Terna Tyopev, could not be reached at press time, a police source who confirmed the attack said the officers’ rifles were also taken away.

The source said the incident occurred at the same spot where two police officers attached to the special task force on Jos crisis were shot and killed earlier in the year.
Monday’s killing occurred about 24 hours after gunmen raided Godogodo community, a settlement in Jama’ar Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Several residents have since abandoned the community while travellers on the Jos-Kafanchan-Abuja road have also deserted the route.
Hawan Kibo has been in the news lately for gun crimes and killings involving police officers. Two months ago, dare-devil armed robbers reportedly attacked a bullion van owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
According to a report by the Vanguard, the attack occurred at the Hawan Kibo hills, near Riyom in Plateau state.
Two policemen attached to the van as escorts were killed while three others sustained serious injury.

Posted via Blogaway

EFCC arrests Musiliu Obanikoro

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested Senator Musiliu Obanikoro after he honoured the invitation of the anti-graft’s agency.
Obanikoro who was a senator during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan was accused of being involved in the infamous arms scam as N4.75bn arms funds was reportedly traced to his account.
Obanikoro arrived in Lagos from the United States on Monday, October 17 and went to Abuja some hours later.
There was concern that the senator would not report to the EFCC in Abuja but he later did and submitted himself for interrogation.
It reports that the EFCC is investigating a firm, belonging to two sons of Obanikoro, Sylvan McNamara for receiving N4.75bn arms funds from the office of the former National Security Adviser between April 4, 2014, and December 15, 2014.

Obanikoro had asked all Nigerians to help him beg President Muhammadu Buhari to try to extradite him from the United States and see how terrible the mission would fail.
He claimed that the charges against him by the EFCC were false and vowed not to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency.
While his reason for his return is not clear yet, there is speculation that he may reach a plea bargain with the anti-graft agency.

Posted via Blogaway

Human skeleton found in pastor’s house in Ogun

Peace Land Estate, Akute, Ogun State was a scene of horror yesterday, as a human skeleton, believed to be that of a woman, was found in a pastor’s house.
According to eyewitnesses, the shocking discovery was made when the owner of the pastor’s house tried to evict him from his flat over late payment of rent.
“The pastor did not pay his rent for a year. The landlady, who was angry with the situation of things, stormed his home with some people in-order to evict him, but were shocked when they discovered a human skeleton inside,” one of the sources revealed.
People in the neighbourhood were attracted to the scene while the matter was quickly reported to the police.
However the suspect, who owns a church, was said to have made some revelations about the skeleton. He alleged that it belonged to his sister. According to him, his parents had just three children – himself and two sisters. He said he lived with them in the flat.
However, for sometime now, one of the sisters named Funmi has not been seen again.
When people asked about her, “he would say she went to the mountain,” said the source.
She, however, allegedly died since 2010 and her body was abandoned in the house.
From the position of the skeleton, it appeared the deceased was kneeling on the ground,
The Police have since arrested the suspect.
In recent times many suspects have been arrested with skulls and other human parts in different parts of Ogun State including Abeokuta and Sango Ota.

SOURCE: THE SUN

Posted via Blogaway

Buhari replies wife: You belong in my kitchen, bedroom

From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Berlin, Germany

President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to his wife’s threat not to mobilize for him in the next election if he doesn’t rejig his cabinet, saying, she belongs to his kitchen, living room and bedroom.
Mrs Buhari in a BBC interview said the President “does not know” most of the top officials he appointed. She warned that she may not back him at the next election unless he shakes up his cabinet.
She suggested the government had been hijacked by a cabal, saying only a “few people” were behind presidential appointments.
But responding to a question on his wife’s threat at a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after a closed door meeting, Buhari said, having sought election for 12 years and succeeded at the fourth attempt and fought to claim his mandate up to the Supreme Court on the three previous attempts, he was more knowledgeable and experienced than her.
He said, “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but my wife belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.” Continuing, he added, “It is not easy to do away with opposition or people who did not follow you along your campaign trail. I hope my wife will remember that I was in the field for 12 years, I tried three times, the fourth time I managed to succeed. And I ended up the first three times in the Nigerian Supreme Court, so I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition and I succeeded. It is not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition or to participate in the government.”
Buhari narrated briefly to journalists what he met on ground, which included a troubled economy with oil price nose-diving from about $100 per barrel to less than $40 resulting; 27 of the 36 states of the federation not being able pay salaries, adding “We had very serious economic problems. We had problem of security, economy, corruption which we are doing are best to eliminate”.
He repeated how the Boko Haram insurgents have been degraded, saying, the country has turned its attention to agriculture, calling on potential investors to invest in solid minerals.
On the Niger Delta, the President said talks were on going with the leadership of the militants, the traditional rulers, and oil companies that have operated in the region for over 30 years. He said, “we are talking to them to cease fire because government has the capacity to deal with them the way we dealt with Boko Haram. It is in the interest of Nigeria, that this matter is being considered through discussion, as a much more civil way of running the administration”.
On the Chibok girls, Buhari spoke on the release of 21 of them, adding that about 100 more were still in the hands of the terrorist somewhere in the Lake Chad Basin area which include Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria.
He said, “In getting this 21 out, we hope we will get enough intelligence to go about securing the rest of them.
However, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says President Buhari respects women, citing the appointment of Kemi Adeosun, finance minister, as a demonstration of that.
Reacting to the media frenzy ignited by Buhari’s statement that his wife Aisha belonged in the kitchen, Shehu said that Buhari was only joking.
“My friends, can’t a leader get a sense humour any more? Mr. President laughed before that statement was made,” he said.
”He was obviously throwing a banter.
“Politics sometimes should be spiced with humour. Those of us close to him know there is never a dull moment with him.
“Mr. President respects the place of women in our society. He believes in the abilities of women.
“One of Nigeria’s most sensitive office today is headed by a woman, Mrs. Adeosun. This is an evidence of the confidence he reposes on women.”

Posted via Blogaway

I’m not happy with my husband’s govt –Aisha Buhari

A translated version of the interview with Her Excellency, Aisha Buhari by the BBC Hausa Service, monitored in Zaria, by ABDULLAHI HASSAN, is reproduced below:

People had high expectations from your husband given his antecedents. It appears things are at a snail’s pace now. What do you think is wrong?
In my view, I am not a government official. But I will speak as a woman, a mother. We all knew that our first four years would be tough. But the main worry now is, we all know that no single individual can claim sole credit for the emergence of this government. It is a culmination of efforts. Unfortunately, more than half of the people that contributed actively to the coming of this government are today sidelined. Instead, a new set of people that are not even politicians, that are not known, have today been imposed on the people. These people did not even know how the government came about. They did not know the campaign promises we made, yet they are hoisted on the people.
Some of these intruders are even bold to say they are not politicians. Yet don’t forget, they are occupying seats meant for politicians.
Remember some lost their wives, husbands, or children in the course of the struggle. Now, even I myself, am not happy with the way things are going. We are just commencing the journey. We are aware that some who worked for us are in government but most are sidelined.
Now people from nowhere are appointed to head agencies. Some of them were even opponents who fought governorship candidates in their states, yet they are given appointments.

Can you name some of them?
Well, everybody knows them. I want to remind them that everyone casted just one vote. Even Buhari himself casted only one vote. Nobody casted 10 or more votes. And 15. 429 million voted us. The people that now impose themselves on Nigerians are not more than three. I am appealing to them to pity the mass of the people and allow things to run properly.
Today, the APC is cracked because those who suffered for it are not carried along while those who were completely out of the picture, who do not even have voters’ cards are the ones wielding power. What I fear for them is the revolt of more than 15 million people.

Is the president personally aware of this cabal and its activities?
Whether he is aware or not, the truth is, the people who voted him are aware.

As the closest person to him, have you brought it to his notice?
I don’t need to tell him. He is seeing it. If you ask him, he does not personally know 45 out of 50 of his appointees today. I don’t know them either, and we have been married 27 years now.

Are you suggesting that the government has been hijacked by a cabal?
Yes. I am also suggesting that those who don’t even have voters cards should leave way for those who genuinely struggled, who knew our vision and mission. When you meet most of these intruders, they tell people they are not politicians. So they shouldn’t have accepted the appointments in the first place, since it is not their field. We know that we shall soon return to the battlefield and with these people sitting on other people’s sweat.

Is it not surprising that it is you, saying that Buhari’s government has been hijacked? Who really are these people?
I don’t know them.

Are you confirming the insinuation that a cabal has actually hijacked power?
Of course I am. Apart from people like Fashola and Amaechi, I don’t know all the others that are running government.

Is it not strange that with Buhari’s experience, some people can hijack his government?
It is indeed strange. Nobody expected that things will turn this bad. Now that it’s this way, and you know that sometimes, a person may be going wrong without knowing it. But then, when he is corrected, he should take the correction. Because in future, whether the General will seek a second term or not, it is the same Nigerians that he will rely on.

Did the General mention to you that he would seek a second term?
He is yet to tell me (if he’ll seek re-election) but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again.



SOURCE: THE SUN

Posted via Blogaway

More Chibok girls are returning home soon - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that more of the abducted Chibok girls are set to return home soon.
He revealed this in Germany during discussions with German chancellor Angela Merkel. He assured the European leader that his government would continue to negotiate with Boko Haram until all the girls are released.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, the president made this assurance at a press conference during his trip to Germany.
The statement quoted Buhari as saying: “On the Chibok girls, we have been able to secure the release of 21 of them, so over 100 more are still in the hands of the terrorists somewhere in the Lake Chad Basin area which include Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria.
“In getting this 21 out, we hope we will get enough intelligence to go about securing the rest of them.
“We are very grateful to the UN for their participation in trying to secure the release of these girls.
“Please don’t forget that as a result of terrorism in Nigeria, no fewer than 37,000 Nigerians were killed by Boko Haram.
“Right now we have about two million people in IDP camps, 60 per cent of them are women and children and 60 per cent of those children are orphaned.
“This is a major challenge for government; we have to provide face infrastructure especially for education and health, take them back to their villages and towns and reintegrate them so that they can have normal life.”
Meanwhile, criticisms have continued to poor in for the president over his ‘insult’ to his wife Aisha after claiming that she was only deserving of his kitchen and not to comment on political or government matters.
Latest to criticise Buhari for the statement are former members of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s government Femi Fani-Kayode and media aide Reno Omkri.

Posted via Blogaway

Chibok girls return as mothers, pregnant

FG: No swap deal with Boko Haram
•BBOG, Ezekwesili welcome release of 21 victims as govt raises trauma team  •19 parents die waiting

From Iheanacho Nwosu, Romanus Ugwu, Magnus Eze, Abuja

Thirty months in Boko Haram captivity, 21 girls breathed the air of freedom yesterday after they were seized from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State. Most of the Chibok girls as they were called, returned pregnant, while others are already mothers. About 276 girls were abducted from their dormitory in the night of April 14, 2014. As they returned yesterday, 19 parents of the girls have died from the trauma of their wards’ incarcerations.
The Presidency confirmed the girls’ release  after being briefed by the Department of State Services (DSS), saying their names would be released soon. President Muhammadu Buhari was briefed before his departure for Germany yesterday.
The girls’ release was a product of negotiation involving the Federal Government, Swiss authorities, the International Red Cross Society and Boko Haram representatives. In fact, the girls were addressed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at Aso Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu confirmed the negotiation.
The latest success came after the international intervention of the Red Cross and the Swiss government, he said.
“The release of the girls, in a limited number is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and Boko Haram brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government,” a statement issued by Garba said, adding that the talks will continue. Although sources claimed the girls were swapped for four Boko Haram insurgents, whose identities wet unknown, but the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, denied such deal.
However, the insurgents had earlier demanded the release of members held by the government, as a condition for freeing the girls.

How they were released
Sources said the exchange took place Wednesday night when Nigerian military officials, alongside personnel of United Nations, Red Cross and National Emergency Management Agency, conveyed four Boko Haram militants by chopper to Banki, a border town in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
There, 21 released girls were picked up. The girls were brought into Maiduguri Air Force base at about 8.30a.m.
The sources said most of the girls had babies.
Many residents of Maiduguri were woken by the sounds of aircraft hovering in the air yesterday morning.

BBOG reacts
“We welcome reports from the presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, of the negotiated release of 21 of our abducted #ChibokGirls,” today read a statement by the group.
“This wonderful development confirms what we have always known about the capacity of our government to rescue our #ChibokGirls.
“While awaiting further details, we take this opportunity to salute the work of our security services at the front lines — the commitment, resilience and tireless efforts of our members of the Multi-national Joint Task Force and the civilian JTF. We also thank the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss government and all negotiators involved in securing the release.
Also, a leader of the BBOG and former Education Minister, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, said, “she can only cry and weep”.
Ezekwesili, –vilified by the government and security agencies for continuously leading protests to the presidential villa –could not hide her joy.
“I can only weep, right now. You know that kind of cry that is a mix of multiple emotions. Lord. Some of OUR Girls ARE BACK!!! B. A. C. K.!!,” she tweeted.
“As WE @BBOG_Nigeria wait for FG and #ChibokParents identification of OUR 21 #ChibokGirls, THANK YOU, LORD.  THANK YOU, @MBuhari .Thank you.”
Ezekwesili added that even though it was 4am in the part of the United States that she was, she could no longer sleep.
“It is 4am in California and I can no longer sleep. Join me in singing the words of Psalm126… “When the Lord turned again the CAPTIVITY…”

Trauma centre
Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday assembled a team of medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, trauma experts among others to properly examine the 21 girls.
In denying the swap deal, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who confirmed the release at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, revealed that the DSS in collaboration with a friendly European country, renowned international humanitarian organization and supported by the military pursued the leads directed by President Buhari.
While insisting that there was no swap deal for the released girls, the minister maintained that it was as a result of the confidence building that has existed overtime and interventions from friendly countries and organisations.
He noted that the assemblage of the experts is to ascertain the state of the health of the released girls disconnected after speeding over 900 days in captivity, stressing: “The first thing we are going to do is to see what is the state of their health and mind before anything else. The parents will also identify them before they will be finally released to them.”
“We can confirm that 21 of the girls were released, safely, to us by 5.30 on Thursday morning and they were flown to Kaduna from the location of their release.”
“This is the most glaring manifestation to date of the unwavering commitment of Mr. President to secure the safe release of the girls and reunite them with their families. It is also a result of the round-the-clock efforts by the administration to put a closure to the sad issue of the kidnap of the girls.
“The released girls will land in Abuja. However, ahead of their arrival, we have assembled a team of medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, trauma experts, etc to properly examine them, especially because they have been in captivity for so long.”

No swap deal
Refuting the impression that there was a swap deal, the Information Minister said: “I repeat, this is not a swap deal but a release effected because over time, we succeeded in confidence building. It was possible because we use friendly countries and organisations in this process. It is not also true that they were released in exchange for any freed four Boko Haram members. This particular release is very significant because it is the first step in what we believe will lead to the eventual release of the remaining school girls.”
On the continuation of military operation despite the release, he said: “When you are fighting insurgency, it is a combination of carrot and stick. The release of these girls does not mean the end to military operations but it could also mean a new phase in the conduct of the war against terrorism.
“On the impression that the whole thing about Chibok girls is a farce, I want to say that you can only wake up a man who is sleeping not the one pretending to be sleeping.
“There is nothing we can do or say to convince those who have made up their minds that the whole thing is a sham. However, the parents of these girls are the major stakeholders and the ones that matter not the opinion of anybody,” he said.

19 parents die
Meanwhile, about 19 parents of the girls will never see their daughters again.
Last year, a village near Chibok was under siege from Boko Haram. Seven fathers of the kidnapped girls were among 51 bodies taken to Chibok hospital after an attack on the nearby village of Kautakari, said a health worker who declined to be named for fear of reprisals .
Community leader, Pogu Bitrus, also said at least, four more parents have died of heart failure, high blood pressure and other illnesses.
“One father of two of the girls kidnapped just went into coma and kept repeating the names of his daughters, until life left him,” said Bitrus.
In May 2016, Ayama Pogu, a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said his wife died as a result of the emotional trauma she suffered following the abduction of their daughter, Margaret.  Pogu said although he was optimistic about reuniting with his daughter, some of the abducted girls might never be rescued. “Even if the children were to return, I am of the view that not all of them will come back in one piece,” Pogu said.
Just last month, a member of Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), Chibok, Borno State, Dr. Allen Manasseh, said yesterday in Abuja that four of the 19 parents were killed by the terrorists in subsequent attacks that occurred after the abduction of the girls.
He said the remaining 15, including Mrs. Paul Lalai, whose twin daughters were among the abducted girls, died of trauma. “Yes, 19 of the parents have died since the abduction of the girls,” he said.

Source: The Sun

Posted via Blogaway

Chelsea's Willian loses close family member

– Willian has confirmed the death of his mother from cancer
– The midfielder released a poem in her honour on Facebook
– He scored in Brazil’s 2 – 0 win over Venezuela on Sunday
Chelsea’s Willian has the death of his mother who lost her battle with cancer after surgery and chemotherapy treatments failed.

The current Chelsea player of the year, revealed the death of his mother of Facebook.
The 28-year-old revealed that his mother was suffering from the illness back in September and that she was receiving treatment in his native Brazil.

He has returned to London and is in contention to face Leicester City on Saturday after playing and scoring in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Venezuela on Sunday.

Posted via Blogaway

DSS arrests two more top judges

– Two more high-ranked judges were arrested for alleged corruption and professional misconduct
– The source revealed that all the judges may be arraigned during the week as the agency has set a deadline for the investigation
– However, the DSS received a lot of petitions, most of them are against the judges



The operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have on October 12, Wednesday, arrested two more top Nigerian judges, taking the number of judges so far picked up to nine, The Nation reports.
Justices Bashir Sukola and Ladan Manir of the Kaduna State High Court were arraigned in Kaduna state and taken to the DSS Headquarters in Abuja.
An insider in the agency revealed that they were immediately taken in for questioning, while six other judges are under probe.

The DSS has also frozen the accounts of some of the judges under probe.
He added that in some of the accounts are “huge lodgments”.
The source, who asked not to be named, said:
“Some accounts have been frozen through orders of the court. This affects some of the judges. Not all of them.

“We found some huge lodgements that are questionable in some accounts and in addition to that we also observed the inflow of their salaries over a long period without them making any withdrawal at all.
“What that means is that they don’t live on their salaries at all. Those accounts have been frozen but as I said not all of the judges are affected.”
“In the Service, when anybody is being investigated for any serious crime, the first thing we do is to place such a person on suspension.
“After the investigation, such a person would face trial and get dismissed from service on conviction and later face prosecution in the law court.”
“The NJC does not have the luxury not to suspend them. We wrote the NJC on Monday but we haven’t received any response.”
Meanwhile, the DSS has received more petitions against the judges. Many of the suitors are willing to testify against them.
There are strong signs that the judges might be arraigned in court next week because the agency has set a deadline in order not to extend the probe of the judges beyond this week.

Those under probe are two Supreme Court Justices – Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro – the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court; and Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court).
Seven top judges were arrested by the DSS over the weekend for alleged corruption and professional misconduct.

Posted via Blogaway

UNIBEN increases acceptance fees.

S/NO ITEMS
COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES CANDIDATES ( N )
OTHER CANDIDATES ( N )
1 BANK/PORTAL CHARGES:5,000.00 5,000.00


2 ADMISSION CLEARANCE: 23,000.00 23,000.00

3 ICT LEVY:              6,000.00 6,000.00

4 DEVELOPMENT LEVY :15,000.00 15,000.00


5 MTN NET LIBRARY: 1,000.00 1,000.00


6 COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT LEVY (MEDICAL STUDENTS ONLY).    20,000.00 -


                              TOTAL 70,000.00 50,000.00

Posted via Blogaway

Jigawa Assembly passes law on HIV test before marriage

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

Jigawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill which makes it compulsory for all intending couples to undergo test for HIV/AIDs, twice, in the last three months before marriage is contracted.
Reading the report at yesterday’s plenary,  Chairman  of the Committee on the control of HIV/AIDs, Ibrahim Suleman Gwiwa said the bill intends to provide free and compulsory HIV/AID test before marriage as well prohibit all forms of discrimination and stigmatisation against people living with virus.
Gwiwa said the bill became necessary because the disease was spreading in the state through marriages contracted without HIV tests, between prospective couple.
He explained that in the bill, Sharia and Magistrate Courts would have jurisdiction to try HIV/AIDs related offences and added that, on the other hand, Association for People living with HIV/AIDs and State Agency for the Control of AIDs would be deployed for enforcement at all levels.
“The bill intends to provide free and compulsory HIV/AIDs test before marriage and to prohibit all forms of discrimination and stigmatisation against persons living with the virus in Jigawa with a view to curbing the spread of the deadly virus in the state.
“Intending couples should submit themselves together to the same facility and the result should be open to them by the counsellor at the same time.
“Tests should be done twice, three months and two weeks to the marriage and the bill indicates  that  Shariah and Magistrate Courts in the state have jurisdiction to try offences under the law.”
SOURCE: THE SUN

Posted via Blogaway

How Boko Haram killed 8, injured 15 in Borno

Buhari condoles with families of victims, salutes military

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Female bombers suspected to be Boko Haram infiltrated a convoy of people returning to liberated communities and detonated explosive devices at a security point on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno’s capital.
The explosion killed eight people and injured 15.
The bomb attack, yesterday, came after weeks of failed attempts by suicide bombers to penetrate the city centre.
Witnesses said a taxi, with four female passengers, suddenly arrived a security point near Muna Garage, some 7 kilometres to the city centre at about 8.30am. “The taxi, thereafter,   joined a convoy of other vehicles waiting for military clearance before proceeding to Gamboru/Ngala and suddenly, we heard a loud sound,” Ibrahim Bunu, a trader near the area and eyewitness told Daily Sun.
He said eight people were killed in the bomb attack while over a dozen persons were injured. Police anti-bomb squad, CJTF, rescue workers and military personnel were seen at the scene evacuating the victims and securing the area.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Borno Command, Victor Isuku confirmed the incident and said the four female passengers suspected to be carriers of the IEDs were on board a Golf 1 motor vehicle with reg. No JERE 349 XA taxi colour. “The explosion occurred when the taxi was attempting to join the convoy of other vehicles heading to Gamboru town.
“Two vehicles were involved in the blast, the first vehicle JERE 349xA, all the occupants (four women and a male driver) died. The second vehicle which was very close had five occupants, too, but no one died. They only sustained varying degrees of injuries. As soon as the explosion occurred, they all ran out from the vehicle,” he explained.
However, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sani Datti put the casualty figure at eight and added that 15 people were injured. “About eight persons died and 15 injured persons were evacuated to Specialist and Teaching Hospitals, Maiduguri,” he said in a statement.
Maiduguri, hotbed of Boko Haram insurgency, has experienced relative peace since the last bomb attack mid May near the state secretariat gate.
Also, last week, two suicide bombers were intercepted by vigilant military troops and men of the Civilian JTF.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended condolences  to families of the victims. The president expressed sadness by the bomb blast and said Boko Haram, having been unable to “hold territory now resort to cowardly attacks.” The president, however, commended “the military for their unflagging efforts.” How Boko Haram/SD
How Boko Haram bombers penetrate IDP returnees’ convoy…killed 8, injured 15
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Female bombers suspected to be members of Boko Haram have infiltrated a convoy of people returning to their liberated communities and detonated explosive devices at a security point at the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno’s capital. The explosion killed eight people and injured 15.
The bomb attack yesterday came after weeks of failed attempts by suicide bombers to penetrate the city that has been experiencing relative peace.
Witnesses said a taxi with four female passengers suddenly arrived a security point near Muna Garage, some 7 kilometres to the city centre at about 8.30am. “The taxi thereafter   joined a convoy of other vehicles waiting for clearance by the military before proceeding to Gamboru/Ngala and suddenly we heard a loud sound,” Ibrahim Bunu, a trader near the area and eyewitness told Daily Sun.
He said eight people were killed in the bomb attack while over a dozen persons were injured. Police anti-bomb squad, CJTF, rescue workers and military personnel were seen at the scene evacuating the victims and securing the area.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Borno Command, Victor Isuku while confirming the incident said the four female passengers suspected to be carriers of the IEDs were on board a Golf 1 motor vehicle with reg. No JERE 349 XA taxi colour.
“A Golf 1 motor vehicle with reg. No JERE 349 XA taxi colour carrying  5 passengers (4 females and a male driver), by Muna along Maiduguri /Gamboru Ngala road. The explosion occurred when the taxi was attempting to join the convoy of other vehicles heading to Gamboru town.
“Two vehicles were involved in the blast, the first vehicle JERE 349xA, all the occupants (4female & the male driver) died. The second vehicle which was very close had five occupants too but none died. They only sustained varying degrees of injuries. As soon as the explosion occurred, they all ran out from the vehicle,” he explained.
However, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sani Datti puts the casualty figure at eight, adding that 15 people were injured. “About eight (8) persons lost their lives, fifteen (15) injured persons were evacuated to Specialist and Teaching Hospitals, Maiduguri,” he said in a statement.
Maiduguri, hotbed of the six year Boko Haram insurgency, has experienced relative peace since last bomb attack mid May near the state secretariat gate. The explosion killed no fewer than five people. Also last week, two suicide bombers were intercepted by vigilant military troops and men of the Civilian JTF.


SOURCE: THE SUN

Posted via Blogaway

Recession: Dangote threatens to stop tomato paste production

From Magnus Eze and Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

Few days after Erisco Foods Limited threatened to shut down its tomato factory, Dangote Industries Limited yesterday disclosed plans to stop tomato paste production because of the harsh operating environment that gives advantage to imported production.
Group Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Sani Dangote disclosed that the group recently stopped tomato paste production because of the harsh operating environment that gives advantage to imported products.
He also said the company would not be able to pay farmers from whom they get the raw materials unless government did something urgently.
Although, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it would not give dollars, Dangote noted that countries like China give their people huge support and waivers that allow them access to finance that they do not really feel the forex crunch being faced by their Nigerian competitors.
Dangote who spoke at the 2nd group meeting of the Zero Hunger Committee in Abuja, expressed dissatisfaction over the delay on the part of the ministries and agencies involved to address the issue of tomato importation. The Chairman of Nigerian AgricBusiness Group (NABG) insisted that the only way out was for government to put in place a clear cut policy on tomato importation and local production, stressing: “We have bee n talking for the past one year and up till now there is no clear cut direction where the government is heading.”
He further said that the forex policy being implemented by the CBN has not stopped importers from making profit from importation instead it is the local industries that are recording losses.
According to him, forex was not the problem but establishing a policy that would restrict the importation of tomato.
“We are not looking for forex. We are only saying that government should put up a policy where we are producing tomato concentrate to those industries that are into packaging; we are not into retail packaging,” he said.
So, that about 30 of those retail companies in Nigeria that are importing would stop and buy from us and repackage into smaller sachets, tins and so on.
“If we are talking about importers and we are talking about local producers; there is no way we can have a common ground because they are looking at 100 per cent import and we are looking at 100 per cent local production.
Dangote, who stated that “some companies have opened industries in Ghana and other free zones under the disguise of ECOWAS and are importing”, was however, optimistic that President Muhammadu Buhari would key into the issue and find a lasting solution.
Recall that Erisco Foods Limited had indicated plans to shut down its tomato paste processing business in Nigeria owing to unfavourable operating climate which will lead to loss of  about 1,500 jobs.

SOURCE: THE SUN

Posted via Blogaway

8 corps members to repeat service in Kaduna

About 8 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to Kaduna State under the Batch B 2015 of the scheme are to repeat their service year in the state
–  The 8 corps members absconded immediately after their orientation last year

– Mohammed Momoh, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, said 15 other corps members had their service years extended


About 8 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to Kaduna State under the Batch B 2015 of the scheme are to repeat their service year in the state, NAN reports.
Mohammed Momoh, the NYSC Coordinator in the state disclosed this in Kaduna on Thursday, October 6, at the passing out of the 2, 837 members of the batch.
Momoh said the 8 corps members absconded immediately after their orientation last year.
He said 15 other corps members had their service years extended for violating rules and regulations of the corps.
The coordinator said seven corps members died during the service year.

About 8 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to Kaduna State under the Batch B 2015 of the scheme are to repeat their service year in the state, NAN reports.
Mohammed Momoh, the NYSC Coordinator in the state disclosed this in Kaduna on Thursday, October 6, at the passing out of the 2, 837 members of the batch.
Momoh said the 8 corps members absconded immediately after their orientation last year.
He said 15 other corps members had their service years extended for violating rules and regulations of the corps.
The coordinator said seven corps members died during the service year.


The alarm was raised after another member, Ogundare Opeyemi slumped and died in the Nembe area of Bayelsa state. Punch reports that the deceased slumped a day after he had a party with his colleagues in the area of his primary assignment.

Posted via Blogaway

THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE RUN AS ECOWAS THREATENS TO PASS FINAL JUDGMENT ON KANU'S CASE: COURT ADJOURNED TILL 8TH NOVEMBER 2016

It was a nervous moment for the Nigerian government toady at the Community Court Of Justice, ECOWAS (Economic Community Of West African States) Abuja, as the Court ignored every threat from the Nigerian government to conduct a hearing on Nnamdi Kanu's (the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB) case which has suffered an unending trial at the Nigerian judiciary.
Nnamdi Kanu's defence team led by Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor arrived the court at exactly 10:00am while the three man panel of judges led by Justice Friday Nwoke from the ECOWAS Community Court Of Justice arrived at about 10:10am. Barrister Ejiofor introduced himself to the judges after which the court clerk called up the case.
The Nigerian government was found to be on the run as the defence lawyer to the federal government submitted a motion for his absence just few hours before court proceedings, claiming that he has a case today in Kaduna.
Barr Ejiofor objected to this pointing out that he met him just yesterday at the court, while he accused the Nigerian government of plans to further prolong Kanu's case.
Reacting to this, the presiding judge, Justice Nwoke, pointed out that the court case in Kaduna is not enough reason for their absence in today's court, stressing that if the federal government's representative fails to appear in the next court session, he (Justice Nwoke) will go ahead to give final judgment in the case between Nnamdi Kanu and the federal government of Nigeria.
He also billed the Nigerian government to compensate Barr Ejiofor with the sum of one million naira only as compensation for flying from Lagos to Abuja for the case and failure to show up.
Justice Nwoke thereafter adjourned the case to 8th November 2016 for hearing and final judgment.



Posted via Blogaway

Presidency confirms sale of two presidential jets

– Garba Shehu, the president’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, has confirmed the sale of two private jets in President Muhammadu Buhari’s fleet
– Shehu sai this is in line with the directive of the president that aircraft in the presidential air fleet be reduced to cut down on waste
– The president’s senior special assistant also said some of the aircrafts will be handed over to the Nigerian Air force to boost their operations.
Garba Shehu, the president’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, confirmed this in a series of tweets from his Twitter handle @GarShehu.
He said this is in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that aircraft in the presidential air fleet be reduced to cut down on waste.
The fleet is believed to hold as much as 10 airplanes, and the president has been criticised for maintaining the large fleet in the past.
The Office of the National Security Adviser advertised the sale of two airplanes in a national daily, adding that the aircraft that are currently up for sale are Falcon 7x and Hawker 4000 and are to be quoted in dollars.
The president’s senior special assistant also said some of the aircrafts will be handed over to the Nigerian Air force to boost their operations.
It was earlier reported that interested buyers were asked to inspect the Falcon at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International, Airport, Abuja, and the Hawker at Cessna Zurich Citation Service Centre, Zurich, Switzerland.

Posted via Blogaway