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Showing posts from May 10, 2016

Lagos lawyer, Adegboruwa arrested by EFCC for alleged N61m scam

efcc logo Popular Lagos-based lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for an alleged N61m scam. The EFCC announced on its official Facebook page that Adegboruwa allegedly conspired with some persons to lease a property in the Lekki area of Lagos State. The property in question, according to the anti-graft agency, is a subject of an Interim Forfeiture Order by a Lagos State High Court. According to the statement which read in part, “Lagos lawyer, Adegboruwa, has been arrested by operatives of the EFCC for dealing in a property which is a subject of an Interim Forfeiture Order by a Lagos State High Court without due authorisation. “He allegedly conspired with some other persons to lease the property situated at House 105 Nicon Town Estate, Lekki Lagos, to one Shelf Drilling Nigeria Limited, in the sum of N61, 631,944.65. The said money was credited to his Zenith Bank’s account, from where he made disbursements. The matter will

Plateau State gets N2.06bn as IGR

Simon Lalong, Plateau State Governor The Plateau Government on Tuesday said it generated N2.06 billion as revenue in the first quarter of the year. Mr Dashe Arlat, the Acting Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Jos. Arlat described the revenue collected within the period as “very encouraging’’ compared with the N1.84 billion realised in the corresponding period in 2015. “From the amount so far realised this first quarter of the year, it is glaring that we have improved with our revenue generation having surpassed that of last year with N219, 506, 232. “In fact, by what we just realised, it is a clear indication that we shall definitely meet our target of N13 billion for this year; this is because we have not yet included our arrears of tax liabilities of about N5 billion,” he said. Analysing the collection for the period under review, the chairman disclosed that the amount generated was made up of N350, 720, 319 P

Police arrest 4 over theft of mosquito nets

Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole Bauchi Police Command on Tuesday said it had arrested four suspects for being in possession of stolen treated mosquitoes nets. DSP Haruna Mohammed, the Spokesman for the command, made this known in a statement in Bauchi. Mohammed named one Alhaji Modu, 32, of Lawan Bukar Ward and Ibrahim Ali, 30, of Shehuri North, all in Maiduguri town in Borno State as principal suspects arrested. He said the suspects were arrested by a combined detachment of men from Bauchi State Police command and Military men from the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi. Mohammed said that the suspects were arrested along Azare to Kano road in Bauchi State with 42 bags of treated mosquito nets donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He said that the nets were meant for distribution to members of the public for roll back malaria campaign in Borno State. The spokesman said that preliminary investigations led to the arrest of one Mohammed Abubaka

Police investigates killing of guards in Rivers

Nigeria Police logo The Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday said that it has commenced the investigation into the killing of two security guards at the State High Court premises. DSP Ahmad Muhammad, the Police Public Relations Officer in the command, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt, confirmed that the guards were killed on Monday night by assailants. Speaking, he said, “When we got the information, our men stormed the scene and discovered that the assailants had fled. But from our initial analysis, it appeared the security men were sleeping when they were attacked. From all indications, the assailants used hard objects to hit them on the head.” Muhammad added that detectives from the command have commenced with the investigation to fish out the killers.

Lagos Model Colleges: Admission test holds Saturday

Dr Oluranti Adebule, Lagos State deputy governor The Screening test for admission of Primary Six pupils into the Lagos State Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools for the 2016/2017 academic session will hold on Saturday, 14th May, 2016 between 8am and 2pm. In a release on Monday, the Lagos State Examinations Board noted that the test will be conducted in two versions, Computer Based Test (CBT) and Pencil/Paper Test. Candidates who opted for the CBT will take their examinations at the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Centre, Lagos State Examinations Board, Iyana Ipaja, while those for the Pencil/Paper Test will have their examinations at the 28 designated centres across the State. It explained further that a total of 10,200 candidates will sit for the examinations of which 54 candidates opted for the Computer Based Test (CBT) while 10,146 candidates are expected to sit for the Pencil Paper Test (PPT) at designated centres nearer to their homes. Success

Bayern Munich sign Dortmund’s Hummels and Benfica’s Renato Sanches

Mats Hummels signs for Bayern Munich German champions Bayern Munich have signed Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches from the start of next season. Hummels, 27, will join Bayern on a five-year deal subject to a medical. Bayern have paid Benfica €35m (£27.5m) for 18-year-old midfielder Sanches, who was also wanted by Manchester United, in a deal which could rise to €45m. Carlo Ancelotti takes charge at the Allianz Arena this summer, when manager Pep Guardiola joins Manchester City. Hummels started his career at Bayern, playing one Bundesliga match in 2007, before moving to Dortmund. His final appearance for Dortmund will be against Bayern in the German Cup final on Saturday, 21 May – if selected. The clubs have agreed a “silence” over the fee. Renato Sanches Chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Mats is one of the best central defender in the world. With him, we can increase the quality of our team again.” Portugal internation

Court jails driver for theft

The gavel of justice An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded a 40-year-old driver, Mutiu Adekunle, in prison for pleading guilty to stealing employer’s N180,000. The Magistrate, Mrs L.Y Balogun remanded the accused to Kirikiri prison and adjourned the case to May 16 for sentencing. The accused, resident at 3 Temidare St., Okedayo Ijoko, Ogun State is facing a two-count charge of bothering on stealing. The prosecutor, Inspector Racheal Williams told the court that the offences were committed between March 30 and April 15 2016 at 315, Iju Road, Ishaga, a suburb of Lagos. Williams said that the accused was the driver of the complainant, Mr Victor Olaleye. According to her, the complainant gave the accused his Zenith bank ATM card and gave him his pin number to withdraw money for him. “The accused later stole the ATM card and was withdrawing money from the account until the complainant wanted to use the card and did not find it,” she said. The prosecutor said that the accu

Saraki’s 90 lawyers cause confusion in court

Bukola Saraki The trial of the Senate President Bukola Saraki on a 16-count charge of false assets declaration resumed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday with controversy over how many of the over 90 lawyers representing the defendant can speak for him and cross examine the first prosecution witness, Micheal Wetkas. The prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had immediately after Kanu Agabi, SAN, the lead defence counsel, told the court that Paul Erokoro, SAN, another member of the defence team will continue the cross examination of the witness, rose up in protest. The prosecution counsel who had earlier expressed the hope that the defence will end the cross examination of the witness which has been on for about four days, argued that though the defendant may have many lawyers, only one counsel is entitled to speak for him at a time. He further told Mr. Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the Tribunal that he should not give opportunity for the defendant to uses many “voices” i

Brazillian President, Dilma Rousseff faced with impeachment

Waldir Maranhao, the interim speaker of Brazil’s lower house of Congress, on Tuesday has said that he has reversed a decision to annul the impeachment of the Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff. Waldir Maranhao While speaking in a statement, Waldir Maranhao said he “reversed the decision” on Monday. According to Brazilian media reports, this was done to cancel the April vote by the lawmakers that launched the process, a formality that clears the way for Rousseff’s impeachment to go ahead. Waldir’s move comes after Senate president Renan Calheiros on Monday dismissed Maranhao’s annulment, saying the Senate would still go ahead with the impeachment. Rousseff faces being suspended from office if the Senate votes — as this now appears likely — to open an impeachment trial at the session which is slated to start on Wednesday. However, in a stunning twist of events on Monday, Maranhao declared that the whole process was flawed and should be brought back to square one. According to

Lagos swimming in money

The Lagos State Government has recorded a total revenue of N101.69 billion in the first quarter of the 2016 budget with a surplus of N4.85bn as against an expected deficit of N29.92bn. The state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade who disclosed this during a briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, to commemorate the first year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, added that the performance was N4.40 billion more in absolute terms compared to Y2015 despite the dwindling statutory allocations from the federal government. According to him “It is our belief that with the implementation of multiple revenue collection channels and broadening of our revenue base, we should achieve tremendous progress in our revenue drive.” While comparing the year 2015 budget with that of the current year, Ashade said that the capital expenditure at the end of first quarter of year 2016 is N48.88bn (51%), which was better than N15.08bn (24%) in the same period last year. In the same v

Steph Curry scores 40 pts as Warriors beat Blazers

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts after making a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer) Stephen Curry nailed a 3-pointer in overtime and gestured to the crowd, exclaiming over and over: “I’m back! I’m back!” Golden State’s superstar certainly was. Curry returned from a sprained right knee to score an NBA-record 17 points in overtime, finishing with 40 as the Warriors rallied to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals with a 132-125 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. “I love this game, I love playing and love competing. And really, really missed being out there with my teammates,” Curry said. “To help our team get a win tonight and in that fashion, that was a good feeling in that moment to be back on the floor and playing.” Playing for the first time since he was injured in Game 4 of the first-round series against Ho

French President, Hollande arrives Nigeria Friday

Francois Hollande:promises to help Nigeria President Francois Hollande of France will arrive Nigeria on Friday for a regional security summit scheduled for Abuja on Saturday, 14 May. A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina, said the summit is in furtherance of ongoing efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari to enhance the security of lives, properties and investments in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. President Hollande hosted the first Regional Security Summit in Paris on May 17, 2014. The statement said President Buhari and the French President will be joined at the summit by the Presidents of Cameroon, Niger Republic, Chad and Benin Republic. The United States, Britain, Equatorial Guinea, the European Union, ECOWAS, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Gulf of Guinea Commission will also be represented at the summit which will have the successful conclusion of ongoing military operations against Boko

Peace Hyde stuns on the cover of Nu People Magazine

British-Ghanaian actress, multi award-winning TV personality, Forbes Africa Correspondent and founder of leading education foundation Aim Higher Africa, Peace Hyde, is the cover girl for the May/June edition of Nu People Magazine, UK’s premier digital bi-monthly lifestyle magazine. To mark its second year anniversary, the international publication which has become the number one digital magazine in the UK featured the ever curvaceous media personality to grace its cover. Peace Hyde opens up on her life journey, from her education specialist background in the UK to becoming one of Ghana’s most influential personalities, to relocating to Nigeria as the West Africa Correspondent for Forbes Africa and Forbes Woman Africa, to becoming the face of the new Forbes Africa TV platform hosting the flagship show TV show ‘My Worst Day with Peace Hyde’ which premiered last week, interviewing some of the most successful business magnates from the continent and also her love for her ever growing su

Find solutions to farmers/herdsmen crisis, Buhari tells governors

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged state governors to find lasting solutions to the persistent cases of farmers/herdsmen crisis in the country. The president gave the challenge at an interactive session with members of Katsina Elders’ Forum organised by the Katsina State Government in Katsina. He tasked the governors to go back to a comprehensive study and report carried out by the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) on how best to address farmers/herdsmen conflicts. “When I was in PTF we did a comprehensive report on grazing reserves and cattle routes across the country. “Grazing reserves were carved out; cattle routes were marked out, dams, water and veterinary clinics were also established with the help of our leaders, traditional and district heads at that time. “Any herdsman, who allowed his cattle to destroy farm land then, would be fined and when he failed to pay his cattle would be sold to pay the fine, and if there was remain

Fake town planner nabbed in Lagos

Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development have apprehended a middle-aged man, Adeyemi Adebayo who specialized in serving fake demolition notices and stop-work orders on buildings under construction in exchange for inducement. Adebayo, who claimed to hail from Osun State and reside in Anuoluwapo area of Ilogbo in Ogun State, was said to have been apprehended after serving demolition notice on a building under construction in Lagos State. The workers on sight of the building had alerted the officials of the Ministry shortly after Adebayo served the demolition notice, after which the suspect was caught with four fake identity cards of the Lagos State Government. While being interrogated by newsmen, the suspect said he was employed as a project staff by the Lagos State Ministry of The Environment about eight years ago, but was laid off without any benefit four years after. The suspect, who claimed to be married but divorced, added that ever since

70% of Katsina youths jobless – Gov Masari

Governor Aminu Masari Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State said 70 per cent of Katsina youths are jobless. He made the disclosure at an interactive session with industrialists and business moguls in Katsina Monday, adding that the high rate of joblessness has provided fuel for crimes. ‘’Today, 70 per cent of the Katsina youths including graduates and NCE holders are roaming the streets without jobs,’’ he said. The Katsina governor who hosts a summit of investors today urged wealthy citizens of the state to invest their funds by setting up companies that would generate employment. ‘’The setting up of industries and companies by the well-to-do individuals would assist to reduce the menace of unemployment. The governor lamented that majority of the youths are unskilled and untrained who only resort to crimes as a way out. Masari advised the prominent Katsina citizens to show sign of commitments by striving hard to establish companies so as to motivate others from outside the state

Police to hold town hall meetings

Solomon Arase, Inspector General of Police As part of strategic initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, aimed at adopting Community Policing practices in addressing internal security challenges, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has directed all State Commands, Commissioners of Police (CPs) and the FCT to, as a matter of urgency, convene town hall meeting in their respective State Commands. The police in a statement said the IGP, while reiterating that the move is to address specifically the misinformation, anxiety and animosity being generated in relation to the current security challenges associated with local communities and herdsmen, directed that the proposed meetings should be held at State and Area Commands as well as at Divisional levels, to enhance the process of reassurance policing and need for peaceful coexistence and sensitivity of each community’s value, space and interest. ”The Forum, which will be utilised as a veritable platform for dialogue betwe

Time to end Nigeria’s petrol subsidy regime

File Photo: Fuel Queue By Sunday Attah The discussion on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum Industry has been on for decades without any visible decision in sight. The most sore point around the issue is the debate for the removal or sustenance of subsidies for refined products. You would want to think that Nigeria being the largest producer of oil in Africa and the 5th largest exporter of the product in the world would have a clear stand on the way forward for such a crucial industry, but alas the country is neither here nor there on the issues of deregulation. In one breath the government says it has deregulated the market partially, yet same government does not want to rule out the continued payment of subsidies. This to me is a sign of indecision on a critical issue such as this. Since deregulation was a major point of discussion during the last election campaigns, I would have thought the Buhari led APC government would have taken time out t

4 wise men, woman to restore peace to Edo APC

I The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has inaugurated a five-member fact-finding/reconciliation committee to look into immediate and remote problems affecting the party and stakeholders in Edo State. The five-member committee is chaired by former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Other members are APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso (Vice Chairman); Senator Ndoma Egba (Member); Hajiya Fatimah Mohammed (Member) and Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi (Member). The Edo state APC governorship primaries is scheduled for June 18, 2016, the APC National Chairman disclosed during the inauguration. While inaugurating the Committee, the APC National Chairman said it has become necessary to arrest the unfortunately deteriorating situation in Edo chapter of APC ahead of the gubernatorial primary and the gubernatorial election. Odigie-Oyegun added that it was unfortunate that the Edo chapter of APC which has brought a

Music legend, Tuface and wife visits Esama of Benin

Nigerian music legend, Tuface Idibia and his wife, Annie Idibia will today, May 10, 2016, be conferred with an honorary degree at Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin. Ahead of the honorary award, the couple arrived Benin Kingdom yesterday and paid a courtesy visit to the Esama of Benin Kingdom who is also the founder of the university, Gabriel Igbinedion. Tuface alongside his wife ate kolanut with the Esama. See pictures from their visit below.

Government trains 800 repentant Boko Haram members in vocational skills

The office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Gabriel Olonishakin is currently training over 800 members of the Boko Haram terrorist group in different vocational training skills. Alhaji Sani Sidi, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who was at the public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the North East Development Commission (NEDC) at the Senate, said the repentant Boko Haram insurgents have been registered in a programme tagged, “Safe Corridor initiative”. According to him, the programme was conceived to provide a leeway for repentant members of the sect to help them return to a normal life.‎ Meanwhile, the Senate announced yesterday that it would pass the North East Development Commission Bill on May 25. The Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, confirmed this at the public hearing organised to ‎gather views from the public about the bill, and he stated that the main objective of creating the commission was to produce a platform t

Nigerian ISIS fighter, Ibrahim Uwais, killed in syrian airstrike

Mohammed Uwais Ibrahim Uwais, the son of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, was killed yesterday near Aleppo, Syria as the United States battled members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in fierce airstrikes. According to a source who spoke with SaharaReporters, the late Ibrahim Uwais, who secretly traveled to Syria in February 2015 to join ISIS, was one of the numerous Islamist terrorists who perished as the US military aircraft bombarded known ISIS camps near the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo.   The source said: “Ibrahim died today on the battlefield in Aleppo.” He added that one of the two wives of the deceased currently trapped in Syria might notify the family of his death. It was gathered that Ibrahim Uwais left Nigeria in 2015, told his close family members he was headed to Turkey to explore business opportunities. When he left, he took along his two wives and five kids. However, he slipped from Turkey into Syria with his entire family to join

For doing nothing, NIMASA paid N97m into my account – Wakili Daudu

Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others are tried for N2.3bn fraud A Bureau-de-Change operator, Wakili Daudu, on Monday told a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere how N97.1 million was paid into his account by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) without executing any contract for the agency. Daudu, who spoke through an interpreter, said this at the ongoing trial of former Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Apobolokemi, and six others. NAN reports that Akpobolokemi was araigned alongside Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoeni and a company — Gama Maine Nigeria Ltd. The accused were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing N754.7 million meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member- State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS). Daudu, a prosecution witness, was led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Oyedipo before Justice Raliat Adebiy

Two MOPOL killed by armed robbers in Warri

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt Two mobile policemen were on Monday gunned down in the oil-rich city of Warri, Delta State by suspected armed robbers just as irate mob set suspected criminal ablaze in the city. It was gathered from eyewitnesses that the two MOPOL attached to the JTF were shot by the gunmen by the gate of Our Lady’s High School, Airport Junction, Effurun. According to them the two slain MOPOL were on mufti and were coming from one of the new generation banks in the area, when the gunmen who were operating on a tricycle accosted them. The gunmen then shot at them and allegedly made away with their money. It was also gathered that one of the Mobil Policemen died on the spot and the one was rushed to the Central Hospital Warri where he died as doctors were battling to save him. When contacted on telephone at about 5:30pm, the Divisional Police Officer for Enerhen Police Division, declined comments. Also, the State Police Spokesman, DSP. Celestina Kalu did not respond t

Chris Giwa faction resumes work at NFF today

Chris Giwa’s faction to resume work at NFF The Chris Giwa-led faction of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says its board will now assume duties on Tuesday at the football body’s Glass House secretariat in Abuja. NAN reports that this is after its earlier plan of taking over on Monday failed. Giwa, the factional NFF President, had told newsmen on Friday during his familiarisation tour of the football secretariat that he would assume duties on Monday. The group, however, in a statement signed by Effiong Johnson, its Chairman of Chairmen, said it was putting finishing touches to its programme of activities. “We promised the nation to be in the office today (Monday). “However, the board has decided to hold its meeting to deliberate on our programme of activities and how to use football to develop and employ our youths,” the statement said. It urged members of the media not to allow themselves to be used by people who believe in spreading falsehood. “Journalism’s principles o

Arsenal open talks with Leicester for Mahrez and Kante

Riyad Mahrez was named PFA Player of the Year Arsenal are in discussions to sign Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez, 25, who is valued at £40m, and midfielder N’Golo Kante, 25, who is available for £20m.  (France Football – in French) West Ham are close to agreeing a summer move for Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, 27. The Gunners are willing to let the England international leave for a fee of about £20m. (Sun) Co-owner David Sullivan says West Ham have made a £24m bid for a top forward in France and will bid £25m for another in England this week if they are unsuccessful.  (Sky Sports) West Ham’s £24m bid is for Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi, 22, and they will also make a £25m bid for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke, 25.  (Mirror) Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann, 25, has told friends he is prepared to reject lucrative offers from the Premier League to stay at the La Liga club. The Frenchman has been closely monitored by Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester C