Global Naija Info

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday in Abuja said it has received 32 applications from various associations for registration as political parties. The commission, in its daily bulletin, quoted INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosing this during the the second quarterly consultative meeting with the Chairmen and Secretaries of registered political parties. Yakubu, who said that the applications were being processed, assured political parties that the commission remains committed to the opening up of the democratic space in line with the electoral law and guidelines. He also disclosed that commission would take further administrative action against its staff found culpable in the alleged involvement of subversion of 2015 General Elections through cash inducement. “We will not hesitate to interdict staff where prima facie cases have been established against them by EFCC and immediately terminate the appointments

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State The Kano State Police command has confirmed the killing of a 10-year-old boy, who was abducted by suspected kidnappers in Kano on Monday. The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majiya confirmed the incident while speaking with newsmen in Kano on Tuesday. He said the abducted boy, identified as Musa Salisu, was a primary six pupil. According to him, the boy was abducted by unknown assailants around 2pm on Monday at Naibawa quarters in the metropolis. “The boy was sent on an errand within the neighbourhood around 2p.m when the hoodlums abducted him,” he said. He said that two suspects had already been arrested in connection with the incident. “The two suspects are now in police custody and as soon as investigation Is completed, they will be charged to court., Majiya said.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday, 7 June, 2016 held a security meeting with governors in the Niger Delta, service chiefs and other stakeholders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on the best way to stop the attacks on oil installations in the region by militants. From Left: Governors Seriake Dickson Of Bayelsa; Nyesom Wike Of Rivers; Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo during a meeting of the Vice-President with Niger Delta governors at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Tuesday (7/6/16)

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State The federal government and governments of the Niger Delta states have agreed to develop a common and united strategy to deal with the recent resurgent militant attacks on the nation’s oil installations in the region. At a meeting held today at the Presidential Villa, and presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors from Niger Delta states, three ministers and military service chiefs met behind closed doors to discuss the situation, and forge a common strategy to halt what is considered by both federal and state governments as acts of economic sabotage by the militants. At the end of the meeting, which lasted over two hours, it was made known that the federal government is proceeding on a collaborative strategy with the governments, communities in the Niger Delta region and other relevant stakeholders towards tackling the situation holistically. Disclosing this at the end of the meeting, Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa said the

efcc logo A witness in the ongoing trial of Abdulsalam Ibrahim, Executive Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Tuesday informed the Federal High Court Lagos how the sixth defendant Bola Akinribido and the second defendant Segun Agbolade connived and diverted the sum of N855,000,000.95 property of NAMA. At the last adjourned date, the witness Babatunde Adelekan had disclosed that between August 2013 and September 2015 there was an inflow of N837,221,137 from the account of NAMA to the account of Delosa Limited, a company owned by the seventh accused person, Abiodun Sesebor and subsequently to the accounts of the second, third, eighth defendants and the relatives of the sixth defendant. The beneficiaries of this fraudulent disbursement were Randville Invesment Limited and Multeng Travels And Tours Limited, Bamilade Sesebor, Osagie Sesebor and Osaretun Sesebor. At the resumed hearing today, Adelekan revealed before the court how a whooping sum N855,000,000.95 ended in

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation to investigate the investments and pledges made by power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and Generation Companies (GENCOs). The House also directed the Committee to ascertain the revenue accrued to the companies and their level of compliance with the privatisation agreements. This followed a motion by Rep. Muktar Dandutse (Katsina-APC), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote. Moving the motion, Dandutse expressed concern over the prevailing situation after the takeover of privatised Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by the successor companies. He lamented that the DISCOs particularly charged arbitrary bills, not minding whether there was outage or not. The lawmaker said there had not been new investments by DISCOs and GENCOs. He added that “transformers, fallen electricity poles, prepaid metres and ot

Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has directed the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to put a stop to the menace of rooftop train riders. Amaechi gave the directive on Tuesday in Lagos at the maiden edition of the Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series, themed: “Migrating Workforce: The Challenges of Mass Transportation.’’ He described rail transport as the most suited for mass transportation because of its ability to convey more passengers at any given time. “MD railway, stop those hanging on top, get the Nigerian police, railway department, to stop them from hanging on top. “Some will fall down and die, and they won’t say it was their fault; what did the government do to keep that man alive. “Part of the responsibility of government is not to provide infrastructure alone, but is to keep you alive.’’ The minister, who was the keynote speaker, said that an efficient and effective intermodal transportation system was c

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai The 2 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said on Tuesday it would soon raid hideouts of cultists who recently killed soldiers in Rivers. Captain Eli Lazarus, spokesman of the Brigade, told newsmen that the spate of killings by cultists was alarming. He said that recent killings by cultists and cult related activities had posed serious security threat to safety of residents and businesses in the state. According to him, soldiers were killed during a recent mayhem unleashed by cultists in some communities in Ikwerre and Emuoha local government areas of the state. “In the past few days, cult clashes were recorded with several deaths including our personnel who were part of the team that responded to distress calls in the area. “Preliminary investigation revealed that these barbaric and condemnable acts were clashes of dominance between Icelanders and other cult groups. “This is seemingly motivated by the quest for economi

Nigeria Police emblem The Police said on Tuesday in Lafia that they had arrested a 59-year-old landlord and his son for alleged possession of firearms and robbing a tenant. Mr Lawal Shehu, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State told newsmen that the landlord’s son of Millionaires Quarters at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday robbed one of their tenants. Shehu explained that the suspect broke into the room of the tenant, Mr Enyeribe Chinma through the ceiling and robbed him of his cell phone and other valuables at gun point. Shehu alleged that the suspect shot the victim on the head, but that the victim was lucky to have survived the wound. According to the commissioner, the victim alerted the ‘B’ Division Police Station at about 5.30 a.m., leading to the arrest of the suspect. He said during investigation, a revolver pistol, two rounds of live ammunition, Tecno cell phone and a flash drive were recovered from the suspect. He said that the suspect confessed to the crime and claimed

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State and PDP governorship candidate Mr Yomi Awoniyi, Deputy Governor to Capt. Idris Wada, the immediate past Governor of Kogi, on Tuesday, said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would appeal the judgment of the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal. The election petition tribunal had on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by the former governor for lack of merit and legal incompetence. Awoniyi told newsmen, shortly after the judgment of the tribunal, that consultation was already going on within the party’s legal team of lawyers on how to appeal the judgment. “Our lawyers are already reviewing the judgment with a sound mind to appeal, we absolutely believe in the efficacy of our justice system. “I appeal to our supporters to remain calm and not to aggravate their grievances, we have absolute confidence that justice will be done at the end of the day,’’ Awoniyi said. The former deputy governor told newsmen that the desire to appeal the judgment

Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Iba The Nigerian Navy said on Tuesday said it had apprehended the coordinator of series of attacks on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron oil and gas facilities in Delta. The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed, disclosed this to newsmen at the Warri Naval Base, adding that the suspect was apprehended on June 2. Mohammed, who presented the suspect alongside others allegedly involved in the act of vandalism and criminal activities in the maritime sector, described the arrest as a major breakthrough. He, however, said the identity of the suspect would not be disclosed now. “I am pleased to announce that after several weeks of persistent effort the Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested the main coordinator of attacks on NNPC and Chevron oil and gas facilities. “The attacks were the bombing we witnessed since May 4 with the attack on Chevron Okan valve platfor

Senator Bukola Saraki The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Mr Danladi Umar, has cautioned counsel to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Mr Paul Usoroh (SAN), to restrict himself to questions that are relevant to the charge against his client in order not to delay the trial. Saraki is standing trial on a 16-count charge bordering on allegations of false asset declaration and money laundering. He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges. Umar’s caution followed a point of objection raised by the prosecution counsel Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), that the defence should not ask the witness regarding a company called Carlisle Properties and Investment Co. Limited. The CCT Chairman urged the defence to subject their cross examination of the witness to relevant issues to avoid further delay of the trial. He said that the tribunal would not condone a situation whereby the public would have an impression that the tribunal was delaying the proceedings. The company was used to acquire

Shell stops oil and gas exploration in 10 countries Royal Dutch Shell says it will exit oil and gas operations in 10 countries in a drive to deepen cost cuts and narrow its focus Its Chief Executive Officer, Ben van Beurden, said in London on Tuesday that the cuts were due to the company’s 54 billion dollars acquisition of BG Group. He expressed hope that the new cuts would help to boost Shell’s shares, which he said had underperformed rivals since the BG deal was announced in April 2015. Although Van Beurden did not say which countries the company might exit, it was reported that Shell was planning to sell its assets in Gabon. Van Beurden, however, added that the company would focus its short-term growth on deepwater projects in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico. Deepwater production could double to some 900,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, he said. “Our strategy should lead to a simpler company, with fundamentally advantaged positions, and fundamentally lower capita

United States President, Barack Obama The U.S. Embassy to Nigeria on Tuesday expressed concern over the reports of attacks and other incidents in the Niger Delta. This is contained in a statement issued by the Embassy’s Public Affairs Unit in Abuja. It states that the U.S. mission to Nigeria is monitoring reports of attacks and other incidents in the Niger Delta and it shares the concerns of all Nigerians about these attacks. “The U.S. remains supportive of efforts, including the promotion of dialogue, to address grievances in the Niger Delta,” it stated. It appealed to all parties to resolve their disputes through peaceful means and emphasize that human rights of all Nigerians must be protected. It called on all Nigerians to persevere in efforts to achieve common goals. It stressed on the need to end violence and curb the activities of criminal elements. It called for the establishment of conditions and mechanisms for profound, positive, and lasting changes in the region. Ac

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano State Governor The Kano State Zakkat and Endowment Board said it had so far collected over N7 million as Zakkat (alms) from wealthy Muslims in the state. The Director General of the Board, Alhaji Sufiyanu Gwagwarwa, made the disclosure in an interview in Kano on Tuesday. He said the money was collected from well-to-do individuals within the eight metropolitan local government areas by the committee, set up by the state government recently to collect Zakkat. He added that “as at last week, the collection committee has over N7 million which it collected from wealthy Muslims in the city.” He explained that the Board had already requested for permission from Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to disburse the proceeds to the poor. He said “the essence of collecting the Zakkat is to assist the poor to alleviate their sufferings, particularly during the Ramadan fast. “So, as soon as approval is given, we shall start distributing the money to less privileged pe

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has expressed worry over the state government’s continued silence on recent cult-related killings in the state. No fewer than 19 people were killed in Aluu community in Ikwerre local government area and Obite community in Etche local government area on Friday night while 11 persons were killed on Saturday night in three communities in Emohua local government area of the state. The secretary, Media and Publicity Committee of the APC, Godstime Orlukwu, wondered the expected number people that would be killed before the state government takes action. Orlukwu said, “How many more lives, how many more will die before this government does something about these killings. The last time I checked, one of the primary responsibilities of government and I mean, by his oath of office, the governor is supposed to be responsible for the protection of lives and properties of all those he is governing. “Why is this g

Akin Kuponiyi An Indian-based manufacturer and exporter, D S Dave through its Nigerian appointed Attorney ROFRIS Investment and Trust Limited has renewed its 33-year legal battle against United Bank for Africa PLC over breach of contract. In an amended statement of claim filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, southwest Nigeria by a Lagos lawyer, Barrister Ade Oyebanji, it was alleged that sometimes in 1983 a customer of UBA, Kemson Trading Stores ordered for importation of Agricultural machines from D.S. Dave on the 28 of December, 1983 with the bank issuing a letter of credit in favour of the plaintiff while Kemson Trading Stores paid the bank the sum of 38,000 pounds being the cost of the goods ordered for by Kemson Trading Stores from D.S.Dave. Upon the issuance of letter of credit by UBA., in favour of the plaintiff, the goods were released to Kemson Trading Stores. However since the goods were released to Kemson Trading Stores since January 1984, UBA has failed, neglecte

The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it will collaborate with students in tertiary institutions to tackle rising cases of drug abuse among youths. Mr Dadi Mullah, the Kaduna State Coordinator of NAFDAC, said this when Northern Nigeria Students’ Association, led by its President, Mr Hamza Talba, visited him in Kaduna on Tuesday. Mullah expressed concern over the increasing involvement of youths in drug abuse and drug-related crimes in higher institutions in the state. “In Northern Nigeria, out of 10 youths, seven are on drugs, this is alarming and something urgently needed to be done,’’ he said. He urged the students to cooperate with the agency to tackle drug related crimes in schools in the region. Mullah said urgent measures must be taken by the government by engaging the youth in various skill acquisition programmes that would keep them away from drug abuse and drugs-related crimes. “Drug abuse is affecting us seriously; because it has

Professor Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò PROLOGUE A few years ago, I had the rare privilege of being invited to compete for appointment as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of a new private university in Nigeria. Although I had always told people that if I ever returned to Nigeria, I would be too old to be of any use to the country, professionally speaking and I am not an enthusiast for administrative positions, I did accept the invitation. Simultaneously, had I not left Nigeria to resettle abroad, my life would not have been fully consumed by my academic pursuits. I always hoped for some measure of public service, including running for public office, and I surely was going to keep burnishing my credentials for my original motivation for going to university: to be a journalist. Additionally, I am never one to shirk a challenge or pass on an opportunity to fail at doing something significant for the world. So, when I was approached to submit my credentials and was invited for an interview with the Board o

Mr & Mrs Azibaola Robert in court Justice Nnamdi O. Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 ordered the remand of Azibaola Robert, a cousin of ex- president Goodluck Jonathan in Kuje Prison pending the determination of his bail application. Azibaola and his wife, Stella, were arraigned alongside their company, One Plus Holding Limited on a seven two-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The couples were alleged to have diverted $40million (forty million US dollars) purportedly meant for the supply of tactical communication kits for Special Forces. The money was transferred from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria to the domiciliary account of their company, One Plus Holdings. The offence is in contravention of Section 8(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishabl

The United States Government, on Tuesday, condemned Boko Haram’s June 3 attack on a military outpost in Bosso, Niger. The U.S. government in a statement also expressed its condolences to the families of the 30 Nigeriens and two Nigerian soldiers killed in the attack. The government also conveyed its concern to the 67 individuals who were also injured in the attack. “The United States condemns in the strongest terms Boko Haram’s barbaric June 3 attack on a military outpost in Bosso, Niger. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the 30 Nigeriens and two Nigerian soldiers killed in the attack and the 67 individuals who were injured. “This latest attack further underscores Boko Haram’s blatant disregard for the people of the Lake Chad Basin area,” it said. The statement restated the U.S. government’s continued support for Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon’s efforts at fighting and defeating Boko Haram activities in their countries and in the region. Accor

The Enugu State Police Command says it has detained nine persons over alleged falsification of results in the ongoing nationwide recruitment into the force. This is contained in a statement released by the command’s Public Relation Officer, Mr Ebere Amarizu in Enugu on Tuesday. The statement said the offences involved alteration of First School Leaving Certificates, birth certificates and other documents. It added the nine persons had been assisting the command to apprehend other perpetrators. The statement said the Commissioner of Police representing Force Headquarters, Abuja in the ongoing recruitment in Enugu, Mr Peter Ogunyanwo had warned prospective candidates to resist anything that could implicate them. It urged the candidates to shun acts of falsification of documents like age declaration, birth certificates and First School Leaving Certification (FSLC). The statement, then, described the act as a criminal offence, warning that offenders would be prosecuted if nabbed. It

Tens of thousands of people have fled southeastern Niger following deadly attacks by Boko Haram insurgents on the town of Bosso in recent days, the United Nations said Tuesday. “An estimated 50,000 people or so fled,” UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesman Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva. The attacks beginning Friday against a military post in Bosso in Niger’s troubled Diffa region killed 26 soldiers, including two from neighbouring Nigeria. A total 55 insurgents from the Nigeria-based Islamist group were killed and “many” injured, according to authorities. Edwards said most of those fleeing the violence were walking westwards to Toumour, some 30 kilometres west of Bosso. “Many people are reportedly traumatised and worried about their safety. People are sleeping in the open and urgently need shelter and other assistance,” he said. A local journalist working with Radio Amfani told AFP that people began leaving the town at dawn Saturday after the gunmen initially withdrew.

A 30-year-old woman, who beat-up her landlord for challenging her over hemp- smoking in his house, was arraigned on Tuesday in Lagos. The accused, Kike Adelaja of Ola Omotoye Street in Aboru area of Lagos State, was charged with assault before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. The prosecutor, Insp. Clement Okuoimose, told the court that the accused had on May 12, thrown some punches at her sick landlord, Samuel Adeboye, on the face, causing him a severe injury. The accused tenant fought her landlord because he challenged her for bringing a group of hemp-smoking boys into the house, the prosecutor said. Okuoimose said that the offence contravened Section 170 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The magistrate, Mrs B. O. Okunsanya, granted the accused N10,000 bail with one surety in like sum. The court adjourned the case to July 11 for trial.

Mr Lulu Mnguni, South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Mnguni, on Tuesday, announced his government’s plan to commence the registration of all South Africans in Nigeria. Mnguni said that the initiative had become necessary due to the increasing number of South Africans working or doing business in Nigeria. The High Commissioner said that the planned registration would assist his government in knowing the number of its nationals in Nigeria, as well as where they resided in the country. “We are soon to commence the registration of all South Africans in different parts of Nigeria, because we currently have more and more South Africans coming to Nigeria. “So, we feel that it is important that we know the number and addresses of South Africans investing, working or doing business in Nigeria. “We also want to have a registration of South Africans in Nigeria, so that during emergencies, my High Commission can easily come to

The management of Ikeja Electric (IE) has set up a committee to investigate the electrocution of a 14-year old girl, Deborah Faleke, at Alakuko area of Lagos State. The Head, Corporate Communications Unit of the company, Mr Felix Ofulue, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lagos. The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. on May 27 when a high-tension wire fell on the deceased on Fagbeyiro Street in the Alakuko, Lagos State. Ofulue said that the committee would meet with members of the deceased’s family to resolve the matter. He said that the Safety Unit of the company had commiserated with the family. The official advised Nigerians to always look carefully to ensure that they were not under electricity wire or cable while waiting at bus stops. “These high-tension wires have been installed close to 60 years back, and it is very risky to be under them when one wants to board a commercial vehicles. “Even when you see any form of wire-cut or explosion from transformers, the first thing t

A high-level security meeting is currently ongoing at the office of Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja. Professor Osinbajo is holding brief for President Muhammad Buhari, currently on vacation in the UK. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is currently meeting with the nation’s service chiefs and state governors from oil-producing area in the country. Those attending the meeting are; Service Chiefs, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu and the Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ondo, Abia and Akwa Ibom States. The meeting may not be unconnected to recent attacks on oil facilities by the Niger Delta Avengers and other militants in the zone. It is expected that newsmen would be briefed at the end of the meeting which is being presided over by the Vice President. More details to follow later.

Russian President Vladimir Putin The Russian agricultural watchdog agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, on Tuesday imposed a ban on the poultry imports from a Brazilian company, as well as the beef and beef by-products from an Argentine enterprise, Russian media reported. According to the watchdog, the ban is imposed because of the presence of bacterium listeria in imports from the Brazilian company JBS AVES LTDA, and the Argentine enterprise Madeka S.A. Currently, 58 Brazilian poultry farms and 74 Argentine companies are authorized meat suppliers to Russia. However, imports from eight companies of each group were being banned for violating Russian veterinary standards.

Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Tuesday that he did more for France than President Francois Hollande simply by paying the top rate of tax on his earnings. “Ibra came and took power in France,” the Swede, who is preparing for Euro 2016 after winning won four league titles, three League Cups and two French Cups in four seasons at PSG, told Le Monde newspaper. The former Ajax, Juventus, Milan and Barcelona striker said he earned more than 20 million euros ($22.7 million) in the first half of 2015 and claimed he paid 75 percent of it in tax. “I help this country more than he (Hollande) does because I continue to pay it (the top rate),” Ibrahimovic said. “I can tell you as I do my own tax returns. “I pay my taxes and help this country. I could even make him popular (Hollande) — it’s just I’m not sure I want to,” he said of the deeply unpopular Socialist leader. New polls last week showed Hollande only had a 14-percent approval rating after three months

The late Henrietta Kosoko A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Segun Olulade, on Tuesday commiserated with the popular Nollywood actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, over the death of his wife, Henrietta Kosoko. Henrietta, 53, an actress, was said to have slumped and later died on Monday. Olulade, the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services, condoled with the Kosoko family in a statement issued in Ikeja. The lawmaker, who represents Epe Constituency II at the Assembly, described the incident as “unfortunate’’. “The death of Henrietta came as a rude shock. Receiving the news of her death yesterday came as a shock. “It is very unfortunate and saddening that she had to die at a time when the family still wants her very much around. “This is a woman who has played a vital role in the development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria. I am very sure that Nollywood will miss her expertise. “I commiserate with Kosoko family and I pray that the Almighty God will grant them the f

President Ali Bongo of Gabon The Gabon National Judges Union (SYNAMAG) on Tuesday organised street protests against political appointments which, according to them, erodes judicial independence. “The promotion of the former public prosecutor Sidonie Flore Ouwe, a first grade judge, to the position of First President of the Court of Appeal, threatens our independence. “The position is reserved for judges who have reached grade 5. “This decision must be cancelled, we are ready to adopt other measures if our demand is not satisfactorily addressed,’’ the protesting judges stated. SYNAMAG Secretary General Stanislas Koumba said judges are saying no to political interference and politicisation of the judiciary, and judges who are tainted by corruption. On the same day, Gabon’s Justice Minister Seraphin Moundounga proceeded to swear into office Ouwe and her other colleagues whose appointment was equally contested by SYNAMAG. During the judges’ protest, they equally denounced repeated

Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church a.k.a. Winners Chapel Two men, who allegedly stole N3.3 million belonging to the Living Faith Church, Ota, Ogun, were on Tuesday charged before an Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court. The accused were Aro Temitope, 36, and Adekunle Taylor, 35. The accused, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and fraud. The Prosecutor, Corporal Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offences between December 2015 and January 2016 at the Living Faith Church, Canaanland, Ota. Mustapha said the accused, who were in-charge of fuel tickets at the Covenant University, forged various fuel tickets amounting to N3.3 million. He said that the offences contravened sections 390(9), 467 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Vol.1, Laws of Ogun, 2006. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Adelaja, granted each of the accused N500,000 bail with two su

Two days after her stunning loss to Garbine Muguruza in the French Open final, Serena Williams scored a different win on Monday, when Forbes Magazine reported she has overtaken Maria Sharapova as the world’s highest-paid sportswoman. Williams earned $28.9 million over the past 12 months, the financial magazine reported in an article posted on its website. Russian tennis star Sharapova had held the title for the past 11 years. Williams, 34, has dominated her sport for more than a decade. She won her second Grand Slam in 2002 before going on to win 19 more since then. After falling at Roland Garros on Saturday, she vowed to keep trying to equal Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 Grand Slam titles. Williams’s career prize money of $77.6 million amounts to more than twice as much as any other sportswoman’s. However, Sharapova dominated in endorsement profits before companies including Nike, American Express, Porsche and TAG Heuer distanced themselves after she tested positive for th

Solomon Arase, Inspector General of Police The Police in Cross River said on Tuesday that a manhunt had been launched for some armed robbers who killed a Police Inspector in the state on Friday. The police spokesman in the state, Mr John Eluu, disclosed this in an interview. The police officer was shot dead by the armed robbers during a shootout while the hoodlums were robbing tourists in an hotel in Calabar. According to Eluu, the police have also deployed intelligence officers in strategic places across the state to ensure the suspects were arrested. “It is a pity that we lost one of our gallant officers during a shootout with the gang. “We received a distress call on a robbery incident in one of the hotels in Calabar and we proceeded to the place. “On getting there, the armed robbers opened fire and we responded back but unfortunately, one of our Inspectors was killed. “We are not resting on our oars in the manhunt for the gang. We must arrest them and bring them to justice

Michael Zenner, German Ambassador to Nigeria The German Government has confirmed that it would commence supply of military hardware to support Nigeria’s effort to address security challenges in the Northeast and Niger Delta, before the end of 2016. The Permanent Secretary, German Foreign Office, Mr. Markus Elderer, disclosed this in a chat on the sideline of the defence session of the Nigeria-Germany Bi-National Commission meeting in Abuja. He said the decision to support Nigerian security forces in their counter-insurgency operations was the German government’s response to a request made by President Muhammadu Buhari at the last G-7 summit hosted by the European nation. Elderer said the equipment to be supplied to Nigeria are ground surveillance equipment, anti-mine equipment and gun boats, among others.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Bloomberg Studio in London Former President Goodluck Jonathan whose aides are being tried in various courts of law in the country for monumental corruption, has revealed how he reduced corruption in the agricultural sector during his tenure. Jonathan who revealed this in a speech at the Bloomberg studio in London on Monday said he used a simple mobile phone to reduce corruption in the agricultural sector and saved for the country billions of Naira in food imports. On his efforts to fight corruption during his tenure, Jonathan stated: ”I think it is important to let you know my administration took many steps to curtail this scourge, in the areas of Finance, agriculture and petroleum. To take just one example, we drastically reduced corruption in the agricultural sector with the help of a simple mobile phone. ”We achieved this by providing an e-wallet to farmers which grew the percentage of registered farmers receiving subsidy from 11% to 9

Chinese officials have restricted civil servants, students and children in a mainly Muslim region from fasting during Ramadan, government websites said as the holy month began on Monday. The country’s ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has banned government employees and minors from fasting in Xinjiang, home to the more than 10 million-strong mostly Muslim Uighur minority. It has also ordered some restaurants to stay open. The region sees regular clashes between Uighurs and state security forces. Beijing has blamed deadly attacks there and elsewhere in China on militants seeking independence for the resource-rich region. Rights groups blame tensions on religious and cultural restrictions imposed on Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in the vast area, which abuts Central Asia. Several local government departments in Xinjiang have posted notices on their websites in the last week ordering restrictions on fasting during Ramadan. During the holy month, the fa

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the military to stop attacking Niger Delta militants who have been destroying pipelines and other major oil installations in the area. The president said he was giving the militants two weeks for dialogue on the prevailing situation in the region. Disclosing this in Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu said the order for the military to suspend its operations was to create a window for dialogue with militants. He said the Federal Government was determined to resort to dialogue with a view to restoring genuine peace in the region. According to Kachikwu, “The President is interested in dialogue and has mandated the military to halt actions for about two weeks to ensure a team that will be led by the NSA, dialogues with the militants to ensure peace in the region. ‘’The avenue is open for them, provided the militants are willing to embrace dialogue and allow truth to reign because we are going

Fast rising singers, Nigeria’s own Niniola and Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee are on the star covers on VL Magazine’s June 2016 issue. The talented songstresses have both worked super hard and are sure on their way to the top of their careers. In this issue, they both opened up on pertinent information as it concerns them. See their covers below.

Hillary Clinton, US Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Without the fanfare of an election night victory Hillary Clinton was declared the winner of the Democratic nomination this on Monday as she campaigned in Los Angeles. The Associated Press, which runs the premiere delegate-tracking service, first made the call and was quickly followed by NBC News, CNN and CBS. Almost eight years from the day that she bowed out of a tight race against Barack Obama, Clinton made history with the announcements, becoming the first woman to top a major political party’s ticket in the United States. AP determined tonight that Clinton had enough super delegates in her corner to win the nomination at this summer’s convention without the votes that will be cast in Tuesday’s elections in six states and one final contest next week in the District of Columbia. ‘According to the news we are on the brink of a historic, historic, unprecedented moment,’ Clinton said at a rally in Long Beach, California.

Soviet-born Chess grandmaster, Victor Korchnoi Chess grandmaster Victor Korchnoi, a former Soviet champion who defected to the West and was considered among the best players never to win a world championship, died Monday, his son said. He was 85. Korchnoi died near his home in Wohlen, northern Switzerland where he had lived for decades, said Igor Korchnoi. He said his father had been ailing after a stroke several years ago. Angry at the Soviet leadership, Korchnoi defected in the Netherlands in 1976 and moved to Switzerland the following year. As retribution, Igor and his mother were sent to the Gulag for two and a half years, the son said. In 1982, they were allowed to join Korchnoi in Switzerland. Korchnoi’s matches against the official Soviet champion, Anatoly Karpov, became famous as duels on political, psychological and physical levels. Korchnoi tried and failed twice to defeat Karpov for the world championship in matches that mirrored the Cold War in international politics a