Global Naija Info

Yahya Jammeh, Gambia’s ex president Senegal’s soldiers have been put on alert to intervene in The Gambia if President Yahya Jammeh refuses to step down next month. Mr Jammeh initially accepted defeat in the December 1 poll, but later said it was flawed. The ECOWAS chairman said Senegal had been chosen to lead operations “to restore the people’s wishes” if needed. President Jammeh has already said he will not be intimidated, saying ECOWAS had no authority to interfere. President Jammeh, who has ruled for 22 years, has lodged a case before the Supreme Court to annul the vote after the electoral commission changed some results. The commission insists the outcome was not affected by an initial error and that property developer Adama Barrow won the poll and should be inaugurated on January 19. Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of the ECOWAS commission, said Mr Jammeh had until that date to comply with its mediators. “If he is not going, we have stand-by forces already alerted and the

Amina Oyagbola South African telecom giant, MTN, has fired one of its top and most valuable staffers in order to avoid scrutiny by the United States government over bribes offered to Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. Shortly after helping to resolve a hefty fine imposed by the Nigerian government, Amina Oyagbola was so important to MTN that the company gave her two strategic positions. Her corporate elevation saw her combining leadership of the Human Resources department with the post of “Director of Strategic Communications” at MTN. Ms. Oyagbola and her husband were instrumental in resolving MTN’s serious problem with the Nigerian Presidency culminating in a massive $5.2 billion fine imposed on the company for ignoring the Nigerian government’s directive to ensure that all SIM cards were registered as a strategy to curb Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast. An insider within the company and other sources in Abuja told our correspondent that, once t

Patience Jonathan Federal High Court Lagos has freezed all the bank accounts of former First Lady Patience Jonathan suspected to be proceeds from crime. One of the account, domiciled with Skye Bank plc, has a balance of $5,316.66. The presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, while granting the order freezing the accounts ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to file an undertaking in relation to damages payable by it if it turns out that the order should not have been made. This is sequel to a further affidavit in support of Ex-parte originating summons sworn to by Mr. Abdulahi Tukur, an EFCC operative and filed before the court by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo requesting the court to urgently direct the managers of the bank accounts contained in the schedule filed with the summons (FHC/L/CS/1343/16) to, in the interim, forfeit the money in the accounts, to prevent further tampering with such. Also affected by the order are five companies which are Fi

“On page 41 of City People, 14 December, 2016 edition, we made an error in the introduction to Hon. Idowu Obasa’s interview. He was erroneously described as Chief Accountant at ICNL Communications Ltd., the promoters of the defunct TheNEWS and P.M. NEWS. TheNEWS hard copy is a monthly now, with a twenty-four/seven presence online while P.M.NEWS is also very, very active online. They are NOT defunct. They are not. We want to kindly correct the error.”-City People

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom-Emmanuel The Akwa Ibom Government says it will spend N94.8 billion or 26 per cent of its N365.2 billion budget for 2017 on roads, works and transport sectors. The state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, disclosed this on Thursday in Uyo while presenting the 2017 budget proposal before the state House of Assembly. Emmanuel explained that road and transport infrastructure were necessary to boost economic activities in the state. The governor said that the state government would draw up Akwa Ibom Road Master Plan in 2017 for effective and efficient transport operations in the state. “In 2017, the transport sector intends to provide road signs within and outside the state capital. He announced the commencement of ferry service from Ibom Le Meridien in Uyo to Tinapa in Calabar and the reactivation of Oron-Calabar ferry service to boost tourism in 2017. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2017 budget proposal provided N194 billion for capital

Rotimi Amaechi says Governor Wike is responsible for Rivers killings The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, says President Muhammadu Buhari is eager to reflate the economy and deliver to the people the gains of his administration. Amaechi stated this in a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations Department of the Ministry, Mrs Yetunde Sonaike, on Friday in Abuja. He said that one of the core mandates of the present administration was to fulfill the needs and aspirations of Nigerians, adding that government would ensure it achieve its promises. The minister said the ministry was able to complete the Abuja–Kaduna Railway modernisation project and provided safety measures at the nation’s airports through rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure within the airports. He said that there were also ongoing rehabilitation of infrastructure at the seaports and the railway as well as instilling financial discipline in the ministry and its agencies among others

Senator Bukola Saraki The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Friday said that he would not condone any of his aides that broke the law. This is contained in a Press Statement signed by Saraki’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu. “The attention of the Senate President has been drawn to a statement issued today to the media by the Department of State Services (DSS) in which the Department raised allegations against Mr. Ugochinyere Ikenga, an aide to the Senate President. According to the statement, the DSS has not officially informed the Senate President of the allegations against Ikenga. “However, Saraki having read the statement now circulating online will want to make it clear that he will never condone any action by any of his aides which threatens the peace of the country or is against the provisions of the law. Saraki called on the DSS to properly investigate the allegations against Mr. Ikenga and if he is found to have acted against the

Senator Ike Ekweremadu The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has called for decentralized policing to get the country out of its numerous security and economic challenges. He also stressed the need for respect for the rule of law and to ensure inclusive governance. Ekweremadu made a call at the South East Economic and Security Summit held at the Government House in Enugu. According to the statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu in Abuja on Friday, Ekweremadu said “unless we restructure our security architecture, we will continue to have problems. “The simple suggestion is that this is the time for us to think along the path of a decentralized policing. “Today, we have challenges of kidnapping, insurgency, menace by suspected herdsmen and militancy. “All these have never been resolved by about 340,000 police officers policing about 170 million people. It does not happen anywhere in the world”, he said. Ekweremadu maintained that ev

The Federal Fire Service on Friday urged Nigerians to be vigilant and observe safety measures, especially during the yuletide to prevent fire outbreak. Mr. Collins Elechi, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the service, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the caution was necessary because of increased fire outbreaks during festive periods. According to Elechi, the harmattan season is characterized by combustibles or free burning materials which normally go up in flames at the slightest opportunity. He said that most Nigerians hardly adhered to precautionary measures against fire outbreaks, but panic whenever there were fire disasters. “This is a season of festivity, so we must be cautious enough to handle combustible materials. “Therefore, don’t hoard fuel at home or overload your sockets with too many appliances. “Don’t mount your candles on plastic on woody objects but on metal that can’t burn so as to prevent it from smoldering other things. “Avoid scoopin

A customer using the ATM Commercial bank customers on Friday decried the lack of money in many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited some banks in the city, also observed long queues in most of the banks. Some of the banks visited were: United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FBN), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Area 3; Ecobank, Gwarinpa and Zenith Bank in Dutse. Other banks visited were: Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank, First City Monument Bank and Access Bank, all in Garki. A customer at the First Bank, Area 3, Mrs. Esther Uche, said she had been waiting under the sun for more than 20 minutes and had not been able to withdraw her money. Uche said, “The bank management is aware of the usual chaos during every festivity and ought to have made adequate provision, especially regarding availability of funds in ATMs.’’ A customer at the GTB, Mr. Gabriel Okwoche,

Isreali visa The Embassy of Israel in Nigeria has introduced a new visa application procedure for Nigerians with effect from Jan. 1. The embassy made the announcement in a statement by its media unit on Friday in Abuja. According to the embassy, under the new procedure, Nigerians applying for visa must first visit the embassy’s website and fill the appropriate forms as applicable. “The applicant must then scan all required forms and documents and email them to the address found on the Embassy’s website: (www.abuja.mfa.gov.il) “Thereafter, the applicant will be invited for a scheduled interview at the embassy. “Previously, applicants were required to collect the visa application forms, fill and submit them at the embassy,” the embassy stated

Tonye Briggs Onyide Coalition of Nigeria Entertainers is set to protest against the Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Briggs-Onyide, over statement credited to her that entertainers must now obtain approval from her ministry before staging any event. ”If there is no withdrawal in the next three days of the statement by the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism that entertainers must obtain approval before staging any event, we shall pass a vote of no confidence on Mrs Tonye Briggs-Onyide, the permanent Scretary and the Director of the ministry,” the President of CONE, Mr Kanule Nwiya disclosed at a news conference this morning in Port Harcourt. He added that the entertainers will also call for her removal. The commissioner recently made an announcement calling on all entertainment and hospitality event organizers to approach the ministry for approval before holding any event in the state. Nwiya said the same commissioner was suspended sometime ag

A group of hostages are released from the Libyan plane after it was hijacked and landed in Malta Airport. Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Friday said all passengers have been released from a hijacked Libyan plane in Malta, the Maltese state broadcaster reports. There are 111 passengers and seven crew members on board the Afriqiyah Airways A320 jet that was on an internal flight from Sebha to Tripoli in Libya but was forced to divert to the Mediterranean island of Malta. Muscat said that the crew members were also in the process of being freed. “Potentially 2 hijackers and some crew members still on board aircraft,” he explained. The first of 65 passengers released were made up of women and children.

Work on the Abule-Egba Flyover on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway has reached 70 per cent completion, an official has said. An engineer on the site told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday on condition of anonymity that rainfall did not affect the project being carried out by the Lagos State Government. Abule-Egba is in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State. “We have constructed a borehole that supplies water constantly on this bridge because we need a lot of water for the soil to set; we are even praying for rain. “We have constructed the retaining walls, the bridge casting is 70 per cent completed. “We are filling the road base, the tough job is the concrete which we have tackled,’’ he said. The engineer told NAN that drains, kerbs and walkways were being constructed, while asphalt would soon be laid on the road so that landscaping would begin. The official said that cooperation of the host communities and other road users aided the progress and sp

Justice Ngozi Emehelu The Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed Justice Ngozi Emehelu as the substantive chief judge of the state. The confirmation of Emehelu, who had been in the acting capacity for two and half months, was approved on Friday during plenary when she appeared before the legislators. The Leader of the House, Chief Ikechukwu Ezugwu, representing Udenu State Constituency, described Emehelu as a woman of integrity with an outstanding character. Ezugwu said that the judge had been in the legal profession for 35 years, adding that she had served in several election petitions tribunals due to her impeccable character. “She is a woman of integrity with what we know. We have not had any complaint since she was appointed in acting capacity.” Ezugwu moved a motion for the legislators to confirm Emehelu as the substantive chief judge. The Deputy Leader, Mrs. Onyinye Ugwu, representing Enugu South Rural State Constituency, seconded the motion for the confirmation. T

court The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Plateau Command on Friday convicted 44 motorists for various traffic offences. The corps Public Education Officer in the command, Mr. Andrew Bala told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the 44 motorists were convicted by mobile courts in Bukuru and Jos. “Our officers and men on patrol conducted a mobile court exercise and 40 motorists were convicted for various offences. “We actually arraigned 45 vehicle owners, but one was discharged and acquitted by the court. “This exercise is part of our ember months special patrol, which is targeted at sensitizing drivers and ridding the roads of crashes, loss of lives and properties during this period, underaged,” he said. Bala explained that the convicted motorists were made to pay fines based on the offence committed. He urged motorists to ensure they were certified to drive and their vehicles were roadworthy before plying the road. NAN reports that the 44 were convicted for seatbe

A group of hostages are released from the Libyan plane after it was hijacked and landed in Malta Airport. Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has confirmed that 65 passengers have been released from a Libyan plane that was hijacked to Malta. The hijacker told crew he was “pro-Gaddafi” and that he was willing to let all 111 passengers leave the Airbus A320, but not with its seven crew if his demands were met. The captain of the Libyan passenger plane that was forced to land in Malta has informed the control tower that its hijackers are threatening to blow it up with a home-made explosive device. It added that it was unclear what the demands were or whether the hijacker was acting alone. Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed in an uprising in 2011, and the country has been racked by factional violence since. There are 111 passengers and seven crew members on board the Afriqiyah Airways A320 jet that was on an internal flight from Sebha to Tripoli in Libya but was force

EKEDC logo An official of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (DISCO), Mr. Francis Idoko, was on Friday beaten by residents of a building on Fish Pond St. Muwo Ojo, Lagos, for disconnecting their line. The residents, who insisted that the official should reconnect them, after raining blows on him, also allegedly untied a dog, which attacked Idoko. The DISCO official alleged that the building’s prepaid meter was illegally connected. “The house has a prepaid meter but the residents did not go through the right channel,’’ Idoko said. “We are on routine assignment and in the process, we came across the building; worked there and continue with other buildings on the street. “It was while in the adjourning street, that one of the residents approached me and requested to know why the house was disconnected. “I followed him to the house and he locked the gate against me,’’ he said. In her response, Mrs. Afoke Oghenetaga, whose dog attacked the victim, said that the residents con

Malta International Airport Malta International Airport on Friday resumed normal operations, hours after a Libyan internal flight was hijacked and diverted to Malta. “Some flights had been diverted and others have experienced delays at the airport,” Malta International Airport said. The hijacked airplane landed at Malta International Airport at 11:32 a.m. local time. Malta Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said it has 111 passengers on board, comprising 82 males, 28 females, and one infant.

The Kebbi State House of Assembly on Friday confirmed 18 local government sole administrators nominated by Gov. Atiku Bagudu. The screening and confirmation were supervised by Deputy Speaker Muhammadu Aleiro in a special session on Friday in Birnin Kebbi. The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Alhaji Bello Yakubu (Birnin Kebbi North Constituency), moved the motion for the confirmation while Alhaji Anaruwa Suru (Suru Constituency) seconded the motion. Those confirmed include, Alhaji Shehu Dalijan, Gwandu L.G.A; Alhaji Bello Zogirma, Bunza L.G.A; Alhaji Sulaiman Kardi, Birnin Kebbin L.G.A; Alhaji Musa Yauri, Yaur L.G.A; Alhaji Abubakar Zagga, Bagudu L.G.A. Others are Alhaji Muhammad Abdullahi, Dandi L.G.A; Alhaji Sama’ila Augie, Augie L.G.A; Alhaji Musa Muhammad, Argungu L.G.A; Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, Zuru L.G.A; Alhaji Shehu Jega, Jega L.G.A; Alhaji Haliru Sambawa, Maiyama L.G.A and Hajiya Tsahara Bawa, Danko/Wasagu L.GA. The rest are Alhaji Muhammad Umar, Sakaba L.G.A; Alhaji Gar

Nigeria-police The Rivers Police Command has arrested three armed robbery suspects caught while trying to rob a new generation bank at Eagle Cement area of Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt. A statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday by the Police Public Relations Office in Rivers, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the arrest followed a distress call at midnight on Thursday to the police. It said that the arrested suspects were in their late 20s. Items recovered from the suspects, the statement said, included one cooking gas cylinder, one handsaw, one chisel and two bags. According to the statement, one of the policemen sustained gunshot wound in the cause of exchange of gunfire and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. The statement added that the suspects were helping the police in their investigation. It also said efforts were on to arrest other members of the gang and recover their operational weapons.

Miss Chioma Obiadi Stephanie, winner of the 2016 Miss Nigeria pageant. The new Miss Nigeria, Chioma Obiadi, has commenced work on the “Green-Girl” Project, a Miss Nigeria Initiative, preparatory to representing the country at the Miss Intercontinental pageant next year, the organizers have said. The organizers of the pageant since 1957, Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN), made the disclosure in a statement by eth Communications on Friday in Lagos. “The Green-Girl Project is a community development initiative aimed at empowering young women to become agents of a sustainable environment in Nigeria. “With the Green-Girl Project, she will be engaging young people and girls in schools/communities across Nigeria,” the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said. NAN reports that Obiadi, who is Miss Anambra 2016 and a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, beat 36 other contestants to become the 40th Mis Nigeria in the keenly contested event at the Eko Convention C

Miss Chioma Obiadi Stephanie, winner of the 2016 Miss Nigeria pageant. The new Miss Nigeria, Chioma Obiadi, has commenced work on the “Green-Girl” Project, a Miss Nigeria Initiative, preparatory to representing the country at the Miss Intercontinental pageant next year, the organizers have said. The organizers of the pageant since 1957, Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN), made the disclosure in a statement by eth Communications on Friday in Lagos. “The Green-Girl Project is a community development initiative aimed at empowering young women to become agents of a sustainable environment in Nigeria. “With the Green-Girl Project, she will be engaging young people and girls in schools/communities across Nigeria,” the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said. NAN reports that Obiadi, who is Miss Anambra 2016 and a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, beat 36 other contestants to become the 40th Mis Nigeria in the keenly contested event at the Eko Convention C

Scene of a gas station explosion in Ghana No fewer than five people were killed and dozens of others injured following an explosion and fire at a gas station in Ghana’s capital Accra, the police and fire service said Friday. “The situation is very serious,” regional police commander Yoosa Bonga said of Thursday night’s incident. “We can’t immediately say what caused the fire but we took several people to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment but unfortunately five people are dead.” A spokesman for the Ghana Fire Service, Billy Anaglatey, said: “four bodies were retrieved from the streets and one on the premises of the gas station”. He said some of the victims were passers-by, adding that the fire also damaged a nearby school building. A resident, Daniel Amissah, who had just left the gas station before the explosion, said a leakage on the main gas tank was suspected as the cause. At least 150 people were killed in June last year when a petrol station in Accra caught fire, wit

NSCDC Operatives The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Badagry on Friday said it had mobilized more than 100 of its personnel to provide security in the town during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Mr George Ike, the Head of the corps in Badagry told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the personnel would be deployed to churches, tourist sites, resorts and beaches, to ensure safety of residents, visitors and tourists. “Badagry has so many tourist sites, resorts and beaches so our personnel are going to cover those places because there will be so many funseekers in the town over the Chistmas and New Year period. “NSCDC personnel have also been deployed to the riverine areas, to patrol the areas and provide security to prevent any form of illegal activities in those places during the period. “Residents should also be vigilant and report any suspicious movements, especially around the riverine areas, to the security agencies, for prompt action,” he said.

Bags of Lake Rice President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Lagos and Kebbi state governments for the successful partnership that gave rise to the local production of LAKE Rice (Lagos-Kebbi Rice). The president commended the commitment of Governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Atiku Bagudu of Lagos and Kebbi respectively in bringing to fruition the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2016 on substantially meeting the country’s rice requirement. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday, Buhari expressed delight at the relatively cheaper price of LAKE Rice especially at this period of recession. “It gladdens my heart to get reports of our citizens rushing to purchase this cheaper local rice to enable them and their families enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations,’’ he added. According to the president, what the two states have done is evidence of a new base being laid for the Nigerian economy, founded and

The gavel of justice A 32-year-old woman, Magdalene Abu, was on Friday arraigned before an Oredo Magistrates’ Court, Benin for allegedly stealing the sum of N394,300. The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Thomas Ojo, told the court that the accused committed the offence at at No. 21, Mission Road, Benin. Ojo alleged that the accused unlawfully stole the money belonging to one Felicia Longe. He said the offence contravened section 511 and 390 (9) of the criminal Code. The accused pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. The Chief Magistrates, Mrs J.O. Ejale, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000. She adjourned the case until Jan. 17, 2017 for further hearing.

Wine Two days to Christmas, some wine sellers in Lagos metropolis said they were enthused by the high patronage. The traders told NAN in Lagos on Friday that in spite of the recession and attendant high price of various alcohol brands, patronage of wine sellers had increased ahead of Yuletide. They attributed the increased demand for champagne, wine, vodka and spirit to numerous parties and clubs that would require drinks to entertain guests during the festive period. Mrs Gbemisola Oni, the Managing Director, Drinks on Me Ltd., said that economic recession did not affect the penchant of Nigerians for exotic drinks during festivities. “Initially, sales were dull during the course of the year with many people being economical with their money, but now many customers have thrown caution to the wind. “I guess it is the spirit of the season coupled with the long vacation, many people intend to enjoy themselves by unwinding with the drinks,” she said. Mr Waheed Balogun, a Sales Repr

The hijacked plane surrounded by Malta security officials A Libyan aircraft with 118 people on board has landed in Malta after being hijacked, according to local media. The Airbus A320 was flying from Sebha in southwest Libya to Tripoli for state-owned airline Afriqiyah Airways, the reports said. The tiny Mediterranean island of Malta is about 500 km (300 miles) north of the Libyan coast. The island’s prime minister said in a tweet on Friday that he has been alerted to the “potential hijack” of the plane. Officials at Malta’s airport told Associated Press news agency that there appeared to be two hijackers on board. The hijackers threatened to blow the plane up, news outlets including the Times of Malta reported.

FRSC -checking-vehicles Five passengers of an Onitsha bound commercial vehicle on Friday lost their lives when the Toyota Previa vehicle they were travelling with collided with a truck near Abba junction in Anambra, on the Enugu- Onitsha expressway. Mr Sunday Ajayi, the state Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the deaths. Ajayi, who said four adults and a child lost their lives in the unfortunate incident, noted that the accident occurred around 6.19 a.m. on Friday, blaming it on route violation by the truck driver. “We were there to rescue the victims of the accident where five souls were lost. “From the information I have with me, I learnt that the truck was taking one-way and because of that, they had head-on-collision and five people were killed instantly. “We have six people involved in the accident which meant that only the driver of the truck is alive. “It is wrong to take one – way on the highways; it is dangerous and may lead to death. “We

NAFDAC The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday commenced mop up of banned foreign fruit juices in Kaduna State markets. Mr Natim Mullah-Dadi, the State Coordinator of the agency said that the exercise was as a result of Federal Government import prohibition list with emphasis on super and central markets in the state. Mullah-Dadi said the essence of the mop up was to safeguard health of the general public and to ensure healthy environment for residents. “ There is an import prohibition list that bans the importation of fruit juices in retail pack into the country and Kaduna state is inclusive. “All fruit juices in retail pack are banned and people should avoid buying them because when you engage in selling such products, they are not made in Nigeria. “People do not have adequate knowledge about what the product is all about. All juices in retail packs must be done away with in all super markets and central markets so that we can save

Anis Amri, the suspect before he was shot dead Anis Amri, the chief suspect in the deadly terrorist attack on a Christmas market in Berlin this week, was killed by the police in a shootout outside Milan around 3 a.m. Friday, ending a brief but intense manhunt across Europe, Italian officials announced. Mr. Amri, during a routine traffic stop, was asked to show identification papers. He immediately opened fire and shot the officer who had asked for his papers. The second police officer opened fire, killing Mr. Amri, officials said. “The person who attacked our police officers was killed,” Interior Minister Marco Minniti said at a news conference. “There is absolutely no doubt that the person who was killed was Anis Amri, the suspect in the terrorist attack in Berlin.” Law enforcement authorities across Europe had been hunting since Wednesday for Mr. Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian who moved to Italy in 2011 and then relocated to Germany in 2015. He was described as armed and dangerou

Ore Inter-transport fare from Ore in Ondo state to other parts of the country has increased, three days to the beginning of Yuletide. A check by NAN at the Ore motor park on Friday revealed that Ore to Lagos which was formerly N1, 300 was now cost N1, 700. Ore to Ibadan increased from N1,200 to N1,700. Transport fare from Ore to Okitipupa, Akure, Osogbo, Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu formerly at N350, N500, N1,000, N700 and N800 had also increased to N500, N700, N1,300, N900 and N1,000. Ore to Warri, Benin and Abuja now cost commuters N2,000, N2,700 and N3,500 as against N1,500, N2,000 and N2,700. Meanwhile, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Ore chapter has warned commuters to desist from boarding vehicles on the expressway, especially during the yuletide. Mr Akeen Kolawole, the Secretary, NURTW of the Chapter gave the warning while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ore. He said that the advice necessary because ritualists, kidnappers and armed robbers us

Magistrate-court A 69-year-old man, Cosmos Umoren, was on Friday docked in an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s’ Court for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s under-aged daughter. The accused, a retiree, who resides at Adenuga Kajore St., Akoka Bariga, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a count charge of defilement. The prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Inuoha, told the court that the offence was committed on Dec.5 at the accused residence. Inuoha said that the accused called his neighbour 5-year-old daughter to his room and defiled her. “It was the cry of the girl that alerted her mother who rushed to where the cry was coming from and saw the accused molesting the girl,’’ he said. The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. O. Osunsanmi, granted the accused N300,000 bail with two sureties in like sum. Osunsanmi adjourned the case till Jan. 18 for mention.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State UN human rights expert, Léo Heller, on Thursday, called for increased funding for water and sanitation in the 2017 budget to address the needs of 21 million residents of Lagos. Heller, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights to water and sanitation, commented on the budget, after it was presented by Gov. Akinwumi Ambode to the Lagos House of Assembly, UN Secretary-General’s office said. According to him, Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, continues to grow while access to basic services could dwindle. He stated that the government reports showed high deficits in the sector, “representing clearly unacceptable conditions for millions of the megacity’s residents”. Heller said the annual budget discussion was a chance for the city to take more actions in providing water and sanitation to the people. He also expressed concerns over the high numbers of vulnerable people. “There is no question that the city’s water and sanitation sector has deteriora

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