Global Naija Info

Justice Adeniyi Ademola A witness in the ongoing trial of a Federal High Court judge, Adeniyi Ademola, has explained how a BMW luxury car was purchased for the defendant by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe Agi. The witness, Ifeoma Ofornagolu, the first of 14 witnesses to testify in the matter, said she delivered the vehicle at the residence of Mr. Ademola in Lagos after same was paid for by Mr. Agi, the third defendant in the matter. Ms. Ofornagolu, a sales consultant with Coscharis motors, said she is responsible for facilitating such transactions between customers and her company, Sahara Reporters reports. According to the witness, her office confirmed the purchase by placing a call to the buyer of the vehicle. Once the necessary confirmation has been made, the name of the customer (owner of the purchased car) is noted for delivery. “The receipt was issued in the name of Ademide Ademola; ( Mr. Ademola’s son). I accompanied the driver to deliver the vehicle to Ademide Ademola a

Prof. Omotoye Olorode delivering a lecture at the Lagos Airport Hotel A lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, has described the privatisation of the country’s national assets as the greatest form of corruption. He made this statement while delivering his keynote address entitled, “Corruption in Nigeria, Judiciary, Law: A Political Economy of Private Economy”, at the 13th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Memorial lecture and symposium held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday. The theme of this year lecture was, “Nigeria Anti-Corruption War: Whither The Legal Profession and The Judiciary?” Olorode pointed out that there is a political corruption of the Nigerian public by the ruling class, adding that it is unsurprising to see the charade by political party corruption play out in the judiciary. The OAU don further accused the ruling class of flagrant disobedience of court orders, particularly when their positions of leadership ca

court-of-law A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Southwest Nigeria on Monday ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to pay a fine of N15,000 while granting an application filed to amend its processes in a suit filed against Total E&P Nig. Plc, and Chevron Nigeria Plc over alleged under-declaration and undeclared of crude oil exports running into millions of dollars. The Federal Government of Nigeria had sued Total E&P Nigeria Plc, alleging that it under-declared the volume of crude oil it shipped out of the country between January 2011 and December 2014. Federal Government accused the oil company of short-changing it to the tune of 245 million dollars, by allegedly shipping several barrels of crude oil out of Nigeria, without making due remittance to the federal government account. At the resumed hearing of the case today, Mr Charles Nwabulu appearing for the Federal Government informed the court of an application he filed before the court seeking leave to amend plain

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the terrorist attack on Monday morning at a mosque in the University of Maiduguri where a professor and four others were killed. In a statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity), the president sympathized with the university community, victims, government and People of Borno State. Read the statement below: ”President Muhammadu Buhari strongly condemns the terrorist attack Monday morning at a mosque in the University of Maiduguri. The President expresses sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the University Community, families of the victims and the government and people of Borno State. President Buhari believes that this appalling attack on a revered place of worship and Ivory Tower shows that the perpetrators have no true understanding of Islam, adding that their despicable acts of terrorism are cowardly, criminal, unjustifiable and punishable before God Almighty an

Etisalat Logo The fastest growing and innovative telecommunication company, Etisalat Nigeria, has announced the names of the three shortlisted authors for the 2016 edition of its pan-African flagship literary prize, the Etisalat Prize for Literature. According to this year’s Chair of Judges, Helon Habila: “In addition to originality of voice and literary excellence, our purpose was to also select a work that portrays an African sensibility.” The three shortlisted books are: •Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa) The Seed Thief (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa); •Jowhor Ile (Nigeria) And After Many Days (Kachifo Limited, Nigeria); •Julie Iromuanya (Nigeria) Mr & Mrs Doctor (Coffee House Press, USA). The authors were shortlisted by a three-member judging panel comprising Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila (Chair of Judges); South African writer/activist, Elinor Sisulu; and Ivorian writer and Africa39 laureate, Edwige Renée Dro. The winner for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literatu

EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is looking into the alleged missing N500m Chibok safe school funds commissioned by former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to rebuild the Government Girls School in Chibok. The commission on Monday confirmed that it is looking into the petition requesting it to “urgently begin a thorough, transparent and effective investigation into allegation that N500 million Safe School funds for Chibok girls is missing and cannot be accounted for.” The petition dated 27 December, 2016 was sent to the EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Mustafa Magu by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). This development was disclosed by SERAP senior staff attorney Timothy Adewale. Adewale said: “We have received confirmation from the EFCC that the body is looking into our petition. The EFCC has also expressed its determination to diligently investigate the allegation of the missing N500 million

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa A lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain Ibrahim Magu from parading himself as acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In his new suit filed on Monday, Adegboruwa is also asking the Senate not to entertain any further request for the confirmation of Magu as EFCC Chairman. The defendants in the suit are The Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the EFCC and Ibrahim Magu. In a 39-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Adegboruwa, he traced the appointment of Magu back to Nov. 9, 2015, contending that he had been functioning in acting capacity as EFCC Chairman, beyond the six months allowed by law. Adegboruwa contended in his suit that since the Senate had rejected Magu as substantive chairman of EFCC, he could not thereafter be illegally functioning in acting capacity. Citing the provisions of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, Adegboruwa argued that the section make

The Nigeria Army on Monday condoled with University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) over the death of Prof. Aliyu Mani, the Director of Veterinary Medicine and four others who were killed by a suicide bomber in a Mosque. The incident occurred around 5.45 a.m. on Monday at the senior staff quarters Mosque of UNIMAID. Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the army, gave the condolence when he visited the scene of the blast on Monday in Maiduguri. He said, “we are here to sympathize with you on this ugly and sad incident and we want you not to be deterred in your endeavours.” Ezegwu added that the seven-year-old who perpetrated the act did not know what he was doing, stressing that “this is a boy that when you ask him to put his hand in fire, he cannot do it talks less of detonating himself with an IED. “We want to appeal to the Muslim community not to be deterred. Same incident like this had occurred in Damboa where Muslims were jam-packed and a suicid

NSCDC Operatives The Kwara Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Monday said it arrested a 65-year-old woman for allegedly selling illicit drugs. Others arrested were a patent medicine seller and four others found in possession of Indian hemp. Parading the suspects to newsmen in Ilorin, Mr. Pedro Ideba, the State Commandant of the corps, said that the shops of the suspects in Kulende area of Ilorin were raided on Friday. He said that the suspects offered bribe to NSCDC officials which they rejected. Ideba said that items recovered from the suspects included tramadol, cough syrup and codeine. He also said that the suspects were handed over to the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Mr. Ishola Kehinde, the Officer-In-charge of the Strike Force of NDLEA, said further investigation would commence on the matter. He said that the command would brief the media once the investigation was completed.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday said the commission was poised to build a functional electoral system ahead of 2019 general elections. Yakubu made the assertion at the opening of a two-day strategic workshop to review the implementation of the commission’s strategic plan for 2012-2016. The chairman said that the workshop was part of the commission’s strategic plan toward successful general elections in 2019 and beyond. “The objective of this workshop is to retrospect and project in two days, and come up with better ideas and solutions. “We need to re-strategise for the 2019 general elections and beyond to come up with practical solutions on how to strengthen the electoral process. “This we will do based on the policies of fairness, transparency, credibility and impartiality,” the INEC chief said. He stressed the need to reflect on the constitutional and legally-defined responsib

Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) on Monday commenced the verification of Federal Government pensioners resident in Bayelsa. No fewer than 2,000 pensioners turned out for the exercise slated to last from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18. Officials of PTAD addressed the retirees on the procedures and checklist of documents required for the exercise. They urged them to be orderly as the verification was designed to fast track regular payment of their monthly pensions. Some of the pensioners who spoke to newsmen commended officials of the PTAD for the arrangements made for the verification and described them as “effective.” They said that they were treated courteously by officials of PTAD. “The arrangements are very good and commendable; they provided enough seats for the envisaged crowd under a shade for people to sit and wait while sorting out their documents. “The documents they are asking for are many and they gave out a list of what they require. “Some pensioners who do

Ibrahim Magu, the acting EFCC chairman A group, International Association for Advancement and Defence of Human Rights (IAADHR), has urged the Senate to confirm Mr Ibrahim Magu as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The President of the group, Mr Johnson Bature, gave the advice on Monday in Lagos. He said that Senate`s rejection of Magu when presented by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation could undermine the anti-corruption fight as it could erode the successes the campaign had recorded so far. Bature added that Magu had given bite to the anti-graft war, saying the recovery of looted funds and prosecution of corrupt people was enough grounds for him to be confirmed. “For the first time after several years, somebody in the name of Mr Ibrahim Magu is fighting corruption and bringing corrupt people to their knees, recovering funds. “We, just like so many Nigerians, believe that the acting EFCC chair has acquitted himself remarkably

Kayode Aderanti, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 2. Mr. Kayode Aderanti, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, has assured that the eight persons kidnapped at the Nigerian Turkish International College (NTIC) in Ogun would soon be released. ASP Benjamine Hundeyin, spokesman of Zone 2 police command, said that the AIG gave the assurance during his visit to the school on Saturday. “The AIG Zone 2 was at the school on Saturday with other senior police officers and met with the parents and school authority. “He assured that those kidnapped would soon be rescued; there are operatives in search of the kidnapped students and staff,” he said. The AIG added that more security agents, including soldiers, had been deployed to the area. Unknown gunmen, on Friday, invaded the Isheri, Ogun campus of NTIC and abducted 8 persons. The victims were two Junior Secondary School (JSS) students, one Senior Secondary School (SSS) student, three Nigerian workers and two

The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) The University of Ilorin said that adequate security has been put in place, in and around its campus to prevent any incidence that might affect peace and tranquillity in the university. Mr. Kunle Akogun, Deputy Director of the Corporate Affairs Department of the University said this on Monday in Ilorin. Akogun said that following the bomb blast that took place at the University of Maiduguri, the university was leaving no stone unturned to protect the school. “Adequate security measures have been put in place and staff and students of the Institutions have been advised to report any suspicious movement around the campus. “Everyone on the campus is advice to be vigilant, even though it is only God who gives ultimate protection. “But the University has ensured 24 hours security all over the campus,” he said. Akogun also said that the university has not recorded any skirmishes with herdsmen, adding that grazing around the campus had reduced. Kw

Gunmen Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu, the Chairman of Sokoto State Chapter of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHUN), said on Monday that an ex-official of the union, Alhaji Bello Arzika, has been kidnapped by some gunmen. Aliyu, who disclosed this in Sokoto, said Arzika was kidnapped on Monday. “Arzika was travelling to Isa town on Sokoto-Marnona-Isa road this morning when the suspected kidnappers struck. “They were reportedly attacked by a group of armed men at Gidan Sala village and they took only Arzika into the Gundumi Forest. “They were going to Isa town, headquarters of Isa Local Government Area, for the conduct of the statewide verification exercise of local government workers which commenced on Monday. “The details are scanty as at now, but you will hear the details later,” the chairman said. But the spokesman of the State Police Command, Mr. Elmustapha Sani, said that the force had not been formally notified. “We only heard about the incident unofficially.

Bird Flu The Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Bamidele Adekoge, has allayed fears arising from a recent news of a new strain of avian influenza virus, also known as bird flu. Adekoge told newsmen on Monday in Ilorin that Kwara State was not among the affected states as bird flu was predominantly noticed in the northern parts of the country. “The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, during a consultative meeting with state commissioners, uncovered the entrance and scourge of the virus. “And measures to put a stop to the further spread of the virus were discussed at the meeting. “So, happily, Kwara State is not part of the affected states because the states affected are in the northern part of the country,” Adekoge said. The specie of the virus, which is technically termed H5N8, was said to have been recently discovered in the country. And Ogbeh during a meeting with Commissioners of Agriculture and Directors of Veterinary Devices from th

The management of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has posted a new Coordinator to Sokoto State. The new Coordinator is Alhaji Musa Abubakar, who was redeployed to the state from Bauchi State. Information on the redeployment is in a statement by the scheme’s Spokesman in Sokoto State, Mr Sani Idris in Sokoto on Monday. Idris stated that the outgone Coordinator, Mr Thomas Yamma, had since handed over to Abubakar. He quoted Yamma as thanking staff of the NYSC in Sokoto State for supporting him during his tenure when they had a farewell get together. Yamma also urged them to extend same support to the new helmsman. In his address, Abubakar promised to operate an open door policy and also asked the staff to cooperate with him. “This will enable me to achieve my goals of promoting the scheme,” he added.

Heritage Bank has embarked on mass retrenchment of its workers with 400 staff sacked in December. According to investigations on Monday, it was indicated that more workers are penciled for sack. The bank, in October 2014, acquired Enterprise Bank with about N56 billion (281 million dollars). A top management source in the bank, who pleaded anonymity, said that the sack cut across the top, middle and low cadres. He said that the mass sack was creating apprehension and fears among the remaining workers The source said that the remaining workers, especially workers from the former Enterprise Bank, feared they could be disengaged anytime. He said that workers from the former Enterprise Bank were the most affected in the ongoing restructuring exercise embarked on to improve the bank’s profitability. The bank embarked on the massive sack in spite of the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige’s directive to financial institutions to desist from the sacking spree. Mr. Fela Ibidapo, the b

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Akwa Ibom has solicited more robust partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to curb incessant adulteration of petroleum products in the state. Mr Bassey Nkanga, the Operations Controller of DPR in charge of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, made the appeal in Uyo on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Akwa Ibom Commandant of the NSCDC. Nkanga commended the efforts of the corps in riding the state of adulterated oil and gas operations in the state. “We want to work with the NSCDC to ensure that no contaminated and no adulterated kerosene gets into Akwa Ibom State. “We want to solicit the support of officers and men of the NSCDC to monitor activities of tanker drivers in the state. “We will need to understand ourselves better so that we will work in accordance with our responsibilities and achieve more in fighting the purveyor s of adulterated petroleum products,” he said. Nkanga, however, lamented the increa

court-of-law A Mararaba Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday sentenced a 29-year-old banker, Terungwa Emmanuel, to six months imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to stealing N834,780. Emmanuel, an employee of Hasal Microfinance Bank, Karu, in Nasarwa State, who resides in Mararaba, was arraigned on a one-count charge of theft. The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Vincent Gwehemba, who promptly sentenced him after he pleaded guilty, however, gave him a fine option of N7,000. Gwehemba also ordered the convict to pay N834,780 being the money he stole. The prosecutor, Stephen Kwaza, had told the court that Emmanuel, in 2016, converted the said sum belonging to the bank, to his personal use. “Emmanuel converted the money to his personal use and absconded to an unknown destination until he was seen and arrested on Jan. 5, 2017,” Kwaza told the court. Kwaza stated that the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

A Mararaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Nasarawa State on Monday remanded a 27-year-old student, Amos Ikani, in prison custody for alleged breach of trust and theft. Chief Magistrate Vincent Gwehemba ordered that the accused be remanded in Keffi prison after he pleaded not guilty to the charge. He adjourned the case till Jan. 26 for hearing. The Prosecutor, Stephen Kwaza, told the court that Omokehinde Muyiwa of Old Karu Road, Mararaba, had lodged a complaint against the accused. Kwaza said the accused sometimes in 2016 came to the complainant’s shop in Mararaba and collected some musical instruments in the pretence of hiring them. He said the accused collected 32 channel Beringer mixer valued at N300,000, an amplifier valued at N210,000 and Yahama keyboard valued at N120,000. The prosecutor added that the accused, however, absconded to an unknown destination until on Jan. 7 when he was sighted at Army Barrack, Kurudu, Abuja, and was arrested. He said during police investigation

Tanko-Al-Makura, Governor Nasarawa Sate The Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency is to fish out ghost workers in the sector in order to ensure effective quality health care service delivery. The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Dr. Mohammed Usman-Adis, made this disclosure on Monday at a four-day workshop in Akwanga. The workshop was organized by the agency for the state’s Local Government health directors and other stakeholders in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state. He said in spite of the retirement and death of some workers of the agency, the monthly wage bill of the agency remained static, describing the situation as unacceptable. To this end, Usman-Adis stressed the need for the agency to fish out ghost workers in the agency. “The aim of the workshop is to equip you with knowledge on how to tackle emerging challenges in the health sector, especially in immunization, nutrition, family planning, ante-natal services among others. “The workshop is al

The Plateau Government is to establish an Energy Corporation to explore the three sources of renewable energy available in the state, Mr. David Wuyep, the Commissioner of Water Resources and Energy, has said. Wuyep on Monday in Jos said that a bill to that effect had been endorsed by the State Executive Council and would soon be submitted to the House of Assembly. “In establishing the corporation, we shall engage private outfits in a partnership that will benefit government, the partners and the Plateau people,” he explained. He disclosed that the corporation would be the operational arm, while the ministry would serve as an infrastructural regulatory agency, which would monitor the implementation of laid down policies and standards. He explained that the outfit would not limit its focus to electricity, which was just one form of energy. “Plateau is blessed with three, out of the four major sources of renewable energy. “The state has more than 20 hydro-points from where we can g

Etisalat The fastest growing and Innovative telecommunication company, Etisalat Nigeria has announced the names of the three shortlisted authors for the 2016 edition of its pan-African flagship literary prize, the Etisalat Prize for Literature. According to this year’s Chair of Judges, Helon Habila, “In addition to originality of voice and literary excellence, our purpose was to also select a work that portrays an African sensibility”. The three shortlisted books are: Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa), ‘The Seed Thief’ (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa); Jowhor Ile (Nigeria) ‘And After Many Days’ (Kachifo Limited, Nigeria) and Julie Iromuanya (Nigeria), ‘Mr & Mrs Doctor’ (Coffee House Press, USA). The authors were shortlisted by a three-member judging panel comprising Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila (Chair of Judges); South African writer/activist, Elinor Sisulu; and Ivorian writer and Africa39 laureate, Edwige Renée Dro. The winner for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literatur

Inflation Dr Olusegun Omisakin, the Head of Research, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), says rising inflation rate in the country has gone beyond the control of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Omisakin made the observation on Monday in Lagos. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Jan.13 showed that December 2016 inflation rate stood at 18.55 per cent from 18.48 per cent in November. Inflation targeting is a major economic policy objective of CBN and this has been the focus of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The apex bank, on July 26, 2016, increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 200 basis points from 12 per cent to 14 per cent to check inflation. The CBN retained all key indicators at its September and November MPC meetings to keep MPR at 14 per cent, Cash Reserve Ratio at 22.50 per cent and the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent, all aimed at controlling inflation. Omisakin said that the rising inflation had defied CBN’s monetary policy measures

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the Monday morning terrorist attack at a mosque in the University of Maiduguri. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in Abuja, the President expressed sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the university community and families of the victims. The president also condoled with the government and people of Borno over the unfortunate incident. According to him, the appalling attack on a revered place of worship and ivory tower shows that the perpetrators have no true understanding of Islam. He noted that the “despicable acts of terrorism are cowardly, criminal, unjustifiable and punishable before God almighty and the laws of the land”. The President reassured communities in Borno and others in the North-eastern part of the country that his administration would continue to ensure that terrorism never triumph over peace-loving Nigerians. He reaffirmed the need for Nigerians to remain more vigila

Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, a former professional wrestler who earlier this month was found not competent to stand trial in the 1983 death of his girlfriend, has died. He was 73. A lawyer representing Snuka said family members told him that Snuka died Sunday afternoon at his son-in-law’s home near Pompano Beach, Florida. A Lehigh County judge on Jan. 3 dismissed the murder case against the retired WWE star in the death of Nancy Argentino, whose body was found in their Whitehall Township hotel room. Prosecutors allege she was beaten. Snuka maintained she died from a fall. Snuka, a native of Fiji, previously lived in New Jersey. He was known on the wrestling circuit for diving from the ropes. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996.

Chief Abdukareem Adebisi Akande President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated elder statesman and founding Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Abdukareem Adebisi Akande, as he turns 78 years on Jan. 16. This congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president. Adesina said Buhari joined all members of the APC, friends and immediate family of the eminent leader in celebrating the birthday of Akande. The president noted with delight that Akande was one of the pillars of the opposition party that had successfully ensured a round victory and smooth transition to unseat an incumbent president in 2015. According to him, Akande’s wisdom, sacrifices, patriotism and commitment to the unity and development of Nigeria will always be remembered by posterity. Buhari affirmed that Akande’s present role in the APC as a strong, visionary leader, a reconciling voice

Senegalese players celebrate their second goal against Tunisia Senegal’s Teranga Lions began their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Gabon on Sunday with victory over Tunisia in Group B. Tunisia almost took the lead in the opening two minutes, but Ahmed Akaichi’s header skimmed the post and he later smashed a shot narrowly wide. In between, Senegal took the lead through Sadio Mane’s penalty kick after Cheikhou Kouyate had been hacked down. Kara Mbodj powerfully headed in a second, and almost scored an own goal when his clearance struck the post. Tunisia were guilty of missing plenty of chances, in particular Youssef Msakni, who headed wide from two yards out and shot straight at Abdoulaye Diallo in the second half. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that victory for Aliou Cisse’s side means they top their group after Algeria’s surprising 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe earlier in the day. Tunisia have won the tournament once, in 2004, but Senegal have never lifted

Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa An activist and former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa, a.k.a Charly Boy said in Lagos on Sunday that his late father, a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, will be cringing in his grave over corruption in the nation’s judiciary. He spoke at the 13th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Memorial lecture and symposium with the theme, “Nigeria Anti-Corruption War: Whither The Legal Profession and The Judiciary?” “The masses are being corrupted by fear, my father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, must be cringing in his grave because of what #he corruption in the nation’s judiciary. “Corruption has not just become our way of life in Nigeria but has become our legal tandem. “The Nigerian people are being looted by all sides, religious leaders are not helping the people, they are continuously hypnotising my people with miracles, signs and wonders,” he said. Oputa, who said corruption had rea

FILE PHOTO: Hadiza Musa (right) Several security personnel on Sunday rescued centre referee Hadiza Musa from angry fans after visiting Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia beat Rangers International FC 2 -1 in Enugu. It took about 60 Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel to ferry Musa out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium when she was surrounded by angry fans. The match was in the 2016/2017 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL). The security personnel had to keep Musa in safe custody for over an hour at the stadium’s police post, under serious heat and darkness, after the match to restore calm. Trouble started brewing when the referee failed to award a penalty kick to Rangers in the 65th minute for a hard tackle on a player in the visiting team’s penalty area. It escalated when she awarded a penalty kick to the visiting team for a handball offence by a Rangers’ defender in the 75th minute. Earlier during the match, Rangers took the

Dangote Group of Companies has established a $100million truck assembly plant in Lagos as part of its efforts toward boosting foreign exchange and job creation in the country. The group said in a statement on Sunday in Lagos that the plant was floated by the group in partnership with National Heavy Duty Truck Group Company Limited, (SINOTRUK), a Chinese firm. It quoted Mr Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Dangote Group, as saying that the plant, located in Ikeja, has the capacity to produce 10,000 trucks annually. He stated the before now, Dangote had been spending heavily on importing trucks to distribute its products both locally and across African countries. Chiejina said the conglomerate owned 60 per cent stake in the assembly plant while SINOTRUK holds 40 per cent, in a partnership that was formed in 2014. According to him, the plant is expected to create 3,000 direct employments when fully operational. Nigeria is a major market for SINOTRUK prod

Some stakeholders in the entertainment and creative industry on Sunday advised the Federal Government to resuscitate the moribund textile industries across the country so that they could produce and promote high grade and high-quality made-in-Nigeria fabrics. Popular Nollywood actress Buky Wright, Mrs Yeside Laguda, Mr Bayo Balogun and an ex-lawmaker, Mr Bashiru Bolarinwa, gave the advice on Sunday in Lagos. Such fabrics would be able to compete favourably with their peers internationally, they also said. Speaking in separate interviews during the official launch of Fashion and Life Style Store in Lagos, they said that the Federal Government should resuscitate the moribund textile industries across the country, it would also boost the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP). They said that with the existence of the textile industries functioning, many jobless Nigerians would also secure employment opportunities. Mrs Yeside Laguda, the Creative Director, MyQ Life Style Concepts, s