The Federal Government has stated that the continued detention of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, is for his safety and that of Nigerians. The government made the submission in response to a 24-hour order given to it by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court to justify Dasuki’s detention. Dasuki, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his arrest in December, had dragged the Federal Government to the ECOWAS court to challenge his continued detention. Counsel to the government, Dodo Kabiru, said releasing Dasuki would not be in…
Author: David Folami
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Ayuba Wabba, has assured the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), of the union’s support in the fight against economic and financial crimes. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity in the EFCC and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja. The statement said Wabba gave the assurance when he visited the chairman of the EFCC. He stressed the importance of having all stakeholders joining forces and showing a united front to fight corruption. “Corruption is a monster that has brought more harm to our country…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied forcing Robert Azibaola to implicate former President Goodluck Jonathan. Azibaola is the cousin of the ex-President who has been in the custody of the EFCC since March 23, 2016. The anti-graft agency said Azibaola was released on administrative bail, but he was still in detention because he could not meet the conditions of his bail. EFCC made this submission in a counter affidavit filed by one of his operatives, Mohammed Hassan. Azibaola had filed a suit through his lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, alleging that he has been detained unlawfully by the EFCC.…
The Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) has warned against what it perceives as the government’s attempt to arrest former President Goodluck Jonathan. The group accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of subtly laying a foundation for the former President’s arrest. The youth body also condemned EFCC’s arrest of Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Mr. Robert Azibaola, over an alleged $40m fraud. Punch reports that the IYC President, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said “They have arrested almost all our people. Azibaola was arrested by the EFCC and we are calling on the EFCC to stop persecuting him further and charge him to court…
According to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, the agency has recovered more than $3.1 billion from corrupt persons. Magu made the disclosure during a visit to the London office of the BBC Hausa service over the weekend. “Because of what is going on, I can’t tell you the exact amount we have recovered so far. But we are still collecting the monies,” he said according to Daily Trust. “I can’t tell you for now, but what we have recovered within this period alone, was never recorded since the establishment of the EFCC in…
EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu[/caption]Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has warned fraudsters to stop using his name to extort money from Nigerians in their bid get detained persons released. This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren in Abuja on Thursday, May 19. “It has come to the knowledge of the EFCC that some persons have been using the name of its Chairman fraudulently,” the statement read in part. It said the fraudsters also claimed that they had his…
The Nigerian Army has released the photo (above) of the second rescued Chibok girl, and identified her as Serah Luka. In a statement circulated online by PRNigeria, army spokesman, Usman Sani Kukasheka, said Luka was rescued on Thursday, May 19, following a military operation, in which 35 Boko Haram terrorists were killed and 97 women and children rescued. The girl, according to him, is the number 157 on the list of the abducted school girls. During debriefing, Luka told the army that three other Chibok girls fled when the troops invaded Damboa Local Government area of Borno State, the same…
The leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a press statement called on Nigerians not to lament about the removal of subsidy by the government. Tinubu said he is aware of the mixed feelings the decision of the government is causing, adding that “However, we should not lament the departure of something just because of its longevity, particularly, when that very policy had ceased to serve us long ago.” Reports have it that Tinubu argued that the former system in the down-stream sector of Nigeria’s oil industry, only benefitted the rich. The APC leader also…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that it will interrogate the former Governor of Delta state, Emmanuel Uduaghan. Reports say Uduaghan allegedly received N450m from the $115m which the former minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke kept for the 2015 presidential elections. Also on the EFCC interrogation list, is a former Senator, Ndudi Elumelu. The Managing Director (MD) of Fidelity bank PLC, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo told the EFCC that he was asked by the former minister of petroleum to help handle the disbursements of the $115m to some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officers. Punch reports that an…
Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, in an interview, said he is not a fugitive. Obanikoro said he is not on the run from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The former Ambassador, who recently bagged a Doctorate degree from from Oglethorpe University in the United States of America on Friday, May 13, 2016, said life is not all about politics. Obanikoro also said “That’s politics for you; you win some, you lose some. And there’s life after politics. I’m going to the US to pursue a degree. “To begin with, no allegation has been made against…
Renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has opened up on his decision to let his son, Falz pursue music despite studying law in England. Speaking to The leadership, Femi explained parents allow their children choose their desired career path rather than imposing their own choice on them. According to the Leadership, Falz approached his dad saying he was tired of practicing in the law profession as expected left him surprised. Femi told Leadership, “Don’t force any course on your children, don’t insist that they must be doctors or lawyers. My son Folarin, who was working in our…
As a new season of popular Friday night comedy programme ‘The Bigger Friday Show’ is set to premiere, an amazing twist will be coming in the next few weeks. The show previously hosted by Basketmouth as ‘The Big Friday Show’, will sport a revamped format as it will be hosted by rapper and widely admired Internet phenomenon, Falz The Bahd Guy. ‘The Bigger Friday Show is one of the revamped entertainment shows on MTV Base as the channel seeks to make young African audiences the center of its content and deepen audience participation and interaction. The past edition of the…
Falz The Bahd Guy has shut down the rumour mill, as he finally shares information concerning his relationship status. In an interview with Channels TV’s ‘Entertainment News’, Falz played down the rumours concerning a possible relationship with ‘Jamb Question’ singer, Simi. According to the rapper, they are currently not dating at the moment, but shares hopes of a a future romantic relationship between him and Simi. Falz said, “At this point, we are not dating, but you never know what the future hold”. Falz The Bahd Guy is the son of human rights lawyer, Femi Falana. He has been able…
Nigerian singer Simi is back with the visuals for her ‘Love don’t care’ ballad. Directed by Clarence Peters, the video is a one-take narrative that tells a simple story of love being torn apart by ethnic and social constructs. The video is subtly embellished with iconic images of Nigeria’s history, ironically reminding us that in our diversity lies our unity. ‘Love don’t care’ is an emotional piece that will stir up feelings you never thought existed”, the X3M Music artiste says.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has expressed his displeasure over the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Wike said he has lost confidence in INEC to conduct free and fair elections anywhere in Nigeria. He said “I don’t have confidence in the present INEC. It is too inconsistent and acts outside the law. We are encouraging every candidate to contest elections and emerge through popular votes. We will not allow impunity or imposition.” Wike also spoke on the upcoming elections in Edo state, saying “From what we have seen on ground in Edo State, this is the…
Alhaji Balarabe Musa who stated this in an exclusive interview on Wednesday May 18, 2016, added that it is already impossible for Buhari to return as President in 2019 because many Nigerians who supported him in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 have lost confidence in him. “As the president, Buhari has the means of transforming everything but obviously, it is quite clear that Buhari’s popularity before 2015 elections and now have gone down drastically,” Balarabe said. Balarabe Musa who is the first civilian governor of Kaduna State said Buhari can only make it in 2019 if he can completely tackle…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the source of funds used for the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) campaign in 2015. The PDP also accused the Buhari administration of witch-hunting its members in the guise of fighting a war against corruption. The comments were contained in a six-point resolution reached by the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Tuesday, May 17, 2016. The resolutions were as follows: That the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party will hold in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State at the Shark Stadium on Saturday, the 21st of May 2016 as earlier…
Doyin Okupe, a former aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, May 18, said Jonathan confirmed to him that he gave PDP spokesman, Olisa metuh, N400 million. He said the purpose of the fund was for Metuh to fine-tune the former president’s image ahead of his public declaration for the 2015 presidential race. Okupe disclosed this at the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja while testifying in the trial of Metuh on allegations of receiving N400 million from the office of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki. He told the court that Jonathan released the fund to Metuh…
Officials say the successes were recorded in continuation with the special clearance and rescue operations otherwise known as Operation CRACKDOWN, within the Sambisa forest. According to army spokesman Col Sani Usman Kukasheka, troops of 7 Division had on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, cleared Boko Haram terrorists out of their Njimia camp within Sambisa forest. “While advancing earlier in the morning on the same day, the troops also cleared Boko Haram terrorists camps at Alafa, where they encountered heavy resistance from Boko Haram terrorists and killed 15 of them,” Kukasheka said. “The troops continued their advance through Alafa Main, Alafa Extension…
One of the missing Chibok girls has been rescued around Sambisa Forest, incoming reports say. The girl has been identified as Amina Nkeki Ali and she was found while breastfeeding a baby, The Cable reports. Amina is said to have told troops that six of the Chibok girls had died in captivity. “She said all of them are still in Sambisa forest, that six were already dead. She added that they are well secured and protected from the Nigerian army. She has been talking to troops at Damboa after verifying her to the Chibok Community at home,” Tunji Olarenwaju, a…